The Kaminor House representative in Ovespuerte thought the situation was untenable. Adriasta thought the command given by the patriarch of their House was pointless. She would love to see Numisley and his step-brother get what they deserved, but she has a silver of sympathy for Racieros, as fellow nobility and an associate. Nevertheless, she had ridden out of the port of Ovespuerte in the dead of night so she could report the situation on Ovespuerte.
She pulled out a Scroll of Communication as she saw this as a great emergency for her mission, and set it on the grass before the forest as her [Knights] formed a ring around her. The magic circle on the parchment glowed, producing a cone of blue light that weaved an image within. The image formed was a bedridden man, a man that was once a great warrior and spritely [Lord], now felled by sickness and old age. The quality of the bound spell in the parchment scroll enabled her to see the wrinkles and the liver spots of her balding grandfather’s face, and the atrophied forearms that were once capable of drawing a bow whose draw weight was as heavy as the oxen that plowed their fields.
“I came here to report of a conspiracy. The Commerros, with the help of Dustitioz Gaviolos, had built a case against the coronation of Racieros Commerro with fabricated evidence. His associates, Numisley Gildin, a supposed claimant of the Naveirei House, and his Satyr step-brother were also put on trial.” Adriasta reported. “And I rather have Numisley and Cultrost arrested.”
“Regardless of what you feel about his associates, if the Commerros succeed, we will lose any chance of gaining access to the port.” Her grandfather said.
“Why did you ask me to deal with this diplomatically? Rather, why side with Racieros? Would it be more beneficial to side with Dustitoz and the Commerros in this case?”
“I owe a debt to Racieros’ grandfather. Barring that, it isn’t a guarantee that the rest of the Commerros would give us access to the port. Rather, if one of them allows us to sell their goods in that port, we will earn next to nothing because of their taxes. That is what Racieros’ father had done to our [Merchants], and so this will be a prime opportunity to establish friendship with the next Contiearl. Hence, I order you to testify against the Commerros tomorrow.”
Despite Adriasta’s grudges, her filial duty was to follow his grandfather’s command.
In the same night, where the bells of Ovespuerte’s timekeeping towers were fast asleep, the few who were awake had ordered their [Servants] to covertly deliver three chests of gold and silver coins as a gift to the temple’s [High Priest]. A gift to appeal to the [High Priest]’s duty of adjudicating justice to their favor. Whether or not they heard the horse’s whinnying or clopping on the damp stone streets, the shadows started to skulk silently within the streets surrounding the wagon. One of the [Soldiers] accompanying them raised a spear as he noticed one of them and ordered one of the [Servants] to cast a [Light] Spell with an enspelled wand.
The light was snuffed out with a hidden blow, and soon those around the wagon fell with cracked skulls. The last sight they saw was a horned silhouette lit by the merged twin moons of the last night of the month of Teinoger. It was morning when the Commerros realized that their bribe had been stolen.
The sun rose from the southeast on the first day of the new month of Iaradul. Numisley and Cultrost felt the winds of change of the new moon. They had slept only an hour before the first bell of the morning rang. Despite their lack of sleep, Cultrost practiced swinging his mace, while Numisley had stopped by their shop to review the inventory. Counting the number of goods and pacing around the shop seemed to calm him.
He opened a blanketed crate hidden among crates to find a mound of gold within and wryly grinned. He covered the crate again and limped towards the temple.
The temple was still with tension and anticipation as many soldiers were tasked to guard the perimeters of the temple compound. The gilded nine-haloed finial shone upon Racieros, Numisley, Cultrost, and their lawyers as they walked into the temple, where tables and chairs were arranged in a way where are two distinct areas, overseen by a lectern before an altar with nine golden haloes. On the lectern was the [High Priests] holding a staff shaped in the form of a sword with scales at the end of its false pommel, with nine rings attached. The servants of the temple lit up the rack of incense pots as the Commerro nobles sat on the pews and whispered among themselves. On the other side of the temple pews is the jury, randomly selected among Ovespuerte, from peasant to local district leaders, which were encouraged by the temple with a payment of two silver coins: enough to feed one’s family for a week or more.
On the left table were Numisley, Cultrost, Racieros, Aryyad, and the two [Lawyers] assigned to them. On the right table were Dustitoz, Garrenno, and two other [Lawyers]. Both sides whispered to each other, as parchment scrolls and paper sheets were arranged on their respective tables. The acolytes of the temple laid down a truth tablet on each table, enchanted to glow whether or not they speak the truth or lie.
The [High Priest] tapped his staff on the floor, beginning his ministrations.
“By the power vested in me by the Divine Decree and its holy agents, the Coral Crown of Torregorn and the rest of the scions of the Thousand Bloodlines, I, High Priest Sacre Ingon Lonon Petroposimor of the Temple of Ovespuerte, invoke the God of Justice, Areti, who proclaimed: thou shall pursue righteousness. May he oversee this proceeding. May he bring justice, and smite the guilty.”
Then he began a prayer in the liturgical language beyond Numisley and Cultrost’s understanding.
“All parties within the trial. Will you swear to uphold the truth under this temple of the Divine Decree, without any form of trickery, be it in the form of Feats or sorcery?” The [High Priest] asked both parties of the trial.
All the people in the trial but Numisley and Cultrost had said “yes”, until they said it a moment later after they realized the purpose of this oath.
“The sacred court is now in session. Present your case, Lords Commerro and Gaviolos.” The [High Priest] announced.
Garreno stood up after the High Priest spoke.
“Racieros Torresso Commerro, you are charged with the crime of high treason, fratricide, and patricide. You are collaborating with the Diamond Shore Corporation’s interests. You are responsible for murdering your father through their manipulation. Numisley Gildin is guilty of unlawfully assuming the name of a noble house, and the attempted theft of the crown’s funds, and his associates are guilty of sacking the village of Dousso.”
The truth stone laid on Garreno’s table glowed green.
“What is the opposition’s defense?” The High Priest asked.
One of Racieros’ two lawyers, Dranori, stood up.
“The opposition wrongly convicts my client of two serious sins. The city has been attacked by [Pirates], powerful [Pirates] who had stormed the castle and slain our dear lords. Many saw the destruction they had wrought. This court will require proof to legitimize the opposition claims.”
“Lords Commerro and Gaviolos, do you have evidence?”
Dustitoz handed a sheet of paper graven with a wax seal to the [Priest]-[Lawyer] assigned to him. He read the letter verbatim in a loud and clear voice.
“Salutations, Guildmaster Aryyad Guizzimeraime. I will accept this priority teleportation order from the Shiekhdom of Zelewurves of two thousand Rhundian kjadi. The Guild will take 30% of the coins. Be aware that there is a 10% chance that some of the coins will be lost in transportation. Signed. Guildmaster Uiore.”
The truth tablet on their table glowed green.
“Objection,” Annor spoke on behalf of Racieros, Aryyad, and the Gildin Brothers. “A transfer of funds from a foreign duchy to a local guild is not related to the case, much less a business partner of House Commerro for a decade.”
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As if possessed by another voice, the [Priest]-[Lawyer] spoke. Dustitoz had used one of his Feats of this trial, speaking through the [Lawyer] with his consent.
“These funds had been used for this coronation. What’s more, the current Guildmaster of the city’s Merchant’s Guild, Aryyad Guizzimeraime has unlawfully assumed his position.”
“Objection!” Dranori, the co-[Lawyer] employed alongside Annor, spoke. “This strays away from the current case regarding Lord Racieros Commerro.”
The High Priest thumped his staff, making the brass scales ring, silencing both sides.
“Is your claim connected to the current case at hand?” The High Priest asked.
“Yes, because a sovereign of Torregorn shall not accept donations from a foreign entity. Amithrales Charter, On Succession, Section twelve. This also relates to the holy text of the Divine Decree, Decree of Authority, Section Five: Those in a position of power shall not accept any coin from any person or polity to further their interest. ” The [Lawyer] spoke with his own voice this time.
“This letter does not prove that the Shiekhdom had donated gold for my client’s ascension. It is a teleportation of funds from another land. Your letter says as such, that it is merely a transfer of funds.” Annor rebutted.
“The Guildmaster can testify to this fact. She is willing to give context to this transfer of funds.” The [Priest]-[Lawyer] employed by Dustitoz and Garrenno called upon one of the acolytes to summon one of the witnesses, but moments later the acolyte reported that the guildmaster was indisposed at this moment.
“What do you mean the Mage Guild’s master is unavailable?” Garreno demanded.
“She is currently outside of the city, my lord. Heading to the Mage’s Guild at Norerro for an emergency.” The acolyte blurted out, shaken as someone in a higher caste than him raged at him. The Guildmaster of the Mages of Ovespuerte was supposed to wait outside of the temple, within the area where witnesses wait.
“If your key witness is missing, then this trial shall be postponed until tomorrow.”
“Wait! Do you not notice the amount of [Mercenaries] that he employs? Why are there so many [Mercenaries] in the streets?”
“This question is irrelevant. My client had hired them to supplement the Household Guard’s heavy losses during the [Pirate] raid.”
Dustitoz’s question hung in the air. The [High Priest] tapped his staff on the ground, silencing him.
“Do you have any other witnesses regarding your claims about Lord Racieros Commerro’s treachery?”
Dustitoz and Garreno went silent as they realized that they had none.
“If none, will the defense have any objections to the evidence presented thus far?”
“Plenty.” Annor stated candidly. “The opposition cited the transfer of funds from the Shiekhdom of Zelewurves to the Mage Guild of Ovespuerte via teleportation. The opposition stated that the two thousand gold–now one thousand four hundred gold, was used to bribe Lord Racieros Commerro. However, the Shiekh Higzacimi Bissohaan had sent this as a gift of his coronation. May we call Aryyad Guizzimeraime, Clan Merchant of Zelewurves, to testify this fact?”
“You may proceed.”
Aryyad stood up and produced a rolled letter with a seal from a foreign land. He removed the seal and unfurled the letter, giving the seal to the [High Priest] to show that the seal was truly from the Shiekhdom of Zelewurves. He saw the symbol of the House of Clan Bissohaan within the blue wax seal: an anchor surrounded by flowers.
“I shall read the letter on behalf of my lord verbatim. Salutations, Contiearl Racieros Torresso Commerro. My greatest condolences to your father and brother’s demise in the defense of your port against sordid [Pirates]. A decade ago, I do remember sending a gift of a Potion of Vitality in his coronation as we made our first trade agreement. That potion I commissioned from my [Court Alchemist], so that your father may draw strength and health from it when needed. However, a potion is not appropriate for your situation, and hence I instructed my clan’s representative in your city, Aryyad Guizzimeraime, to oversee the delivery of two thousand gold kjadi, and provide security for your city if needed. My condolences. Signed, Higzacimi Bissohaan.”
Aryyad finished reading the letter, and sat on his seat. The truth tablet on their table glowed green too.
“With the arguments presented, let us ask the jury for their opinion of the matter.” The [High Priest] announced.
The twelve members of the jury discussed amongst themselves the matter. A conclusion has been reached a moment after. The [Priest] who was assigned to be the speaker of the jury had voiced their verdict.
“The jury favors the defender’s argument.”
The [Priest] that acts as the speaker for the jury had sat in his seat. The High Priest thumped his staff and spoke.
“We shall have a recess. Now, we shall recite the Litany of Justice…”
Then they spoke the litany in the liturgical language of their religion. Numisley and Cultrost stayed silent throughout the recitation. However, they were surprised that Aryyad, a foreigner like them, recited the litany with them.
“The trial will continue in the 10th bell of the day.”
After that, most of the people headed out of the temple into the various inns and eateries within the town. Dustitoz and Garrenno neglected to eat their lunch to approach the High Priest with a pertinent matter.
“Sacre!” Dustitoz called the High Priest in one of the hallways within the temple, “I know what you did.”
“Did what?” Sacre asked.
“You didn’t do anything,” Garrenno answered. “You assigned them your best [Lawyers], I noticed.”
“You have not paid me anything.” Sacre barked back, continuing to walk away from them.
“I–We had!” Dustitoz sputtered.
“Your carriage didn't arrive that night.” Sacre started to walk away.
“Decree-damned bullshit.”
“I’m telling the truth.”
Dustitoz turned to Garrenno to confirm this fact.
“You sent a couple of people to the temple, right? Have you heard from them?” Dustitoz asked.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t.” Garrenno realized, with a look of horror on his face.
There is only one familiar answer to this conundrum. Someone had sabotaged them.
“We can pay right now. We shall donate five hundred gold to the temple. In turn–”
“If you pay. I will not accept your bribes if you will not pay today.”
“I could put a word with the Synod of Iberreos to instate you as a Bishop of Triecanuti.”
Sacre paused for a second, before continuing to walk. He walked towards his office, but he was greeted with the sight of Aryyad, almost jumping out of the room.
“What do you want?” Sacre asked.
“I saw you talking to them.” Aryyad brazenly sat on his padded chair in the office.
“I did what you ask of me. I sabotaged the truth spells. I did not cast a [Zone of Truth].”
“I’m making sure that you will continue to do so. If you don’t–”
“I know!”
“Can you make sure that they won't get another witness?”
Sacre slowly nodded.
When the tenth bell of the day rang, one of the members of the Household Guard was heading to the temple from a tavern beside the docks. A person had told him that he could redeem the House that he served by telling the truth.
Yet as he was walking, two [Mercenaries] from one of the moored ships walked up to him and stabbed him in the gut, and threw him in the waters under the midday sun. One of them rushed to report to the one who ordered them, while Numisley watched from afar.