A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor

That should have been a moment to cheer, yet the tension was still like a hot rod in all of their stomachs. Until the moment Oliver felt the chains around his hands loosen, he could not relax. He saw Asabel smiling at the back of the room, truly glad, but Oliver felt like there had to be something more… Some fly in the ointment, some added manoeuvre that would make their time more difficult.

"Then," Jolamire said with a sigh, righting himself, "I suppose these notes of advice from the King might prove useful, as we decide what to make of this trial and its conclusion."

There was a self-satisfied look on his face, as he brushed past Hod, and handed Tavar a sealed letter of his own, this one done with golden wax, bearing the crown of the High King of the Stormfront.
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"You are aware, of course, that the High King has no judicial power here?" Hod reminded him with narrowed eyes. "Suggestions though the King might have, we are in no position to follow them."

"Quite right," Jolamire said. "You are not forced to follow them."

There was a threat in those words, the same weight that hung over everyone else. It was one thing not to be compliant by law to the demands of the King, it was quite another to risk upsetting one so powerful. Indeed, they could dismiss his suggestions, but to do so would invite the possibility of his ire. It was not a move without drawbacks.

Tavar looked at Jolamire, then at Lazarus, his eyes narrowed. Lazarus turned away, avoiding his gaze. No doubt he could sense something other than friendliness from Tavar. Oliver had the feeling that no matter what that letter contained, the relationship between the Ministers of the Academy would be forever changed after this day.

Gavlin remained in his seat, silent like a statue. He'd willingly withdrawn, after all. He wanted no part in the games that the royalty played, even if it meant throwing Oliver to the wolves in the process. Oliver couldn't decide whether or not to hate the man for that, but he found he couldn't bring himself to. In the end, he was more surprised that people had rushed to his defence.

That anyone at all, other than his friends, had stood up for a mere Patrick. He would never have predicted such a thing.

"Then… The words of the High King," Tavar said, his voice considerably stiffer than when he had read the last letter. "In regards to the trial of Oliver Patrick, the High King trusts that the Ministers will come to the best decision, as they always do," he read aloud.

"A trial with an unprecedented amount of attention on it, the High King reminds the Ministers – as unnecessary as it might be – that the satisfactory results of such a trial are of paramount importance, to retain the trust of the populace, so that they might continue to have faith in the system that forms the heart of our very society."

"In the case of Oliver Patrick's punishment, the High King suggests a most public execution, so that the populace can be aware there was no trickery involved and that they are safe from such a dangerous man," Tavar read, causing more than a few eyes to narrow, as the King's written words seemed almost gleeful at the prospect of Oliver's death.

"Or, in the event that the Ministers come to… other decisions, the High King would at least implore them to act in ways that would help to minimize the vicious rumours that currently circulate. Punishment, of some sort, must be given, for we all know that there is no smoke without fire."

An uncomfortable shifting. Hod no longer wore his smile. The glint was returning to his eyes. Tavar looked just as uncomfortable. This was no longer an attack just on Oliver Patrick, but on the Ministry as a whole, as the High King attempted to force compliance in an area where he should have no authority.

"The High King notes, that the nobility should no longer wish to share a classroom with someone of the… capacity of Oliver Patrick, regardless, of course, of the outcome of the trial. For the sake of all the nobility that attend the Academy, the High King implores that various… restrictions be placed on Oliver Patrick.

The King also notes, that while Oliver Patrick may still be underage, he has demonstrated a capacity for violence far above that of an adult. Times being what they are, he is to be put to use."

Times being what they were? That was a line that caused the Minister of Logic to stir like no other could. It was the height of hypocrisy. This was the very same King that played down their conflicts to the east, and the rising problem of the Yarmdon to the North. And now, when it was convenient, he suddenly changed his tune, in order to enact sections that he had no legal right to.

It was tyranny, tyranny of the most infuriating form.

Tavar almost tore the parchment in two as he read it. Few were able to keep a straight face, hearing what was clearly the most egregious bridge of Monarch-Minister conduct that they'd had in likely decades. The King seemed to implore an awful lot.

Regardless, by sheer effort of will, the General continued to read. "Banditry, raids and other such issues of a violent nature have been on the rise lately. It would be of immense benefit to the Crown and to the country if Oliver Patrick could be put to use, once a week, in dealing with such sources of unrest. As we have seen, the boy is quite capable.

Should that not be a most favourable outcome for all involved? To allow his… unseemly ways to at least work for the benefit of the populace. But do note, these are mere suggestions. His majesty, the High King of the Stormfront."

Silence reigned longer then than it had throughout the whole trial. It was no longer simply Oliver Patrick, it was the Ministry as a whole.

Jolamire made the mistake of breaking it first. "Well, it would seem to me that these are perfectly reasonable—"