EMPIRE REWRITTEN [Isekai ? Alt-History ? Strategy]

Chapter 31: The Reckoning Approaches

Constantine's eyes drift to the horizon, recalling that tense journey home. "We were ambushed on the road back to Glarentza. It seemed like mere bandits at first, but Captain Andreas recognized one of them as a former soldier of Theodore's."

Thomas's face freezes, shock flickering before it gives way to anger. "Theodore's men? You mean... he sent them?"

Constantine hesitates, his voice lowering. "It wasn't only that ambush. There were signs even before we left for your wedding. A few months prior, a monk had joined to work on the printing presses—until one day, he was caught preparing to set a fire. Theophilus Dragas questioned him—you remember him, a relative of ours who now works for me—and found a komvoskini in his hand, from one of the monasteries in Mystras."

Thomas's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "The anti-unionists," he muttered.

"Yes," Constantine confirmed. "The monk came from one of the monasteries under Theodore's influence. We both know how he feels about the union with Rome. He sees our efforts—John's efforts—as betrayal."

Thomas's expression hardens. "He's become fanatical. If he hates the union and the Latin Bibles so much, he could have confronted you openly. But sabotage? Sending assassins?"

Constantine sighs, glancing back at the bustling wall. "I hoped it would end with that monk. I thought maybe Theodore would see reason. But then, on that road, those 'bandits' attacked us, and Andreas recognized one of them. There's no mistaking it now. Theodore is working against us, in more ways than one."

"And you kept this from me?" Thomas demanded, spinning back to face his brother. His eyes blazed with hurt and betrayal.

"Because I didn't want to turn your wedding into a time for blood and recriminations," Constantine replies, his voice a low rumble. "It was a hopeful time for us all, for you. And I thought perhaps we could resolve this with Theodore quietly, without dragging it into open conflict. But I was wrong."

Thomas shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping him. "Resolve it quietly? Do you think men like our brother Theodore understand quiet reason? This is the same man who, not so many years ago, talked of becoming a monk, withdrawing from all of this," he scoffed. "Now he's driven by hatred for the Latins and his obsession with power. He's so far gone that if he's willing to sabotage your efforts, send his men to ambush you—he'll do anything to see his status preserved."

Thomas paused, his gaze darkening as he looked away. "What happened to that man, Constantine? To the brother who wanted nothing more than peace? Now he'll cling to whatever authority he has, and he won't care who suffers for it."

Constantine sighed, the weight of Thomas words settling heavily on him. "I know. Whatever he once believed, he's changed. Or maybe he only hid that ambition until now."

Constantine continues, his expression both weary and resolute. "Believe me, I understand that now. Theodore's fanaticism blinds him to reason, and he's not alone. The monasteries around Mystras echo with his sentiments, fueled by the fear that we're abandoning Orthodoxy."

Thomas's gaze turns calculating, and he asks quietly, "Does John know?"

"No." Constantine's tone is blunt. "John's support of the union only inflames Theodore further. Besides, he's too far in Constantinople to intervene directly in Morea's disputes, at least for now. This is something we'll have to face ourselves."

Thomas exhales, his hands flexing with restless energy. "So, it comes to this. We're here, preparing our defenses against the Ottomans, and our own brother threatens to tear us apart from within?"

"Yes," Constantine replies quietly, the weight of the truth settling over them both. "I wanted to avoid this kind of confrontation, especially now. But with Theodore's schemes threatening not just my life but our united front... I can't ignore it any longer. I need you to understand, Thomas. His time has come, but we have to be strategic."