To: The Kingdom of the Vandals
From: The Kingdom of Sicily
We know these raids are your doing. Order your navy to cease all fighting against Sicilian ships or action will be taken.
To: All involved in the Holy Roman Empire
From: The Kingdom of Sicily
If you all wish to unite under one banner, so be it. However, we find it wary that your Pope is so quick to unify. Surely one man, group, or empire cannot address the people's needs as easily? Look at our own Orthodox faith. We have a Patriarch, yes, but he gives no orders. All Orthodox in all states administer their faith as they see fit. We simply ask that you consider before you be so quick to unify.
King Alexandros II Valerius
The reign of King Alexandros I of Sicily lasted until 857 AD. He was succeeded by his eldest son of the same name. Unfortunately for Alexandros II, his reign lasted only a short two years before sudden illness took him. In these two years, however, he accomplished one noticeable goal.
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"Tell me again about these new ships." The king strolled along the shipyard, and stopped at a dromon under construction. The advisor stopped at the same point.
"Yes, sir. The raiders speak an odd tongue, unlike any from the Mediterranean. At first we thought they were yet more Vandal raiders, but the construct of their ships seems unlike any from this area."
"Interesting... We must do something about them. Already the Vandals make a mockery of our navy, plundering wherever they wish." He gazed up at the dromon. He knew little of how it functioned, how it stayed afloat, but still he appraised it for weaknesses.
"What do you have in mind, sir?" The advisor followed his gaze.
"What do you think if we made them... bigger?"
The advisor hesitated at the king's vague answer. "Bigger, sir?"
"Yes... I want these ships to tower over the lesser ones. I want the crews to laugh when the other ships attempt to ram into them. I want these ships to carry ballistas, overshooting any Greek fire. I want these to be the strongest, largest ships in the Mediterranean, and I want all to fear the naval might of Sicily."
The advisor was mostly blankly staring at the king. Shipwrights would have to be contacted. This new king was rather fickle with those who did not carry out his orders. And if the king wanted bigger ships...
Well, he was going to get them.