Iron

Prologue

This story is AU, so while there will be historically accurate characters with some dramatic license taken, the historical situation as you'll see, is quite different from reality. There will be war, peace and love here. Also:Sex, lots of it, political machination, fighting, mpreg (how? you'll see...) That said, while there will not be any angsty moments, this is a very serious story. I have no intention to undertake any political debate on the formation and birth of the nations of Greece and Turkey. There will be graphic violence (only in combat).

POV's: CXIP; Constantine XI Palaiologos

K; Karteleigos Hommeldaligo

B; Blaine Anderson (Why did i keep the original?)

Italics are for flashbacks. Underlined for emotional speech.(Bold black for screaming,

...and then the Empire of the Romans in the East was no more.

That is how many stories, books and children's tales end these days. And people don't seem to care much about it.

Some comment on the sad but honorable demise of Constantine, the Eleventh of his name, fighting for the city of which he'd been crowned Emperor: Head of the Byzantine Empire and Leader of the church in the East, the Orthodox Church.

Most just ignore them. They've heard all this before...

But some people want one thing: Action.

The Varangians fought to almost the last man. So had the militia and the Venetians and Genoese who had come to our aid. Generations before us had driven back the invader, time and again. But here we are. The city of Constantinopoli, our precious jewel, is now given a different name: Istanbul. It's not official, but the new turkish settlers have named it so, as if it was theirs in the first place. But, no matter.

This won't last. We're still here. I, Constantine Palaiologos, the Eleventh of my family and Royal House, still lives. But, if i'm to succeed, i can't act like some prepotent has been of a king, looking for a kingdom to rule over. My house lives on, but i've got no children. Mostly because i'm not interested in women only, and the one woman i loved died giving birth. So, in case of, and when i die, i need an heir. Someone i can trust that will not fight for a dynasty of his own or be of those whom have second thoughts because of wife and children. Who better for this than a fellow brother in passion & lust of men?

However, he must be of honor, not a promiscous, unfaithful bachelor. He must transmit a message of trust, not dishonor. Lord knows there's been plenty of that.

And he must be in love. Power is lonesome and can eat and ensombre the heart. Would the Church and the Patriach of the City agree with all this? It would have been an interesting conversation...were he amongst the living. And most others are dead anyway. Besides, i'm the Byzantine Emperor or will be again anyway. Even if he's the one to take the crown and title, he should be wise enough to know then that one perk over the other Kings & Emperors of Europe we always had was our union of the Imperial Office with the Church. It shouldn't be a huge leap to permit any two young lovers to marry. I doubt God would wish his children loneliness & despair.

So the only thing left is to find this unknowing pretender,legally adopt him as a son, and organize a more potent force to overthrow Murad...ah Murad, you brave, cunning bastard...

End CXIP P.O.V.

Narrator POV

Yet there's no time for him to finish the thought...

-Efendim! (Sir!)

-Yusuf, have you any news for us?

Yusuf, a young servant, who had been captured in a battle in the Morea (Greece) and had sworn fealty to his captor in exchange for his life, had been sent to collect information on the potential candidates for adoption. The Emperor had always wondered why a muslim, captured in battle by an Orthodox noble, and brought to a besieged city, hadn't left him when he found him and set him free. After all, serving several years as somebody's slave wouldn't created one ounce of pity if set free by a man who was about to lose all treasure and power he could have had before.

Yet, he would not answer. Only saying that he had a debt of honor to pay. He'd been loyal ever since.

-Yes, efendim. Though there are several names on the list, there are two who really should fulfill your expectations... -Shh...it's not wise to linger here. Let's keep moving

While people in the market were still preocuppied with their own affairs, it was not the best idea to talk of things concerning insurrection and conspiracy in the streets, specially with Janissaries, elite guardsmen and soldiers of the Sultan close by. So, it was only natural to hide in what had become their playing grounds and safeguarding: The old byzantine underground water supply and sewer system. It had been one of the greatest sources of pride for his predecessors, having made Constantinopoli the clean, rich and mighty place it was. However, most only carried water from the Bosphorus now, as the Ottomans had discontinued their use, mostly. But now, they were the home of an entire revolt, waiting to happen. Even here, in Galata District, the former Genoese colony of Pera, there were several men wearing the lamellar, roman sword and famed Imperial Double Eagle banner in their chest, guarding the entrance to the sewer system.

-You two, close the hatch and organize patrols. Check for any unwanted guests. -Yes sir!. -The rest, leave us please.

After seeing that there was no person close enough to hear or see of their matters, Yusuf gave a neatly sealed letter, that too with the double eagle printed in one of it's sides. -So, who are the two kind souls you've found? -One is a tailor, efendim. But he served in the army and was part of the militia that fought defending the Golden Gate. You were there... Arrghh! My arm! My arm! Cries not that much different rang from different directions and languages, and what was frightening to hear in unison was equally as horrifying to see, as men trying to force a breach and climb the walls fell, one by one, from the 5 meter tall wall, and dead defenders, however less in number, followed suit... -Sir, watch out! - Yes...i remember.

-So, the name is Karteleigos Hommeldaligo, he has his shop right above the next passageway, in case we ought to...

End First Chapter...