Innsbruck

[Antonio Galanzia]

Ooc note. Cory your blood bound and bound by oath if your Duke speak these words it is part of your oath and bond that prevent this

[Storyteller]

St note: It is only a one point bond he is still able to act freely at this point.

[Alfonso Valencia]

Alfonso laughs bitterly. "I served you faithfully for decades, and this what I receive in response? A tangled mess of lies that implicate me in a crime I did not commit nor confess too, my sworn oath on my title and my Lasombra blood attests to that. Whether you hope to cover up your own involvement or you hope to win favor from the Ard Rhi by sacrificing me is honestly irrelevant. The point is I did not do what you say. We could stand here for years inventing scenarios in which the other is guilty. You could just as easily be lying about being a capable swordsman or you could have hired another traveling Kindred to do the deed for you. You are a strong willed man, perhaps you would bank on resisting the Ard Rhi's dominance or perhaps you would have allowed your Sister's vassal to remove said knowledge from your mind first. It matters not."

Alfonso turns to Didaskalos. "My Ard Rhi, as one of your blood and a titled Baron I petition for the right to prove my innocence against these lies."

[Jaak Alemayehu, Shango Kholo]

*grits teeth*

[Storyteller]

Didaskalos turns his head to look at Dorthia and Loki, "my Chamberlin has Alfonso expended his titled to disput the claims of Duke Raetus?"

"I believe that is what just happened my grace," Dorthia responds as she stands up.

"So be it," Didaskalos says as he looks to the Nosferatu, "Consul Trajan I shall hear your testimony regarding this subject."

The Nosferatu ponders his words for a moment glancing back and forth between Duke Galanzia, Duke Raetus and Baron Valencia before speaking, "the information I carry comes to me by a very reliable source and implicates all three of these men to different degrees."

"It seems that the dukedoms of Klagenfurt and Trento have been working together to destabilize the free city and smear the credibility of Laibach with the use of bandits. I have suspicions of which Lasombra was involved, it was either the crusader or the Duke of Klagenfurt. They are using these bandits to make it unsafe to move in and out of Laibach. My reports tell me both are trying to exert themselves by offering to protect the roads for a high cost. My reports say the milita leader tried to pressure Mother Isis to allow his army to 'protect' the free city, she thankfully turned down the favor with fear the army would occupy the city and never leave," he says looking deeply into the eyes of Didaskalos.

Didaskalos pauses waiting for any response.

[Antonio Galanzia]

My lord, I can assure you this was not me. I also have some information to bring to light on the destruction brought to my attention, this was brought forth to me from gunnar, I overheard briefly a slight description of the events.
One of the assailents, used dominate and obtenibration in the ordeals, from what I heard a form of our tenticales we're used in the ordeal as well as dominate. I did not hear much more than this.however this is information that needs to be brought to light. I am not here to point fingers to take sides. I am also in the belief that based in time lines this was about the same time as I had traveled to speak with you and lord Narsus my lord.

[Raetus]

"My apologies Ard Rhi is this evidence submitted to speak for motive or suggest that the Doge may have been a victim of a greater plan? In truth if extortion was the objective wouldn't one usually kidnap the victim. After all blood bond is a simple thing for us all if you have another in your power. As to the matter of making the new Doge offers of protection I suppose this is not exactly high human moral standards even more so with pressure being applied to this area. However Trieste is a harbour port and therefore a land bound embargo would likely have limited effect and I wonder whether pressure from outside your domains boundaries is strictly a breach of the second tradition regardless. Mother Isis has taken upon herself the position of Doge and will likely have many more difficult decisions to make in the future. As to the matter of whether I had a hand in this pressure on the free city again I can attest to no knowledge. 

[Storyteller]

Didaskalos looks at Duke Galanzia, "I can attest to the fact you did attend the function thus I will excuse you from judgement at this time."

Didaskalos motions toward Loki Runetongue, "Huntsman I ordered you to watch Father Balaam until he arrived at the next gather, I expect your report."

Loki Runetongue rises slowly from his chair and glides toward the Ard Rhi as he speaks, "your excellency as directed I followed Balaam and watched his actions during the time before his destruction. I can report that he travelled with Mother Isis into the duchy of Laibach to follow the leads you gave him about Nicomedes, well in Laibach the Gangrel Gunner over saw his actions in accordance to the permission given to him by Duke Galahad. He was returning to Trieste when he was overcome by bandits, two of which used obvious gifts of the blood. As you orders were plain I was only to watch I did not interfere. After the destruction of Balaam I followed the bandits as they travelled back toward Trento slowly lightening their numbers," Loki grins thinking about the violence he delivered to the bandits, "I will say whoever destroyed Balaam resides within Trento."

Didaskalos nods to Loki who falls in behind his lord. Didaskalos waits for any response.

[Raetus]

"A question huntsman when you say Trento do you mean the city or region?"

[Storyteller]

"Alfonso you petition to prove your innocence?" Didaskalos says.

Loki shifts his stance slightly his eyes start to narrow.

"Tell me exactly what your proof is?" Didaskalos asks.

[Alfonso Valencia]

Alfonso shrugs. "I have none here, it is word against word. Kill me or trust my oath as an honorable Lasombra and let me find the slayer of Baalam myself."

[Storyteller]

"I followed them into the duchy of Trento a fair distance and I can assure you this is where they lead me," Loki slithers out.

"Very well," Didaskalos says, "since Duke Raetus' word cannot be trusted completely in this matter."

Didaskalos paces to the left and speaks, "Consul Trajan's word as a low clan against you cannot stand neither."

Didaskalos turns quickly and paces to the right, "The Huntsman did not directly make any accusations."

Sorrowful look crosses Didaskalos' face as the thought crosses him mind, "I guess, I must punish each of the Duchies then to fulfil my obligation to uphold my oaths."

"Do you know what decimation is?" Didaskalos asks, "each duchy shall submit to draw lots at next gather, the member of the duchy to draw the smallest lot shall be beaten to death by their house members. Dukes, Barons, Knights all must draw lots."

[Raetus]

A look of frustration crosses Raetus' face then his features smooth over.

"Is this then your final judgement lord Ard Rhi?"

[Alfonso Valencia]

Alfonso nods. "Of Course, your Grace."

[Storyteller]

"No this is not my final decision," Didaskalos says, "Maybe a trial by combat? That sounds more suitable."

Didaskalos paces a bit more, "Since I must defend the honour of my oath maybe I shall face the trial myself?"

Loki nearly shouts, "I shall champion you my grace!"

Didaskalos turns slightly well he paces, "perhaps a trial by ordeal?"

Finally Didaskalos stops and looks directly at Alfonso, "You could just ask for mercy. Why would you do that though because your crimes will be abolished once you safely return from crusade. Should you return."