The first volume of the novel is set during the tumultuous years of 1203 and the early months of 1204, a period marked by one of the most catastrophic and transformative events in medieval history the first sack of Constantinople by the Latin crusaders. As the mighty capital of the Eastern Roman Empire teetered on the brink of collapse, its ancient walls, once thought impenetrable, stood witness to betrayal, political intrigue, and the clash of Eastern and Western Christendom. The narrative unfolds amidst the chaos of the Fourth Crusade, when Latin forces, originally bound for the Holy Land, redirected their might toward the Queen of Cities, lured by promises of gold, power, and dynastic claims.
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Markos was a kentarchos or a centurion of a regiment of the Varangian Guards, 18 or 19 at the time of the first volume he is the youngest man in the whole region to hold the title as he first proved himself in the Siege of Varna escaping with a few hundred men as he led them into a secret passage away from the city.
-------------------------------WELCOME TO THE REGION OF ASTONICUM-------------------------
A region in the continent by Yaegrafane located in the west and inhabited by the Astonians, a proud and resilient people who, while pledging their allegiance to their respective duchies and local lords, ultimately recognize the supreme authority of the Emperor. Though each duchy maintains a degree of autonomy and governs its own affairs, true power lies in the hands of the Emperor—an individual elected from among the noble houses, whose rule unites the realm under a single banner and maintains balance across the divided territories.
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The Duchies of Scolacium
The Duchy of Scolacium is a land governed by Margraviates, a term derived from the ancient title of margrave, denoting not only noble authority but also high-ranking military command. These Margraves are both administrators and battlefield leaders, entrusted with defending the frontiers and upholding the ancient codes of the Astonians—the proud and noble people who first settled the land.
The Scolacians are deeply spiritual and fiercely traditional. Religion lies at the heart of their identity, influencing both their law and culture they worship the old Goddess Veltrana, and their reverence for the old Astonian Code a strict but honorable moral and warrior code is still observed with almost sacred devotion. Their society is one where martial skill is valued above all; to them, honor is not earned through words, but through action. While they acknowledge the use of diplomacy in certain situations, they firmly believe that steel speaks clearer than silver tongues. In the Scolacian worldview, it is folly to reason with an enemy who only understands force.
But, despite their adherence to tradition, the Scolacians are not blind to progress. Their forges burn hot with innovation, producing advancements in metallurgy, siegecraft, and battlefield engineering. They embrace technology not to change their values, but to enhance their strength and better uphold them.
Their famed Order of Scylletium were born during a fierce battle when a young knight named Ser Jorin stepped forward with his sword raised high and fought with such skill and ferocity that he could defeat several of the enemy soldiers on his own. Inspired by Jorin's bravery, other Scolacian knights joined him in battle, and together they could turn the tide of the fight.
The Despotates of Nafonia
In contrast, the Despotates of Nafonia are ruled by Despotēs, noble lords appointed for their political insight and administrative acumen. Unlike the Margraves of Scolacium, the Despotēs do not wield battlefield command directly; instead, military authority is entrusted to the Strategos, seasoned generals who oversee the land armies and formidable navies that defend and expand Nafonian influence.
Nafonia is a realm of coastal cities more likely in the western borders, thriving trade routes, and seaborne power. The Nafonians place great emphasis on diplomacy, commerce, and strategic dominance through maritime strength. Their fleets are the envy of the empire, swift and deadly, capable of projecting force far beyond their shores. When faced with opposition, the Nafonians prefer to encircle their enemies with trade embargoes, naval blockades, or calculated political pressure only unleashing their full military might when diplomacy has run its course.
Culturally, the Nafonians are progressive and forward-thinking, especially in the realms of science, naval technology, and economics. Their cities bustle with merchants, scholars, and inventors, and their society places a high premium on education and innovation. While they are no strangers to war, they view conflict as a tool—one of many within a broader strategy of influence and control.
Nafonia's war galleys and elite marines once unleashed their ferocious—though often ruthless—style of warfare against the ancient blight, waging a campaign marked by relentless naval assaults, cunning tactics, and an unflinching will to eradicate the threat at any cost.
The two duchies are locked in a perpetual state of rivalry, waging war against one another on nearly every front. Whether through calculated economic maneuvers to dominate trade routes or full-scale civil wars for control of the imperial throne, their conflicts are as relentless as they are varied. Their struggles often stem from a deep-seated desire for supremacy, be it for territorial expansion, political influence, or the ultimate prize the city of Florentine, the seat of the Emperor itself. This ceaseless strife, fueled by pride and ambition, ensures that the empire remains in a precarious balance, teetering on the edge of unity and chaos.