A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor

Chapter 573 The Intruding of Royalty - Part 1

"Not ever..."

"It's not right! He can't just bring in—"@@@@

"But he's right, she's a royal, but she's still a student..."

"Besides, who's to say who she'll side with?"

"Don't be stupid! She's a Pendragon! The Pendragons and the Patricks..."

Such were the snippets that he caught from them. General Tavar moved to stand up from his chair, but then seemed to decide against it. Hod cut such a thoroughly oppressive presence now, that few would have been willing to stand next to him. To Oliver, he looked like a General on a battlefield. As he was now, no one could touch him, even if they'd tried.

"The witness is to be allowed," Tavar declared finally. "As the Minister of Logic states, it does not go against our laws. Besides, she is the most important witness in this case, is she not?"

"But General--!" Lazarus jumped in, his voice considerably more energetic than the old man's droll that he usually spoke in.

"Enough," General Tavar said, speaking to Jolamire as well, as he looked about to burst into another protest. "Both of you. It is done. The laws will not be changed mid-trial."

The nobility had the grace not to speak, as Asabel glided down the length of the walkway, to the same lowly spot that all the other witnesses had spoken from. It seemed to be beneath her, after seeing so many others there before her. And yet, the way she carried herself seemed... earthly, somehow, despite her godly appearance.

She had a way to her that did not exude the arrogance the Redborne or Gargon had displayed. She seemed to look at everyone with the same gentle eyes, her expression soft, and continually remorseful.

She made a courtesy to the Ministers, where many of the others had forgotten. The Ministers looked the most uncomfortable that they had the entire trial. Only when Lancelot copied his Lady with a bow was Tavar able to give a stern nod of acknowledgement.

"Your Highness," Hod said, bowing back to her, his own town softer, the edge that it had to it blunted, after being filled with rage for so long. "Thank you for taking time out of your day to be here with us. I have no doubt that your insight will prove invaluable. And you as well, Lancelot Swiftrider. Yours is a family of high repute.

In matters of justice, I do not think that your opinion would ever be taken lightly."

"You honour me greatly, Minister," Lancelot said diplomatically, giving the man another bow at the praise.

"And you honour me too, good Minister," Asabel said, her voice as clear as a bell, yet where Hod's had softened, there seemed to be some sort of hidden ferocity in Asabel's that Oliver would not have ever believed she was capable of. A ferocity that dwelled there, amidst the blanket of sadness, and the sense of peace.

Seeing her, as composed as she was, it felt ridiculous for Oliver to have ever thought of himself as calm. Compared to the likes of Asabel, he was like a raging animal. He couldn't even attempt to copy such grace, not without lying – and Asabel didn't lie.

She seemed to wear all her feelings on her sleeve, whilst also doing so in a way that was profoundly noble, despite being contradictory to noble values. They taught the hiding of emotions, and she did the opposite, whilst exceeding them all in their own strivings.

"I will dive straight into the meat of the matter," Hod said. "You met with Oliver before the attempt on his life, did you not?"