Kilthanis noted that the large hourglass which kept time for arguments was almost empty and he therefore saluted the Court and resumed his seat at the table reserved for petitioning counsel. The Imperial Solicitor stood and strode to the well before the bench.
“My Lord Chief Justice and members of the Court, I am here today, as always, to represent the Empire. I would like to begin with the last charge leveled by Lord D’Endray. As this Court has properly noted, there is no evidence on which to base the charge of cruel torture. To insinuate otherwise, on the mere basis of rumor, may itself be a crime.”
“Is it your position that Lord D’Endray should be charged with falsely accusing Laris Rychart?” Lady Justice Ilyena Kelrean, asked.
“No, my Lady Justice. It is merely my intent to show that the charge is so baseless, that even though this Court has the authority to issue an advisory opinion on the matter, there is no basis to do so.”
“And would it not serve for this Court to make such an order, to ensure that such rumors do not become fact?” the Chief Justice interjected.
“My Lord Chief Justice, the implication of such an order would be seen only one of two ways. Either this Court believes these foul rumors, or it fears that Prince Laris and the Emperor were considering violating the right against cruel torture. Such an implication from this Court is quite damaging, especially in these troubled times.”
“A fair point,” the Chief Justice noted.
“Thank you, my Lord,” he replied. “As for the other charges leveled by Lord D’Endray, it is the Empire’s position that they are equally baseless.”
“My Lord Solicitor, forgive me if my memory is faulty, but the Pact of Dhereshu forbids the presence of the military in either Yometh Robak or Kolam Robak, which we currently have, isn’t that correct?” Lucas asked.
“That is correct my Lord Justice. However, the Emperor only ordered troops into the deserts following the attack on the Imperial family, which we maintain voided the Pact. Therefore, there is no basis in Law to lay a claim on that basis. The Pact was vitiated by the desert men. They cannot now seek refuge behind it.”
“So if a desert man, any desert man, violates the tenets of the Pact of Dhereshu, all lose their protection under it?” This question came from Lord Justice Juroch.
“No, my Lord. It is our belief that this was a greater conspiracy, which explains the Emperor’s actions in this matter. If correct, it justifies the broad sweep of the investigation that has been undertaken.”
“And what evidence do you have that the conspiracy was so vast?”
“Lord Justice Jurach, we know there were at least three conspirators – the apothecary, the desert man who bought the poison, and a member of the kitchen staff. Given the unprecedented nature of an attack upon the person of the Emperor, it is our position that a wide-ranging investigation is called for and should be allowed by this Court.”
“Even at the expense of the rights of Imperial citizens?”
“Lord Justice Jurach, there is no evidence that rights have been violated. We have only the accusations made by Lord D’Endray. His petition was filed so quickly, we have been unable to secure information from Osh’riyo to answer his charges. A ship was dispatched almost immediately upon receipt of the petition, but these things take time. Because the Court is exercising its jurisdiction in the first instance, we do not have prior testimony or determinations to rely upon.”
“Another fair point,” the Chief Justice said.
“Thank you, my Lord Chief Justice. It is the position of the Empire that the Court should wait to rule on almost all of these claims until more information can be collected. The only charge leveled by Lord D’Endray that can be substantiated at this time is the charge that desert men and women are being rounded up without due suspicion.
“As to that charge, the Empire finds itself in a position almost unprecedented for the last two centuries. We are under attack. The life of the Emperor has been directly threatened and the Empress is dead. Imperial troops have been called to arms on a scale not seen since the Third War for Et’Alash. The Emperor believes that given the circumstances, facing a threat of unknown scope, he has the power to fully investigate this matter to prevent another attempt on his life.
“Finally, it must be noted that the magicians have fled. Given that they are all members of the desert race, and that they have vanished en masse across the Empire, it speaks of a vast conspiracy. This justifies both the Emperor’s position that the Pact of Dhereshu has been rendered null and that there is a broader plot under way against both his person and the Empire.”
The Imperial Solicitor made eye contact with all the justices, and seeing no further questions, resumed his seat.
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