The Journal of George Sphrantzes – April, 1430

The Journal of George Sphrantzes – April, 1430( Chapter 17 follow up)

The Kyrenia set sail for Ragusa, laden with goods and the gold we need to purchase cotton. It is a necessary journey, though one that fills me with unease. The sea is unpredictable, and rumors speak of pirate warships patrolling these waters. Still, Constantine is resolute. He believes this voyage will bring not just resources, but new alliances, and perhaps even the seeds of expansion beyond the Morea. His confidence is as steady as iron, and though I would not have called him bold in months past, I now find myself infected by his spirit.

Today, as we crossed the Adriatic, Constantine ordered a display of our might that I will not soon forget. Pirates shadowed our vessel, their ships nimble and ready to strike, but they had no idea what they faced. With a command that held not an ounce of hesitation, Constantine ordered the cannons to fire. The roar was like thunder from Olympus itself, echoing across the waters. The pirates’ ships splintered and scattered, and in moments, the sea was clear.

I felt a thrill—a deep pride that we now wielded such power. It was the first time I witnessed the cannons in action, and I saw in the eyes of our men the same joy and admiration that I felt. For months, whispers have spread about Constantine’s unusual knowledge and his newfound insights into warfare. But if any doubts lingered in my heart, they vanished today.

Constantine has become a man of boundless wisdom and vision, a leader who combines the strength of a soldier with the foresight of a strategist. As we arrived in Ragusa, he carried this presence ashore with him. The Ragusan council welcomed us with courteous formality, but Constantine’s presence commanded respect. He spoke with the ease and confidence of a man who knows what lies ahead and will allow no obstacle to stand in his way. When asked about our journey, he recounted it with a calm authority that left the council attentive and, I dare say, admiring.

The Venetian ship accompanying us has brought both advantages and complications. One of their young officers, Marco, has been particularly inquisitive, his questions about the Kyrenia’s cannons thinly veiled. I sense his curiosity is more than mere politeness, and I’ve instructed Damianus to reveal nothing that might compromise our advantage. Constantine, however, seems unfazed, even as he engages with the Venetians as if testing their motives with every word.

Tomorrow, Constantine will negotiate further with the council to secure the resources we need in the Morea. As I watch him navigate this foreign court, I feel certain that our fortunes may yet change. The empire has been burdened by shadows for too long, but with Constantine at our helm—stronger, sharper, and more visionary than ever—I begin to believe that the empire might endure.