Despot Arcadius stepped up to the Palace hall. Thousands of the upper class were gathered there. They were to hear some good news, they were told. Arcadius raised his hands, and with it the voices of the crowd. Arcadius beamed behind a hooded face. He started his speech.
"And so the Islamic resistance has been foiled. The remaining Arabs will be hunted down and defeated." He paused and look down humbly. A wave of applause rushed over him. "These have been trying times," he said, "But we have passed the test."
Arcadius walked down the halls, between parting seas of his subjects. His rich subjects. He gasped and awed. Just a few days ago, there had been an attempt to assasinate him. The man ultimately killed himself in the effort -- an arson fire. The Despot barely escaped, severely burned on his face.
Seeming to notice the tension, Arcadius continued. "The attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed," he said. "But I assure you my resolve has never been stronger!" His subjects rejoiced. Such power he had. He relished it.
Arcadius continued on, every sentence ounctuated by roaring applause. "The war is just beginning! The Arabs have been defeated. The Lombardy rebellion has been resolved. We now stand on the threshhold of a new beginning.
"In order to ensure our security and continuing stability, the Despotism will be reorganized into the first Byzantium Empire, for a safe and secure society which I assure you will last for ten thousand years! An empire that will continue to be ruled by this august body, and a sovereign ruler chosen for life. An empire ruled by the majority...ruled by a new constitution."
Deafening applause filled the room. It seemed that everything was perfect in the world.
With a smile on his face, Arcadius exited the room. He looked at his domestic advisor. "Well, let's see if that should raise the economy a bit. And maybe they'll be a bit happier, too."
He sauntered into his military advisor's planning room. A map of Arabia was layed out before him. "How's the front?"
"Things are going very good. Great speach out there, Despot. Or should I say, Emperor? You know, I could have sworn I heard that speach somewhere."
"Oh, your head is just in the stars. It needs to be in the wars!" The emperor cringed as he said it. The burns had suddenly gone severe. This was the third episode of these seizures since the assassination attempt.
"Yes, sir."
"So, what's the plan?"
The Military Advisor explained it.
Arcadius looked at the plans. They seemed satisfactory. "Good job, sir. Prepare to execute."
