Chapter 780: Precedent

“The question asked at the start of this trial is a simple one: can the same laws that are applied to imperial citizens also be applied to a Demon? The answer is far more complicated. The empire already has laws regarding Demons, ranging from their apostacy and extermination to their capture and regulated containment. These laws are specific to Demons and share no commonality with the legal rights that any and every citizen of our nation holds by the will of our emperor and the scriptures of the gods. To that end, the answer would seem to be that no, a Demon cannot and should not be held to the same standards as a citizen, and therefore the laws that must be applied are necessarily separate.

“However, a new precedent has been set. The Demon known as Bonded Alex has been granted clemency by Emperor Somerulf. By his order, she is to be treated with the same respect and due process as any other citizen of our great empire would be treated. By our emperor’s word and Bonded Alex’s continued observance and obedience to the laws of the nation, the question is raised again. Can the same laws that are applied to imperial citizens also be applied to a Demon? Only, we must alter the query. The question is no longer ‘applied to a Demon,’ but is instead, ‘applied to all Demons.’ This question is pivotal to the trial that has gathered us all here today.”

The Seraphim Inquisitor Silus slowly turned on his heel, his spin encompassing the entire courtroom. As he turned, he swept his eyes over the gallery of citizens before coming to a stop so that he faced the jury box. With one hand he motioned towards Magistrate Vraekae, with the other he indicated the yellow-eyed Demon sitting quietly next to a stern-faced guard.

“Our magistrate has already ruled that we must proceed with this trial in the same manner as we would for any of you. This ruling does not mean that the final sentencing will fall under the same rule, only that we must present all evidence that we have found in our investigations to this courtroom in the manner of a typical self-defense trial. To that end, I bring a different question to your expert attention. Based on the witness testimony you heard earlier today, and the sworn affidavits of all the minor witnesses provided as evidence, as well as the physical evidence of the weapons used by those who have already been convicted of the crimes of rioting, breaking and entering, and assault, what specifically about Cobbler’s actions can we not consider self-defense?”

Silus walked closer to the seated Demon, his stern expression suiting his dark beard and gray wings. He looked like a storm cloud, an image enhanced by the way his strong voice echoed in the courtroom.

“Cobbler did not seek out a fight. Intruders entered into a space to which she belonged and attacked two individuals who are a part of her social circle, one of which is her direct blood kin. She moved to defend these individuals, physically interposing herself between the attackers and the attacked, striking them violently but without doing any great harm until her own life was put at risk by an attacker whose high Strength attribute and secondary combat class allowed him to damage Cobbler’s wooden body. She struck him with a critical blow, neutralizing the threat, but did not continue the attack against him when she could have. Karel Houben died of his wounds almost immediately, but not because Cobbler continued the attack. She stopped when he was no longer causing her harm. This is a fact supported by multiple witness testimonies. She did not attack any of the other incapacitated attackers, nor did she continue to fight once the safety of the two victims of a brutal and unprovoked assault was secured. By all accounts, these are the actions taken by one who is acting in self-defense, and in the defense of others who are in danger. By that standard, I do not believe that Cobbler’s actions meet the standards set for a charge of murder.”

As both jury and gallery of onlookers whispered their reactions to the Seraphim’s words, Jay had to wonder if Inquisitor Silus was feeling at all conflicted about the stance he was taking regarding Cobbler. He was a Child of Valtar, a servant of the God of Order, and a sworn enemy to the great adversary Samleos. Standing before one of the highest courts of the empire and taking a sympathetic stance towards a Demon had to be a surreal experience for the man.

“It is my professional opinion as a Holy Imperial Inquisitor,” Silus said as his eyes continued to pierce Cobbler, “that the defendant in this case acted in self-defense when she struck Karel Houben with a lethal blow. I know that there are some of you who may call my opinion into question. After all, Cobbler is a Demon, a member of a despised race who have since time began acted only towards the singular goal of destroying all life on Oros. Common logic would indicate that even if her actions appear to be altruistic, her motivations must be towards some evil end.”

Turning quickly on his heel, the inquisitor faced the jury, his wings spreading out behind him like a billowing cloak.

“Her motivations are not in question for this portion of the trial,” Silus spoke sharply. “Motivations are a question for sentencing. For this we must look at what action was taken, the manner in which it was taken, and what led to the action in the first place. To that purpose I must ask all of you who question my decision a question of my own. If Cobbler was an elf, would you determine them guilty of murder, or self-defense?”

The question hung heavy in the air as Inquisitor Silus continued to sweep his eyes over the jury of legal experts. Jadis also watched the men and women gathered in the jury box and noted the ones who were frowning, the ones who were nodding in agreement, and the ones who were stoically listening with impassive expressions on their faces. It was hard for her to tell the thoughts of the jury, but she thought that the fact that any of them were nodding along, even if it was only a handful, was a good sign.

Ultimately, the jury’s opinion didn’t make much difference to Jadis. They had an effect on the trial, but they weren’t the real power in the room. There was only one person whose opinion really mattered and, naturally, she was the one person whose expression was the hardest for Jadis to read.

Vraekae sat like a statue, unmoving and unreactive, her face a mask of icy calm. The crimson orb of death that hung over her shoulder like a red sun enhanced her intimidating image. If Jadis was sitting where Cobbler was, she was pretty sure she’d be feeling nervous just from looking at the magistrate. At that thought, she glanced at the Demon on trial. What she saw made Jay let out an exasperated huff of amusement.

Of course, Cobbler was staring at the inquisitor’s shoes.

“There is another question that some of you may be asking,” Silus said, breaking the silence as he walked back towards the desk he shared with the second inquisitor. “There is no need to voice it, as I have heard the same question asked of me during every investigation and trial that I have ever participated in. The answer in this particular case is, resoundingly, yes. Valtar’s guidance supports my decision.”

Jay felt a bubble of some alien emotion inside her stomachs, a satisfied sort of approval that she recognized as not coming from herself, but from elsewhere. The reminder that the gods were able to communicate with their avatars, in an admittedly limited way, sent tingles up and down Jadis’ spines. Silus had not just publicly vouched for Cobbler. Valtar had. If that didn’t convince any naysayers on the jury, Jadis didn’t know what would.

“Thank you, Inquisitor Silus,” the proctor said as he motioned towards the elf sitting next to him with one open hand. “Inquisitor Jurian, would you like to add the summary of your investigation, or do you yield the right?”

“I will speak,” the elf said as he stood from his chair.

Inquisitor Jurian’s bright appearance was a sharp contrast to his Seraphim peer. His skin was a light golden color, similar to the imperial family though not quite as rich. His hair was a bright shade of red that matched his eyes and the clothing he wore had a lot more white to it than Silus’ dark grays. Jadis wondered if he was in any way related to the emperor and his line, or if the golden skin color was just coincidence.

“I will not waste this court’s time with long speeches about precedent and questions of legal theory,” Inquisitor Jurian spoke directly to the jury, his tone far more conversational than the one that the dour Silus used. “My investigation has led to the same conclusions as my cohort. All evidence points to a case of self-defense, not murder. In this, I support all that Inquisitor Silus has said. However, there is more I feel must be said as an officer of the court and as a citizen of the empire sworn to the emperor’s service.”

Turning away from the jury, Jurian addressed Vraekae directly, something that he and the other inquisitor had rarely done during the course of the trial.

“Magistrate Vraekae, with your permission, I wish to share information I uncovered during my investigation that does not have a direct bearing on the defense or prosecution of the defendant.”

Vraekae did not bat an eye at the request, her frosty demeanor unchanged as she stared down at the fellow elf.

“Proceed.”

The inquisitor bowed towards Vraekae before turning back to the jury, only this time his gaze swept over the audience as well.

“I questioned a multitude of individuals during my investigation and a consistent pattern appeared in their testimony, one that I hope all of you have noticed by now. For all of those who participated in the riot, their testimony contends that the idea to attack the Fortune’s Favored compound did not originate from them, but from another party, a stranger, who plied them with alcohol and charming words. Now, this does not ameliorate their guilt. Inebriation is no excuse, nor is following the direction of another. Those men and women made the choice to commit an unlawful act of violence and are, in consequence, paying for their crimes. No, I do not call attention to their actions or their excuses, but instead to the individuals who put the worm in their ear.

“From the accounts provided and the documentation I have been able to recover,” Jurian held up a thick stack of papers, “I can confirm that four distinct individuals arrived in Eldingholt two weeks before the night of the riot. All four sailed into the city aboard the same passenger ship but after their arrival, none spent any time together. They purchased room and board at separate hotels, did business with entirely different merchants, and their given names and identities shared no common link beyond all four hailing from the Rubaline Dominion.

“The night of the attack, the four spent their evenings in four sperate establishments, all located on the western docks, mingling with the transient sailors who patron such businesses. After spending their time in the company of crowds of drunken sailors and dock workers, all of whom were strangers to them, the four boarded the same passenger vessel the next morning, a ship named the Blue Peony. A ship whose destination is listed as the city of Astrauskas on the far western coast of the Rubaline Dominion.”

Jadis’ frowns deepened as she listened to the inquisitor speak. The assumptions she had made regarding the involvement of the Rubaline Dominion seemed like they were coming closer and closer to being proven true. Still, she kept her mind open and her mouths shut, listening to everything the man had to say. As Jurian continued his speech, Jadis discovered that she was glad that she had shown restraint.

“The circumstantial evidence would seem to indicate that these individuals are, at a minimum, citizens of our nation’s neighbor, the Rubaline Dominion,” Inquisitor Jurian stood with his hands clasped behind his back. “This was, in fact, my assumption for the majority of my investigation. However! Last week I received a report from Inquisitor Britta, who is stationed in the port city of Glitnir.”

Walking over to his desk, Jurian picked up another, smaller stack of papers which he held up for all to see.

“This is Inquisitor Britta’s sworn affidavit confirming that the four individuals who boarded the Blue Peony in Eldingholt departed the vessel in Glitnir and, on the same day, set sail aboard the Anguilla Volante, a ship carrying a load of cargo to the Republic of Volto.”

Volto? Jadis felt the wheels turning in her head shriek as they shifted gears onto a different track. Was Volto involved in the riot? Had one of the many senators hired the Rubaline agents? Or was this evidence of cult involvement? Considering the many cultists that she herself had helped capture or kill in Thracina, the possibility of more cultists operating in Volto was strong.

“Unfortunately, pursuing the four individuals further has fallen outside my jurisdiction, both due to borders and due to the limits of this criminal investigation.”

Jurian paused briefly, his crimson eyes lingering on Jadis for a moment before he turned away and presented his documents to Magistrate Vraekae.

“I would like to take this moment to formally recommend to the court that a full investigation into the origin and involvement of the foreign agents who appear to have incited a riot in the imperial capital be undertaken, with the additional recommendation that further investigations begin immediately with the goal of rooting out any other foreign agents who may have infiltrated the city.”

Suddenly, Jadis’ desire to seek vengeance against those who had attacked her home cooled as the implications hit her. If Volto was involved, even if only through the actions of a few senators working without the knowledge of the greater senate or the people, then all the good will that her and Wilhelm’s involvement in retaking Kastoria could be at risk. While the empire had not directly helped defeat the Demons in Volto, the fact that Emperor Somerulf had sent Jadis as his representative, and had given the Hero his explicit blessing to go and aid the republic, meant that the people of Volto were not as hostile towards the empire as they had been previously. Jadis wouldn’t go so far as to say that the relationship was a positive one, but there was opportunity for peaceful negotiations and open communications. However, if Volto had launched an underhanded attack against the empire, even an event as relatively minor as the attack on the Fortune’s Favored Compound, then the dynamic would shift. Up to that point, imperial citizens had been given no reason to hate Volto; they had simply acted with impassivity to their plight thanks to Prince Hraustrekr’s attitude and policies. If Volto was seen as hostile…

“This has so many ways it could go wrong,” Dys muttered darkly as she watched Jurian place his stack of papers onto Vraekae’s outstretched hand.

“Thank you,” the magistrate said as she took the documents and added them to the rest that had piled up on her raised desk over the course of the day.

With a nod of his head, the inquisitor retook his seat next to the gray-winged Seraphim and folded his hands before him on the desk. Both inquisitors nodded towards Proctor Crestwood who, moving to the center of the open area, faced the crowd at large.

“This concludes the closing remarks of the court appointed inquisitors,” he announced with formal tones. Turning, he opened his arms towards the jury. “Does any member of the jury wish to yield his or her right to deliberate and provide legal counsel to the court?”

“No, proctor,” was the answer that came from all twenty individuals.

“Very well,” Proctor Crestwood turned this time towards the magistrate and bowed before walking off to the side.

“Court is in recess until three days from today, where it will reconvene at one bell after noon,” Vraekae announced. “At that time, I will render my verdict. Dismissed.”

With that simple statement, Magistrate Vraekae stood from her seat and walked away, exiting the courtroom through a door behind her.

“That was it?” Jay asked as the crown of onlookers stood and began making their way out of the room. “What about the jury?”

“What about them?” Severina asked as she also next to her.

“I guess… I don’t know, are they going to do anything?” Jay said as she watched the people who made up the jury exit their section of the court and join the crowd heading for the exit. “They aren’t going to be sequestered while they deliberate and discuss the case with each other?”

“No,” Sev shook her head. “They will use the time to write up their opinions on the legal proceedings and deliver them to the magistrate’s office. While they are certainly allowed to discuss the trial with each other, it is not required.”

“There’s no worries about, uh, jury interference?” Jay asked curiously. “From public opinion or something like that?”

“These are experts in the field of law,” Aila answered instead of the Seraphim. “Public opinion has nothing to do with their duties.”

“Right…” Jay drew out the word before sighing and shrugging her shoulders. “This really is a different legal system from what I’m used to.”

“And it’s also beside the point,” Dys said as she moved with Noct and Meli down their pew to reach the end of the aisle where Jay, Aila, and Severina were. “We need to have a meeting about everything we heard during this trial.”

“I have more messages I need to send,” Severina replied. “To Prince Kestil and Eadgar.”

“You might want to hold off on those until after we find out what Maeve has for us tonight,” Jay said as she put one arm around Alex to escort her out of the courtroom.

“A fair suggestion.”

“On the bright side of things,” Kerr said as she walked behind Jay and in front of Syd, “I got the feeling that Cobbler should be in the clear. Unless the ice queen decides to screw the ditzy Demon over for some bullshit reason.”

“Please, don’t tempt fate like that,” Syd said from behind the therion. “I just know D is listening.”

“Which reminds me,” Jay said as she put her free hand on Eir’s shoulder. “What do you think about performing another ritual?”

“I am at your service,” the Lustful Oracle of D bowed her head. “Whenever you need me.”