Eudocia Ingerina

Eudocia Ingerina
Biographical information
Born	c. 840
Died	c. 882
Species	Human
Political information
Affiliations	Macedonian dynasty (by marriage) Hidden Ones

Eudocia Ingerina (c. 840 – c. 882) was Byzantine Empress and the wife of Basil I. She was a former mistress of Basil's predecessor Michael III and the mother of Leo VI.

Biography

In 867, Eudocia enlisted the help of the Hidden Ones Basim and his acolyte Hytham through Thyra of the Varangian guards. The empress believed that the emperor sought to assassinate young Leo, due to the nature of her former relationship to the former emperor Michael and believed that Leo was not his legitimate and biological son. With Thyra, they agreed on an alliance between the Hidden Ones and Thyra's Eagle Clan in exchange for Hytham to be undercover as a new Varangian guard to protect Leo. On Hytham's first day as an Varangian guard, Eudocia and Thyra met with him in her room in the palace before she left him to Leo's room.

Within days after the Order of the Ancients' attack on the children's wing, Empress Eudocia was informed by Hytham and his allies that Leo's tutor Theodore aided in the attack. With the emperor informed as well, Theodore was immediately put to death. Eudocia and Leo's nurse Anna met with Hytham, who was injured from the attack and was abducted by the Order's leader Isaac. However, she became shocked when Anna admitted to trying to solve the predicament herself by bribing Isaac with a jeweled comb gifted by the empress. Although mad, Eudocia forgives Anna and thanks Hytham for saving her son.

Wanting advice, Eudocia requested Thyra to send Hytham to meet her at Demetrios Hestiun's house. While she waited with a bow in hand, she heard a quiet Hytham approach her. Eudocia offered an archery contest and if she won, she asked advice on a moral dilemma. While they shot their arrows, Eudocia proved successful on their fourth arrow. She then asked Hytham if the Hidden Ones killed a monster before. She explained the monster is only evil in one way not the rest. When Hytham realized the context, she was told the monster's death may prove to be more harmful. At ease, Eudocia thanked Hytham before leaving.

In a few days, the Empress accompanied her family to a picnic event in Philopation as Basil tried to sway eyes away from the attack on the palace. She later joined her family at the emperor's race event at the Hippodrome and waited with Leo in the emperor's box. When Basil began his own race, the empress was caught off guard when the emperor had an accident on the race and an arrow was shot into the box. Eudocia was brought safely down by Thyra but wanted her son safe. However, she saw Leo taken by the Order while Thyra, Justin, and the Hidden Ones gave chase. Fortunately, Leo was rescued and the Order and its leader were taken out.

Back at Hestiun's house, Eudocia and Hytham met again as he explained the plan of using Leo as bait. Understanding, Eudocia offered a permanent place for Hytham to stay as a Varangian guard. Although Hytham refused, she wanted to let Leo say goodbye in person as the boy came and hugged Hytham goodbye. Together, Eudocia and her son left the house and his guardian after stating their farewells.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: The Golden City