The celebration in the city of Mystras would continue through the week, with there being another two days of celebration left for both families. Constantine would be stuck beside his wife finding her to be someone he could think of as perfect for him. They would go out into the town together and buy different snacks and foods from local vendors at the market of Mystras, and would find themselves often stuck in long conversations together over different topics that Theodora hadn't had a chance to discuss with a man before. Constantine loved this rebellious nature of her, to go against the traditional norms, it's exactly what Rome needed he thought. He would enjoy his time with her, but knew in the back of his mind his main focus for the end of the week, the reconquest of Morea.
He had been planning this with his advisors since the fall of Glarentza, if Rome wished to survive, it couldn't grow stagnant, but instead continue to push on its success to eventually unite Morea under Roman banners as it once was centuries ago. They looked north and saw Patras, but such a siege may take too long and see many dead, Constantine wasn't even sure if he would be able to take such a grand city, the largest in Morea itself. A small issue was of Patras being technically Venetian, but not as a permanent domain. The other cities he was interested in would be interested in would be Argos and Modon, two great cities in Morea with high populations of Greeks living there. Modon had the second biggest port in Morea and had much trade with the Western Mediterranean, but again it was Venetian. Similarly, Argos was Venetian as well, but instead of with maritime trade, it dominated through land trade and agricultural produce with high quality wines and olives coming from there, the territory being extremely fertile compared to other parts of the peninsula. So, Constantine looked elsewhere and decided to go forth with eliminating one of his opponents in Morea for good, Centurione Zaccaria, the current prince of Achaea.
Constantine would look enviously at the prince's possessions in Kalamata, Androussa, and Arkadia. Three grand cities on the peninsula all under the control of a Latin prince. He had intel from trusted spies in the court of the prince speaking of him looking towards an alliance with the Venetians and the knights of Rhodes, however being denied assistance and instead being left to fend for himself. All it would take was forcing the prince to give up his lands and Constantine would be one step closer to uniting Morea.
Today,
Constantine, upon waking up, would quickly move to find Domianus, and inform him to gather the soldiers to be ready by noon. He would then inform all of his servants to inform the foreign guests to gather near the church once more for a final speech to end the wedding celebrations around noon as well. With this, his action would soon be set to motion.
Guests from all over, Latins, Turks, Iberians, Albanians, and more would gather to the center of Mystras near the church all talking with each other, while wondering what the speech would be about. Some were expecting that maybe the Despot had planned to give them gifts or to offer something to them, however, once soldiers started marching through the city once again they would be confused by their sight. All of them within their armor, on horses, and seemingly ready to depart somewhere.
"Another military parade?" remarks one of the guests
"Probably, the Romans probably trying to seem tougher than they actually are to the guests here," responds another
*Constantine clears his throat*
"I've asked you all today to witness something marvelous, something extraordinary, that will change the course of history within Morea. Worry not, this army is not directed at any of you, as you are friends of mine today and not foes. However, there is land that belongs to me that has been kept from my people for centuries now. Today, that will change. I formally issue a declaration of war against the last prince of achaea, as a sign of good faith, I insist that you stay the night here in Mystras to avoid any of you getting caught up in the war."
The garrison of the city moves to then surround the outer edges of the crowd in the city center with some moving to the city's gates to prevent others from exiting the city itself.
"Now, Domianus, move towards our first objective, don't let me down."
Domianus would bow and then proceed to march out ahead of the entire army, in which they would hastily move out of the city on horseback and proceed marching South. The city guard would proceed to close the gate after them and ensure it was completely locked.
"Now of course, all of you are free to leave if desired currently, but again, it would be shameful if I as your host had any of my guests lose their life accidentally while outside of these safe walls," issues Constantine while walking through the middle of the crowd
"In two days' time, I assure you, my men will escort you all to the port of Monemvasia, and bring each of you back home to your residence. To make up for this unfortunate series of events, I've prepared a parting gift for each of you to show you the richness of the land through some wine."
The guests talk between each other and grumble; however, they know that nothing could be done. They weren't held captive yet weren't free either in the current situation. Carlo Tocco would observe the situation and laugh to himself while his illegitimate children would look at him as if he had gone crazy.
"Now.... this is what I would call scheming... My children, observe carefully if you'd like to keep Epirus standing after I die, a ruler must scheme if he wishes to truly rule. Excuse me while I take my leave," says Carlo Tocco to his children and nephew
The rest of the outside guests would return to the markets of Mystras or return back to their housing for the celebration to waste the day away, some would waste their time drinking alcohol, some in brothels, and some taking the chance to learn within the city from its grand library.
Constantine, happy with his decision, would return back to the palace, and move up to his chambers to lay down for the rest of the day, as he was impatient to eventually leave and catch up with his army and accompany them in battle. As he had thrown himself onto the bed, he would slowly close his eyes, and eventually they would shut completely as he fell asleep.
....
....
....
Constantine would suddenly awake, and look around his room, a few hours had passed already, but it wasn't fast enough for him, he was about to drop his head once again when he'd hear,
"Boy, I would've assumed you'd have better guards within the palace for someone of your high ranking."
Constantine would immediately get chills up his spine and dart his head to his window to see a man sitting there. He would then move to grab a dagger from beside his bedside, but it wasn't there. He would look back at the mysterious figure and the man would wave his dagger in front of him, and proceed to throw it out of the window. Constantine would look at the man, still dreary eyed, knowing he looked familiar, an old man that he had recognized....
"Apologies for giving you a heart attack boy.... I promise you that was not my intent, it was more or less to observe how you'd react. If you had a little more sense, you'd put more guards around the building and walking up and down the halls, a back up dagger as well seeing as you lost your only means of protection..." says the old man
"Nevertheless, I came here to congratulate you on your scheme against the guests here, it was impressive, I may even say that I enjoyed it myself while being on the opposite end of it. Now of the guests here, they've witnessed you declare war, but can't issue this information out to any of their respective leaders. The Venetians can't bring news to the Doge, the Turks to the Sultan, and I, well your biggest opposition other than the Venetians, can't stop you now without it being far too late to do anything."
Constantine's eyes would get a clear look at the man and realize it was Carlo Tocco, was he still that same old frail man that he had seen before? How did he get into his room so quietly and what did he intend to do? Constantine stood still shocked by what he had awaken to, and could do nothing but watch Carlo Tocco's every movement.
"As I said before... boy.... I don't intend to kill you, I'll take my leave then. I'd imagine you're going out to join the army correct? Seeing as you're trying to sleep the day away after it only being noon, I assume that is the case." issues Tocco while moving towards the door of the room
"We'll meet each other again hopefully," waves Tocco as he leaves the chamber of Constantine
Constantine would still stand there confused before moving quickly out the door to hopefully catch Carlo Tocco, but he was completely gone from the building.
'How did this old man move so quickly?!' thought Constantine
He would then move to find Gregory and asking if he had seen his uninvited guest, but he hadn't seen him either even when he was sitting in the grand hall of the palace.
"Strange.... Do me a favor please Gregory, I don't want anyone entering the palace without my sole permission, unless it is a family member of mine, also inform the captain of the garrison to bring a few soldiers to patrol around the palace... And also, to bring me two daggers...." demands Constantine
"Two?..." asks Gregory
Constantine sighs and replies,
"It's a long story, but I believe I've been taught a valuable lesson today nonetheless."
The remaining few days would go as normal, with there being little to do other than shop venders selling their different goods, soon, the day of the guests' departure would arrive, and Constantine would be pleased to see them leave.
"George, my friend, I'd like for you to stay here for me and take control of things in the city, if there are any legal decisions that go past Theophilos, you can just inform them to wait for me to return, or if you deem it possible, I trust you to deal with it," issues Constantine to his friend George Sphrantzes before giving him a hug
He then moves to his wife and kisses her hand, and proceeds to say,
"Theodora, I'll return soon after this is accomplished, you can lead alongside George to gain some experience governing with him, you can trust him as a loyal friend and advisor."
Constantine would afterwards move to don his armor once again, and mount his white steed, fitted with heavy armor to protect it from all sorts of blows and projectiles.
"City garrison!" yells out Constantine
"Bring the guests to Monemvasia safely to be escorted back home!"
Constantine then moves to his personal bodyguards, all on horseback as well, awaiting the command of their kephale. He then waves his hand to them and points South indicating their direction, and they ride out of the city towards the target of their next conquest, Kalamata.