Lazica Theme (7): The Road Back to Constantinople
On the road back to Constantinople, Angelos, watching the Giorgi locked in a wooden cage and dragged along, turned to me and spoke.
"I never thought you'd actually succeed in the kidnapping."
He alternated glances between me and Giorgi, who had hung his head in disbelief.
"The Turkic cavalry's help was crucial."
"Even I know cavalry can't enter the palace, no matter how skilled. It must have been you and the Vikings who did the rest."
Angelos, who had lived his entire life as a soldier, knew the details better than anyone without me saying a word.
"More than that, congratulations, Lord Rogerius," said Ioannis, offering his congratulations. It seemed he was celebrating the capture of Giorgi.
"With the king of Georgia captured, unlike Bulgaria, the war will end quickly."
Unlike Bulgaria, Georgia had surrendered swiftly. One might question how a country could surrender immediately just because its king was caught. Bulgaria still required Eastern Roman forces to maintain order even after their king's capture, making it a valid doubt.
To explain: the two nations were on entirely different scales. Bulgaria was an empire with vast territories under its rule. Though not comparable to the Eastern Roman forces, it had administrative and military systems befitting an empire. This meant local armies existed, taking time to disarm them.
In contrast, Georgia was a kingdom—and a very small one, freshly emerged from a principality. The nobles held strong power, with little loyalty to the king. The people, weary from prolonged wars, offered no resistance. Thus, once the king and nobles were captured, Georgia chose immediate surrender.
Now, the key was how the Eastern Roman emperor would accept this surrender.
"What choice will His Majesty make?"
At Angelos's question, Ioannis pondered briefly before replying.
"Unlike Bulgaria, they surrendered quickly, so I think he'll end it peacefully."
Bulgaria had inflicted a humiliating defeat on him. In response, Basil II had gouged out the eyes of the prisoners, broadcasting his fury to the world.
Georgia, though striking from behind, had surrendered fast, so there was a chance for mercy.
"Of course, even with mercy, the land of Lazica must be returned."
The land that David III had promised, and his adopted son Bagrat III had agreed to return. Giorgi, Bagrat III's son, had broken that promise and attacked Eastern Rome, so it was only right to reclaim it.
This was precisely why the emperor had appointed me governor of the Theme of Lazica.
Thus, after reporting the capture of the enemy king to the emperor, I would gather necessities from the Uranus family's mansion and head back to the Theme of Lazica.
"Setting that aside, I really do congratulate you, Rogerius."
Angelos extended his hand to me. Tilting my head at the gesture, I asked what he meant.
"You've earned the greatest merit among us, so you'll receive the top reward."
"Excluding the newly established Theme of Lazica, there will be other rewards."
At their words, I fell into thought. Another reward—I'd be lying if I said I hadn't considered it at all. I expected something, but having already received the governorship, or the title of dux, there was no higher rank to climb. Land seemed unlikely too, since I'd been promised Lazica. With both honor and power secured, it was hard to predict.
"Nothing specific comes to mind."
Angelos poked my side with a sly grin.
"I heard His Majesty is pushing for your marriage to Her Highness."
"...And when did you hear that?"
"There are ways."
Angelos shrugged, spouting words fit for a modern twenty-something.
"Her Highness is famed as the most beautiful woman in Eastern Rome. With her beauty and wisdom, everyone in the empire will envy you if you marry her."
Angelos lavishly praised Zoi. It was an undeniable fact, so I could only nod.
Zoi possessed the empire's greatest beauty. Historical records overflowed with accounts of her loveliness, and seeing her myself confirmed it was no exaggeration.
Moreover, her intellect was extraordinary. I'd witnessed it during the Bulgarian campaigns and discussions on the olive oil guild monopoly after its formation.
To be precise, it felt more like perfect compatibility than mere wisdom. Marrying Zoi, I truly believed, would lead to happiness.
As I thought this, Angelos smirked knowingly and teased.
"You're not already thinking about how many kids you'll have, are you?"
"About five seems right."
"...Don't get ahead of yourself."
We bantered like that on the way to Constantinople, oblivious to what awaited us there.
The emperor welcomed Rogerius, Angelos, and Ioannis with arms spread wide. Basil II was deeply moved by their achievements.
"Hahaha! My heroic reversers have returned to me safely."
The reason for his joy was obvious: under limited support, they had achieved tremendous results.
Basil II had provided only the Varangian Guard and the Basilikei Hetairoi. Their first goal was to subdue over twice as many Turkic cavalry with these forces.
As repeatedly mentioned, three thousand cavalry were a disaster for the empire. Repelling them alone was implausible, yet Rogerius had persuaded them into his service.
Leading the Turkic cavalry, he reinforced the beleaguered Manuel and Asakios, rescuing them.
From there, Basil II's joy pierced the heavens. Manuel and Asakios were vital to him.
The Komnenos family, his right hand, had risen under Basil II, unlike ancient houses. Losing Manuel and his heir Asakios would have collapsed the emperor's carefully nurtured lineage—a catastrophe.
Beyond politics, humanly speaking, their deaths would devastate him. Manuel had aided Basil II since youth in quelling rebellions.
The emperor, dry of emotion, cherished Manuel as a lifesaver and could not bear to lose him.
"We thank Your Majesty for the welcome. But first..."
"I will handle the sinner Giorgi myself."
The emperor's lips curled upward, refusing to descend. His joy stemmed not just from the rescues but from ending the war.
Rogerius had captured Georgia's King Giorgi I alive. Right after the enemy commander Ioannis fell, he led the Turkic cavalry straight to the Georgian palace.
Seizing it, he captured the hiding Giorgi and brought him before the emperor. This allowed swift war's end, without needing to pressure nobles as in Bulgaria.
The emperor was so elated he could dance.
"More than that, I wish to personally commend you three for such outstanding merits. Is there anything you desire?"
His momentum suggested he'd grant anything short of his crown.
Rogerius glanced at Lord Ioannis, who humbly deferred back to him. Pressed repeatedly, Ioannis finally expressed gratitude and stated his wish.
"We thank Your Majesty. What I desire is land to rule."
Ioannis sought to escape the shadow of Manuel and Asakios, craving a base for independence. Normally excessive, it was fitting for their merits.
"Very well. What think you of the dux of Lazica?"
The emperor smiled at Rogerius. As pre-designated governor of the Theme of Lazica before battle, it could only refer to him.
"His request seems reasonable."
Nodding, the emperor turned to Ioannis.
"I appoint Ioannis Komnenos as katepano of Pithous."
Pithous was one of Lazica's regions—a Black Sea coastal city, bordered by the Caucasus Mountains and the sea. Once part of the Bosporan Kingdom, it featured fortresses blending Greek and Scythian styles.
"I thank Your Majesty for this grace."
Thus, Ioannis became katepano of Pithous in Lazica. For Rogerius, shorthanded, having Ioannis manage a district was welcome.
For Ioannis too—a far better fate than serving uncooperative nobles, now ruling under a friendly superior.
"Lord Angelos, state your desire."
Now Angelos's turn. After glancing between Ioannis and Rogerius, he informed the emperor.
"I too desire land to rule, Your Majesty."
The emperor smiled. Expanding pro-emperor territories suited him, no reason to refuse.
One hitch: the Moselaph family already ruled lands. Angelos, aware, continued.
"I will relinquish our family's territory and relocate the entire house to the new land."
A bold choice from Angelos. As Arab-descended immigrants, he knew his ancestors' struggles to root there.
"I wish to know why you make this choice."
The reason: Rogerius.
"To serve Your Majesty's will alongside Lord Rogerius."
Rogerius rode a rising wave, with marriage to near-royal Zoi all but set, poised to lead the pro-emperor faction.
Angelos, witnessing Rogerius's feats firsthand, sensed the Moselaphs could thrive following him. Like Ioannis, he chose to align.
"I see. I appoint Angelos as katepano of Oinaion."
Oinaion lay near Trebizond, a prosperous city yielding vast grain from its fields.
"Now only Lord Rogerius remains."
With Ioannis and Angelos rewarded, it was Rogerius's turn—the greatest hero of the war.