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How To Deliver Justice (with KiraMusani

Mrs. Handler was about to respond when Igathorn spoke up.

"Yes, these are copies of our tax information, under Igathorn's tax system." She replied.

"Depending on the person, but usually between 7 and 11, usually picking out the larger of the soldiers." He replied.

"Oh umm, well, I uhh, well umm..." Clair looked around at everyone looking at her seeming a little paniced.
"Breath honey" Mr. Handler whispered over to her.
Clair closed her eyes for a moment and took a breath.
"I don't know exactly, I was usually in the back, but based on the supplies needed, I would say twice a month. Mostly needing standard things for capturing criminals. I only ever had the princess Calla Groveshire in once to my knowledge." She managed to reply, though she kept her eyes off the crowd this time.

"I can confirm that." Mrs. Handler added.
"We also made logs of visitors if proof is needed." She added.

Diana shushed Wendy with her finger and whispered back.
"Good to see you too, but we need to stay quiet for the trial."
 
The prosecutor looked taken back. "Grovershire? Isn't she one of Gregor's army?" He looked between Gregor and Igthorne.

Cinnamon cleared her throat. "I DO remember Duchess Grovershire being there only once as well. Something about her blades needing sharpening? I had to go to the general store that day for flour. The shipment was late that month."

A quick look at the very records in the prosecution's hands would confirm that happening, two months before the princess being extorted.

Wendy nodded and settled back in her seat, raising an eyebrow as it seemed the Grovershire Duchess ALSO visited the general store. "Interesting..." She mumbled, rubbing a hand on her chin.

"Isn't it true, then princess Calla Dunwyn had to pay a penance tax on the current day in question, however?"

"Damn." Igthorne hissed under his breath. He forgot the Handlers had been hit for Gregor's Army Minuteman, and two months later socked the Handlers AND the Princess with taxes.
 
Clair blushed at her blunder.
"Oh! umm yes, Calla Dunwyn was also there, and I do believe, yes, was taxed as well, though my mother took care of that part of the business, I really just made stuff." She admitted, embarrassed.
 
The prosecutor smirked. "Thank you very much, Lady Handler, Mr. and Mrs. Handler, no farther questions."

Igthorne's attorney, in an attempt to trick Clair, and make her testimony seem extremely biased, stood up. "Isn't it true that you and The Crimson Avenger have, shall we say, an intimate relationship?"

Gasps erupted from the audience.

Wendy frowned and turned to Diana, "What the hell does Clair's relationship with Avenger have to do with the price of tea in China? Anyone who spent any time with either of them would know that's a smokescreen."

Knowing the answer, regardless of whether yes or no, would only help his case against Igthorne, the prosecutor said nothing, but had a smile himself. Really, the only person a yes would even hurt, would be Avenger and HER (meaning Avenger's) testimony.

Gregor, already knowing from the season, Clair wouldn't, sighed exasperated. This caused co-presider Cinnamon to address Clair, "With no objections from the prosecution, witness will answer truthfully. I'm sorry, Clair."

Would Clair remember to address her friend as Your Highness?
 
Clair seemed less shocked and more confused by the question. In her mind, as the room reacted, she was trying to figure out what was meant by intimate, and did come to the conclusion of a sort of sexual or romantic relationship. By the time she had her thoughts ordered she heard cinnamon address her.

"Oh! Of course Ci- Your Highness, I did not have what I would call an intimate relationship with Avenger." She replied, not wanting to give any information she didn't need to give, given who was asking the question.
 
Defense groaned and whispered something to Igthorne, who shrugged, whispering a reply. Defense turned back to the Handlers. "Nothing farther for these witnesses." He sat down and had a heated whispered conversation with Igthorne.

"Witnesses may step down." Gregor exclaimed, and looked to Cinnamon, who had the witness list.

Cinnamon took a breath. "Dunwyn calls witness Ethel to the stand."

Prosecution raised an eyebrow. "Ethel before Avenger?" He asked surprised.

"Weren't you listening to Handlers testimony?" Gregor asked, "Now we need to set the time period, unless you want Avenger's testimony at the same time?" Gregor asked.

Cinnamon flipped a page. "Majesty... I think that might be a good idea. They're going to be too interconnected, thanks to the bombshell about Grovershire also being seen at the General Store. And The Crimson Avenger, please."

Defense attorney got into yet another heated whispered conversation with Igthorne.

Wendy's eyes bugged out as she glanced at Ethel. "Bugger..."
 
Ethel raised an eyebrow but moved to where she was instructed, giving Avenger a glance as they soon found themselves sharing the stand. She, of course, remained quiet as she had not been asked any questions yet, but knew that Igathorn would have something tricky up his sleeve.
 
Avenger frowned as she looked at Igthorne and his attorney. "Watch for tricks in cross-examination by the defense. The Prosecution is on our side." She whispered as a heads up.

The Prosecutor cleared his throat. "When did you first learn of trouble in Dunwyn and by whom?" He questioned, looking at Ethel and raising an eyebrow at the new princess, since she had Avenger join Ethel on the witness stand.
 
Ethel nodded, having already known that, but understood Avenger's worry.
"I was hired by Igathorne, and he informed me of the location in which to travel to."

"And what was the nature in which he had hired you?"

"He made the claim that he was the leader of the realm and wanted me to eliminate Avenger here," She said, gesturing toward Avenger sitting beside her.
"As well as Diana of Themiscyra, Olivia Nevrakis, Clair Handler and Dr Aurora Service. Making the claim that they were insurgents threatening his reign." She replied, arms crossed.
 
Defense hotly whispered to Igthorne, frowning profusely.

"Avenger: This question is yours. Was this before or after you turned over all your findings to the rightful king, Gregor."

"Just before, actually. The information I had gathered hadn't been given to King Gregor, although we were both in Grovershire, where it was hidden."

And when Ethel here showed up at Grovershire, had you?"

"No, sir. We both, the King and I,, had agreed I would turn over everything I had on Igthorne following the tracking game and before the scouting one."

Did you think Igthorne was worried about this information?"

"Objection! Calls for speculation!" Defense argued.

"Withdrawn. For now." He turned to the defense attorney. "I'm establishing the very time frame you want to prove your clients innocence. I'm sure you are hearing the very testimony I am. Avenger knows how Igthorne works. She's had to deal with him for the previous three years."

He turned back to Ethel. "Did you know of Avenger amassing evidence against the defendant or Avenger herself, prior to meeting her in Grovershire, and where you familiar with any of the names mentioned as insurrectionists?"

Depending on what Ethel had really known about the Nevrakis family, it wasn't likely, however, the Nevrakis family was already infamous in Cordonia. Especially Luther, who she may or may not know was Olivia's grandfather before meeting and speaking with her.
 
Ethel was quiet as Avenger was questioned, only speaking up once she was addressed.
"No, I had known some of the family names but had not been sure these girls were the ones he had requested upon first arriving. I was essentially going in blind as to who each of them was. At least with any level of certainty, and I certainly had no idea about any amassing of information." She explained rather plainly.
 
Prosecution nodded. "No farther questions at this time."

Defense arose after shooting his client a warning glare. "So as far as you knew, Duke Igthorne DID rule the realm?"

Avenger frowned. "Tell the truth, but call his bluff at the same time if you can... They're plotting something and both Gregor and Cinnamon will suffer for it." She whispered.
 
Ethel raised an eyebrow at the question. "I was suspicious, but went under that assumption at first, of course, quickly learned he was, in fact, lying about his position and impersonating the leader of the land. I deal with a lot of liars like Igathorn in my work, so you learn to sniff them out."
 
Prosecution couldn't hide his smirk as Ethel put another nail in Igthorne's coffin, as Defense grumbled and sat down.

"Witnesses are excused," Cinnamon said before looking at Gregor checking with the knight acting as bailiff.

"We'll call a fifteen minute recess for tea, and then I want Dr. Aurora Service on the stand." Gregor addressed the court.

Wendy frowned and turned to her seatmate in Diana. "Wait. The medical student? What happened after I left? I know only of Aurora saving Clair in Birmingham after the polo match!"

She didn't know that Aurora was now the premier medical expert since she was now a full fledged physician, due to her promotion by her mentor, Dr. Phillip Arden.
 
Since recess was now in session, Diana had no problem giving a response.
"Since Doctor Aurora is now the premier medical expert on site, they are probably going to ask things about the attacks and poisoning on the same people Ethel just said Igathorn told her to kill."

"Probably focusing on things like Avengers Appendix and Clair's poisoning," Ethel added, getting a nod from Diana.

Clair, meanwhile, remained quiet, still recovering from when she was on the stand with soo much attention on her.
 
As Aurora took the stand, nodding to both attorneys and the King and Princess, Prosecution got started. "Did you first come to court to be the go to physician?"

"No. I came as many did, to show my abilities to be a good match for then Princess Calla."

"How did you then become Court Physician?"

"Through a series of unfortunate events¹. Starting at Birmingham during the polo match."

The Prosecutor nodded. "Elaborate."

Aurora then explained how she was relegated to being a scorekeeper after falling off her borrowed horse during a practice run and ended up with a casted wrist. "I wasn't the only courtier to suffer a wrist fracture, just the only one who only had herself to blame. Calla herself had come to the ball, allegedly for spar fisticuffs. Avenger came two days later, from an ogre bending her wrist back until it snapped. That can be verified by Dr. Benjamin Monroe, the Dunwyn Physician."

"Did the horse rear to throw you off? That seems to be unlikely by an expert equestrian."

Aurora lowered her head, thinking about her own accident. "Come to think of it... Yes. A loud noise spooked it."

Prosecution took a deep breath, glanced at Defense, and bid Aurora to continue.

Aurora then explained the actual attempted kidnapping of Clair after a fight broke out during the polo match. How she, knowing how to wield her casted wrist, hit the kidnapper repeatedly and Clair even bit him. Only being tackled by Avenger finally caused him to let go. Olivia, with her knowledge of separating platelets, allowed her to diagnose Adamantum poisoning, her medical knowledge kicked in, and they induced vomiting to save Clair's life, and her follow-up over the next few days, until they reached Grovershire.

"Was Diana or Olivia targeted as well?"

"Not that I'm aware. One more victim was found in Grovershire, during the tracking game. I treated her many wounds including severe bruising in and around her face."

"And that was...?"

"Princess Sapphire, who DOES have a striking resemblance to Princess Calla, despite her raven hair. But then... Dyes are all the rage."

Prosecution looked over to where Aurora had pointed, singling out the Jewel Kingdom Princess. "Yes. I see the resemblance. We'll be hearing her testimony later."

Igthorne knew he was hung now, and sunk in his seat. Something even Clair could notice. He whispered something over to his attorney, who only nodded. "Even I didn't know this evidence would be this damning. I would have left you to your fate."

As Prosecution wrapped up his questioning, Defense sighed and said, "No questions. Defense would like to change his plea. Guilty to conspiracy of murder." He whispered down to Igthorne, "These are treasonous acts as well, Sigmund. Nine counts of Conspiracy is at LEAST life in prison."

Gregor nodded as Cinnamon gaped. Igthorne finally after several years, was admitting to a lower charge? Did he really think he was going to get away with this?

Gregor sighed. "Close your mouth, Princess, lest you swallow a fly."

Gregor than passed judgement on his tyrannical brother. "Just on the testimony we've heard from the Handlers, Ethel, Avenger and Doctor Aurora, this court has no choice but to sentence you to hanging from the neck until dead. It shall happen on January 3rd, in the year of our Lord 1378. Enjoy your final Yule, brother." The gavel came down.


1 Lemony Snicket shout-out

(How does everyone react to this? Relief? Shock?)
 
As Auroa was questioned, and the session came to an unexpected end, Diana was somewhat surprised by the ruling, though she silently nodded. She had always been told that men like that didn't change, and there was no use in trying to improve them; he wanted power and would try to gain more of it by any means.

Ethel on the other hand didn't really seem to react much at all, staying stoic at the time of the sentencing. She had seen many hearings just like this; she was, of course, relieved. Had he gotten another sentence, she might have needed to keep an eye on him.

Clair covered her mouth; she had never been present as someone was sentenced to death, and she knew of hangings but had never seen one before. Her mind couldn't help but wonder if there was a better way to handle such people, even if reform wasn't an option, surely there was another form of execution that was less prone to error and undue suffering. Or perhaps even another solution all together that they have simply not considered.
 
Gregor arose from the table and came around it, addressing Ethel. "Noble Lady Ethel, a moment? With this trial officially over, you are free of your need to continue advising me or Cinnamon, now. Although you are most cordially invited to attend the Snowflake Ball on Christmas Eve, three days hence, beginning at six pm, you no longer need feel you must. I welcome your continued feedback if you feel I have erred in any way up to this point."

Cinnamon pulled a classic princess move, that actually would warrant even a royal advisor (like Ethel) to bop her upside her head. Her bodyguard, Amethyst, did give Cinnamon a glare. Cinnamon rolled her eyes and quipped, "Oh, please, Majesty... EVERYONE in Dunwyn has wanted Igthorne to finally get his comeuppance for about a decade of harassment and attacks on you AND the village! I wish we could've shown the proof publicly of him hiring the ogres! Just desserts, I say!"
 
Ethel nodded to Gregor.
"I think I'll take you up on that offer, stick around a little longer, and of course if I think you have misstepped then I'll be sure to let you know"

Ethel walked over to Cinnamon after her outburst.
"Princess, a word?" She said before pulling her aside.
"What the hades was that? You are a princess now, so no matter your feelings you need to stay impartial in cases like this, otherwise everyone will start to think you are just getting rid of who you don't like, instead of who actually deserves it. Is that the kind of princess you want to be?"
 
Cinnamon just let Ethel keep her grip on her arm as she was led away, although Amethyst did follow, being her Royal Bodyguard. "You've seen the kind of person he is. I've only met one true blackguard in all my life. The village of Dunwyn is, although named for the Royal Family is owned by my father and is his Barony."

"That's not what she asked you, Cinnamon.... Maybe you would like the grip on your arm tightened?" Amethyst hissed, giving a nod to Ethel to indeed tighten the grip on her arm, if Cinnamon kept avoiding the question. "Calla would be very disappointed to hear your tone right now, as well. Not every villain is going to be an Igthorne. You'll have to co-preside over many court cases alongside Gregor, and then on your own as ruler. Answer Ethel's question, young lady. Is this the kind of princess you want to be? Verbal answer."

"But... Everyone here DOES know! And he's already sentenced! You won't find anyone weeping for Igthorne, not even Gregor!"

SAAA-LAP!

Cinnamon's face was soon facing 90 degrees from where it was, a cheek turning red from the force of the blow. Amethyst was red-faced and steamed as she shook the hand she used to backhand Cinnamon.

Cinnamon looked down at her feet. "No. That's not the princess I want to be... Or present. Even if everyone else would agree with me." She said quietly.

Avenger was talking to Clair and Ruby when Amethyst slapped her princess. She rubbed her own cheek. "I don't know about Cordonia rules, but the Royal Bodyguard of the Princess CAN slap her with just cause. I didn't learn plenty of lessons until I was backhanded by my father or my bodyguard."


Ruby gripped Clair's hand. "Avenger. Where do you think that etiquette law came from? That's been on the Stormholt lawbooks for near a century, now. Dunwyn got most it's laws from Cordonia, with minor tweaks to lighten the severity."

Ethel would hear Ruby's confession of how closely tied Stormholt, Cordonia laws were to the laws Gregor led by in Dunwyn, England.
 
Ethel didn't mind letting Amethyst take over, instead just looking at her disapprovingly.

As she finally answered she lightened her look a little.
"So, then explain what you did wrong and how you will do better in the future, and why your excuses this time aren't good enough" she demanded, wanting to ensure she learned her lesson fully.

Ethel was also not surprised by the law and it's crossover in rules, that was a pretty common system used.

Clair stayed mostly quiet, surprised by the slap, her parents never used that kind of punishment on her and it gave her a bit of a shock.
 
Cinnamon couldn't believe what she heard. "Ladies, please, I would never be so sure of anyone else! You both have dealt with Igthorne and his ilk before! Several times! Ethel, you had to go to Dom in this very dungeon, and you heard how Princeton treated his own daughter and heiress."

Amethyst was in Cinnamon's face. "See, that right there. This is what Ethel is talking about. A princess is supposed to take every situation as a new case, and not bring up anything done by someone else. Dom and Princeton were not part of the trial. Yes, the case is over, and Igthorne got a just sentence. But you crossed a line. We want to see if you understand what line you may have been able to cross as a baroness, but should NEVER cross as a PRINCESS, regardless of how many people would think you're right. And Cinnamon. You ARE the princess, now, not a baroness. This is one of the biased things I clashed with Calla about... But hers were men in general. Especially after Cavin."

Cinnamon's eyes went wide, and she looked warily at Ethel and especially where she had a grip on her arm. "Wait, I'm not allowed to say my peace about a trial, after the fact?" She saw Amethyst glare at her again. "Come on, Amethyst, it's an honest question! It's not like I said it during the trial!"

Amethyst saw the King approach with a concerned look. "Let me put this in terms you CAN understand. A biased princess is put in a tower cell which is cramped, dank and cold. Even colder during the winter. One little window. About 50 feet up. There she is drilled with etiquette and other lessons repeatedly for 12 hours a day, or at least sunup to sundown for AT LEAST 30 days. She's only released when her king, which is usually also her father, says she's ready and has learned."

Amethyst looked right at Ethel and growled through clenched teeth. "Ethel. Tighten your grip on the Princess's arm."

Gregor finally arrived. "What is the meaning of this?" Noticing Amethyst's angry look at Cinnamon, but not seeing how tightly Ethel was gripping her, the King looked worriedly between the three for an answer, finally prompting with, "Ladies...?"

Avenger reached over to Clair as Ruby clutched her hand. "You doing ok, there? Talk to me or Ruby, please." She looked worriedly around for one of Clair's parents or Queen Kenna. "If we could just spot Kenna at least, to help escort Clair from the escalation."

Ruby leaned over and kissed Clair's cheek. "I'll leave that to my bodyguard, I'll look after Clair."
 
Ethel saw Cinnamon handling it, so simply kept presence, she didn't have her older body and strength so couldn't squeeze too hard, but it was firm enough to be present, though not enough to cause pain.

"This is an awfully fine line Princess, especially as a leader no matter the case or the consensus, you must ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS remain impartial, and that is in the court or outside of the court. If it's even somewhat a public space, you must ALWAYS check your bias. No matter how correct you think it is." She added before Gregor arrived.

"Ahh good, Princess, if you still believe to be in the right, kindly explain to the King what this is about" Ethel asked, seeing if it had sunk in yet.

She didn't seem to see anyone she was trying to look for as she looked around.

Clair made her self smaller as the conflict escalated, not being comfortable around such things.
"I umm, I-I wouldn't mind if we went elsewhere" she managed to say and a near whisper under shaky breath.
 
Cinnamon sighed. Like a proper princess (as even Calla never looked her father directly in the eye unless bidden to look at him) "I still don't think I get exactly why I'm in so much trouble with my Royal Bodyguard and the Royal Advisor, but I made an off-handed remark after the trial and igthorne's sentencing that it was just desserts. I've been trying to explain everyone feels that way, especially with everything Igthorne has done for years..."

Gregor held up his hand and gave a terse, "Enough! Before you dig yourself in deeper!"

Meanwhile, Queen Kenna walked towards Avenger, Ruby and Clair. "Your parents are speaking with some Cordonian guards that I've issued them, in the study, and they are getting to know each other. Why don't you three come with me and join them for tea, finger sandwiches and scones?" She could see Gregor's face turning red from where she was, and so could Avenger, who quickly got next to Clair, to keep her from seeing the King mad. They would hurry to the study where the only people Clair would not recognize, were the three men and one woman allotted to protect the Handlers as new citizens of Cordonia.
--------------------------------------------------------

After Clair was safely escorted away, Gregor spoke, pinching his eyes shut. "Young lady. You have probably been told, by both these fine noblewomen, how a princess should act. Would that we didn't have an issue with the tower cell, with a leaking ceiling, because you're biased attitude would surely put you there. Here's what's going to happen. Sunrise..."

The reddish brown man came up and saluted with a "Sire!"

"Princess Cinnamon will not be attending the ball the evening after next. She will be getting lessons on proper etiquette, Dunwyn history, and Dunwyn laws for the foreseeable future. Have bars placed on her bedchamber window, and her veranda onto her porch overseeing the castle hedge maze padlocked shut, so she cannot access it.

Calla got locked in that room for being unprincesslike, but you're in deeper. I will not have a biased heiress. You've already shown you know what is expected of you as the Princess, so all I can say, is learn your lessons well to show yourself worthy of the distinction. The usual punishment is 30 12 hour days, currently we only have about 8 hours of daylight and an instructor cannot be in a Princess's room after dusk. Since I want you to have the 360 hours necessary, you'll be spending the next 45 days locked in your room with your lessons and study books. Learn your lesson well, Cinnamon."

He cleared his throat and spoke to Amethyst. "As bodyguard, you're in charge. When the room is ready, lock Princess Cinnamon in it." With that, Gregor stormed off to cool his raging temper.
 
Clair jumped a little as Kenna spoke up, not having expected it, and with her on edge, but nodded to what she said.
"Oh, umm, yes please, that sounds good, thank you."

As they made it there, Clair felt much more comfortable, knowing almost everyone around her and having tea and food to help calm her, it wasn't long before she was calm again.

-----------------------

Ethel looked to Cinnamon once Gregor left.
"I do hope that someone can explain it in a way that makes you understand, but this is for the best, people need to know that the one passing sentences and laws, doesn't have a personal agenda colouring their choices."
 
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