Three months since the death of Merrick:
The Master at Arms stepped out, "The Council of Los Angeles will hear the petition of King Andrew of the Kingdom of Krammer."
King Andrew and his Ambassador stepped up to the podium before the Council. The Ambassador cleared his throat, "On behalf of my King I thank the Council for their time."
"According to the treaty between Los Angeles and the Kingdom of Krammer, my King is petitioning aid in addressing grievances with Lord Walter of Scorpion Keep."
The crowd began murmuring about that.
The head of the Council pounded his hammer, "Order, we will have order or we'll clear the hall. Can you elaborate upon the nature of this grievance?"
The Ambassador looked at King Andrew and King Andrew nodded. The Ambassador swallowed and looked back at the Council. "Simply put, my King's Father was murdered by Lord Walter while he attended court in Lancaster. Worse Lord Walter has spirited away my King's son Ralph. In the interests of time and lives my King is willing to settle the matter for the return of his son."
The crowd gasped and began murmuring even louder at the accusation.
The entire Council was shocked as well and the head of it finally gaveled again, "Silence, due to the controversial nature of the accusation I will over look that outburst, but at the next one the Master at Arms will clear the hall."
The five members spoke together quietly for a moment before the head Councilman turned to regard the Ambassador. "What proof do you have of this?"
The Ambassador drew himself up, "My King has stated it. Therefore it is true."
The Councilman rolled his eyes, "If this was his Kingdom then his word can be interpreted however he wishes. But here there is a rule of law. And you must be able to show proof."
The Ambassador turned around and gestured and a third man moved up. "This is the former advisor of King Merrick who was with him on the day of his murder." The Ambassador moved to the side and the former advisor stepped up.
The Councilman stared at him for a moment and then turned his hands over shrugging his shoulders. The Ambassador whispered to the man and he nodded.
"My apology to the Council I had thought you would ask questions first. I think it is first important to point out that King Merrick had sent a messenger to Lord Walter offering to withdraw the bounty on the Bard known as Paige of the house of Dineen if they would simply return his grandson. Lord Walter responded by killing the messenger. Then Three months ago while King Merrick was attending Lancaster for tribute a bounty hunter had captured the woman who had ran off with our King's son. The bounty hunter brought her and our King's son to the court and presented them to King Merrick."
"King Merrick as was his right was going to execute the woman for kidnapping when Lord Walter murdered over forty members of his rear guard who were in Lancaster to help defend the city when they had lost a number of their army in a battle. Before anything could be done Lord Walter's hammer struck King Merrick crushing his skull and killing him instantly. He was followed by a number of his company and a large group of former members of Lancaster's army who rushed in after King Merrick was killed and they fell upon the remaining members of the rear guard killing most of them." The advisor grew quiet.
The head of the Council looked at him, "And just where was King Andrew when this happened?"
The man swallowed, "He had gone back to the East looking for the Bard. He'd been told that was where she had fled. Since the bounty hunters had no success finding her here on the west coast he believed that was true."
The five Councilmen drew back and spoke quietly with each other. Finally after several minutes they turned back. The head Councilman spoke up, "We've heard some contradicting stories about these events but in the spirit of our treaty we will assign Adjudicator Baron to the case. It will be his job to interview each member and conduct negotiations to resolve this matter.
The Ambassador stepped back up, "A point of order, I know Adjudicator Baron and he is doggedly adherent to the law and as everyone here knows, the truth is never black and white but lies somewhere in between. I do not believe he can be trusted to be impartial."
The head Councilman's eyes narrowed, "You dare insult one of our most revered Adjudicators?"
The Ambassador shook his head, "If your son was being held by someone, who would you want investigating it, a man who follows the same path as the perpetrator, or a man who walks a more neutral path?"
The Councilman shook his head, "I'd want the most qualified person. Adjudicator Baron is that person."
The Ambassador looked to King Andrew and he nodded. The Ambassador looked back to the Council, "Given no other option we accept Adjudicator Baron."
The Councilman nodded, "Adjudicator Baron will meet with you at your residence within the hour. This matter is held over pending the investigation of the Adjudicator." He struck the desk with his gavel.
King Andrew and the Ambassador withdrew taking the former advisor with them.
Adjudicator Baron reviewed the hastily transcribed notes from the council meeting as his driver took him to the residence of the Ambassador of Krammer. He puzzled over the words for some time. As the carriage he rode in came to a halt he removed his glasses and looked out the window in the door and saw the residence.
He closed up his folder after he put up his reading glasses by the time the door was opened for him. Baron slowly stood and step to the side before descending the small set of steps to the street. He looked at his driver, "Adam, I need you to take this letter to the great Mother of Hera. The Council requires her service in this matter."
Adam nodded as he took the letter, "Do you need me to wait for her or come back and get you first?"
Baron looked into the sky, "This preliminary interview isn't likely to take long so deliver the letter and tell them we will be back in say two hours to pick her up."
Adam nodded, "Of course sir. I'll be back shortly."
Baron walked towards the front door with his walking stick while carrying his briefcase. His scribe walked just a step behind him. As he reached the door he brought the stick up to knock when the door opened. "Adjudicator Baron, welcome to the residence of the Ambassador of Krammer."
Baron nodded and stepped in as the doorman stepped back allowing his entry.
"May I take your hat and walking stick?" The doorman asked politely.
Baron removed his hat with the same hand holding his stick and held them out.
The doorman took them and gestured down the hallway before turning and leading the way.
Baron was led into a plush sitting room, "The Ambassador and his majesty will join you shortly Adjudicator."
Baron nodded as he took a seat and rolled his eyes at the many animal heads adorning the walls. He opened his briefcase and brought out a quill and inkwell and set a notepad on the table and waited.
The Ambassador stepped into the room about ten minutes later, "Ah, Adjudicator Baron, it is an honor to see you again."
Baron slowly stood up and inclined his head, "Thank you Ambassador, it has been a while since last we met."
The Ambassador smiled, "His majesty will be with us shortly." He stepped up to the table and took a seat after Baron sat back down.
The door opened again as King Andrew stepped in, the Ambassador and Baron both stood. "My King, may I present the honorable Adjudicator Baron. Adjudicator, my King, his majesty Andrew of Krammer."
Baron inclined his head, "Your majesty it is an honor to meet you."
King Andrew inclined his head back, "I've heard many good things about you Adjudicator. Have you been brought up to speed on our grievance?"
Baron nodded, "I have your majesty. I have a few questions to go over with you before I begin traveling up to Scorpion Keep."
King Andrew nodded as he sat down followed by Baron and the Ambassador and finally the scribe.
The scribe quickly scribbled down the greetings and exchanges.
Baron looked around and looked at the Ambassador, "Where is this former advisor?"
The Ambassador looked at him for a moment, "I wasn't aware you needed to speak with him."
Baron nodded, "Indeed. I also require him and King Andrew to travel to Scorpion Keep as well."
The Ambassador frowned, "What purpose would that serve?"
Baron smiled slightly, "The King as petitioner has to be present during the proceedings. As a witness this former advisor must be present to answer questions from the other party. As part of jurisprudence Lord Walter has the right to face his accuser even though this is only evidentiary in nature. He and the Lady Paige have the right to pose any question they have regarding this matter and the matter of the child known as Ralph."
King Andrew scoffed, "Lady? Surely you jest, she may be married now but she is nothing more than a spoiled woman unfit of the title."
Baron drew himself up stiffly, "Your majesty, while in your own lands, such as this residence, you are free to speak as you wish. But I caution you. Once you leave this residence and especially when we reach Scorpion Keep I recommend you keep a civil tongue regarding the Lord and Lady. The Council will not be embarrassed by such manners as it has treaty with the Lord as well. Nor will the Lord look kindly upon it. And I can assure you, since he is not one of your subjects, if he decides to take action against you for such behavior I will not intervene. This is not negotiable. Do you understand and agree?"
The Ambassador saw Andrew's face and he looked at Baron, "You will not address my King in such a manor Adjudicator."
Baron looked at him, "Ambassador, I have not spoken out of protocol. If this is a problem then you are free to conduct your own negotiations with Lord Walter and the Lady Paige."
The Ambassador looked to King Andrew and Andrew nodded. "We will stipulate to these conditions. But we require a company of troops to escort our King to this Scorpion Keep."
Baron looked at him, "You may have them escort you with no issue. However, once we reach the bridge to the town outside of his Keep it is up to the Lord if they may enter past the bridge. Since they are not required to reach the truth of the matter I can not insist that they be granted entrance."
"Who is going to safeguard the life of my King then? Lord Walter has already murdered his father." The Ambassador demanded.
Baron folded his hands on top of his notepad, "My dear Ambassador. If you understood who we are going to speak with, as a Paladin and a Paladin of the wise Lady, Lord Walter will take this matter seriously. He himself will safeguard all members of the proceedings, as long as everyone minds the protocols."
"Well then we should conduct the proceedings where my King's men can safeguard him." The Ambassador told him.
Baron smiled, "You think the Lord would agree to that? Since the King's father lured Lord Beyon out from his lands under the pretense of conducting a treaty and then attacked him and his men? Slaughtering nearly one hundred well trained members of Lord Beyon's army?"
"How dare you," King Andrew exclaimed.
Baron looked sharply at Andrew, "The matter is well documented your majesty. If you choose not to believe it that is your business. But I know the people involved in Lord Beyon's city and I trust the reports."
"Fine," the Ambassador finally agreed.
"I do have a few questions for King Andrew before we depart this day. In this transcript from your meeting with the council you state that you left to go back east looking for the Bard Paige. Is that a true statement?" Baron looked across the table at Andrew.
King Andrew nodded his head.
Baron looked at his papers, "I see. So where were you from just after your Father's Ambassador in San Francisco wrote to your Father about the birth of your son to when your Father issued a bounty on Paige the Bard for your murder?"
"I don't understand the question," King Andrew tried to look bored.
Baron looked up as he held up writing, "Your Majesty, things will go much smoother if you will just answer the questions without delaying your responses by claiming some kind of hearing difficulty or not understanding the words. Where were you, following your Father's Ambassador in San Francisco writing to tell your Father of the birth of your son and your Father setting a bounty on Paige the Bard for your murder?"
"I had taken a position on an adventure," King Andrew told him as he drew himself up.
Baron nodded as he and the Scribe wrote it down. "I see. So if your Father was after Paige the Bard for kidnapping, why issue a bounty for your murder?"
King Andrew spoke with the Ambassador for a moment, "He felt the more serious charge would elicit a better response from the bounty hunters."
Baron stared at him for a minute, "So somehow a murder charge would elicit a better response than the fifty thousand gold sovereigns he listed as a reward. A sum almost three times more than any other murder bounty, even for a noble."
"Was there a question in there Baron?" The Ambassador interceded.
Baron looked over, "Merely my thought process I wanted my Scribe to record. Who hired you for this adventure? And when did you return from it?"
"I don't recall the man's name. Considering he was killed on the adventure and I had to find my own way home. It was about three months after I left." King Andrew told him.
Baron looked up over his glasses, "Indeed. And where did you return home too?"
"My home in Hesperia," King Andrew told him.
"Odd, why would you go back to someplace you ran away from with Paige and where you didn't even have a home anymore?" Baron asked looking over his glasses.
The Ambassador got upset, "Are you insinuating my King is lying?"
Baron looked over at him, "Hardly. You have petitioned us to address these grievances. I am trying to anticipate any questions that the Lord and Lady may bring up so I know how to conduct the process. What is your answer?"
"The truth is I had suffered head trauma and had forgotten the last couple of years prior to that." King Andrew smiled.
Baron drew in a deep breath, "So after forgetting the last two years you therefore returned home to an old home. And the fact that your home was no longer your home didn't cause you to go home to your Father?"
"No because at that time my Father and I were not speaking to each other," King Andrew told him.
Baron nodded, "And did you find a new place in Hesperia to live?"
"No, I hired myself out on another adventure because I didn't have much money." King Andrew told him.
Baron nodded, "Can we get the former advisor down here? I'd like to get these questions over so we can begin our journey. Since you want your men to escort the King it will take my carriage nine days to journey from here to the Keep. When I leave here I'll meet you there then or shortly after, agreed?"
The Ambassador nodded as he rung a small bell and ordered the servant to get the former advisor.
Greetings! Hope you are all doing well!
Lucy - Thank you for your suggestion! Last night I thought of a great title using Nuisance and then sleep stole it away. *bah*
To the Adventure! -Tim