The cool Spring moon casts its light down upon the sleeping city of Coltstantinople. The ships in the harbor sway sleepily under the cool ocean wind and the banners atop the walls and palace flap proudly in the sky. Ponies sleep in their houses dreaming of better things as the dim light of the Mare in the Moon watches over them. The serene peace provides the perfect cover for the sinister meeting taking place in the lower city.

A small wooden home sits in a back alley located between two larger houses in a cramped neighborhood in the lower city. No light can be seen from outside, for the windows are tightly sealed and spells of privacy permeate the walls. Inside, in a small room in the basement, five ponies discuss the murder of their Emperor.

The ponies sit around a table in the center; a map of the city is pinned on the far wall, detailing the various parts of their elaborate plot. On the opposite wall is a map of Equus; pins mark important places around the world.

“What about the Varagian, do we have the support among their ranks?” a small, light-blue unicorn asks.

"I can't speak for the captain, but I think support for us is high. If we can get enough of them to join, we won’t need the captain, anyway.” The response came from a hooded pony with a large gray horn.

“I already have my legion garrisoning the city, though if Alexandros doesn’t join us he still has troops inside the city. They could prove problematic,” said a green pegasus in mail armor.

“I agree with Thorin here, Alexandros might prove to be the deciding factor in this. We need his Cataphracts if we want to suppress any revolts to your rule quickly,” quietly stated a unicorn bearing priestly habits.

The hooded pony stares at the map of the city on the wall. The walls of the city and the Harbor forts were garrisoned by Thorin’s personal legion, but the Palace and a few of the Tower Forts were manned by the Varangian and Alexandros’ legion. Claudius knew he could win a fight at this point, but it would be impossible to exert authority over the empire if he spent his entire army subduing the city. He needed to minimize his casualties, both civilian and military. He had big plans - plans that required sheer quantity of ponypower - and using up all of his resources taking one city would end his plans before they could even start.

A knock at the door upstairs shook him out of his thoughts, and all five ponies quickly hid the evidence of rebellion and grabbed weapons. Thorin was the first up the stairs, followed by Claudius. Thorin headed to the door and knocked seven times in their pattern, and waited while the others took positions around the entrance room. The reply, however, was quick and correct, and the ponies breathed a sigh of relief as Thorin opened the door and welcomed in the newcomer, before swiftly shutting it again.

“Sorry for the tardiness, but I got caught up,” the new comer says.

“What of Alexandros? Is he with us?” Claudius asks.

“After a bit of persuasion and a few vague promises, I do think Alexandros wouldn’t too terribly mind a change in rule,” the earth pony reports. Everyone present sighs in relief and start to congratulate each other before Claudius interrupts them.

“We’re not done yet; there are still many things that can go wrong. Thorin, head out and begin organizing the troops. I want your legion to be ready to march out as soon as we’re secured here. Nero, get your priests together and be ready to crown me as the new emperor, I need to legitimize my rule as soon as I take it.”
As the two ponies head out, Claudius turns towards the others. “You three with me. We need to get ready for tomorrow."

The four ponies make their way out of the house and head down to the harbor. When they arrive, they head to a shady pub by the waterside and enter. Claudius nods to the proprietor and enters a back room. After a few moments, the sounds of gears are heard and a secret door opens. As the four ponies head inside, the door shuts behind them, casting them in momentary darkness. Claudius lights his horn, casting a faint grey glow around them as they continue on.

They pass through the underbelly of the city, where Lowlifes of all variety live. Unlike the sleepy surface, life was still bustling down here, illicit deals being made and less than legal items being sold by various shady characters. Claudius couldn't care less, though. He makes his way expertly through the maze of tunnels and alleys, until he finally comes to a secret alcove.

“You three prepare for tomorrow. I want all our 'friends' down there ready to distract the guards when the signal comes.” The three ponies with him salute and gallop off to get ready. Claudius focuses his magic onto the hidden door to open it, then steps through and shuts it behind him. He trots along, with a slight glee to his step, up to the palace garden. He exits the tunnel, hidden in the bushes at the far end of the garden where no one ever goes, and heads inside. As he passes through the palace on his way to his bed, he stops in the Throne room and looks at the dais where the throne of his forefathers stands. The throne that was his by right and by this time tomorrow, he would have it. He ignores the strong desire to sit on it and exits.

By the time he enters his suite, the moon is high in the sky. He takes off his robes and cloak and nestles himself into his bed. He casts his usual charms to keep peeping eyes out of his dreams while he sleeps, and slowly begins to nod off. He smiles as he reminds himself, that by this time tomorrow he will be Emperor of Byzantium and the world will be his for the taking.

Author's Note

The first chapter in my new story. Please leave suggestions or edits down below and I hope you all enjoy!

Thanks to Chroniqler for Proofreading.