Secret Quarters

**m_1512** · August 12, 2013, 10:12 AM

A broken down building on the outskirts of the city. This is the secret quarters used previously by Isidore and back in activity again. A rag is not hung on an almost caved in window to signal compatriots of the silent message.

**╬Ritterbruder╬** · August 12, 2013, 10:17 AM

Godfrey stopped his horse as he inspected the ruins
"fancy place you've got here, is this how the former emperor housed his guards?"
he turned around to Bertrand, who had accompanied the two men here, but was uninformed of their plans.
"Bertrand, we have private matters to discuss here, go back to our own quarters, I'll meet you back there"
He then turned to Isidore, keeping a close watch on him, and keeping his own hand not to far from his sword
"shall we? as he gestured towards the entrance?"

**m_1512** · August 12, 2013, 10:20 AM

Isidore invites Godfrey in. He sets the table with some bread, fruits, and Greek wine. He also slides a short straight blade, not unlike the Gladius, towards him.
Welcome to a proper hideout. Have some food and drink.

That is the Xiphos blade, it is a means how we will recognize each other. As long as you carry it, you have nothing to fear from the Greeks. If those barbarians in the palace ask, tell them it is a gift from your godchild. You can invite one more among your numbers in our scheme, and I will gather some Greeks. But one thing I do not understand.

Why are you doing this? You wish Bohemond out of the way, but what then?

**╬Ritterbruder╬** · August 12, 2013, 10:38 AM

Godfrey sat down and grabbed a piece of bread, after taking a bite, he put his left elbow on the table and leaned forward
"I don't give a about the throne, but if you think I'm here because I want to help you and your friends in your little glorious revolution, you are sadly mistaken"
he slammed with his fist on the table and several pieces of sloppy bread flew out of his mouth as he spoke
" I am here because I took a vow, a vow to go to Jerusalem and fight the heathens there, not to get stuck in some rotting Greek kingdom"
he sprung up from his chair, nearly knocking it over and started to stroll around it, gesturing wildly with his hands
"saracens are swarming the holy places, yet we sit here and fight over scraps that the 'emperor' wishes to share with us, both the nobles and the clergy, bickering over some rediculous hat that they hope will make them equal to His Holiness."
he put his fists on the table and leaned forward
"no-one, NO-ONE, except for His Holiness or Almighty God himself can order me to simply sit here and wait until you lot have stopped twitching in your death struggle."
he turned around, his voice grew calmer again
"but I can't just leave on my own, I have no men, and all the approaching forces to reinforce Outremer are now destined to get stuck here, and I can't afford a war between the fractions of crusaders and venetians."
He turned back to Isidore and pointed towards him
"that's where you lot come on the stage: I need the crusaders and venetians to abandon their desires for this land, and get them back moving before their grip and desire on these lands is too strong, if I can accomplish that, you can do with your petty kingdoms as you please, you can become emperor for all I care."
He leaned closer to Isidore, and spoke determined
"I.
Serve.
Jerusalem..."

**m_1512** · August 13, 2013, 08:19 AM

Isidore did not smile, but sat down sipping wine from a goblet. He took a deep breath to ready himself for what he had to say.
First of all, we are not your helots, so you better show some respect too. This rotting kingdom according to you is not only the link to antiquity, but also the gate that keeps the Turks away from your lands.

Next, you are obviously stuck here if you don't any of our glorious rebellion. And to think that you call us fools.

Isidore gives an sarcastic laugh.
Quite the fools the Venetians made of you people. Or were you really deceived that they cared about the crusade?
Wake up, man! It is all about Galata, everything about Galata and the Venetian trading empire.

Lastly, I don't want to become emperor. I just like to see a Greek hegemony established again. And some proper conquests against the Turks would be fresh sight. So what do you have to say? And eat the bread slow and nice, you might choke on it.

**╬Ritterbruder╬** · August 13, 2013, 08:37 AM

"What the others believe is no concern of mine: I care about this crusade, and I will do anything in my power to see it finished succesfully: in Outremer"
he sat down and shoved the dagger back to Isidore
"I can get you supplies, but I am not one of you and I will not just let you run off. The emperor is probably already contemplating wether to hang me for getting you out of prison. Wether or not you see me as your master does not matter, you are in my service: which means you will report to me when summoned, and you will adress me with 'my Lord'.
And if I so much as suspect you of turning on me, I will get the city guard down here and have everyone in this section impaled"
Godfrey stood up, grabbed an apple and took a bite
"That is all I have to say, you are free to roam now, but you will hear of me, and when you do, you better get to my office at Stoudios as fast as your legs can carry you, 'John-Paul'"

**m_1512** · August 13, 2013, 08:52 AM

Isidore smile vanished. He felt like trying to reason with a wall.
Obviously I see that all reasonable talk has no effect on you. So, let me give the exact news.

Your crusade is dead! Or as near to finish as it could be. Your army is scattered in this region, and the lords will not leave. The best that can be done is that you embark with a mixed army of your people and my people.

And I stand by my words. I am not a helot and I only call the emperor as Imperator. I do not see why I frighten you, but I would say that you can trust me as a friend. Also, I wish to meet Bohemond to talk to him.

He pushed the blade back.
This is a gift given in goodwill. And the name is Isidore.

**╬Ritterbruder╬** · August 13, 2013, 09:08 AM

Godfrey grabbed the dagger back from the table and examined it again, though it was clearly still the same as it was before, he weighed it in his hands as he chuckled:
"frighten? I fear no Greek, nor Italian nor Saracen. Contempt? yes. Fear? Never.
If you want the city back, you'll have to make the crusaders leave, cause you'll never be able to crush them"
He turned around and headed for the exit, but continued to speak as he walked away
"Do what you want for now, I'll have one of my servants bring a message to this place if I need a word with you. I'll try to re-introduce you at court, but I doubt the Emperor will be happy to see you enter again, even without a poisened dagger"