Capítulo 12: The 'Favor' from the North
[Hippodrome, Constantinople.]
The day after the celebrations, John and his companions sought a brief respite from their relentless duties at the palace and visited the famous Hippodrome of Constantinople. Their purpose? To enjoy a chariot race and indulge in some well-deserved entertainment.
The Hippodrome had recently undergone refurbishment and reopened as a venue for public festivities. Its revival was part of a broader transformation sweeping through the city as new funds began flowing into the imperial treasury. Under John's guidance, basic necessities and critical infrastructure were systematically repaired, gradually reshaping the face of Constantinople.
One of the most enduring initiatives was the renewal of the residential districts. Once dilapidated and crumbling, homes were rebuilt, and roads that had fallen into disrepair were restored.
Not only that, the ports were also fully repaired and repurposed. Both imperial ports: Sophia and Theodosius now functioned solely as trade hubs rather than naval docks. Well, not that the empire had any semblance of navy presence anyway, yet.
This urban and trade revitalization was a cornerstone of John's recovery plan for the empire, enabled in large part by the financial expertise of Nikos, his valuable advisor as well as the Demarchos of Constantinople, as well as John's father.
Revitalizing the city's economy required bold measures. They worked tirelessly to lure back merchants—particularly those who had left the due to unfavorable condition of the empire itself. Their efforts were critical in rebuilding local trade and restoring confidence in the markets, which in turn revitalized the economy for the better.
Despite the newly discovered gemstones back in Morea being a boon to the empire, the ability to trade it were another thing entirely.
Without merchants affiliated with the imperial administration, the Emporois, how could wealth flow into the empire and grow its crumbling economy back to its feet?
Constantinople had no means of conducting maritime commerce independently and had to rely on foreign merchants—primarily Venetians and Genoese. This dependency was not just a source of frustration but a significant detriment to imperial interests. These foreign traders, more often than not, disregarded the empire's priorities entirely.
Not only was it a bad thing, especially since the interest of the empire were mostly disregarded by these scums, it was also not beneficial for the empire itself.
And where did the profits go? Rarely to the imperial treasury. Instead, one of the most frequent justifications for the loss of revenue was the ever-mounting debt.
Indeed, the empire's indebtedness to the merchant republics, particularly Venice and Genoa, remained a glaring issue, hampering any attempts to regain financial independence.
Now that John were able to reestablish contact with the merchants, one of the problems plaguing the imperial coffers were solved, temporarily. While the money flows directly back to the empire, the strain were still visible.
The ability to tax the residents of the city were still not fully realized since the population still live in utter poverty. Despite the markets resurgence, people ability to trade those goods remained underwhelming.
It goes without saying, high cost of living, was the culprit.
As the empire continues to rediscover its lost might, one of the things that hinder its regrowth was inflation. Byzantine currency, were not what it used to be. It had been undervalued for centuries during its decline.
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[Somewhere around Constantinople.]
After the quartet had finished watching the exhilarating chariot race, they exited the grand Hippodrome and decided to take a leisurely stroll through the bustling streets of Constantinople.
The trio, excluding John, exchanged mischievous glances, their faces brimming with anticipation and a hint of mischief.
Sensing the stinging gazes directed at his back, John turned to look at the trio, and they immediately averted their eyes, feigning innocence.
Exasperated, John muttered under his breath,
"Look at these idiots, what are they plotting this time?"
He was just about to interrogate them when, all of a sudden, a woman's piercing scream echoed from an alley not far from the hippodrome.
The quartet's eyes widened, and they instinctively exchanged glances filled with concern and curiosity.
Without a second thought, they dashed towards the source of the commotion, their previous playful banter forgotten for the moment.
"Sounds like someone's in trouble. Demetrius, come with me," John beckoned his trusty knight, while asking the other two to go to the nearest patrolling guards to request additional support.
As John and Demetrius cautiously made their way into the concealed alley, drawn by the sound of the distressing scream, they were met with the sight of a woman elegantly covered with a scarf. She stood surrounded by six menacing ruffians, clearly the target of their harassment.
Demetrius clenched his fists, ready to spring into action and rescue the lady from her tormentors.
However, before Demetrius could act, John placed a firm yet calming hand on his shoulder and gestured with subtle hand signs, silently conveying his plan to handle the situation discreetly.
Demetrius furrowed his brows in confusion but trusted John's instincts implicitly, nodding in agreement to follow his lead.
Moving stealthily like shadows in the dimly lit alley, they circled around, positioning themselves strategically for an element of surprise.
John's eyes glinted with a mix of determination and mischief, relishing the prospect of outsmarting the ruffians.
In the blink of an eye, John swiftly closed the distance to the nearest ruffian, delivering a precise and powerful blow that sent the thug collapsing unconscious to the ground.
Witnessing John's lightning-fast response, Demetrius sprang into action, launching his own powerful jab at another ruffian's jaw, swiftly rendering him immobile as well.
Caught off guard by the unexpected ambush, the remaining four ruffians charged at the duo, seeking to retaliate.
A fierce and intense brawl ensued, with John and Demetrius skillfully maneuvering through the chaos, their training and camaraderie evident as they gained the upper hand.
Their combined efforts allowed them to fend off the attackers with remarkable efficiency, leaving the remaining ruffians dazed and disoriented.
Just as it seemed the fight was won, one of the thugs, whose jaw had been dislocated by Demetrius's fist, drew a concealed knife from his pants and lunged towards Demetrius with a menacing intent.
Alerted by the woman's frantic shout, "Look out!" John's instincts kicked in, and he acted in a split second.
With a deft movement of his palm, he slapped the ruffian's knife-wielding hand, diverting the deadly blade away from Demetrius.
The dangerous situation demanded swift action, and John's lightning reflexes proved to be a lifesaver.
Not content with merely disarming the assailant, John's determination blazed as he decisively delivered a resounding slap across the ruffian's face, a move that carried not just physical force but an unyielding message of justice.
The impact was so forceful that the ruffian immediately lost consciousness, collapsing to the ground in defeat.
As John released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, Demetrius nodded in gratitude to the young co-emperor, silently acknowledging that John had saved his life.
Moments later, they approached the woman, concern etched on John's face as he bombarded her with anxious questions.
"Are you okay? Are you injured anywhere?" John's words spilled out in a mix of relief and worry.
The woman shook her head, her striking blue eyes momentarily meeting John's gaze, causing him to awkwardly avert his eyes.
"Thank you, Your Highness," the woman replied with an endearing Greek accent.
Surprised by her recognition, John asked, "You know who I am?" It was a reasonable question.
Few people would recognize John in his casual attire as he strolled the streets of Constantinople, not even the patrolling guards, let alone the maids who saw him every day at the palace.
"Indeed, we crossed paths at the banquet the other day," the lady replied gracefully, her words carefully chosen as she sought to express herself fluently in Greek.
John couldn't help but wonder, 'A banquet? Is she a courtier from the palace, or could she be a dignitary from another realm?'
While numerous individuals approached him during such gatherings, interactions with ladies were relatively scarce, as he often felt uneasy, fearing awkward encounters.
"I only saw you, milord; we didn't speak," the lady reiterated, her voice gentle and inviting. "However, you didn't see me back," she added, a hint of playfulness in her tone.
John felt a slight unease and tried to clear his throat nervously. "I-I ahem...sorry? I guess? Well, who are you?" John asked, stumbling over his words in his flustered state.
"You can call me Anna," she replied, choosing to retain her surname to keep her true identity hidden from John.
"Ah, Anna, or should I say...'beautiful'?" John's innocent blunder persisted, and the lady couldn't help but blush as she heard John's well-intentioned attempt to translate her name into Greek.
Feeling a mixture of embarrassment and amusement, she playfully waved it off, appreciating John's endearing effort yet comfortable with the unexpected compliment.
The awkwardness of the moment only added to the charm of their encounter.
John's cheeks turned slightly rosy as he realized his unintentional flattery might have been too forward. He chuckled nervously and tried to rectify his mistake,
"I mean, I apologize if that came out the wrong way. Your name, Anna, is beautiful in its own right, and I didn't mean to add anything extra."
"Beautiful?" Anna remarked with a playful glint in her eyes, "I much prefer the term 'favor'—you know, like asking for something in return."
Anna's witty response left a smile on her lips as she cleverly played with words, showcasing her charm and sense of humor.
Despite the scarf veiling her expression, John could feel the warmth of her smile, and his heart raced in response.
'How do I handle this? This is my first time interacting with a woman outside of my sisters and mother,' John thought, trying to keep his composure.
He took a moment to collect his thoughts, reminding himself of the confidence and composure expected of an emperor.
Stepping slightly closer, he spoke with a tone that masked his nervousness,
"Indeed, your words carry a sparkle of wit and intelligence, my lady. It seems fortune has favored me with an encounter that goes beyond my usual circle."
"I beg your pardon?"
The lady looked at John with a puzzled expression, clearly taken aback by his courtly accent.
John, realizing his oversight, felt a moment of embarrassment as he had momentarily forgotten that the lady spoke in the common tongue albeit awkward and lost pronunciation.
"Ah, my apologies... um... hey, Demetrius, a little assistance, please?"
John stuttered nervously, attempting to seek Demetrius's aid.
The trusty knight, who had been standing steadfastly, keeping a vigilant eye on the unconscious ruffians, could only respond with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders, seemingly oblivious to John's plea.
"Sorry, Your Highness, even I must admit, I'm not well-versed in handling delicate situations with ladies," Demetrius admitted with a hint of sheepishness.
The lady, Anna, then interjected before John could scold Demetrius,
"Um, gentlemen... I appreciate your help, but can I go now?" John, ever oblivious to his surroundings, nodded his head sheepishly, hooraying the untimely intervention,
"Ah, sure thing, milady! Please be on your way... and please do take care next time."
Demetrius couldn't help but suppress a chuckle at John's absentmindedness, and he nodded in agreement with Anna's request,
"Indeed, you should be on your way, and don't worry, we've taken care of these thugs."
As the lady walked away, the two bewildered boys exchanged glances, their minds trying to process the sudden turn of events.
However, before they could fully collect their thoughts, Anna abruptly halted in her tracks and turned back to look at the boys from a distance.
With a mischievous smile, she addressed John directly, "Don't forget a lady's 'favor,' milord. If you're curious to know what this 'favor' entails, meet me at the 'Little Saints' tonight."
The mention of the 'Little Saints' referred to the famous inn located near the Golden Horn's Neorion Harbor square.
Not expecting an immediate response from the dumbfounded John, Anna gracefully turned away and seamlessly disappeared into the bustling crowd, leaving the boys in a state of intrigue and wonder.
John was left momentarily speechless, trying to process the unexpected invitation that had just been extended to him.
He couldn't deny the intrigue that the mysterious encounter had sparked, but at the same time, he was unsure of what to make of Anna's enigmatic proposition.
Demetrius, always the pragmatic one, nudged John lightly with a playful smirk, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Well, well, it seems milord has caught the eye of a lady with secrets," he teased, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
John could only helplessly half nod his head as his mind slowly cleared from the intense adrenaline rush.
Not too long after, Nikos and Pavlos arrived with the cavalry, their eyes widening in disbelief as they saw the six ruffians sprawled on the ground, defeated by just two men.
"By the saints, six against two, and the two emerged victorious," they thought in sheer amazement.
"Um... Your Majesty? What should we do here?" asked a nervous guard, breaking the bewildered atmosphere that hung over the scene.
"Just take them away and dispose of them, whether it's throwing them into the sea or whatever. These scum don't deserve to live, but... show them mercy,"
John finally managed to articulate, his head still feeling hazy and empty from the intense encounter.
He then walked out of the alleyway with the trio following him behind his back.
Pavlos and Nikos exchanged glances, curious to know what had transpired, and they asked Demetrius to know what had actually transpired.
With a shrug of his shoulders, the loyal knight simply replied, "Woman?"
The duo looked at each other, a sudden realization dawning on them, and they exclaimed in perfect sync, "Ah, I see."
It was then that they saw another side of John, a vulnerability to women.
Who could have known that the young man, who had exhibited outstanding qualities in every other aspect, would reveal such fragility when faced with women.
John, however, remained deep in contemplation. '
Anna? Why does that name sound so familiar?' he pondered.
While he acknowledged that "Anna" was a common name among women, this particular instance felt different—like a whisper from the depths of his memory.
He couldn't shake the sense of familiarity that washed over him.
'Is it a mere coincidence, or is there something more to it?' John wondered, questioning his own thoughts.
He found himself lost in a maze of uncertainty, unsure if it was a genuine recognition or just a figment of his imagination playing tricks on him.
As he continued to mull over the enigma of the name, a part of him couldn't help but wonder if this was destiny's gentle nudge, guiding him towards an intriguing encounter.
It felt as if a puzzle piece was missing, and Anna held the key to unlocking a hidden part of his past or a new chapter in his future.
Amidst the chaos of his emotions, John couldn't deny the magnetic pull of curiosity that drew him towards the mysterious woman.
He had always been driven by a thirst for knowledge and understanding, and this situation was no exception. If Anna was willing to share her secrets, he was eager to listen.
With a newfound determination, John decided that he must not let this opportunity slip away.
He would accept Anna's invitation to the "Little Saints" and embark on a journey of discovery, no matter where it might lead him.
As the quartet continued on their way, John couldn't help but steal glances towards the horizon, anticipating the night ahead.
Little did he know that the encounter with Anna and the events that followed would be a turning point in his life—a moment of unexpected humor, revelations, and perhaps even romance.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
lordgsh
lordgsh Listening to 'Agni Parthene' did help me immerse myself into the story. Nevertheless, thank you very much for the support!
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