Chapter Nineteen
“Bertos what is happening?” Risa leans forwards to demand angrily, looking up as the newly declared Queen Lisa sits beside Grim, while she sits behind Bertos. Watching as she openly displays her females at her side as if it is where they belong. She can't believe this is happening!
“I don’t know.” Bertos’ eyes move around the Assembly and can tell by the unease running through every male there that no one does.
“How can you not know?” Risa questions loud enough to have heads turning from the nearby Houses.
“Keep your voice down female!” Bertos orders his furious eyes pinning her as he spins in his chair.
“You will not shame me Risa or you will pay.” He growls lowly.
“Remember I know what you have done!”
“Don’t threaten me Bertos.” Risa’s fury grows but she lowers her voice.
“I am the one that knows the secrets of Torino. I am the one the Emperor trusts. Threaten me and I will destroy you. Remember that no matter what I do, I can never be harmed.” The look she give Bertos is pure evil. The opening of the Assembly doors stops Bertos from responding, turning, he angrily settles into his seat.
Captain Veron confidently strides across the floor of the Assembly, stopping only when he’s in front of his Emperor, giving him a deep bow.
“Captain Veron, I’ve been informed you have information you consider vital for this Assembly.”
“I do Majesty. It was recently brought to my attention that events previously considered unrelated could actually be an ongoing attempt to change the ruling House of the Tornian Empire.” The Assembly erupts in shock, everyone trying to speak at once, yelling out questions, demanding answers.
Lisa leans back stunned looking to Grim. The girls cover their ears, sinking in even closer, she can’t believe what she’s seeing, let alone hearing. She didn’t think Veron had taken her seriously, dismissing her comments as just female fabrications but now she realizes he not only listened but taken action. He truly did care about Grim and Wray. Grim’s look tells her he never doubted it.
“Quiet!” Wray orders, his eyes deadly.
“Lords! Control the members of your House or I alone will hear what Captain Veron has to say.” Immediately the Lords assert their control and silence falls.
“What events Captain Veron?” Wray demands.
“Let me say first Majesty that I did not come to these conclusions based solely on speculation.” While his head doesn’t move, his eyes meet Lisa's surprised ones.
“I used every resource available to me as your Captain to unravel the truth.”
“And what truth is that Captain?”
“The first is that your sire’s blood brother, King Rask, was not killed in a battle as believed but in an ambush, that Captain Busto died coming to his aid.” A gasp of outrage is heard in the Chamber as all eyes turn to Risa who cries out loudly covering her face with her hands.
“She’s a terrible actress.” Rebecca, who has settled behind Lisa, leans forward to whisper in her ear. Hearing her, Grim turns.
“Sorry.” She whispers quickly leaning back.
“Don’t be Rebecca.” Grim growls back softly.
“You are correct but I need you to remain silent and alert. There is much you still do not know.” Grim doesn’t know why he trusts this female but he does, especially when with no further explanation she nods her agreement. Looking back to the Assembly floor, she realizes that Callen is frowning deeply at her, ignoring him she concentrates on the male standing there.
“Captain you have proof of this?” Wray asks sitting stiffly in his seat, Captain Busto had been a trusted friend.
“Yes Majesty. I have a warrior who witnessed the executions.” The Assembly gasps in disbelief.
“He witnessed this and did not report it!” Wray doesn’t try to hide his outrage.
“Majesty, the warrior had recently been forced out of House Luanda by King Rask and feared he would not be believed. The only proof he had was what he saw and heard, he did not know whose orders the warriors followed for they wore no colors. He believed if he came forward he would be accused of the crime because of his history with King Rask.”
“Why was he forced out?” Wray demands.
“Majesty…he developed a problem Whisk. He was discovered sleeping when he should have been on duty because of it.”
“And you trust him to tell you truth?” Wray quizzes disbelieving.
“Majesty…while he doesn’t deny he was still drinking at the time of the executions he has not had a drop in over fifteen years. I verified that with the Lord he currently serves. He was open and honest with him when he approached him for service, telling him why he'd been forced out of House Luanda. There have been no more incidents.”
“Who is this warrior? Who is his current Lord?”
"Majesty, the Warrior is Jago and he currently serves Lord Oryon." All heads turn to where House Rigel sits. A slight widening of Lord Oryon eyes is the only sign he’s been caught unaware. "Majesty, Warrior Jago waits outside the Chamber to reveal his truth before you and the Lords."
"Have him brought in." Wray orders.
Warrior Jago stands tall as he strides across the Assembly floor, knowing all eyes are on him. He will not falter. He is no longer that lost warrior. He will not lose his honor again. Reaching Veron he stops and bows respectfully to the Emperor.
"Tell me your truth Warrior Jago." Wray orders coldly.
"Emperor Wray, I will tell you everything I know but I must make it known that while I told Lord Oryon of why I was forced from House Luanda, I’ve never spoken to him of this. Lord Oryon is an honorable warrior and Lord who allowed a questionable male into his House, allowing him to regain his honor, demanding nothing in return but my loyalty and sword." Jago turns to face his Lord. "I am sorry for bringing trouble to your House, my Lord." He bows stiffly to Oryon before returning to face the Emperor and tells his truth.
"I was sent to King Rask for my training because my manno believed I needed a stronger hand then he could give me. He was correct." Jago admits. "I was an irreverent young male that believed I knew more than seasoned warriors. I was disrespectfully and lazy in my drills. At nights I would sneak out of Luanda to drink Whisk returning only with the rising sun."
"King Rask more than once brought me to task harshly, as did the trainer he assigned me, Warrior Alger. They both tried to help me see the error of my ways, giving me more chances than I deserved to redeem myself, but my mind was clouded by Whisk." Jago's eyes look away from Wray as the remembered shame rose again before he forces it back.
"One night I was to guard the Wall, instead I left my post to sleep. King Rask rescinded his agreement to train me. I threatened the King and every member of his House before I was forced from Luanda.”
“It was weeks later that I witnessed the King’s ambush. I’d been living in the forest, eating whatever I could find, sleeping under leaves, selling off what little I had to obtain more Whisk.” Jago pauses trying to organize his thoughts.
“It was midday and I was sleeping off the Whisk from the night before when shouts woke me. I crawled over the rise to find the King below me with twenty warriors advancing on him. Captain Busto suddenly appeared at the King’s side and the warriors surrounded them.”
“You made no move to assist them?” Wray demands.
“With what majesty? I’d sold my sword days before for Whisk. All I had was a small dagger. But no, I did nothing, nothing but watch and listen as the warriors closed in on them.” Jago repeats what he heard and saw.
“King Rask,” A red warrior steps forward to address the King.
“It is time for the true rulers of the Tornian Empire to fulfill their destiny. You’ve had a long and honored life but it ends today.”
“You believe a whelp like you can take it from me?” Rask questions pointing his sword at the warrior.
“Yes, for not even with the Captain of the Emperor’s Guard at your side, will you survive this day.” He looks to Busto.
“You need not die today Captain Busto. Leave the field and forget you were ever here.”
“You dare to suggest that I, Captain Busto, Captain of the Emperor’s Elite Guard, would abandon my honor!” Busto doesn’t try to hide his rage at the insult.
“You were not to be here.”
“But I am and now you must decide if you are willing to die here today for I promise you, you will.”
“I have no choice and you, Captain are outnumbered ten to one.” Busto and Rask look at each other and grin.
“Favorable odds for ones such as us, wouldn't you say old friend.” Busto asks.
"Very favorable." Rask replies.
“Then prepare yourself to meet the Goddess.” The red warrior nods to the others who pull their swords.
Busto and Rask move standing back to back as the warriors close in.
“A Death with honor before a Life without!” They shout together and the twenty attack.
The Assembly is deathly quiet as Jago finishes.
“It was a brutal battle Majesty, with King Rask and Captain Busto killing at least a dozen warriors but in the end the numbers were just too great, even for two so mighty of warriors, and they fell defending each other. The survivors quickly striped the fallen of anything that could identify them, replacing their swords and arranging the field to look as if a battle had occurred between wandering warriors and the King." Jago looks the Emperor directly in the eye as he continues.
"It was on that day that I finally realized what it meant to have honor, to truly be a warrior, to put another before oneself. After witnessing the deaths of these two great warriors I never lifted a whisk bottle again and pledge myself to living up to the standard they set.”
“And yet you never report it.” Wray accuses.
“No majesty, I did not. I left Luda, looking for a Lord to complete my training and to pledge my service too. Lord Oryon was willing and until today I’ve never shamed him.” Wray looks to Veron.
“Captain Veron, if Jago has never spoken of this, as he claims.” The Emperor gives Jago a disbelieving look that has him stiffening.
“How did you come to find him?”
“The death of King Rask and Captain Busto has always bothered me Majesty. Busto trained me and I found it hard to believe he could be killed in a battle, especially as the scene was presented but with no proof there was no reason to doubt the evidence.”
“And so?” Wray demands.
“And so I consulted with Captain Alger, inquiring if he knew of anyone who might have wished harm on the King. Warrior Jago’s name came up as having threatened him just weeks prior to his death. I was able to locate him and the rest you know.”
“Captain Alger.” Wray faces House Luanda.
“Majesty.” Alger turns from his post in Grim’s box to face the Emperor.
“If at the time of King Rask’s death, Warrior Jago had come to you, reporting what he’d seen, would you have believed him?”
Alger is silent for several long moments as he considers what the Emperor has asked.
“No. I would have accused him of being involved. That he was attempting to regain his honor.”
“And now?” Wray demands.
Alger stares at Jago and doesn’t see the angry young male that threatened to kill King Rask. Standing before him is a mature warrior who has not only turned his life around, but is willing reveals his past shame, not only to the Assembly but also to the Emperor.
“I believe him Majesty.” A whisper starts in the Assembly. Wray looks from Alger back to Jago.
“You’ve never seen these males again Warrior Jago?” Wray questions.
“Never majesty.”
Wray is silent for several minutes pondering what Jago has told him and looks to Lord Oryon a warrior he greatly respects. Oryon would not have kept the warrior Jago described himself as being but he would have given him a chance, pressing him even harder than Rask, making sure he was truly worthy and he'd passed.
"Warrior Jago, you may return to your House but remain available for more questions."
"Yes Majesty." Bowing Jago leaves the floor.
Bertos sits stiffly in his seat listening in growing disbelief. How had this Jago been allowed to witness the attack and not been discovered? If the surviving warriors weren’t already dead, he’d kill them himself. That Jago kept silent this long only to speak out now...when they were so close…who is the male that brought this to Veron’s attention. What else have they connected?
Risa has straightened in her seat, lowering her hands as she listens to Jago relate the death of her manno. That he would stand beside Rask when he could have walked away is proof he was never worthy of his heritage, her heritage. He could have been Emperor if he had only challenged Wray when his sire died. It was his right as a descendent of Emperor Lucan. He would have beaten him, securing the throne for her but did he? No, he was ashamed of that connection…Risa isn't, she is proud to descend from a male that knew how to get what he wanted, even if it meant using one's own offspring. It’s something Risa fully plans on doing.
“Captain Veron, you said there were several events, what else have you discovered?”
“Majesty, the second attack against your House was the attack on King Grim." All eyes turn to Grim who sits unmoving next to his family.
"What would his death have accomplished Captain?" Wray demands.
"It would have forced you to name another to rule Luda until Van came of age sire." Veron looks at him forcing himself to continue. "Something that Van will never do."
"The attack on King Grim was determined to be by unworthy males, the same as Rask's. We were unable to connect them in anyway." Wray says through clinched teeth at the thought that something was missed. He loved his brother, he is the one male he trusted above all others, knowing he always had his back, his injury and near death had cut deeply, especially when he’d been able to give him no justice.
"Yes majesty at the time we were unable to discover anything that directly connected the males."
"Directly..." Wray realizes the importance of that word, looking at his Captain. "So you have found something connecting them indirectly."
"Yes sire. When the idea was first presented to me I was extremely skeptical but one by one I was able to link the warriors."
“What made you skeptical?” The Emperor demands.
“The idea at the males who attacked King Grim could be honorable males sire. That what they were doing was forced upon them in the protection of another.”
“None can force a male into dishonor Captain.” Wray argues.
“Even if a brother is threatened Majesty?” Veron questions softly but so he can still be heard.
“If the dishonorable act protects an innocent…”
“You believe this was done?” Wray can’t keep the disbelief out of his voice.
“Yes majesty.” Veron says simply.
“How are they connected Captain?” Wray demands.
“Through House Bertos.” He says bluntly and on a collective gasp, every head in the Assembly turns to Bertos whose color fades.
"Lord Bertos, you will stand." Wray orders as Imperial Guards move towards Bertos' House. Knowing he can do nothing else, Bertos does as he’s ordered.
"Your response." Wray demands.
"I...I have no knowledge of what Captain Veron is saying sire. I'm in complete shock and demand to know what proof Captain Veron has to make such false allegations of me!" Bertos' voice grows stronger and more enraged with each word. How dare Veron accuse him! Him! A Lord!
"Captain Veron, present your proof.” Wray orders.
"Sire, the proof comes from the fact that every male that died on King Grim's blade had either a brother or a brother's offspring training in Lord Bertos' House.” Whispers start in the Chamber, for many know of Bertos’ practice of controlling his warriors this way.
“That is not proof!” Bertos argues angrily.
“All eight Captain?” Wray questions Veron but his eyes remain locked on Bertos.
“Yes sire and once Jago told me of what he had seen I had a search done on every trainee in House Bertos going back to when King Rask was attacked. So far, eight of the trainees have a male that disappeared during the time of the killings. They have been identified as the males that killed King Rask and Captain Busto.”
The Assembly is completely silent.
“Majesty, while it is my belief Lord Bertos worked alone in his killing of King Rask and Captain Busto, he did not with King Grim.”
“Explain Captain!”
“King Grim’s meeting was a trap from the very beginning, majesty. Set up by Captain Busto’s female offspring, currently Lord Bertos’ female, Lady Risa.” Veron’s eyes turn to pin Risa.
Shock reigns in the Assembly. A female? A female is part of this, played a role in trying to bring down House Vasteri. All look at her in shock. How are they to deal with this? A male can never harm a female. It is a death sentence.
“Risa…” Wray looks at the female he had given his protection too. She’d been with Adana when she’d ingested the skua berry. She’d presented herself to him as her replacement after her death.
“Adana…” He eyes return to pierce Veron’s.
“Yes sire.” Is all he says.
Wray’s rage knows no bounds as he stares at Risa, who glares back at him in open defiance, without a hint of shame or remorse.
“There is majesty…”
“Van.” Wray has already made the connection. His youngest had been killed in Bertos and Risa's region leaving the House Luanda open if Grim were removed.
“You can’t believe this!” Bertos stands pleading with the other Lords and Kings.
“Where is their proof? They can’t just make up whatever they want, where will it stop? Who will they accuse next?”
“Lord Bertos is correct majesty.” Lord Oryon slowly stands as he addresses Wray.
“While I know Captain Veron is an honorable male, an accusation of this magnitude cannot be made without proof. It is a fundamental principal of Tornian Law.”
“I agree Lord Oryon.” Veron speaks before Wray can.
“I would never have brought this matter to the attention of the Emperor without it.” Veron turns back to Wray.
“Majesty, if I may, I have other witness' to present.”
“Present them Captain.” Wray slowly sits and Kim slips her hand into his, giving him her silent support.
“Yes majesty.” Turning, he signals to the guard and all wait as the door of the Assembly open. Who will it be?
Bertos watches in disbelief as Luuken is led into the Assembly in restraints, his bare chest exposing his untreated injury to all, following him is Korin, who is unrestrained. What in the name of the Goddess is happening!
“What is the meaning of this?” Bertos demands, surging to his feet.
“What have you done to Luuken?” He demands of Veron.
“I have done nothing to you offspring Lord Bertos.” Veron informs him.
“I demand an explanation! How was he injured? Why hasn’t he been treated?”
“It is within my right to deny treatment to any male that's deemed a threat to what is mine.” Grim slowly stands, asserting his dominance, as he stares down at Bertos.
“He is my offspring!” Bertos yells.
“Who attacked my Queen!” Grim’s roar reverberates through the Assembly, his rage a living thing, leaving no one in doubt of he's feelings for Lisa. "You sent Luuken and eleven warriors to Luda to abduct my Queen and offspring!"
"They were never meant to be yours!" Bertos shouts before looking to the other Lords for support. "My Lords, no matter what's happened here today, no matter what false accusations have been made, my actions have always been in the best interests of the Empire. The female was to be brought directly to Tornian for the Ceremony. I was only trying to enforce the Law that you established, giving one of you the chance of offspring."
"And just how was Queen Lisa's rape and death going to accomplish that Lord Bertos?" Veron asks in a deadly quiet voice.
"I...I know not what you speak of!" Bertos sputters.
"You are stating now, after admitting to this Assembly that you sent your warriors to Luanda for the express purpose of abducting three females, that you had no knowledge of what was to be done to her?" Veron demands disbelieving.
"My orders were for her to be brought before the Assembly to join with a worthy male!" Veron turns to Korin.
"Were those the orders you received?" He demands.
"Lord Bertos informed us we were to accompany Luuken to Luda to obtain the females. He ordered me to prepare the ship while he and the others planned how it would be accomplished."
"There! You see!" Bertos exclaims pointing at Korin.
“I am innocent!”
“Then who is responsible for the abuse Queen Lisa suffered at the hands of your males?” Veron demands.
“Abuse? What abuse?” Bertos glares at Lisa.
“The only abuse I see is to my offspring!”
“Emperor Wray, I have Healer Hadar’s official report of the injuries sustained not only by Queen Lisa but the two Elite Guards who protected her.” He holds up the report.
“I protest! How does one question a report?” Bertos argues. He will not let this be known.
“Healer Hadar is available majesty." Veron addresses Wray. "He traveled on the Raptor at Queen Lisa’s request and is waiting to answer any questions this Assembly has. I’d hoped it wouldn’t be necessary, in respect for the Queen’s privacy.”
“I have the right to address my accuser!” Bertos demands.
“He does Captain, present Hadar.” Wray orders.
“Now!” The Emperor’s rage momentarily breaks through for all to hear.
“Yes majesty.” Veron bows to him.
“Healer Hadar give your report on the injuries sustained in the attack on Queen Lisa.” Wray orders.
“Majesty I was called to the Royal Garden to treat wounded guards. Upon my arrival, I found eight males down, six dead, two severely wounded. Warrior Ion and Warrior Nairn were immediately placed in repair units with Ion requiring nearly three hours of deep repair.”
“You are here to report on the female’s injuries.” Bertos demands receiving angry looks from many warriors.
“I was informed that the Queen was injured but demanded I see to the welfare of her Guard first. It was her first question when I arrived nearly three hours later.” Every male looks to Lisa in disbelief, females are always first, males were dispensable, especially Guards.
"Obviously she just needed calmed." Bertos declares loudly, trying to draw attention away from what Hadar is saying.
"Quite the opposite Lord Bertos." Hadar turns angry eyes to him. "The Queen had been severely abused. Her right cheek was deeply bruised, her lip split from where she'd been hit, she had dark bruises on each arm shaped like fingers.” Hadar demonstrates on his own arm how Lisa had been grabbed. "Cuts were on her hands and knees where she'd been thrown to the ground. Her throat severely traumatized and swollen from being forcibly silenced when she screamed for help." Hadar hesitates not wanting to reveal the rest.
"Finish Healer Hadar." Wray orders in a hoarse voice.
"Yes majesty." Hadar looks to Lisa and while she's pale she gives him a slight nod letting him know she is okay with what he is about to say. "Queen Lisa's upper covering had been ripped open leaving deep scratches down her torso, her chest..." Hadar has to swallow. "Her chest has heavily bruised from being abused."
"Was she raped?" Wray forces him to ask knowing it must be known.
"No majesty. It is my understanding Warrior Korin came to her aid, defending her until the King and Guard arrived.” All eyes turn to Korin, a warrior from Bertos' own House.
Lisa puts a hand on Grim's thigh, squeezing reassuringly, as Hadar describes her injures, feeling him stiffen more as each one is described. "It's okay Grim." She whispers, looking at his clenched jaw. "I'm right here and I'm fine." Covering her hand with his Grim nods stiffly, knowing if he spoke, he would release all his rage.
Lady Isis leans forward pressing an unseen hand into Oryon's back. "Oryon." She whispers, tears in her voice at what the other female had suffered. Ynyr looks at his mother concerned.
"Shhhh Isis, it will be corrected. We will not allow this to go unpunished." Oryon looks to his offspring and can see they are in total agreement. For something like this to happen to a female, in the name of the Assembly, dishonors every Tornian male.
"Warrior Korin."
"Yes Majesty." Korin stiffens ever so slightly.
"You will explain the events leading up to Queen Lisa becoming injured."
"Majesty, upon our arrival we were met by a Warrior named Farber who assisted us in hiding from King Grim's warriors. We were there several days while he fed us information on the movement of the females and warriors searching for us. Without his assistance we would have been discovered within hours of landing."
"You believed you were to bring Queen Lisa back for the Joining Ceremony."
"Yes."
"When did you discover differently."
"After we captured Queen Lisa, Luuken was furious that she'd been able to hide the young ones before we found her. He struck her when she refused to tell him where they were then proceeded to tell her how she would be the downfall of King Grim. That when her body was presented to this Assembly with massive internal and external damage, that Grim would be stripped of his title and that he, Luuken, would be given the young ones." The gasp of disbelief from the Assembly has Korin pausing.
"Continue Warrior Korin." Wray orders.
"It was then that Luuken became enraged as Queen Lisa continued to defend King Grim, she sneered at Farber when he informed her he would become the Captain of King's Elite Guard. Luuken threw her to the ground and allowed Farber to abuse her.”
“Farber believed Luuken could become King?” Wray can't keep the disbelief from his voice.
“Yes, because Luuken’s line descends from Emperor Lucan.” Korin informs him.
“That still doesn’t give him the right.” Wray argues back.
“It does if his manno is Emperor. Sire.”
“You cannot possibly believe him!” Bertos yells in denial.
“He was captured while allowing a female to be abused, what the Healer's understanding is, is not relevant! He will say anything to save himself.”
“Korin did not allow my Queen to be abused.” Korin can't hide his shock when Grim stands, speaking on his behalf.
“He prevented Farber from raping my Queen, protecting her until our arrival. It is why he is alive, why the others are dead, and Luuken still damaged. He displayed honor in protecting her, knowing it put his own brother at risk.”
"Yet he did allow her to be damaged King Grim." Lord Reeve declares standing. "And you allowed him to not only live but be healed, while the offspring of a Lord was left to suffer."
"Luuken lives only because he ran before my sword could strike true, leaving him with the injury you see. That he is a Lord's offspring is irrelevant, as is his suffering. As for Korin being not only spared but healed...that was at the request of my Queen for his assisting her."
"Queen Lisa." Wray hesitates, Tornian females are never addressed directly, especially in the Assembly, not even a brother's but Lisa has already spoken and Grim has allowed it and this matter needs to be resolved. "It is Tornian Law that any male that abuses a female must forfeit his life." Lisa talks briefly to the girls before she slides Miki off her lap and taking Grim’s hand, proudly stands next to him.
"Yes majesty I understand that but Warrior Korin never attacked or abused me. He knowingly went against the orders of his Lord to defend me. Risking not only himself but also his brother in upholding the very Law of which you speak. To repay such an honorable act by denying him treatment would be unworthy of House Luanda." Lisa makes sure she uses the words the Lords seem to hold most important.
"I never gave him such an order!" Bertos stands, angrily shouting at Lisa, causing everyone to stiffen. Grim's hand moves his sword.
"Luuken is your offspring is he not?" Lisa challenges Bertos. "Sent to Luda by you, to take us by force, for your benefit yet you deny that he was following your orders?"
"Yes!" Bertos shouts again. "Those were never my orders!"
"Then Luuken must have been acting on his own accord." Lisa looks down to see Luuken, who has been silent, even appearing bored on occasions, suddenly look up to his manno, shock easily read on his face. "Is that truth Luuken? Are you solely responsible for what occurred on Luda?"
Luuken looks to his manno for guidance. What is he doing? How is proclaiming his innocence going to help him? How is it going to get them to the throne? Looking to Risa, he sees a small smile on her face, the same one she'd worn when they'd bid Van goodbye, knowing he would soon be dead. Eyes fly back to Bertos' impassive face and he realizes his manno is cutting him loose, just as he does all who are no longer useful to him.
"Minor Luuken you are to be charged with the abuse of a Tornian female. How does this Assembly vote?" Wray demands.
"No! You can't do this! I am Minor Luuken!" Luuken screams moving towards House Guttuso. "Tell them manno! Tell them how I was acting under your orders! How it was all part of the plan to remove Grim so you could be named next King of Luda! Tell them!" He demands and feels a glimmer of hope as Bertos stands.
"Guilty." Bertos proclaims.
"No!" Luuken stumbles back, as if shot. "No!" He franticly searches the Assembly for support, finding none. "I tell you truth! It wasn't me!"
"Tell me Luuken." Wray demands, gesturing to Veron who pulls Luuken in front of him. "Tell me everything you know! Now! Or today you meet the Goddess." The Emperor roars, something rarely heard, for he was the controlled one of House Vasteri.
"The vote has already started!” Bertos yells to the Assembly.
“Nothing he says can be considered!"
"That is incorrect Lord Bertos." Lord Oryon stands. "Even if the vote has started, the accused has the right to plead his case." All eyes look to Luuken.