Once upon a time, while he was still in the army of Roman Republicans, in the middle of the battle Lucius Verinus had a vision...
Incide the blooded mist filled with horrifying screams a tiny light appeared. It growe bigger and bigger by second until it finally took the shape of mysterious, bird-headed silhouette. His body slightly shivered as he realized that the Sun God Ra was standing in front of him. He looked Lucius straight into eyes, but yet much further- right into his soul, and slowly raised his hand. Lucius turned in that direction and, in the distance, he saw the Great Light of Alexandria. In the next moment everything was back to normal, but Lucius’s mind was clearer than ever. He finally knew what was his true calling.

And so the proved senator of Rome, tired of inner wars which devided Roman Empire for years, with his beloved wife Elpis, their two children and brave legionary Bombi93 started a jurney from Abruzzo to far coasts of Egypt...

Egypt.. The land of pharaohs.. „Could a mere mortal rule the holy land of immortality?“- the question which haunted all of us as we sailed towards our new home. „Yes“, I said numerus times, „You wont be the first Roman warrior who had the honor to sit on Egyptian throne. Is it right? No, but since the long Ptolomaic dynasty has ended it’s even worse that such a holy land falls into oblivion.“. Lucius raised his eyes towards the Sun and slowly whispered: „He showed me. This IS our path, my love.“.

At that moment our little Niobe smiled and my heart was calm thus I was finally assured everything will be just fine…

Like in a dream day’s from the past keep flashing before my eyes… I remember the time when I was in Roman provinces fighting for my believes and when I had my vision witch showed me my true path. After the long talk with two persons that I trust the most(my beloved and honorable wife Elpis, mother of my two beautiful children and brave praetorian of my bodyguard legion Bombi93) I decided to leave all knew and set sail toward Nile. Those were all memories, past time, but like in blink of an eye I was back…



And now after many weeks the three of us are standing in the palace of Alexandria surrounded by elite Nubian warriors and high priests waiting that I take my rightful place on the throne of Egypt.
Great statue of Ra was in front of me watching me silently as the priests perform the ritual. Suddenly my whole body erupted, blood started to boil, my vision blurred and I was experiencing unbearable pain true all my body. At the blink of an eye everything was over. I felt like I was floating in mid air. Calm voice come to me.”Welcome my son” . Tree small words witch completely open my mind. I was accepted. I was a pharaoh.
When the ceremony was over I step on the main terrace followed by my family and friends and greeted by my people.
They were all shouting one name…
“Lucius! Lucius! Lucius!”

I knew my father gave me his first blessing.

Our beloved pharaoh has appointed me as the minister of diplomacy. Understanding the importance of my new task I did not waste any time.

Respecting his divine wishes I have opened the door of Egypt to all nations known to our world.

After his authorization of the latter I have put together it was sent to all the great leaders.
The almighty Ra smiled upon us - we have made new friends and strengthen the relationship with our brothers.

Our doors are opened. We have been accepted.

Life in Egypt was slowly becoming normal, it was so far from its former glory, but yet shining future was certain. It appeared like people were swallowing the streets of Alexandria, many shops now had the most quality merchandise brought form land far away with numerous trade caravans.
The new paragraph I posted was demanding construction of the roads all across Alexandria.
Giving all my personal treasures into the city chest I insured that the job will be performed quickly, and with the rest I have organized the great festival in the name of my magnificent father the all mighty Ra.



Bandits which plundered and raided the city’s property are finally put to silence.
I have decided that best man for this honorable mission shall be former legionary, and now chief of royal guards Bombi93. He brought death to their homes and saved innocent people from more suffering. He showed now mercy because they showed none in the past. Reconstructed and already fames great library of Alexandria took breath of life once more.
Huge number off all paragraphs and written thoughts of wise man are brought back on the shelves. Caravans from the far away lands brought them back where they belong. Thousands educated people traveled here just to see and admire our jewel. Maybe our minster of diplomacy Elpis chose to set her administration in one of the many rooms just because it’s glory and might. With her charm she managed to complete dozens of duties and brought us respectable place in the world.

.. Time passed in unusual rhythm, sometimes too fast for us to even collect our thoughts and sometimes too slow, but every time that happened we were up to our throats with paperwork so we had troubles with running the official diary of our Nation. Egypt went through enormous changes since our last entries. Great warriors left us, but great warriors emerged and joined, some friends disappeared, some showed their true faces, some backstabbed us but some showed us what true friendships are all about. I could just continue and write from the present day but that way nothing would be clear to those that aren't aware of the current situation so I'll just go a little back in time..

Our Pharaoh decided to organize a Tournament in honor of the new warriors of Egypt and, of course, for those that never left his side. The Games were about to begin when we received an information that Phrygian army is established and it already set sails. I told everyone that there's no need to be alarmed since Phrygia is listed as one of our friends.

It was the morning of the Tournament but there was no joy that could be felt since Phrygian ships were seen on the shores of Al Alamein. Since we received no latter and the diplomacy was the same as always Pharaoh eased our thoughts a bit but he still ordered me to send a latter to their Minister of Diplomacy. Immediately I obeyed and returned to my training only when I lost sight of our messenger. I here by present a copy of that latter:

QUOTE:
Greetings Theonidas,
Foreign Minister of the Phrygians,

I am aware that the diplomatic status between our nations is set to friendly, but still it came to my attention that your army is near Egyptian boarders. Egypt has always been a friendly nation but nobody likes surprises, so to avoid any misunderstandings I would appreciate it if you could explain to me the reasons for the current course of your army(those involving Egypt). Thank you in advance.

In the name of the Pharaoh Lucius Verinus and the entire Egypt,
Foreign Minister and Protector,
Elpis

The first round was over, the Moon already replaced the Sun but nobody came. I haven't slept much that night. It was early afternoon when our messenger returned, he had no message from the Phrygians but he had one of his own- their army was in Al Alamein. My mind went blank from all the anger I felt, but then I pulled myself together, instructed the messenger to go back, just in case, and run to inform our Pharaoh.
Before the second round our Pharaoh gathered all of us and explained the situation. As we were about to head to the Arena the messenger brought an answer. It didn't mattered that we had just couple of minutes left we succeeded to meet again and I read the latter.

QUOTE:
Greetings Elpis,
Foreign Minister and Protector of the Egypt.

I am used to inform you that our leading want to set a raid on you.
We are not interest in a long going war or anything like this but if you think you have to declare a war on us because we are visiting your friendly country, it is your decision.
The reasons why you are choose to be honoured with our visit are very simple.
You are the nearest country apart from the Hellenes, which does not exist any longer and the Capadocians, which just started their tribe.
So you see their are not many choices to go on a raid.
If you're interesting in a friendly future I can offer you a silent deal which includes the promise that we just attack two fields of yours and return after that immediately.

For the glory Phrygians
Theonidas
Foreign Minister of Phrygian

The Pharaoh quickly formed an small army from the warriors that were available at the moment, but they were very weak from the Tournament so our glorious Pharaoh decided that their lives are more precious then any possible war so he never sent them from our capitol. Obviously their minds were set on a surprise attack from the very beginning while we are weaken by the tournament. After reading their latter I was filled with anger, but I calmed down a bit after speaking with our divine Pharaoh.
This was our official response to that shameless nation:

QUOTE:
Greetings Theonidas,
Foreign Minister of the Phrygians,

At first I wish to say that I'm honestly shocked for you lack of knowledge on diplomacy matters.
I shall explain. If you wish to raid another nation(or declare a war) on friendly basis first you send them a letter at least to inform them(if you don't want to negotiate the terms), especially if you are in friendly relations. You haven't done anything similar, in fact you've ignored OUR latter completely.

Don't try to justify your actions with "Egypt is the closest, most developed nation" because you could easily see that Egypt is in the middle of a Tournament and that we don't have many warriors available at the moment.

Your silent actions are disgraceful and so is your offer.
Egypt may be a friendly nation, but it consists of honorable warriors.

Still we shall offer you another agreement.
If you unset your hostile diplomacy with Egypt for as long as our warriors are free to battle we'll grant you the honer of a friendly war.
But if you decide to decline instead of a friend you'll gain an enemy.

Please be quicker with the response now then you were with the notice.
Of course if I don't receive a reply until afternoon tomorrow conciser our offer withdrawn.

In the name of the Pharaoh Lucius Verinus and the entire Egypt,
Foreign Minister and Protector,
Elpis

The events that followed should be obvious by now and I still feel maniacal anger every time I try to think of them so I'll just present to whoever reads this journal the entire correspondence between Theonidas and myself.

QUOTE:
Greetings Elpis
Foreign Minister of Egypt

I am sorry that I'm not so active as you wish but just give me some time to discuss your offer with my leading. I really don't think that we are interest in a raid without defense forces.

For the gloy of Phrygian
Theonidas
Foreign Minister of Phrygian

QUOTE:
Greetings Theonidas,
Foreign Minister of the Phrygians,

Firstly I wish to say that my previous response wasn't towards your activeness, but only towards the fact that you have read my latter and waited until the scoring to respond. In this circumstances it's absolutely normal to gain an "wrong" opinion.

Of course, you must discuss it with your leader, but do understand that if I don't receive a latter(in which you give me your word that diplomacy has been changed) until the scoring tonight Egypt can't possibly continue with the offer. In other words your nation will be considered as enemy. I'm very sorry but we can't allow you to take one of our provinces now and then continue with the offer. Yes, we highly value friendship but we aren't to be taken lightly.
Likewise if you decide to accept our offer we'll tend to forget this unfortunate events.
I believe I don't need to explain what will happen if you decline.

May both our and your Gods guard our warriors and enlighten our nations with wisdom,
In the name of the Pharaoh Lucius Verinus and the entire Egypt,
Foreign Minister,
Elpis

QUOTE:
Greetings Elpis,
Foreign Minister of Egypt

I'm sorry to inform you, that our leading will not take back their order.
The attack will take place.
Further actions wil be in your hands.

For the glory of Phrygian
Theonidas
Foreign Minister of Phrygian

(P.S.: I'm also sorry for the fact that you've been inform by this so late. The decision was not clear till this moment.)

By now I believe that the bigger picture is clear as the cold spring water.
With health that could barely keep us alive we waited for their army until it touched the ocean. All the warriors wanted revenge and they wanted it instantly but their chance was sailing away towards Phrygia on the command of a woman named Ishabell which allowed herself to rule a Nation without the basic knowledge every leader should have, only with the worse queen-like-attitude ever shown.

So we waited for our Pharaoh to give us command. We tried to gain back our stats but we were all aware that something like that is nearly impossible. Every morning brought us new hope, both for our health standards and both for our lost battle abilities. Two glorious news arrived and I still remember that day.. The second I opened my eyes I started the "morning ritual" which I'm obligated to have by my title. Usually I prefer to drag it out because I'm not too found of it but that morning I didn't waste a second; I had a good feeling about that day. As I walked out into the corridor one of the guards approached and told me that the Pharaoh wants to see me in the Great Hall. I knew momentarily that he'll finally tell us something about Phrygians, and so he did. When all of us gathered he announced that our army will set sails in one week and, after making a short pause, he said that our brave friends, the Etruscans, will accompany us.
Totally disregarding the protocol we all cheered from happiness and excitement. The Pharaoh didn't stop our obvious lack of manners and he even smiled. Until the night came that was a day of joy and then it turned into a joyful night.

.. Days passed, our friends came, we practiced our army quickly and then we embarked our ships. Beautiful weather followed us throughout our ocean journey. When we arrived to Antalya we needed some time to adjust to lower temperatures. It was strange to feel that kind of climate after so many years in Egypt but at the same time it was kinda good, brought a bit of nostalgy but in my heart I knew that nothing could be compared to the warmness and tranquility Egypt gives you. As I stood on the land and watched the surroundings one sentence constantly popped in my head:
" Such a beautiful land and yet such worthless people living close by"