A young man stands looking over the city he governs, it's a small, but nice city named Selymbria off the coast of the Black Sea. He looks out into the sea, the sea that used to be dominated by Roman ships and banners. If his ancestors were to look at them now, they would be disappointed.
"Where did we go wrong?" He sighs
A man is escorted into the room by a few of his personal bucellarii(retinue). He looks toward the man standing near the window of his estate.
"Kephale Constantine?" Asks his friend and advisor Iovinus
"It's nothing, just thinking. You seem like you're in a hurry my friend, what's the problem?" Says Constantine
"Your brother, the Emperor, has asked for you to support Theodore II of Morea in his efforts against Epirus and the Latin principalities." Says Iovinus
"I had assumed Theodore had Morea under control, they even have the Hexamillion to defend the Isthmus of Corinth." Asks Constantine
"I don't have much information on the matter, I only have what was told to me from the King's messenger asking you to assist him."
The young man sits down in his chair and thinks for a few seconds, this would be a good opportunity to finally do something other than governing a town
"Send a messenger to John and tell him I will depart to Morea immediately with my retinue. Tell my Bucellarii to gather and arm themselves, while I'm away, I'll leave administration over the town to you Iovinus" Constantine proudly speaks.
This, is the beginning of Constantine Palaiologos' legend, where he will bend history and restore the glory of Eastern Rome.