The Crazy MES Parallel-Country-Hopping AARs

[Mike von Bek]

1174, County of Barcelona

Alfons stood on the walls of Barcelona, and looked out over the Gulf of Valencia. Another man, cloaked in black, stood there, looking to the East. Alfons spoke.

“The Castillians want a war, Flagg.”

Alfons had aged terribly over the last four years, and though he had only recently turned 20, he had the appearance of man in his 40’s. He knew his vitality was fading, felt it passing with each and every day. In the small part of himself that remained Alfons, he felt he knew why. My life for you. Not just words.

Flagg nodded. “Of course, they do, my sweet. It is as I foretold. They were unable to quell the rebellions in Navarre, and now they seek our aid to deal with the newly born Kingdom of Navarra. It is our opportunity, my friend.”

“We shall join the war?”, Alfons queried. His voice was dull, and flat. Emotions were so tiring these days, and Alfonso did nothing now without Flagg’s express command.

“No, my pet. We shall not. In fact, we shall break our treaty with the Castillians. Let them rot. They are useless to us allies now. Look to the north, instead. The English or the Germans will prove suitable allies now. Powerful, yet easy to manipulate.” Flagg stared across the waves, to his unknown goal in the East.

For a time there was silence. Alfons was content to wait. Eventually, Flagg spoke again.

“Fret not, my pet – it will not be long now. Your Iberia is almost at hand.”

“Iberia.” It was more than just land now, to Alfons. More than just defeating the Almohads. It was the price for which he had sold his soul. Let Flagg take me, let him eat my soul, so long as Iberia remains Christian once I am gone. “Is it possible?” he asked.

“Why not? Because the Almohads have inherited the realms of Murcia? Oh, have no fear of that, Alfons. Aragon will still succeed. She has a great future.” He paused again. “We shall not see it of course. Our destiny lies to the East. But I keep my promises, after a fashion.” And he laughed again.

Murcia now belongs to the Almohads, Navarre is free

Turning to Alfons, he pointed to the North.

“Go now, and make your deals. Preferably the English, my sweet. But be quick, our opportunity will not last forever.”

Alfons bowed. “As you wish, Flagg.”

 

[Mike von Bek]

December 1178, Isbilia, Andalusia

The city had fallen, and Alfons’ men set about pillaging the wealth of Isbilia for themselves before their French and English allies could. In the second of the great wars of the Reconquista, it would be the last city to fall. In the early months of 1179, the Almohads would sue for peace, granting the County of Barcelona the spoils of the victor.

The lands of Aragon and Gerona would be returned to her control, as would the Crown of Aragon. In addition, the lands that had belonged to the Kingdom of Leon, the last remnants of which had been annexed by the Almohads in the early days of the war, would become part of the new Kingdom of Aragon. Galicia, Asturias, Leon and Estramadura would grant Alfons the Crown of Leon. From a low Count to the King of two lands, he had gained much over the last decade.

In the peace treaties, Aragon’s allies – England, Scotland, Aquitaine and France - fared less well, receiving only the treasures they looted from the rich cities of the Moors. It was a diplomatic snub Aragon’s allies would well remember.

But here, in 1178, in Isbilia, all that was future. On this night of chaos, before Alfons’ commanders managed to re-assert their control over his troops, the city lay open before her conquerors. Through the ruined streets of this fallen city strode a single man, cloaked in black. Though chaos ruled the city, he had nothing to fear. Alfons’ soldiers knew him, as did their allies. Rumours circled him like vultures to a corpse.

It was said that he was a sorcerer. That he had ensorcelled their Lord. He was said to be responsible for the ill-fortune that had struck the Almohads – supplies washed away in sudden storms, commanders falling to horrific diseases, the sudden outbreak of wars as the Tuaregs and Tripolitanians declared war in North Africa. That he was the reason the Aragonese had taken city after city, yet had fought not one battle.

Some were true, others not. There was only one man who knew which were true, and which were not.

The man in blacks walk was untroubled as he walked through the streets. He walked with purpose, and confidence – as if he knew were he was going, though he had never walked these streets before. Eventually, he came to stop in front of an old church. He looked up over its old stone façade, and laughed.

“Did you really think that would stop me, my sweet, once I was free?” he whispered to the sky, and pushed open the front doors.

Within the chapel, a spill of fire-light shone through the stained-glass window above the altar. The figure of the Christ, in his Glory, was reflected weakly on the floor.

Flagg laughed. “Oh, my foolish pet. Your magicks grow old and weak. See how I am able to enter your domain now, without fear?” He laughed again, and spread his arms. He spun around, laughing.

“See how I am free again? Free of your prison?” As he spun, the shadows seemed to coalesce behind him, pulled in – as if by a whirlpool – to surround this spinning figure. He stopped, but the shadows remained, surrounding the figure, obscuring its form.

“For a thousand years you imprisoned me, Nazarene.” And now Flagg’s voice had changed, no longer even remotely human. He spoke now in a language long since lost to the world of men.

“For a thousand years I languished in the desert, suffering. You thought to break me, to make me kneel at the feet of Thy Father, but I shall not. I. SHALL. NOT!”

His voice rose in volume until it became a deafening, bestial roar. The foundations of the church shooks, and the ground split asunder. The altar under the stained-glass window split in two with a loud crack, and an small black chest of ancient age was revealed.

“Ah, my old magicks”, the figure sighed as if in wonder. “I had almost given up hope of finding you, my dears.” Stepping forward now, he was merely Flagg. The shadows had fled. He rested his hand upon the chest, and sighed again. He looked up at the stained-glass figure, which remained intact, despite the shattering of the altar.

“I have what I came for, Nazarene. What shall I do now, I wonder?” He paused as if awaiting a response. None was forthcoming. Flagg spoke once more.

“You know what lies in the East. What is coming for these children of yours. You shall find me there, if you wish to do battle once again.” Flagg picked up the chest, and walked towards the exit. Pausing in the doorway, he looked back at the figure of the Christ.

“As to the boy, Alfons – I release him. He is yours again. Let it not be said that I am completely without mercy. Besides,” and here he chuckled, “he has served his purpose. Both his purposes. He will only live another decade, with what I have left him. Maybe it will be enough.” With that, Flagg left the church, laughing.

He was never seen in Iberia again.

In 1179, Alfons fell deathly ill, and lay abed for nine days and nine nights. On the dawn of the tenth day, he arose, and all remarked on the change visible in their Lord, who had regained his youthful appearance. He would spend the rest of days a deeply penitent man, making two pilgrimages to Jerusalem, and founding many churches. Upon his death in 1192 the Kingdom of Aragon and Leon wept for the loss of their King, whom they called ‘the Chaste’.

The Kingdom of Aragon and Leon, 1180 A.D.

 

[unmerged(8606)]

Excellent, Mike von Bek, excellent!

 

[DSMyers1]

Aragon, 1170-1179

The new year dawned clean and bright over Barcelona. 1170 would be a good year, all felt. It had been many years since a war had been fought, and King Alfons II showed promise though he was yet young. And so the pageantry and festivities began. It was not till the afternoon feast had begun that Alfons revealed the plans he had long since formed.

_______________

So it was that the hall was filled with revelers, eating their fill and drinking more than it, when King Alfons II rose to address those present.

"Dear friends, loyal subjects-- the time has come."

The hall grew silent, then anxious murmurs grew. What could he mean?

"The time has come, I say, to begin the reconquista of our beautiful peninsula from the hands of the infidels."

Stunned silence. The emissaries from the court of the Almohads rose to their feet in astonishment.

"But why, your highness? We have never done anything to harm you, or even our catholic subjects, though they be few."

"Sirs, be on your way, and inform your master tehat from now on Aragon and Leon stand together, and that together we will throw you out of our ancient homeland. So be off now, infidels!"

The diplomats hurried off now, sputtering in fury.

The hall was silent.

"Fear not, my people. Our army is strong, with 9000 infantry and as many brave knights. And the able Guillem Ramon de Montcada will command them."

"But your highness, the Almohads are rich and powerful! In the last 10 years, they have annexed the Emirate of Murcia, and then successfully landed an army in Gascogne and crushed Aquitaine, taking Valencia. And they still have 10,000 troops to our north, awaiting a return voyage, and you know of their overflowing treasury..."

"Aha! But you forget, Alemany, the element of surprise. They have no troops in Spain. And with the brave Leonese army headed by my fellow king Fernando backing us up, I have no doubt of our success."

"That is, if your fellow king doesn't show his greedy nature again and claim all for himself..."

But the king brushed aside his loyal advisor's warning, a fact he would later regret.

And so the wars of the reconquista began.

_________________

At the beginning of the campaign.

_________________

'Twas a long and desperate affair, as Alemany had expected. And King Fernando WAS troublesome.

_________________


April 16, 1171

A breathless rider dashed up the stairs into the king’s presence, and bowed quickly before him.

"Yes, young sir?"

"Valencia is ours, and bravely taken, your highness."

"Excellent news indeed! That province is a prime reason for the war. All is going well, except of course for the loss of Aragon to the northern Almohad army. They will soon be dispatched.... Why do you look troubled?"

"Well, remember King Fernando's disposition? It was accurately reported."

"What, you mean he...," gasped the king.

"He arrived with a small force just before the siege concluded, and claimed command, which we relinquished to him, of course. When the city fell... Well, he claimed it, your highness, and placed a garrison from Leon in the city."

"No! Well, we are not strong enough without him, so I suppose we must bear this injustice for now," mused the king. "I shall instruct our forces to make every effort to carry on sieges where he shall not interfere. But knowing him, that could be difficult."

______________

So went the war. Aragon was reclaimed in March 1173, and Toledo fell soon afterwards. Unfortunately, however, King Fernando again claimed the province for Leon. In June 1174 Murcia fell, the first province that Fernando didn't steal.

By 1176, the country was deeply in dept, co much so that it went bankrupt. King Alfons immediately began correspondence with the Almohads, offering terms nearly monthly which they consistently rejected.

Leon conquered the remainder of Almohad Spain, with our troops holding back to avoid useless attrition. So we come to 1179.

Alfons, now graying from years of worry, turned wrathfully to his faithful advisor Alemany. "We must end the war! It has destroyed our economy. We cannot break through the Almohad blockade to invade Africa; they have over 65 ships. They, on the other hand, refuse to ferry over their main army of 57,000 for us to deal with. We have long since dealt with all of the infidel forces in Spain, and control all of the provinces. Well, we must do something now. They will not give us a decent peace, and have forced our hand. Demand from them only Murcia to us, and Estremadura and Algarve to Leon. This is a pitiful amount to gain from such a long and dreadful war, but we must have peace!"

And so ended the war.

________________

At the end of the struggle. Note the Almohad armies and navies and their score

 

[Mike von Bek]

Damn Leon! They think they are so cool...

hope you remember your password soon, Id love to see some screenies

 

[unmerged(18239)]

Damn Leon! They think they are so cool...

hope you remember your password soon, Id love to see some screenies

Good work and very very good writing both of you.

Mike, from which do I know Flagg, was he the strange guy in the Stand.?
Nice to see you bring on a chracter and a real story brings me to some ideas for my next ten years.

And I was surprised by the fact both of you where actually able to conquer much of the Iberian peninsula.

Let's see what Sapphire will do after which I will total up the stats and we pass on to our next ten years. The Roman empire.

 

[unmerged(21085)]

It only got note form and screenshots AAR!! (I am useless in Aragon )

It will be up tonight!!!

Got ALevel exam in two mintues and got to rush!!!!!

Joe (Sapphire)

 

[unmerged(18239)]

It only got note form and screenshots AAR!! (I am useless in Aragon )

It will be up tonight!!!

Got ALevel exam in two mintues and got to rush!!!!!

Joe (Sapphire)

Succes with the exames and I am looking foreward to your Aaragon.

 

[Mike von Bek]

Good work and very very good writing both of you.

Mike, from which do I know Flagg, was he the strange guy in the Stand.?
Nice to see you bring on a chracter and a real story brings me to some ideas for my next ten years.

And I was surprised by the fact both of you where actually able to conquer much of the Iberian peninsula.

Let's see what Sapphire will do after which I will total up the stats and we pass on to our next ten years. The Roman empire.

Yes, Flagg was the main bad dude from The Stand. Initially the text was going to go quite a different way, but when Alfons asked who was there, Flagg leapt out of my conciousness and all I heard was "Oh its me, my sweet." after which the rest just wrote itself in 5 minutes

But yes, looking forward to getting to grips with the Byzantines...

 

[unmerged(21085)]

So here the very short update

1170; Aragon

Problem: Zaragoza in Aragon and Pamplona in Navarra is controlled by Abu Ya?qub Yusuf I of Almohads. Around 17000 (half and half) men besieging Barcelona in Catalon
Aragon got Santander in Cantabria.

Friendly 25000 men and 3000 horses commanded by Guillem Ramon de Montcada based in Girona in Gerona. King is Alfons II.

1Jan70; Took out the loan.
1Feb70; Host d?Empuries under General Guillem Ramon de Montcada (29226 I and 3146C) marched to capital to lift the siege. Navarra was given to the enemy.
1Nov70; Declared war upon Alexander III of Papal States. Castile and Toulouse don?t like it.
18Nov70; 7000 men besieging the Rome.

1Feb71; Aragon into Military Alliance with Henry II of England, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Constance of Brittany, Louis VII of France and Henri Ier le Liberal of Blois-Champagne.
16Feb71; Captured Papal States. Declared war upon Castile. All alliance apart from Aquitaine joined in.
16Jul71; Besieging Castille.

4May72; Almohads annexed Emirate of Murcia.
1Jul72; Annexed Alfonso VIII at Burgos in Castilla and Papal States.
5Jul72; England annexed Brittany.

13Feb73; Aquitaine entered MA with England.
1Jul73; Bankrupt and took a loans.

1May74; Portugal declared war upon Almohads.
13Jul74; Temporary Insanity of Monarch.
6Dec74; England annexed Aquitaine.

25Nov75; Gelre, Holland and Flandres declared war upon Aragon, England and France.

5Mar77; Emirate of Baleares declared war upon us, Aragon, England, France and Blois-Champagne.
1Jun77; Gelre offered 60 ducats. Aragon accepted it.

18Feb78; Almohads declared war upon Alliance.
18Sept78; Valencia fell, England, France and BC is fighting all out war
2Dec78; Good Harvest in Roma.
1Jan79; War: Murcia under siege by Aragonese Army. Cantabria under siege by Alomohads. Navarra under siege by BC. Rome battleground as enemies attacked every month or so.
24Feb79; Pisa declared war upon Alliance.
1Mar79; Castilla revolted.
12Mar79; Roman Army under attack by 19439 I against 2040 I and 2954C. Roman Army lost and retreated to Pisa. Roma under siege.
10Arp79; The viscount Trencavell and the cathares. Help Trencavell.
1Jan80; War report: Valencia controlled by Aragon, Navarra controlled by BC. Toledo under siege by BC and Murcia under siege by Aragon. French and English cannot help since most of their lands are revolting.

Screenies::

Roman Empire and Empire of Jersulaeam is big Not a kingdom anymore

Sapphire

Aragon:

Victorypoints: +76
Started with: 5 provinces
Gained: 1 provinces
Inflation during my reign: 43.5%
BB:14.5/27

Losses
Infantry (total) 90613 (combat) 25144 (atrittion) (disband) 4380
Cavalry (total) 11763 (combat) 1783 (atrittion) 9420

Roman Empire, here i COME!!!

Thanks

Joe (Sapphire)

 

[DSMyers1]

How many VPs were actually gained during your reign? It seems from the screenie that 151 was the total from the beginning of the scenario. Otherwise, nice update.

 

[unmerged(21085)]

Thanks. I changing it!!!

Thanks

Joe (Sapphire)

 

[unmerged(28850)]

Excuse me Sindai Lords of Iberia a Spain AAR is up and running agian. Am I to assume you will not continue as advisor seeing as your posts are gone. Please post to keep or retire from your postion

 

[Mike von Bek]

Considering he's never posted here legion, Id say he's gone.

 

[unmerged(18239)]

Considering he's never posted here legion, Id say he's gone.

Well, if he likes it he can come along but he has to do al lot. We are already working on the fourth game, The Roman empire.

 

[unmerged(18239)]

Here they ar, the stats after Aaragon

Aragon

Mike von Beck
nflation: +10%
VP: +85
Losses
Infantry: 17823 / 9824 / 7999
Cavalry: 934 / 260 / 674

Sapphire

Victorypoints: +76
Started with: 5 provinces
Gained: 1 provinces
Inflation during my reign: 43.5%
BB:14.5/27

Losses
Infantry (total) 90613 (combat) 25144 (atrittion) (disband) 4380
Cavalry (total) 11763 (combat) 1783 (atrittion) 9420

DsMyers
VP:56
Inflation 0%
Started 3 Provinces
Ended 5 provinces
BB: 1.97
Losses
18,000 Infantry
13,000 Cavalry

Singleton Mosby
Victory points: 331
Started with: 6 provinces
Gained: 16 provinces (lost 2 trough vassalisation)
Inflation during my reign: 49,4%
BB 42,2/27
Losses
Infantry (total) 50,100
Cavalry (total) 41,000







Total (all games, so far combined):

Singleton Mosby:
Victory points: 441
Gained: 19 provinces
Inflation during my reign: 57.7%
Losses
Infantry (total) 66.377
Cavalry (total) 49.704

Mike von bek:
Victory points: 336
Gained: 11 provinces
Inflation during my total reign: 22,0%
Losses
Infantry (total) 101,000
Cavalry (total) 17,400

Sapphire

Victorypoints: 323
Gained: 17 provinces
Inflation during my total reign: 67,5%
Losses
Infantry (total) 100,9829
Cavalry (total) 57,866

Dsmyers

Victorypoints: 214
Gained: 8 provinces
Inflation during my total reign: 0,06%
Losses
Infantry (total) 56,300
Cavalry (total) 22,300

 

[unmerged(21085)]

Here the Stats:

Victorypoints: 11
Lost: 13 provinces
Inflation during my total reign:7%
Losses
Infantry (total) 375,438
Cavalry (total) 48,908

From 1180

Big Roman Empire and Big Kingdom of Jerusalem

One small declaration of war and BOOM!!!

Small Roman Kingdom and Very Big Empire Jerusalem!!!

You know I really want now!!! Go back to my first chapters and play it again but impact of Kingdom of Jerusalem is vast!!! I am so glad to see they expanding greatly yet so depressed that I am losing all my nations to that KofJ

Onward to England! AAR is hopefully would be up soon...

Thanks

Joe (Sapphire)

 

[Mike von Bek]

My name is John Komnenus. I write this on the eve of my departure from Constantinople, in the year of Our Lord 1186. I write this so that those who follow will know the secret history of our Empire these six years past, and such that if I fail – others may follow.

I was born in 1158AD, a bastard of Manuel Comnenus, Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire. I was one of many bastards, and my father had me schooled in the Principality of Hellas. I would return to Constantinople in 1174, where my father hand-picked me to be a member of his personal guard. It was a position that was to grant me much insight as to the on-goings of the Imperial Court in the years to come, but was to bring me much grief.

Eastern Roman Empire, circa 1180 AD

In 1180, my father – once robust and full of life – fell deathly ill, and his once strong body caved in under the strain of his sickness. The doctors and priests did their best, but the only person able to ease my father’s suffering was the enigmatic monk known as Flagg. He had joined the Imperial Court in late 1179, having arrived there from the West – none knew where. When the Emperor fell ill, Flagg became his constant companion – and I have no doubt that this mystic was behind my fathers decision to grant the Principality of Cyprus its freedom under the rule of Andronicus Comnenus, his brother.

With Flagg now ever in his presence, I was rarely called to my fathers side – for which I thank him now. Though few shared my reaction – most being enamoured of this dark mystic – I found him unnatural and disturbing. I loathed him and resolved that when my father returned to health, I would convince him to oust this man from the Imperial Court.

It was not to be however, as the Emperor died in October of 1180. The public grief I shared with the Empire was tinged with a private grief few would ever know. The only person who could truly understand was my half-brother, Alexios. True-born son of Manuel, and now heir to the Empire. Alexios’ was unaware of my existence however, and we never shared our grief. I longed to reach out to him, as he was only thirteen. I adhered to my duty as the Emperors Guard however, and neglected my duty as his brother. I should have been there for him. I failed him, for which I apologise. I am sorry Alexios.

By now, Flagg had become the axis around which court intrigues turned. Before Alexios could ascend, Flagg urged Xena, Alexios’ mother, to proclaim herself regent, which she duly did. Xena demanded Alexios be handed over to her allies, so as to ‘introduce him to every form of vice.’ We of the Emperor’s Guard who remained loyal fled with Alexios to Cyprus, and the court of his uncle, Andronicus. There, my half-brother was forced to wed his cousin, the daughter of his uncle, in order to buy Andronicus’ support.

The two then returned to Constantinople, and the regency was overthrown. The people celebrated Andronicus arrival with the Massacre of the Latins. Franks and Latins throughout the city were brutally murdered. Andronicus stood by and did nothing, and to this day I believe he had some hand in planning the massacre.

With Alexios proclaimed Emperor, he made Andronicus his co-emperor. Within six months, my half-brother would be dead.

 

[Mike von Bek]

On his ascension to the Imperial Purple, Andronicus forced Alexius to consent to the death of his friends and family – including his mother and sister. Neither Andronicus nor Alexios knew of me, and thus I was spared the slaughter. Alexios was not.

Soon after the last of Alexios’ direct relatives had been executed, he was removed from power. On the pretext that their divided rule was injurious to the Empire, Andronicus had my half-brother strangled with a bow-string. He was only fourteen. To this day, I am tormented by nightmares that see me doing something – anything – in an effort to save him, but I am always too late. Of all my many failures over the last few years, this was my greatest.

One could have been mistaken for thinking that with the overthrow of the regency and the death of Alexios that the mystic Flagg’s time at court would have been over, but it was not be so. Andronicus made him his main counsellor, and listened to him in all things. No decision could be made without the presence of this ‘divinely inspired’ figure, and Andronicus was wholly under his sway.

Andronicus swiftly declared his avowed attention to return the Empire to its former status, and refused to sign a treaty of reparations for those Latins and Franks murdered the year before. Any who dared question him were executed, and he brutally put down any moves against him.

He successfully sought an alliance with the Prince of Vladimir, and when the pagan tribes of the Black Sea overthrew the Principality of Kiev, he responded to the call of the Prince of Vladimir to strike them down. The Pechenegs and the Cumani would face the full might of the Roman Empire, as Andronicus’ personally led his troops north. He would not return to Constantinople for three years.

During his absence, his popularity in Constantinople began to decline. The nobility began to agitate against Andronicus, and Isaac Angelus, a descendant of a former Emperor, sought to overthrow Andronicus and replace him as Emperor. Rebellion began to spread across the face of the Empire.

Alerted to these events, Andronicus sought to wring peace from the pagan tribes. The Pechenegs were forced to hand over the Crimea and Bujak, whilst a month later the Cumani relinquished control of Azow, Kulak, and Kerch. The Black Sea was now essentially a lake of the Empire, with Jedisan falling to Georgia. Andronicus now headed south, determined to overthrow the nobility and execute Angelus.

Eastern Roman Empire, circa 1190 AD

As he approached Constantinople in late 1185, one of his lieutenants ordered the arrest and execution of Issac Angelus. Isaac escaped however and took refuge in the church of Hagia Sophia. He appealed to the populace, and a tumult arose which rapidly overtook the entire city. When Andronicus arrived he found that his power was overthrown, and that Isaac had been proclaimed Emperor. Andronicus was arrested, and was handed over to the guards. To me.

My time of vengeance was at hand, but I could have no idea of the horror I was about to witness.

 

[Mike von Bek]

We strung Andronicus up between two poles. He alternatively cursed us and begged us to release him. He promised us riches, then threatened us with death. His eyes were feverish as he laid the blame for his actions on Flagg, whom he called a devil and a magician. We laughed and beat him some more. After a time, the guards grew bored of their fun and drifted away. But I remained.

I watched him for a spell. Naked, upside down, blood caked over his body. This was the Emperor? This was Andronicus? This was the man who had had his son-in-law executed? Who had my half-brother strangled? He seemed so weak. So small. I stepped up to his unconscious form and cut him down, dumping his unconscious form on the ground. Leaning down, I whispered my name into his ear, before wrapping my hands around his neck.

He began to struggle then, as I slowly twisted. His eyes flicked open, and he uttered a strangled word that I did not hear. All I saw was Alexios, barely fourteen, strangled. I gripped harder, and with a sound I do not care to remember, I broke the Emperor’s neck. I found tears on my cheeks as I stepped back from the body.

It was then that the dead eyes opened, and focused directly on me. The head, twisted at unnatural angle, moved towards me and a ghastly hiss emanated from the corpse. A sibilant curse - “Komnenussss.”

I have seen men die in my time, I have ended life – I know the face of death. And I say to you know that Andronicus was dead, yet spoke. Before this foul sorcery, I was helpless and I fell to the ground, making the sign of the cross for protection against this demonry.

For a time, the dead thing merely stared at me, with an unholy light in its eyes. Then it spoke in a different voice – a voice I knew.

“Ah, so there you are my sweet. Your father spoke of you, at the end. He was so very… proud of you.” The voice dripped with disdain, and a sneer flickered over Andronicus’ dead features.

Though I knew the voice, I could not believe it was so. I feared for my sanity, as – with a dry mouth – I whispered his name. “Flagg?”

“Oh, my pet. How very smart. Most in your position would be gibbering wrecks by now, but I see you are made of sterner stuff.” The head lolled forward on its broken neck, tittering softly to itself. “Andronicus sends his regards, by the way. He is momentarily disposed, as you can no doubt see – but I have ways around that.”

“You lie, Flagg. Andronicus rots in hell and I’ll send you there shortly.”

“Oh, I think not, dear one. You see, you may have killed Andronicus’ body, but his soul is another matter. It belongs to me now, you see. An old trick I learned when I was boy. Do you know, my pet,” and here the voice grew thoughtful, as if pondering a great mystery, “I do believe I also have your father and brothers souls to keep me company as well.” The head lolled backward now and laughed.

I grabbed Andronicus around his broken neck, and put my blade to his throat. “Listen well, Flagg. I will hunt you wherever you go, no matter how long it takes. I will find you and I will kill you. Mark well my face, sorcerer – for it will be the last thing you see on this Earth.” I thrust my blade into that dead face, but I heard his laughter still. It haunts my nightmares to this day.

As I stumbled from those chambers, I knew I would not find Flagg in his chambers. He was long gone by the time I reached them, but his trail was not yet cold. He had taken a ship across the Black Sea to Kerch, and I intended to follow.

I have already killed an Emperor. A sorcerer should not prove difficult.

John Komnenus
7th December, 1185