SUENIK THE BELEAGUERED
CHAPTER 48 - DAWN OF A NEW ERA
(1154)
Before we get down to business I make a point of finding one of those little psychos from the nursery a wife. He's come of age so I think I'd best find him someone who can keep him reigned in.
One of the wedding guests comes to offer his congratulations and then proceeds to beg with me for a place at my court.
All these new vassals have got me thinking. I take a look at my map and note the territory owned by the so-called "Emperor" of Byzantium. How come he gets to call himself an Emperor and I'm just a lowly king? It's about time we had some changes around here...
The first thing I do is commision a new flag. A new regime needs new symbolism. Some of the entries leave a lot to be desired.
This little beauty apparently represents my new found piety and me slowly ascending towards Heaven. A nice concept but fairly dull.
Next we have...
Well... It's busy, I'll give it that. Apparently it shows the mighty Suenkian empire stretching from dawn till dusk, and the little castles represent the seven royal provinces.
Close, but no cigar.
There were many other entries, but only one managed to get its painter jailed.
I mean...seriously...what the hell is going on here????
However, I finally chose a winner and at my coronation as Emperor of Greater Suenik I have it unveiled.
Apparently, it represents me as Saint George (the patron saint of what was Georgia and is now the Empire of Greater Suenik) smiting the infidel.
My dad would have LOVED this...
To celebrate I cast my eye around for random territories to add to the Empire and I find this...
Two little heathen provinces, each with no friends and each at war with the other.
That, my friends, is what we in the imperialist expansion business call "an oppertunity". I therefore raise an army and head north.
It's fortunate that I never get round to declaring war because no sooner have I left the capital than I get the following news...
So the heir of Doukas fancies his chances does he?
Right - time to see who's made of proper Emperor material...
Does the Byzantine Empire have it coming to it? Will Suenik prevail? Has Aboulgharib's hubris got the better of him? Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Suenik - Land of the Beleaguered!