Team Malkaer prepares to beat the system

[Malkaer Andares]

OOC: Contains spoilers. If your PC is involved do not read on.

Secrets : That means you, Ogabe!

Originally Posted by Parreyon Syndicus

2nd Brightening of Winter, Era XIV

Parreyon had been called upon by an old name for aid and spent the latter part of the afternoon stirring over the issue. Parr had removed himself from law and named Ogabe as the new minister which Arabella had accepted and since that time, he had not touched law again.

Parr had loved the law and the argument even more. He believed in the system and felt the vagueness of any law allowed on to justify and defend one's self in the best possible manner. But when the law had mixed itself with politics, Parr had lost his appetite. He no longer yearned for a court room. Parr had shown enough evidence against Stephan to warrent proof of his claims. In the end, Arabella would have still made Stephan a knight if not for the fact that Stephan had been so outraged, he left on his own accord disvowing himself from knighthood within the Order of the Black Rose.

All of Bella's reasoning was because she was showing Parr who was boss because Parr and her were at a disagreement over her trusting in Epic Vamplyer, a man old enough to be her father and shown plenty of desire for the political clout that was held with dating The Empress of The Empire. Every article ever written and taught to her by him had been thrown in the garbage at that moment.

He realized that the power of the ministry was not really governed by the articles. As long as the ruler accepted what the ministry did, the ministry basically had the power of the authority of the emperor himself. This meant that the citizens were nothing if a minister had a desire to abuse the authority given them as Bella had done.

Only the rising of Milo to that of Regent made him thin that a ruler sat upon the thrown who believed in the Articles for what they were and held a compassion for people. Until a tragedy had come into his life, Parr once again served this time under Milo, but he still did not want to go near the playing field of the law.

His decision to help Malkaer was not any of those that were listed in the letter. It was because when he left the Enamorian Struggle against Malice as Malkaer had okayed his reasons for wanting to leave, Parreyon had made an oath to the dark elf that if he ever had a need he only needed to ask. Parr was a katta of his word and would offer aid to Malkaer as best he could. Hopefully it was by guidance only because Parr still did not want to go near a courtroom. If such was the case, and Parr felt the case fightable, then he would do it.

Knowing he needed to show the guards of his credentials, Parr wore his Black Rose uniform. The tradition of the Knights was: once a knight, always a knight, so Parr was still a true member of The emperor's order. He made his way to the gaurds and shown then his visa. Moments later he was let into the room.

"Malkaer Anderas, I come at your request. I extend the offer I made to you once before to aid you if you ever have need of me. I am also a friend to Moranor from his eras in Enamoria. You have my word that i'll aid you the best I can."

He presented himself properly to show respect to the owner of the house. Malkaer may not actually own this house, but the meaning of his jesture would be easily understood to show respect. It was important to Parr to let Malkaer know that he held no opinion of Malkaer based on whatever situation got him into this mess. Only the courts would decide his innocence, and not any opinion of Parr's.

Parreyon would find little resistance to meet the one who wrote him. The visitor policy was loose. The guards simply grew lax now that it was clear Andares would stick around at least until the trial and could not be bothered to clear everyone thoroughly before they were allowed inside. For Parreyon, a resigned Knight of the Black Rose extra care certainly was not required.

Malkaer's 'house' was in fact a jail cell. True, on first glance it looked like a comfortable room in a good inn: the bed was comfortable, the furniture was plentiful and of decent quality, there was a hearth at the far end of the room and a door led to a small bathroom. However strong iron bars before the window and the heavy bolts that had to be removed before opening the thick door reminded one where one was: the Black Tower, prison complex for high class prisoners. A person gifted with the ability to use arcana would also feel his magical senses dim. It was impossible to reach Clara for anyone lower than a master in this room.

The esh'lahier was sitting at his desk writing as the clawknight was admitted. Rather than outfitted with the standard prisoner clothes Malkaer had after some time been granted the privilege to wear his own clothes. He wore heavy grey robes to protect him from the winter cold. Even with the fire blazing it was required. The pale elf was happily surprised to find Parreyon visit him so swiftly in person and even more happy that the katta admitted to aid him. He reached up.

"Sir Syndicus", Malkaer bowed slightly, "I'm honoured you would extend your help to someone you barely know. I'm overjoyed." Though not too obvious, Malkaer had indeed made a call on Parreyon’s honour to return a favor. "Please, have a seat." There was a dinner table with four chairs in the middle of the room. The host walked to the cord next to the door and pulled it. "Tea, coffee?" The esh’lahier then joined the knight at the table. Though a near immortal race, the shadow elf looked a lot older than the two had last seen each other. The stress of the defeat at Malice, public service and the upcoming trial had taken its toll. A long scar also ran vertically across his face, courtesy of some Malicean thug during Malkaer’s stay there.

Getting straight to business, as he thought Parreyon to prefer it, Malkaer asked: "Have you followed this mess?"

[Parreyon Syndicus]

Parreyon noted Malkaer upon entering writing heavily. He could easily assume that the elf was hard at work trying to do anything and everything to gain his freedom; thus the meeting with Parr. Malkaer might not have been aware of Parreyon's disassociation with the legal system but would not be hindered from returning the favor owed.

He smiled warmly as the esh'lahier rose and bowed respectfully to him, respect given - respect earned, thatwas how Parr had always associated with people. Malkaer must have had similar beliefs. The offer of a beverage was next and Parreyon chose tea as his beverage of choice. He would have prefered a little zerdargian brandy but figured Malk aer was denied alcohol so why make a bad joke out of it. He then took a seat and nodded to the direct approach of the accused.

"i'll play the niave ear and would prefer to hear it from your perspective first. By claiming I know the situation also means that I have an opinion of the topic. one cannot go into such procedings with an opinion predetermined. It will not help you in such a case. Start from the beginning .. and leave out no details."

[Malkaer Andares]

When Kasana the servant arrived Malkaer passed the order to her. The nobleman was in fact not denied alcoholic beverages but he did not think it appropriate to booze on this particular candlemark of the brightening. Even so the elf did not have Zerdargian brandy in store having no taste for the dwarven drink.

Malkaer nodded. Maybe he wanted people to say that he was innocent; that this trial was nothing but a malign attempt to finish his career, but indeed all opinions held by those who were not the magistrate sitting over this trial were irrelevant. Safe perhaps for high Imperial circles, but it was clear by now that they rather wished to be rid of the esh’lahier than rich. So for what must have been the hundredth the former Lieutenant Governor of Lauryl recalled his story.

“It began when the Minister wrote to the Aediles of the large cities of the Empire the following letter in order to rebuild the Sel’rakrya organization.” Malkaer passed Parreyon a copy of the document sent to the Aedile of Mystique.

“I was rather offended that the Ministry had not directly informed the Provincial Governments about this operation in their province. Furthermore I believe the Minister overestimated his abilities and sent an open letter to the citizens of the Empire to point out the weaknesses in the plans of the Ministry.” The former Minister of Justice was passed an old copy of the Herald with the article in question.

“This article apparently struck a nerve of the Minister that he was never able to overcome. However, it raises some just questions that -thanks to the diversion of my trial- have never been answered. By accusing me of some ridiculous charges, which are nevertheless difficult to prove false, the Minister does not have to take responsibility for his actions.”

“Let us read his rebuttal.” Another old Herald appeared on the table, with Ogabe’s letter on the front of the issue. “He just avoids the stringent questions and bogs down on rhetorical details in my letter. I suppose it is a good tactic if you cannot truly answer to the content.”

“In my last public letter I made the mistake of going down that same road. Here is a Herald copy of it.” Malkaer passed Parreyon the issue. “I do not see how anyone can be convicted based on these articles I wrote, but they were admitted as evidence during the Preliminary Hearing.”

“More damning is the conversation I had with his Exalted Excellency. Earlier that brightening I had discussed politics with Vicegerent Du’Galle. She and I differ a great deal in our outlook of politics in the Empire, but I believe we parted with mutual respect for our opinions. The forwardness I expressed during that conversation I should have kept later.”

The particular conversation was some months ago, but Malkaer could clearly remember what had passed. “After introductions the Minister said he was disappointed that I had chosen the Herald as the venue to express my concerns and that I was alone in them. I answered that the way Imperial and Provincial Governments communicate was regrettable and that I spoke for a province with millions of inhabitants.”

“I then asked the Minister what the Sel’rakrya would do in Lauryl, and he gave me the exact nonsense answer as he did in the Herald. According to the Minister the Sel’rakrya the agency will research intra-provincial crimes and aid local law enforcement. Of course I wanted to know what type of illegal missions would be conducted in Lauryl. Also I do not see the point of having Imperial officials doing exactly the same as Provincial. The latter are more than capable of doing their job. If the Imperial Government takes up all kinds of tasks from the Provincial, ranging from taxation to inter-provincial security to law enforcement, what is the point of having Provincial Governments? This Imperial Government is trying to push through a whole range of centralistic measures and I do not believe that will strengthen the Empire.”

“So I then said something stupid. I said that the Lauryllian Provincial Government could not accept the terms under which the Sel’rakrya operate- namely the secret missions and legal illegalness, I suppose one could call it. I also said that law enforcement in Lauryl is the prerogative of the Lauryllian Government alone. I finished with saying that there would be no permanent Sel’rakrya offices in Lauryl.” Malkaer paused at that, contemplative. His voice had been calm for the duration of his speech, but now the esh’lahier lost his control.

“And then that dirty fleabag called his guards and had me arrested! Can you believe such backstabbing dishonesty! As if he was waiting for me to say something that might be interpreted as unlawful.” Some curses in esh’lahieri ensued. There was still the Preliminary Hearing to relate to Parreyon, but for now Malkaer was too angry to continue and the knight might have some questions at this point.

[Parreyon Syndicus]

Parreyon listened intently to what Malkaer had to say regarding the issues leading up to the two of them sitting together and his arrest. Malkaer had opened by showing the letter that had arrived from Obage regarding a reorganization of the judicial system and the return of the sel'rakrya. In truth Parreyon saw nothing wrong with the reformation of the group but was curious as to why the Legal team would be in control of the old intelligence agency, and the judicial system did need an overhaul and waas happy that Ogabe was trying to do that whether he would be successful or not. That was neither here nor there as far as this case was concerned. Malkaer raised concerns as to how Obage went about setting up this group. To be concerned was okay but coming from the ministry himself, Parr knew that authority was granted the ministry to do whatever they desired in their area not even having to discuss it with the Emperor first. They were given authority over all but the Emperor. This of course did not mean that Milo could not eject the plan after inception, but it was obvious Milo was okay with it because this began a few seasons ago.

Point one of this issue didn't look good: point to Ogabe.

Malkaer then went on to explain his retaliation in the herald, a fool move only because the political arena should never be fought via rumored herald reports. Parreyon understood the use of the herald but knew full well Milo's disposition on people verbally battling within politics through the paper. The Regent hated it.

In the article, Malkaer brought up an interesting point of debate. The use of article 51. The allerians in their inifinite wisdom along with his blessed Audrey (whom he loved closer than any friend he'd had) had seen fit to reorganize the government structure to try and strengthen the Empire. What they failed to do was revamp all of the articles of imperium which conflicted old policy with new positions. The Sel'Rakrya were disbanded when the new government was structured. The Lord Judicator of the old was a different person than this new ministry position now held by Ogabe. Parreyon's ponderings of this would hold no bearing on the case though and focused back on the case.

Malkaer's main point in the article was completely hearsay, something that would not stand up in court. Ogabe was going to claim beyond a shadow of a doubt that his intent of the sel'rakrya was a shift in thought to that of criminal investigation on an imperial level. Even the letter sent by Ogabe would show this. Malkaer's claim was that the Sel'Rakrya of old, the intelligence agency, was what was really forming and thus far there was no proof to this claim. His article rebukes the desires of Obage, but the article itelf was merely an opinion and present no guilt ... yet.

Being nothing more than an opinion written to the public: Point Malkaer

The third point to this chirade came from the reply by Ogabe using the herald article once again. Parreyon could not help but wonder how Milo felt about this rumor paper pissing contest. Ogabe re-iterates in this article that which was stated in the original letter as to what the intent of this new sel'rakrya was for. He also bashes the hearsay of Malkaer asking for proof. This was a wise tactic by a strong legal councilman and would hold up well in court over the issue. It also shows the direct connection and approval of Milo.

Not good: Point Ogabe.

The last article was a more pleasant rebuttal by Malkaer and showed more of his questioning of the Sel'Rakrya than flat out claiming that it should be obolished. It struck to the heart of what Malkaer felt and again was not outside of the law to state such. He was wrong in his interpretation of the use of the Sel'Rakrya for provincial law could not leave the province while imperial law could float from one province to the next. Being the ex-ministerof law, Parreyon could read between the lines of what Ogabe was doing. He wondered though if others felt the same way. Also there was a misconception of the Sel'Rakrya and the Rakrya formed by Julos. They were in fact two different entities not related to each other. But did the public eye think this way? Parr did not know. He would have changed the name of his group to something other than the sel'rakrya to remove confusion. Again all of this did not matter to the court case at hand. There needed to be something more because so far no crime had been commited.

opinion stated, no law broken: Point Malkaer.

The last point brought up was Malkaer's view on what had transpired. He spoke of a conversation with Nell but did not elaborate. Was more needed to be known? Yes. Then he met with Ogabe, they argued, and he openly stated he would not follow the will of the government. Dumb move. Parr did not think he would have arrested Malkaer for the comments, but would have seen to his dismissal as lt. governor. To ignore the commands of Ogabe in this instance was the same thing as ignoring Milo himself. Even Malkaer had to understand this.

Wrong move: Point Ogabe.

Through all of this one thing was eating him and not making any sense. Maybe it had been explained and had not sunk in, Parreyon didn't know, but things needed to progress further for it to make sense.

"First explain to me the conversation with Nell so that I can understnad what happened there. Then, tell me of the pre-trial hearing. The fact that you are going to trial means two things: There is a preponderance of guilt and the pre-trial hearing has been completed. I need to know what took place to fully understand what charge is begin held against you.

this is an ugly political mess but thus far I see no need for charges. I would have had you removed from your position for failing to follow the wills of the Regent ... but I don't get the legal war, arrest, and charges being brought up against you."