EMPIRE REWRITTEN

Chapter 18: Fires of Dissent

Theodore sat in his dimly lit chamber, his mind clouded by the incessant frustrations that had plagued him ever since his brother Constantine began meddling with the delicate fabric of Orthodox traditions. The noise of the religion—of progress, of reform—weighed heavily on his shoulders, and the cold stone walls of Mystras offered little comfort.

Across from him, Alexios stood by the hearth, his expression unreadable. They had spoken at length before, in secret, about Constantine's dangerous game with the Latin Church. The Latin Bibles. Theodore clenched his jaw at the thought. It wasn't just the foreign alliances that burned in his soul—it was Constantine's obsession with bringing the West's heresies into the empire.

A knock echoed through the room.

"Enter," Theodore commanded, his voice carrying the weight of his brooding anger.

Two figures stepped into the room—Father Damianos and Father Gregorios. Theodore rose from his chair, nodding to his trusted priests as they gathered around the table. Their expressions were tight with concern, shadows dancing across their faces as the fire flickered low.

Father Damianos was the first to speak, his voice barely a whisper. "The Latin Bibles continue to flow through Glarentza, Despot Theodore. The men of your brother are emboldened. They speak of progress, yet they mean heresy."

Theodore paced slowly, his fingers brushing along the cool stone of the chamber wall. He glanced at Alexios, who gave a slight nod.

"We foresaw this," Theodore said, his voice calm yet firm. "My brother's obsession with uniting East and West grows with each passing day, and the Emperor lends him support. But this cannot endure." He turned to face them, eyes flashing. "We must act with haste."

Father Gregorios, always the more cautious of the two, shifted uncomfortably. "The clergy is divided, my Lord. There are many who share your concern, but so long as the Emperor endorses this union, they will not move openly. The Church is too fractured."

Theodore's frustration simmered just beneath the surface. "We require not all of them," he replied sharply. "Merely enough. We shall call for a secret ecclesiastical investigation—quietly, behind closed doors. We will declare these Latin Bibles heretical. Let the people witness what my brother inflicts upon our faith."

Alexios stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "There are new rumors, my Lord. It is said that a Greek version of the Holy Scriptures is being prepared, offered at prices lower than the Latin texts, with promises to gift some freely to local priests and monasteries. Constantine intends to embed this even deeper into the hearts of our people."

Theodore paused, his mind briefly torn. A Greek version? This was different. Not heresy, yet cunning. Constantine was adapting, finding ways to neutralise the anti unionists, who would have rejected anything foreign. Theodore clenched his jaw.

"He is shrewd indeed," Theodore admitted grudgingly, his tone low. "A Greek version... it is a cunning move. He maneuvers deftly against us, making it harder for the people to resist. The Church will not dismiss it readily now."

Father Damianos frowned, his brows furrowing in frustration. "What benefit is there if the people are led astray, regardless of the tongue?"

Theodore turned, pacing the room again. "Precisely. Constantine knows the Latin version will meet resistance, so he cloaks it under the guise of Orthodoxy by employing Greek. He renders it familiar, acceptable. It is a strategic move, one that will only strengthen his hand among the undecided."

Father Gregorios shifted in his seat, his tone thoughtful rather than alarmed. "A Greek version will make it more difficult for those loyal to tradition to resist. It is not heresy, but he brings change through stealth."