Chapter 30: A lucky boy
Autumn AD 1072,
Great Palace, Constantinople, Roman Empire
Kaisarissa Theodora went into labour early on September 5. Caesar George was immediately banished from the bedroom, which made him think about another banishment. He quickly managed to get the emperor to rescind the banishment of
some of the Dukases and right away invited Prince Michael over. “Ah, it’s g-good t-to be b-back,” Prince Michael said, “b-but if I m-m-may ask…wh-what d-did it c-cost you?”
“Me? Nothing,” Caesar George laughed, “your family – plenty!”
“Oh?”
“Yes, I’m afraid your cousin is about to be banished for life to his recent acquisition.”
“To T-turnu!?” Prince Michael gasped.
“Yes.”
“Oh – My – God!” Prince Michael guffawed. “Th-that’s a d-dread-f-ful p-penalty f-for a s-s-syba-r-rite l-like my c-cousin.”
“I know,” Caesar George agreed, laughing. “I don’t think I know anyone so out of place among dirty peasants clothed in wool and animal skins, living in dirty, little huts and tending sheep and goats than your cousin.”
“Exactly!” They shared a heartfelt laugh.
“Wine?”
“P-please.” Prince Michael took the offered goblet and studied the wine like only connoisseur
can. “Excellent vintage,” he pronounced a bit later.
“Thank you,” Caesar George said and pointed at some relaxing chairs. “Let’s relax. The birth is not over yet.”
“Ah, yes,” Prince Michael said. “Is that…”
“Yes,” Caesar George hurriedly interrupted. “I want you to be my son’s godfather.”
Prince Michael lifted both eyebrows in question. “S-s-shouldn’t we wait f-for…”
“No,” Caesar George said. “I’m sure it’s a boy and I want to call him Michael. Do you accept?”
“If it’s a b-boy – yes.”
“Excelle…”
“NO,” Emperor Michael bellowed as he pushed the doors open with a loud crash and entered the study of Caesar George. “I do not agree. I did not lift the banishment for your friend just to have him steal my godfatherhood under my very nose. As emperor, I must be godfather to your firstborn son!”
Caesar George stood up slowly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think you would be…”
“No, you did not
think at all,” the emperor interrupted angrily. “I demand to be your son’s godfather.”
“I’m sorry, my emperor, I cannot. I have already promised it to Prince Michael and I never break my word.”
“I DEMAND YOU DO!” Emperor Michael roared, face purple with anger.
“Will you please keep it down,” kastrisios Chalkites said from the open doorway. “Your wife is resting. And what are you arguing about?”
“Whose to be godfather,” Caesar George said somewhat sheepishly. “I promised it first to Prince Michael…”
“Only if it’s a b-boy,” Prince Michael added.
“…and I forgot first ask Emperor Michael if he wants to and apparently he does… Why are you here? Has it…”
“Yes,” kastrisios Chalkites said calmly. “You have a son.”
Caesar George eyes widened in surprise. “Thank God!”
“C-congratulation, C-caesar,” Prince Michael said.
“Yes, congratulation, George,” Emperor Michael said sounding sincere.
“Thank you,” Caesar George said, feeling elevated and drained at the same time. He sat down slowly in his chair again and looked the two Michaels. “Now then, how are we to solve this mess…?”
The two men looked with disdain at each other, but none of them said anything.
“Men!” kastrisios Chalkites uttered. The three men turned to look at her. “As you cannot break your word to Prince Michael, Caesar George, nor can you
not let Emperor Michael be Godfather if he wants to – the solution if of course to let them both be Godfathers.” She looked at the surprised men. “A solution any five year old
girl could have pointed out…in a heartbeat,” she added archly.
Caesar George looked the two Michael. “Well?”
Prince Michael turned and looked at Emperor Michael, who frowned slightly, but then nodded. “We accept,” Prince Michael said. “And thanks.”
“Excellent,” Caesar George said and stood up. “Can I see him?” he asked of his steward.
“Yes,” she said calmly. “Follow me and be quiet.” She led the way into the bedroom of kaisarissa Theodora, who lay resting with her new born baby in her arms. As the men trooped in, she opened her eyes and smiled beatifically.
Caesar George leaned down and kissed her. “Thank you, Thera, you have done well.”
“Why are they both here?” she asked looking at the Michaels. “I thought…”
“A bit of a mix up,” Caesar George said hurriedly. “Michael Palaeologus will have
two Godfathers!”
“Will he now?” Thera said and burst out laughing.
* * * * *
A few days after the birth of his son, Caesar George ordered his army to assemble in Birlad the quickest way possible – though he knew from experience it wouldn’t be all that fast. Personally he travelled light with just his personal guards and spy mistress Arete Karaïonatan. Strategos Marapas was in Peloponnesos overseeing the mobilisation of the army and the journey to Birlad.
Caesar Georgios was quite shocked to see when he got to Birlad how little things had changed. “What a dreary place,” Arete Karaïonatan said as they rode through the streets of Birlad towards the old place of the chief of Birlad, which once again would function as headquarter while they were there.
“Well, you are in luck,” Caesar George said somewhat sourly though privately agreeing with her, “you’ll be staying here for the duration being our link to Empire – where we are going it’s going to be even worse.”
“Perhaps,” Arete said, “though I’ve seen pigsties cleaner than this. You better have a long word with the local Kephale.”
“There isn’t one,” Caesar George said. “Only some low level army officers and a skeletal force. The recruit drive around here is going real slow.”
Arete laughed. “I bet.” She stroked her horse to calm it as it was reacting to the dreadful smell of the place. “You better make one then. This place, though primitive, is part of the Empire now.”
“I know. Unfortunately, there aren’t many Greeks here yet.”
“Perhaps,” Arete said slowly, “if you appoint someone young, intelligent and most important of all – ambitious – it doesn’t really matter what race he is. Actually, a Pecheneg might well work out better than a Greek.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, they need to see that their future lies with the Empire and how better to do that than to have one as Kephale. A lesson both sides need to learn.”
“Perhaps you are right – I’ll think about it. Good advise, Arete. I’m glad you’re not bitter about...you know.” He actually looked slightly uncomfortable.
“How little you know, women,” she replied archly. “Anyway, I’m glad about something too.”
“Yes?”
“That neither of us will stay here forever!”
, God, I'm getting old...
