Dieter pushed himself to his feet and circled out from behind his desk. He stood, hands clasped behind his back, for a good long while in thought as he considered the man on the stand. At last, he grinned. His grin was that of a marine predator of the Sea of Ash, the hunger in his eyes that of a shark scenting blood in the water.
“Sergeant Melkire, are you familiar with Hammerlea, in western Thanalan?â€
Osric’s smile faltered and died. “...aye.â€
“And you are familiar with its three hammers, employed in the excavation of certain natural resources, yes?â€
“Aye.â€
“What is not well-known,†explained Dieter as he turned to fetch several copies of a report from his desk, “is that there was once a fourth hammer to the north. What is even less well-known is that beneath where it once stood is the opening to a rather long man-made tunnel dating back to the ancient civilization of Sil’Dh. Your Honors, if I may approach the bench?â€
At the Marshal’s approving nod, the prosecutor handed over a number of copies before turning to approach the defense table and providing a copy for Primrose.
“Sergeant,†Dieter asked as he turned back to the stand, “are you familiar with this tunnel?â€
“...aye.â€
“For those not in the know, this tunnel was, until recently, classified. ’Tis yet another ancient ruin from Sil’Dih, I’m afraid, one that leads into our dear city proper. At least one point of egress,†Dieter looked pointedly at Melkire, “leads directly into the former manse of one Jameson Taeros.â€
Osric’s expression was calm, cool, collected. He merely stared across the room at the prosecutor.
“The report you now hold, Your Honors, is but an excerpt of a larger, more complete report that encompasses the sum total of Private Kokojo’s investigation….â€
The man on trial snuck a glance towards the audience where Kanaria was waiting. Their eyes met for a brief moment before the woman pursed her lips and shook her head, her eyes falling to the floor.
Damn.
When he’d agreed to take Jameson’s life in exchange for information vital to preventing an all-out massacre on Pearl Lane at the hands of Ernis Randolph and his revolutionaries, Osric had been counting on the inevitable correspondence from Nero Lazarov to help clear his own name in the event that his transgression ever saw the light of day. Though he’d allowed Ser Coatleque Crofte to make copies, he’d left the originals in Kanaria’s care, with explicit instructions to take them to Swift should the need ever arise. He’d hoped that, somehow, the Flames could spin it as a case where he’d acted for the greater good, that the commander and his staff could convince those on the Syndicate that the loss of one merchant-noble’s life was worth the saving of countless others.
Evidently, the Monetarists didn’t agree.
Halatali all over again. Who cares for the little folk when a businessman’s life and coin are on the line?
That the prosecutor was even pursuing this line of questioning - that he, the accused, was on trial not just for suspicion of assassination but for attempted murder - meant that Nero’s letters were worthless before the law. Ul’dah apparently valued its sons and their coin more than its own honor. He felt nauseous, as if he could feel bile slowly climbing up his throat.
“...you’ll find written testimony from one Private Hearn. who was stationed at the former site of the North Hammer on the sun in question and tasked with guarding the entrance to said tunnel. I say ‘written’,†Dieter sneered as he snuck a glance at Melkire, “because the man in question will never be able to speak again. Given the trauma he endured, we deemed his presence here today too strenuous to his health.â€
The prosecutor paced up and down the courtroom again.
“In his testimony, Hearn describes being set upon by a small band of vigilantes, one of which matched a description he’d been given belonging to one Nero Lazarov. Hearn’s unit was slaughtered almost to a man; he owes his life solely to a timely communique by way of linkshell, an alert from his commanding officer that served to raise the alarm. The chirurgeons arrived in time to save Hearn’s life, but not his voice… nor his left leg.â€
Dieter faced the bench.
“On the next page, Your Honors, you will find written testimony provided by Brynnalia Callae, a mercenary woman who was at the time under the employ of Jameson Taeros. In her testimony, Callae claims that Lord Taeros set out into the tunnel to apprehend these vigilantes, chief among them one Nero Lazarov. May I remind you that Lazarov was, and remains to this sun, a wanted man. Lord Taeros was taking upon himself the civic duty to apprehend such a criminal! And yet, upon making contact with the enemy, Callae notes that she heard her lord bellow the following words.â€
The prosecutor’s eyes met the accused’s own.
“Melkire, where is Lazarov?â€
Osric closed his eyes for a brief moment, took a deep breath… and then opened them again.
Mistake.
Too late. Far too late. He could tell from the horrified, wide-eyed look on Evangeline’s face. He hadn’t just blinked. No, he’d done something far worse. He’d given himself away.
As far as tells went, he’d given the courtroom Dalamud in the sky.
Dieter smiled at him. “Curious. Very, very curious. Your Honors, please note that in Hearn’s testimony, he claims the presence of four distinct vigilantes. Two Miqo’te women, a Keeper and a Seeker. One highlander male in heavy armor. One midlander matching the description of Nero Lazarov. And yet, according to Jameson Taeros by recollection of Brynnalia Callae, Lazarov was not present… Melkire was.â€
The prosecutor approached the stand, hands folded behind his back, chest thrust up and out as though he were a rooster. Confident in his victory, the man apparently could not help but strut.
“Sergeant Osric Melkire, were you present in that tunnel on the night in question?â€
He has me.
Fear surged up his spine… but something caught it by the tail and dragged it back down before it could lodge itself in his throat. Something fed it to his gut, fed it to his fire.
Minimize the damage.
Find a way out.
“Aye...â€
The courtroom exploded. Or it ought to have, given the noise. Evangeline was on her feet, protesting profusely. The Marshal was on hers, shouting the Elezen down. The audience was abuzz. Dieter and Melkire alone stood… and sat… in silence. The prosecutor looked quite smug as order was at last restored and the chamber quieted.
“...but not for Taeros.â€
Dieter frowned. “Please answer the questions as I ask them, Sergeant. No more, no less.â€
Osric smirked. “Sure.â€
Dieter turned to fetch yet another set of documents from his table before approaching the stand. “Sergeant Melkire, is this your handwriting?â€
Oh, gods. He has them..
The very papers he’d hoped would exonerate him were now being used to condemn him.
I should’ve told Evangeline.
Too late now.
He glanced down and there it was, staring him straight in the face.
“No,†he answered.
“Do you recognize this handwriting?â€
“...aye.â€
“Your Honors, if you would turn to the next page, you will find that the remainder of the provided excerpt contains a copy of a letter addressed to ‘Flame Sergeant Osric Melkire,’ from one ‘Nero Lazarov’. We have had this handwriting compared with other extant samples; the authenticity of this letter is not in question. ‘Surprising utility as an assassin,’ he says… oh, my… please note, Your Honors, that the accused allowed this criminal to escape justice… Sergeant Melkire, the testimonies of Hearn and Callae, as well as your own admission, place you at the scene. As for this letter, Sergeant… did you attempt to assassinate Jameson Taeros?â€
“No.â€
Dieter’s eyebrows rose. “No? But Lazarov’s letter clearly suggest that--â€
“--you’re lackin’ context, my original correspondence--â€
“--is unavailable, Sergeant--â€
Liar.
“--we only just barely managed to acquire a warrant for Lazarov’s correspondence, Commander Swift was quite unwilling to part with it--â€
Primrose was on her feet again; she and Dieter bellowed back and forth at each other and at the bench until the gavel came down hard with three sharp raps. The prosecutor looked frustrated and furious as he turned and barked his next question at the accused.
“--Sergeant Melkire, if you insist that you were not conducting an assassination, then for what purpose were you present at the scene?!â€
Osric smiled.
“Jameson Taeros was holding one of Lazarov’s associates prisoner. The pirate wanted his associate back in return for information pertaining to Ernis Randolph and the terrorist’s organization. I can only assume that ‘surprising utility as an assassin’ is some reference to the ease with which the merchant-noble’s sellswords were dispatched.â€
Dieter smirked.
“And the name of this associate?â€
The accused snuck a glance up at the bench. He couldn’t count on knowing what Callae might or might not have known. To be caught in a lie at this junction… he couldn’t afford for Dieter to strip him of what little credibility he had. The truth, then.
“Roen Deneith.â€
The courtroom erupted again.
This time, despite the Marshal’s best efforts, the clamor refused to die down. Apparently, that name still carried weight with the men and women in service to the Jewel, the weight of memory.
Scandal, he thought to himself in his best impression of an appalled maid, scandal!
Dieter had to yell to be heard over the crowd.
“Last question, Sergeant! Last question! Were you under orders to strike such a bargain with the pirate Lazarov, to forcibly and illegally free Roen Deneith from her gaol cell?â€
That demanded everyone’s attention. The chamber fell silent as everyone strained to hear the answer… the answer which was not immediately forthcoming, and for good reason. The accused’s thoughts were racing.
If I were under orders, then there’d be no reason to hold me responsible.
I can’t sell out the Dauntless. I won’t.
He wants Mikh’a and the others. Give him what he wants. He’ll let you go.
No. Ain’t right to shift the blame.
It’s your life on the line.
It’s my responsibility.
Damn your honor.
They’re my mistakes.
Damn your guilt.
No one else pays.
He chuckled.
“No. No, I wasn’t.â€
His barrister came to his defense in an instant. She, the prosecutor, and the Marshal went back and forth for several long minutes as the general cacophony rose one last time to a fevered pitch. At last, Dieter spun on one heel and thrust one fat finger of condemnation at him.
“--that the sergeant, knowing and willingly of his own accord, did turn vigilante and strike bargains with the condemned, that he did violate the sanctity of personal property, that he and accomplices struck down Brass Blades and lawfully employed mercenaries alike, that he did aid and abet in the illegal release of a prisoner of the state, and that, when his path was barred, he did make an attempt on the life of one Jameson Taeros! Without orders, and in violation of both the spirit and letter of his oath!â€
The prosecutor’s chest heaved as he took several deep, shuddering breaths with which to cover his excitement.
“No. Further. Questions. Your Honors!â€
The gavel sounded out a further three times.
“Recess while we retire to deliberate on a verdict.†The Marshal looked grave as the bailiff manhandled Melkire off the stand. “We will reconvene one bell from now.â€
“Sergeant Melkire, are you familiar with Hammerlea, in western Thanalan?â€
Osric’s smile faltered and died. “...aye.â€
“And you are familiar with its three hammers, employed in the excavation of certain natural resources, yes?â€
“Aye.â€
“What is not well-known,†explained Dieter as he turned to fetch several copies of a report from his desk, “is that there was once a fourth hammer to the north. What is even less well-known is that beneath where it once stood is the opening to a rather long man-made tunnel dating back to the ancient civilization of Sil’Dh. Your Honors, if I may approach the bench?â€
At the Marshal’s approving nod, the prosecutor handed over a number of copies before turning to approach the defense table and providing a copy for Primrose.
“Sergeant,†Dieter asked as he turned back to the stand, “are you familiar with this tunnel?â€
“...aye.â€
“For those not in the know, this tunnel was, until recently, classified. ’Tis yet another ancient ruin from Sil’Dih, I’m afraid, one that leads into our dear city proper. At least one point of egress,†Dieter looked pointedly at Melkire, “leads directly into the former manse of one Jameson Taeros.â€
Osric’s expression was calm, cool, collected. He merely stared across the room at the prosecutor.
“The report you now hold, Your Honors, is but an excerpt of a larger, more complete report that encompasses the sum total of Private Kokojo’s investigation….â€
The man on trial snuck a glance towards the audience where Kanaria was waiting. Their eyes met for a brief moment before the woman pursed her lips and shook her head, her eyes falling to the floor.
Damn.
When he’d agreed to take Jameson’s life in exchange for information vital to preventing an all-out massacre on Pearl Lane at the hands of Ernis Randolph and his revolutionaries, Osric had been counting on the inevitable correspondence from Nero Lazarov to help clear his own name in the event that his transgression ever saw the light of day. Though he’d allowed Ser Coatleque Crofte to make copies, he’d left the originals in Kanaria’s care, with explicit instructions to take them to Swift should the need ever arise. He’d hoped that, somehow, the Flames could spin it as a case where he’d acted for the greater good, that the commander and his staff could convince those on the Syndicate that the loss of one merchant-noble’s life was worth the saving of countless others.
Evidently, the Monetarists didn’t agree.
Halatali all over again. Who cares for the little folk when a businessman’s life and coin are on the line?
That the prosecutor was even pursuing this line of questioning - that he, the accused, was on trial not just for suspicion of assassination but for attempted murder - meant that Nero’s letters were worthless before the law. Ul’dah apparently valued its sons and their coin more than its own honor. He felt nauseous, as if he could feel bile slowly climbing up his throat.
“...you’ll find written testimony from one Private Hearn. who was stationed at the former site of the North Hammer on the sun in question and tasked with guarding the entrance to said tunnel. I say ‘written’,†Dieter sneered as he snuck a glance at Melkire, “because the man in question will never be able to speak again. Given the trauma he endured, we deemed his presence here today too strenuous to his health.â€
The prosecutor paced up and down the courtroom again.
“In his testimony, Hearn describes being set upon by a small band of vigilantes, one of which matched a description he’d been given belonging to one Nero Lazarov. Hearn’s unit was slaughtered almost to a man; he owes his life solely to a timely communique by way of linkshell, an alert from his commanding officer that served to raise the alarm. The chirurgeons arrived in time to save Hearn’s life, but not his voice… nor his left leg.â€
Dieter faced the bench.
“On the next page, Your Honors, you will find written testimony provided by Brynnalia Callae, a mercenary woman who was at the time under the employ of Jameson Taeros. In her testimony, Callae claims that Lord Taeros set out into the tunnel to apprehend these vigilantes, chief among them one Nero Lazarov. May I remind you that Lazarov was, and remains to this sun, a wanted man. Lord Taeros was taking upon himself the civic duty to apprehend such a criminal! And yet, upon making contact with the enemy, Callae notes that she heard her lord bellow the following words.â€
The prosecutor’s eyes met the accused’s own.
“Melkire, where is Lazarov?â€
Osric closed his eyes for a brief moment, took a deep breath… and then opened them again.
Mistake.
Too late. Far too late. He could tell from the horrified, wide-eyed look on Evangeline’s face. He hadn’t just blinked. No, he’d done something far worse. He’d given himself away.
As far as tells went, he’d given the courtroom Dalamud in the sky.
Dieter smiled at him. “Curious. Very, very curious. Your Honors, please note that in Hearn’s testimony, he claims the presence of four distinct vigilantes. Two Miqo’te women, a Keeper and a Seeker. One highlander male in heavy armor. One midlander matching the description of Nero Lazarov. And yet, according to Jameson Taeros by recollection of Brynnalia Callae, Lazarov was not present… Melkire was.â€
The prosecutor approached the stand, hands folded behind his back, chest thrust up and out as though he were a rooster. Confident in his victory, the man apparently could not help but strut.
“Sergeant Osric Melkire, were you present in that tunnel on the night in question?â€
He has me.
Fear surged up his spine… but something caught it by the tail and dragged it back down before it could lodge itself in his throat. Something fed it to his gut, fed it to his fire.
Minimize the damage.
Find a way out.
“Aye...â€
The courtroom exploded. Or it ought to have, given the noise. Evangeline was on her feet, protesting profusely. The Marshal was on hers, shouting the Elezen down. The audience was abuzz. Dieter and Melkire alone stood… and sat… in silence. The prosecutor looked quite smug as order was at last restored and the chamber quieted.
“...but not for Taeros.â€
Dieter frowned. “Please answer the questions as I ask them, Sergeant. No more, no less.â€
Osric smirked. “Sure.â€
Dieter turned to fetch yet another set of documents from his table before approaching the stand. “Sergeant Melkire, is this your handwriting?â€
Oh, gods. He has them..
The very papers he’d hoped would exonerate him were now being used to condemn him.
I should’ve told Evangeline.
Too late now.
He glanced down and there it was, staring him straight in the face.
“No,†he answered.
“Do you recognize this handwriting?â€
“...aye.â€
“Your Honors, if you would turn to the next page, you will find that the remainder of the provided excerpt contains a copy of a letter addressed to ‘Flame Sergeant Osric Melkire,’ from one ‘Nero Lazarov’. We have had this handwriting compared with other extant samples; the authenticity of this letter is not in question. ‘Surprising utility as an assassin,’ he says… oh, my… please note, Your Honors, that the accused allowed this criminal to escape justice… Sergeant Melkire, the testimonies of Hearn and Callae, as well as your own admission, place you at the scene. As for this letter, Sergeant… did you attempt to assassinate Jameson Taeros?â€
“No.â€
Dieter’s eyebrows rose. “No? But Lazarov’s letter clearly suggest that--â€
“--you’re lackin’ context, my original correspondence--â€
“--is unavailable, Sergeant--â€
Liar.
“--we only just barely managed to acquire a warrant for Lazarov’s correspondence, Commander Swift was quite unwilling to part with it--â€
Primrose was on her feet again; she and Dieter bellowed back and forth at each other and at the bench until the gavel came down hard with three sharp raps. The prosecutor looked frustrated and furious as he turned and barked his next question at the accused.
“--Sergeant Melkire, if you insist that you were not conducting an assassination, then for what purpose were you present at the scene?!â€
Osric smiled.
“Jameson Taeros was holding one of Lazarov’s associates prisoner. The pirate wanted his associate back in return for information pertaining to Ernis Randolph and the terrorist’s organization. I can only assume that ‘surprising utility as an assassin’ is some reference to the ease with which the merchant-noble’s sellswords were dispatched.â€
Dieter smirked.
“And the name of this associate?â€
The accused snuck a glance up at the bench. He couldn’t count on knowing what Callae might or might not have known. To be caught in a lie at this junction… he couldn’t afford for Dieter to strip him of what little credibility he had. The truth, then.
“Roen Deneith.â€
The courtroom erupted again.
This time, despite the Marshal’s best efforts, the clamor refused to die down. Apparently, that name still carried weight with the men and women in service to the Jewel, the weight of memory.
Scandal, he thought to himself in his best impression of an appalled maid, scandal!
Dieter had to yell to be heard over the crowd.
“Last question, Sergeant! Last question! Were you under orders to strike such a bargain with the pirate Lazarov, to forcibly and illegally free Roen Deneith from her gaol cell?â€
That demanded everyone’s attention. The chamber fell silent as everyone strained to hear the answer… the answer which was not immediately forthcoming, and for good reason. The accused’s thoughts were racing.
If I were under orders, then there’d be no reason to hold me responsible.
I can’t sell out the Dauntless. I won’t.
He wants Mikh’a and the others. Give him what he wants. He’ll let you go.
No. Ain’t right to shift the blame.
It’s your life on the line.
It’s my responsibility.
Damn your honor.
They’re my mistakes.
Damn your guilt.
No one else pays.
He chuckled.
“No. No, I wasn’t.â€
His barrister came to his defense in an instant. She, the prosecutor, and the Marshal went back and forth for several long minutes as the general cacophony rose one last time to a fevered pitch. At last, Dieter spun on one heel and thrust one fat finger of condemnation at him.
“--that the sergeant, knowing and willingly of his own accord, did turn vigilante and strike bargains with the condemned, that he did violate the sanctity of personal property, that he and accomplices struck down Brass Blades and lawfully employed mercenaries alike, that he did aid and abet in the illegal release of a prisoner of the state, and that, when his path was barred, he did make an attempt on the life of one Jameson Taeros! Without orders, and in violation of both the spirit and letter of his oath!â€
The prosecutor’s chest heaved as he took several deep, shuddering breaths with which to cover his excitement.
“No. Further. Questions. Your Honors!â€
The gavel sounded out a further three times.
“Recess while we retire to deliberate on a verdict.†The Marshal looked grave as the bailiff manhandled Melkire off the stand. “We will reconvene one bell from now.â€
![[Image: 1qVSsTp.png]](http://i.imgur.com/1qVSsTp.png)
