Justicar’s Office - Skiddlefling's Arraignment

[Charlie Wallace]

The large building stood majestic against the azure sky. Large double doors opened to a marble foyer with six more doors.
The offices of the Justicar were majestic.

A guard, dressed in Imperial finery stood at attention at the door.

A solitary desk was placed in the center of the foyer.

Jeraca Edoenn sat at the desk trying to look busy. She was using a petite file to shape her long, painted fingernails.

When the door opened, she put the file down and shook her long black wavey hair away from her brown eyes. Joch escorted Skiddlefling up to the desk.

Jeraca recognized Skiddlefling. She said, "Oh my! What did you do?”

[Skiddlefling Todle]

Skiddlefling, still being dragged like a dog on a leash, keeps his head up, innocently. Not a speck of guilt exists on his entire face. Looking at Jeraca, he flinches a bit. "I'm going to the same Justiciar that I originally brought my case to? Great...Just great...oh well, at least Lady Ann Brigit Claudia will know why I'm here, and not make false assumptions. " he whispers to himself. Due to the fact that he is under escort, Skiddlefling wonders whether he should reply to her, or if that would be putting himself out of line, and thus hurting his case. "If I stay silent, I may seem guilty...and besides, she IS an Imperial Official" he realizes, then responds. his voice somewhat perky for an imprisoned citizen, without a hint of dispair or uncertainty, he replies briefly. "Disrupting the Aedile's Office." he says in a sentance fragment, and continues to follow Joch.

[Charlie Wallace]

Jeraca raised her hand to cover her open mouth. She said, "Oh my!

Joch opened the door to the Justicar's office. He sat Skiddlefling on the bench in the front of the room. There was a guard positioned next to the raised bench.

Joch sat next to his prisoner

Joch rose when Lady Ann Brigit Claudia entered the room and sat behind a large elevated desk. She still wore black robes and had a sterner face.

She read the paper in front of her and tapped her fingers on the desk. "Do you think it was wise to return to the Aedile's office with another claim? Do you know what the penalty for extortion is?"

[Skiddlefling Todle]

Skiddlefling complied with the seating. The guards did not faze him. His face was calm, his arms were at his side, and his eyes were making direct contact with Lady Ann. Waiting fully for Lady Ann to finish her saying, he shrugs a bit when he hears the word "extortion". He shakes his head slowly, and then returns to making eye contact.

"Serale, Lady Ann Brigit Claudia." he speaks, trying to improve her mood. "Another claim? Who told you this, my lady? The only thing I did at the Aedile's when I returned was tell him that I lost the case, and requested to sell the land surrounding my house. He said that he could not grant a partial sale, and that was fine with me. I requested to finally transfer houses, and he jailed me for being a nuisance. Up until the point of where you told me about extortion, everybody involved considered it being annoying. Although I was a tad bit persistant, I do not consider persistance a jailable offense. The most he should have done would be removeing me from his office. Extorting him I was not; anybody that was in the Aedile's at the time could tell you that." the Dracon replied, in natural form, not at all self-concious about his race.

[Charlie Wallace]

Lady Ann Brigit Claudia said, "I do not know the particulars of this case yet. When the assistant Aedile arrives, we will get his testimony. "

Lady Ann Brigit Claudia moved off the bench. "I won't be hearing testimony. Because I have been asked to give sworn statements, I have asked the Prefect to preside over the arraignment."

Shanlin Silverbow had the classic features of an elf. Blonde, blue eyed, and light skinned, he stood tall at six feet.

Dressed in the red robes, Prefect, Shanlin entered the room and climbed on the tall bench.

The Imperial Guard said, “All persons having business in the court on the matter of Skiddlefling Todle, please rise and state your name.

Start with the accused, Skiddlefling Todle.”

[Skiddlefling Todle]

Skiddlefling sat contently, without a fidget or any other move that shows nervousness or unsureness. His eyes are without the normal fire that burns during the rest of this adventure, and he is obviously in a different, more political mood during the trial.

At the sound of his name, he rose. However, he was uneducated in political matters. "What do I do now?" he wonders, and waits for a request by Joch or the Prefect.

[Charlie Wallace]

Joch whispered to Skiddlefling, "State your name."

Lady Ann Brigit Claudia rose and stated hers.

Skiddlefling heard a familiar voice from the back, "Julius D Haversack, assistant Aedile of Prime."

Prefect Silverbow said, "The accused may tell his side of the story. The charge is creating a public nuisance."

The Prefect looked directly at Skiddlefling and said, "Allerian Code of Laws presumes you are guilty until prove otherwise. Speak truthfully, and with respect, for I hold your future in my hands."

[Skiddlefling Todle]

Skiddlefling hear Joch's whisper, and reacted, almost reflex-like, "Skiddlefling Todle."

Skiddlefling acknowledged the Prefect's request, and began speaking in a calm, unwavering voice. The tone of his speech indicated absolute sureness, and hopefully, truth. "Serale good sir. This is how I have viewed the situation; tell me if there is anything wrong with it." he says, and pauses for a moment to take a deep breath.

"I had felt the Aedile had shortchanged me with an improper land value, and so went in to complain. After Julius D. Haversack assisted me and informed me where to go, I headed to here - the Justiciar's office. Lady Ann Brigit Claudia heard my request, and informed me that I must have been misdirected in my knowledge. I accepted that, and proceeded back to the Aedile's Office of Alleria Prime. I attempted to sell the land that constitues my yard; Julius could not grant that request. I made a request to change houses, and then I was jailed and brought here." he finishes, and takes another breath.

"I admit, I was persistant. Perhaps too persistant. But I was not a nuisance to the public, for I quickly became calm in the matter and did not shout or scream. I was a bit unruly in the first five minutes or so, but then I was highly diplomatic. Julius could have requested to remove me from the Aedile's office for a while, so as to think the matter over, but he never made any move to do so. I feel I am wrongly accused, Your Honor."

[Charlie Wallace]

Prefect Silverbow listened and made notations while Skiddlefling was speaking.

When Skiddlefling finished, the Prefect said, "You feel wrongly accused. Duly noted Mister Todle. You will now resume your seat and I shall hear other testimony. Assistant Aedile Haversack, please stand and give your statement."

Julius fixed his shirt cuff, and looked at his notes one more time. Then, he began, "Mr. Todle wanted the Aedile's office to refund
one thousand to fifteen hundred crowns because of the condition of his house. I believe his actual words were, "I only require 1000-1500 crowns back. That will cover repairs and the emotional stress, damage, and downtime involved."

I informed him that a replacement deed could be arranged, but he could not be given money by the Aedile's office.

Mr. Todle then made a false statement, "I purchased a house with good money, and It is a dump! The roof is leaking, the walls are damaged, it's structurally unstable...It is definitely NOT worth the 5000 crowns."

Julius paused for effect, "I examined my records carefully. Mr. Todle did not purchase the home. He acquired the deed free, as do many new citizens arriving in Prime. Since he paid nothing for the deed, he was not entitled to any money from the Aedile.

Mr. Todle insisted he could not move to another house, so my offer of a new deed was unacceptable and repeated he wanted a partial refund on a deed he never purchased."


Julius sighed with relief at the end of his statement, "Mr. Tolde was not satisfied with my answer, so I suggested he speak with the Justicar."

Prefect Silverbow held out his hand. "The Justicar is present. We shall hear her testimony now."

[Charlie Wallace]

Lady Ann Brigit Claudia stood. Without her stark, black robe, she was more beautiful than ever.

She held her head straight and her chin up. She said, "Before I give my testimony. I have a statement signed by the accused and given to my secretary before Mr. Todle was allowed access to my chambers."

Silverbow said, "Let me have it here. It is now part of the evidence."

Silverbow read Skiddlefling's statement, signed by him. "Name: Skiddlefling Todle"
"Description: I have been shortchanged on the Aediles, and demand a partial refund for it. This house is structurally unstable, a major fire hazard, ramshackle, a disgrace to the neighborhood, and leaking. I am unable to sell my house or change establishments, due to some priceless items that cannot leave the house. I am requesting repayment of 1000-2000 crowns in return, which will both cover the repair costs and the emotional damage I am experiencing in this event. I have tried contacting the Aedile's Office, and they have been of no help."

Lady Ann Brigit Claudia said, "You have the statement written by Mr. Todle. He repeated the claim to me verbally, however his focus is now on the money he wants due to his claim, and the integrity of the Aedile's office. His words were "Why is the Empire in charge of my house? Well, it's not, technically. However, it IS in charge of making sure that it's offices are kept in check, and don't take advantage of their supreme power. The Aedile's office of Alleria Prime has done just that. The house they gave me, supposedly worth '5000' crowns, is ramshackle, structurally unsound, leaking, and in otherwise horrible conditon. Special circumstances prevent me from changing houses, however, and therefore I request a partial refund to cover repair costs and emotional trauma. I attempted to obtain this refund from the Aediles, but they again abused their power by forcing me to go here. Can you grant me this money? I only request 1000-1500 crowns in return."

Obviously, he was not understanding the illogical process that led him to ask the Aedile and then the Justicar to leagally coerce the Aedile to give him money."

The Justicar took a breath. She continued. "I told him the Aedile would give him another deed. Mr. Todle was beligerent to the Aedile's office once again, However, only a madman would give someone 5000 crowns for such a dump. If you say that the land itself is worth 5000, take a look at all the condition of the land. gopher and insect holes plague it, there is likely many many termite nests, and it is also in a horrible state. Also, if you contend that it's the land, that would mean the other houses around me, which are actually worth 5,000 crowns, are given for free, and that they only bought that land? I'm pretty sure that a house costs money to build. Also, if you say it is the house that is worth the money, mine is likely worth nary a silver. If the Aedile's office is run by insane madmen, then so be it.

Mr. Todle then repeated the falsehood about purchasing the deed, "I purchased this deed from none other then the Aedile's Office of Alleria Prime. That is my problem, as I believe they shortchanged me just to make a quick crown. Seeing as they are an Imperial Office, I do not believe they need the money that badly." but he could not produce a receipt for monies exchanged.

Lady Ann Brigit Claudia finished her testimony with, "I told him he was confused. He was furnished the deed when he arrived in Prime exhanging no monies for the home, in whatever condition it is. The deed was transferable for five thousand crowns, and if his present home was unfit, he should trade it for another."

Lady Ann Brigit Claudia waited.

Prefect Silverbow said, "Was it then he was arrested?"

Joch stood and stated his name. "No sir. Mr. Todle returned to the Aedile's office."

Silverbow said, "Very well guard, I will now have more testimony from the assistent Aedile."

[Charlie Wallace]

Julius D Haversack hoped this was the last time he had to speak. It was warm in the court and he was sweating.

Julius said, "Mr. Todle returned, sir. After returning, he told me the Justicar was no help and he wanted to sell the land surrounding his home back to the Aedile for the same one thousand to fifteen hundred crowns.

I belive his words were, "Ahh, Julius, it's not been long enough. Since the Imperial Justiciar was no help, I am afraid I must do as you please...however, I will not give up. I am not selling my entire estate. I wish to sell all of the land SURROUNDING my manor, but not the ravaged locale itself. For it, I demand between 1500 and 2000 crowns, no less. The house itself must be in my name, but the land can go. If you won't give me a refund, it is the least you can do to accept this offer. Will you do it, Julius?"

After I told him the land and house were inseparable, he said he would exchange houses, but he wanted his...wait. I think I wrote it down. Yes, here it is..."Fine. If you can't partial sale, I'll conform again. I shall transfer houses, however, the house I buy must cost me NO MORE than 60 crowns. Otherwise, I will continue attempting to sell my house."

I wanted no more dealings with Mr. Todle as his claims and accusations became more irratic. I called the guard at that point."

Prefect Silverbow said, "Jochaim Landon please stand."

Joch stood and gave testimony that Skiddlefling Todle had taken his arrest quietly. He had spent the night in jail, and his demeanor had not been hostile."

Prefect Silverbow looked hard at Skiddlefling. He said, "Would you like to question the testimony of the Aedile and Justicar?"

[Skiddlefling Todle]

Skiddlefling did not flinch. He continued to make direct eye contact with the Prefect. His eyes did not scare the dracon. "Question their testimony? It is all true. Everything I have said and done is there. They are simply backing me up in my claim. Frankly, I don't see what the point is. However, I must once again restate it for the point." he thought to himself, wondering what the Aedile was getting at.

"No, I do not wish to question that, your honor. It is all true, but they are only backing up my point. Julius continues to assert that I made a false claim to extort the Aedile's office; I was merely misconcepted. Are mistakes and errors, even persistant ones, allowed, your Honor? Miss Lady Ann Brigit Claudia informed me that I was confused, I accepted that. I then returned to the Aedile's to try to sell half of my house, Julius denied that request, and I accepted that too. I had begun to understand the tangle of thoughts in my mind. I requested a new, inexpensive, house, and I was jailed. I recieved no warning of jailing; Julius just summoned Joch abruptly. I was in no position to fight with the law at that time; I used it as an opportunity to try to untangle the thoughts in my mind. Julius may have found my misconceptions annoying, but he could have simply removed me from the Aedile's in the first place." he says.

[Anne]

The Imperial Consul for the Administrate of Centripax, Lady Nadina d’Rosario entered the courtroom quietly so as not to disturb proceedings. She had heard of Skiddlefling Todles case and was most interested to see what would occur as a result. She sat quietly as the accused, assistant Aedile and others said their piece; but it did seem to her a grave miscarriage of justice that the accused was unrepresented in the matter. Getting to her feet she moved toward the front of the courtroom in the hope that she would be allowed to speak.

[Charlie Wallace]

The Imperial Guard noticed the arrival of the newcomer. He said, “All persons having business in the court on the matter of Skiddlefling Todle, please rise and state your name."

Prefect Silverbow smiled. He knew of Lady Nadina. Certainly the guard was only performing a perfunctionary duty.

[Anne]

Nadina satisfied that she was in a position to be heard clearly stated her name and title before saying what she felt her duty as a citizen to do 'It would appear to me that the accused is without an Advocate and if it please the both the court and the accused then I would like to plead his case on his behalf" Nadina paused waiting for a response.