(no subject)

[zzambrosius_02]

A bit of teaser from the novel I am writing now. FYI: The Emperor is indeed behind the horrors that Nicodemus and his family have endured. And the fate of his sisters is not yet clear to me.

"Unto His most Royal Majesty Andronicus Palaeologus, Autocrator of the Romans, Imperator and Caesar of Constantinople;

 

"From Her Majesty Saráyi, called MedusaKori, Queen Regnant of all the Serbs, Daughter of Dragutin, Crown Prince of Serbia, and daughter of the Royal Princess Irené Komnena, who was the granddaughter of Alexios IV, born in the purple:

 

"Greetings, royal cousin!

"Our private secretary has drawn Our attention to Your letter, received here a week past, where You inquired about the health of Our guest, one Nicodemus Ducas. You will be pleased to know that Our vassal Count Constantine, having tested the young man most strenuously, felt confident in dubbing him a knight of the Serbian Commonwealth.

"This young man We found worthy and We welcomed him as was fitting for a nobleman. We are astounded to hear that his father and mother are dead, and discount entirely the rumors We hear of Your involvement in their deaths.

Lord Sir Nicodemus himself is doubtful that such perfidy could originate with Your Majesty. He wishes to recieve from you news, by the swiftest courier You can find, of his older and younger sisters, whom he has not seen since men claiming to be of your guard corps seized and imprisoned him.

He has heard no word of them since his escape from durance vile, and his fears for their safety are overwhelming to him.

As for sending him back to You, We must decline.

However short his stay here has been thus far, We have found his advice quite valuable, and have a mind to retain him in Our service for the foreseeable future. His knowledge of the arcana of life in Constantinople, his mastery of several languages, and his youth and vigor, tempered with wisdom unusual in such a young Lord: all these things command our admiration. We have put in motion the steps to make him Our Consul of Skoplje, where he will serve Us both as Mayor and as Captain of Our City Guard. We are sure that You will rejoice to hear that he has advanced to such a high position, and that he has the protection of the Queen of all the Serbs.

We await Your reply, hoping for news of the young Lord's sisters.

May Your Majesty reign long and wisely, Emperor of the Romans, King of all Hellenes, mightiest of Lords, save only for The Lord.

By Our hand and seal this ___ day of ___, In the Year of Our Lord 1295:

(Signed) Saráyi Regina Srbika (sealed).