Bearded man:
The door to the great cabin open and the bearded man enters the room. He closes the door behind him, putting his arms akimbo.
- Good news I bring to you: we will soon leave the bay.
You look out of the window and realize that indeed the imperial dromon has left port in Thessaloniki. Now when your attention has been brought to this you notice distant sound of whips - the slave row fast and powered by the strength of their muscles Velos is quickly traversing waters of the bay. The man scratches his beard.
- By midday we should pass the holy mountain of Athos, so if you want to pray to the Holy Ghost for gift of wisdom before the session that would be a good moment. Now...
The man takes off his hat and lowers it to the ground in a mocking bow.
- As mandator of Scrinium Barbarorum I salute you, noble ones. I was tasked with transporting you safely to the City and I'm glad to see that all of you alive and unharmed. You should be glad too, thankful even - it took a lot of effort to ensure that. No, no, no, don't say anything.
He puts his hat back on his head.
- Questions I see on your faces. This is good, curiosity is a virtue and it would be unfair to left it unsatisfied. My name means nothing, so don't bother asking for it for tomorrow we shall part our ways and if we ever meet I will be a different man. I've been here and there, bleeding and killing, collecting information with gold and dagger. That's all you must know - but let's talk about you, shall we?
He points his finger at you.
- You are not the hunter but the hunted. Don't act as if you were surprised, you know this is true. Or have you forgotten what happened to megas droungarios Javier Espinosa? Well, it's been two decades so I figure some of you were playing with toys when he was murdered - but still it happened. Do you know who was found guilty of assasination of one of the members of the Imperial Council?
Mandator shows his teeth.
- Nobody. Yes, some eunuchs and minor officials were executed but the perpetrator remains unknown. Or so it seemed until Scrinium found... let's say clues, most interesting clues which indicated that not xenoi or Pisans are to be blamed but Romaioi. A very influential Romaioi.
Mandator puts both of his hands on the fire-weapons he carries at his belt.
- Let me make it perfectly clear - there is a conspiracy in the heart of the Imperium. Who is behind it, what goals does he hope to achieve and against whom does he schemes this we don't know. Yet. We know very little in fact but what we know is this: someone is trying to plant a seed of discord in the Sacred Palace. Seed of mistrust. Division. And in order for the seed to grow and bear its poisonous fruit the ground will be made more fertile using your bodies. And who is the gardener who will take care of the plant?
He points in general direction of all the assembled senators.
- A traitor.
The man scratches his beard.
- Since we are temporarily companions on this journey let us make some use of the time that has been given to us. Let's start with the basics. Lesson number one - don't trust anyone. Not your servants, not your men-at-arms, not your advisors and teachers. Do you really know every single person who accompanies you, who serves you food, who prepares your bath, who carries your sword? No. There are ways of changing one's heart and mind, many ways. Don't trust your fellow senators, for among them may be the gardener. Or maybe not - we don't know. But you must ask yourself: can you afford to take the risk? Whatever your judgement is, we can't allow you to take the risk - that's why I'm here. Furthermore, you shouldn't trust members of your own House, for like all men they are weak and may be corrupted. You shouldn't even trust me. Especially me.
Mandator pulls out one of his fire-weapons with his right hand and aims it at senator Alexius Colombo.
- Who am I? Where am I taking you? I told you but I may be lying. Are you sailing to Konstantinoupolis? Or am I taking you to the west, to trade you for wealth and position in Pisa? You don't know. This is bad. Fifty man are on this ship under my command and only handful of members of the Senate Guard. Bad. Your men-at-arms were left behind us in Thessaloniki. Bad again. I could kill three of you before you have a chance to scream for help.
Mandator smiles widely.
- Very bad.
He puts the fire-weapon back to the holster.
- Conclusion? Hmm? Anyone?