THE ROYAL COURTROOM
Aidan stands beside King Edward who is seated on the throne in the courtroom.
Hushed whispers can be heard among the elders and council members who hold strong disagreement in an ongoing issue being discussed.
"My Lord." A council member begins with a bow, standing.
"In light of the recent happenings regarding the vile creatures; the people of Gilmorsh. I suggest that a stiff punishment more cruel than burning should be stipulated, this would serve as a deterrent to the rest of their kind." He says with murmurs of appraisal supporting his stance heard.
King Edward with a stoic look nods nonchalantly and waves at Aidan.
Aidan adjusting his coat steps forward. He beckons on a middle aged man standing in the corner to come forward.
The man comes forward and drops a bag onto a table situated in the middle of the room.
A guard opens the bag and pours out the content on the table. At the sight of the bag's content, Maverick tenses alongside his mother, Queen Hatia who frowns disapprovingly at Aidan.
"My Lord." Aidan begins with a bow to King Edward.
"An issue was brought up some time ago regarding the usage of one the contraband roots in Balcroft. To support the claim of this accusation despite it's discovery before the royal family, I made some enquiries and investigation to bring this to light." He says and walks forward to stand behind Maverick.
"Maverick Garcia was found in possession of some drink which contains the contraband roots, 'Durka'. I therefore lay on him the accusation of being indirectly involved in the trade and spread of the illegal product in Balcroft. I stand to be corrected and Maverick proven not guilty, council members." Aidan says with a bow and walks to stand before the council.
Queen Hatia fuming, furiously stands with her chair making a scraping sound.
"And what evidence do you have to support your claim, Prince Aidan? You don't just make assumptions and expect the council to act to your whims, hmmm?" She says with her face held high.
"Of course I don't, my Queen." Aidan says with a smile.
"Do you have an opposition to his claims, Maverick?" King Edward asks.
Maverick stands and with a slight bow begins, "I have no idea that the drink speculated by Prince Aidan to spiked actually contained the 'Durka' contraband roots. I went into the dinning that morning for breakfast like everyone else, I made a request for a drink and had no idea what I was been served. I therefore make the claim of having no involvement in the sale, purchase or spread of the illegal roots. My Lord, council members." He says with a bow.
Aidan chuckles at his words.
"What evidence do you have to support your claim, Prince Aidan." King Edward asks.
"Bring her in!" Aidan says to some guards stationed at the exit.
Suddenly, gasps are heard as one Maverick's mistress is brought in to kneel before the council.
"Do you know her, Maverick?" Aidan's asks.
"Yes, I do." Maverick says with clenched teeth.
"Good. Before you all is one Maverick's mistress, found in her possession in the royal quarters, exactly before Maverick's chamber was the Durka contraband roots.
She was detained, of course with Maverick being aware, and after further investigation confessed to have bought the contraband roots under Maverick's instructions.
Through her confession, further investigations were made which led to the detainment of two other villagers and a guard." He motions to the middle aged man who dropped the bag earlier on.
"This is Alarick. One of the traders in Balcroft, he was found directly involved in the sale of the contraband roots and other illegal products as well. I'll leave him to you for questioning." Aidan says stepping back, leaving Alarick standing beside Maverick's mistress.
A council member steps forward and begins the interrogation.
"What's your name?" He asks.
"Alarick Sammar." Alarick answers in a quivering voice.
"According to the Prince, you were directly involved in the purchase and sale of some illegal items before being caught. How did you acquire the illegal products especially the rare contraband Durka roots?"
Swallowing tepidly with clammering hands, Alarick begins, "Some roots, with the durka roots which is the most prominent was found to contain some healing abilities. After some time, the root was found to induce people in a state of ecstasy and numbness when it is is burned and emits smoke. With this discovery, the purchase of the roots and it's kind increased as other ways to consume it was discovered, such as soaking it in alcohol or chewing it raw.
I usually purchased the roots from a young lady across the border. After some time, I made the discovery that she was… that she was from Gilmorsh. Much later, I found out that most of the people involved in the sale are from Gilmorsh. Disturbed by the discovery of her identity, I made to stop being involved with them, but after much thought I continued due the high rate of it's sale. I had to provide for my family either way." He says with his head hung low.
The council member sighs as murmurs are heard within the courtroom.
"And how did Maverick get to purchase the product from you? Why would a member of the pureblooded royal family condescend so low to purchase an illegal product from you, a commoner?" Queen Hatia asks Alarick condescendingly.
"The durka roots that I sold was purchased at times by some villagers and guards. Initially, I had no direct sale with royal members till one of Maverick's maids made contact with me to discreetly purchase the product. I sold to her having no idea who the roots are meant for.
Later on, I got a request to meet an influential woman at a given location. When I arrived, I discovered that the person I was told to meet was one of prince Maverick's trusted mistress. I thought it was a setup but after much discussions and deliberations, I consented to her offer which was to deliver the durka roots directly to her in the Royal mansion.
She said prince Maverick considered it risky sending a maid or guard to my stall to buy the roots often as it might raise suspicions. He'll rather have it delivered to his mistress by me under a guise.
The sale was going on smoothly for sometime until the crowned prince, Aidan caught us." He says.
At this Maverick stands immediately in anger as he's being held by some guards.
Queen Hatia walks over furiously to Aidan screeching in anger.
"How dare you? On what basis do you lay these false accusations against your brother, you nymph of a whore?"
At her words, King Edward springs up from his seat.
"Hatia! You have no right whatsoever to disrespect the crowned prince of Balcroft. In accordance with the rules of this kingdom on use of profane words and disrespect towards the crowned heir to the throne, you shall be punished." King Edward says.
At his words, silence befalls the courtroom as Hatia fumes in anger.
"My king…" Sir James, Marilyn's father begins but is cut off by a glare from the king.
He sits quietly with a scowl on his face.
"You're part of the royal family, Hatia. Should this profanity have been from anyone not of royalty, they would've been beheaded right away. In view of your status, your punishment would be a mild one.
Queen Hatia, henceforth, you have been banned from the Royal courtroom of Balcroft and would therefore have no say in any jurisdiction in Balcroft. Take her away!" King Edward says, his voice booming through the walls.
Hatia screeches in anger as she furiously leaves the courtroom.