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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Oct 25, 2007 0:09:32 GMT -5
Emelia shrugged at Aerie. "I don't need evidence to declare you guilty, Aerie," she responded. "I seek the factual truth of the case, not some Six Kingdoms standard of proof. My men saw Seth putting starmetal in his saddlebags. Do you claim that he did not do so?"
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Post by Teirney Lannister on Oct 25, 2007 0:19:00 GMT -5
“You seek nothing but your own ends,” Aerie spat venomously. “Princess.”
She looked away from her, refusing to let the woman see her angry. “I did not see Seth put anything in his saddlebags. He was handling the metal like any curious spectator, but I did not see him take any. Either way, the star is a chunk of rock. Last time I checked, taking bits of rock wasn’t treason.”
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Oct 25, 2007 0:26:44 GMT -5
Emelia shrugged to Aerie. "Everyone seeks their own ends, Aerie Blackwood. You do as well. It is one's choice of ends that makes one noble or base, and to a lesser extent the means they choose to achieve those ends." She paused.
"Aerie Blackwood, I was quick to judge based on what was visible, but what was visible is enough to condemn you to something." She thought for a moment.
"I accept your statement that you had no part in the theft, but you still travelled with Seth and fled with him. He -did- place the metal in his saddlebags, though it was not found there; perhaps discarded, and all of this makes you his accomplice."
She looked at Aerie. "I will determine your punishment on consideration, but as it is a lesser crime, I probably won't take your sword." She then frowned.
"Aerie. What is it that drives you to hate me so?" she asked. "You've hated me long before you ended up here, and I couldn't understand why."
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Post by Teirney Lannister on Oct 25, 2007 0:35:11 GMT -5
“How can you prove Seth put the metal in his saddlebags if nothing was found in there? It sounds like you are more inventing evidence than interpreting it.” She listened unhappily to the rest of Emelia’s justifications and found herself frowning.
“Hate is a strong word though may be appropriate considering current circumstances. I never abhorred you, though I did find myself irritated by the condescending glances you and Aranya threw my direction during arbitrary social events. I would have to be blind not to notice. But that is irrelevant. You have an opportunity to leave a better impression. Release myself and Seth, as well as all our belongings. You have no case against us.”
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Oct 25, 2007 0:44:42 GMT -5
Emelia chuckled. "Aerie, I still think you misunderstand. This is Dorne, not the Six Kingdoms. I do not -need- to have proof. If I believe you to have committed a crime, I can judge you guilty, summarily and by my own authority. If you wish to despise Dorne for working that way..." She shrugged. "It's certainly better than letting off the first man to nick his opponent, even when he's known to be guilty."
She looked at Aerie. "You have dealt with me in honor, but I believe the witness given by my men as a first statement. I will speak with Seth now, and see if he has anything more to say. Afterwards, I will render my verdict."
She stood and started moving to the door, then paused. "Oh. Did you say that one of my men attempted to rape you?" she asked, her tone turning icy. She clearly did not wish to know that that had happened...but equally clear was her desire to solve such a problem.
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Post by Teirney Lannister on Oct 25, 2007 23:41:59 GMT -5
“It was more wishful thinking,” Aerie said with a shrug, “but more or less.”
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Oct 26, 2007 0:12:00 GMT -5
Emelia nodded to Aerie. "Rest assured, I'll investigate the matter." She left.
***
An hour later, Emelia and her guards returned. "Aerie, I've some good news and some better news. The good news is that the guard who asked to rape you will be flogged for his discourtesy. And the better news..."
Her smile grew wider and more malicious. "Seth Greyjoy has confessed."
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Post by Teirney Lannister on Oct 26, 2007 0:29:33 GMT -5
Aerie’s face fell for a moment but she stubbornly pushed her annoyance away. “Confessed or given in to your relentless harassment?” she questioned with sarcasm, eyeing Emelia warily. “Either way, you’ve gotten what you’ve wanted. What do you plan to do with him?”
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Oct 26, 2007 2:07:42 GMT -5
Emelia looked at Aerie...then burst into laughter. "Aerie, Aerie, you're entirely too easy," she responded. "He confessed freely, without any coercion on my part. And as for what I'm going to do..."
She cocked her head. "I'm going to let you two go. He was foolish, not malicious. And the same goes for you, at least when it comes to running from my men." She opened the door. "Come, Horas has sent a knight to procure your release, and you can travel back with Ser Brandon."
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Post by Teirney Lannister on Oct 26, 2007 22:58:03 GMT -5
Aerie raised an eyebrow in her direction and gave a mock gasp of shock. “What. No unreasonable exchanges or unwarranted punishment? I’m getting the feeling this is a little too good to be true.” Nevertheless, she rose swiftly and moved towards the door: She wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass to deliver more verbal displeasure.
“I think you’ve made a very wise decision, Princess” she said with a smirk.
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Post by Princess Ariel Targaryen on Oct 27, 2007 1:40:06 GMT -5
Emelia smirked back. "Why, I thank you for your kind words, Aerie," she responded. "You're actually getting off without warranted punishment, as it turns out. Do try not to change my mind." She led Aerie out the door.
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Hope you all are well and happy.