Tyranny of Steel

Emperor Vetranis sat on his throne within the city of Constantinople. By his side were the veteran Strategos Palladius and his eldest son Quintus. The three of them were gathered to discuss an important matter which was causing quite the worry among the Byzantine aristocracy.

Their neighbors to the South and East were preparing for a new Jihad, and intelligence reports suggested that the Timur Empire would soon invade of the Kingdom of Georgia, which was Byzantium ’s oldest ally. Palladius ’ spy network had gathered this intelligence and thus, the Strategos himself presented the evidence before his King and the eldest Prince of the Empire.

”The Timur Empire has been amassing troops on our Eastern Border. We believe this is in preparation for the Jihad they have planned. However, this is not our greatest concern, rather my informants assure me they will first invade the Kingdom of Georgia and subject them to Muslim rule. In doing so, expand their forces by a great margin.

If we wish to have any chance of defeating the combined onslaught of the Muslim world against our Empire, we will need to ensure the safety and stability of our allies. Austria is currently engaging in a war to unify Germany into a single Empire, and we cannot trust Granada to fight against their own Muslim Brothers.

Georgia must not fall! If she does, then our oldest and closest ally cannot support us in our time of need. Though they have yet to ask for our aid, I fear they are unaware of the threat that amasses on their borders. Your Majesty, we must inform Georgia of the intelligence we have gathered and offer our support! ”

Vetranis scratched his chin as he heard Palladius ’ words. With the maiming of Decentius, the Hawkish faction within the Byzantine Court had lost a tremendous amount of influence over internal politics, and because of this Palladius and his tertiary faction, could assume a much closer role to the Emperor.