|
Post by Flax on Jun 29, 2008 22:00:45 GMT -5
Anna recognised the building as soon as they neared it but strived to keep it from reflecting on her expression. Silently she anticipated another reunion with Makedonios. This visit had been the perfect excuse to be in his company once more and were he not in Antioch, she might not have made the trip in person.
Reining in her thoughts, she turned her attention to Iakovos once more. "Is your Grandmaster well enough to see me?"
|
|
|
Post by YLC on Jun 29, 2008 22:06:45 GMT -5
Iakovos nodded. "I believe so, of course, I am sure you knew that." Before Anna can reply, Iakovos heads down the main hall, motioning for Anna to follow.
|
|
|
Post by Privateerkev on Jun 29, 2008 22:17:37 GMT -5
Makedonios is sitting up on his bed reading logistics reports. He looks up from a letter he is writing to request more supplies for the army when he hears footsteps. He sees Iakovos walk in first, and when he is about to greet him, he sees her. As always, he is stunned by her beauty. But he is even more surprised to see her appear in Antioch again. He just sits there for a moment and waits for someone to explain what is going on. There is plenty he would wish to say to the Princess right now but he is well aware of Iakovos's presence in the room.
|
|
|
Post by Flax on Jun 29, 2008 22:34:56 GMT -5
Anna, upon witnessing Makedonios' surprise, spoke up before Iakovos had a chance to do so himself. She addressed Makedonios formally.
"Grandmaster, it is good to meet you once more. I trust I am not interrupting anything?"
|
|
|
Post by Privateerkev on Jun 29, 2008 22:41:13 GMT -5
Picking up her cue of formality, Makedonios straightened up and played along.
"Your Highness, it is good to see you. Please, both of you, come and have a seat."
Seeing both Iakovos and the Princess in the room together, Makedonios realized he had to get something out of the way.
"Before you tell me what this is about, I need to fill you in on something. Iakovos here knows you visited me here before the Magnaura session. He saw a servant girl he recognized and asked me about it. I told him that you were visiting on business. I'm sorry I never told you but so much was going on before the Magnaura session, that it slipped my mind. Now that is out of the way, what do we owe the pleasure?"
|
|
|
Post by YLC on Jun 29, 2008 22:49:07 GMT -5
Iakovos chimed in before Anna. "Anna has come from Antioch to approve of the foundation of an Imperial University here. We have agreed to each others terms, and after surveying the site, I invited her her to the Headquarters. I have not erred in my judgment bringing her here, have I Grandmaster?"
|
|
|
Post by Privateerkev on Jun 29, 2008 22:56:00 GMT -5
Makedonios was amused at the idea that bringing Anna to his presence would ever be an 'error', but he didn't say it.
"Of course not. We always welcome Her Highness's visits to our humble corner of the Empire. I remember something about a school being mentioned in letters. But I didn't know that meant her coming here. I would have appreciated knowing beforehand but it seems Her Highness likes surprising me."
With that, Makedonios gives a smile to make clear he is in good spirits.
|
|
|
Post by Flax on Jun 29, 2008 23:02:50 GMT -5
Anna returned a warm smile. "How else am I to keep the stoic grandmaster off-balance?"
|
|
|
Post by YLC on Jun 29, 2008 23:05:34 GMT -5
Iakovos coffed into his hand to gain attention. "I am sorry for not notifying you myself Grandmaster, but Anna's letter did not arrive until she herself was already here. Nonetheless, I would ask for your approval for the material Anna has proposed. Anna, if you would elaborate please?"
|
|
|
Post by Privateerkev on Jun 29, 2008 23:07:48 GMT -5
Makedonios hoped his pale sickly skin would hide the slight blush from Anna's comment and he was saved when his Sergeant spoke up. He raised his eyebrow at the informality and simply said, "Of course, I would love to hear Her Highness's proposal" with a slight emphasis on her title to get the point across.
|
|
|
Post by Flax on Jun 29, 2008 23:11:32 GMT -5
Anna slightly raised an eyebrow to Iakovos. "I am no teacher and as such I cannot elaborate on what I will be sending you. Surely you will trust in the judgement of the most brilliant minds in Konstantinopolis as to what is appropriate for your university?"
|
|
|
Post by YLC on Jun 29, 2008 23:33:56 GMT -5
Iakovos shrugged his shoulders. "I do not doubt the ability of those who will be sending the materials from Konstantinopolis, but we here must also judge what will be suitable for the University your Highness."
|
|
|
Post by Flax on Jun 29, 2008 23:45:09 GMT -5
Anna seemed unaffected by his words. "Then you expect me to know all of your needs, having them commited to memory before even coming here and then see if what I give you meets your approval?"
|
|
|
Post by YLC on Jun 29, 2008 23:56:43 GMT -5
Iakovos is taken aback. "I am deeply sorry M'lady, I meant not to offend, but only to allow the Grandmaster to hear what might be sent so that we may judge it now, so the Empire does not waste money it does not need to."
|
|
|
Post by Privateerkev on Jun 29, 2008 23:59:22 GMT -5
Makedonios watches the bickering go back and forth between the two people. He finally has enough.
"Alright, both of you. Now can someone please tell me what this is about and what you need from me."
|
|