My my, looks like someone doesn't trust somebody. I wonder why?

Better to play it safe with partners like this.

And with her, especially so.

Usually, the only thing worse than a competent assassin coming after you is an incompetent assassin working for you.

Treason of the utmost.

General now starting to regret his involvement?

Probably just realizes it's best not to trust anyone in this palace too much.

Well, it's a Byzantine plot, after all...

No wonder those people were named Byzantines ... their plots were so Byzantine!

(Cue Mission: Impossible theme) And now the REAL star of the show!

BTW, did you know there's a butterfly valve called the "Desponia"?

http://www.idswater.com/water/europ...../products.html

Also a boot:

http://www.ninewest.com/Desponia/5887851,default,pd.html

It's a Greek word, so I'm sure several things use it as a name, just like "Acme" from the Greek: ακμή, (the peak, zenith, prime), or Nike (Νίκη, "Victory").

Anyway, from wiki:
Despotēs (δεσπότης) – "Lord": This title was used by the emperors themselves since the time of Justinian I, and was an honorific address for the sons of reigning emperors. It was extensively featured in coins, in lieu of Basileus. In the 12th century, Manuel I Komnenos made it a separate title, the highest "awarded" title after the emperor. The first such despotēs was actually a foreigner, Bela III of Hungary, signifying that Hungary was considered a Byzantine tributary state. In later times, a despot could be the holder of a despotate; for example, the Despotate of Morea, centred at Mistra, was held by the heir to the Byzantine throne after 1261. The feminine form, despoina, referred to a female despot or the wife of a despot, but it was also used to address the Empress.

(nodnods)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Despoina

Also means "Mistress", which would also make sense.

BTW, I like the hand lantern Tali is carrying. A sensible design.

It's modeled after Roman/Byzantine lanterns, but oil lamps like the ones in the top panel would be more common for inside. The lantern (made of bronze with paper thin sheets of horn for the light to shine through) are more expensive and harder to make, but are better for carrying around since they are wind-proof.
I do try and research all the props and buildings that appear.

And then an animal drank it for him and it died. The end. <3 (why yes, I am messed up)

If it was poison, maybe there will be some dead pigeons on the ledge tomorrow. But it probably isn't, not yet anyway, Romanos is still useful.

(hums "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park")

my pulse will be quickening, with each dose of strychnine...

We feed to a pigeon-it just takes a smidgen!

(Yer av rawks, BTW.)

To POOOI-son a pigeon in the PAAAARK!

(thanks :) )

Unless say that flask was used by him *dun dun dun*

And the queen must learn to put fire out with water, not fire, just makes more fire.

She's just using the method that's always worked for her before.
Also, Eudokia is an empress, because it's an empire, not a kingdom.

How does one get to be included in such a nice comic?

Randomness? I dunno, I was doodled into the crowed at one point~

It's hard to fill out a big crowd and make all the people look individual. I'll grab ideas where ever I find them then.

You volunteer them, and when I need "extras" (or for a few lucky cases, minor characters), I go draw from which characters fit what I need.
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1227318/
There are a few conditions because not all animals are "anthro" in this world. It's all explained there.

Aww... Looks like I can't since I'm a bird...

But I do sorta have a couple mammalian character that just needs updated character sheets that would be usable. Would a Blue Tigress be something seen in that world?

Not likely, but it's a black and white comic, so color doesn't matter so much.

I thought it was awesome I found my way into your comic. ^^ it was and is still fun seeing my character drawn in your style when he pops up.

Honestly? I'd do the same thing in his situation.

if he is smart he will run her threw the back now and be done with it.

Can't do that, Eudokia is his ticket to the big time. Just killing someone and saying you're the boss now doesn't work in the Byzantine Empire, you have to have the right connections first.

Russian Roulette, Byzantine Beverage Edition!

I think the thought process went something like: "Wait, if the person who was supposed to be poisoned -didn't- get the poisoned drink, who did? *dumps drink* I think I'll sit out this round." Yup, no one aware of this plot will be trusting the glass in front of him/her anytime soon, except Rossweisse of course. Yum. :9

There's also the thought that if Eudokia decides she doesn't need Romanos around any more, she probably wouldn't just ask him to leave.

haha i cant wait to see what she trys nxt...she walk sa fine line doesnt she i mean all the princess has to say is off with her head and rossweisse will happily comply.

That's really the reason she wants to get rid of Rossweisse; she's someone who Eudokia can't control.

i know but still nothing she can do will hurt her. so is only a matter of tme

I should say it more often, but I really enjoy this comic. I always think 'yay!' when I see a new page in my submissions. =) Thank you for sharing it with all of us.

Thanks for saying it, it makes my day. I don't do all this work for money, I do it because people enjoy it.

Love Tali's character representation. ^_^ Poor guy is going to be paranoid around her forever.

Really excellent gray-tones. One gets a proper idea of just how dim it would be, by oil-lamp light tech.

Probably too bright in some cases, but I'm allowing for the fact people's eyes would be adjusted to that lighting

typical pompous villain logic. How could my flawless scheme fail?!>there's no way they could have outdune me> STUPID LACKIES RUIN EVERYTHING.

"I would have gotten away with it if it weren't for those MEDDLING KIDS!" Ain't that always the way it is,good lackeys are so hard to find.

Better to not take any chances.