The Clothes Make the Heretic

The Cybelian ship followed the Bithynian ships past the blockade and into the city's docks. Ropes secured the small ship, the deckhands helped the two holy men off the ship.

Philo whispered to Lysander, not wishing to attract attention to themselves. He spoke of meeting with the Guard Captain, Perikles, a friendly face who could perhaps help them.

Lysander walked up one of the guards, tapped his shoulder and said "Guard, we have need to speak with your captain, Perikles. We have important news from Rome."

ooc: continuing from local news, didn't want to flood that topic with posts

The guard turned, and looked somewhat surprised. "What business do you have with the Captain of the Constantinople guard? Did something happen?"

"Yes, that is fair to say." "Bishop Philo has escaped from Roman custody, we bring more information. If you would please lead us to him."

The guard looked at the two for a minute, then motioned for them to follow him. He led them to one of the Guard barracks' in the city, where he bade them sit. He spoke briefly to the officer there, who ordered a runner to send word to Perikles.

After about twenty minutes Perikles and a group of soldiers approached the Barracks on horseback. Perikles dismounted, and entered, where one of the guards led him to the two men. Perikles looked at them quizzically, clearly finding them familiar.

"So," Perikles began, "I hear you two have information regarding the Bishop, Philo."

Lysander lowered his hood and motioned for Philo to do the same.

"I hope this is enough information, captain. I am Cardinal.. well former Cardinal anyway, Lysander. With King Alexander's assistance we have managed to escape the guardhouse in which we were being held. It is my belief that Rome considers us dead. We require the refuge of your city."

Perikles was somewhat surprised, though a part of him had suspected something like this.

"You will have refuge, worry not. It would be good if you were to come before Varius, so he may see with his own eyes that you live."

"I think that would be best, lead the way captain."

Perikles led the two through the streets of Constantinople, finally arriving at the Great Palace. He led them through the Palace to a room deep within, which was normally not open to access for anyone other than the administration of Bithynia. The room was fairly large, and in the center was a large table with multiple maps strewn across it. At the moment, a map of Cyprus and the surrounding region was on top. Small wooden figurines denoted positions of various forces on the island. Varius and most of the Council - Kaesus Draco was notably absent - stood around the table talking. They turned their attention to Perikles when he entered.

"Turns out those two people didn't have information about Philo and Lysander," Perikles said entering the room. "They are Philo and Lysander."

As they came into the room, Varius came up to the two, and spoke. "I see you've gotten out of Rome's cells. This is fantastic news." Varius turned to one of the guards in the room, and told him to go fetch Paulus Eutychios, and tell him of the news. He then turned back to the two

"So, have you yet heard of the Eutychios council? Our churches have split in two, and this has made sure of that."

"I have heard. Excommunication..." Lysander looked down for some time, feeling at least somewhat responsible. "I- This is no small matter, this could lead to war, your grace."

"I fear mine and Philo's correspondences may lead to the deaths of many. We must hope the next pope is just and wishes to heal these wounds between east and west."

"Many may die, yes, indeed some may already have, but you would not be at fault, nor would you be responsible. Your letters were harmless on their own, it is the actions of others that makes out of them danger."

"I hope the next pope will work to mend this divide, for if he does not, then I fear this would at the heart of Christianity may never heal."

"I hope you are right, it is quite the feeling to be marked a heretic by Rome. This is not how I wish to be remembered. The man that tore the church asunder."

"What is next then? The people of the east can no longer look to Rome, I'm sure they'll feel abandoned even though Rome has forgotten them for some years now."

"I have spoken briefly to Paulus Eutychios, and he has said he would like to establish a council, made up of bishops and such. I would guess we would invite those from around the world who follow the Eastern ways, but I have not gone too in depth into discussion with him."

"I believe that would be best, I doubt that Rome would accept the views of the Greek Catholics, even if they were to, the people would not."

"What of us? Do you believe it is best for us to remain anonymous, or should the people learn of our survival?"

"That's difficult to say, on one hand, telling of your survival could result in Rome trying to recapture or kill you. On the other hand, it could give people hope to know you are alive."

"Many people respect you greatly, and knowing you live could bring them some hope in a time where hope seems rare."

"Perhaps we should wait of news from Rome."

"I believe it would be wise to contract our Orthodox brothers in Varasd, Azaq, and Judea. Perhaps there are others around the world who believe as we do, but I would think those would be the major areas with Greek populations to begin with."

"Perhaps that would be best. In regards to contacting our Orthodox brothers, I would agree. Messengers can be sent out as soon as tomorrow, still, I will require some more knowledge of what Paulus Eutychios wants to set up. It would be best for us to have some kind of structure within the Church, lest we make ourselves weak and scattered."

Varius then turned to the Councilmen, and said for one of them to get someone to have Eutychios come.

"I would be honored to meet him, Your Grace."

"I would also like to thank you for your hospitality, I know our arrival was most.. well, unorthodox. If you'll forgive my wording."

"You are most welcome, I would be remiss to turn down those who have need." Varius pulled out a couple of chairs from the table,

"Please, take a seat. No reason to stand around while we wait for Paulus.", and took a seat himself.

"Thank you, Your Grace." Lysander pulled out his chair and took a seat.

"I hear both Bithynia and Cybelos no longer have to worry of a Latin nation on their borders, I have heard little, but it would seem the blockade had crippled Romaniium greatly, I suppose we are all fortunate that the Latins did not strike at our nations as a final effort."

"Yes, it would seem that these Latins just up and left. And, there seems to be a new Orthodox nation cropping up in Illyria. Things seem to be going well in that regard."

Bishop Philo had remained quiet, and looked almost...distant. It had started in Rome, even before he was thrown into a cell. It was as though something was quite wrong with him. He merely listened, sometimes nodding, but didn't speak. While Varius and Lysander talked, Perikles had been watching Philo. Perikles noticed he seemed to avoid eye contact, and would take small items like the wooden figurines and fiddle with them. This was in stark contrast to how Philo had acted before setting off to Rome. Perikles wondered what might bring him to such a point. Surely it must have been some thought of his, or something he'd seen?
Perikles did not know, and though he found it curious, he had no good reason to go and investigate a recently freed Bishop.

After they took their seats and had spoken briefly, Philo cleared his throat as though to talk, but he was interrupted by the arrival of Paulus. Paulus was an aged man, and while he does not use a cane, he moves slower than an equivalent but younger man would.

Paulus was clearly happy to see that the two had escaped, and he too took a seat. "It is good to see you two have made it" Paulus began "I understand you would like to know what I had proposed."

"It's fairly simple, there would be a council with a representative from each Orthodox nation and community. It would be the main authority of the faith, not just one man like in the west."

"I am pleased to hear that, I hope the Orthodox church will be heralded as the church of the people."

"What sort of authority would the patriarchs hold over the church and the people?"

"I would say one of their largest roles would be to settle disputes, and, should it be necessary, put in place guidelines. Anytime they gathered, they would also assemble bishops and people of the faith, so we may see the views of many."

"I can agree with that, if you would need a Cybelian representative I am unsure if I would be the correct candidate. I know not if Rome believes me dead, and if they were to learn of the escape... they may seek retribution."

"But, if you believe that hostilities with Rome can be avoided, I would be honored to represent my Kingdom."

Varius and Paulus looked at each other briefly, and Paulus looked as though he were going to speak, but stopped.

"Well," Varius began, "hostilities may not be avoidable, but I would be quite certain that even if they tried to get retribution, they could not. That said, we must see who the new pope is, and what his leanings are."

Paulus now spoke; "If all turns out well, I would be quite happy to have you on this council."

Philo, meanwhile, had began to very quietly murmer something, and while it was hard to understand, seemed to be something about death. It was quite obvious something was very wrong with him.

"Was he like this back in Rome?" Perikles asked Lysander.

Lysander pulled Perikles aside

"I mentioned that Rome believes that we are dead, yes?

Well I believe the circumstances of this have affected the bishop.

Someone had to be put in our places in order to fool the papal states, you see.
Those would be two Bogomils, they were crucified and burned. They were already dead, but.. it was quite the sight...

If the smell of decay wasn't enough...

It has affected me as well, not nearly as much as Philo it would seem.

I have been witness to shock such as that in my life unfortunately, however, I am unsure if the bishop is as accustomed."