Prologue - A Dark Meeting
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.
Father always tells me that a good ruler is patient and kind to those they rule. I never understood why, especially as I lay in my bed waiting for my servants to hurry their flanks up and get me ready for the day. I can't believe it honestly, you'd think they'd be punctual, after all we pay them finely and they are allowed to eat whatever I don't. I wonder how humiliating it must be to get ready for the day yourself without help. I shudder at the thought as my servants finally come into my room and we begin the morning ritual.
They help me out of bed, then we head over to the Washroom and I sit and they disrobe me. Once done, I trot to the bath, kept warm by spells and kept fresh by the Palace Springs. They then have the honor and privilege to clean the body of the Imperial Prince. After they finish, I usually take a few minutes to bask in the morning sun as it shines through my chambers and in the bath I sit and soak. Truly, I can not imagine ever being robbed of this luxury, I think I'd rather die than lose this. After thoroughly soaked, I exit the water and we make our way to my chambers again and they bring out my outfits for me to choose which I shall wear that day.
"Let's go with the Uniform, I want to look sharp today," after I say that, they begin to dress me and do my mane and tail. My Mane and Tail, the pride and joy my family, the dark Purple of Royalty, so lush and beautiful. I wish I could stand here, looking at myself in the mirror for hours, the picture of Royal Beauty. My immaculately trimmed light grey coat and my striking mane and tail, combined with the martial tones of my outfit, make one sexy stallion, if I may be so bold.
Sadly, I don't have that particular luxury, to stand and admire myself. Tragic, I know. I however, have duties to attend and today I must sit in with my father for one of his boring council meetings. Something about dear father wanting me to "take responsibility" and "learn how to rule". As if I need to learn anything about ruling. These ponies will do as I say and nothing less. Its really not that hard. I wonder if my father's old age has made him soft. Oh I love him and adore him, he is my father after all, but sometimes I worry for him.
As I leave my room and head down the corridor, flanked by my personal guards, I ponder the enigma that is my father. How he keeps the company of the lowborn merchants, frequents the city beyond the Palace and how he suffers to talk with the common pony. I'll never understand I think. I brush these thoughts aside as I enter my family's private dinning chamber. I spot my father, Imperial Purple, Basileus of the Byzantine Empire. I trot over to him and wrap my hoof around his neck.
"Good morning father, I hope you slept well?" I ask as he returns the hug.
"Oh as well as I could, staying up half the night finishing the work I set out for you to do," he said as we separated.
"Can you blame me father?" I reply as I trot to take my seat and the servants bring me my food, "It's tedious work and utterly boring. I seriously don't understand how you do it, let alone make me do it."
"It's so you can learn how to do it when you are Basileus my son. Would it be easier to leave this to the Council or Senate? Yes it would be, but then we'd be kept out of the loop and we couldn't govern our people. We need to stay in the know of all that is happening if we are to rule our people fairly and correctly."
I am quiet for a minute as I process this (and my food), "Well I suppose you have a point, but I still don't like it."
"There are many things about ruling that we don't like, but we must do them regardless. You need to understand that. Now then, after we finish, I believe we have a council meeting to attend," he finishes.
I almost argue with him on the value of me being there, but I decide against it. If it'll make father happy, I guess I have no choice but to suffer a morning sitting and listening to old ponies talk. We spend the rest of our breakfast in silence, except for the occasional small talk, mostly about the races this week.
The races of Coltstantinople are the pride of the Empire, I've been to almost all of them and I used to dream of becoming one of those racers. To finish in first place and bask in the glow as tens of thousands of ponies chant my name as the victor. I sit there smiling to myself, daydreaming when I'm, rather rudely, interrupted by a steward calling my name.
"What is it?" I asked as I look up. The pony points to my father at the end of the chamber looking back at me expectantly, "Well, are you coming or should I leave you to your thoughts?"
"Sorry Father!" I shout as I jump up and gallop to him. He chuckles to himself and together we leave the Dining Hall and head into the Gardens. It's a beautiful day outside, the breeze from the sea and the shining sun make the Gardens come to life. As we trot down the paths to the Council Tower, I try to slow down a bit to take in the Sun, but Father clears his throat and I sigh and catch back up. On our way, I get a glimpse of the city below and I smile with Pride. I have never visited Canterlot, but from the drawings I have seen, it could not lift a candle to our City. With its majestic walls and towers, crowned by this very Palace atop the hill at the far end of the City. The City itself sits upon a Peninsula and commands an impressive Harbor from which we command almost all Trade between Equestria and the other Continents.
We make it to the Tower and the guards stationed at the doors open them for us. The Council Chamber, despite being near mythical to the common folk, a place of power and decision making, is actually pretty bland and boring. Just a circular chamber at the base of one of the many towers with a circle of pillars towards the edge of the Chamber and the staircase that wraps around the inside of the tower starting here. In the center lies a circular stone table with chairs at regular intervals around it. Lighting up the chamber is a chandelier and stained glass windows, the room's sole decorations, lining the walls, letting in the sunlight. The banner of our Empire hangs from the opposite end of the Chamber, the dark red field with the golden Cross cutting through the middle and the figure of a Pony in the center. Weird runes occupy each corner, remnants from a bygone age I assume.
We are greeted by Alexandros, the Grand Domestic of the Imperial Armies and my Father's closest friend. He steps forward and salutes my father with one of his wings. His silver mane and blue coat, along with his stature and physique make him my foremost rival for the best looking stallion in the Empire.
My father laughs, "I would wish you would stop that, especially here in the Council chamber, there are no prying eyes."
Alex lowers his wing, "You know I have to your Majesty. To think of the horror if I stopped this old stale tradition, the Priests and old folk alike would string me up as a heretic!" The two share a laugh as they make their way to the table. I follow them to my seat by my father. Other than Alex, a few others are already arrived, an odd priest named Nero is here along with a few other counselors and what not.
It's not too long before everypony is visibly annoyed and my Father speaks up, "Where is Claudius?" As if in answer, the pony himself walks in. The dark red coat of Claudius unmistakable, "Sorry for being tardy, I had urgent business to finish up beforehoof," he explains as he sits down.
"No issue Claudius, now since we're all here, let's begin. First things first, are there any reports from Celestia on the strange occurrences last week?" I almost forgot about that, which surprises me. You'd think it'd be hard to forget the day suddenly becoming night with the moon rising to blot out the Sun. It lasted only a few hours before everything returned to normal. Most passed it off as a weird but natural phenomenon, but my father and his advisers thought it'd be better to ask Celestia herself.
"Yes actually," Alex answers, "she replied to us just last evening. I am glad to announce that her Highness, Princess Luna has been returned to Equestria. After a brief scuffle, Celestia says the Elements of Harmony were used to banish the Nightmare and return her Sister to the her," Alex brings out the letter in question as my father grabs it with his magic, " I think we should most certainly send a special envoy to Canterlot as soon as we can to congratulate Her Highness on her return."
"Yes, most certainly, I see to it at once, maybe even I'll go myself, been ages since I left Coltstantinople." Everyone murmurs in agreement, except, I notice, Claudius, who looks oddly uncomfortable at hearing this news. I just chalk it up to Claudius being his normally weird self.
The meeting goes rather boringly as predicted from there on. Matters of taxes, trade contracts and the ongoing disputes with the Minotaur Lands, which, despite sounding fun, it is decidedly not, no fighting, just people talking as normal. I try my best to pay attention and try to offer my own professional input where I can, but I slowly find myself losing complete interest and I turn my eyes to the windows.
The window is rather pretty. Showing the legendary founding of our Empire and this City. Ships landing on the island and Alexios III himself raising his banner over the island. Nopony knows where we came from before that, but nopony seems to care. As I ponder this, I feel my eyelids getting heavier and the voices of the council around me start to fade.
I don't know how long I was out, but when I come to again, I hear my father say, "Well, tell our ships to protect the shipping lanes, and if possible, discern where the Pirates are holding up." I sit up, regretting I was not awake for this issue.
"Well, I think that settles today's business. Eminence, how did you find your first council meeting?" My father asks me expectantly.
"I don't know, boring as expected I guess," I truthfully say. Father has a slight frown, but quickly turns it into a smile and says, "Well, you heard my Son, let's go eat something, I also find these meetings a tad dull and draining. Anypony care to join us in the Dinning hall?"
"Actually your Majesty, we have one more issue that needs to be addressed." Claudius stands up and trots over to my father. I watch as he rounds the table towards my father.
"Oh, well what issue do you have for us Claudius?" My father asks curiously.
Claudius stops next to my father and reaches into his robes, "The issue of your illegitimate right to rule."
The room burst into chaos as the hidden knife comes out.
Author's Note
That took a while to get out eh? Feel free to comment below and point out Grammar mistakes and whatnot.
Don't expect as long a wait for the next chapter
