An icy wind suddenly picked up and swept across the rocky promontory where the meeting was to take place. The delegation shivered as the white banner flapped over their heads. Agathe pulled her coat up to protect herself from the cold.
Four loyalists in a cold wind about to meet a usurper named Helena, the empress thought.
I have a feeling of déjà vu...
Of course, the situation had changed considerably since her encounter with Helena II outside Constantinople. For a start, she was not before the walls of Theodosius, but a league away from Gallipoli, the stronghold of Helena I.
Secondly, none of the people who had accompanied her ten years ago were present today. Her brother Henri was living in Baghdad where he was giving advice to their nephew Hugues the White. Gilbert du Puy du Fou was now Patriarch of Jerusalem. As for her husband Philippos, he was holed up in the comfort of his palace in Constantinople. In their place were her faithful Pulcheria Doukas, her sister-in-law Catherine and her nephew Hugues the By-Blow.
Duchess Pulcheria Doukas, Empress Agathe, Queen Mother Catherine and Friar Hugues the By-Blow
Above all, Father and his 20,000 men were gone. She could only rely on her own meagre forces against the far superior armies of Helena. Agathe could no longer afford a battle.
"I doubt she'll submit," she muttered as she watched the rebel delegation come to them.
"And yet," said Catherine. “I'm sure she will.”
“And why is that? My troops are so few compared to her.”
“These are not Helena's troops," replied Pulcheria Doukas. But despots, and they are tired. According to my informants, Ioannes Bryennios, the despot of Serbia, has returned to his own land and is reluctant to send reinforcements. Alexandros Palaiotes, the despot of Hellas, was one of the first to side with the usurper, yet he is one of the strongest supporters of these talks. His influence is growing at the expense of the hardliners led by your half-brother Ougos.”
The rebel despots: Despot Alexandros Palaiotes of Hellas ; Despot Ioannes Bryennios of Serbia; Despot Dorotheos Ouranos of Anatolia
“And according to my own sources," added Catherine, "Helena's most loyal supporter, the despot Dorotheos Ouranos, is said to be in doubt. I tell you, they are ripe.”
“We'll see," Agathe said doubtfully.
The rebel delegation soon arrived. Like Agathe, Helena had put on a coat of mail and a crown. She was accompanied by two of her despots. Alexandros Palaiotes was all smiles, while the Domestic of the Schools Dorotheos Ouranos showed no emotion. Ougos, Agathe's bastard brother, came last. His dark look left no doubt as to how he felt about this meeting.
Despot Alexandros Palaiotes, Helena I Komnenos, Despot Dorotheos Ouranos and Ougos Anatolikos
"Agathe," said the usurper simply.
“Helena", replied the empress.
The exchange had been colder than the wind that continued to blow.
“Every Roman," said the despot Alexandros Palaiotes in an enthusiastic tone, "should be delighted to see the empress and the princess meet at last.”
“I wonder," muttered Ougos, "who you consider to be the princess and who the empress.”
Catherine brought her horse forward.
"It is an honour to finally meet you, Helena. King Onfroy and Emperor Jean wish to express their deep respect for you and your family.”
“They would show me more respect if they stopped meddling in the affairs of our empire," Helena replied curtly, which made Ougos laugh.
“The rulers of Jerusalem," Catherine continued as if nothing had happened, "want peace.”
“And the empress must submit," spat Ougos.
“It's not...," Catherine began.
“My advisor is right," interrupted Helena. “Don't waste my time, you want me to submit. Why do you think I will accept? I have won all my battles.”
“And yet I am still here," replied the empress.
“With what? 5,000 men at the most. I have eight times that many!" Agathe noticed, however, that Dorotheos Ouranos, so far unmoved, seemed uncomfortable.
“These men belong to your supporters," she replied. “Supporters who have been fighting continuously for eight years. How much longer will they fight? Constantinople is still mine and 40,000 men cannot take the city.”
“Your father has done it.”
“We controlled the seas, you do not.”
“And while you are happily slaughtering each other," added Catherine, "your enemies are eyeing the Empire.”
“You are probably talking about yourself," replied Ougos. “Is Philippopolis to Emperor John's taste?”
“I was talking about King Akab.”
Malik (King) Akab the Peasant King
“A peasant," said Ougos dismissively.
“A peasant, intervened Despot Alexandros, who has seized Epirus and threatens Serbia and Greece.”
“Akab also controls much of Anatolia," Agathe added, "and is eyeing up what's left.”
As she spoke, she did not take her eyes off Dorotheos Ouranos.
Only he matters. Helena is full of arrogance, but without her despots she is nothing. Palaiotes is already in my favour and Ouranos is viscerally opposed to me. Everything depends on Ouranos.
“It has been many years since I left my lands...," said the despot of Anatolia after a long silence. “And my sister-in-law has indeed informed me of the Sultan's intentions.”
Princess Marthe of Montoire, sister of Agathe and sister-in-law of Dorotheos Ouranos
“Princess Marthe is also the sister of the Usurper," said Ougos.
“Perhaps," said Ouranos, "but her arguments for peace did not fall on deaf ears.” He turned to Helena. “With all due respect, the Empire is more important than the Empress."
Bless you, sis, said Agathe to herself.
It seems that Father had seen into the future when he married you to the brother of the despot of Anatolia.
With her eyes fixed on Ouranos, Helena seemed to be thinking. Ougos wanted to intervene but she cut him off with a gesture, then turned to Agathe.
"What do you propose?”
“An... acceptable compromise," said Agathe. “You and your supporters will receive letters of amnesty. You will retain your titles and lands and will all be under my protection. Your son Valerios will be made Caesar and Dorotheos Ouranos will enter the council as Marshall.”
“And the patriarch?”
“Patriarch Isaac, whom you appointed on the death of Germanos II, will be able to settle in Constantinople and will be on an equal footing with Patriarch Roubaud. The Union with the Pope will be postponed to a future council. In the meantime, all the subjects of the Empire will be free to take communion according to the rite of their choice and to honour one or other of the patriarchs during the mass.”
Bouchard, Latin Patriarch of Constantinople and Isaac Greek Patriarch of Constantinople
“And in return?" said Helena.
“You will bend the knee and acknowledge me as the rightful empress.”
“Is that all?" asked Ougos tartly.
“No," said Agathe to everyone's surprise. “The amnesty does not concern Hugues the Bastard, here. He will be able to leave the Empire freely and settle wherever he likes, except in Jerusalem.”
“How merciful, sis!" laughed Ougos. I will see to it that you suffer the same fate the day the empress defeats you."
His laughter died as he discovered the serious expression of his empress. "Your Majesty, you are not thinking of..."
Helena I of the Komnenos house completely ignored Ougos. She took off her crown and gave it to Dorotheos Ouranos, then dismounted. She walked up to Agathe and then, after a short hesitation, bent her knee before her.
The surrender of the rebels : a white peace
Helena was quickly followed by the two despots. Ougos refused to do so. He spurred his horse and disappeared, cursing them.
The exile of Ougos in the Malikat of Akab
The empress was seized with a strong emotion. She looked at Catherine who was smiling at her. Agathe nodded her head, expressing her gratitude to her former rival.
She had done it, she had saved her crown.
She had finally obtained peace!