The 1160's were destined to be a bad decade for the Morea. And as it turns out, because there had been such prosperity and happiness in the first half of the decade, fate decided to double the misery for the remaining years of the decade.
Konstantinos the Younger had begun to speak out in defense of Cheilous since their first meeting in the dungeon. But no one would listen to him. And he began to grow frustrated with the world.
To make matters worse, his conversations with Bartholomaios were beginning to take a very dark turn.
The most pivotal conversation they ever had, which took place shortly before Christmas of 1165, would change the shape of their friendship (and Konstantinos' life) forever.
"Things are beginning to fall into place," Bartholomaios said.
"What things?" asked the Prince.
"Your cousin's prophecies are beginning to come true. As is mine."
"What are you talking about?"
"He is here."
"Bart, you don't mean..."
"I do."
"Where is he?"
"I am talking to him right now."
Konstantinos gasped, "It can't be! I would never destroy this Kingdom!"
"No one ever said you would. But you will be King soon, and you will destroy the old order of things, and bring a new order to rule in the Morea! THAT is what your cousin meant."
"But... what of this prophecy of yours?"
"Remember when I told you there is only one who can stop him, or, should I say, you?"
"Yes..."
"He has been born."
"He has?"
"Yes, Konstantinos, he has."
"But... that would make him no older than my son, Theotokios. This 'One' will not be a threat for a long time."
Bartholomaios shook his head, "I'm afraid not. He will become a threat sooner than you think."
"But who is he? Where is he?"
The Prince's mysterious friend put a hand on his shoulder, "Konstantinos, my friend, all will be revealed at the proper time. For now, just trust that I have everything under control."
_______________
Now there was much stress placed upon young Konstantinos. According to Bartholomaios, he was going to be King soon. But, how was this possible? Stephanos was still young. And even if Stephanos should die soon, Konstantinos' father, Konstantinos the Elder was ahead of him in the line of succession. And suppose Stephanos has a son before he dies! How can Bartholomaios' prophecy come true?
And on top of that, how could the Prince be the one in Cheilous prophecy? Was he really going to destroy everything? But how? Why?
And who was this mysterious threat, who was no older than an infant right now, but would soon come to challenge Konstantinos?
These thoughts went through the young Prince's mind every day, and by January of 1166, he began to shout in anger, and bang his fist against the wall. His stress was becoming quite obvious.
To make matters worse, he soon began to feel sick in his stomach at times, and often he would vomit.
But slowly and surely, he began to believe everything Bartholomaios told him. And soon... he was completely under his friend's control...
_______________
In December, Queen Maria began to notice that Stephanos didn't even read anymore. He rarely even got out of bed. So she decided to talk to him, to find out what was the matter.
It turned out that the King was depressed. The life of a King was not at all what he had expected. He didn't feel any stronger, or smarter. The books he read weren't any better than the ones he read before his coronation. The food didn't taste any better. And there was nothing fun to do. He felt as though there was no point in life.
Maria became very worried for her husband. She began to think long and hard about what to do to cheer him up. Suddenly, it came to her! This Christmas would be the centennial of the Morea! She would arrange for the largest and most extravagant celebration in the Kingdom's history, and she would dedicate it to her husband. Surely this would cheer him out of his depression.
_______________
When Christmas morn came, everyone was excited to be at such an amazing feast. Over 1,000 guests had been invited, and every soul in the hall was talking. They talked about everything.
"Poor Princess Cheilous, I can't imagine what it must be like to be mad."
"Have you read the new
Chronicles of the Ancient Roman Emperors, by Isaias of Abydos? I hear its very accurate, and that he rejects many ancient anecdotes."
"MM, this food is good! Don't you wish we could eat like this every day?"
"<BURP!> My... <hic> that was some <hic> some of the best <hic> ale <hic> I ever ha<hic> ever had. <hic>"
"Have you seen the new Captain-General of the Knight-Guard, Gregorios? He's no doubt the strongest and most handsome man in the land! The King's safety is in good hands."
"Say... where
is the King?"
This last comment was spoken very near to Queen Maria, who had just noticed that her husband had not arrived when he should have. He told her he was going to be late... but by now two hours had passed. Where was he?
Gregorios, the handsome young Captain-General of the Knight-Guard, came and whispered in the Queen's ear, "Milady, I fear that something is not right. Allow me to take an armed guard to search for His Majesty."
"No," she whispered, "I do not want to alarm the people. It is probably nothing. He is likely on the loo again. You know what Cheese-Cake does to him, and he ate quite a lot last night."
"Then at least allow me to search for him, so that if indeed something is wrong, I will be able to deal with it." As he said these last few words, Gregorios unsheathed about two inches of his sword, to show his readiness to kill any threat.
"Very well," the Queen said, "But only yourself. And keep that blade of yours sheathed unless you really need it."
"Yes, Milady." And with that, Gregorios went in search of the King.
His search did not last long. He first checked the Royal Bedchamber, the last known location of the King. Unwilling to simply enter and violate the King's privacy, Gregorios knocked first. When there was no response, he knocked again, this time announcing himself, "My liege? It is I, Captain-General Gregorios. Are you in there?"
Gregorios suddenly heard behind the door a crack, and then a thud. He immediately burst through the door, sword drawn, ready to slay anyone who would dare harm the King. Instead, he saw something terrible.
The "Crack" he had heard was a rafter cracking and falling. The "Thud" was the rafter hitting the floor, and also... the King's body hitting the floor. There was a noose around the King's neck, and from the looks of it, everything was self done. The King had hung himself.
Gregorios immediately rushed to the King, casting his sword aside. He searched long and hard for any sign of life, praying that the rafter had broken
before the King had died. But no sign of life could be found. The King was dead. He had reigned only three years, and lived only twenty-five.