24 hrs has passed since you all were summoned to the court of Emperor John I by the Logothetes tou Dromou, Nicephorus of Byzantium. It was well known though out the city that Nicephorus was in charge of foreign affairs of the empire as well as having several other duties including being a personal advisor to the Basilius himself.

You had not seen the Emperor nor did any of you expect to. You had not even seen Nicephorus... you each only received a letter from him read by a scribe/messenger, demanding your presence here today at the time of noon.

A small group has gathered in a very large hall in the outer palace. A feast has been set nearby but there has been no order or allowance to visit the tables as of yet but you have all been served the finest green wine by young servant girls.

Several low long couches set against the wall below the tapestries. Some choose to stand while others sit.

A large double door at the end of the hall opens in in walks a short rotund man of middle years that you all recognize as Nicephours. At his side walks a small dark-skinned man with a full beard wearing the dress of a Persian.

Nicophorus grabs a goblet of green wine and hold it up in a toast..."A toast to you gentlemen! I thank you for joining us today to discuss a once in a lifetime chance to see the world and serve your Emperor!"

He downs the wine in one long pull then sets the empty goblet on a couch. Looking over those assembled he says..."Even though I summoned you, I do not know you from Adam. Please stand and introduce yourselves so we can get onto business."

Jean felt quite comfortable in this atmospere, and would be even if the Emperor was present himself.  He decided to respond.  The knight was wearing banded armor and carried a long sword at his side.  He bowed as appropriate.

Speaking in Greek, "I am Jean, and hail from the Kingdom of the West Franks.  I've traveled through much of Europe, and now have had the pleasure to see your fair city.  My thanks for your hospitality."

Boredom had motivated Akos to attend the summons not the directive itself, and his grin is private as he inspects the assembled worthies as the fat man makes his proclamations and introductions.  Keeping his thoughts to himself, he looks on as the armored figure speaks, but adds nothing to the man's words.

The tall, armored, young warrior salutes all the present "Greetings master Nicephorus," nodding to Jean and the other assembled folks "you fine gentlemen, I am Roderychus of the Venturoi, servant of God and of our Lord Emperor."

Besides a well cared-for banded armor, Roderychus carries a few religious symbols, prominently an iron cross hanging from his neck.

"Ah, a religious man.  Well met Roderychus, though I do not share your philosophies, I find religion too restrictive."  He bows from the waist to Nicephorus and says, "Greeting Lord.  I gather you have summoned me due to my reputation as a learned man.  I am Balthazar, nick-named Balthazar the Hedonite due to my known indulgences; forgive me Lord, the Roman blood runs deep."  He winks at Nicephorus.

He moves to shake hands with Jean.  "I have spent several years in your Kingdom, much to my delight.  Splendid country.  Well met, Sir Jean."

Balthazar eyes A'kos warily, but says nothing to him.

The impossibly wide looking warrior looks up from his goblet of wine and says..."I am Miroslav Chernovich of Kiev, I am no scholar or diplomat. So I am assuming that this chance to serve our Emperor has a more martial ring to it eh?"

Nicephorus let a broad smil spread slowly across his plump face and replies to Balthazar..."Yes...Balthazar you have been contacted due to your knowledge in certain areas...as you all have."

He motions the small brownish man to come forward and introduces him..."This is Armin, royal scribe for the Caliph of Baghdad. He has been given the task of not only mapping but chronicling the peoples and cultures of the known world. As a favor to the Caliph, our most gracious Basilius has offered to give aid to Armin as he travels into the continent...first around the  Euxine sea, then into the Danube basin tot he home of the Magyars, next into the north all the way to Novgorod and lastly into the Frankish Kingdom and all points inbetween. You have all been invited here due to your knowledge of the areas andability to help this project reach it's potential."

A'kos shifts angrily as the plans are told; he has little reason to return to his ancestral home.

"What makes you certain all of us would share our knowledge and aid your endeavor?" he asks softly, staring intently at the indolent fat man.  "Perhaps at least some of us are gathered in the lap of John's empire because we wished to explore southward rather than ride over well worn trails and tread familiar paths."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:36, Fri 17 July 2009.

Balthazar remarks to no one in particular.  "My he's a touchy one."  Then he turns to A'kos and says, "On the run from home are we?  Perhaps you could don a disguise."  He grins, as if he's just told a marvelously funny joke.

Jean nodded a greeting back to Roderychus, and when offered, gladly shook hands with Balthazar.  The knight noted the most unusual hat that Balthazar wore, but made no comment on it.  The further he was from home, the more varied dress was.  "Well met."

He listened to Nicephorus explain some details of the goals desired, and nodded a greeting to Armin.  Before Jean could reply, he was startled slightly by the emotional reaction from A'kos.  Of course, Jean didn't understand why there was such a reaction, although in the knight's uninformed opinion, it appeared to be an overreaction, at least from a guest.

And after Balthazar spoke again, Jean attempted to keep a straight face.  Would the words by taken by A'kos in a friendly way, or an insult to his honor.  He waited to see...

"As a politician you must have understood that not all of your guests would greet such a proposal with open arms,"  said A'kos as he stepped forward.

Lazily resting his hand upon the hilt of his sword he came to a halt but a couple strides away from their host.  Disdainful of the effete, turbaned man and ignoring the others he continued, "You would also know that such a request would come with a price..."

Balthazar backs up his new "friend".  "Yes, absolutely, I'm sure good Nicephorus was just getting to that detail."

"Bathazar is correct...I do mean to address these concerns and yes, I know there is a price for everything. Do you really think we would ask this of you as a favor to the Basilius without thought of compensation?" Nicephorus takes a sip of wine.
"Some of you are citizens of the empire and know how deep our pockets run while others are new here. You will note that those familiar witht he workings of the Empire did not question payment? They know the Emperor pays well."

He then directly address A'kos..."What would you consider a fair price for your services?"

There exists quite a scale between humility and hubris.  After having watched the display, Jean wondered where on the scale A'kos lies.  Would he be so filled with hubris to ask for an exhorbitant amount of payment, considering himself priceless?  Would he ask for something other than money?  The knight remained quiet for the moment to see...