View source for Transcript of Crown vs. Ricardo

This page contains a transcript of the trial Crown vs. Ricardo.

==Transcript==
*Jacob: Weapons are prohibited. Please see the banker outside.
*Jacob: Weapons are not allowed in this building. A banker is available outside to assist you.
*You cannot say anything at this time; you have been muted.
*You see: William the Guard
*You see: Thomas the Guard
*You see: Ricardo the Thief
*You see: Ellie (squelched)
*'''William''': Sit down.
*'''William''': We'll 'ave our eyes on ye the whole time.
*You see: Kyle the Bailiff
*'''Kyle''': Gentlemen.
*'''William''': Sir.
*'''Thomas''': Sir.
*'''Kyle''': Good morning, Mr. Ricardo
*'''Ricardo''': Mornin', Kyle.
*'''Kyle''': *smirks*
*You see: Lilian the Clerk
*You see: Casca the Prosecutor
*You see: Beauregard the Defence Counsel
*'''Beauregard''': Have no worries, sirrah. I hath rarely lost a case!
*'''Ricardo''': *shrugs*
*'''Ricardo''': Meh, what's the worst they could do?
*'''Beauregard''': Ah, aha. Most brave! Well said.
*'''Beauregard''': *coughs*
*'''Kyle''': All rise! Hear ye, hear ye!
*You see: Justice Verina the Magistrate
*'''Kyle''': This court is now open for the trial of criminal cases with and without jury.
*'''Kyle''': All those having anything to do before the Honorable Verina, Justice of the Court of Truth, draw near and attend.
*'''Kyle''': This court is now in session. Please be seated.
*'''Lilian''': Britannia versus Ricardo.
*'''Justice Verina''': Good afternoon. The clerk shall announce counsel.
*'''Lilian''': Casca of Heartwood as the Plaintiff, representing the government of Britannia.
*'''Casca''': Good afternoon, Your Honor.
*'''Lilian''': Beauregard of Trinsic, for the Defense.
*'''Beauregard''': Good afternoon, Your Honor. Might I say Her Ladyship looketh well today?
*'''Justice Verina''': The court shall disregard, and the Defense will keep observations of the Court to themselves.
*'''Beauregard''': Ah.
*'''Justice Verina''': The clerk shall read the charges against the Defendant and report his pleas.
*'''Lilian''': The Defendant, Ricardo, has pleaded Not Guilty to the following charges:
*'''Lilian''': Theft, namely of a foreign national treasure.
*'''Lilian''': Conspiracy, in the attempted assault upon a Kingdom prisoner transport unit.
*'''Lilian''': High Treason, for inciting the Ophidian War.
*'''Justice Verina''': Very well, and again, good afternoon to you all.
*'''Justice Verina''': Art thou prepared to open?
*'''Casca''': Indeed, Your Honor.
*'''Justice Verina''': Thou mayest do so.
*'''Casca''': Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, Id like to begin by telling you a story about a young girl named Liane.
*'''Casca''': Now this young lady was kind, generous, altogether virtuous, and quite beloved of the townspeople.
*'''Casca''': Her father was an innkeeper, and as such, she often had the opportunity to greet travelers and serve as a hostess for their visitors.
*'''Casca''': She lived with her family in a sleepy little village, and lived a humble yet blissful life.
*'''Casca''': All this was shattered one horrible morning... In a single instant everything she'd held dear was ripped away from her.
*'''Casca''': You see, ladies and gentlemen, Liane lived in Papua, a territory of Britannia in the Lost Lands, and the first city to suffer under the sudden onslaught of the Ophidian army.
*'''Casca''': An army that would soon overwhelm Papuas pitiful defenses, and march on towards our heartland.
*'''Casca''': Liane suffered that instant of agony alone, as she watched her father fall before her eyes, yet in all the carnage managed to escape meeting her familys fate.
*'''Casca''': Instead, the terrified child sought shelter in the depths of a dark cellar, hidden, as best she could, in the impossibly tight space between a few water barrels.
*'''Casca''': Here alone, in shock, drenched in tears and sweat and blood, the poor girl hid.
*'''Casca''': ...
*'''Casca''': Forgive me, my friends, for this graphic rendition.
*'''Casca''': I only wish to convey the horror this child must have endured in the darkness, while the screams of the dying echoed all around her.
*'''Casca''': I want to tell you that she remained hidden and safe in that cellar.
*'''Casca''': I want to tell you that the Ophidians withdrew and returned to their lairs, content with their mayhem.
*'''Casca''': But I cannot.
*'''Casca''': The Ophidians hunted down every man, woman, and child they could find in that city, and slaughtered them without mercy.
*'''Casca''': Liane was no exception.
*'''Casca''': Yet, you see my friends, Liane died under an Ophidian's blade, true! But it was a Man who sealed her fate.
*'''Casca''': A man who's arrogance, who's unmitigated gall, who's foolhardy quest for glory and riches so infuriated the Ophidians that they poured war down upon us.
*'''Casca''': A man who fled to safety, never warning those left behind of the horrors following after him.
*'''Casca''': That man, ladies and gentlemen, is seated before us.
*'''Casca''': That man is Ricardo, the so-called legendary thief.
*'''Casca''': The prosecution will show beyond any reasonable doubt that Ricardos theft of the Scions Zenith, an artifact of great importance to the Ophidians, was the direct cause of the war.
*'''Casca''': We will further show that Ricardo, in doing so, invoked a war upon our shores like none seen in recent memory.
*'''Casca''': We will prove that Ricardo has committed High Treason, and we will demonstrate the law to which he will be held.
*'''Casca''': We will justify our call for the maximum penalty. This was a crime committed against all Britannia.
*'''Casca''': Ricardo did not wield the bardiche that cut short Lianes life.
*'''Casca''': Nor the ones that destroyed the thousands of lives lost during the war.
*'''Casca''': But we cannot show mercy.
*'''Casca''': No, today, Justice cannot yield to mercy, even as Compassion was never shown to all those who paid the price for Ricardos crimes.
*'''Casca''': Our only wish is that the jury carefully hear all the evidence presented from this point forward.
*'''Casca''': That they decide only upon the facts of this case.
*'''Casca''': That their sole, and greatest duty, be that the Truth come forward, and upon that foundation a fate be determined.
*'''Casca''': A fate, I believe, that will be bound by Justice. Thank you.
*'''Justice Verina''': I feel this would be an appropriate time to take a short break.
*'''Casca''': Thank you, Your Honor.
*'''Justice Verina''': Members of the jury shall remain seated, all else are free to go.
*'''Justice Verina''': Court shall recess for one Britannian hour.
*'''Beauregard''': Hold tight!
*'''Beauregard''': I shall defend thee to the bitter end!
*'''Justice Verina''': Well spoken, Mr. Casca.
*'''Lilian''': That was most impressive, sir.
*'''Ricardo''': I'm sure you will.
*'''Casca''': Oh, please don't be impressed.
*'''Casca''': Just take it in your heart to remember those who've gone on ahead of us.
*'''Town Crier''': Hear ye! Hear ye! The Trial of Ricardo, murderer and thief, is being held in Yew.
*'''Lilian''': Oh, ah, yes, yes of course.
*'''Town Crier''': Come and witness the trial of the century, at the Court of Truth!
*'''Town Crier''': Let Justice be served!
*You see: Casca the Prosecutor
*You see: Beauregard the Defence Counsel
*You see: Justice Verina the Magistrate
*'''Kyle''': Be seated, please.
*'''Justice Verina''': The Prosecution hath concluded its opening statement.
*'''Justice Verina''': Is the Defense prepared?
*'''Beauregard''': Indeed, Your Honor, quite prepared!
*'''Beauregard''': My client is innocent!
*'''Beauregard''': How, ye may ask, might a man, a thief, in fact, be innocent?
*'''Beauregard''': Well I shall tell thee!
*'''Beauregard''': The man you see sitting before thee is but a pitiful pawn in a game of chess.
*'''Beauregard''': A game played by politicians and liars (as though the two could be separate!)
*'''Beauregard''': The Defense shall refute the claims of the Prosecution, and prove, or at least provide some reasonable shred of doubt, that Ricardo is innocent of the crimes attributed him.*
*'''Beauregard''': Ask thineselves, Is it reasonable that a man should be put to death for committing a crime he couldst not know would harm another?"
*'''Beauregard''': No!
*'''Beauregard''': Ask thineselves, Is it possible that an entire war could begin with the actions of just one man?
*'''Beauregard''': No!
*'''Beauregard''': And finally, ask thyself, If it were I in Ricardos place, how wouldst I wish to be treated?
*'''Beauregard''': No!
*'''Beauregard''': Oh.
*'''Beauregard''': I mean, please ask thyself that question, and consider this case most carefully.
*'''Beauregard''': For the ramifications could be dire.
*'''Beauregard''': Thank you.
*'''Ricardo''': Thats it?
*'''Ricardo''': *sighs*
*'''Justice Verina''': Is that all, Mr. Beauregard?
*'''Beauregard''': Er, yes, Your Honor.
*'''Justice Verina''': Very well, let the record show that we hath concluded opening statements.
*'''Justice Verina''': Mr. Casca, thou mayest begin.
*'''Casca''': Thank you, Your Honor.
*'''Casca''': The Prosecution wishes to submit the findings of Justice Edgar, juge dinstruction for this case, as Peoples Exhibit the First.
*'''Justice Verina''': Let the record show that Justice Edgar was the Investigating Magistrate for this trial.
*'''Lilian''': The record shows the findings as Peoples Exhibit the First, and that Justice Edgar was the Investigating Magistrate for this trial.
*'''Lilian''': One, that Ricardo is the same Ricardo accused in the matter of this trial.
*'''Lilian''': Second, that Ricardo committed, and did in fact admit to, the theft of the Scions Zenith.
*'''Beauregard''': Objection, Your Honor!
*'''Justice Verina''': The findings of the Investigating Magistrate are not a matter for debate. Continue.
*'''Lilian''': Ahem.
*'''Lilian''': Third, that a band of brigands did assault the transport carriage of Ricardo during his relocation to Yew.
*'''Lilian''': Fourth, that the theft of the Scions Zenith was an instigating factor in the sudden uprising of the Ophidians.
*'''Casca''': Thank you.
*'''Casca''': The People calls Hudson of Papua to the stand.
*You see: Hudson the Fisherman
*'''Casca''': Hudson, are you from the town of Papua?
*You see: Kyle the Bailiff
*'''Hudson''': Yes sir, I am. Whats left of it at least.
*'''Casca''': Ah, and could you tell me a little about Papua? Before the invasion, I mean.
*'''Hudson''': Aye, tis a beautiful little town, sitting on the shore surrounded by jungle.
*'''Hudson''': Wed had our fair share of trouble with the neighbors, but itd been right calm since wed become a part of the Kingdom proper.
*'''Casca''': When you say neighbors, whom do you mean?
*'''Hudson''': Those snakes and spiders, ya know, the monsters.
*'''Casca''': The Ophidians and Terathans, you mean?
*'''Beauregard''': Objection! Leading the witness!
*'''Justice Verina''': Overruled. That was for clarification. The witness may answer.
*'''Hudson''': Aye, thats them.
*'''Casca''': Could you tell me about what happened when the Ophidian army invaded your town?
*'''Hudson''': It was fast, thats what it was.
*'''Hudson''': One moment it was quiet, the next the jungle was a full of em. They were everywhere.
*'''Hudson''': Soon enough the guards were down, and the barriers around the town, they just werent working.
*'''Casca''': When you say barriers
*'''Hudson''': The magic ones, you know, that protect cities. All of em have em.
*'''Casca''': Indeed. So the Ophidians had no opposition?
*'''Hudson''': Oh no! We fought em, we did. I had me trusty crossbow at me side.
*'''Hudson''': But they were too fast. And then the big uns, the ones with the blood-stained bardiches
*'''Hudson''': *shakes head*
*'''Hudson''': Soon we were all running for the shore figured we could swim if we couldnt get through the trees.
*'''Casca''': What happened then?
*'''Hudson''': They were all over the docks, so I climbed a tree. Turned out they never found me up there.
*'''Casca''': Did you see anything while you were up there?
*'''Hudson''': Aye. Aye Saw the innkeepers girl run into the old shipwrights. Shed been in the weaponsmiths - had something in her hand.
*'''Hudson''': I thought shed hid good, was sure of it, hoped so at least. But then I saw one of them snakes sniffing around the door.
*'''Casca''': What happened then?
*'''Hudson''': It went in. It was in there for a long time, and then I heard a scream. Itd gotten pretty quiet by then.
*'''Casca''': Thank you Hudson.
*'''Hudson''': *nods*
*'''Casca''': Your witness, sir.
*'''Beauregard''': So, it seemeth my friend Mr. Casca wisheth to establish a most sad tale of woe! Is that it, Hudson?
*'''Casca''': Your Honor! Speculation!
*'''Justice Verina''': Sustained.
*'''Beauregard''': Well, well well. So you saw this scared, little, child of a girl run into this building all by herself?
*'''Hudson''': Thats right.
*'''Beauregard''': And ye were up in some tree looking down, is that right?
*'''Hudson''': Yes.
*'''Beauregard''': Mmhm and you saw that snake heading towards her?
*'''Hudson''': I did.
*'''Beauregard''': And you just sat there?
*'''Hudson''': What?
*'''Beauregard''': You sat there, armed with a crossbow, and watched a girl get killed, doing nothing?!
*'''Casca''': YOUR HONOR! Please!
*'''Justice Verina''': Sustained. Mr. Beauregard, this man is not on trial. Change your line of questioning.
*'''Beauregard''': Im done with this man.
*'''Beauregard''': *hic*
*'''Justice Verina''': Excuse me?
*'''Beauregard''': Ah, hiccups, Your Honor, just a tad nervous.
*'''Justice Verina''': Mr. Casca, your next witness?
*'''Casca''': The People calls Nicholas to the stand
*You see: Nicholas the Merchant
*'''Casca''': Sir, may I inquire as to your profession?
*'''Nicholas''': Sure. Im a fence.
*'''Casca''': Could you define the meaning?
*'''Nicholas''': I take stolen stuff and pass it on, or sell it to others.
*'''Casca''': Have you ever met this man, Ricardo?
*'''Nicholas''': Met em? Were good buddies! Hey Ricardo!
*'''Ricardo''': Hey, Nick.
*'''Justice Verina''': The Defendant will remain silent.
*'''Casca''': Are you familiar with the Scions Zenith?
*'''Nicholas''': The crown thing? Sure. Broke it up for for the rares: gold, jewels, you know.
*'''Casca''': I see. Who gave you that crown?
*'''Nicholas''': Ricardo.
*'''Casca''': Do you know where he got it?
*'''Nicholas''': *shrugs*
*'''Nicholas''': Heard it came from the snake people.
*'''Beauregard''': Objection! Hearsay!
*'''Justice Verina''': Sustained.
*'''Casca''': Er, did Ricardo tell you where he obtained the crown?
*'''Nicholas''': Like I said, he told me he got it from the snakes.
*'''Beauregard''': Your Hon
*'''Justice Verina''': That was acceptable.
*'''Casca''': Thank you, sir.
*'''Nicholas''': Always a pleasure.
*'''Casca''': Mr. Beauregard?
*'''Beauregard''': *hic*
*'''Beauregard''': Why art thou here, Nick?
*'''Nicholas''': Cause the court ordered me.
*'''Beauregard''': Oh? And why was that?
*'''Nicholas''': I got caught fencing some jewels. My testimony is part of the plea bargain.
*'''Beauregard''': Aha! Did you hear that everyone!?
*'''Justice Verina''': Order!
*'''Justice Verina''': I remind the court that testimony given as part of a plea bargain is perfectly admissible.
*'''Beauregard''': Oh, well then, thank you.
*'''Ricardo''': *groans*
*'''Ricardo''': Your Honor, I
*You see: Inu the Crone
*'''Kyle''': Stop! Stop I say!
*'''Thomas''': You there! Halt!
*You see: Inu the Crone
*You see: Inu the Crone
*You see: William the Guard
*'''Justice Verina''': Order!
*You see: Thomas the Guard
*'''William''': *looks confused*
*'''Inu''': A trial by fire burns the beast!
*'''Thomas''': *blinks*
*'''Kyle''': Someone help me catch her!
*'''Inu''': Come! Stop! Go!
*'''Inu''': Hehehehe.
*You see: Inu the Crone
*'''Inu''': Hehehehe.
*'''Inu''': You cant stop fate! They come! Oh they come!
*'''Kyle''': Get down from there!
*You see: Inu the Crone
*'''William''': Gotcha!
*'''Justice Verina''': Guards!
*'''Justice Verina''': Get this fool woman out of here!
*'''William''': Yes, Your Honor!
*'''Inu''': Decide his fate! Dont be late! Kekeke.
*'''Justice Verina''': Court will recess for twenty Britannian minutes!
*'''Kyle''': Forgive me, Your Honor.
*'''Justice Verina''': *nods*
*'''Beauregard''': What the devil was that all about?
*'''Ricardo''': I've no idea.
*'''Kyle''': All rise! Hear ye, hear ye!
*You see: Justice Verina the Magistrate
*'''Kyle''': All may be seated.
*Sticky Fingers: Obsu Vulni - Close Wounds
*'''Justice Verina''': What an interesting woman.
*'''Justice Verina''': *shakes head*
*'''Justice Verina''': A friend of the defendant?
*'''Ricardo''': Never met her in my life, Your Honor. Although
*'''Justice Verina''': Moving on. Mr. Casca?
*'''Casca''': Your Honor, the Prosecution would like to submit Peoples Exhibit the Second at this time.
*'''Justice Verina''': Proceed.
*'''Casca''': I am handing a copy of the Treason Act to the clerk at this time.
*'''Lilian''': I have received it.
*'''Casca''': Could the clerk please read the various conditions for which High Treason is defined?
*'''Lilian''': *coughs*
*'''Lilian''': One, Compass or imagine the death of our lord the Sovereign; or the Sovereigns companion; or their heir, or
*'''Lilian''': Two, Levy war against the Sovereign in their Realm; or adhere to the Sovereigns enemies in their Realm; giving them aid or comfort in their Realm or elsewhere, or
*'''Lilian''': ...
*'''Lilian''': Three, Counterfeit the Royal Seal; or any of the Sovereigns money, or
*'''Lilian''': Four, Kill any member of the Royal Court; or the Sovereigns Justices; or the Royal Council while in the pursuit of their duties
*'''Beauregard''': Your Honor! My client hath done none of these things!
*'''Justice Verina''': Be patient. Continue Mr. Casca.
*'''Casca''': Thank you. Is there any additional text concerning the definition of High Treason?
*'''Lilian''': Yes, there is a specific clause extending the definition.
*'''Casca''': Please read it.
*'''Lilian''': And because that many other like Cases of Treason may happen in Time to come, which a Man cannot think nor declare at this present Time;
*'''Lilian''': it is accorded, That if any other Case, supposed Treason, which is not above specified, doth happen before any Justices,
*'''Lilian''': the Justices shall tarry without any going to Judgement of the Treason till the Cause be shewed and declared before the Sovereign and his Council,
*'''Lilian''': whether it ought to be judged Treason or other Felony.
*'''Casca''': Thank you. Your Honor, I call my next witness to the stand.
*'''Casca''': Lord Francesco, please.
*You see: Francesco the Royal Treasurer
*'''Casca''': Lord Francesco, could you introduce yourself briefly?
*'''Francesco''': I am Francesco, Treasurer of the Royal Council. I am here representing their will today.
*'''Casca''': And we appreciate it. My lord, has the Royal Council considered the charges of treason against Ricardo?
*'''Francesco''': We have.
*'''Casca''': How do you find the defendant?
*'''Francesco''': We judge his crime Treason most High.
*'''Francesco''': His actions have resulted in the deaths of thousands, and extraordinary loss to the Kingdom.
*'''Casca''': By what authority to you judge this crime High Treason?
*'''Francesco''': By the authority vested in the Royal Council, ruling pro-tempore, and by the Treason Act.
*'''Casca''': How so?
*'''Francesco''': The Act allows the Council to define new and specific instances of Treason.
*'''Casca''': And how have you defined this instance of High Treason?
*'''Francesco''': We define this instance as: "A willful act that results in great loss of life and property."
*'''Francesco''': "The former to be no less than five-score peoples, the latter to be no less than the value of the smallest town in the realm."
*'''Casca''': Has Ricardos crime met these conditions?
*'''Francesco''': The conditions are not only met, but are exceeded.
*'''Casca''': I yield the witness to my friend, Mr. Beauregard.
*'''Beauregard''': Can you truly say all that Ricardo has wrought is ill?
*'''Francesco''': Im sorry?
*'''Beauregard''': Can you truly say that Ricardo has done nothing good for the Kingdom?
*'''Francesco''': *looks around*
*'''Francesco''': Is that at issue? I did not
*'''Casca''': Your Honor? Objection?
*'''Justice Verina''': Sustained.
*'''Beauregard''': Tell me, then, did Ricardo not aid an old woman locked in a dungeon? Surely the Council is aware of this incident?
*'''Francesco''': Which incident is that?
*'''Beauregard''': Why, the door behind which Inu the Crone lay prisoner!
*'''Francesco''': Inu the what? Who?
*'''Justice Verina''': Mr. Beauregard, does this line of inquiry have a point?
*'''Beauregard''': Yes, Your Honor, just a moment more.
*'''Beauregard''': Inu the Crone, kidnapped off the streets of Britain, held against her will, this man saved her!
*'''Francesco''': *coughs*
*'''Casca''': Ah, Your Honor, I believe he is referring to Ricardo picking a lock for some mercenaries.
*'''Justice Verina''': Wait, is this the same woman who just willfully obstructed the court?
*'''Beauregard''': Er, well, yes Your Honor.
*'''Casca''': Indeed.
*'''Justice Verina''': The jury will disregard testimony concerning Inu the Crone - irrelevance.
*'''Lilian''': So noted.
*'''Beauregard''': Ah, well, then. Carry on.
*'''Casca''': Thank you, Lord Francesco.
*'''Casca''': Finally, I would like to call Luiz the Guard to the stand, who will testify concerning the assault on Ricardos transport earlier this month.
*'''Casca''': Ah, excuse me
*'''Beauregard''': zz.. Zzz...
*'''Beauregard''': Zzz
*'''Justice Verina''': Mr. Casca?
*You see: Casca the Prosecutor
*'''Casca''': Your Honor, my witness seems to be absent.
*'''Beauregard''': ...
*'''Justice Verina''': This is unfortunate, dost thou have any further witnesses?
*'''Casca''': No, Your Honor. Motion to delay?
*'''Justice Verina''': Does the Defense wish to accede?
*'''Beauregard''': ...
*'''Casca''': Mr. Beauregard?
*'''Justice Verina''': Mr. Beauregard?
*'''Ricardo''': Your Honor?
*'''Justice Verina''': Yes?
*'''Ricardo''': My defender seems to be asleep.
*'''Justice Verina''': MR. BEAUREGARD!
*You see: Beauregard the Defence Counsel
*'''Beauregard''': Ah, *hic*, ah, yes Your Honor, I am present.
*'''Ricardo''': If it pleases the court, my defender seems to be drunk, as well.
*'''Justice Verina''': Order!
*'''Justice Verina''': Bailiff! Escort this man from the building!
*'''Ricardo''': Your Honor?
*'''Justice Verina''': One moment Mr. Ricardo.
*'''Beauregard''': But wait, Im not Im f
*'''Beauregard''': *vomits*
*'''Casca''': Your Honor, the Prosecution is most distressed by the behavior of the Defense.
*'''Justice Verina''': As is the Court. Didst thou have any further witnesses?
*'''Casca''': No, Your Honor. The Prosecution rests.
*'''Justice Verina''': I see. Still, we must arrange the representation of the defendant, or reconvene when Mr. Beauregard is in a position to fulfill his capacities.
*'''Casca''': I agree, Your Honor and
*'''Ricardo''': I would like to put forward a motion of no confidence in my Defense, Your Honor.
*'''Justice Verina''': Mr. Ricardo? Thou understandeth that ye are in no position to dictate the course of this affair?
*'''Ricardo''': Yes, Your Honor, unless I were to represent myself before the court.
*'''Justice Verina''': Mr. Ricardo, I doubt you comprehend the ramifications of representing thyself.
*'''Ricardo''': Your Honor, from the moment I entered the custody of the courts I've had no chance of defending myself.
*'''Ricardo''': Both of my representatives have proven useless to me. Both were provided by the government, which also tries me.
*'''Ricardo''': Mr. Beauregard had not even arranged any witnesses to testify on my behalf.
*'''Ricardo''': The least I can be allowed is a chance to speak. Is this not fair?
*'''Casca''': Your Honor, surely you will not?
*'''Justice Verina''': Hmm Save for the serious nature of the charges I might have already ordered this case retried.
*'''Justice Verina''': Mr. Ricardo, dost thou feel that you canst more truly represent thyself than those who have been, or may be appointed in thine behalf?
*'''Ricardo''': I do, Your Honor.
*'''Justice Verina''': This is the Court of Truth, Mr. Ricardo, dost thou so swear?
*'''Ricardo''': Wholeheartedly.
*'''Justice Verina''': Then thou mayest proceed.
*'''Casca''': Your Honor, I object to this, and
*'''Justice Verina''': Objection noted. Please proceed.
*'''Ricardo''': Lacking any further witnesses, I call Mr. Casca to the stand.
*'''Casca''': Your Honor!
*'''Justice Verina''': Irregular, but I can allow it.
*'''Ricardo''': Mr. Casca, of the charges levied against me, which have you failed to demonstrate?
*'''Casca''': Your Honor! Calls for speculation on the part of the witness! On my part!
*'''Ricardo''': Your Honor, surely Mr. Casca is an expert in his field and capable of evaluating his own case?
*'''Justice Verina''': Proceed, but tread carefully Mr. Ricardo.
*'''Ricardo''': Mr. Casca?
*'''Casca''': The Prosecution has failed to establish a link between the assault on the prison transport and any conspiracy on the part of defendant.
*'''Ricardo''': Thank you. Not bad for a thief, eh?
*'''Casca''': Your!
*'''Justice Verina''': Sustained!
*'''Ricardo''': Forgive me, Your Honor.
*'''Ricardo''': Mr. Casca, are the Ophidian lands under the control of the Britannian government?
*'''Casca''': Britannia lays claim to all of the Lost Lands.
*'''Ricardo''': Claim? Do our laws extend to the Ophidians?
*'''Casca''': That's immaterial - they're monsters.
*'''Ricardo''': Please answer.
*'''Casca''': They do not, for they cannot.
*'''Ricardo''': Thank you, Im finished.
*'''Justice Verina''': Nothing further, Mr. Ricardo?
*'''Ricardo''': No, Your Honor.
*'''Justice Verina''': Then we will proceed to closing statements. Mr. Casca?
*'''Casca''': Ahem.
*'''Casca''': Right, then.
*'''Casca''': The Prosecution has submitted its case to the court quite plainly.
*'''Casca''': It cannot be argued that Ricardo stole the Scions Zenith, as we have written testimony that he has admitted it.
*'''Casca''': This has also been corroborated by a witness who had personal dealings with Ricardo.
*'''Casca''': What the jury must decide, though, is the validity of the Kingdoms complaint.
*'''Casca''': Some may be confused by the elegant words you heard Lord Francesco speak, please dont be.
*'''Casca''': The Royal Council has determined that the acts Ricardo committed amount to High Treason.
*'''Casca''': They submit to you, as do I, as does Britannia herself, that Ricardos actions resulted in the needless deaths of thousands.
*'''Casca''': He committed a crime, and, through his negligence, compounded the crime in an incalculable way.
*'''Casca''': My friends, I walk amongst you as a stranger to your culture, and to your ways.
*'''Casca''': My people, the Elves of Heartwood, were long separated from our brethren the Britannians.
*'''Casca''': Yet here I stand now, a citizen, yearning to do Justice by the laws and codes that have built our great society.
*'''Casca''': I have always respected the great Britannian legal system. I have placed my trust in it.
*'''Casca''': That trust tells me that you must act in accordance with those laws. I have laid them plainly before you.
*'''Casca''': It is my hope you will answer Justice this day with a resounding voice.
*'''Casca''': Thank you.
*'''Ricardo''': Ladies and gentlemen, I am not a smart man, and definitely not a noble one.
*'''Ricardo''': I do not understand the cunning ways of law, nor the subtleties of court.
*'''Ricardo''': But one thing I can tell you is the Truth.
*'''Ricardo''': I did, in fact, take the Scions Zenith from the Ophidians. Please notice I did not say stole.
*'''Ricardo''': How can I have stolen something, when the Ophidians do not recognize our own laws?
*'''Ricardo''': The Prosecution has failed, you see, to actually prove a crime was committed.
*'''Ricardo''': If a man slay a beast, even outside the Kingdoms borders, can he not take whatever he finds?
*'''Ricardo''': And yes, my friends, this was well beyond the Kingdoms borders.
*'''Ricardo''': What the government of Britannia wishes is for me to die, not to receive Justice.
*'''Ricardo''': I am a necessary sacrifice. I am the scapegoat: the man who suffers their sins.
*'''Ricardo''': Where, I ask, were the soldiers when Papua was attacked?
*'''Ricardo''': Where, I ask, were the mages to protect the barriers around our cities?
*'''Ricardo''': Where, I ask, was this vaunted Royal Council, that so easily passes judgment, in our time of need?
*'''Ricardo''': I cannot tell you. I doubt they will ever tell you.
*'''Ricardo''': Instead they left their nation defenseless, and now, in their haste to cover their cowardice, they lay the blame on me.
*'''Ricardo''': Did I murder a Brood Queen at the behest of some noble in Britain? No.
*'''Ricardo''': Did I send wave after wave of invading marauders into the Ophidians lair seeking treasure? No.
*'''Ricardo''': How could I, by myself, have incited a war when the "crime" I committed was so minor?
*'''Ricardo''': A thousand things contributed to this war - the Scions Zenith was just one of them.
*'''Ricardo''': How are we to know it was not all a lie? A mere excuse?
*'''Ricardo''': Did we not turn over a replicated copy, which they readily accepted, convinced of its realness?
*'''Ricardo''': Did we see the Ophidians withdraw after that peaceful move?
*'''Ricardo''': No! Instead, we found them building machines of horrible power deep within the earth.
*'''Ricardo''': What of this blackrock then? These strange magics and a rogue Ophidian queen?
*'''Ricardo''': Why arent questions being asked?
*'''Ricardo''': Because theyre afraid youll discover the truth. And the truth is this:
*'''Ricardo''': This government has given itself the power to destroy any one of us by simply rewriting laws.
*'''Ricardo''': Lord Francesco was kind to point out that strange and curious addition to the Treason Act.
*'''Ricardo''': Did you listen carefully? Thats right. They, the Royal Council, are allowed to define Treason however they wish.
*'''Ricardo''': At any time.
*'''Ricardo''': Even after the so-called crime has been committed, as they have done to me.
*'''Ricardo''': My friends, there is no body and there is, no, crime.
*'''Ricardo''': I plead for my life, but, oh my friends, I plead more for Justice.
*'''Ricardo''': May the mercy of our True Sovereign be upon us.
*'''Justice Verina''': Order!
*'''Casca''': Your Honor!
*'''Justice Verina''': Yes?
*'''Casca''': The Prosecution wishes to dismiss the charges of Theft and Conspiracy against the defendant.
*'''Justice Verina''': Dost thou wish to explain?
*'''Casca''': The charge of Theft, at this point, may unduly influence the decision on the charge of Treason. Also, the charge of Conspiracy cannot be substantiated.
*'''Justice Verina''': Very well, the charges of Theft and Conspiracy are hereby dropped.
*'''Justice Verina''': The jury will now decide the facts of this case, and render a verdict of Guilty or Innocent for the charge of High Treason.
*'''Justice Verina''': Court will reconvene in one Britannian hour.
*You see: Kyle the Bailiff
*You see: Thomas the Guard
*'''Kyle''': Be seated.
*'''Justice Verina''': Would the jury foreman please stand.
*'''Justice Verina''': Have you reached a verdict on the charge?
*'''Enrique''': Yes, Your Honor.
*'''Justice Verina''': On the charge of High Treason, how does the jury find the defendant?
*'''Enrique''': Guilty.
*'''Justice Verina''': The court finds the defendant guilty of High Treason.
*'''Justice Verina''': Mr. Ricardo, you are hereby remanded to the State for execution.
*'''Justice Verina''': Bailiff, take this man away.
*'''Justice Verina''': Court dismissed.
*'''Ricardo''': *shakes head*
*'''Lilian''': I'm... I'm so sorry...
*'''Ricardo''': For what it's worth, thank you.
*'''Kyle''': *coughs*
*'''Town Crier''': And so... Justice is done. Ricardo is Guilty.

==See Also==
*[[Ricardo]]
*[[Casca]]
[[Category:Inu]]