From Cyprus They Rose - Tales from the Mediterranean

Enewald said:

50% of the population got killed?

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Not quite, albeit Limassol was the second biggest city in the 'Empire'.

Enewald said:

And thus also the smallest?

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Now it is for sure, prior to the destruction not.

Famagusta is another important city, but for now it remains mainly as a small fishing village. There are also plenty of smaller towns and villages scattered around Cyprus.

Hmm... I wonder what I should do to make this AAR more popular, any ideas?

Chapter IV: The Pains of Love​

January 1199​

Every islander important enough had crammed into the big hall of Isaakios’s new castle. His son had returned with his new bride from a proposal journey. The mood was festive, wine and food was aplenty, music was played and jesters brought much needed amusement. Cyprus was recovering.

“Ladies, gentlemen”, Manuel Komnenos, son of Isaakios began, “I would like to represent you to my bride before we start with the formalities. My dearest Maria, this is your future court and these people here today shall fulfil all your needs may such arise.” The audience laughed and the music resumed. Manuel had married with Marie Albine de Hauteville, nice of William II de Hauteville, King of Sicily.


“Father, father!” Manuel ran to Isaakios, he seemed to be on an excepptionally good mood today, not that he was ever moody, lazy perhaps but definetely not a low-spirited soul.

“Have you met my wife yet?”

“No, not yet my son. Where is she?”

Manuel disappeared back into the crowd and brought Marie with him.
It was like time had stopped running around Isaakios and everyone went into slow-motion. He had never seen face as beautiful before, skin as soft or body so perfect.

“Father?”

Isaakios startled: “Ah yes, apologies. I am pleased to meet such a beautiful creature.” Marie smiled shyly looked Isaakios straight into his eyes. The man was getting uneasy. “E-excuse me son, I... I have something urgent that needs to be dealt with”, Isaakios stuttered and walked away.


It was getting dark and Marie Albine was yawning while walking down the castle corridor. She was pleased with her new position; married to a rich heir she actually loved. She was smiling at herself when she reached her bedchamber.

“Marie!” someone whispered behind her. She turned around; her husband’s father was standing there with a bottle of wine. Isaakios approached her and smiled.

“I was wondering when you’d show up.”

“What... what do you mean?” Marie wondered; she knew very well at this point what Isaakios was up to.

“I just wanted to share this bottle with such a beautiful creature”, Isaakios said and touched Marie’s hair. Marie stepped back, she was getting uncomfortable now. “I am your son’s wife!” she yelled.

“But that doesn’t stop us from enjoying the pleasures of wine, does it?” Isaakios asked and tried to put his hand on Marie’s waist. She grabbed the hand and yelled at him:

“You cannot! Decency, where is your decency!”

Isaakios grit his teeth and threw the bottle on the stone floor in rage. “Fine, wine or no wine I will bed you tonight!” Isaakios grabbed her arm and took her into his bedchamber and slammed the door behind them.


“What shall I do?” Isaakios asked in despair. “You must claim fatherhood, it is the only reasonable option”, his spymaster Alice Rubenid [Niece of Leon Rubenid, Prince of Armenia] advised him. “I cannot! My son thinks he is the child’s father. He has been eagerly waiting for this day.”

“Then why don’t you let your son keep his illusion”, Alice wondered. “No, he would find out one day. Secrets like these tend to unveil themselves later on. I am doomed and I have doomed my family with me”, Isaakios answered and leaned against the wall.

Alice soothed him: “It was a mistake and we must live with the burden.” Suddenly Isaakios straightened himself: “Yes, indeed. It was mistake!” Alice was taken by surprise by his sudden enthusiasm. “And there isn’t a mistake that can’t be fixed with the sharp edge of a blade!” Alice had been afraid Isaakios might say something like that. She sighed and responded: “I guess I must do my duty as your spymaster then.” She turned around and started to walk away.

“Wait!” Isaakios stopped her, “No I... I cannot murder my own son!” He fell back into despair and sat on the floor, but Alice was relieved. Isaakios jumped up again.

“I know! I will send him into exile to Sicily, the native land of his mother. We must make sure he never learns of this incident and most importantly, never returns!”

Alice was pleased of this solution, it sounded like something she should have had come up with. “What about your son? And the mother?”

“My son must never know of this. We must inform him that the child died in labour. We must reveal our plan to Marie. I know she won’t reveal the secret; it is painful for her too. Besides, she must be allowed to stay in contact with the fostering parents – I have caused too much pain already to refuse her right for it. But she may never contact her child, our child.”

Alice nodded and entered the delivery room. “It’s a son!” she yelled soon afterwards.

Auray said:

Not the dream father indeed...

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Heh, you were right all along. But wait till you find out what kind of a godparent he is.

Enewald said:

Osmond, what kind of Greek noble allows his child to be named Osmond?

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One that wishes to remain anonymous and wipe all traces of fatherhood?

Chapter V: Exodus​

It was hard to navigate on the overcrowded streets; refugees from Eastern Rome were flooding the city. Isaakios was overseeing the construction of a brand-new harbour in Famagusta. Just few years ago it was still an unimportant, tiny fishing village, but thanks to its natural harbour it was the excellent haven for people fleeing the Byzantine civil war. Slowly the city expanded and would soon reach the population of Lefkosia. The economy was booming as well; vendors and merchants from the Holy Land and Anatolia had settled here due to its near perfect, central location. Pilgrims had also discovered the new booming centre of the Eastern Mediterranean, using the city as a resting place on their journey to the Levant.

“Your highness”, a guardsman addressed Isaakios, “we discovered a group of refugees you ought to meet.”

“Refugees that I should socialise with?” Isaakios facial expression turned into disgust. “You must be out of your mind!”

“Your highness, you better come with me. I can assure you won’t be let down.”

Isaakios was reluctant but decided to follow the guard. They arrived to a wealthy looking ship equipped with Roman symbols.

“What is this? An invasion?” Isaakios yelled and was ready to draw his sword.

“Relax, friend”, someone told him. A well-equipped man of Isaakios’s age walked down the ship’s ramp. He was well-equipped and looked impressive with in his Byzantine armour. Two younger men followed in his steps. He approached Isaakios and presented himself: “I am Manuel Komnenos, marshal of the Roman army.”

“EX-marshal”, older of the two boys behind him corrected. Manuel gave him an evil look.


“Ah yes, and this is my son Alexios. He has a sharp tongue but he’ll never make much of a soldier. I had the impression that we might be relatives", he sneered.

Isaakios was not pleased. It was rest of the Komnenoi that had abandoned him to the Armenians. Manuel laughed at his accusations: “You are Komnenus only through a maternal line. But I pay respect to those who succeed in life without having to rely on their family. I think I speak for all of us when I say this – you are a true Komnenid by heart. And as head of the family my word is the law.” He smiled and pat Isaakios on his shoulder.

“You forgot to introduce this young man”, Isaakios pointed at younger of the two brothers.

“That’s my other, good-for-nothing son Dauid. I must have sinned in my life to gain such a burden. You are worth no more than this pile of sand, isn’t that right son?” Manuel grabbed some of the coastal soil in his hand and threw it at Dauid. The son shyly replied: “Y-you are correct father...”

Manuel added: “And if his stupidity wasn’t worse enough, he had to marry a Turk, some sort of a nomad from the Caucasus.”


Dauid gained some strength and opposed his father: “Alani! Not a Turk, and she is wonderful woman. Besides, you married Caucasian as well!”

Manuel laughed: “And that’s one of the good reasons why I drowned your mother.” He turned to Isaakios: “If you have any spare, unmarried beauties on this island, I could use a new wife.”

“I think I know the perfect woman for you...” Isaakios replied and continued: “But why are you here, what happened?”

“Nothing has happened yet, but the usurpers are getting stronger by the day. I fear Constantinople won’t hold out much longer. It is better to leave the ship than sink with it”, both men laughed.

“Traitors deserve no mercy, death is their only reward”, Manuel expressed his opinion and Isaakios agreed with him. He boasted how he had punished Arkadios and Manuel congratulated him on successful leadership. Manuel turned to Dauid and kicked the boy down: “Eat some coastal grass nomad boy, we have to discuss matters of importance with my new friend.” They walked off with Isaakios while Alexios helped his younger brother up: “Don’t worry; the old bastard will die one day and then we'll be free."

Enewald said:

How can they already know of the mongols?

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You are right. Didn't think of that. o

Auray said:

All Komnenos familys men seems to be as equally good fathers .

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At least the older generation, yes.

Chapter V: Exodus​

Part 2​

August 1205​

Manuel was lying on the bed with his new wife, caressing her legs. “Alice my darling, I need to ask you a favour.”

“What is it honey?” she asked. Manuel whispered in her ear: “Well, I was just wondering that since you’re the spymaster around here and... Well what I’m trying to say is that I need someone killed.”

Alice chuckled: “Oh Manuel, who is it you need to get out of your way?”
“My son’s wife, her name is Burudukan.”

Alice rose up and poured some wine for herself. “Oh, her.”
“Have you met her?” Manuel wondered.

“Oh yes”, his wife replied and drank some, “I don’t like her, she doesn’t speak any language that I could even understand. Good riddance.”

“So it won’t be a problem?”

Alice smiled: “Would you like me to get rid of your incompetent son as well? You two don’t seem to get along too well.”

Manuel rose up and replied in anger: “He is my son after all! I cannot just have him killed coldblooded.”

“I think you do love him after all”, Alice teased him. “Nonsense!”

“Then prove it to me”, she drank some more wine.

Manuel was in rage but silent. He dressed up and stormed out of the room. Alice smiled, pleased for being able to anger her new husband.

***​

“I propose a toast for our newlywed coupled!” Isaakios raised his chalice and others imitated her. The Komnenos family had fully tied their destiny together with that of the Rubenids; Manuel had married with Alice and his son Alexios was married to Alice’s sister Philippa, both nieces of Leon Rubenid.

Suddenly Burudukan grabbed her throat. She couldn’t breathe. Udai went into panic and tried to help her, but it was too late; she collapsed on the table. Tears were coming out of Udai’s eyes: “How could you father?” he yelled. Manuel calmly rose from the table and didn’t answer, instead he turned to Isaakios: “I believe I have lost my appetite.” He walked away. Rest of the court was still in shock over what had happened. Udai was still trying to shake his wife alive, but soon fell into despair. Alexios and Manuel, son of Isaakios tried to soothe him.

***​

April 1206​

Isaakios had called a meeting in the war room, he had earlier named Manuel as his Marshal. “We must strike Constantinople while there’s chance!” he uncovered his ambitions straight away, “This is our chance, to bring back the Komnei as rules of Rome.” His eyes were fierce while he explained his plans. There was doubtful mumbling among his military leaders. Only Manuel seemed to sympathize with him. Isaakios turned around and looked out of the window, mumbling something with himself.

His military advisors were whispering something suspiciously. There were rumours that Isaakios was starting to lose his touch on reality. He was obsessed and even more sceptical than before. He also spent worrying amount of time having conversations on his own.

The war room meeting was dismissed.

Isaakios had an important meeting to attend with Alice. There was something he hadn’t thought about when she and her sister married Manuel and his son – heirs.

“You wanted to see me?” Alice came to him.

“Yes Alice, I have another mission for you”, he continued: “The wife of Manuel’s son gave birth to a baby boy two days ago and my marshal’s wife is pregnant.”

Alice looked confused: “As your marshal’s wife, that would be me.”

“I want to get rid of them both”, Isaakios ordered calmly.

It was like all blood had run out of her body. Her face turned pale and she tried to mutter something in horror: “You... you want me to slay my own baby? And the son of my sister?”

“Only if yours is a son and you must understand me, your and your sister's sons are ahead of mine to inherit the Armenian throne”, Isaakios replied as if nothing was wrong, “But yes, I want you to do your job. You wouldn’t betray me, would you Alice?” He bent over and whispered in her ear: “You know how I deal with traitors.” Isaakios walked away.

Alice still couldn’t move. She was shaking, but knew that the only option was to do as was told. Either she got rid of their sons, or someone would do it for her and she would have to face the consequences of letting Isaakios down. She felt like vomiting and slowly retired to her room.

Auray said:

Isaakios is a new synonym to evilness.

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And now he has found himself a soulmate since Manuel arrived.

Anyway, I decided it is time to add the Komnenid family tree:



Crown means the character ruled as Byzantine Emperor
Cross means they are dead.

Note, most of the dead characters had more children than depicted here, but they are of little importance.
Note also, that Andronikos, son of Ioannes II ruled as co-emperor with his father, and they were both succeeded by Manuel I. Andronikos, father of Marshal Manuel, on the other hand was slain in a popular revolt and succeeded by Isaac Angelios the current ruler of Rome. He was also the last of the Komnenoi to rule the Empire.

I'd also like to fix an error: in chapter 3 the girl who was left behind wasn't Eudokia, but Eirene.

Enewald said:

As a good Byzantine courtier Alice would organize a plot, kill Isaak and install a puppet ruler.
That is what I'd do, and what I'd expect any good spymaster, especially a Byzantine noble would do.

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I'm sure a Byzantine one would try something like this, but she happens to be an Armenian.

Chapter VI: Isolation ​

October 1206​

The city was getting immensely wealthy. Rich merchants and noblemen alike were constructing palaces for themselves. The waterfront which had previously been dominated by makeshift houses was now filled with beautifully decorated residences, most of which had been built using brown and white bricks and painted later on putting emphasis on little details.
The market square was tied to the newly-built harbour at the waterfront. It was dominated by Church of Sahak Parthev, constructed following Armenian traditions by the migrants from Armenian Cilicia.

Trade was flourishing, Yasir was pleased with the opportunities Famagusta offered. Trading with the Armenians and the Greeks proved to be successful. He had switched from textiles to sugar, which proved to have a big demand. Although Arab invaders had introduced sugar on the island centuries ago, the production was insufficient for Yasir’s needs and he had to import it from the east. Most of his stocks he exported to Anatolia and Constantinople, but the many pilgrims and knights who passed the island daily were creating demand further in Europe.


The situation on the island had improved; the tyranny was a nightmare of the past. Yasir had returned for he was very fond of Cyprus. The old Emperor Isaakios was ruler of the island only in name. Decisions made by the court were largely kept from him but the man was still under the impression that his word was the law on the island.

Since news of the Byzantine civil war had reached him, Isaakios had been obsessed with claiming the throne back to his family. He was planning an invasion of Constantinople with the small Cypriot fleet and his military advisors played along, albeit everyone apart from the ruler knew no invasion would take place. Only one who was seemingly with him to conquer the city was his marshal Manuel. It was suspected that his ambition was to return to Rome with Isaakios and present himself as the man who retook Cyprus for the empire, gaining high position in the imperial court.

There were rumours that the emperor had lost his mind. He could be seen running around the castle in the middle of the night, yelling orders and threatening invisible foes. More executions were ordered by the day – none of which would take place.

The firstborn of Isaakios, Manuel, was worried over the position of the dynasty. Local governors and powerful nobles were gaining power and influence. He had assured de facto leadership on the island, working closely with high-ranking members of the court to set the island on a right course after his father’s incompetent rule.

Manuel knew there were other problems in the horizon. The Roman civil war was over and the Angelid dynasty had been removed from power. Elective law had been enacted and the numerous Byzantine praitors and strategoi of the themes once again stood united.

Another concern arose as Rubenid Principality of Armenia had joined the empire. With the unmatched strength of his dominion Leo could easily secure his election as the next emperor. This would foil Manuel’s plans of inheritance as the lands would end up under direct control from Constantinople. His only hope was that the old prince wouldn’t last long enough to see the elections.
There were other problems regarding the inheritance; the Rubenid sisters were sprouting heirs like there’s no tomorrow. Alice had already murdered three of her own and four of her sister’s sons since Isaakios initially gave her the order. Due to her unfortunate position she was constantly praying for a daughter in vain.

Yasir helped his assistance carry items inside for the night as the sun was setting low. He wondered what the future would bring with it. “Interesting times we live in”, he told his mute assistant who smiled and expressed his agreement with a single nod. Yasir sighed, it seemed like a storm was rising in the horizon.