Miserth Keep, Trial of Claus Rotstein
The door to Claus’ cell suddenly opened, it was one of the royal guards with a servant carrying a book. Claus was at the moment holding his book with his left hand, standing atop the bed with his left foot perched atop the small table. Citing his book. As the two entered he simply motioned them to be silent, and cited a verse.
"Heart and soul, most delinquent in their simplitude, do not avert your gaze though, for to deny their importance is to cast oneself into a ceaseless pit of sadness and loss." It was visible Claus was going all out with his drama knowledge, it was also obvious his audience was not impressed. He kept going.
“I guess it was not good enough, should I put more emphasis on the second part?"
"Oh do shut up!" Was heard from outside, clearly the guard whom disliked Claus. The servant simply cleared his throat and spoke.
"Mr. Rotstein, we are here to take you to your trial. Please let this guard put these handcuffs upon you." He motioned to the guard, and the guard motioned Claus to step down from the bed, and turn around. He did as they wanted simply because he knew that he was innocent, at least that was what he was convinced about.
Claus was led out of the room, and was escorted by the pair, he was pleasantly surprised that the cuffs wasn't as uncomfortable as the other times he'd been led around. But he also remembered it was that other guard the other times so that did explain a lot.
Claus was taken to a small room, and ordered to wait; he could hear some motion and a few words spoken in the other room, so he assumed it was the room of the trial. Claus Rotstein was dutifully sitting on the simple wooden bench awaiting his trial.
A frigid breeze blew through the High Magister's bedroom, rousing her from her peaceful slumber. Upon opening her green-gold eyes, Aurelia duly noted that she had left her window ajar. As she pushed herself into a seated position at the edge of her bed, the immediate after-effects of the Orog wine, came crashing down around her with a pounding headache. Her tongue felt as if it were full of sand, and all she could think about was quenching her parched mouth. Thankfully, a water pitcher on her night-stand proved to carry enough water to fill her silver cup next to it, and she eagerly filled her cup, finishing the refreshment within seconds. There she remained on the edge of her mattress, her eyes squeezed tightly shut with pain, her hangover would have to wait, as she suddenly remembered that today was the court hearing for the mercenary captain of the Steel Fist, Claus Rotstein. She groaned inwardly with despair, wishing she hadn't drunk so much wine. And that was another matter. Aurelia's face grew hot at the recollection of the night before, how could she have been so open and wanton like with Duncan? Placing her hands over her eyes, Aurelia could only feel regret, and she hoped that she hadn't made a fool of herself in front of the Regent King.
Without further ado, Aurelia forced herself from the warmth of her bed, and moved to her armoire, where she then opened it, seeking a new dress for the day. There, she chose a dress the color of violets, a dark, royal purple, with trimmings in white, and a black, velveteen set of robes to cover herself. She combed her hair free of knots, and carefully braided it into a single plait that hung down her back. With that, the High Magister departed from her room, and headed for the East Wing of the keep, where the court room for insignificant trials were held. Her heeled shoes made clicking noises against the grey cobble stone floors as she made her way across the keep.
Aurelia arrived in a timely fashion, as she found the holding room to be empty, as well as the court room. As she took her seat at the head of a raised dais behind a wooden podium, a servant entered the room.
"High Magister, shall I send for the jailer to bring up the prisoner for today's case? The Mr. Claus Rotstein?" Inquired the youth.
"
Yes. Send for him, and we shall begin his trial when he gets here." Aurelia answered in return. "Before you go..."
"Milady?"
"
Bring me a pitcher of water as well, would you?" Aurelia begged, her headache hadn't gone away, and she still felt ever thirsty.
"Yes of course." With that, the servant boy disappeared to fetch the prisoner.
As Aurelia waited for Claus to arrive, she cradled her head in her hands woefully, and was surprised to see the servant boy return with the requested pitch of water. He set it before her, and spoke plainly as she filled her pitcher.
"The prisoner has been brought up from the dungeons, and he waits for your admittance. Are you ready to begin the trial now, High Magister?" He asked patiently as she finished off her goblet before refilling it once more.
"
Aye, send him in." Aurelia replied.
When Claus would enter, he would find, Aurelia seated at the podium, and then a solitary table with a single chair.
A servant boy passed through the door to the waiting room.
“You may enter now." He spoke, gesturing for Claus to enter, which he did.
Claus was rather surprised, he had expected... and truthfully hoped for a rather large and imposing trial, in front of the king or something. He suddenly recalled that he was dead, which would make him a rather unfit judge in the matter.
Claus realized he was staring silently unmoving at the table in the middle of the room. He began to silently walk to his seat, give a short simple bow to Aurelia before seating. Claus might not be a master of empathy, but he'd been recklessly drunk many a times in his life and woken up with all sorts of people whom for varying reasons have been found in several positions within the same place he had slept. He clearly recognized the aftermath of a rigid evening of drinking and smiled at Aurelia when he noted her strained eyes and troubled demeanor.
"Good morning miss, I see you have had an.... enlightening evening yesterday." Claus used to poke fun at people whom probably not find it amusing, which made the mischievous side of himself giggle with glee. Alas, he just smiled broadly at the magister’s situation.
Aurelia watched Claus with a steady gaze, he appeared a bit stunned by perhaps the lack of people present in the room. The servant boy moved to the side of the dais, where there sat a wooden table, adorned with an inkwell, a quill, and several loose leaf papers upon which to write. As it turned out, the servant boy wasn't any typical servant, he was actually an apprentice scribe, still a somewhat lowly rank, as he had to endure being told what to do instead of giving orders. When the mercenary captain made a suggestive remark about her having a wild night, she could only but muster a grin.
"
If you ever have the chance to drink wine made from Orog, watch how much you drink. A little goes a long way. I normally do not partake so easily in such refreshments, but everyone is allowed to enjoy themselves in the right occasion."
With a slight cough, she cleared her throat and began again.
"
Well enough small talk, let us start the trial. You may begin recording the contents of our trial now, Adon."
Aurelia turned in her chair to address the apprentice scribe. He looked no younger than 20 perhaps, for he barely had a hair upon his youthful face. Underneath a crown of brown locks, Adon had a slightly hooked nose, giving him a hawkish appearance. He wore a pair of white robes with a purple girdle tied about his waist.
"
The prisoner brought here before us today is Captain of the Steel Fist, a mercenary company. His name is Claus Rotstein."
Aurelia paused in her speech to allow the scribe to catch up to her words. A faint scratching noise could be heard as the scribe's quill moved across the loose paper.
"
For the sake of the court, and all of Nyhem, please state your full birth name, and any aliases or nicknames you have gone by, that others would know you as. Please also state the place of your birth, for the record."
It would seem as an odd request, however, for the sake of the court's documents, it made it easier for classifying the case, and being able to properly locate the papers if need be at a later date, in the castle archives. After all, it would be hard to say how many Claus Rotstein's there are in the massive archives, as the records have been kept even before Heylot's reign. Stating his birth place, and his full name with any aliases, clarified as to who the person was, and not someone that lived two centuries ago.
"Orog wine? I'll have to remember that." Claus smiled and then cleared his throat a bit.
"My full name is Claus Rotstein, second son of the family of Rotstein whom reside in south-west Scassia. My family have for generations tended to the welfare of that rural area and own a lot of the local land." He spoke in a more serious clear manner. He went on.
"As far as nicknames go I don't know of any big ones, 'Cap' and 'Boss' are hardly nicknames of mention, the captain of the company is often referred to as the 'Steel head' by the troops, but that only applies when leading the company. As the companies former captain for example is not called that anymore." Claus witnessed the scribe work, he kept good pace he thought. Wasn't an awful lot younger than himself.
"I hope that is enough, if you know a nickname I’ve gotten, please... do tell." The last words Claus spoke with a smirk.
In a way Claus felt he knew Aurelia better now, perhaps it was that she didn't appear "perfect" anymore. Showing up as judge in a court after a heavy nights drinking. Something Claus admitted he would probably end up doing as well in a similar position. He smiled to himself at the thought.
He was glad it was actually a low key trial, it felt more personal and less like he'd done something wrong. Like the time he was in court in the elven kingdom... and that time he was just a witness. And he had felt like the accused somehow. He regained himself and looked into Aurelia’s green-gold eyes, odd he thought, not a common colour. Claus was freed from his petrification when Aurelia spoke once more.
As Claus spoke of where he grew up, Aurelia raised her brows in surprise that he hailed from the Scassia region, which was located in the Sypius Plains. She knew the Scassia area to be a fertile part of the plains. Once Adon caught up with Claus’ words, Aurelia proceeded with another question.
“
Have you ever travelled outside of Formaroth, such as to the Elven Imperium of Beilokias? If so, what were the reasons that took you there? If not, what is the farthest you have travelled, either alone or with your company? And, do you hold any warrants for your rest, or for any of your men?”
The questions Aurelia intended to ask Claus were rather simple in nature, but it depended on his answers, obviously if he committed a massacre somewhere unbeknownst to them, that would change the course of the trial. Yet, she had her doubts, that the captain was that type of man. If anything, he seemed fair minded, with a unique sense of humor. Aurelia tried not to trust first impressions she developed of people, as not all first impressions were accurate.
“Outside of Formaroth? The elven kingdom. We've been there a lot, we just returned from there after a seven-year campaign with but a few of us getting a leave from time to time."
It seemed obvious Claus expected to be freed, the scribe gave him a look not unlike disappointment.
"And miss... Aurelia was it?"
“I don't quite understand your last question. I'm not used to complicated terms used by finer people." Claus said with a smirk.
"
Yes, my name is Aurelia Vyncetta, High Magister of Nyhem. You may address me as such. Allow me to clarify further. I ask if any of your men, or yourself have committed a known crime. If so, I would need to know if there is a warrant out for your arrest, or any of your men."
Aurelia addressed Claus plainly, unperturbed by his question. It came from her upbringing on the Summer Isles where she learned magic, a learned trait that she could not help. Then again, a woman in her position of such power would be expected to speak so eloquently.
"I see. To my knowledge, me and my men have not committed any serious crimes outside of war. In war I am more doubtful, mostly since the laws of war are not set in stone and one person will think we are war criminals, and others will think we are useful allies. Those are often our enemies and our contractors in that order." Claus spoke calmly, like this was normal.
"Perhaps the answer you seek is that the Steel fist does not slaughter civilians unless necessary, and it mostly never is, and I as a captain work to keep looting to a minimum." Claus was seeming almost a bit bored now, like this was all normal days’ work.
She listened quietly to Claus after clarifying her question. At this point, the High Magister, wanted to end the trial, but she knew that there were a few more questions to ask before she could officially end it.
"
That answers the next question I was going to ask about your company, and the moral conduct. However, since you answered that question, I will ask this. Who originally formed the Steel Fist? Have you always led the Steel Fist, or are you a successor to a previous captain? How long has the Steel Fist existed? I recall you saying that you were away on a campaign for the last seven years. Can you also explain the nature of this campaign? Or in other words, can you explain to me why you were on a campaign during those years, and if you were under your own control, or were you contracted by someone else?"
As she spoke, Adon continued writing, and not once did he look up from his scroll, for his head was bent, and his ears transcribed what he heard between the two.
“The Steel Fist was formed by Captain James Formery in 412, a man who worked for the Tulza family and was rewarded for his service with funds in exchange for creating a mercenary force loyal to them... the company helped fight their dirty fights and did so as long as they paid. Which they stopped. So the Steel fist abandoned them. The Tuzla’s hoped for a loyal puppet, but they got Mr. Formery, who was only loyal to his purse." Claus smiled broadly at the last part.
"The Tuzla’s waned into nothingness over the years. The company was given over to Captain Doroka Hawk, whom led us over to the elves to fight the good fight there. There I was promoted some six or so years ago when Hawk decided to retire. And here I am." At the last part, Claus tried to hold out his hands and leaned back, remembered the handcuffs and just gestures some with them instead.
"Was all of that true you might ask? I'm not sure, but that's how the old story goes. There's probably someone before old Doroka, but the joke that he was older than the Remonnet’s sort of stuck." Claus told with a smirk.
"There's probably some tomes or something that mentions the Steel Fist more in detail, but the company itself goes a lot on simple word by mouth. I left out the juicy betrayal stories, but those are not important, and better kept for a dinner." He said with a suggestive tone, he didn't expect any kind of success but it was worth trying he thought.
The room filled with silence after Claus' response, save for the faint sound of a quill moving across parchment paper. When Adon looked up from his work, his hand stilled, he nodded at Aurelia to proceed. She had waited patiently for him to finish, and during this time, she merely stared at her hands clasped before her.
Now she lifted her eyes up from the podium, and addressed Claus once more.
"
Claus Rotstein, this determines the end of our trial here today. Based on your answers you have provided and upon careful listening, I have found you, Captain Claus Rotstein, and your men of the Steel Fist Company, to be not guilty. You pose no conceivable threat to the city of Nyhem, or its inhabitants. You and your men are free to go about the city as you please."
She waited for the scribe to finish recording her words. With a careful eye, she watched Adon write, and then waited for the ink to dry, and the spoke quietly to him.
"
Adon you may depart from the room now. Thank you for your time and being helpful to the service of the court."
Adon smiled brightly at the High Magister, his eyes full of pride, and so saying, "Thank you milady, please if you need my help, feel free to send for me again."
With that, Adon departed from the room, leaving Aurelia and Claus alone in the small courtroom. Stepping away from the podium and off the dais, she approached Claus, and posed a question for him in a concerned tone, "
Have the guards removed your hand cuffs?"
"Great miss Aurelia, I shall try to have my men more behaved from now on. They should have gotten the heavy partying done anyway by now." Claus spoke as a guard came in and carefully removed his cuffs.
"Oh, miss. I did recall you mentioning something about work in the dungeons. Is that still an offer?" He said while standing up and massaging his wrists. Looking like a child anticipating a treat.
Before she could offer to remove the cuffs from his wrists, a guard came in from the outside, and removed from the hand cuffs from his wrists. Adon most likely informed the guard that Claus would have to be freed. She waited for him to leave before she nodded her in response to Claus' question.
"
Yes. We'll have to draw up the documents for it in the meantime. Allow me to meet with the Regent King once more, and I shall send someone for you, so that you may sign the contract. In other words, you are now free to do as you like. You may return to the jailer and retrieve any of your belongings they have taken from you. The man you requested to be set free with you, is most likely released from the cells, so you may rejoin him as well. You are free to explore the castle as you wish."
Here, Aurelia extended her hand for him to shake
Claus gave her a firm handshake, his whole life spent with "manly men" so to speak left him giving Aurelia, a perhaps, unnecessarily firm handshake.
“Thank you, I shall do so." Claus spoke with a pleased look.
Claus' firm handshake was met with a handshake just as firm, Aurelia didn't believe in giving weak handshakes, gender mattered not. Aurelia gestured for Claus to follow her as she opened the door to leave the courtroom.
"
You are quite welcome. Tell any of the servants you come across that you are to have a room prepared, say that Aurelia Vyncetta wishes it to be so. I shall see how many of your men we can accommodate here without having to put them in the inn. Though I have to discuss that further with the Regent King."
"Living in the castle? Now that sounds luxurious." Although accommodating 1500 armed men in the castle on top of its normal personnel seemed far flung, Claus had decided to not underestimate what this woman said. He had taken a sort of interest in her, seemed more real than all the other more noble people he'd met.
"I think I shall return to the room I was stationed in, and get my things, then go to my men and show myself so that they don't begin to plan on breaking me out or something." At the end, there was a hint of actual concern in Claus voice. He made a rather unimpressive bow then walked towards "his" room.
He saw someone who just had to be a servant.
"Ey, you. Would you, or someone of your mates help me get my things in order before I leave.... Oh, and miss Aurelia Vyncetta informed that a fitting room be readied for the captain of the Steel Fist." When Claus mentioned Aurelia, the man visibly took the matter more seriously. Throwing around the names of important people seemed to have that effect.
{A collab by
@Klomster and
@MacabreFox}
Stormyx
Sick Ducker
ML
SkyeOfStars
Dervish
CaliforniaState
