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Post by Pitman on Dec 2, 2015 1:04:55 GMT -6
House of Lords, After Uthyr's endorsement
Uthyr stood before the various nobles that were gathered of course, what lead to this event was due to unfortunate event that no one expected. With this announcement of his endorsement for Duke Byrius for King. Expected had happen to some it was completely left field to both camps and being on neutral ground the House of Lords was the best way to gather everyone for his findings. He would wait for those around to calm down those in the Lamarck camp mostly mad well those in Byrius camp jumped for joy. Here was a chance to end this conflict before it began. If enough lords tipped to Duke Byrius' side it would end the conflict there. But what lead to this type of situation? Why did Margrave Uthyr completely 180 his usual stance and suddenly chose a side. Uthyr would wait for anyone from the Lamarck camp to question him before he began his evidence to be shown to those around. Enough damning evidence that would make Duke Lamarck, look the opposite on how he acted.
'Duke Lamarck... I trusted you to not go too far. But it seems I misjudged you, you dare to attempt to kill my son and do many illegal activities to get the crown for yourself. Your not worthy to be King, still why had it come to this?', Uthyr soon thought mentally.
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Arawn was dragged himself out of bed and onto a wheelchair until his leg recovered. What Marshal Rido stated made him completely dread the prospects of what was occurring. Even he knew the long stance of House Clarice being neutral has become the norm but to suddenly give his support for Duke Byrius?
"What the hell is going on here?", Arawn soon thought as he was wheeled into a study portion of the Mansion.
It was bright still has it was still mid day, the suddenly itself was both a place of silence but also a space one could look out into the garden. Speaking of that Arawn wheeled himself to look out at a nearby window in thought, trying to piece together on what happened in his memory.
"Everything the professional thug stated... why do I get a feeling that is wrong?", Arawn asked himself as it was more a gut feeling then logical one.
Arawn stayed like this for at least an hour until he heard footsteps coming toward him which he hears a familar, "It seems you are really awake now."
The feminine voice was both a curse and hope, Arawn soon sighed then turns, "Mother, what brings you back to the mansion?"
Turning to the blue haired woman who looked into a thirties but actually early 40s stood before him in an elegant white dress. Ever since the estrangement between his father and her, it was odd to see her here when both he and his father was back from campaign.
"What can a mother not worry about her own son who managed to survive such an attack?", the woman soon asked genuinely or so it seems to Arawn.
"Is that so?", Arawn soon managed to reply only suddenly his mother hugged him tightly.
"I am glad your save Arawn... so much has happened these passed few days, so much to discuss.", Lady Tabitha Clarice soon stated to her son.
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Richter
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Post by Richter on Dec 2, 2015 1:38:03 GMT -6
Two days before the meeting...
To say that Duke Lamarck took the allegations against him well, would be a lie. Though outwardly he appeared unbothered, when out of the public eye, in his meeting room with his vassals and trusted courtiers, a much different perspective was able to be seen. The man was furious, worried, and several other things that were difficult to describe. He did not take his customary spot at the highest seat in his court, but instead paced. His hands found their way to pockets and buried themselves there, and they were balled into white-knuckled fists within.
"It seems that you were outplayed." Dragos said as he watched his liege march back and forth across the floor. The Duke Lamarck looked at him out of the corners of his eyes, and though he replied, he didn't cease moving.
"Disreputable scum." He said of Byrius, resisting the urge to spit upon speaking his name. At the very least, he wasn't so uncouth as to do that.
"You expected it."
"I did, but I hadn't expected the Margrave to be so rash."
"He's been on a hair trigger ever since...well, you know." Dragos reminded his liege, who sighed.
"My hand has been forced. I'll deny it of course, they can't prove it was anyone under my employ. People will think what they want, but the only player that mattered was swindled. Pity."
Only now did he stop on a heel, pivoting in place to regard Dragos. He reached up and pinched his nose with a sigh, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths to regain his composure. Focus.
"What do you think?"
Dragons scratched his chin. "Well, he made his choice. I wonder if we can make him take it back when he sees how much he's really risking."
Lamarck chuckled darkly. "Well, I am already being blamed for it."
"Indeed. My spymaster tells me...interesting things about what goes on in the Clarice estate. Perhaps there is some ammo to be found there as well."
"Such as?" Alan Lamarck questioned, raising an eyebrow.
Dragos rose his hands plaintively, but before he could offer his denial, Sofia swooped in to act as his wingwoman. "It would be better to not say until we know for certain, both to not get your hopes up, and provide plausible deniability in the event any missions fail." She spoke smoothly, framing their unwillingness to share as being in the Duke's best interests. Which like all good lies, was partially true. But there was more to it than that.
Whether he was actually convinced or not, one couldn't say. He just waved a hand as if to close the matter entirely, and ended off by giving his margrave permission to "Do what you must. For now, I need to address the situation."
"What are you proposing?" Sofia asked.
Lamarck pondered his idea before actually putting it to word. "I will call a meeting of the nobility in a neutral location. I think I will ask the Devans if we may use one of their locations, they seem to be pushing for neutrality. We can make use of it, draw Byrius and his ilk out of their holes, see how many show up and use that to gauge his support thus far."
"And the evidence?" Margrave Tzympenos asked.
"Let's hope whoever set me up did a shoddy job of it. So I can whip them publicly and make them look like the fools they are. Now return home and prepare, you both are to accompany me to the hearing."
Dragons and Sofia bowed and showed themselves out.
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The Current Day:
Lamarck arrived with those nobles who supported him all in one large group, having met at a rally point in their territory before crossing over into the demesne formally held by the religious group kind enough to host this formality. While their motives couldn't be trusted entirely, they were the best choice anyone had at the moment for impartiality. It would do.
Lamarck had well since composed himself by then, and he and his followers took to their own side of the room to await the evidence presented. If Uthyr had thought that he would tip the scales enough to avoid war, he was clearly mistaken. In addition to Margraves Tzympenos and Hamon, several counts had also showed their support. As this meeting excluded the lower nobility, barons and viscount, the numbers could well be worse.
"My party have all arrived. Let me first give my thanks to the Devans for hosting us, and the assembled nobility for taking the time out of their schedules to meet. With that said, lets proceed with the evidence of my...what is it I'm being accused of again, Margrave Tzympenos?"
"Attempted murder, my lord."
"Ah yes, thank you. Let's proceed with the hearing of my attempted murder, shall we, lords and ladies?"
Indeed, in contrast, the Duke seemed, if anything, amused at this entire procession. As if it were below him, a laughable thing. He radiated confidence and contempt both, pending which side of the field you fell on. There was no mistaking that he was good at this game, able to say the right words in the right way to get done what was needed.
"Please go ahead at leisure, Margrave Clarice. Run the entire scenario by me, if you'd be so kind. I have not a single shred of memory of this entire ordeal I'm being blamed for, so please, spare no detail that may jog my mind." He said, giving a respectful nod of the head that didn't match his tone, and letting his fingers come to steeple on the table, attention focused on the speaker.
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Post by Pitman on Dec 3, 2015 21:37:15 GMT -6
Duke Byrius sat on his side of the table, ever since what occurred earlier and helping Margrave Clarice to his side was quite a feat. Everything itself was going according to plan, at least somewhat. Days before this event, was quite the situation and Duke Byrius came in to help Margrave Clarice in his time of need. Regardless now all the evidence was now mounting against Duke Lamarck and it would not only discredit him to be next monarch but shows his true intent. He would keep his face neutral as he and his supporters sat across the others. Of course this was a meeting to decide a King, though Duke Byrius suspected it was not going to be decided by the point of a pen but that of a sword.
Margrave Uthyr looked as everyone was settled on his own evidence that he has been mounting against Duke Lamarck since the attack on his son.
"I do have much evidence the first evidence is as well is what started my own investigation.", Uthyr soon stated.
Bringing out the weapon in question which of course was the one with the inscription.
"A Dagger?', Duke Byrius soon aksed though he knew already.
"Not just any dagger but this dagger was the the core beginning of my investigation which lead to so much. Please take a look Duke Lamarck.", Uthyr soon requested and if he would notice its engraved name of the creator.
Waiting for a response Uthyr would then say, "The Dagger comes from a forge that only comes from one place in this entire city. A Smith who works exclusive for your Duchy, Duke Lamarck."
Of course one could say it was stolen or even taken to frame their house, Uthyr had more information but he wanted to know the reaction of the Duke. As well his own defense could be mounted on 'why or how' it could of been used against Arawn.
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Richter
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Post by Richter on Dec 3, 2015 21:56:52 GMT -6
Lamarck didn't make any snippy remarks during the opening pieces of this hearing, and in fact was quite respectful, though he kept up his unbothered demeanor so that he would appear as a strong leader with no need to feel guilt. He took the dagger when it was presented and turned it over in his hands, examining the full of it as well as the initials in the pommel.
"It certainly looks authentic." The duke said, frowning while he did so. He looked at Uthyr expectantly for a few more minutes, pointedly waiting for anything else. When it didn't come, he nodded slowly and made his own counterpoints instead. All of it was carefully framed to make it seem like he was the controlling power in this scenario, and that his opponent was unprepared for leveling such a serious claim.
"It's hardly damning evidence. Weaponry like this goes missing all the time. It could well have been looted from a battlefield, it's hardly a foreign concept. Dozens such weapons have turned up this way. Or purchased second hand, acquired before the gentleman came into my service, or indeed, stolen like you noted." Lamarck offered, making an open handed gesture as he did with one hand, the other placed the knife back on the table for anyone else to take and examine as they wished.
Dragos broke in on his lord's behalf, to support him. "My assembled lords, if I may be so bold?" He asked in his usual way, voice holding a sort of quiet power, with carry and weight beyond its volume. Assuming the majority of nobles wouldn't protest, he'd continue. "I've found weaponry on bandits and highwaymen from the forges belonging to several subjects of the men and women in this chamber. Following your lead, Margrave, I could assert that several prominent members of the city's nobility were supporting brigandry in my lord Lamarck's demesne. Surely I would be criticized for making such a claim, and for good reason. How is your case dissimilar?"
There were some murmurs between the nobles as they considered that. Dragos leaned back into his seat to signify that he was done talking.
"And on top of what my vassal says, if I may speak pragmatically, why on Luna would I send a killer out armed with weaponry leading directly back to me? I suppose you could insinuate some kind of double fake, but really, it would be easier and less risky to bribe a smith to make something with no signature at all, if I truly wanted a man killed in cold blood. It's circumstantial at best, outright framing at worst." With that said, he dismissed the claim. He didn't look into anyone in specific's eyes while doing it, but the more wary people present would probably guess who he was thinking of as doing the framing.
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Post by Pitman on Dec 3, 2015 22:22:15 GMT -6
"Oh course I actually first thought that too about the dagger. It is correct weapons go missing or stolen especially on the battlefield.", Uthyr admitted, but this is why he started it with the dagger.
The Most obvious evidence and the easiest to refute; there was more but it got the ball rolling now.
"Duke Lamarck, the next set of evidence of what the man said to my son. Though he was bleeding he was still conscious enough to tell about what the man stated to 'Him'.
The exact words are these, 'And here's my insurance! Tell your old man to keep to his little plot of land and don't get in our way, or he'll lose more than just his marriage!'
Now it wouldn't of been questioned and possibly the so called 'Professional Thug' the man called himself. But Duke Lamarck this happened soon after our private discussion we had much earlier that night. That is what started to get me thinking.
Duke the exact words were, 'I think our realm will face many dangers in the days to come, Margrave. Not just from outside, either, but it would be wise to keep your eyes peeled to them. Too much introspection will leave our doors open, the Empire has sent spies and saboteurs before.'
It to some sounded like worrying for the realm or a threat? Oh I am not done either there is more the one sentence which even gives further support to this? Well when you stated, 'I'm in a tough position, Margrave. As you are too. We both have our parts to play, and I envy you for yours. You can hold back your hand, I cannot.'
The structure the way you gave me the veiled threat and later that night an attack on my son and what the assailant stating, about staying out of the way. Duke Lamarck would you go to such length for the crown?", Uthyr finished his next piece of evidence.
Of course if the Duke looked Uthyr looked calm and angry but also regret. It was obvious he didn't wish to believe this as he trusted both Duke's would keep this civil but his own expectations keep failing him.
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Richter
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Post by Richter on Dec 3, 2015 22:40:46 GMT -6
This part of the talk actually makes the Duke scowl, the anger he felt creeping into his voice just barely enough to be felt. But also betrayal, it was either genuine or he was a very good actor.
"I am insulted you'd bring a private conversation into public like this. Doubly insulted you're using it against me as an implication. But so be it, I have no shame in what I said. What I was telling you, Margrave, was that you're lucky you have such simple issues to manage. You don't need to deal with politics and the court, all you must do is fight. You're the ideal knight. Fighting when called, resting and training with not, held in glory by the rest of the world but not ensnared in its wiles. I spoke that to you in confidence because I didn't want you to get drug into the mud and have to wage war on two fronts. Yet, you took that as a threat and not a measure of my own respect for what you do for our kingdom."
His eyes were focused on the margrave now to the exclusion of everything else, studying him carrying, breaking him down brick by brick and trying to figure out what made his mind work. It was part of the ploy to unbalance him, along with the rapid fire offense. Constant barrages of logic and emotional appeals in a hot-cold arrangement, such as the last sentence above.
"That this man happened to say something similar has no bearing on what we discussed. I'll remind you, Uthyr, everyone on that day was wondering what choice you would make. Do you truly think that I'm the only man who would have designs on trying to sway your allegiance, supposing that line of thought is true? Did you not meet with anyone else that day, or the next, about the same subject? I would be shocked if that were the case, sir, but I do not believe it was."
He rapped his knuckles on the table a few times as a sort of placeholder while choosing his words. Eventually he finished with a snappy retort that brought his cocksure grin back, "And again, why would I bother giving an assassin a message that could lead back to me? It is a shoddy job. I like to think that if you think me a villain, you at least think me a competent one."
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Post by Pitman on Dec 3, 2015 22:57:20 GMT -6
"Oh? But what if it wasn't from you per say? After all you do have some... very very staunch supporters who wish for blood to be spilled in your name.", Uthyr soon suggested looking at the various lords on his side. Even if the Duke himself may not stain his hands with all the blood at times lords give their blessing in many things to their lower subordinates to do so in their name.
Looking around he soon continued with his accusations, the next set of evidence which doesn't help the Duke either.
"To continue in my investigation afterwards I did a check on all the records of the financials of both Dukes. I did notice... an interesting find which made me wonder even further. Days after the King's death large quantities of arms and ammunition for muskets from the various stores in the Duchy of Byrius were bought up in wholesale. One would think it would be the Duke himself to arm his own men to keep the peace. But the amount and the man who bought it. Duke Lamarck I followed a trail, a trail which lead all the way back to your Duchy. Specifically to a man named... Curtis Reasviel. Who himself is the the employ of your very own Steward. I detained and questioned the man who revealed quite a few things. Duke Lamarck... a man who himself prides himself in running his Duchy like a business. Rich in resources of mining and capable of producing his own arms with ease. Why would you need to buy up all the weaponry stock of Duke Byrius? Right after the death of the late majesty King Arawn II?", Uthyr soon point out.
It was a demand not a request, why would he do such a thing so suddenly and timing so well? It was almost like it sounded like he was attempting to start a Coup.
"I will vouch to Margrave Clarice on the matter and can verify all of shops within my Duchy received such... 'patronage'.", Duke Byrius pointed out then went silent.
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Richter
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Post by Richter on Dec 3, 2015 23:18:42 GMT -6
That point was rather damning, but Lamarck remained cool despite it. Luckily, he had left a few openings.
"If what you say is true, Uthyr, I'll have to ask why you detained and questioned a subject of mine without ever informing me prior to this point. Merchants are free to buy and sell to whom they wish, unless otherwise restricted by their liege. I recall no such bar being placed, so the man is free of crime. But then again, it seems very common these days that people do not inform me of things I'm being accused of until they have already built a case out of it." While he admitted the tactic was true, he also expertly flipped it right back onto Uthyr and his lord, arresting his subject without cause like that was possibly a cause for war all on its own. It was made even worse by the fact he wasn't even notified as a courtesy after it had happened, even if security had required that the arrest be kept secret so the target couldn't escape, there was no reason to hide it after he was safely incarcerated.
"But you want to speak to me of blood? I'll let Count Tallack speak of his own accounts of bloodshed. Please, do take it away, sir." The duke said, waving a hand to the vassal at his side of the table.
The count cleared his throat, and the assembled may recall that his county was across the border from Gristo's. The man was of average height, stocky but not fat. He looked like a man that had performed a lot of hard work in his time, his calloused hands placed onto the table for support as he leaned forward only supplemented that theory. He was much less calm than his lord, and it would soon become clear why.
"Two days ago, a raiding party from Duke Byrius's side of the city attacked my holdings! They evaded my guards and made their way into town were 3 homes set ablaze, with four people dead and a dozen wounded before my men at arms could rally and repeal them. It was clearly a retaliatory strike for this supposed attempt at assassination, the timing is not coincidence. Nobles acting like common bandits, it's a disgrace for everything this nation stands for!" The count exclaimed, jabbing a meaty finger at the man across the table from him whom he held responsible for the attack.
Lamarck took control back before his vassal could say anymore, but it might be too late to stop an escalation. "I will vouch for the Count on the matter, I have personally visited his land and witnessed the damage. If I'm truly hunting for blood like you claim, Margrave, I'm clearly not alone in the matter. In fact, it looks like your side drew the first blood. And unlike your claim, this one can be confirmed. Go look for yourself if you wish."
"Please do, sir." Tallack cut in, and it was clear now that this was going to go south quickly. "See what the butchers you support have in store for our nation. Did you destroy anymore livelihoods today, Gristo?"
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Post by Pitman on Dec 3, 2015 23:34:33 GMT -6
Margrave soon heard of the attack listening but soon he turned to Duke Byrius who then soon picked up on the accusation of his own subject.
"Count Tallack you do bring a good point but'fail' to bring an very important point in this who started the bloodshed.", Duke Byrius soon turned to Count Gristo who soon nodded as it was his turn on why he attacked.
"Fellow noblemen. It is 'true' I attacked Coutn Tallacy... but I didn't do so in retaliation on the assassination attempt no. The Day after the assassination attempt well the young Sir Arawn Clarice was being taken cared of in my very own Mansion, guards from Count Tallacy attacked my mansion and murdered many of my vassals in my mansion in attempt to kill Arawn Clarice. The Raid was only done by a few dozen men but enough to do the damage. I saw this as an attack into my lands and attempt by Count Tallacy to 'finish the job' on young Arawn's life! In that regard it is 'You Count Tallacy!' who started this bloodshed. I will not allow a 'Whore Loving Heretical Destitute' to come into my lands attack my House and in a petty attempt to finish off an heir of higher station then you! In response I gave my own justice, burning the homes of the Guards who attack as 'Fitting Justice and put them to the sword who do not know their place!'", Count Gristo soon stated out loud, of course he was a religious man of the Church of Babel, and both Counties have been fighting each other for generations.
This was another chapter of their rivalry but now it was completely something more, this time both sides took it too far to the point that it would endanger everything.
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Richter
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Post by Richter on Dec 3, 2015 23:47:43 GMT -6
Lamarck stepped in quickly. "Oh, so now you're shifting your story? Tell me, why did you not bring up the news of a military invasion to me immediately, instead of rallying your soldiers behind my counterpart's banner? Did you not think I would allow such sedition, if true, to go unpunished, especially in a time like this? One would think that's the first piece of evidence you'd bring forward. Where are the bodies, where are the prisoners taken in that attack? Surely there were some if you so valiantly defended your charge, count? No, I think I have heard enough of this sham council. I had come expecting duplicity but I had sorely underestimated how far my peers had fallen. My apologies, sirs, you truly go above and beyond the title of 'rogue'."
By this point the lesser noble's temper had pretty much reached volcanic temperatures, and he jumped to his feet. His lord's attempts to break away did not dissuade him. And for good reason, considering what his peer had said, the outright fabrication.
"You try to level this on me? Sir, you and your family are swine. No, that's an insult to boars everywhere! You're loathsome, you're below the dirt I scrape from my heels. You speak utter lies and by your God you will pay for it!"
Similar bickering began to erupt between both sides of the room, and Tallack looked like he was going for a glove to issue formal challenge to Gristo. And when that happened, it was likely a fight could erupt right here and now. If this wasn't a religious building held by a neutral power, one that had probably taken their weapons beforehand, there might already have been one. People tended to be a little less wary in these situations, but it looked about ready to cook off just the same.
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Rabite
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Emperor of H
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Post by Rabite on Dec 4, 2015 1:23:02 GMT -6
"Enough."
Although it was only a single word that was spoken, it sure echos loud within the church, and should be enough to remind the two side of their present location. The owner of the church, Die Gerade James of Gransela does not look too pleased at how the case has gone so far, after all it had continued without any sort of order and respect. He had allowed this meeting in order to see if some sort of peace talk could happen, but it looks like neither side had really tried to put their differences aside to achieve such feat. Both Dukes are attacking the personnel background of the other, while their followers are being much more concentrated on the damages they have received than the big issue here at hand. It's time for him to step up and take control, like he should have earlier.
"All of you, sit down. Look at you all, do you still take pride in being a noble of Selardia?! Bickering like children and without an inch of respect for each other, how can our vassals and subjects trust in our ability to rule when we act like this?!"
He slams the bottom of his scepter on the ground, just like how a judge does so with a gavel to keep order in court to get everyone to stop what they were doing and pay attention. Taking a look towards the only armed personnel in this room, his personal Paladins, so that they would stay between the two sides in the case that they decides to swing fists at each other. After that is done, he sits down again and takes a look at the documents.
"Margrave Clarice, I fully understand that you are not happy at what happened to your son, I too am disappointed that something like an assassination could happen in our kingdom when the sun is still high up. But you must understand that this is a trial, a formal gathering in order to settle disputes, not one where you can simply throw your evidence out and force everyone to accept it. It will be up to me the Judge and the nobles the Juries to decide on the result, so if you don't calm down this instant, I would have to remove you from court."
His first warning was towards Uthyr, everyone is innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around. As such James cannot allow anyone to make random accusations before enough convincing evidences are presented.
"Duke Byrius, Duke Lamarck, you are not to slander anything before the court. You are both among the top ranking nobles and are important to the future of the Kingdom, please show your authority and not your ability to call each other's mother, the rest of us do not need to learn of such talented skills to do so. Margrave Tzympenos I see that you have a better understanding of the court than others that I will not name, however next time, please wait for your turn so the evidence could be better group and sorted."
Now that he got his message straight, he takes a careful look at the evidence provided.
"....Margrave Clarice, where is your son at the moment? Without his words or a formally proven testimony I cannot simply take your words into the case, however seeing that the victim was serious injured I will let that slide, however the juries should not forget this point."
The next piece of evidence is the knife that was left behind, he examines the knife before handing it to a few of his Paladins, who does the same before nodding back to James himself.
"As the accusation has mentioned, many of these knives could go missing under different situation. In fact given the time anyone of us here could make a knife with the same markings, as such it seems unreasonable for the accused to send an assassin that would use a weapon with their own signature on it, and could possibly be used to frame the accused."
It was the same things that Duke Lamarck has said, however this is from the judge, and someone that has taken a neutral position. James' reasoning could sound more acceptable than from Duke Lamarck himself.
"Another point is that why would an assassin, a professional one as Margrave Clarice had suggested, attempt such assassination during daytime? No matter how I see it, it would a lot better to carry it out during night, in both chances of success and in the possibility of escaping from the scenes of crime in the aftermath. A third point is why Knight Baronet Arawn? If anything I'd go for the Margrave himself, or maybe a Count under the Margrave. Either way it would do more actual damage than what we have here, the assassin also did not have any further actions in response, which makes me quite suspicious of the true aim of the man."
He had a Paladin put up the map of the Kingdom, and points at different locations on the map. One is the March of Clarice, the other the capital of the Duchy of Byrius.
"These are the two locations that were brought up, both of them were in the middle of the Duchy of Byrius. Now I must ask Count Gristo'... how did these troops arrive at your holdings without anyone noticing? Surely you have some guards keeping watch... right? Count Tallacy, are you here at the moment? If so then please stand before the court, and explain your side of the story."
The Count that was involved in the battle will surely clear up some fog in this case, so it would be a good idea to get him to come up and say something to defend himself. It's also useful to buy some time for both side to calm down, people can do really stupid things in a rush, but usually they would give it a second thought if calmed down.
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Post by Pitman on Dec 4, 2015 2:54:15 GMT -6
Margrave Clarice turned to James and soon simply bows, "I understand and forgive my impudence in this conference."
He soon went silent though he was quite annoyed how many of the lower nobles acted like children then proper nobles. This is one problem he would advice for the Duke to keep them in line, especially the likes of Count Gristo.
"Ah sorry about that its just a little friendly competition between Duke Lamarck and I. We quite enjoy our debates for years now... everyone please shut up and sit down.", Duke Byrius soon stated with authority and plus the Paladins in the area helped the Byrius side calm down and sit.
When the questioning continued the more and more likely the "neutral party" already have decided to join Duke Lamarck's side and simply needed confirmation.
"My son is current injured and resting back at the March of Clarice, doctors say it will be at least a week before he is fully back to normal. If you need to question him I can fetch him when he is well enough.", Uthyr offered which was genuine.
When the question came to Count Gristo who was still angry, in fact though he was sitting the only reason he was not screaming bloody murder was the Order Duke Byrius stated not the so called heretics with their blades. He turned to the man but he didn't like the sound the question was being asked, in fact it was looking the man before them was no longer neutral but already determined his final judgment which of course is looking to the other side.
He soon replies, "Why do I must answer to a heathen like you? The attack occurred heathen! You know fuck this farce, Duke Byrius you can see the writing on the wall, heretics will always be heretics. They have all banded together and wish to destroy everything this kingdom was built on, jackals within our mists who only see our kingdom as food to eat. No... I will not allow our kingdom to fall to heretics nor will I talk with them any longer!"
Getting up he turns to James then says, "Why do I need to answer you, heretic! You in your fancy clothing thinking yourself above all? Ha you will rot in hell in the end in the next life! Even if its by old age or some heretical Scrabble!! I will not stay in this place any longer!!"
Soon a few other Barons especially religious ones who dislike heretics all got up as well, with Count Gristo and soon turned out of their chairs to leave.
"Count Gristo...", Duke Byrius soon said out to stop the man before he made a mistake.
"Sorry Your Grace, I cannot take this place any longer. I shall take my leave.", Count Gristo soon stated leaving.
Uthyr soon sighed at the result, knowing full well what the Count just done.
Duke Byrius soon sighes, "I will deal with him later.. well this throws this entire conference in the mud.", Duke Byrius turned to James then states, "Your Eminence Die Grande, please forgive my vassal's... zealotry, but he does have a point. It seems we cannot come to terms with deciding this peacefully."
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Richter
Veteran Member
Posts: 1,870
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Post by Richter on Dec 4, 2015 3:17:28 GMT -6
The other Duke rallied his side of the court as well and brought them to silence with a series of stern looks and similar gestures. Tallack reigned himself in, but not very easily, he slumped back heavily in his chair as if trying to be as far from Gristo as was physically possible without getting up and leaving.
"My apologies, die Gerade. I have the utmost respect for yourself and the sanctity of your lands. But do understand my position. I feel rather strongly about these accusations." Lamarck offered as well, after Byrius did the same, whom he nodded to.
Luckily none of the people there today had to deal with the abuse-hurling count for very long. Even though the tension here was thick enough it could be cut with a sword, what Gristo did, spitting in the eye of their host and marching out without the say of their lord, was something else entirely. It drew every eye in the room, and many tongues were bitten to not comment on it right then and there. The situation was made all the more complicated by the fact he was an important witnesses to this ordeal.
At any rate when Tallack had calmed down he stood again, as was requested, and told James and the assembled members of this hearing what had occurred. Two dozen or so soldiers had slipped into his lands. Once there, they dispatched the local guards and anyone who resisted, driving the rest off and then burning their residences regardless of whether anyone was still within or not. The count makes sure to underline the fiendish intent by clarifying that civilian targets were specifically chosen, and no looting seems to have occurred. Only damages and death. Timing wise, it correlated roughly to when Arawn had been taken in Count Gristo's personal care, which would seem to support the intent. Then he sits back down, somewhat unnerved about being the focus of the entire group without the full brunt of his anger fueling him.
As for the attack on Gristo, he recounts that it did happen, but it was launched as repayment for the raid, not beforehand. And he didn't storm the count's manor, he had raided his county's church holdings. In fact, he says that he had no idea that Arawn was even in the area, having himself only just returned to his own demesne from the feast a few hours beforehand, so he couldn't possibly have attacked the man's house looking for him. Of course, with Gristo gone there was no one here to refute it to be fair to both sides, even if the story did sound more logical.
"Yes, thrown into the mud, indeed." Lamarck agreed with Byrius, ironically, the only thing that they had seen eye to eye on all day was that this made things much more difficult. "No, we cannot."
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Rabite
Veteran Member
Emperor of H
Hey, look over here.
Posts: 1,887
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Post by Rabite on Dec 4, 2015 3:39:28 GMT -6
The story from Tallack was a reasonable one, but like the same told by Margrave Clarice it lacked solid proof. To identify the truth in these words would take some time to gather evidence, but it looks like the two Dukes are seconds away from grabbing each other by the neck, so time is definitely not something they have at hand. As much as he would like to let Count Gristo continue, it looks like they did not agreed with the trial in the first place, nor did they seem to accept their religious differences despite the lack of conflict between the two churches.
The Paladins were seconds away from cutting down these foolish men for insulting their holiness, but James waved for them to back down. they are here to solve the situation, not make it worse by having more bloodshed.
"....Sigh, must you all be so rush to your choices? Dirt is something you can brush off, but you cannot do the same for wounds, it will be very difficult to step down if it has to come to this... very well, if both Duke Byrius and Duke Lamarck decided that there are no other ways to mend the situation, then how about we have an alternative choice? I ask that we have an agreement, a recognized treaty between the parties involved, one that can help to keep the damages to a minimum."
He then give out a list of rules that he ask the two parties to accept, such as those below: -Neutrality of non-allied nobles. -Prisoners of War and ways to pay ransom for them. -Neither side are to actively attack unarmed personnel, and should try to keep the casualties to minimum. -Charity actions such as those from the Church of Devanism must not be stopped by any means, even when carried out in areas under siege. -The right for neutral states to request to investigate towards war crime and actions against the treaty. -Exclusion of help from foreign factions. -Formation of the Archbishopric of Gransela as a counter weight towards the other two faction. -The defeated and neutral side will swear loyalty towards the victor.
More rules from the other parties are added to the treaty, and then signed by all three sides with the nobles around the room as witnesses.
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Post by Pitman on Dec 4, 2015 3:53:56 GMT -6
Duke Byrius looked at the treaty and internally wanted to scream on some of what was said. Specifically the formation of an Archbishopric. That alone wouldn't seat well with half of his his own support base who would view this as a direct declaration of war on the Church of Babel. In fact even the Church of Babel would demand why this occurred after all wasn't the King himself head of Church and State? Duke Byrius was at a crossroads, at one point its a good deal to maintain peace but at the same time it would cost the 'state' dearly, especially for his future machinisms he had for after he becomes King.
'Well well so we have another group wanting to power play.... it seems I may need to move up my time table with the Church of Babel sooner then I thought I would. Matters not in the end if I can succeed in becoming King, then I will deal with the consequences down the road. After all peace and dreams are not paved in words and honor. But through all means possible, tears, guts, and blood.', Byrius mentally told himself.
Duke Byrius waited for a brief moment as he passed it down to his other lords to see what was on the treaty who looked, some looked irked at the costs. Others simply left to everything had to be done for the sake of House Byrius. Margrave Uthyr simply stayed silent, looked at it briefly then nodded which brought Duke Byrius in wonderment about what is happening in the head of Margrave Clarice.
Turning to James he soon says, "All it well on my side die Garade. I agree to the terms on the treaty."
Though deep inside Byrius would have to figure out, how to work around this treaty without being caught.
'So... the game is afoot.', Byrius soon thought.
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