>>5198502Sir Graven is pale with shock at the outburst, but the old man is stalwart as ever and steps close to the Emperor, coming to your aid. "My Emperor, Lord Campbell has the right of it. You cannot begin your reign by violating the law and putting a woman with child to death. The clergy would also surely have much to say of you executing one of their own without consultation. You have Imperial primacy over them of course, but the Priestesses can cause you no end of grief in many ways. Lord Campbell has risked your righteous wroth due to his loyalty, I humbly suggest you reward him with consideration." Graven nods towards you as Alkaign seethes, but the Emperor does wait for you to finish.
You bow your head in respect to your liege. "Justice will come my lord, but wait until the child is born. It will also give us time to wring all possible information from the prisoners. Once it's done, we make them face the Depths for what they've wrought."
Alkaign's fingers rap relentlessly on the throne's armrest, and it is several moments before he speaks. "So be it. Damn the Lady for saddling me with the world's most damnably moral northerner, and the world's most silver tongued knight." He nods towards a relieved Sir Graven. You do not budge, and Alkaign soon notes it. "I imagine this is the part where you plead mercy for Elpest as well?"
He sounds less angry, but he spits Elpest's name like a curse. "It is, my Emperor. I believe his story. He's a drunken fool, but no traitor. And the girl he was with is innocent, just lovestruck." Alkaign waves away your concerned look with a hand. "Bah, I know it. I had them release her already. I recognized the girl, they've been courting for years at this point. As for Elpest, he will be punished. But I am convinced to be merciful. Honored Chen?"
The diminutive woman steps forward. "My Emperor?"
"Strike Sir Elpest from the lists. He is an Imperial Knight no longer." She nods, and steps out to find the documents, no doubt. "You may release the fool from the dungeon, Lord Campbell, but he is to be gone from Althimur in a fortnight on pain of death. If I see that lout again his head will join the two I already placed on the battlements tonight."
"Your mercy abounds, My Emperor." Alkaign snorts. "Against my better judgement. Thank you for your report Lord Campbell, you may leave, I will call for you again soon."
You rise to leave, noting Graven's nod of respect as you make your way back down to the cells to inform Elpest of his fate. The imbecile has more luck than sense it seems.
Alys is still there when you arrive, clearly relieved to see you, and obviously the prisoners remain. The northerner is now awake, and straining futilely at his bonds. You note Vera seems to be trying to calm him down, the guards allowing it as they don't want to deal with the giant themselves. You call them over, as they don't seem busy.
