The Trial of Lord Tarth

[Poach]

[OOC: This is going nowhere for reasons beyond me so here's a push.]

The Great Hall had been arranged with many benches for viewers running along the sides of the hall, with the central aisle left clear for Tarth to be paraded down. A simple stand had been arranged just before the steps up to the Iron Throne for him to stand in, while the King and his two judges sat atop the stairs: Aerys upon the Iron Throne, and his mother and Lord Stark to his left and right. These three would pass judgement. A second podium stood next to the one Tarth would stand in, allowing for witnesses to stand on an elevated platform and give their accounts.

Goldcloaks stood either side of the podium to guard Tarth, while the Kingsguard stood around the bottom of the stairs, protecting the approach to the King, as was their duty.

The great doors swung open and everyone turned to look: Lord Tarth appeared, escorted by a troop of Goldcloaks, his hands chained.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Queen Shaera Targaryen entered the chambers wearing a crimson gown. On her left shoulder the sigil of House Targaryen was marked. She glanced over at Tarth, her face betraying nothing of what she was thinking.

[Xion]

Serala arrives and takes a seat on one of the benches towards the back of the Great Hall. Wearing a black dress with a fur cloak over it instead of the attire of the Grand Master and her silver mask, she blends in with the others who have come to view the trial.

[The Mad Skylord]

Tarth was placed into the podium, with the whole gallery looking upon him. Aerys Targaryen sat in the Iron Throne, looking upon his Cousin. It had come to this. Aerys was furious, although his face did not show it. He had trusted Tarth, given him the benfit of the doubt and he had been totally betrayed. He had attacked a King's Officer. Aerys spoke, his calm voice ringing out clearly through out the Great Hall.

"Lord Boremond of House Tarth, you stand here accused of High Treason, Sedition, Assault on a King's Officer and the Bribery or Coercion of member of the Faith. How do you plead?"

[Pericles of Athens]

Stark sat down in one of the three seats reserved for the judges, the one beside his wife. He eyed the southerners, even after six years among them they remained ever as foreign as when he first ride south to break Maelys. He wore the same things he always seemed to wear in peace, a jerkin of leather with the direwolf of Stark upon its chest, cotton pants in a muted brown, his iconic shadow cat pelt about his wide shoulders held together by a silver direwolf clasp.

[Adamat]

The Lady Commander, somewhat recovered from Tarth's torture, sat on the front bench of the hall. She had, for once, decided to dress up as a noblewoman. The dress she wore was simple, but more elegant than anything King's Landing had ever seen her in. She looked at Tarth when he entered. She'd struggled to find a convincing reason to get rid of him, but all that it had taken was to pay a simple visit. The madman had played himself.

[ficenzi]

Larraq of Braavos, the red priest, having heard of the scandal in the capitol appears for the trial. Upon entering he takes a seat in the first rows meant for the crowd, eager to hear what the accused has to say and what the king's sentence will be.

[Jokern]

Larraq of Braavos, the red priest, having heard of the scandal in the capitol appears for the trial. Upon entering he takes a seat in the first rows meant for the crowd, eager to hear what the accused has to say and what the king's sentence will be.

Lord Branston Rosby had joined the Red Priest Larraq on his journey to King's Landing to witness the trial of Lord Tarth. It had been some since he last stepped foot in the capital and he had kept himself up to date with the latest politics and intrigue at the king's court. However, he was very excited about aiding the construction of the grand temple for the Lord of Light in any way he could, so going to the trial had been a good motivation as well, though Branston truly had no great interest in its conclusion.

[Zeus Almighty]

Criston Tully stood guard, and Warrick Tully in the crowd.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Qoherys Velaryon, acting Master of Laws, gazed upon the convicted Tarth. He listened calmly to the words spoken by the King, knowing that, in the end, Tarth would receive due punishment. And, if anything, the Velaryon would ensure this was carried out. He glances around for a moment, noticing the Red Priest as well as other judges present. He wondered if the Lady Commander would stand as a witness or not in this case.

[Oznerol]

Boremund stood proud wearing his well-know brocade gown. His necklaced glittered under the sun and his fierce beard framed his beard. Tall and large he towered over the meek guardsmen.

"Not guilty"

He gestured towards the King.

"Everything I did was done in the name on the Crown and in the capacity of Master of Laws. In fact my records are clean. I did nothing irregular. Gods know my administration has been fair and just. Even those I judged could testify that"

He stood there confident and calm.

"In fact I demand this chains removed, for I am of such noble birth that those should not be present. My knightly oath shall be enough to answer for these lofty fetters"

He looked at all those present.

"Not only have I been accused unrightfully, but there are many who wish my downfall. The very Ilsa Corbray was taken prisoner for irregularities on her command"

He nodded an clerks brought piles of parchments. The parchments had been redacted by the own justiciars of the crown, detailing the many crimes of Lady Ilsa, including treason, disgrace of her office, shameful behavior and incorrect administration of funds.

"She was accused of treason and plotting against a royal officer. Moreso, she has disgraced her office by bedding many men, including Donnel Lefford who we asume is her bastard's father. However, he is not to blame, for that witch is guilty of seducing better men. She is an abomination, a sinful woman who dares to wield a sword, the Faith just dennounced what was seen obvious; a woman cannot fight as a man. I did nothing to influence the High Septon's judgement. In fact...!"

His voice was powerful and booming.

"To accuse his Holiness of accepting bribes is sinful slander against the voice of the Gods themselves!! I see the judgement of the Gods is little heard in these halls, and faith have abandoned all those who dare to raise the hand against me"

Lord Tarth laughed.

"I am from the blood of the dragon and all those who have accused me are meek, pathetic men or wanton woman. I am Lord Boremund Tarth and I place my faith on the Gods themselves"

He looked upwards.

"I demand a Trial of seven!"

His voice fills the whole hall with ease.

[The Mad Skylord]

Aerys watched Tarth strangely. His fingers drumming an irregular beat against the surface of the Iron Throne. He had been called weak, in his own halls, and something he had held in check for several years began to crack. "Denied.

We have actually accused you of attempting to coerce or bribe him, but I would say you probably managed. Everyone in this hall knows how corrupt the faith is, and that old fool failed to defend the most holy Seven from a Red Priest who entered these halls and slandered them.

You will have a trial of men - and women - because you are accused of treason. Not heresy."

Aerys paused, and added as a quick after thought. "I do not unfetter accused traitors, Ser, and you are a disgrace to your knightly vows. Real knights do not torture women."

Aerys looked around the hall. Most of that could count as a confession, but one had to be impartial. "I call Lord Steffon Baratheon to the stand, to give an unbiased opinion of Lord Tarth's mentality, character and mental abilities."

[Gandalfus]

(I wasn't even aware my character was here, lol)

Steffon had watched the proceedings in utter amazement - this seemed less like a trial, and more of a mudslinging match, with two of his close family hurling insults and accusations at each other. Could Tarth be capable of treason? He had known the laughing giant as long as he could remember, and he was now the grandfather to Steffon's own children. But if he was indeed innocent, what did that make Aerys? The thought worried him, and he almost did not notice his name being called by the King until he received a sharp nudge from one of his companions. Baratheon shuffled forward, dressed in relatively plain clothing for his station, but the King had recognised him nonetheless. Taking his place in the centre of the throne room, the stag spoke loudly, and clearly, hoping that his words would carry the weight of true justice.

"Lord Boremund Tarth has been a vassal of my family since my grandfather's time." He began, his gaze unmoving from the king, "In which he stood in defiance when my grandfather, Lyonel Baratheon, declared outrage against the Iron Throne." All remembered the laughing Storm, who had risen as Storm King after being dishonoured by Duncan, Prince of Dragonflies. "He valued the oaths to his king over that of his liege, which speaks of his loyalty to the throne. Since that time, House Baratheon and House Tarth have been reconciled, and I have only ever known Lord Boremund to be a stalwart and true vassal of Storm's End, offering wise and valuable counsel to myself and my father, who served as Hand of the King. While loud and boisterous, I have only ever known him to speak with sound wisdom." He paused, and doubted his words would have much affect. These trials of treason were usually pre-determined. But nonetheless, he continued. "I recall in the Kingswood, where he saved Your Grace from certain death, and was the first to offer his aid to your wounded state."

Looking at the polished floor, he pulled a short note from his doublet pocket, written by Tarth to Lord Baratheon.

"I do not have the knowledge to make a judgement on his character and honour during the events that transpired in the capital, for I do not rightly know what has taken shape here. However, Lord Tarth wrote to me some weeks past, declaring his concern that there were those in the capital that would wish him ill and plot against his life. I wish to present this letter to the court to be used as a piece of evidence, such as it is."

Baratheon hands the letter to a Goldcloak, who presents it to the King.

My lord,

Someone has shown the King a letter, a forgery accusing me of treason. I'm dangerously close of losing my head. I fear some plot my downfall as we speak, for unknown reasons. Right now Ilsa Corbray, that abomination, is questioning me most harshly, I suspects she harbors ill-thoughts against me. You know I have no treacherous thoughts towards the King, my liege. I trust your Lordship with the wardship over my younger children in case I'm attainted and executed.

Signed,

B.T.

[Lord Dread]

With curiousity Lady Myrcella also attended the trials from a distant position within the hall. Being dressed in a modest, grey dress, she placed herself on one of the last benches among present nobility to watch the scenery, while hoping to understand every word being spoken upon the trial.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"The Lady Commander is not on trial...yet." That little whore has forgotten her place. "We shall search for the facts in this matter and this matter alone, that is why this tribunal has been convened." Shaera replied. "I find the evidence presented by Lord Baratheon most compelling. This letter should be admitted as exculpatory evidence."

She looked to Tarth "I now give the accused a chance to present his side of the story and case in chief, as he is fit to testify. Call whomever you will as a witness to speak on your behalf."

[Oznerol]

Boremund's face was red with anger after the King's speech denying him a trial by combat, but nodded eagerly during his son-in-law's.

"I call my cousin and steward, Lord Ronnet Penrose"

Moments later a man with two quills embroidered on the doublet bows before the royals. He was red-haired and short, his steely gaze was sharp. Many knew him, for he had acted as Tarth's right hand and trusted companion. They were childhood friends, for Ronnet was also kin to the royal family, albeit more distantly than Boremund.

"I am Lord Ronnet Penrose of Parchments, grandson of Ronnel Penrose, who was Master of Coin for good King Daeron II"

Some murmored, for the man was of high birth, with dragon blood even. He stood before the throne.

"My cousin shared with me his troubled thoughts. The king had shown him a letter which filled him with worry. The letter was clearly a forgery because it hadn't been sealed with my cousin's signal ring and even the handwritting didn't fit entirely"

The Stormlander looked determined.

"He feared some mongrels were plotting his downfall, due his close relationship with the king, by blood and station on court. Honestly, that isn't an oddity in courts like this one, but the letter wasn't merely slanderous, but insinuated grave things, like my cousin plotting high treason. Including replacing Lord Stark"

Penrose nods to Lord Rickard.

"However, considering the good-relationship between Tarth and her Grace, Shaera, it is extremely unlikely. The Hand himself might testify never Tarth said something inadequate to his lordship. In fact they shared opinion several times in the past. We must think how many gifts and favor has my cousin received from his Grace, he had no reason to harbor ill-will against him. Moreso, all of you migth remember he wasn't afraid to speak for Tyrell before the court as he was sure of his righteousness: such an honorable and just man simply cannot betray his king"

He looks around.

"Why plot against a King whose life you saved, I wonder? Even from a pragmatic point of view it's better to let him live and rule and profit from it!"

Some chuckled in the audience.

"Last, but not least, that woman came one day"

He points to Ilsa.

"And made very odd questions, including some of great corcern for this court. She insinuated the King was mad and had committed atrocious acts, acts of madness (I hope your Grace will forgive my words). My cousin rebuked her statements. Troubled by the letter and disturbed by the treasonous words of Corbray he seemed fit to jail and interrogate her. He had been overzealous with keeping the peace at the realm and was somewhat paranoid after the king seemed fit to him the letter"

Penrose reads a small parchment.

"In fact he ordered to not harm the baby or torture Corbray. However, the interrogator's zeal was unknown to Lord Tarth. We all know how amiable my cousin is, he wouldn't command such tortures unless it were absolutely needed for a case. He even mourned the deaths of some poachers the day before Lady Ilsa was jailed"

He looks to the King.

"By plotting he had much more to lose than to gain. Considering he had your Grace's favor all these charges are ridiculous and easy to dismiss"

[Adamat]

Ilsa heard the lies. She stared Aerys in the eyes until he looked her way, slightly raising her hand. If needed, she would testify.

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Silence!" Shaera ordered "the Crown may call witnesses after the defendant has had an opportunity to present his case. I have no further questions for this witness." She looked to her fellow panelists. "Unless any of my fellows have questions, you may call your next witness or speak in your own defense."

[Lucius Malfoy]

OOC; Qoherys might have something to say, but I am waiting on a response from Poach before determining that.

[Oznerol]

"I call his Holiness the High Septon, Voice of the Gods"

Said Lord Boremund.