"There seems to be issues with the borders," the king said. "We have illegal entries through the borders. So someone is aiding people to avoid the checkpoints."
"Are the border walls not powered by crystal magic? So, unless there is some way to break through, isn't it likely that border patrol officers are just corrupted?" Arthur asked. "I heard rumors from time to time about it," he also added.
"Yes, maybe a few people can slip by, but we have a larger concentration of Navians within our borders. Also, activities of these people have been reported in both Tuska and Valaria," the king replied.
"Well, with nobility involved, is it not just a case of better communication channels? And border patrol would be more inclined to look the other way if a noble has requested it," Arthur said.
"Precisely, Arthur," the king nodded. "The problem for our enemy is if not all of the cogs in their machine are theirs, there may be a quality control issue."
King started to move away from the podium and towards the man. They all stood blankly at his movement. He came into the center of the chamber, surrounded by all of the council members.
"I don't think it is worth asking if the purportraitor would step forward voluntarily," the king said and then yelled. "Guard enter!"
A dozen Royal Guards, clad in polished steel armor and carrying long halberds, immediately marched into the room from the side entrances. They moved to form a tight perimeter around the gathered council members.
"So, Dreyfus, is there something you wish to share with the rest of the council members?" the king asked.
Dreyfus' face registered pure bewilderment. He glanced nervously at the ring of guards and then back at the King.
"Your Majesty, I—I don't understand," Dreyfus stammered, his voice thin and shaky. "Share what? I have nothing to share. What is the meaning of this? Treason? I deny any accusation of treason! My loyalty to the Divinium is absolute, as it has been for forty years!"
The King gave a cold, humorless smile. "Treason…maybe? Negligence for sure. Look closely at the guards behind you, Dreyfus. Do you recognize the sigil on their breastplates? I positioned them purposely behind you when they entered. They are the Gaya detachment, called here specifically for this occasion."
Dreyfus swallowed hard, his eyes darting frantically. "Gaya? But… I am the Governor of Gaya. Why would you summon the guards from my city?"
"Because, Governor," the King continued, his voice dangerously calm, "I have relieved you of your command, effective immediately. You speak of loyalty, but those seem to be only words. Gaya is an important strategic location on the Divinium border. It is one of the closest cities to the valley, and yet, conveniently, there was little action coming from your city. We had to summon troops from other cities. Negligence, perhaps? Or something far worse?"
The King gestured to a nearby guard, who immediately produced a rolled-up parchment and a few photographs.
"This parchment contains falsified testimonies from the captain of the Gaya military downplaying the attack and suggesting contacting cities from which merchants came. You signed them." The King then distributed the photos among the members, "Then there are these images. They were captured by a clergy agents at the checkpoint just last week. Look closely, Dreyfus. These are clear images of Navian trespassers, dozens of them, passing through the gates of the border wall that was clearly deactivated. And standing beside that deactivated section, guiding them through is a man wearing the distinctive colors of the Gaya Governor's personal retinue. A man who reports only to you."
Dreyfus's face, already pale, now flushed with indignant rage. "Framed! I am being framed! Your Majesty, this is outrageous! A conspiracy against me! Yes, that man is part of my retinue, but I oversee hundreds of men! I trusted my captain and my men to secure the border! They clearly betrayed me! There is no evidence of my direct involvement in deactivating the wall or aiding these Navian trespassers! I was occupied with managing the city's defense, the supply lines, and the hundreds of other responsibilities that come with governing Gaya! I signed the reports based on my captain's assurances, not on any malicious intent! I trusted the men I appointed!" he shouted, his voice cracking with desperation. "You cannot hold me accountable for the betrayal of a subordinate!"
"Negligence is the most charitable charge, Governor," the King said, his voice dropping to a dangerous near-whisper. He stepped closer to Dreyfus, his eyes blazing with cold intensity. "You trusted them, you say? And yet, who appointed them? Who is ultimately responsible for the security of Gaya? You are. When the Navians are at our gates, trusting in 'assurances' rather than verification is not just poor management, it is criminal negligence that endangers the entire realm."
The King paused, letting the severity of his words sink in.
"You are correct, however, on one point," the King continued. "There is no direct evidence yet of your involvement. But that is precisely what is being determined. The photographs you see are the result of an ongoing investigation by the Clergy's intelligence agents. They have been active in Gaya for weeks, gathering evidence that you, in your apparent preoccupation, failed to notice."
The King gestured dismissively toward the distraught Governor. "This meeting, Dreyfus, was also a necessary lure. We needed you far away from Gaya, unable to influence witnesses, destroy evidence, or leverage your subordinates. Your command has been stripped, your captain is already under interrogation, and the Gaya governance is now fully under the command of a loyal General. Effective immediately, you are under arrest and will be held in the Royal Dungeons until the military and the Clergy conclude their joint investigation. If you are innocent of treason, then your sentence will be negligence. If you are guilty of anything worse, may the Creators have mercy on your soul, because I will not."
Two of the Gaya Guards stepped forward and gripped Dreyfus's arms.
"Your Majesty, I demand an appeal! I demand a tribunal! I am innocent!" Dreyfus screamed, his voice dissolving into a frantic, tearful protest as the guards began to drag him away.
The King watched him go with a solemn expression. He then turned back to the stunned council members. "You are all dismissed."
Then he stepped away, followed by the remaining guard following him as they exited the chamber, leaving the council members still perplexed about what had just occurred.