The young man's fists tightened, his voice growing sharp. "Do you dare question the Emperor's command?"
Tatikios chuckled. "I don't question the Emperor's command, 'little girl.' I question whether you can even understand those commands."
"I will not argue with a barbarian like you." The young man flicked his sleeve, produced a seal engraved with the Emperor's bust, and held it out to the surrounding soldiers. "Soldiers of the Empire, think carefully about who you serve! Is it Emperor Alexios in Constantinople, or this Turkic man before you who defies the Emperor's authority?
I, Nikiforos Brinos, now command you by the authority of the Emperor to open the city gates! Anyone who refuses to carry out this order will be considered a traitor!"
(Nikiforos Brinos was a Byzantine general, statesman, and historian. The Brinos family was quite influential in Adrianople, possessing local power.)
