Rebellion (5)
It was all because of Kerularios's orders. Ioannikios had instructed him to act discreetly without bringing soldiers, but the appearance of his adjutant had made that impossible. Of course, this wasn't Constantinos's fault. Still, with the situation unfolding right before his eyes, he had no choice but to clean it up.
“His Majesty has summoned Emperor Constantine VIII to discuss the matter of the marriage alliance. I came to inform you of this, but the Varangians have surrounded the place and won't let us through.”
Constantinos shifted the blame onto the Varangians. Alton started to protest, but the emperor cut him off.
“Very well. If my brother has called for me, then I shall go.”
Constantinos was taken aback by how readily the emperor agreed to follow. At that moment, Ioannikios's adjutant from behind stepped forward to intervene. Constantinos raised a hand to silence him.
“Have you forgotten what His Excellency said? No causing trouble.”
“But if we let this go, the Varangians will all escape. And we still haven't secured Lady Theodora.”
“If we proceed like this, we can secure His Majesty's person safely. Do you want to arouse suspicion in a situation that's already to our advantage?”
“It's not about arousing suspicion. We just need to confirm where Lady Theodora is, and we'll handle it.”
“It's obvious there'll be friction with the Varangians. We can't risk that.”
Constantinos and the adjutant clashed in their opinions. Then the emperor, who had been standing at a distance, approached and spoke.
“If my brother summoned me over the marriage talks, it must be urgent. What's going on here?”
The adjutant glanced around warily at the emperor's question. Constantinos replied calmly, as if it were nothing.
“We were discussing how the palace is in chaos and might need more guards around.”
“That's right. In this chaotic situation, we need forces to protect Lady Theodora as well. If it's not too much trouble, could you tell us where she is?”
Despite Constantinos's warning, the adjutant pressed on to secure Theodora. As Constantinos opened his mouth to respond, the emperor fixed the adjutant with a chilling glare.
“Something's off. Just now, you two were whispering conspiratorially in front of me. And even in this urgent situation, you show no intention of moving.”
The emperor's observation hit the mark. Cold sweat began to trickle down Constantinos's back.
“Moreover, when I asked about it, you dodged the question and started interrogating me about my daughter's whereabouts.”
The adjutant looked troubled. He seemed to realize even he would find such behavior unnatural and didn't know what to do.
“I don't understand this situation at all.”
“I-it's a misunderstanding, Your Majesty. W-we just wanted to ensure Lady Theodora's safety...”
The adjutant offered a belated excuse, but suspicion was already etched across the emperor's face.
“Theodora was with me but stepped out for some air. She'll be back soon, so to avoid keeping my brother waiting late, I'll head out first.”
Normally, he might have suggested waiting and going together, which would have seemed natural. But the adjutant's rash actions had made that impossible. Any more delay, and the emperor might catch on and do something unpredictable. That could make Theodora suspicious and flee, leading to the worst outcome of losing both her and the emperor. Neither Constantinos nor the adjutant wanted that.
They concluded that securing co-emperor Constantine VIII alone would still allow the nobles to seize power without issue. To avoid further suspicion, they decided to follow the emperor's suggestion.
“We shall obey Your Majesty's command.”
“All troops, listen up! We escort His Majesty to the palace now!”
With that, the standoff with the Varangians ended, and the soldiers gathered around the emperor. Constantine VIII then proceeded toward Basil II's palace, guided by Constantinos and the adjutant. Outwardly, it looked like ironclad security, but in truth, it was no different from being taken prisoner. Constantinos believed he had hidden it well.
Unlike Constantinos, the emperor smiled as if he knew everything, gazing toward the annex. He yearned to see his beloved daughters at least once more. As if his wish reached them, he spotted Theodora and Zoi watching him sadly from inside the annex. Knowing they worried for him, he flashed a bright smile in a final farewell to his daughters.
* * *
Emperor Constantine VIII's sacrifice. Thanks to that noble act, Zoi, Theodora, my own forces, and I were able to escape the palace unharmed.
“As His Majesty said, I still lack the strength.”
With the nobles having seized the capital, Constantinople, resistance here was nearly impossible. As the emperor advised, our only option was to head to Lazica, where I had been appointed dux, build our power there, and seek revenge.
That's why, upon arriving at the Uranos estate, I planned to grab only the essentials and depart for Lazica immediately.
“To abandon everything like this... It's truly regrettable, my lord.”
Alberto's voice dripped with regret. The warehouse was stacked with hundreds of tons of olive oil. Thanks to the deal with the Macedonian family, we held the monopoly rights. These oils were destined for the national treasury—in essence, they were mountains of gold disguised as olive oil. Leaving it all behind, taking only the guild operation documents and minimal capital, was gut-wrenching for Alberto, who had run the guild.
“The moment we try hauling that heavy load, the nobles' private troops chasing us will catch us.”
It pained me, but we had to abandon it to survive.
“What about the rest of the servants?”
“They're all prepared.”
It was time to abandon the Uranos family estate. Before a makeshift grave marker for my adoptive father, whom I couldn't recover after his assassination by the nobles, I offered a prayer to Lord Nikephoros.
“Forgive me for failing to protect you. I will return, rebuild the Uranos family, and avenge you and His Majesty against the nobles who took your lives.”
A sudden strong gust swept through. The flowers before the stone swayed not side to side, but forward and back, as if answering my prayer.
“...Thank you, Lord Nikephoros. No... Father...”
After the farewell, I headed to where everyone waited. They were already mounted, so I swung onto my horse, ready to depart. That's when I spotted a group of Varangians who hadn't mounted yet. Halvar, still on foot, led them.
“The enemy will be here soon. Halvar, mount up.”
Halvar drew his weapon, his face set in grim resolve.
“I will stay here until my lord escapes safely and hold off the approaching foes.”
The determination in his eyes told me it stemmed from guilt toward me. Not just the emperor, but my adoptive father Nikephoros had been slain by Bjorn. As Bjorn's brother, Halvar sought to atone with his life.
“Do you think you can reclaim honor through death?”
“My brother—no, the traitor—not only betrayed my lord but shamed our entire house and the Varangians. As kin, I must restore the family's honor by...”
“That sin is not yours to pay with your life.”
“...My lord.”
“And honor cannot be repaid through death.”
Halvar's expression turned hollow, as if asking what he should do.
“Follow me. Serve me and atone for the traitor's deeds that way.”
Halvar's grip on his axe loosened. The Vikings behind him followed suit. A suffocating silence fell. I rode up to Halvar and extended my hand. He clasped it firmly. Soon, Halvar and the Vikings mounted with faces full of steely resolve.
Normally, I'd have said more to convince him. But time was critical, so I showed my unwavering trust through action alone. It worked, and I didn't lose the valuable asset that was Halvar.
Now, we just had to escape the nobles. We owed our chance to regroup at the Uranos estate to the emperor. But even he couldn't hold them off forever. We had to flee as soon as possible.
“Alton.”
At my call, Alton rode up at the head of his Alan cavalry.
“Once the journey to Lazica begins, some servants will fall behind.”
The servants had no military experience. Civilians couldn't keep up with mercenaries' marching pace.
“I'll ensure no one lags.”
I nodded at Alton's report and summoned Bachana.
“You called, my lord?”
“If the enemy's scouts catch up, use our Alan cavalry to intercept them.”
“As you command.”
With preparations against the pursuing nobles complete, our goal was clear: survive the grueling chase and reach Lazica without capture.