The Trial of sera Rikka

[Jerisa]

31st Day, 5th Moon, Year 8 of the Recent Awakenings

The Trial of sera Rikka

To the Denizenry of Her Majesty's Castle Marrach: in accordance to the will of the Lord Chamberlain, upholding the duties charged to me as Chronicler of the Court, I hereby submit the chronicle of The Trial of sera Rikka.

On the evening of the 8th day of the 4th moon was held the Trial of sera Rikka. At approximately half past the eighth late bell, Sir Vestio announced 'Good people of Castle Marrach.... Her Majesty, the Queen. Accompanied by the Lord Justicar and Lady Avaria.' All knelt for Her Majesty, and waited for Her to settle. At Her Majesty's signal, Lord Gracien tapped his stately gavel, and ser Ammanas proclaimed 'Hear ye, hear ye. The Queen's Court of High Justice is now in session. Let all having business before this court draw nigh.'

Sera Rikka was was charged with the following crimes: Treason and Rebellion, Drawing a Weapon Against a Knight, for drawing a blade against Sir Howe and the Captain of the Royal Guard, Dame Eeva; Aiding Escape from Lawful Imprisonment, for the aid she rendered unto a rebellious former knight; four counts of Assault, to which she had already pled Guilty; and two counts of Interference, to which she had also pled Guilty.

Adjutant-Prosecutor sera Chasity began describing the events of the night of the 14th of the 2nd moon, asserting that sera Rikka loitered in the main stairwell in the Inner Bailey, claiming to be searching for ghosts and spirits. Shortly after Rikka left the stairwell, within mere ticks, the ex-knight arrived into that same stairwell, onto the same level, brandishing a blade. He had until that time been held prisoner in the old dungeon Inner, and the Prosecutor assured the Court that he would have had no opportunity to procure such a weapon, and especially not by chance, but that Rikka 'would have had ample time to pass a blade to him.'

As this transpired, sers Cordon and Tyr'Gunn sought by force of arms to keep the doors of the Great Bridge open, to allow their friends - specifically plural - to cross from the Inner Bailey. Just a few bells earlier, the prisoner had been seen with those two. It cannot be coincidence', stated sera Chasity, 'it is clear that this plan to aid their reputed leader in his escape from lawful imprisonment was plotted by Rikka and those others.'

Continuing with the case for the Prosecution, sera Chasity detailed sera Rikka's assault upon Sir Vestio, the Lord Marshal, quoting sera Rikka's own testimony 'I jumped on Vestio's back because I didn't want him to be harmed anymore. ... He's the only one that ever thought I was worth something, and I was scared that Vestio would kill him and they wouldn't revive him.' The prosecutor stressed that sera Rikka knew that the rebel was a wanted man, knew that he had done wrong, but stated '[she] chose to stop the Lord Marshal from recapturing him, in hopes of protecting and allowing him to flee unharmed.' Sera Chasity reminded the courtroom that Rikka chose to side with and aid the rebel in his traitorous actions. 'She chose the path of Treason that night.'

Sera Chasity also spoke of how sera Rikka taunted those of the Law, naming them 'Dogs of Boreas', which was admitted in sera Rikka's testimony. Throughout the rebellion, the Adjunct-Prosecutor remarked, Rikka chose to spread dissent further, to enrage the situation further, to mock those of the law, and 'grievously insulting those sworn to protect Her Majesty's Keep.'

'That night, Rikka managed to escape into an Inner Bailey guestroom, but eventually she was slain.' related sera Chasity, who went on to explain how, upon her revival, Doctor Getheaht and sera Lith placed Rikka within the confines of a cell in the Inner Bailey, along with her possessions. She went on to relate how sera Rikka was asked to leave her cell one evening, and did so, then drew the blade in her possession against both Sir Howe and Captain Eeva.

The Prosecution concluded with this summary: 'Rikka, by her own admission, decided to defend-- nay! join and aid a man who spoke nothing but treason, who sought to rebel against Her Majesty Herself and to overthrow 'oppression', who without hesitation and without remorse slew many of those who have long defended Her Keep and Her Laws. And her reasoning? She thought him more worthy of her loyalty than Our Queen.'

The Lord Justicar cleared his thoat and asked if the accused had counsel, to which sera Rikka replied with her willingness to speak for herself: 'If such is allowed. No one came to see me during my time in the dungeons, so I am not sure how anyone could defend me.' Lord Gracien noted to sera Rikka that he had been told that the Counsel did not wish to defend her. The prisoner expressed surprise, but said '.. I shall not complain about it.' Lord Gracien agreed that she had little right to complain at all, and stated he would like sera Rikka to answer a few questions, in her defense; deferring until later any decision on whether sera Rikka would be able to make a statement.

Lord Gracien asked simply 'Sera, for what do you lack? 'Currently I am lacking many things,' sera Rikka replied, '[One in] the dungeons does not lead a diverse life.' Sera Rikka went on to admit that in her life in these halls, she had not lacked; that she had been blessed with many things, and had been grateful for what she was given. The Lord Justicar again asked what sera Rikka might have lacked - given that Her Majesty had given a home, many fine comforts, and a life free of age, sickness, or death. Sera Rikka admitted that she had never lacked for anything; she had been clothed and fed, and given a chance to study alchemy; that she considered herself very blessed.

Then the Lord Justicar turned to the prisoner, and demanded thunderously 'How is your life so barren and terrible that you would kill those that serve the law and mock them? The very Law that Her Grace set into being!' He noted that sera Rikka had studied Alchemy; she was a Duelist - so she was permitted to carry weapons, follow her chosen path of learning - how could this be called oppression? Sera Rikka spoke matter-of-factly, stating that never had she taken the life of another denizen; that the only time she took life was during the Wyvern War, when she killed an elf, and when the Lord Chancellor was so ill, and the Keepers of the Unveild were asked to assist Master Odebain in destroying a Shadow.

Her Majesty then spoke, asking the Lord Justicar to indulge Her. She asked sera Rikka to explain herself. 'If you are glad, grateful, to be here, and wish to be here,' asked Her Majesty, 'why did you rebel against the very laws set in place by The Royal Crown to protect all who it governs?'

Sera Rikka claimed that she did not rebel, admitting 'Yes I did very stupid things that day, mostly because I was frightened.' She said that it was not true that she planned it all, that she did not even know the ex-knight was in the Inner dungeons, noting that the Keepers had inquired about those dungeons before, and had been told they were not in use. She reiterated that she had been looking for ghosts that day.

Her Majesty spoke again, asking if sera Rikka did not 'take refuge, aid, abet, and provide weaponry to one who did rebel, after the altercation in the stairway that cost Our Realm several lives?' Sera Rikka insisted that she did not provide weaponry. 'Did not provide weaponry,' murmured Her Majesty, 'yet broke Our laws and endangered Our home.' Gazing still at Rikka, Queen Vivienne asked simply 'Why?'

Sera Rikka lowered her eyes, and explained that she had been frightened. 'When I came through and saw everyone pointing swords at him I didn't know what to do,' she said frowningly, 'I did something stupid and was so scared. He told me that he had been set up when we were in the stairwell. It wasn't till we got away that he told me his plans.' She further claimed that she had desired that they turn themselves in. Sera Rikka then asserted 'It is when he killed me in his room.' The prisoner was close to tears. 'It wasnae supposed t' be this way. He was supposed t' be a knight an' me an alchemist an' we'd be married. I was stupid to follow him. Once I realized what was goin' on, I should 'ave just ran.'

[Jerisa]

The Lord Justicar turned to the accused 'Rikka, you have made your statment...I shall call a short recess and render my judgement, and sentence if need be.' With that, both he and the Adjunct-Justicar sera Etaine retired to the Chancery Office. Her Majesty the Queen, though, lingered near the door, and bid Rikka to speak her statement.

The accused said firmly that she did not know about nay plans; that she might do 'some ditzy and stupid things' but that she would never do any kind of crime, especially one that might result in her death. 'If'n I had -known- that he had been charged with some rebellion or treason...I love him dearly and endlessly, but I couldnae support something that stupid! Nothing something that would risk so many lives and especially his own.' Her Majesty nodded gently, and then retired with the Lord Marshal to the Chancery Office.

After a short recess, Her Majesty returned with the Lord Marshal, the Lord Justicar, and the Adjunct-Justicar. Sitting again on the high-backed chair of the grand bench, Lord Gracien announced:

'Sera Rikka...I have weighed the evidence against you...and have decided upon your fate. Entrusted by Her Grace, as Royal Justicar I pronounce you Guilty of the charge of Treason and Rebellion.'

'I find you guilty also of giving aid and comfort to a traitor, all other charges I have dismissed against you.'

You are hereby sentened to death. A single beheading. Upon your revival, you shall be sent back to the Royal Executioner...who....shall wipe your memories clean. You shall have no memory of [this time], ever again. Should you ever fall back into bad habits sera....you will be fed to the furnace with with no chance of pardon.'

'One last sentence...for the aid and comfort of a traitor. I was not impressed by your little song and dance routine sera. So...for the price of your arrogance, your lack of duty for the Queen and your vanity...I shall instruct the hairdresses to shear your locks to the skin. Upon your return to the Castle, you shall have no memories....no hair...and no more of your rebellious pride. So let it be written.'

Immediately after Lord Gracien had pronounced his sentence, Her Majesty spoke one last time to sera Rikka: 'You have been shown a great deal of mercy this day by this court Sera. If everything you say is true, you never again have to recall the atrocities that you have been put through. You can continue to live a good life, fulfill your heart's purpose. You can wish to live within Our laws as you say so so desire. You may continue the life you so adamantly proclaimed you wished for.'

With that, the Lord Justicar announced 'This Court is adjourned!'

This chronicle will be subject to changes and corrections, as I humbly ask that the readers indicate to me any falsehood I may have mistakenly communicated. It is through the preservation of the Past that we continue to serve Her Grace and give strength to those that will follow.

In service to Her Majesty Queen Vivienne, the Lord Chamberlain, the Chronicler's Office, and the Denizenry of our Gracious Queen's Realm;

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Jerisa T'arachi Kysarrian, Chronicler of the Court