Chapter 8 - Shifting Focus
Begin Act II - Gazing Westward
---- Introducing ----
Francesco II Acciaioli - Son of Francesco; brother of Francesca
Adeipho Thanos - Councilor elected to replace Michael IV Apostolis
Theodoros sat in the courtyard of his house. Everything was so empty now, so lifeless. The paintings of his ancestors only seemed to enunciate just how alone he was. Francesca was coming over a bit later, but he wasn't particularly excited this time around. She was getting older; and with that, she was becoming stronger-willed. He wasn't just able to push her around anymore, though she still did mostly what he wanted. Even that would soon change. At the very least, he hoped she would not abandon him. Not yet, anyway. The last two years had been difficult, the house seemed empty, emotionless, without Manuel around. He sighed, and realized he was late for council. The last few sessions he had cited sickness as the reason for his absence, but today he had decided to go. Fortunately, Manuel had been lucky enough to build his house adjacent to the future council chamber.
He was mostly dressed properly, so Theodoros walked outside and across the road to the chamber. When he forced open the entrance (supposedly 'locked' after council started, but the rusty old piece of metal on the door hardly counted as a lock) everybody's head swiveled to face him. A few of them gaped, and Theophlyaktos looked dismayed. "Councilor Crispo, your autocracy has ended," Theodoros said, nodding to him. The trader had been basically given free reign after the death of Michael and Manuel, and Theodoros had been too depressed to offer much more than token resistance. But he was invigorated this time. There was nothing waiting for him anywhere else but here, his future lay in the council. "Please, brief me on what has happened," he continued, looking around the room. A guard chuckled, looking at Theophlyaktos, and closed the doors of the chamber.
Most of the councilors were too afraid to speak, and only stared at him. But a young man, who Theodoros recognized from the election called a few months ago to replace Michael and Manuel spoke up. His name was Adeiphi.. Adelpho.. Adeipho? Something like that. "We were just finishing a vote to adopt a motion making Naxos a full member of the Athenian League. It's a pleasure to meet you, Councilor," said the boy.
Theodoros smiled, knowing that he came in time to stop Theophlyaktos from fully becoming controller of the council. "Ah, that was long overdue. An entire fifty years for a land that has long contributed much to Athens," he said, taking a seat. "Well, you probably haven't heard in your time of 'sickness',
councilor, but Antonio II has died. Francesco is now our King, and he is exacting a mighty vengeance against you and this council," said Theophlyaktos, smirking.
Theodoros hadn't expected anything like that. Had Francesco found out about.. about Francesca? "What do you mean?" he asked, a bit louder and more exasperated than he would've liked. "Why, he found out about that nice little daughter of his running around town. Apparently you're one of her frequent customers," replied Theophlyaktos, smiling. Theodoros stood up, and glared at the man. "Don't talk about Francesca like that!" he shouted, getting angry. "Oh its true, don't you know? She even wanted me to purchase her services, but, unlike you, I am too pious for such things. It turns out that if a foreign customer pays a little more, she'll tell them some state secrets after the act has been done,"
Theophlyaktos was taking over the conversation. It was clear to Adeipho what he was trying to do, and that was to remove the respect the remaining councilors had for Theodoros, and reduce his power drastically. Without any resistance to Theophlyaktos, the council would just be a puppet, in reality turning Athens into a nation with two kings. "Oh, is that true, councilor? I think most of us here have been to one of your parties, I'm sure they aren't God's idea of being 'pious'," said Adeipho. He didn't particularly like Theodoros either for getting the council into this mess, but he was the only one with a strong enough will to check Theophlyaktos. The trader looked aggravated, but eventually he decided he wouldn't allow himself to be humiliated. "Regardless, that is what has been happening, councilor. Now, we have more pressing news. Castile is involved in a war with many of our neighbors, and they have asked us to honor our alliance. I for one don't see much point in throwing our kingdom away like that. Let us put the following motion to the vote, that the Kingdom of Athens shall remain at peace, and if the Castilians see it as treachery, it is their own opinion and not that of the world. All in favor say Aye,"
Theodoros quickly stood up before the vote was taken. This managed to halt the votes for a few short moments, enough for Theophlyaktos to realize what was happening. As Head of Council, he technically didn't need to let the man speak. But, he knew if he didn't and continued with the voting, it would be bad for his reputation. Reluctantly, he said "The floor recognizes councilor Theodoros Konstantinos,"
Theodoros paused for a few seconds, gazing around the room, then spoke in a booming voice that seemed to instill fear in all present. "Honor. It is a quality appreciated by all the peoples of the world. Even to our enemies, our honor is indisputable. Do you dare ruin this reputation, for both our generation and the ones following it? If you adopt the motion suggested by my good friend, councilor Theophlyaktos Crispo, you prove nothing except our cowardice. Do you have no pride in your nation? If we honor our alliance, yes, our flag may be torn down. But when it is seen, no matter where, people will remember the Athenian armies who fought to the last. If we dishonor it, the Blue Lion may stay flying. But when nations gaze upon it, they will only laugh, and rightly so, because we will become nothing but a joke!"
Theophlyaktos was gaping by the end of it. He had hoped Theodoros would still be too depressed to convince people, but by the end of that, he himself was almost convinced to honor the alliance. However, he pressed the motion, hoping others felt differently. "With all members having spoken, the vote is continued. All in favor say aye," he said.
The room stayed quiet.