Basilius and the Emperor's Relationships

Basilius was appointed chamberlain and chief counsillor by the emperor. Michael doubled his salary, ennobled him and married him off to a mistress. The only problem seemed to be money - basilius never had enough. But more trouble was to come when he convinced michael that bardis was hopelessly ambitious. He poured poison into michael's ear until the emperor agreed to have his uncle murdered. During a great horse race, basilius closed in on bardu and the crowd and stabbed him to death. Then, after proclaiming himself emperor, he rode his horse through the streets of byzantium brandishing the head of his former benefactor