Lorian signaled Gravil Fartom with a quick, sharp nod. The High Seneschal stepped forward, adjusted his dress, and turned to face the gathered lords with a grave expression on his face.
"Esteemed Lords, Guild Masters, and Citizens," Gravil began with a voice of authority, "We convene here today to discuss a serious situation. As many of you are aware, the Royal House of Stormhold, who were guests of our city and kin to our interests, was intercepted within our very borders few days ago. They were taken by force while traveling under the supposed peace of Veridian roads."
He paused, letting the weight of the statement sink in, and then resumed, "Our preliminary investigations have yielded a bitter truth. This was not the work of common brigands. The culprits are a radical rebel faction from Valoria- men who have no respect for the laws of hospitality or the sanctity of our borders. To strike at a guest of the Thorne family is to strike at the heart of Veridia itself. It is an open insult to our sovereignty."
Gravil paced slowly in the small space between the bed and the courtiers, "This event raises a question that I know weighs heavily on every merchant and tradesman in this room;- if the Great City of Veridia cannot guarantee the safety of a Royal House, how can we guarantee the safety of our caravans? If Valorian rebels feel bold enough to spill blood on our soil, who is to say your warehouses and homes are not next? We are a city built on the strength of our protection, yet a foreign infection is beginning to spread across our gates."
He turned back toward Lorian's bed, lowering his voice to a dreadful, steady pitch, "We cannot allow our neighbors' fires to burn down our own house. Veridia has always been a beacon of order, but order requires a firm hand. Only the strong can establish peace. Weak can only plead for mercy. While we seek a peaceful resolution, we must ask ourselves if we can truly afford to remain passive while Valoria's chaos bleeds into our streets. Our strength is being tested, and the world is watching to see if we have the will, the capability, and the capacity to defend our name- which has been put to question."
The crowd again started murmuring among themselves. Although it was not clearly discernible exactly what they were discussing, the small audible fragments signaled that most had taken this offense to heart. They were in the process of deciding on a definite step against this blatant disregard of Veridian sovereignty. Whether their anger was genuine, or simply to curry favor with the new Lord,- that was a different issue.
However, this murmur soon came to an abrupt halt when a Throne Guard arrived and declared that a messenger from Valoria was seeking audience. Gravil looked at Lorian and, with his permission, ordered the Throne Guard to escort the messenger into the makeshift court.
The messenger stepped into the room. He didn't look surprised to see Lorian in bed; rather he looked like he had already heard the news, most probably from the guards outside. He gave a stiff bow.
"Lord Lorian," the messenger began in a voice which was cold and loud. "Before I give you the message from Valoria, I must say something. We were sorry to hear the news at your palace gates this morning. It is a shame to see a leader of Veridia stuck in bed because of such... weakness."
He looked at Lorian with a fake smile that didn't reach his eyes. "We hope you get better soon. A city needs a strong leader, and Valoria hopes to see you standing again. It would be a bad time for the Thorne family to lose their strength."
He cleared his throat and his face turned serious. "But justice cannot wait for a man to heal. And I have arrived for this particular purpose: to seek your cooperation in upholding Justice, which is impartial and stands above any personal connection or consideration!"
"Lord Lorian, Lady Seraphina," the messenger began again, "I come not as a harbinger of war, but as a herald of Justice. The Valorian State acknowledges that the woman Serena Stormhold and her daughter were taken within your lands. However, we do not call this a kidnapping, as you may rightfully consider it. We call it Reclamation."
A murmur of shock went through the room, but the messenger seemed unaffected as he continued delivering his message.
"Veridia has unknowingly harbored a rot. Former Lady Justice Serena Stormhold has conspired to seat her daughter upon the Valorian Throne of Justice- a throne built on the blood of knights and the sacred code of chivalry. To place a girl who is corrupted in spirit and devoid of any knightly quality upon such a seat is a sacrilege. It is an insult to every man who has ever taken an oath in our halls."
He took one step closer to the foot of Lorian's bed, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"The People and the Knights of Valoria have called for a High Tribunal. The Stormhold woman and her followers will be judged for their crimes against the State and the Code. However, Valoria is not a lawless land. We recognize Veridia's hospitality was abused."
He extended the scroll toward Gravil, "The High Council of Valoria formally invites a representative of the Thorne Family to attend the trial. Come and witness the evidence of her corruption for yourselves. See the 'Royal' guests you protected for what they truly are. We offer you a seat at the scales of justice, so that no shadow of doubt remains between our two nations."