Author's Note: Forgive me, I took a time off from forums in general and only returned a couple of days ago... Enjoy the next installment.
Book 2
The Reign of Nikephoros Megas
It had been on the Twentieth Day of the Seventh Month of the year 1159, when Basileus Ioannes, having lived for around Two and Seventy years, gave up his soul. And upon his death, the Queen of Cities mourned him, for he was fondly thought of due to his charity.
And his son Nikephoros sent word to his brother Isaakios, so that both could partake in his funeral. But he recieved no answer.
And as soon as news came to Smyrna, Konstantinos Doukas had the guards of the city and the garrison proclaim Isaakios as Basileus, and the Kastamonites, Gabras, Skleroi and Dalassenos joined them, and in three days, most of Anatolia rose in revolt against Nikephoros.
This caused great distress in the Basileus, for his Brother had always been a dutiful man and had never complained about the change in heir. Although Nikephoros knew that his brother's wife, the lady Cersei was very much infuriated, and it had been at her instigation that Isaakios had left for Smyrna.
And at the time it was not known, but letters between the conspirators that were uncovered in later years made clear that this had not been at the instigation of Isaakios, but at the instigation of his wife Cersei, and of Konstantinos Doukas and Ioannes Dalassenos.
And upon hearing the news, Nikephoros called upon his two closest friends and most talented commanders. Georgios Palaiologos[1], nephew of the former Doux of Thessaloniki, and Roger Reyne the Younger[2]. And he also called upon his cousin Ioannes Bryennios. And the four of them left the Queen of Cities for Adrianople, for the bulk of the Roman Armies were encamped there.
As this happened, a great host was gathered by the men of Anatolia, and Isaakios, reluctantly for he saw no other choice than accepting their acclaim, took to the field to lead this host. And among them there were some of the tagmas, but the majority of the Armies remained loyal, and under Bardas Kalamytes they retreated to the city of Attaleia, and some left for Rhodos, to keep the fleet from falling into the hands of the conspirators.
Upon hearing news that Isaakios' host was gathered at Ephesus, although the once great city was but a village, Basileus Nikephoros again held council with his close friends, and they agreed to draw Isaakios into Thrace. And after ten days he marched north, and crossed the Hellespont.
But Nikephoros was waiting for him with the Varangians and a force of various other tagmas, while Roger the Younger led the tagma of the Latins[3]. And outside of Kallipolis the two brothers met in battle. But the Anatolian host raised from the levies of the Dynatoi could not hold the line, and Isaakios barely managed to prevent a rout. And although Konstantinos Doukas advised him to push forward in an attempt to break through Basileus Ioannes' troops regardless, Isaakios chose to retreat across the Hellespont, and instead try to reach Constantinople by crossing the Bosphorus.
And in these days, the lady Cersei had her children sent by boat to their grandfather, planning to have them returned when her husband had taken the Queen of Cities.
And as the new year of 1160 came, Isaakios was preparing his troops on the asian side of the Bosphorus, while Nikephoros took ships and crossed the Propontis[4] further to the south and east of the zone where Isaakios and his army were encamped.
[1] Yes, from THAT Palaiologos family
[2] Eldest son of Reynard Reyne, called "The Younger" to distinguish him from Lord Roger Reyne, the Red Lion of Castamere who would be drowned alongside most of the population of Castamere
[3] By this point in time, the Tagma of the Latins is composed partly of the great-grandchildren of Normans and French knights who had been in service to the Emperor, and partly of Westerosi.
[4] Sea of Marmara, Eudokia seems to have a tendency to use classical terms where appliable.