A'kos smiles, and rubs his nose lightly with a finger as he replies, "What worth to you my services?"

Turning to look at the others he continues, "What worth all of our services?"

Laughing a bit, suddenly enjoying the game, he defers the question back to Nicephorus.

Nicephorus smiles and takes another sip of wine, then says..."So we see what passes for diplomacy among the horsemen eh? Answer a question with a question? That is bad form but I suppose I am not guilty of it as well now!"

The fat mans smiles grows even broader now and he finishes off the last of his
wine, finds a couch and leans forward..."For your service to the Basilius you have a choice in how you will be compensated...you may choose 5000 in gold or better than that, a small estate and minor title in the city of Chersonese on the shores of the Euxine Sea on the Crimean Peninsula. Clearly the estate and title are worth more than the gold but either offer is more than generous. Also to be blunt, you all were chosen because we knew you need the gold or estate."

Stepping ahead after Nicephorus speaks, Roderychus says in a grave tone "I am sure all you fine gentlemen will be more than able to arrange an appropriate price for your services. As for me, the Emperor can rely on my sword and shield for this task. If I am to be blessed by some form of compensation I would rather ask for it being reverted either to God or to my family."

Now, here was a man of honor, will feelings not unlike his own, and so Jean spoke up.  "Well said!"

The knight had never heard of the location where such a parcel of land might be.  He didn't even know if he spoke the language of that area.  Although, Jean would accept the money, for his donation would be going to the Catholic Church, and he would see that it got there.

He added, "A noble sentiment nobly spoken."

A'kos glances at the scribe and snorts.

"A century ago my folk would have ridden you down.  Now, more likely, they'll crucify you.  You are ready for such a journey?"

Armin the Persian nods his head in the direction of A'kos and says..."If my escorts fail to protect me then I will trust in Allah."

"Ha!" chuckles A'kos.  "Where we're going Allah's the last one you'll want to trust.  For my part I'll trust to the wind, and the sky, and the sun...and to thunder rolling across the plains."

"And my sword, of course."

Bowing his head to the scribe with a mocking grin he finishes, "If an estate is my reward than I, for one, am at your service."

Turning, he makes his way to the delicacies set upon the table and begins to enjoy the feast.

Miroslav shrugs his wide shoulders as he walks toward the feat table behind A'kos..."I am with the Magyar...I will go as long as an estate is the compensation plus all the spoils that we might pick up on the way. I know Chersonese or as my people call it Korsun. The pechenegs harry the northern border at times but near the coast is safe enough."

The Slav picks up a roast leg of fowl and digs in without waiting for a reply from Nicephorus.

"Though they range far away, my folk have heard of them, and call them Besenyő.  They are hardy warriors and nomads, and also mercenaries who whore themselves to whoever pays them the most," says A'kos to the Slav as he chews thoughtfully upon a grape.  "By the time we return they may be long gone and no longer a threat.  At least I can hope...I would hate for my future palace to be burnt to the ground before I've returned to enjoy it."

Laughing, he took a long pull from his tankard before setting it aside in search of further delicacies...

The rotund Greek points toward the two men who have not spoken yet, both have the look of Varangians. "We have contracted Thorfinn here to sail you north to the mouth of the Danube after a brief stop over for resupplying in Mesembria on the Thracian coast."

He then motions to the darker of the two men and says..."Dobryny is a brother to Thorfinn and will head up the crew of the ship. I know a few of you are no strangers to the sea so if you feel the urge, your help onboard would be most welcome...or so I am told."

Thorfinn steps forward...
"I am told that we leave in the morning. There is room onboard for your horses, just barely but they should all fit. I sail with the sun!"

Jean looked a little surprised.  "On board?"

"Yes, onboard! What better way to reach the Danube? We take you to the Rus' city of Pereyaslavets. Journey overland would take four times as long."
He says with a thick Slavic accent.

A'kos turns his attention to the two sailors, listening.  He knows little of sea craft so doubts he would be much help during the journey, though he likely could handle the horses, who would be nervous on the unstable deck of a ship.

He recalled his arrival in Constantinople.  Alone, he had ridden down from Transdanubian region, through Bulgaria, and made his way to Constantinople.  It had taken him weeks to travel some 200 leagues through rugged territory, a trip that had taken its toll on his mount, Storm's Wind.  Recalling such, he would not argue against a shorter, easier trip.

Turning from the sailors he says to Miroslav, "If we leave on the morrow on a sea voyage, mayhap its not such a good idea to eat or drink too much."

Setting aside his tankard, he turns to Nicephorus.

"Who rules in Pereyaslavets: Bulgarians, Rus or Byzantine?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:16, Sun 19 July 2009.

Miroslav answers A'kos before Nicephorus gets a chance to..."Prince Sviatoslav moved the capital of the Rus from Kiev to Pereyaslavets just a year ago. I visited there just a month ago. You will find no greater ruler on earth than the Knyaz, Sviatoslav!"

The Slav then downs a goblet of wine in a toast to Sviatoslav...Dobryny and Thorfinn obviously share the same opinion as they both nod and smile at the gesture.

Miroslav then claps a meaty hand on A'kos's shoulder and says..."I have both legs and stomach for the sea my new friend...but you are right. You may not fare so well if you are not used to the rocking of a dragon ship!"

Nicephorus seems slightly annoyed at having the words taken from his mouth by Miroslav and says..."As Miroslav says..it is now the capital city of the Rus. Byzantium has a truce with Sviatoslav. Passage is safe there even for Greek ships but we thought it better for you to travel with the Varanger, just to make sure you do not draw too much attention to yourselves."

A'kos nods to both men.

"That is good then.  What about provisions?"

Roderychus eyes the rus, the turns to Nicephorus "It will certainly be an interesting travel. What shall be our path from there on?"

"I am leaving the choosing of paths to Armin but as of now the plan is to visist the land of the Magyars then far to the north past Kiev and into Novgorod."

He looks once again to A'kos..."All provisions will be provided to you, one of the reasons you make a stop at a Byzantine city before heading into the capital of the Rus. We could provide for you here but we want to offer one last bit of greek hospitality to our guest Armin before sending him off to the wilds."

I am going to assume that all the characters have agreed to take on this task of escorting Armin on his journey. The ship leave early the next day giving the characters only a short time to get their affairs in order, get packed up and buy any last minute items they require. Any purchases can be made and charged to the court.

I will leave this thread open only a little while longer and open a new thread for the voyage.

"Very well."

"Armin, tell me, are you planning on riding a horse?  Or will you be riding in a wagon?"  Considering Armin was charged with mapping an entire continent or more, a wagaon seemed likely to hold so many papers, ink, stores, etc.  But the knight inquired anyway.

Afterwards, Jean went through his goods to see what might be needed and made arrangements for anything additional that was necessary.

"I have brought the finest Arabian mare for a mount. A wagon makes good sense but I fear we will not always have passable roads so the mare it shall be."

"An Arabian, eh?" notes the Magyar with interest.  "A swift breed, good for running from the field of battle.  Still, I bet it has good lines..."

Armin either does not catch the insult in A'kos's words or else he just chooses to ignore it.
"Yes she is a beautiful horse that a true horseman like yourself would greatly appreciate."

"I'll have opportunity to see her tomorrow," replies A'kos, setting aside a final small sip of ale.  "I wish to check my own mount, a magnificent beast in his own right...not so tall as a full destrier, but swifter to the attack and just as angry!  I'll look forward to our sea voyage to be complete so that I may ride once again.  I bid you pleasant eve, and will see you at the docks in the morning."