Paving the Way
Vetranis stood upon the docks of Constantinople. Though he had just returned to the capital of his Empire after campaigning against the Saracens in the south. His vision was drawn away from the palace where his family lie in wait for him, and to the area immediately outside the Theodosian walls.
The vibrant landscape which had for centuries welcomed visitors to the grand city of Constantinople was now a scorched wasteland of ash and dust. The Theodosian walls themselves were undergoing reconstruction efforts after the damage they had received during the siege.
Unlike what the aging emperor expected, there was not an immediate greeting by Palladius, or the men of his royal guard. Instead, a group of German Marines were standing at the docks with instructions to escort Vetranis back to his family's home.