Aldric stood alone on the defendant's platform.
His eyes moved across the room, from the reporters to the cameras, then to the students watching from the gallery. Finally, they settled on Lyra.
Then Vespera.
For the first time, Aldric looked like a man who had nowhere left to turn.
The room was waiting.
"The accused will respond to the charges," Vespera said, raising her gavel.
"House Sterling," she said, her voice carrying clearly to every corner of the hall, "is found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, soliciting a terror attack against a military institution, and the criminal misuse of noble house funds."
BANG.
"The Sterling name is struck from the noble registry, effective immediately. All Sterling assets are seized by the state. All Sterling properties are forfeit. All political appointments held under the Sterling name are revoked."
BANG.
