Book II

Life, Career

This book focuses on the military exploits against the Muslims in Syria and Armenia as well as the pirates of Cilicia and Cyprus. We see Syres become more diplomatically adept and he also learns how to command legions and conduct sieges. Upon his return to Constantinople, he is rewarded further as a military hero and continues his close relationship with Constantine before leaving with an important delegation to Al Andalus.

Constantine is aware of the campaigns undertaken by his Domestic John Kourkouas against the Abassid Caliphate and receives news that they are moving to take the city of Melitine, driving the Arab forces south. He decides to send Syres as an official emissary to John. 15. V1 Ch 15: (933 CE) Syres has been at war with John, serving as legate to the emperor. They have battled many times and have taken major Arab territories and cities. Syres and John now prepare for another battle to finally subdue the entire city of Melitine. 16. V1 Ch 16: Syres is sent as part of an infiltration unit to blend in with the populace. Once inside the city, he tasked with the capture of the local magistrate, Hamid, whose citizens had already begun to flee. 17. V1 Ch 17: Syres is able to corner the magistrate but he is guarded by an unconventional protector: a Parani or female mystic. Syres is barely able to kill her before capturing the magistrate. 18. V1 Ch 18: (934 CE) Syres returns to Constantinople with news of triumph which pleases Constantine. There is a great banquet for the soldiers and it is here that Helena makes her suspicions known to Syres. 19. V1 Ch 19: (944 CE) Romanos has been deposed by his own sons who want the crown but Constantine has other ideas. He sends Syres to capture and exile his brothers-in-law (Stephen and Constantine) so that he, and his own son, can cement the MacedonianRoman dynasty. 20. V1 Ch 20: Syres sees a familiar face from long ago, the exiled Leo Phocas who has taken refuge in a temple on a peninsula where the two sons of Romanos are hiding. They converse briefly before Syres takes the two men to the same monastery they imprisoned their father, Romanos, in.