[quote author=Takurasho link=topic=1298.msg8930#msg8930 date=1468608178]
[member=1]Eliel[/member]  [member=101]Hashenn[/member]  [member=132]JayBird[/member]  [member=43]James Crovax Darkarma[/member]   [member=104]Squall[/member]  @Lionheart  [member=150]Azul[/member]  @Zelanze @Render
[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/iTiLO7Y.png[/img][/center]
Dralt stood before the judge's table, facing the testimony podium and the grandstands intended for the jury of councilors. He held a thick collection of correspondences, the likes of which he began to read off once the seats were filled.
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[quote]Guard Reporting: Councilwoman Schwartz, Master of Arms (For now)

Individuals Involved: Ash, Hashenn, some guy named Enkil that I've heard of but not met

Event: Hashenn lost his damned mind and nearly attacked me in the Fighter's Guildhall. If I hadn't of been armed, I'm pretty sure we'd be having a funeral. Accused me of kidnapping Councilwoman Ryld. Said that "The shadows called her a name only I know" and that I had to be guilty. Enkil showed up and managed to talk Detective Dickhead down enough that he left.

Action taken: Hell if I know, I'm on suspension.

Charges made: Abundant lunacy and a lack of common fucking sense.

Suggested punitive measures: Get Hashenn a fucking teddy bear and some counseling or something.

Short description of the events: Shit, I already did this....

Other Notes: Seriously. He thought that I would hurt her? WTF?[/quote]
[quote]"Master Dralt, I come to you with a potentially sensitive issue. I have concerns over Ashley Shwartz's position of power. The shadows that have been whispering, have used a nickname on Squall that only Ashley ever uses. Ashley's known to be tied close with Tykari, an ex-shadowlyng, along with dealing with Ex'andar before his imprisonment. While some of these issues are from long ago, a lot of Ashley's recent actions have me worried in regards to having her as someone in high position. She frequently takes actions without speaking to others, or imposes things upon others. Example: apparently attempting to obtain dogs for the Gendarmes when we never requested such. One of her more recent troubles of communication.

I hope to approach the King, but I admit, my case is somewhat thin. I was hoping to hear your thoughts on the matter. I understand that the council takes health in having a variety of opinions present... But I worry that Ashley may be taking "opinions" too far and into fact.

What says you? I wish to hear your opinions. Thank you.

-H"[/quote]
[quote]Pardon for my late reply Master Dralt -- Things happened.

I fear simply asking Shwartz for a friendly visit is out of the question, at the moment. Yesterday-night, I left my home and let Master Squall stay in to sleep and rest, given he was still recovering from multiple burn wounds.

I came back to find him missing. His badge was left behind, and he was at none of his usual places. I won't lie; as the hours passed, I began to panic and grow irrational. The last time he had disappeared without a trace, it was into the plane of fire; of which he was still recovering from. I feared the worst.

My only lead had been the speaking-shadows. I confronted Ashley in my sleep-deprived, paranoid haze and openly accused her of having kidnapped Squall, or taken him in some way. Ashley proceed to point one of Xanthic's guns on me.

She denied the accusations, and in retrospect, I owe her an apology for my own behavior (Squall is safe and sound now, the situation has been resolved and had nothing to do with Ashley), but what she had done after the accusation is something most alarming.

After I had accused her of having brought Squall to harm, she proceeded to try and convince me that I had murdered him.

She went on to say that I hurt plenty of people, as if it were in my nature to hurt them. (I hardly recall instances of assault by my own hand, outside of work). I stated that I did not remember doing such a thing, and even had an alibi; but she insisted that I must have killed Squall. 'It would be easy, five minutes and a shadowstep'. She insisted I must have blanked out, and seemed to imply that this isn't the first time that I have blanked out and assaulted. (All outside evidence points to the fact that I have no such tendencies. I always remember my battles. But for a brief moment, I was horrifically convinced, and would have endangered myself had I not found reason again.)

Had Enkil not appeared, I fear what would've happened. Either I would have been shot by Ashley's gun, or I may even have injured myself in my own fugue of fear of having hurt the ones I love with no apparent recollection of the situation. Instead of seeking to calm me down, or to provide aid on my search to find Squall, Ashley focused all of her efforts on convincing me that I was the one to have brought harm to Squall, along with everyone I care for.

I don't know what to do, Master Dralt. I openly admit I was in the wrong in accusing Ashley. But the behavior she revealed when met with accusations is most alarming. My detective-assistant Enkil witnessed the tail-end of the situation, and escorted me away to help resolve the situation properly. (As it turns out, Squall's newfound family had decided to forcefully bring him home for a day. We're back, now.)[/quote]
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[quote]To the Madame of the Magic Box -

Within these three sacks are 1,400 one-third inch balls, in lead, iron, and silver each.

I am challenging you, along with the other enchanting establishment, to enchant or imbue each of these total 7,200 balls with the element of Water.

The competition will be judged on speed, quality of work, and the power of the enchantment itself. Both parties shall be paid for their time and labor. The winner's purse will be 100 gold, while the second-place purse shall not be more than 60.

If you do not wish to compete, please send the bags and balls back to me.

Any questions you may have, feel free to write my office, or ask me in person should you have the opportunity.

- Good luck and best wishes,
Ashley Schwartz
Master of Arms[/quote]
[quote=Dralt]How dare you propose such a flippant spectacle. You have not only superseded my Master Enchanter's position, you have attempted to pit a pair of my merchants against one another. They are Masters, NOT entertainers, and their abilities are to be respected individually, not subjected to comparison. If you desire their services, purchase them accordingly. If you are uncertain as to who this order more accurately applies to between our Master Enchanter and Master of Wards, inquire. Ours is an organization of professionalism. Do not create a "game" of their great works.[/quote]
[quote]Dralt -
Your repeated interference in my matters, as well as your blatant a seemingly deliberately skewed interpretation of everything I saw, inside of the Council and out, has caused me to wonder if you have some sort of grudge against me. I expect a formal apology from you, either in writing or in person, or I will be making a formal complaint to Queen Elora regarding your behavior.
-Ashley Schwartz
MASTER OF ARMS[/quote]

[quote=Rapt]Master of Arms,

Gold has little value. Your consideration of the Magic Box though was appreciated, and the game an amusing notion. Though with work at the castle and running a business time for games is in short supply.

Regards,
Master Enchanter Lady Sedai[/quote]
[quote]Lady Sedai -
I understand that you are a busy woman, and thank you for your time.

Speaking of your work in the castle, how does that go? How goes the development of the Construct Army Project? I have heard no news on the matter other than that it had stagnated some time ago, and that apparently Gerolt was considered a failure, something Gerolt himself had told me?
Given that said project was directly requested by the Queen and is under the explicit purview of my office, perhaps you would be willing to give me an update in that regard?
With the lack of progress on that subject, your refusal of this contract, and your referring to things as "games", is it your wish to be excluded from any current and future projects for the Crown regarding the defense of the Queendom?
-Regards,
Ashley Schwartz
Master of Arms[/quote]
[quote=Sedai]This is a personal attack by the Master of Arms, who is for one ignoring that Gerolt is not part of the construct army project in the Lab, which has been informed about... Gerolt is a failure only in his own mind, not in any way from what I intended, he is not part of the Queendom's property or the research for its defense... A matter that was clarified long ago and seems to entirely slipped the woman's mind.

She did not OFFER me a contract, she put me at odds with another Merchant, competition not work, and did not ask what I would like as payment but offered a useless mineral.

I highly recommend something be done, this woman has clearly lost her mind. Trying to force me out because I refused to work for worthless items. If she WISHED to hear on progress with the army she could of asked instead of made assumptions like some intoxicated child.
-Lady Sedai.[/quote]
[quote=ashley]"Lady Sedai - Please forgive the tone of my last letter. I have found that the hardest part of my work as Master of Arms isn't recruiting, managing, working on the projects, or building up a military system from scratch, but rather cleaning up the messes left behind. To be true, I was angered by the theatrics of your letter, and in my anger I lashed out at you unfairly. Your status with the Construct Army Project will go on unchanged, though I do admit that I would greatly appreciate some updated information on its status. As a thank you, I have sent along with this letter a gift, something that I believe that you may enjoy, given out limited interactions so far. Humble apologies for my actions, - Ashley Schwartz, Master of Arms."[/quote]
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[quote=Source not given]
"Tykari of House Capris, Ashley's lover, approached [s]         [/s] Gendarmes member Rolan Blackvald to spy on the Gendarmes for her. [s]                                         [/s] "Ex-Shadowlyng" Tykari and her family can't be trusted.[/quote]
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He strode to the bleachers and passed them to the person seated nearest, gesturing for them to be passed around should anyone wish to examine further. "Distrust... miscommunication... unrest. Invoking the ire of our King and your fellow Councilors."
[center]He eyed Ashley with no small degree of grimness, the likes of which was lined with something indiscernible. Shame? Finality? [/center]
"You have garnered a list of misdeeds, Councilwoman Schwartz. But we are not to proceed without a modicum of justice and due trial." He gestured to the podium at the center of the room. "Please stand before Her Grace, swear to uphold utmost honesty before Her, and inform your fellow Council as to why you reacted so brashly in the face of Councilman Hashenn's distress. Do you clearly recall his wording? Were you threatened directly? Your decision to brandish a weapon in his direction for defense strikes me as reasonable, but why would you proceed to torment him with accusations as opposed to offering him assistance in locating the Master of Law? The Council is intended to act cohesively, to support and defend one another. The Master of Arms- of all Councilors- must be capable of deescalation." He eyed her expectantly, flicking the occasional glance towards Hashenn to gauge his reactions to her testimony.
[center]"We will begin with [i]this [/i]incident report, then address the others as we proceed. Councilman Hashenn: You will be afforded an opportunity to plead your case once Councilwoman Schwartz is dismissed from the podium." Dralt arched an eyebrow, clarifying "Threatening the life of a council member [i]is [/i]an offence... we will discuss the technicalities of the situation during your turn to speak." His silvery stare scanned those gathered. "Only the defendants will speak per turn. You are all encouraged to offer insight at your leisure." [/center]
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