Roman Napoli marked by the lower red arrow, Roma by the upper
Prologue:
"Romulus and Remus were raised by wolves. I? I was raised by Turks."
Goosebumps, this line never failed. Such were the powerful words of Gohkan Justoglos. The students were wide eyed by this line in turn. I kept reading.
"I and my family spent many long years, centuries, during the Twenty Year's Anarchy, The Nikephorians, the Isaurians, exiled from our empire. Justinian's nephew, Justin II, adopted a son, Tiberius II, who in turn adopted Maurice (Who subsequently married his daughter, Constantia.) The traitor Phocas slayed Maurice and his 7 sons in cold blood, and 3 years later did the same to Constantia and her 3 daughters, effectively ending the Justininian dynasty.
Or did it? Constantia actually had a 4th daughter, Maria, who was eventual wed to the Persia Shah, Khosrau 2. She bore a son, Justoglos, who was cast out from the Persians following a bloody succesion war. Maria and her child grew up around the Caspian Sea, amongst the Turks, and Justoglos grew up and had many offspring, keeping the Justinian dynasty alive. While he himself was half-greek and half persian, the bloodline eventually became muddled with Turkic blood. My grandfather told me of my lineage, and I spent every day as a child, looking over the Caspian and dreaming of the beautiful City. My mother had been there once, and I asked for stories every day. My father vowed to me that we would one day return. He began teaching me Latin and Greek, as he himself was learning, and eventually we would move to Naples, an indepenent county at the hinge of 3 empires. We converted to Orthodoxy. When I was 24, my father died, leaving me with a network of close allies who wished to see the current count deposed.
Our plan was long-term, but it was sureproof. I joined the castle guard, headed up by a Basque man, and got close to the local count, gaining his trust. He adopted me as his own, and had I not loved my father so I would've thought not of killing my adopted one, but I knew my destiny. I laced arsenic in one of his meals, and my connection with the spymaster ensured I was succesful. I had gained the throne of Naples, and while the waves of the Mediterranean were not as calming as the Caspian, I was finally on a throne, albeit not the beautiful gilded one in the city. I looked at the military map on the table near me, and gathered by closest advisors, planning my next move."
"The initial prospects weren't very bright. If I was to see the throne restored to our dynasty, it was not going to be with just one city, albeit a grand city in itself, under my control. My initial actions were to bring in nobles from anywhere I could, calling in old favors with the Basques I had become friends with, in order to solidify a solid council that would advise me every step of the way, as well as some generals. In this way I knew I would be able to expand our reach. To my north was the small county of Capua, an enticing first target, the bishop of Rome, who would be a long term project, and the Duke of Benevento, whose position high up in the hills would work against me. To my south, a 'republic' ruled, seeking to trade in the Mediterranean. Fools, but they had too many mercenaries to go after. Saracens, Byzantines, and the Duke of Salerno also reigned in the area,and none of them were feasible options. I was becoming frustrated, but I decided to call in my council."
(Narrator): Ah interesting! He even left a transcript of the first ever council meeting.
"For my Chancellor I have selected Kaisarios Spartenos, a true greek and a member of the old Neapolitan ruling dynasty. For my Marshal, the good Mayor Isaias of Napoli, as his experience with the locals will prove useful in both conscription and dealing with rebels. For my steward, Gartizia de Cumae, from the west, a true business man who will be sure to curb my spending as needed. For darker tasks, Egdio de Cumae, not the sneakiest fellow but the best I can get for now; I have yet to assimilate with the locals enough to bring a true thief to my council. Finally, my Ecclessiarch will be Belisarios of Cumae, a holy man who will be my connection to God and will help guide me out of this land filled with heretics and infidels. They seem to be arriving now."
KAISARIOS, ISAIAS, BELISARIOS enter
KAISARIOS: Good tidings my lord. Are you getting settled in?
GOKHAN: In a sense, yes. It is a lot to take in, my adopted father dying, ascending to the county seat so quickly.
BELISARIOS: Know he will be resting with God now, and now it is time for action.
GARTIZIA and EGDIO enter
GARTIZIA: Excuse our tardiness ma'lord. You could imagine our surprise when us simple nobles were called to the council of Napoli.
GOKHAN: Of course, of course, it is a time of change for all of us. Our first order of business is deciding a future plan, so we can work towards it. Napoli has been a great city for centuries, and we must restore it to it's former glory.
ISAIAS: Do you mean expansion, my lord? We must ensure the locals are comfortable with being ruled by a foreigner.
EGDIO: And we must find out who poisoned your adopted father and guarantee you don't meet the same fate!
GOKHAN: Yes, yes, gentlemen, you are both correct. Napoli will grow under our rule. I may be a foreigner, with the eastern steppes in my blood, but I was adopted a Greek and everything I do is of Greek blood. The people will have no problem with this, and if they do, I have no qualms with eliminating them.
KAISARIOS: Sir, our foreign relations are in a bad place right now. Everyone around us wants a piece of us! Especially the Bishop of Rome and the Saracens.
GOKHAN: To hell with Infidels and Heretics! We are going to expand our reach. The larger we are, the less likely it is that those heathens actually attack us.
BELISARIOS: I agree sir. Destiny is on the side of Orthodoxy.
KAISARIOS: Surely it would not hurt to at least improve relations with those around us? I am an expert diplomat sir.
GOKHAN: I know you are experienced, but I have a job for you first. You are to go to Capua and make a claim in my name. Capua is a natural expansion point for us and it's capture means the reinstatement of the Duchy of Napoli.
KAISARIOS: But sir, Capua is one of our only friends...
GOKHAN: If you have a better suggestion, let me know. Until then, head to Capua.
KAISARIOS: Yes, sir....
KAISARIOS EXITS
ISAIAS: Sir, our armies are in poor shape. They have been using bronze for swords, their arrows are low in number and blunt, and Napoli has not had a true general in years.
GOKHAN: Right then. You are to lead up an initiative to improve our army. Train the troops, Conscript who you need to into our reserves. And find me a general.
ISAIAS: Right away.
ISAIAS EXITS
GARTIZIA: Sir, the county could use some building improvements. Our streets are in shambles.
GOKHAN: That is worrying, but my adopted father left the treasury in even worse shappe.
GARTIZIA: I can attempt to go raise taxes then.
GOKHAN: Excellent idea.
GARTIZIA: It shall be done.
GARTIZIA EXITS
EGDIO: Sir, the murder?
GOKHAN: Uhhh, yes, right, of course. I want you to go to the theives' dens of the city and discover any malcontent amongst the people, including our nobles.
EGDIO: That isn't solving the murder sir. I am a detective after all!
GOKHAN: Yes yes, you will have time to play detective later. But right now I need you to protect the Count that is still actually alive.
EGDIO: Of course my Lord.
EGDIO EXITS
BELISARIOS: What of me?
GOKHAN: I am a bit jealous, admittedly, but I want you to go to The City. Speak with the Patriarch, let him know of my adopted father's death, put in a good word for me. We will need his assistance in the future.
BELISARIOS: Your will be done, sir.
BELISARIOS EXITS
GOKHAN: SERVANT!
SERVANT: Yes sir?
GOKHAN: Be honest with me, can a Turk like me marry a nice Greek woman in a time like this?
SERVANT: Uh, well, I wouldn't really, necessarily, be able to say, one way or the other, sir.
GOKHAN: Er, what is your name, kid?
SERVNAT: Beltran, sir.
GOKHAN: Ha! Another basque man. Tell you what, if you find me a bride who doesn't look like she was born of a woodland troll, I will ensure your life is better than this.
BELTRAN: Right away, sir, thank you!
BELTRAN EXITS
GOKHAN: Children these days.
Looks like the pictures are backing working for me as well.
