THE EMPRESS’ TRIAL

[Anderssn 1115]

 

THE EMPRESS’ TRIAL

 

The melancholic birds of war tweeted mercilessly that night, their serenic noises piercing through the still cold-air of the Haeseni borders; despite this, their sound was soon drowned out by the rough stampeding of hoof against cobble. A horde of horsemen barged down the road leading up to New Reza, surrounding their target - the daughter of Peter III, Lorena Antonia.

 

The rest was customary, as any capture went, she was brought back to the Province of Rubern to be held there until the soldiers awaited further news. The soldiers had sent birds to the Orenian diplomats to barter a ransom, or trade for the prisoner; this was to no avail for they ignored such offers - perhaps the Emperor did not care for his own blood? He cared not for his people, so it was at least believable.

 

However, news had quickly reached a kinder and more considerate soul in the Empress - she mourned at first, mourned the capture of her daughter fearing that her own child's life shall be taken during her adolescence. Seized by the negligence of her compatriots, Empress Lorena discerned that there was no other course of action. She bounded out of the palace doors wrapped in the veil of disguise and made way in haste towards Rubern, where her daughter was held captive.

 

Upon her arrival, she was quickly greeted by the dozens of Ruberni retainers, ushering her in to the palace with little delay. Beyond that, a deal was eventually reached where she shall exchange herself for her daughters freedom, hesitation a truant of her face - her daughter was then promptly escorted back to the safety of Helena.

 

Following her daughter’s exit, Lorena perched herself below a tree, breaths weary and ragged as she looked out to the assembled ruberni horde. Her mind was working in gears, transfixed between various ideas, doubts and a single realization- the realization that for the first time in over two decades, she suddenly felt fear.

 

---

The bells toll and criers fan out about the AIS territories, making sure all in presence hear of the trial that shall take place within the confines of Rubern upon the coming saints months, all are welcome to witness such an affair that shall be centered within the grandiose palace of the province.

 

It is then explained that all signatories of the AIS are encouraged to attend and act as judges, for the AIS is an entity of many - not one; as such they should all receive say in such a trial!

 

---

 

PLACE: The Rubern Palace [-200, -1700]

TIME: 4pm EST, (9pm GMT)

DATE: 23rd November, Saturday. 

Note: This is a serious RP event, so troll RP is not welcome and shall be dealt with by moderators!

[Treshure 5817]

Balthazar slams his fist on a tavern table within Helena, having spoken to the Princess and her mother not two Saint’s days ago. “These savages stole her with impunity, and now hold her for the accounts of marriage! They will die for this!”

[Salvo 1852]

Salbo readies the defenses alongside his compatriots.

 

“No, Joah, you can’t /eat/ the Empress.”

[ferdaboy 3472]

Titus sighs.

[TH3GHOSTWAFFL3 489]

‘Hmph, I wonder what the charges will be. Oh, yes – of course, it doesn’t matter. We all know how this ‘trial’ will end – with a death.’ Dietrich says, troubled.

[Stump 709]

A plain girl wandered the quiet halls of her lavish home fretfully- dipping around marble columns, and peeking through doorways that refused to become occupied no matter how many times she’d checked. She’d had a day. In spite of her own exhaustion, she awaited the return of none other than her Mother. Mother was only getting to play dice afterall, or so that’s what the men she’d been outside with claimed; and while the girl didn’t know much of how dice worked she figured that most games ended when you were bored with it.

Did Mother really enjoy dice? The girl remembered last week when she herself tried to continue another of her make believe games past bed time, and had to be ushered to sleep. Perhaps it was that, Mother was only staying up late. That was all right, for she would stay up as well and be there when Mother was done.

 

The child’s padding feet were interrupted by bootfalls, as several serving folk crept out to fetch her. She fought against them of course, wailing and constructing half-baked cases for why she had to stay up.

Inevitably she was hauled into her chamber, tucked tightly into bed, and left to weep her tired eyes to rest.
When dawn arrived casting amber light through the window, Lorena Antonia wrestled out of her covers and sat up to find no one had come to inform her that it was time to break fast.

”Mother?”

[MunaZaldrizoti 8037]

Anna Maria would sit beside her fever-ridden father, her younger sister Louisa informing her of the Empress’ capture. Her father groaned in his dazed sleep as her grip tightened upon his hand.