CopOwl

From above, Adele Emma Ludovar smiles gently...

Folly of a Performer Memories of the first Countess of Otistadt "We Come as Crows” “Ist vyr papej planning for vy to debut as vell?” Asked Theodosya Cecilya as she sat with the young Adele Emma Ludovar during the aftermath of The Snowflake Ball which the girl had organised. “Uhm…” The nervous girl started, “Ea believe so… Since Ami and ea are both his first born daughters. Though, ea think Amicia is already betrothed. So yam niet sure what it would achieve..” She mumbled, a hint of grumpiness in her voice. “But nie one is interested in me anyway. Yam too quiet, ea suppose…” Theo glanced to the girl, faint concern washing her face before she added, “Zome people like zhe quiet - it is niet alvays about.. Being zhe loudest or… Most social.” The young Ludovar wished the sleeves of her light blue ballgown were longer so that she may hold them, as she always did, to keep herself calm and give her something to fidget with while uncomfortable - as was her tendency during her first couple years entering court life. “Ea do work…” She murmured, “But ea don’t think yam the sort of person a nice boy would want to marry.” She grimaced, not entirely convinced of having to marry later in life. “Ea don’t think ea want to leave home anyway…” “And ea think mea papej needs someone to be home with him.” Theodosya’s brows furrowed in thought at that, then asking: “Vhat makes vy say zhat about Johann?” “Well… He broke up with Vasilia because of us.” Adele swallowed nervously, “And he’s always saying that we’re the most important things to him. So… Ea feel like one of us should stay at home to be with him.” “Ea know…” Theodosya crooned, gently patting Adele’s head and wearing a troubled smile. “Johann… Still loves Vasilia. He vas just… Vorried about vy two when the three of vy went to Oren vithout telling him. It ist… A whole debaucle.” The woman frowned, “But vy are still young, vy do niet have to worry about getting married yet at all.” Adele sighed to herself, before leaning her head against Theo’s shoulder. “Ea know that if yam going to live well, then ea either have to decide niet to marry and face the… Rumours, or ea need to work and-” In her rambling, the young Ludovar had not noticed someone creeping up on them. Thus, when Ser August leaned down, Adele jumped off the Mondblume and shrieked in fright - triggering Theo to send her fiancé a death glare. Adele stood, alone, at the Sedanian Admirer's Masqerade. The dulcet tones of the music filled the air as dozens of couples danced on the makeshift dancefloor. One of those couples included her sister and her betrothed. Who could live up to becoming a Princess? It sounds like a fairytale. The eldest daughter of the Baron was to be married to a foreign prince! And the younger twin sister? Strewn aside to be picked up by whoever would settle for the younger, far more shy sister. Amicia's raven black hair stood out to all who met her. She looked like her father. And like his father. And like the rest of the family. And she? She had scraggly blonde hair. She looked like more of a Barclay than Ludovar. And everyone said that she looked like her mother. Her mother, who Johann supposedly hated. Her mother, who Johann was rumoured to have killed. Sometimes Adele wondered whether she was adopted. Whether the terrible stories that their father told her of Anya were fake and that really she had been adopted and thus unworthy of her position and status the entire time. Her mask slipped, obscuring her vision and it was gone in a ripple of the water slipping down her reddened cheeks. Amicia sighed, shaking her head. “Adele. Who would send mea chocolates?” She asked, as Adele held a box of Juliyafest chocolates the two had been sent in her grasp. “Ea do niet have someone who adores mea like vy do.” Her twin added, then briskly walking away to join another group of young minglers before the gobsmacked girl could respond. Adele was stung, watching her sister beeline her way away. Deflated entirely from her initial excitement about the prospect of their secret admirer, she huffed to herself and hopped up from the chair the twins had been sat in and continued off swiftly, trying to get as far from Amicia in that moment as she could. She got caught in the throng of people, grateful to have lost sight of Amicia in that brief moment of spite towards her sister; her own older twin. And who was she to sound as though she was jealous. Of her? What did she have to be jealous of? Adele’s stomach turned as she watched poor Matyas bleed from the nose upon the ballroom floor. The Baruch that had headbutted the young man had retreated from the room - flanked by several knights and the Queen herself - though what really irked her was that thing attached to him. Whoever she was - Kaustantin Baruch’s daughter, Fenika - Adele didn’t like her. The girl clung to Matyas like a leech and ever so occasionally she would open her mouth and screech like an inbred mongrel. Adele could only stand still as a statue, ever so often making brief, worried inquiries, as she watched the chaos ensue around her. She blinked, and the scene was completely different. Matyas glanced around the bustling ballroom, asking, “So, uh, what’s happening now-?” And everyone replied at once. “Ye need to sit Matty.” Instructed Fenika, sing-songlike, before Elizaveta added, “Yam waiting for a spasibo.” And finally Adele found her lips moving to echo the previous words of Klara as she left: “Prinzenas Klara told vy to rest.” And as she watched the pair rise from the floor, her breath hitched when the girl - who couldn’t be much older than her - tightly grasped Matyas’s hand and held it close to her chest. “Come, ye need to si’.” She told him and he obliged, following her to a chair in the corner. But Adele’s heart nearly stopped when, after standing stocky still in shock as chaos continued around them, the elderly Kaustantin Baruch approached the pair of Fenika and Matyas (a good-looking couple, she couldn’t deny). He spoke. “Ea’m sorry for hitting vy, but if vy make mea daughter cry again-” But he got interrupted by his minx of a daughter. “Papej… Please dinnae hit my man- ah’ mean… Matty again.” “Aleksey… prefers researching birds and wants to focus on that during his life much more… Than he wants to manage the family.” Johann finished, then cautiously scanning his daughter for her reaction. Meanwhile, Adele blinked as her mind filled with concern. “Oh.” She murmured as her face contorted between shock, worry and then … Regret. “Then- what will vy do?” She asked worriedly, “What will happen to us…?” Johann took a deep breath as he listened to her, “Well… Ea could force him to take the role… But… Ea do niet want to.” He stated, the air between the two growing thick and tense as he continued. “Ea suffered greatly because of this position that landed on me just because of the time and the parents ea was born to. All ea wish for the three of vy is happiness and if that is what brings him pleasure then so be it.” “But,” He glanced up a bit to meet her eyes. “Someone will still take the title… And none of us want it to be Josef.” He joked to clear the air. Unbeknownst to Johann, his brother would die of wounds sustained from his Knight’s Quest in the Hospital of St. Amyas less than a month later and he would soon regret his words. However, Adele’s brows furrowed for a moment. “But… Amicia will be the Prinzenas of Sedan, so she can’t-” And suddenly she paled as it dawned on her, and all those suggestions and predictions from her friends seemed to be coming true. “But- vy can’t-” She stuttered as her eyes widened, “It’s niet- d-don’t vy need the Koeng’s p-permission??” A small uncontrollable grin grew on Johann’s face as he watched her reaction. “Da. Well, ea do.” He stated, “He agreed.” It was as though time was slowing in that moment. Even though she was full of nerves and her heart beat with a quickening pace inside her chest, as she looked around the dim yet warmly lit Von Audrick home she finally knew that this was Peace. Her mother stood hugging Christopher tightly as he arrived, dinner was ready, and over there was Matyas. Their happy banter earlier had cheered her, even if his teasing had agitated her so. But he helped Adelaide with the food, and her mother was pregnant again with her final sibling. What bliss. And then… That which sealed her fate: Matyas whispered to her. “So uh…” He looked to her with vague suspicion. “This is… Vyr friends-?” It was later. ‘Adele. We need to talk. - Matyas’ These were the only words on the note that would later ruin her marriage. This was all he had thought to say. “What’s the problem??” She asked him in concern as he tightly hugged her, and tears spilled from his reddened eyes. “Ea don’t believe et…” Murmured Maric Ruthern from a distance off as he watched the exchange between the betrothed pair. “Yam so, so sorry.” Matyas blubbered, his voice soft and quiet because of his sobbing. “This es an act, Adele.” Chimed Maric, “Do niet fall for et.” Adele pulled back from the hug, cupping Matyas’s cheek worriedly as she looked at him. While her eyes momentarily flicked to Maric, they landed back on her fiancé as she spoke. “What’s wrong???” “Da- Tell her.” “Ea, ea…” He stuttered between sobs, clearly frantic as he tried worthlessly to wipe his eyes with his sleeve. “Ea went to Vidaus to congratulate Lucien and Stefaniya after ea left Adelaide’s…” He trailed off some, pausing as his sobbing became uncontrollable and increased in volume. “And ea… Ea had some wine, and… Ea danced with Angelika, and…” He continued on, but his words became incoherent and muddled. Eventually, Maric ran out of patience and chimed in. “Ea found them together in her bedroom.” Her hands shook uncontrollably as she removed them from his cheeks, her eyes filled with what could only be described as shock and horror. And under the surface, something she didn’t name… Regret. Her pale face stared into his cloudy, tearful blue eyes. Her hands were cold. Her head felt foggy as her stomach turned under her silk-laden gown of intricate embroidery and the red fabric symbolising their passion. “He’s just… Stubborn, and he thinks he knows best.” Adele grumbled, pursing her lips as he began to chuckle. “... That doesn’t mean it’s niet mea fault. He would niet have-” Suddenly he cut himself soberly off at the notion, glancing off into the distance and only uttering a: “Szam.” Meanwhile, Adele had begun to trace the woodwork an line pattern of the table. They pair sat outside in the Palace gardens, the wind occasionally whipping through the trees above them. She bit her lip as she began to speak, “Matyas…” She mumbled, “... Why did vy do it - ?” “Yam hurt everywhere, Adele…” He pushed himself to sit upright, his eyes staring into hers as his hand sat slightly retracted from her. “Ea mean, what am ea supposed to do? Ea never … had anyone to be there for me, nie one that really cared for me. Ea have always felt like … Ea just existed, but never lived.” He then crossed his arms over his chest, “Ea don’t know. Vy managed, somehow, to become someone to me and for the first time ea finally felt like ea had someone who cared … And then, ea do niet know what happened from there … Maybe ea panicked? Ea … Ea have never been able to figure out how ea feel about anything.” Adele seemed to be shrinking down with each of his words. “Ea believed vy when vy said vy needed to help vyr aedypapej with something. S-so imagine mea surprise when ea heard what ea heard, and ea saw what ea saw.” She swallowed as she stared down at the ornately made-up spruce table, bearing a hole into it with her fiery eyes. “And vy told me it was because ea lied to vy about mea mamej, when if she was discovered they could kill her- or mea papej could- h-he’d panic. And then vy lied to me about where vy were going, and vy went to Vidaus and slept with another woman. C-can vy niet see- why … Ea think there might be more to this?” She asked in pleading, looking up and allowing her eyes to bear into his. “A-a-and how hypocritical that was. And why ea could feel like vy thought there was something wrong with me, to trigger t-that behaviour … ?” Horses’ hooves clattered along the cobbled road from Karosgrad that night. The Ludovar twins had visited the Palace after their father’s last episode, in order to attend the reading of King Sigismund’s will. Adele clutched in her hand the watch which the late-King had left for Johann, yet it was meant for her. Even as Adele and Amicia rushed up the stairs, they passed Johanna waiting patiently outside the Count’s door. Servants had been instructed to place him and care for him inside his bedroom, and they prayed for his recovery, yet in her heart she knew. “We’re back.” She breathed, breathless from the fast riding. Meanwhile, Amicia clambered onto his bed and clasped his hand like the twins did when they were small children. “Hello, papej…” She huffed for air, “Adele and ea came as soon as we could…” The twins seemed to have swapped roles; with Adele playing the part of the older sibling and standing beside Johann’s bed holding his hand, while Amicia laid beside him as they did when they were children. Adele reached down into her pocket, grasping his weak hand and placing the clock from Sigismund in his palm as tears spilled down her red cheeks. “H-he left vy this …” She whispered, and Johann chuckled. “Hmmm … Niet a sword.” He mumbled weakly, “Ea will scold him for that in the heavens.” She welled up at those words, shaking her head in tearful protest. “N-nie, papej … Please …” She whispered, “V-vy’re niet- vy can’t… Yam niet- e-ea still don’t feel …” And then the Count spoke his final words; and then Adele was broken in two. “Let me … Go with a quill .. In hand … Please … Ea want to die with mea weapon. Like Papej …” A loud sorrowful cry sounded the bell signalling the passing of the Count, and it was clear that Johann Fredrick Ludovar was dead. So much work would go on in the forthcoming months, as Adele planned Johann’s funeral and sorted through his affairs; through everything he left her, and everything he never told her. This was the beginning: that devil that would follow her forever. And yet there was more work to be done. “Da, ea have … L-letters to send.” Whispered Adele from within the Hospital of St. Amyas. Her dearest, brave cousin lay still on the bed in the cubicle. He was dead. He had been discovered - murdered - in his home, and was dead hours before anyone found him. Theodosya looked to the Countess with sympathy, “... Take care, mm? Ich am sure Conrad will deal with it.” The Surgeon General glanced a final time to the Ludovar’s body before exhaling. “The body will be ready soon enough, do niet worry. Focus on durself and dur family, love.” Adele was still, glancing down momentarily at her hands before she next spoke. “Ea have to make sure that Sibylla and their children with be alright. Spasiba for vyr work, Theo … Uhm … E-ea have writing to do, as vy can see.” Theodosya silently nodded, wheeling out the body to take it to the morgue for funeral preparations. Adele watched her go, resigning herself to leave. As she turned around she jumped at the voice of Godric Colborn. “Evenin’ Adele … Apologies for eymr loss.” “Ah - Prevja, Lord Colborn.” She murmured, attempting to put on a brave face for the dire circumstances at play. “Oh … Spasiba.” She grimaced. “Truly a tragedy.” Unbeknownst to the pair of them, it would be mere months before the Colborn Lord would be honourably killed in battle while protecting a child in the Royal City’s fraught streets. Whenever Adele thought back on their last conversation, she wished she had lingered longer … Said more. On a chilly winter’s day in the Ricksburg Keep of the Otistadt tundra, two indomitable wills came to blows. The Countess of Otistadt sat, employing every technique she could, stirring the chocolate-coloured liquid in her teacup as she stared at her cousin, Ilya Ludovar. Beside him sat his fiancée, an inexpensive ring carved out of wood rested on the common woman’s finger, as Ilya spoke. “It’s Zemzy, or nie one.” Instructed the younger man, sending a look to Adele; a Challenge. Her eyes narrowed at this, just as the commoner’s face lit up at the proclamation of love. “Then yam szam to the Firress,” Murmured Adele, accepting the challenge. She turned away from them in order to begin collecting each teacup back onto the tea tray. “As it’s nie one, then.” She finished coldly, standing up and gripping the edges of the tray. “Ea believe we’re done here then, Ilya?” She smiled, intent on irritating the man. Instead, he shrugged and got to his feet with a sigh. “Though ea shall have to disagree with one thing,” He slowly turned, almost fearfully, towards the unsurmountable will of the Countess herself, “Ea’ll have mea things packed by next month.” He finished, to which she stared at him intently, barely moving a muscle. “Ea hope vy have a nice holiday.” She spoke chillingly, “And when vy come back, traitor to House and family, ea will laugh.” She paused for barely a moment, although thousands of things ran through her mind in that breathless second until she spoke once more. “Both our papejs would be disappointed.” Only at this point did she lift the tray from the table, her final show of power and influence as she issued the pair with, “Vy may go.” In dismissal. As her cousin and his soon-to-be wife walked away, she called after them one last time. “Throw away everything our papejs worked so hard to provide for vy. Think about that.” And yet it wasn’t him she was trying to tell. Adele took a seat within the confines of her warm bedroom in Ricksburg, admiring the two paintings depicting her four children as her youngest, Rickard, peered up at them; One of a 3-year old Rickard, and the opposite of a 4-year old Valeriya, 6-year old Tatyana, and 7-year old Emma. She looks to her son with a smile. “See? Aren’t vy sweet?” The boy approached his portrait with a shocked face. “Wow … Yam so handsome.” He remarked, bearing a small smile soon wiped off his face as he spun around to spy the painting of his sisters. “Val!” He exclaimed, and it was quite clear to his Mother that he was unhappy at the sight of her. “Ea do niet like Valeriya anymore.” He huffed, crossing his arms. Adele sighed gently, going to pat the space beside her for him to sit. “She’s vyr sestra - why don’t vy like her?” She asks, tilting her head curiously. Rickard pouted, “She said ea reeked and Lily said that means yam very stinky.” He complained, as though he was disgusted with his older sister’s behaviour - he was. “Have vy tried bathing?” The Mother questioned patiently, “Vy are perfectly clean, mea son, but maybe she thinks vy don’t smell very nice.” “Because she is so stinky she only smells her stink and thinks it’s me!” The young child spoke with a grin, to which Adele rolled her eyes. “Neither of vy are stinky, vy’re both lashing out.” Rickard mumbled under his breath in protest. “Ricky, vy have to look after vyr sestras,” She told him gently, “Vy might be younger, but vy have to look out for them as their borsa.” “But whyyyy?” The boy chimed out in protest, “When yam niet there, vy’re the one who can protect them from bad people. Do vy understand? Vyr job as a borsa is to look out for vyr sestras and make sure they are niet in any trouble - especially with boys. Promise me vy will.” She stared intently at him, clearing asking him to make a very serious vow. “Ea will, Mamej.” He responded with a nod to his Mother. “Ea promise.” Adele sat calmly at her desk, counting coins. She sat alone, a single shaft of moonlight illuminating her monetary reports and shining upon each silver coin. Her eyes squinted in the dimness, whispering hushed numbers under her breath with each gesturing of her hands to count her coins into piles. Very often did she sit alone at her desk late into the night, filing papers, or writing the House accounts. “450, 460, 470, 475, 480, 490, 500 …” Her voice trailed off all of a sudden. Her eyes widened for moment as she tiredly completed the mathematical equations in her head. “5- 5000 …” She whispered in shock. “I-it’s-! 5000! Ea made it!” Tears welled in her dull green eyes. “Ea made it to 5000.” She sniffs, a hand reaching up to cover her mouth with joy. “We made it back to 5000, ea can support her …” The realisation dawned in her mind that her daughter, Emma, would have sufficient funds to support her enterprises during her tenure. After spending heaps of her Father’s savings early on in construction costs to their new home, Ricksburg, she had so often been wracked with worry that she would never make that money back. That Emma would be limited in her opportunities due to her own frivolous spending. She hated that idea. And yet, now she didn’t have to worry. No matter what happened to her, whether she died tomorrow, her successor would inherit plenty of money with which to support the coming generation. What peace of mind. Adele stood before her daughter - all dressed up in the attire that Adele had lovingly made her just for the occasion - as Emma started to cry. The background noises of the ongoing dual-Hauchmetvas emanated from within the Morrivi Palace while Countess Ludovar and her Heiress stood outside, away from the music and the dancing, backlit by golden light. “How could vy!” Cried the young Ludovar as tears rolled down her face. “Ea love him!” Such a proclamation shook Adele, reminding her of her own exclamation to her father at a similar age, and she dropped the act. “Wh-what? Emma- nie.” Spluttered the Countess, at which Emma continued. “But ea do, mamej!” She insisted, shaking her head. “He is kind and he cares about me!” “Nie-” Adele shook her head, silently cursing herself for her juvenile self’s headstrong demeanor, now reflected back at her. “Emma, nie. He might say that he cares about vy, but he does niet love vy. There are mch better choices, dear–” “He does!” She exclaimed once more, cutting off her mother as tears continued to flow. “He is the only one who has paid any attention to me! He is handsome, kind, and funny. And ea do niet care about status. Ea care about him!” The young Baroness insisted, causing Adele to to quietly sigh. “Ea know how vy feel, daughter of mine, ea truly do.” She reflected on her disobedience as a young adolescent with a sad sigh. “But he does niet love vy - he courts several girls at once, ea know what men like him are after.” She frowned pointedly, “He only wants vy for vyr looks, mea dear, when vy and ea both know there is so much more to vy than that.” “Vy are lying!” Emma shook her head, storming off towards the edge of the balcony the mother-daughter pair stood on. “Emma –” Adele called after her, trailing behind as she steeled herself for what she knew she must do. “Vy will understand,” She murmured remorsefully, strengthening herself to speak with concrete firmness. “Emma, vy are niet to associate with that boy anymore – he has agreed. There will be others, dearest, ea promise. Ea will simply betroth vy to a boy who canniet hurt vy.” “Vy wouldn’t!” “Ea can and ea will, if vy do niet stop this right now.” She returned harshly, staring right back at her daughter. “Emma, please, vyr papej is sick.” She began with a pleading expression. “Just agree, and he and ea can rest much easier. He wants to walk vy down the aisle with confidence,” She murmured exhaustively, “Niet worry.” “Ea love him, mamej …” Murmured the young woman. “Vy do niet love him, Girl!” Adele snapped, “It is vyr mind playing tricks on vy.” Emma paused for but a moment at this outburst before replying, very quietly. “Is that what Hauchpapej told vy when vy wanted to marry papej … ?” These words stirred Adele. “Nie.” She returned, face becoming void of all emotion and being replaced with only determination. “He said ea would thank him later.” Adele stood beside the crackling fire and flickering flames of the fireplace within the apartment designated to House Ludovar in the Morrivi Palace. Her brows creased as she stared intently at the young man before her. The nervous Samuel Vuiller stood firmly, though offering her a smile as they conclude their meeting. This was not an affable smile or a warm smile, but one belonging to a caring and devoted son. The Vuiller gave a deep bow. “By the name of Vuiller, of my Father, and my Grandfather, and St. Herald, and the trusted Eagle that protects us, by my Word … I will protect Lady Emma till my last breath.” He swore such words to Adele, a confidence and firmness to his gaze as he stared into the Matriarch’s eyes. His words of devotion appeared to meet Adele, who smiled gratefully and reached out to shake his hand. “Spasiba - then we have a deal.” She agreed, nodding her head in satisfaction. Samuel nodded his head as their hands shook, his own final experiences with his Grandfather’s last day echoing in his mind upon sensing the worry that came with the touch of Adele’s hand. The young man’s smile never waned, but his brows lowered in a sense of honour and pity for the aging Mother. “Ai, we have a promise.” He issued, then hesitating for the first moment. “I apologise - I don’t deal those I love, I put not price on them … So I promise with no price. It’s just how I do things.” He explained to the Countess nervously, to which she frowned momentarily before nodding her head sagely. “An admirable quality, for sure.” As Adele crouched beside her bleeding, dying husband, tears slipping down her wrinkled and reddened cheeks, she was hit by an electrifying lightning bolt of realisation. The Countess sobbed, clutching at her husband’s weak and bloodied hand. “Matyas please …” She whispered pleadingly. Despite her desperate pleas, the Count’s eyes drooped and closed while his pained breaths began to slow; clearly dying, unable to even speak. Meanwhile, their eldest daughter’s cracked lips were covered in a combination of Matyas’s blood, and her own tears as she crouched beside his body alike her mother. “Papej …” The daughter whispered desperately, her pristine white wedding dress being stained bright red by the spilled blood of her dying father. The dying man’s weak lips breathed his last words to his daughter; the Bride. “Congra … Tu …” But he would never complete his felicitations as his heart stops beating - giving in. A piece of Adele broke that day - finally giving in. The constant in her life since taking over her Father’s House and Office was dead at last. But worse than that: a realisation cleft within her. An unspoken goal to surpass or at least match her Father’s notoriety and goodness. And yet … As she knelt there, clutching at her dying husband’s bloody hand, she realised that she would never be a great as her Father. No matter how hard she tried. He was a friend to all. A stern yet warm man, loving yet damaged, and hardworking yet he always had time for his daughters. She was like Johann but lesser, no one could live up to him. He was too … Perfect. He’d have hated to know she thought that, this she knew, yet she couldn’t deny it. She had hoped to capitalise on her Father’s goodness and improve upon it, but no woman could be friends with everyone or improve everyone around her in the way that Johann the First could. This knowledge hit her like a ton of terracotta, throwing her into the depths of despair in conjunction with the loss of her most beloved husband. Adele drafted up the missive of her abdication that night. The Lady Justiciar’s mourning attire hung loosely around her form while the ebony-inlaid kokoshnik sat atop her head. It had already been months since Matyas passed, yet she couldn’t bear to be without her dark attire marking her as a widow. No longer a Countess, but still anchored by the Judicial responsibility, Adele found herself once more in her classroom next to the courtroom. Her heart beat thunderously in her chest as her breath quickened and her eyes remained wide. A fireball flew furiously across the room, sending violent spatters of sparks and hissing noises outwards. Expelled from the hand of an attacker, the fireball spiralled and twirled towards the Justiciar’s student, Godferik Barrow, whose leg was being held strongly in place by a secondary - blood cloaked - attacker. Adele cursed under her breath, diving - even in her advanced age - below one of the desks to avoid the wrath of the being’s magicks. She sweat at the horrific sounds of the young man being burnt alive. A rancid smell of burnt flesh and hair suddenly filled the small room as Adele began to crawl in terror to the cover of the next desk. Despite her best efforts, the pair of infiltrators quickly stamped their ways over to where she was hiding. The red-cloaked being roughly grabbed her arm and dragged the aged woman up from the floor. “Going somewhere?” Asked the hollow, empty voice. Terror filled the aging woman, yet she no longer had it in her to act afraid of death. “Da.” She hissed in response, voice full of disgust for the creature as she stared into its hollow visage. “Yam trying to go home if vy could release me.” Her voice dripped with ire as news of the birth of her first Grandchild had recently been received by the Lady Justiciar, and Emma had subsequently fallen sick following the delivery. “Mea daughter is ill.” At such words, the being released her immediately from its grasp and her eyes widened. “Let’s go.” Emanated its harsh voice. Both beings seemed to have been affected by her words, for the red glow from each of their eyes twitched and faded out at which point they left as swiftly as they had arrived. Adele breathed what felt like her first breath as the door closed and she stepped back in shock. She had been so very close to death, and yet … She no longer felt afraid. Without her Matyas, without being needed to provided for her Family, there was nothing fuelling her on. Nothing to live for. Blood stained her mourning attire as she made her way home to care for her daughter. Adele, now widowed, knocked on her twin sister’s door to wake her. Amicia had arrived from Sedan the day before, though the Princess-Dowager had only been able to spend a brief moment with the Lady Justiciar before the younger twin had needed to retire to her study again. “I am ever so glad you have found some time to yourself.” Amicia had said, grasping Adele’s hand in hers with a warm smile. Over her time in Sedan, she had slowly lost her Raevir accent; just one of many differences between the twins, but they had both changed over the years. Adele frowned and sighed impatiently, knocking again. They had once been each others’ closest confidants, but Amicia lived on the other side of the continent with her husband and family, and Adele had remained in Haense after their father died to care for his estate with her husband and family. They had been divided by Johann’s death, and now brought together by the simultaneous losses of their husbands. Adele had crossed the courtyard that morning to the de Joannes family suite, shivering from the cold, to invite her sister to share tea and go for a walk together in the frigid Otistadt snows. “Amicia?” She called, cross at being ignored. “Are vy still asleep?” Eventually she lost her patience and pushed the door open. “Yam vyr twin, there’s niething ea haven’t seen befo–” But what she found indoors was not her twin; her other half. Amicia’s body was cold and still. She had passed peacefully in her sleep with a smile resting on her face, just like Johann. Another devastated cry filled the Keep at Ricksburg that wintry morning, bringing servantry and family alike running. Tears streaked down Adele’s wrinkled cheeks as she sat on her sister’s bed, cradling her body back and forth. Suddenly Emma’s face filled her swimming vision as the young Countess gently took her mother’s arm. “Mamej,” She whispered, her sage-coloured eyes reminding the aged woman of her father and sister. Emma helped Adele off the bed, signalling for the servants to take Amicia’s body away. “Shh, it’s okay…” She gently told the fretful widow who turned away. “Amicia …” She covered her mouth to prevent a wracking sob from coming forth. The piece of her that had held her together was gone forever, not just off in Sedan anymore. Part of her was broken irreparably, and it could never be fixed. She returned later that day to the de Joannes family suite to search through her sister’s possessions for her will which broke her in two. Adele donned a darkened mourning veil on top of her raven attire in memory of the two most dear to her. In her ailing years, Adele frequently found her sturdy daily routine interrupted by the chirpy character of her eldest daughter, Emma, who would whisk her away from her work to chat of life’s frivolities. Soon after the birth of Emma’s last child, Karina Amicia, a new face of the servantry was seen about Ricksburg by the Countess-Mother’s flank. The ruling Countess hired the attendant to serve her mother in her growing age, having subsequently and very gently suggested to Adele that she take on a clerk and younger lady to wait on her. Naturally, convinced that it was a genius idea of her own making, Adele agreed. At which point Emma assigned the young attendant; Polina, to flank her mother at all times. Coincidentally, another army of clerks appeared to arrive in Ricksburg and the Offices of the Justiciar to assist Adele with her stacks of paperwork at around the same time. All of this extra help was luckily well received, despite their skittishness. Adele found herself hounded by her childhood coughs more frequently as her body weakened, along with a complex cacophony of other medical issues - naturally she denied any and all advice from her family and friends to visit the Hospital of St. Amyas. It was during this period that Adele found herself sitting with the Countess Ludovar; the pair chatting with one another as they often did. “Is everything alright?” Asked the younger Ludovar with a light smile. “Ea have a lot of work, dearest.” Replied the elder with a sigh, triggering her daughter to frown and rest a hand on her mother’s shoulder. “Ea have told vy before and ea will say it again,” She said, sharing a worried look with Adele’s clerks swaddled in paperwork behind her. “If vy ever need help, all vy have to do is ask. Vy deserve a break.” “Ea wish it were that easy.” Spoke the Justiciar with a firm frown, lowering her paranoid yet supposedly wise voice to a whisper. “This world is filled with enemies, mea dear, whether it be those who despise vy for one reason or another, or those who lust after vyr position and vyr power; vy will always have enemies wherever vy go.” To what Adele had hoped would be an anticipatory reception, Emma merely rolled her eyes with a sigh and patted her mother’s shoulder once again. “Alright, mamej, ea know…” The papers were stacked high in the Lady Justiciar’s office as wracking bloodied coughs emanated from within. Clerks gathered around the closed door, sharing looks and whispers between one another. “Should we send for the Countess?” Murmured one, eliciting a hasty shake of the head from one of the others. “Nie - niet unless vy want to be thrown out again.” One of the others, clearly more senior, frowned and his hushed voice spoke firmly. “Her Excellency will call for us, return to vyr work. Polina will tell us if things are seriously wrong.” Within the office sat Adele Ludovar, hunched over her desk as her quill scratched a piece of official looking parchment. She wrote while hacking out her coughs, stilling as a snap was heard. Ink spilt over the parchment to the sound of swearing under her breath. Polina stepped forward to carefully hand the aged woman a replacement quill and clean up her spillage. She grimaced. “Ea will run for more quills, we are almost out.” Murmured the attendant as she handed Adele their last quill. “Ea see…” Frowned the Justiciar, appearing to be barely even listening to Polina as she vacated the office. “Maybe don’t bother…” She muttered, now to an empty office, since she was nearing the end of the document. She scrawled her signature at the bottom, breathing a sigh of relief. “Ah, spasiba Godan.” She huffed, sitting back in her chair in satisfaction, “Finally.” Before her, now the Chief Jovenaar, lay a completed copy of the Edict of Staalgrav; the final work of her life. She quickly summoned a clerk from outside to deliver the document to the King’s office for his perusal and edits before publication. Adele’s crusty, straining, tired eyes blinked once more as she heaved another breath and a desperate cough tickled her throat. She wondered for a moment if she was well enough to travel to Otistadt to join her daughter and many grandchildren for dinner, nevertheless hefting her aged body up from the chair and beginning to make her way outside. She stumbled down the stairs and past the courtroom; now empty and hollow. The room and offices which she built would never again be touched by a Justiciar, she would be the last of that name. “Yam szam, papej… Ea could niet conserve vyr legacy as vy may have wanted.” The weight of her father’s legacy had been weighing her down and now her tired body felt heavier than ever as she began walking through the streets of Karosgrad for the last time. Children stumbled and ran in the streets - the children of their children, those which she had fought so very hard to protect from the horrors of war in her greener years. They would grow and mature to take on the mantle of their parents just as she did. Would they succeed? Or would they do as she did and buckle under the pressure - ? Adele Ludovar was spent - she had nothing more to give. The world had taken everything she cared about from her, and all that was left was herself and the bright new world to come. Adele laid weakly in her bed; Emma and Anastasia had arrived in a hurry to be by her side. She beckons them both to her side, reaching for their hands. “Come.” She whispered, to which they obeyed. Emma climbed to sit beside her mother on the bed, stifling tears welling in her beautiful green eyes. “Why could vy niet just listen?” She accused. Adele stifled a minor fit of coughing, attempting to squeeze their hands with what little strength she had remaining. “Ea have never listened, love, and yam niet about to change now.” She smiled through her croaking voice; her lips cracked and throat parched. “Vy will start now,” Emma said, ignoring an item balled in her mother’s hand as she tried to hold back her tears. “Vy will niet go here, niet like this. Ea will niet let vy.” The silent Anastasia fought back tears as she looked between her Aunt and a curious item draped over her desk chair. Whether too deliriour to hear her daughter’s words, or too absorbed in a continuing echo of her father’s words in her ears, Adele whispered to them. “Tell me … “ Her broken lips strained to speak the words. “Are vy happy?” Emma scoffed in response, “Of course niet,” Her hurt voice remarked in sad anger. “How can ea be happy seeing vy like this … ?” “Ea thought that too …” Whispered Adele’s almost imperceptibly quiet voice. Her breathing became more ragged as every inch of her body fought her with each tiny movement; longing for rest. Even though she was fighting furiously to spend these last moments with the two of them, her soul longed desperately to let go; then she would be able to at last see the eyes of her beloved. “Vy both are beautiful,” She spoke through the pain, “Ea did all ea could … Godan has taken everything from me.” She whispered, quietening for but a last moment as a realisation came to her. “Except vy . . .” And Adele Ludovar laid still; never to rise again, never to speak. But she opened her eyes to feel the pain subside, she felt light and burdenless. “You’re here!” He spoke, enveloping her in a tight hug that she recognised. As she hugged him ever so tightly, she peered past his shoulder to meet the gazes of her father, her mother, her sister, and all of her other family and friends who had awaited her. And she felt safe for the first time in a long time. And she felt complete. She had kept up the act all her life, and now the curtains were closing. Adele Emma Ludovar Daughter of Johann Fredrick Ludovar and Anya “Adelaide” of Elysium 1846 - 1913 399 E.S. - 466 E.S. A portrait of Adele soon after she ascended to become the Countess of Otistadt 1st Countess of Otistadt 1st Viscountess of Sezwesk, 1st Baroness of Juliksburg, 1st Lady of Ricksburg 12th High Justiciar of Hanseti-Ruska “We Come as Crows” Following her death, Adele’s family and attendants discover several sets of letters subsequently distributed to their addressees. Emma Ludovar @DearConnorMurphy My Family, House Ludovar; Tatyana, Valeriya, Rickard, Henrik, Klara, Jakob, Karina, Fredrich, Anastasia, Liliyana, Elizaveta Ulyana, Ilya Barrow, and all others. My Students; Arthur Stafyr, Haus Weiss, Atilan Bishop, Giovanna Barclay, Vladrik Kortrevich, Hamish Kortrevich, Matviy Kortrevich, Mari Colborn, and all others. Klara Elizaveta @crazedpudding Peter de Joannes of Sedan @Raijen Stars House von Audrick Borris Kortrevich; Bo-Bo, Maghnus Balyaev @tcs_tonsils_ Furthermore, an additional insert was discovered - addressed to no one in particular - and published for the public to peruse. To whom it may concern, I wish to thank Felix Weiss for his continued devotion and loyalty to the Office of the Justiciar during my long tenure. You have always been a friend to me and supported my ventures - your loyalty to Haense is unquestioned and you deserve all of the good will that has come to you. I know that my daughter has, in past, offended you, and I pray that you will not hold any of that against her in future. We never truly spoke one-on-one, however know that I always considered you a wise and kind man. Thank you for your dedication. Thank you to Theodosya Barclay, if she reads this, for her good counsel when I was a child. You were always there for me, and even when we may have disagreed I know that you were looking out for me and wanted the best for me. Thank you to Matviy Kortrevich for your loyalty. I also wish to thank you on your parents’ behalf for everything that they did for me. I had great fun with Esmée who was a generous friend, and Nikolai was always a strong man who wanted the best for you all. I trust their judgement in making your their successor, and I hope that you and Viorica continue to do good work. One of the greatest regrets of my life was not finding your mother’s killer. For that I am eternally apologetic. Many thanks to King Georg. Thank you for your faith in me to continue my career as your Lady Justiciar until we could collaborate on my final work. Being the head of your Aulic Court has been a grand honour, and I believe in your ability as a wise and strong ruler to make the best decisions for our nation. You have grown quickly, but in you is a jovial wisdom that reminds me of my earliest memories of your Grandfather. Thank you for everything you do. Yours Faithfully, Adele Emma Ludovar My favourite reference images of Adele Final Thoughts:

Adele Ludovar, now the Chief Jovenaar of Hanseti-Ruska breathes a heavy yet relieved sigh as she hefts her aged body up from her desk. "At last ..." She whispers.

What once was Adrianna Darkwood, now just a faint Spectre, caught the wind of the remnants of her dying mentor. The Cardinal of Jorenus's name whispered on the wind, and long-forgotten memories of doctorhood, apprenticeship, and lessons under the then-Surgeon General were returned to the lonely spirit's mind; she shed a tear. Adele Ludovar hears the news of Katerina's death from one of her overworked clerks. "Oh mea...." Murmurs the mournful Lady Justiciar, signing the lorraine in respect of the aged Princess, Surgeon General, first female Priest, Cardinal, and in memory of all of the other wonderful and fascinating things that Katerina Barbanov-Bihar had done in her long life. Notably, wife was not among that list. "Vy were admirable, vyr eminence..." Murmurs the aged woman, stifling a hacking cough. Adele lights a candle in her window that evening to honour the remarkable legacy of a Princess. "Spasiba for vyr wise counsel on the occasions we spent together."

OFFICIAL REMOVAL OF JOVENAAR ATILAN BISHOP Issued By THE LADY JUSTICIAR ADELE LUDOVAR On the 11th of Tov ag Yermey, 462 E.S. VA BIRODEO HERZENAV AG EDLERVIK, In response to the vote of no-confidence passed by the Royal Duma towards Jovenaar Atilan Bishop, procedure dictates that the High Justiciar and Lord Palatine meet with one another to revious the accusations made thus far and decide how best to proceed in the matter from that point forwards. The decision was very obvious to both Lady Justiciar Adele Ludovar and Lord Palatine Iosif Basrid that, with the distrust of the citizens of Hanseti-Ruska towards the nominated Jovenaar, he could no longer continue rightfully in his role as an appointed Jovenaar of the nation. Thus, Jovenaar Atilan Bishop is hereby removed from the office of Jovenaar and henceforth denied the right as a Royal Detective to represent the Crown as a Prosecutor in the Aulic Court. However it was similarly agreed that, to avoid corrupting the Judicial Office in the future, no Jovenaar’s decisions shall be reversible without an official Appeal from either the defending, prosecuting, or injured parties upon which the trial shall be repeated under a different Jovenaar’s judgement. Therefore, Jovenaar Atilan’s ruling and verdict over the Trial of Alejandro Sands and Florian Sands shall stand. IT IS SO ORDERED. MONN TAMORT OE SPARVEED, Her Excellency, Adele Emma Ludovar, Lady Justiciar of Hanseti-Ruska, Kastellan of Domestic Trade, Kastellan of Labour His Excellency, Iosif Basrid, Lord Palatine of Hanseti-Ruska, Bishop of Valwyck

AULIC COURT OF THE KINGDOM OF HANSETI-RUSKA TRANSCRIPT OF THE TRIAL OF ALEJANDRO SANDS AND FLORIAN SANDS Issued by THE LADY JUSTICIAR ADELE LUDOVAR 11th of Tov ag Yermey, 462 E.S. TRANSCRIBED BY HAUS WEISS Red : Presiding Jovenaar, Atilan Bishop Green : Prosecution, High Justicar Adele Ludovar Purple : Defense Council/Defendants - Alejandro Sands (Counseled by Hreidunn) | Florian Theodoric Sands (Counseled by Hadja) Blue : Court Guards - Audo Weiss | Milonir of Whitehall White: Bystanders/Others/Witnesses Presiding Jovenaar, Atilan Bishop: Danke…alright, alright. Court ist in order. Zhe charges are of attempted murder to both Florian und Alejandro Sands..und ein count of fornication towards Alejandro in addition. AB: How do du plead? AB: Und by what trial to du vish to plead vith? AB: Dur options are trial by combat, wit, und trial of plea. Defense Counselor, Hreidunn: Not Guilty on the murder and fornication charges, your honor. AB: Und by vhat trial? Hreidunn: Trial of plea, your honor. AB (To Prosecutions Table): Dur opening statements. Prosecutor, Adele Emma Ludovar: Vyr Honor, We have all read the document published by the Prinzen-Regent of Hyspian, Prinzen Francisco de Pelear. The document contains the details upon which one of the Defendants, Alejandro Sands, was disowned from the Viceroyal House of de Pelear for his actions by which he slept with defendant Florian Sands, outside of marriage, and subsequently plotted and unsuccessfully contributed to the attempted murder of his fiancee, Lady Callista. Vy will be presented with evidence and several testimonies that prove these allegations to be true beyond a reasonable doubt that both of these men are guilty. AB: Alright, defense du may begin dur arguments… AB (To nearby Court Guard): Cirilla, vith mich for ein moment. AB (To Prosecutor): May she enter? AB: Nevermind, just take ein seat. Lord Palatine, Bishop Iosif: Hurry this up, I’d like to see the sun again this year. Hreindunn: Your Honor, On account of fornication, Alejandro Sands and Callista Lucia Rose Santos were not legally bound in marriage. As for the attempted murder charges, Lorec ‘Bani’ Stormheart acted of his own account. Not to mention, Alejandro was not in possession of the acclaimed spear that had struck Callista Lucia Rose Santos. Rather, it was Lorrec, who was the one who had entered the Hyspian Library and actively attempted to kill Callista. We believe his motives were based on Insanity. Lorec Bani Stormheart has also attacked Alejandro and Florian, disproving that my client and Mister Stormheart had been in cahoots. AEL: Firr Lorec is also on trial for attempted murder, and there is nie evidence, to mea knowledge, of this claim - unless the defense can produce some. AB: Alright as for zhe proof of ein lack of marriage… Hreidunn: We actually have the man whom had claimed the bounty of Lorec Bani Stormheart present in the court. AB: Have zhe man in speak called front, he shall speak vhen ich tell him too. Hreidunn: Flour, come forward if you will. (Flour, a Musin, is thrown forward in between the tables by a Kong’Sho, a Olog, who is spectating the trial from the corner of the courthouse.) AB: Alright, now as for zhe marriage or lack of ist zhere anyone zhat can give evidence to such? Flour: Thank you Kong’Sho. AEL: Ea should like to clarify. AB: Speak… please. AEL: That the charge of fornication has nie relation to whether the defendant was married to Lady Callista or niet. The fornication charge is predicated on the fact that the defendant is niet married to defendant Florian. It, in fact, has niething to do with Lady Callista at all. AEL: Fornication is defined as ‘lying with another outside of matrimony’. If vy are niet married to this other, then vy are guilty of the crime. Hreidunn: Objection, Your Honor. AB: Speak. Hreidunn: There has been no sexual altercations between my clients Alejandro Sands and Florian Theodoric Sands. AEL: Objection, Vyr Honour, that is an unsubstantiated claim. AB: Hmm…Alright…zhen. Ist zhere any proof of such? AEL: Ea would like to call Prinzenas Amity de Pelear to the stand to prove just that. AB: Or zhat zhey indeed lay… AB: Come hither, dur highness to vhere Cirills stands now. AB: Cirilla, please give room for zhe witness to speak. AEL: Prinzenas, Vy were kind enough to share a letter with me to answer mea questions, spasiba for that. AEL: Could vy give vyr account of the incident which vy escribed to me, in which vy encountered the defendants in the bar under the library? (Princess Amity nods in agreement.) Hreidunn: Objection, your honor. AB: Overruled, zhe witness has niet declared anyzhing of objection. AEL: Please continue, Prinzenas. AB: Ich do ask zhat zhe prosecution has brought forth ein witness zhat has proved zhat zhey have layed. AB: But do go on speaking. Witness, Amity Ionna de Pelear: Si. I needed some downtime and I had yet to see the bar constructed so I decided to head there for some bueno reading and tea. When I got there however, I walked in on Alejandro and Florian shirtless together in a very compromising position. Hreidunn: Objection, Your Honor. AB: Aye, ich vill allow it. Hreidunn: Prior to the claims of Princess Amity de Pelear, was the ‘eye witness’ (Counselor makes air quotation marks.) Pregnant at the time of these claims, with hormones about how could we trust that she couldn't be susceptible to delusions, false claims as you could say. AEL: Has the Defense any evidence of the Prinzenas’ delusions? AEL: Have they testimonies, a medical opinion? Hreidunn: Hearsay, your honor. AEL: Vyr honor, ea do niet believe the defense knows what hearsay is. May ea continue mea interview? AB: Alright…alright, ich am niet going to account for zhe Princesses pregnany mind..as ich highly doubt zhat ist cause. AB: Now, da, du speak. AB (To Courthouse door guards): Let zhem in. AB (To a Von Draco): Von Draco, are du ein witness? AEL: In vyr testimonial opinion, vyr Highness, did it appear as though the defendants may have been committing - or intending to commit - fornication? AIP: Immediately when I had entered Alejandro had begun begging mae nont to say anything, saying he would be killed if anyone found out. I believe if I had nont entered that they would have gone through with it. He tried to bribe mae with alcohol while I was pregnant to keep quiet but I refused. I left and told the Viceroy what had happened. Hreidunn: Speculation, Your Honor. AEL (To newcomers to Courthouse): None of vy are on mea list of witnesses. AB: Audo, Milonir, if zhey are niet witnesses, drag zhem out…ich am getting too sick of zhin in mein court! AB: Zhis court is kept private as ist zhe wishes of zhe victim und to respect her… AB: Now, if dur niet ein witness from eizher Callista, zhe defense of prosecution, or zhe defense, leave now or so help me Godan! Courthouse Guard, Audo Weiss: We are doing so, Vyr Honor. AB: Danke lad. AB: Objection Sustained. AB: Continue on. AEL: Spasiba, vyr highness. Ea hope the court will hold Prinzenas Amity’s testimony in mind, at least. Vyr Highness, was there anything that may have motivated the defendants to wish harm upon the victim? AB (To Kong’Sho the Olog): Nien…. AIP: Maybe.. He wanted to be free from the engagement to pursue his other lover. Hreidunn: Speculation, Your Honor. AEL: Yam asking the witness’s opinion. It is niet speculation, it is her opinion as a witness. An unidentified child: VYR ALL STOPPING KIDS FROM LEARNING!!! YAM YELLING VE KING!! AEL: Ea asked her Highness’s opinion for the purposes of establishing the defendants’ characters. An unidentified man: Th’ Victim killed his wife. Kong’Sho the Olog: LATZ NUB BLAH, LATZ GLOBZ. AB: Continue vith zhe line of questioning. AB: Defense, let zhe witness speak in full und zhen du may address zhe witness’s claims. AB (To Prosecutor): Continue please. AEL: Spasiba for vyr testimony, vyr Highness. Ea have nie more questions. AB: Aye, zhe defense may cross-interrogate. Hreidunn: I have no questions, Your honor. AB: Anything else, defense? AB: Witnesses or proof? Hreidunn: I call Alejandro Sands as witness, Your honor AB: Aye…have him come….but first…. (Kong’Sho makes a sound akin to calling a cat towards Flour.) AB: Zhe Musin may speak… AB: Because he has been vaiting too long. AB: Speak on what du has to say.. Flour (Displays the head of Lorec ‘Bani’ Stormheart to the Jovenaar): Your honor, Lorec Bani has been dealt with on account of the bounty set out. AB: Vell, he ist dead…did he reveal anyzhing of import to zhis court? Flour: Nothing of importance. Only his hatred. AB: You may sit down. AB: Zhe officer will have dur money arranged if it hasn't done so already. AB: Defense proceed with zhe questioning. Hreidunn: Mister Alejandro Sands, on the night of your claims. Had you been intimate with Florian Theodoric Sands, or had you not committed any sexual acts as claimed by Princess Amity de Pelear? Defendant, Alejandro Sands: No sexual acts were committed, no Hreidunn: Mister Alejandro Sands, did Princesss Amity de Pelear walk in on any sexual acts between Mister Florian Theodoric Sands and yourself. AEL: Objection, Vyr Honour, lying under oath. AB: Proof? AEL: Ea will leave Vyr Honour to decide if the witness is a credible source. AB: Lady Amity, could du please stand for zhe court und explain vhat exactly du saw… AEL: Vyr Honor, Prinzenas Amity has already given her testimony. AIP: Everything I had said I said with my full truth. I have nothing to gain out of this AB: Aye, but she has not testified to zhe nature of zhe situation und ich von’t make claims vithout proof. An unidentified man, from outside the courthouse: Why not just confess to it, there’s no evidence to the murder but vyr will be found guilty to fornication, whereby the bishop will dish out vyr punishment, which would never be death! AB: But, if zhat vill be all, Ich vill say zhe Prince speaks his truth on zhe account of him being here und zhe Princess’s lack of definition. Kong’Sho, to Unidentified man outside courthouse: LATZ NUB IN TRIUL, LATZ NUB BLAH! AB: For now, zhe man vill niet be charged for lying in court. AB: As from mein judgment, now does zhe defense have more to say. Hreidunn: Aye. To cite Princess Amity de Pelar. She had stated that she hadn’t witnessed any ‘laying’ believing to had caught my clients prior. AB: Shall ve move on? AEL: Ea have some questions for the witness, Vyr Honour. AB: Aye, please do so. AEL: Firr Alejandro, can vy testify to vyr actions immediately following the attack of Lady Callista? AS: Out of fear for our own safety, we left as Senor Lorec seemed to have lost his mind, and seeing what he did to Callista with the spear, we did not want the same thing to happen to us. AEL: Just clarify this for me - Vy left vyr fiancee to bleed out after being attacked, and vy decided to leave her alone with the attacker? Hreidunn: Objection, your honor. AEL (To Hreidunn): Vy canniet just object, defense, what is vyr objection. AB: Overruled. AB: Let zhe prosecutor speak. AB: Und ask. AEL: Please continue, Firr Alejandro. AB (To Carice): Carice, Ich love due as mein niece, but zhis ist ein private trial! AB (To Carice): Please do niet enter. Carice: Cool, I won’t enter then! AS: I am neither a guard, nor a medic. What good would it be for me to risk my life and allow the crazed Senor Lorec to attempt to claim my life, let alone the life of a Prince. AEL: Mea, Ea See. A scene was described to me in which vy arrived to the clinic. it was either soon after the attack on Lady Callista or it was when checking on the Viceroy. Could vy just walk us through this? AS: I went to the clinic to see mi padre after receiving notice he had suffered a heart attack. AEL: This was when Firr Lorec was guarding the door, da? AEL: With his spear? AS: Si, Senor Lorec had a spear with him which he indeed use to block the door to allow mi y mi familia to talk with my padre. Though at the time I was not fearful of Senor Lorec and y spear due to this being before the attack took place. AEL: Ea see. And can vy clarify vyr relationship with Firr Florian? AS: Close Friends. AEL: Right…and, yam sure some of us have been wondering, if that is vyr relationship, why do vy share the last name ‘Sands’? AS: Because when I was disowned I was given the last name ‘Sands’, so as a sign he was going to leave Hyspia with me, he also begun to use the last name ‘Sands’ as if we were hermanos. AS: A brotherly bond, Persay. AEL: And…do vy often sit in compromising positions shirtless with vyr hermanos? AB: As judge, ich vould like to say, zhe disownment letter did say such, if zhe Lady Amity vas involved in zhat under has knowledge of zhat Sands name, she may speak so now or hold her peace. Und may zhe Lady De Pelear speak of vhen zhe incident regarding zhe health of zhe Lady Viceroy. AS: I did not say we were actual Hermanos, Senorita, as I stated a brotherly bond, which entails a close friendship. AEL: Vy are niet answering mea question, Firr. AS: That is the answer I have given, so si, I have. AEL: Vyr Honour, ea request that vy order the witness to answer the question. An Unidentified Child, outside of the courthouse: THIS IS FER NAY LETTING ME LEARN THE COURT! (Sound of Fish hitting armor follows shortly after) AB: Answer zhe question. AS: No, I do not often sit in alleged compromising situations with hermanos, y frankly being accused of that I find it insulting. AS: I would also like to state, we are not hermanos, the brotherly bond is merely a way to state how good our friendship is. AEL: Ea see. Vy claim it to be a brotherly bond with Defendant Florian, and yet vy reportedly begged Prinzenas Amity after she walked in on such to niet tell a soul-? AS: Yes as something like that can be blown out of proportion, as such has happened. AEL: Yet vy do niet deny the compromising position, as vy did - and vyr representative attempted to do - earlier? Hreidunn: Reaching, Vyr Honor. AEL: Nie, Vyr Honour, ea believe ea have, as they say, ‘Got ‘em’. AB: Does the defense have anything to say or ask? Hreidunn: Objection, Vyr Honor, reaching. They made no claims in relation to the charges that we’re pleading against. AB: Sustained. AEL: Ea have nie more questions, Vyr Honour. AB: Alright, two zhings… AS: Tu Honor, if I may, I have something to bring up myself. AS: Recently I have received a letter from Callista Santos, stating, and I quote ‘I can't have you being here, or else I might not be able to stop myself from killing you’ - I have the note on my person if you would like to see it. AB: Alright…hmm…. (Kong’Sho proceeds to smash through the courthouse windows, exiting the courthouse.) AEL: Will Vyr Honour read the letter aloud? AB: Da. AB (Reading the note): Da niet call me Calli AB: We are not friends, you left me to die AB: I am lucky I am here Alejandro Courthouse Guard, Milonir of Whitehall: ALRIGHT. ******* ORKSKI. BEEN CAUSING PROBLEMS ALL DAY IN THE CITY. Kong’Sho: LUP’LEYO. AB: If you want to see Adam, just bird him AB: And meet elsewhere AS (To Atilan): An Amigo, Adam Randell. Victim, Callista Lucia Rose Santos: A common amigo of ours. Vassilios, a Spectator from outside: An Idiot. AB: I cant you have you being here or else… AB: I might not be able to stop myself AB: From killing you where you stand AB: I don't want more blood on my hands AB: So piss off AB: And don’t write back. I don't want to see your filth. AB (Finishing reading note): Your the only want to blame here for your actions AB: Left to die? AB: Defense, make your arguments and then prosecution, please. AEL: Vyr Honour, can we call Lady Callista to the stand to ask her about the letter? AB: Ich see why niet…Firress Callista to zhe stands. AB: Did du send zhis letter? CLRS: I did. Though I wasn't in the right state of mind then, put it plainly - I’m mentally ill. AB: Ist zhere anyone who can verify such? Medic, Haus Weiss: Da, Vyr Honor. Ae Can. AB: Come forward and speak und do show mich zhat note. CLRS: A father figure of mine has seen me in such psychiatric episodes. Alejandro has seen it, mi hermano camilo, hera, adam randell. And i've even spoken about it quite often your honor. AB: Alright do go on… HW: Da, Vyr Honor. Lady Callista suffered large amounts of blood loss from her injury, and has been in a prolonged state of recovery since the attack occurred. Large amounts of blood loss can affect someone’s ability to…think, or act as if they had not lost a large amount of blood. In addition, the attack itself was…traumatic, given the method of injury. It is very possible for Lady Callista to niet be in a sound state of mind, given both conditions. AB: Aye…Could du be able to explain zhe event zhat got du injured? AB: If zhat ist niet dur wish, du may speak of niet doing so now… Carice(From Spectator Stands): So is there any reason for the lawyers to be here or are you just going to ask the questions? AEL (To Carice): Are vy done? Court is ongoing, keep vyr thoughts to vyself please. Carice: Are you done? Ask the witness questions. CLRS: Si, I can…too vividly. I heard on some issue that Alejandro gotten into, Amity said I shouldn't hear it from her. So I went looking for Alejandro, when I found him I brought him up to the top floor of the library to speak to him on such issues, words were exchanged then Lorec came up saying ‘catch callista’ then proceeded to launch a spear into my gut, pinning me against the wall like a arrow in a target, bursting an artery and due to my blood not clotting like everyone else's, Alejandro left with Florian and Lorec, I bled out and lost consciousness after Haus and Veronica came up to me. AB: Godan be…Und how did du come up to Callista? HW: Ae was in Hyspia, resting for the evening. The bell was run, and ae was called by name by Princess Veronica. She led ae to the upper floors of the library, where Lady Callista was found. CLRS: I only woke up in the clinic, bandaged up and in immense agony, which I presumed was hours later. Hreidunn: Objection, Your Honor. AB: Explain. Hreidunn: Lorec ‘Bani’ Stormheart did not flee the scene with my Clients Mister Alejandro Sands and Mister Florian Theodoric Sands. Rather stayed on the scene after the attack with Callista Lucia Rose Santos. AB: Hmm…Ist zhere proof of such? Witness, Princess Veronica Isabella de Pelear: Lorec was on the roof after the attack. He fled shortly after. AB (To Princess Veronica Isabella de Pelear): Und zhe Sands vere niet to be seen? HW: As ae said in ae account to the High Justicar, ae was niet present for the attack, nor did ae see any of the defendants. When ae was called at arrived at the library well after the attack, Ae only saw Lady Callista, Princess Veronica, and Ser Wyn. AB: Your Highness Veronica, please do speak. Vassilios (From Outside Courthouse): Guards, Ferrymen idiots outside I think. Unidentified Male, presumed Ferryman: He’s Lying! VIP: My Account is the same as Haus’. Vassilios (From Outside Courthouse): You are aiming a pike at someone. Can we pause the trial to deal with it?? Carice: Who’s also not supposed to be on the stand. VIP: Er- Your Honor.. AB: But du vere zhere… AB: Before Haus, da as he said? Hreidunn: Permission to Speak, your honor. AB: Da, but after zhe princess can speak as to what she saw before Haus did und how she knew Calli vas injured. VIP: I was there only a few saint’s minutes before him, si. I went into the Library, saw Callista Santos pinned to a bookcase with a spear y went to get Haus as I don't have the medical knowledge he does. AB: Defense speak. AB (To Haus Weiss): Go outside und check what ist going on… Hreidunn: This would prove Lorec ‘Bani’ Stormheart’s insanity. For after the attack on Callista Lucia Rose Santos, after which he’d go onto the roof, disproving Callista's statement that Lorec ‘Bani’ Stormheart was to leave with Mister Alejandro Sands and Florian Theodoric Sands. Hreidunn: Turning the argument of cahoots between my clients and Lorec into insanity, that is. AEL: Firr Stormheart is dead, it does niet matter if he is proven insane or niet. AB: It does matter for zhe claims of Alejandro…Und Florian here… Unidentified Man, outside of Courthouse: Stop right there you criminal ferrymen! CLRS: I have Alchemy - so I can throw some fire at them. Carice: The girl who claimed insanity with fire. Awesome (A howl of pain can be heard outside the courtroom) AB: Alright, Ich need to get out zhere… AEL: Has anyone rung the bell? AB: Son of ein *****…zhat does niet look gute. AB: Zhe defendant vas niet married…und zhus did niet break matrimony. AB: Aye… AB: So as for laying… AB: He ist niet guilty of zhat… AB: He was betrothed. AB: But niet married… Carice: Betrothal is a promise of marriage. AB: Zhough it vas improper… AB: It isn't under marriage… Carice: Their wedding date had also been set. AB: Aye do so… AB: But zhe date hadn’t passed vith ein married couple.. AB: Zhis isn’t zhe queen’s court, zhis ist ein court of law… Carice: Which definition are you working under Uncle? Courthouse Guard, Milonir of Whitehall (Outside of Courthouse): DU TWO! APPREHEND DARKEN ELV! AB: Hmmm…Zhat does change zhings… AB: Head upstairs… CLRS: Let me go upstairs. Is there roof access from here? Unidentified Man, Outside of Courthouse: Shut your mouth, child. You do not order me around. AB: Ich do find Alejandro niet to be laying as such vas niet mentioned und sexual act vas niet affirmed by zhe witness.. Transcript End - Transcriber Exited Courthouse to engage raiding Ferrymen (Transcriber’s Note: The Trial was not ended when Transcriber left - Verdict was rendered out of the courtroom while Transcriber and Courthouse Guards engaged in combat with raiding ferrymen outside of the courthouse.) MONN TAMORT OE SPARVEED, Her Excellency, Adele Emma Ludovar, Lady Justiciar of Hanseti-Ruska, Kastellan of Domestic Trade, Kastellan of Labour His Lordship, Haus Weiss, Ward of the Office of the Justiciar

Adele Ludovar solemnly lights a candle for another of The Dead that night, whispering a prayer followed by some choice words. "Spasiba for keeping mea sestra company, Prinzen... Ea wish- ea wish ea had gotten to give vy what she left for vy before vy passed." The Lady Justiciar's eyes closed in grief. "Ea hope to join vy both soon."

how does it feel to be popular?

Adele Ludovar adds another tally mark to the engravings on the wall representing the number of Lord Treasurers she has served under as Kastellan of Labour.

Adele Ludovar groans as her clerk forwards the missive to her desk.

Lady Justiciar Adele Ludovar grumbles incessantly to her attendants and clerks that the will of mere children is dragging her from her work to the insidious Duma Hall. Nevertheless, she begrudgingly father's together her papers in advance of the Summons.

SUMMONS TO THE AULIC COURT OF HANSETI-RUSKA: ALEJANDRO SANDS, FLORIAN SANDS, & LOREC STORMHEART Issued by THE LADY JUSTICIAR ADELE LUDOVAR On the 6th of Jula ag Piov, 461 E.S. VA BIRODEO HERZENAV AG EDLERVIK, Following the filing of a Criminal claim regarding the supposed crimes of the accused, the Office of the Justiciar sees fit to summon Firr Alejandro Sands, Firr Florian Sands, and Firr Lorec Stormheart to the Aulic Court of Hanseti-Ruska. The investigation of the charges began due to the initial disownment missive of Alejandro Sands published from the Viceroyalty of Hyspia. As such, the Office of the Justiciar sees it fit to summon these individuals to appear before the Aulic Court to state their cases on the evidence. Should they fail to attend Court, the Crown will consider such an admission of guilt and the presiding Jovenaar shall issue their sentence wherein they shall be considered criminals within our lands. The defendants, Firr Alejandro Sands, Firr Florian Sands, and Firr Lorec Stormheart shall appear before the Aulic Court and answer for the following charges: V Let he who attempts or conspires to commit a crime be guilty of Attempt, to be punished as if they had committed the crime itself. VI Let he who aids or conspires with another to commit a crime be guilty of Contribution, to be punished as if they had committed the crime itself. VII Let he who slays another outside of battle be guilty of Murder. VIII Let he who harms another outside of battle be guilty of Assault. XXV Let he who lies with another outside of matrimony be guilty of Fornication. I swear the contents of this summons to be true and accurate to the best of my knowledge before Godan. MONN TAMORT OE SPARVEED, Her Excellency, Adele Emma Ludovar, Lady Justiciar of Hanseti-Ruska, Kastellan of Domestic Trade, Kastellan of Labour

BSK ADVISORY: ARREST ON SIGHT ORDER LOREC BANI STORMHEART, ALEJANDRO ARMAN JOSE SANDS, & FLORIAN THEODORIC SANDS Issued by THE LADY JUSTICIAR ADELE LUDOVAR On the 6th of Jula ag Piov, 461 E.S. VA BIRODEO HERZENAV AG EDLERVIK, Succeeding the publication from the Prince-Regent of Hyspia detailing the disownment of Alejandro Arman Jose Sands from the Viceroyal House of de Pelear, an investigation was launched by the Office of the Justiciar into the events triggering the disownment. After gathering several testimonies from witnesses to the attempted murder on Callista Santos, the Crown seeks to arrest the dubious individuals Lorec Stormheart, Alejandro Sands, and Florian Sands under suspicion of Attempt, Fornication, Contribution, and Murder. As such, I declare in my power as the Lady Justiciar that Lorec Stormheart, Alejandro Sands, Florian Sands, and their associates are entirely unwelcome in Hanseti-Ruska, and advise any BSK or Knights alike to arrest these individuals on sight, and imprison them until they can be tried before the Aulic Court. Likewise, the Office of the Justiciar will offer up a 100 mina prize for each criminal to anyone who can capture or kill them. IT IS SO ORDERED. MONN TAMORT OE SPARVEED, Her Excellency, Adele Emma Ludovar, Lady Justiciar of Hanseti-Ruska, Kastellan of Domestic Trade, Kastellan of Labour

Lady Justiciar Adele Ludovar raises a brow as one of her clerks forwards the missive, bearing her daughter's signature, to her desk. "Oh mea..." She murmurs with widened eyes.

Widowed, Countess-Mother Adele Ludovar knocks on her twin's door the following morning to wake her. She had frowned and sighed to herself at the state of her relationship with her closest confidant that morning, and gone to seek out her only sister for the two of them to share tea and go for a walk in the snow-fallen Otistadt countryside. She knocks a little bit harder on the door. "Amicia? Are vy still asleep?" She calls to the body inside, eventually losing her patience and pushing the door open. "Yam vyr twin, there's niething ea haven't seen befo--" A fearful and devastated cry fills the Keep at Ricksburg that morning, bringing servantry and family-alike running. Adele cradles the body of her dearest sibling as tears streak down her wrinkled cheeks. That other half of her, the piece that held her together, was broken. Her other half was gone. How could she go on much further than this? Adele, alike Amicia, had been wearing her deep black mourning attire since the passing of her husband, though she wished she could wear such garments of respect twofold for the death of dear, sweet, kind Amicia. And things would never be the same without her.

Adele Ludovar sighs mournfully, "A dobry man..." She mutters, lighting a candle for the deceased.

Adele Ludovar bows her head solemnly for her King that night, reminiscing on the many meetings they had held together. As a young lady of the Kingdom, she had watched after the Grand Prince with interest, though never really speaking with him until her father's passing. Years later, he had generously granted her the honour of being his High Justiciar and graciously accepted her advice from that point onwards. She was very grateful for that honourable man, and thoroughly indebted to him for his kindness. A candlelight shines from the aged woman's office window that night ...

Lady Justiciar Adele Ludovar nurses her bandaged neck wound, all the while completing the write-up of her Official Judicial Verdict.

AULIC COURT OF THE KINGDOM OF HANSETI-RUSKA Krawn z. Esther 12th of Gronna ag Droba, 458 E.S. Jovenaars Adele Emma Ludovar Prosecution None Defense Esther die Erikdóttir Testimonies Analiesa Barbanov-Bihar Allyssa Colborn THE FOLLOWING CHARGES WERE BROUGHT AGAINST THE DEFENDANT: V Let he who attempts or conspires to commit a crime be guilty of Attempt, to be punished as if they had committed the crime itself. VIII Let he who harms another outside of battle be guilty of Assault. XXXII Let he who is of demonic, necrotic, or otherwise unholy origin be guilty of Abomination. XV Let he who conspires to bring harm against the Crown, Royal House, or the Kongzem be guilty of Treason. [ Jura i Krima ] THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS WERE BROUGHT AGAINST THE DEFENDANT: The defendant allegedly attacked Lady Allyssa Colborn, as confirmed by Princess Royal Analiesa Josefina and Lady Allyssa, due to a dispute regarding her qualification for the role of Court Alchemist. She was seen using ambiguous arcane magicks to place a spell on Lady Allyssa who later confirmed that she was experiencing horrific illusions due to the defendant’s spellcasting. The defendant also threatened the Princess Royal and was arrested by Vladrik of Jerovitz and Ailred of Vidaus. Once in the dungeons of the Military district, she was seen to for an interview with the Lady Justiciar Adele Ludovar who also intended to test the defendant for any signs of dark witchcraft or other unholy origin with the purpose of confirming suspicions raised by the Princess Royal. With the aid of Captain Felix Weiss and Dame Giovanna Barclay, Adele Ludovar entered the defendant’s cell and conducted a cutting test for the presence of a frost witch. She was about to complete the range of tests and apply salt to test the defendant for the presence of vampirism when the defendant lashed out and attacked the Lady Justiciar and the Officers of the Brotherhood of St. Karl guarding her. The defendant was subdued swiftly after. THE RATIONALE FOR THE PRESIDING JOVENAAR IS AS SUCH: Based on the testimonies of the Princess Royal and Lady Allyssa Colborn, the lived experience of the Jovenaar, and the physical evidence garnered from the completion of a salting test with use of a sample of the defendant’s blood, the presiding Jovenaar finds the defendant guilty of Attempt, Assault, Abomination, Treason against a member of the Royal House of Barbanov and Treason against the Kingdom, and sentences her to death. The defendant was slain by Dame Giovanna Barclay due to her resistance in captivity and an act of self-defence & defence of others of the Dame’s part. Her body was subsequently burned on a pyre in the square. It is so Ordered.

Adele Ludovar is trying desperately to go home ...

The aging Adele Ludovar visits Ricksburg as soon as a messenger reaches her that evening to announce the birth of her first grandchild. The ex-Countess hurries speedily to her daughter's side bearing gifts for the new parents and the beloved child, including many luxuries and a set of baby clothes given to her long long ago by a very dear relative... "Henrik Matyas Andrei..." Whispers the Grandmother, "Oh, what a beautiful name, Emma." She tears up, reminiscing on her late Husband for his name was Matyas as the baby boy is named for, and soon excuses herself to return to work. Nevertheless, she smiles a new smile having met her grandson, though feeling older than ever...

Adele Ludovar, the Lady Justiciar, works tirelessly filing the paperwork to seek out the Hyspian Princess and subsequently prosecute her kidnapper. When not in her office, she visits the Viceroyal House to offer her counsel and condolences.

A WELL-DESERVED RETIREMENT THE ABDICATION OF ADELE EMMA LUDOVAR Issued By THE COUNTESS OF OTISTADT In the 10th of Joma ag Umund, 454 E.S. VA BIRODEO HERZENAV AG EDLERVIK, It has been 28 long years since the death of my Father, the most honoured and well-regarded Count of Otistadt among his contemporaries, Count Johann Fredrick Ludovar. Many of my companions will remember with what harshness his passing hit myself and my family. Suddenly, I was thrust in charge of a prosperous family with no one but myself to guide or instruct me. I had many mentors as a young Peer, but as time passed they one-by-one faded out of their able bodies, or out of life entirely. I found myself often terrified, catastrophizing over the littlest upset. However, as with most people, this insecurity abated over time and I grew more confident in my position and abilities - significantly catalysed by the births of my children and the burden of responsibility that comes with motherhood. I have occupied my time with keeping a watchful eye over the safety of our House and Lands, overseeing the construction of grand Ricksburg, and my efforts in restoring and supporting the Office which my Father worked so hard for were eventually recognised when I was appointed as the Lady Justiciar. By this time I felt confident in my role, and have since spent a lot of my hours rewriting the Curriculum of those on the path of becoming a Jovenaar, and I have been guiding and teaching the forthcoming generation of well-learned Lawmen and women. My efforts have not been in vain, for our House has lasted many years without scrutiny or excess gossip surrounding our strictly-maintained Sons and Daughters. Any complaints that have come, I have taken on myself and have been glad to do so. I have forged alliances and friendships with some of the most powerful and kind people on the Continent. I have travelled, studied, and written widely, and it is for my fine education that I thank Godan in his kindness to grant me such privilege as to have been at liberty to study how I wished and to make note of such fascinating topics, those of which I have dedicated a portion of my life to. I have been lucky to live such a long and prosperous life. As a child, I was frequently accosted by mysterious afflictions of the lungs which no doctor could cure, these bouts of sickness worried my Father and Sister horribly, but I was fortunate enough to survive to adulthood where they have been mostly dormant. My Father would have nagged me about how I’m dragging on - all of this reminiscing has been for a purpose. I have achieved great things, and I have spent years worrying endlessly about what will happen once I am gone. To such an extent, that the worries have seeped into my body and begun degrading my health. Of recent, I have been affected by ugly coughing fits that no amount of rest has been able to lighten. I have been advised by Doctors of the Clinic of St. Amyas that it would be wise for me to lighten the load of my duties. I wish not to repeat the woes of the past wherein an heir was given leadership before their time of preparation due to the untimely demise of their predecessor. Furthermore, many will remember that I very recently lost my other half - my beloved husband, Matyas of Alban - which has impacted me most personally in this period of mourning. It is for these reasons - along with the recent marriage of my eldest daughter - to abdicate from my position as the Countess of Otistadt, and its associated Titles, to my daughter and heir, Emma Henrietta Ludovar. I have full belief in her capabilities, and incredibly high hopes for her. I hope that abidicating from my familial responsibilities and leadership will both allow me to heal from my sickness, and give me further liberty of time to dedicate to my study of the Law and the tutelage of my many students as the Lady Justiciar to train the budding generation of Jovenaars and the next High Justiciar, along with their Deputies. I wish to thank all who have supported me in my life and journey thus far, and wish those remaining good luck in their forthcoming endeavours. May all welcome and support my eldest daughter and her Consort to her birthright as the second Countess of Otistadt. MAY GODAN BLESS EMMA II OF OTISTADT MAY WE COME AS CROWS TIZ LIFST DLUM HAESIY, Her Excellency, Adele Emma Ludovar, Lady Justiciar of Hanseti-Ruska, Kastellan of Domestic Trade, Kastellan of Labour The Right Honourable, Emma Henrietta Ludovar, Countess of Otistadt, Viscountess of Sezwesk, Baroness of Juliksburg, Lady of Ricksburg The Right Honourable, Samuel Kristian Ludovar, Count-Consort of Otistadt, Viscount-Consort of Sezwesk, Baron-Consort of Juliksburg, Lord of Ricksburg

The Count-Consort's wife confines herself to her room, preserving a single candlelight on her window sill as she sleeps alone in her bed ...

AULIC COURT OF THE KINGDOM OF HANSETI-RUSKA Krawn z. Bolg 10th of Wzuvar ag Byvca Jovenaar Adele Emma Ludovar Prosecution Atilan Bishop Defense Bolg Testimonies Karl Barbanov-Bihar THE FOLLOWING CHARGES WERE BROUGHT AGAINST THE DEFENDANT: VII Let he who slays another outside of battle be guilty of Murder. [ Jura i Krima ] THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS WERE BROUGHT AGAINST THE DEFENDANT: The defendant allegedly attacked, killed, and disfigured a woman within the Morrivi Palace; claiming that she was Darkspawn and that it has been sent by Godan to kill Darkspawn beings. THE RATIONALE FOR THE PRESIDING JOVENAAR IS AS SUCH: As the Darkspawn in question was not the one on trial, nor is she alive to testify or be tested for her descendant-legitimacy, she is not being judged for her crimes. Murder is murder, no matter who it is against, and that is a crime in our Kingdom. Furthermore, the Defendant took justice into his own hands; killing an innocent-until-proven-guilty woman within the Royal residence, a place of honour. As such, to prevent further assault and disturbance of the peace from the Defendant in question the presiding Jovenaar found the being guilty of murder, and it necessary to sentence it to death. It is so Ordered.