Loukas sets aside his trained instinct to bow and scrape as one would do the Greek Emperor and follows Miroslav's lead. He also sticks to his decision not to speak unless addressed directly...

Miroslav seeing that the others are to wary to speak to such a high ranking noble such as Sviatoslav, steps forward and spills the entire story from beginning to end, leaving out no details.

The Knyaz sits down on a barrel and rests his chin in his hand as he listens. When Miroslav is finished with the tale Sviatoslav stands and says..."Perun take Emperor John! He has given us nothing but grief since he murdered his own uncle and stole the throne from him. Now he works to ruin our relationship with the Caliph! He has worked to make us enemies with the Bulgars and Pechenegs...but this last one is the worst offense.

He walks around a second in thought then says..."Word will be sent to the Caliph of this at once to avoid any incident between the Rus and the Persians. As for you all. You have done a great service to the Rus, the Persians and even the Byzantines by exposing the Basilius for what he really is. In three days time we move against the Byzantine city of Khorsun in the Crimean peninsula. Should all go well we will send a message to the Basilius that we are not here to play his puppets. I beg you to join my expedition with your ship. Khorsun is a rich city and there are great opportunities for wealth and land there for all."

Loukas runs a hand through his hair and takes a deep breath, "Might John not take advantage of this attack you plan and ultimately use it as evidence to the Persian Caliph that the attack he staged to frame you for the murder of his cartographer was in fact you, Knyaz? I am no statesman, but it seems to me that this might just play into the Emperor's hands."

Sviatoslav smiles at Loukas and says..."You may not be a statesman but your u have a good head on your shoulders, your uncle would be proud. I am sorry to hear of his passing from Miroslav...I knew your uncle in passing, a good man. But back to the matter at hand, the Caliph knows of this attack. It was intelligence from his agents that helped in the planning. So any word to the Caliph from John concerning this attack will only go to enforce his treachery."

The reality of the complexity their world in smacked Loukas more harshly than Sviatoslav could have known. If he went along with the Rus's plan he would be a traitor, but what did he owe to those who had duped and killed his uncle? The realization that whatever action he undertook would doubtless be wrong at some point struck him even more profoundly than his prior realization.

"Well... If that is the case, then it seems to me that we ought to provide something for the Basilius to enforce his treachery with..."

Turning to look at his comrades, "Do you agree? Should we throw in with this King?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:51, Sat 17 Oct 2009.

"I shall not raise my sword against byzantine forces, unless in defense of myself or of others. The treason stains not the unknowing folk of the Empire, and I still owe my allegiance to the institutions, even if no longer to the men in power. But the invitation presented by the Knyaz sounds timely."

Roderychus looks straight at Sviatoslav "Thou certainly have an aura of nobility and trustworthiness, my lord. A plot such as the one woven by the Basilius is a shame to the Empire and to all for which it stands. I will try to acomplish any deed that might diminish such a stain or expose its perpetrators."

Sviatoslav replies to Roderychus..."I apprectiate your loyalty and your kinds words for me...I am but a soldier born to a king. No more noble than anyone of my men here. If it matters to you, Khorsun has but few Byzantine troops garrisoned there. At this time they are mostly protected by Pecheneg mercenaries and Varangians. I offer you the same deal as the Basilius. Land but instead of on the outskirts to build a buffer against the Pechenegs, in the city itself...rich land."

He addresses all..."Khorsun or Cheronsone as the Greeks call it is a far off colony of the Empire. I do not expect a fight from them. I expect them to surrender in a few days time."

It surprised Loukas how enthusiastic he suddenly felt for this project. Perhaps it was the kind words Sviatoslav had offered him about his uncle and the flattery with which the King had slathered him with regarding his smarts? Then again, perhaps it is just the artlessness and straightforwardness that this leader acted with that made inspired him? Whatever it was, the he understood Miroslav's enthusiasm for this man.

"I do not know that I seek a trophy for this, though, your offer is generous, Sire... I act in the name of my uncle and those Byzantines who have been misused by a man who has proven to be as corrupt as the rumors suggested when his uncle died. We must confirm with A'kos, Jaleh, and Jean, but at this time my vote is to aid the Knyaz.

Balthazar steps forward and introduces himself, then answers, "Members of my order never tie themselves to the land until they are ready to retire, and I am very far from that, but I thank you for the offer.  No, my motivation here is vengeance for the death of the scribe.  Though I knew him but a short time, he was a good man, and a talented occultist.  If this attack leads in some small way to the Basilius' downfall, I'm all for it."

"A fine offer indeed, however I cannot accept no bounty nor reward for myself. I will only ask that if righteousness puts us in the same path and my acts end up helping your objectives, o king, you might then concede some favour reasonable to the eyes of God."

Sviatoslav smiles and says..."I can understand all of your terms and will respect them. If we can take Khorsun it will greatly hurt the Basilius, less in a physical way than in making him lose face with his own generals. THey will know of his plot soon enough as I will send word via a net work of couriers to certain less than friendly to the regime, member os the Byzantine government."

He walks forward and smack Miroslav on the shoulder and says..."Tonight you will all join me in my encampment for a feast."

With out another word he turns a walks off leaving the party to discuss things among themselves.

Jean the Frankish knight rides up on his steed just moments after the Knyaz had left the area. He hops down from his mount and says "So, what does the king of heathendom have to offer for our great service?"

As the Knyaz leaves Loukas began to say something to Miroslav, but Jean trotted up before he has a chance to speak. Turning to the Frank, "He offers good land in Khosun to whomever helps him take the place. Most of us present do not seem to be interested, but he made clear that if we provide useful service we will be justly rewarded."

"I say we all need baths ... and women."

Jaleh and A'kos ride back to join the group and Miroslav does his best to fill them in on the details. He also says that there is ample opportunity to find some drink, women and whatever you might be interested in doing for the three days before the Knyaz leads his fleet to Khorsun.

Jaleh smiles as she hears the offer made by Sviatoslav repeated by Miroslav. "Does his offer extend to me as well? Would he give land to an unmarried woman?"

She looks over at A'kos to judge his assessment of the situation and offer.

"Aye, Sviatoslav hold women in higher esteem than most. His mother Olga ruled the Rus for nearly 20 years after the murder of her husband and Sviatoslav's father, Oleg. His wife Malusha also hold a prominent place in court...she is the Knyaz seer as well as his wife."

A'kos glances at Jaleh and shrugs.

"An opportunity to gain renown - what more can I ask for?"

Loukas smirks in reaction to A'kos's comment, "A jug of wine...?"

Quickly holding up both hands in a placating gesture, "Okay, a keg of wine?"

"Though, maybe I speak for myself? My friends, I agree with Balthazar. I need to slake a profound thirst and wash the blood, sweat, and tears from my tired body. We each have much to gain from this situation, so let us adjourn and begin doing so!"

Once at a sufficiently respectable inn and bathed, Balthazar entertains Loukas and anyone else who is interested with a wine-tasting fiesta, showing off his impressive knowledge of different types of wine, what foods they go best with, and how to stave off drunkeness until one has had his fill.

Loukas washed several days of dirt and troubles away and joined Balthazar. He entered the room that the wizard had established his wine and edibles and set to with gusto. He had a lot of "stuff" to work through and he let nothing, nor nobody, deter him from the delicious oblivion offered by Balthazar, "So, you call yourself 'the Hedonite', my friend, I think tonight is your opportunity to begin convincing me that you deserve such a title!"

A'kos settles into the room with Balthazar and Loukas and watches their reckless abandon with an amused smile.

"Live, friends," he chuckles good-naturedly.  "Enjoy this moment as if it is our last!"

Before the other members of the group leave to enjoy themselves Roderychus says "We are on the verge of embarking once again on the way of peril. Perhaps would be of use offering some of the objects carried by the late Armin to Sviatoslav in exchange for other goods that might aid us in the future events. What you folks say?"

"Yes ROderychus, youa re probably right...but we may want to keep them for ourselves as well. We will be needing to fill out our crew somewhat. These Greek farmers may have heart but they are neither warriors or seamen. I suggest that in the morn we scout for some new crew members among the Varangians perhaps."

"It seems my own harness has become somewhat worn of late and so I will claim the Mail shirt. As to the pagan cheese knife and the rest I say get what you can for us."

He picks up the +2 Chainmail and places it in his armor bag for cleaning.

"I too intend to enjoy this night as deeply as possible."