Romanos II's 5th Birthday

Life, Milestone

There is a party planned for the young prince with various entertainments and presents. The young boy is very close with Syres, naturally drawn to his magical aura which makes Constantine happy but worries Helena. During the party, Helena questions Syres about his ambitions and he informs her that he has none. She does not believe him and he is rescued by Constantine. The two wander the gardens and are approached by one of Syres' spies, who informs him of a plot developing against Constantine and his son.

• Syres is standing guard as Constantine, Helena, and Romanos I present their gifts to the young Romanos II.
• The little boy is ecstatic for his presents and eventually leaves with his grandfather, Romanos, to see his present: a new pony.
• Constantine then takes Syres with him to perform various functions on behalf of his son, such as greeting and welcoming important guests.
• Here they meet the four most important ambassadors from: Abbasid Empire, The Holy Roman Empire, The Kievan Rus, and the Bulgarian Empire.
• A minor but more impressive diplomat from a virtually unknown nation makes an impression: The Caliphate of Cordoba
• After the morning guests are taken care of, they prepare for the festivities and feast later that night
• While waiting for the royal family, Syres runs into his old friends, Drungarious John Kourkouas, his wife Anne Phokai, and their son, the now teenage John "Tzimiskes" Kourkouas.
• It is here that the young Romanos II corners Syres for his present - Syres takes him aside and gives him something that he enchanted with his mastery of water magic.
• It is a small amulet, made of Egyptian glass and silver with an enchanted snowflake that would remain cold forever.
• The young Romanos is beyond happy and rejoins his birthday party with his grandfather and uncles, who are always suspicious of Syres
• During the feast and party, Helena pulls Syres aside and presses him to reveal his ambitions after noticing him speaking to John and Anne. Syres avoids her, cleverly talking around her until Constantine rescues him.
• Constantine and Syres disappear into the gardens and speak to one of Syres' spies who informs the two that there is a plot brewing amongst the nobility against Constantine and his son.