RP:Roldan discovers a prisoner's absence
The Beginning
Roldan enters his office, and is enraged to find it empty, but for the two guards. Needless to say, he is swift to discover the true nature of the supposed release of the murder suspect. The two men are placed under arrest, and locked away.
The sheriff summons two of his most trusted guardsmen, Jonn and Ronnet. The two young men appear quite similar to the older knight; close-cropped red hair, prominent noses, and broad shoulders. Even the shape of their faces seem distantly similar, with the only major difference being that in place of gray eyes, the younger men have piercing blue ones.
"Jonn, Ronnet," the red knight says, "all know you to be my most trusted and loyal men. Have I given you any cause for betrayal?" The two shake their heads in unison, while Jonn says, "No, sir. We owe our jobs to you. Aye, and our lives as well." Ronnet chimes in, "He speaks for the both of us, sir." Roldan nods his head, pleased. "Very good then. On to business. The men we had watching the one prisoner forswore their oaths, accepting gold for betrayal of the King Consort, Larket, and myself. What is the penalty for treason?" The two soldiers glance at each other, and reply, "Execution, sir." Roldan nods curtly. "Yes. I will notify the queen at once. Chain the traitors, and put them in a cell. From now on, I want the two of you guarding any prisoners we bring in to question about the murder. You may bring in your most trusted underlings, and work in cycles, but one of you must be on duty at all times. No prisoners will be allowed visitors, and anyone attempting to visit must also be arrested. Have I made myself clear?" The guards nod as one, and set off to obey the sheriff's commands. Roldan himself takes a seat at his desk, and begins to write a letter.
The Letter to Jacklin
To her Royal Highness, Queen Jacklin,
The two men posted to guard the prisoner, Mahri, forswore their oaths and released the prisoner for gold. This constitutes treason by the laws of Larket, a crime which carries the punishment of execution. I ask that you sign this order of execution for the two traitors, to be carried out immediately. Further, since the men had given me their oaths, and in committing treason tarnished my honor, I ask that I be allowed to execute them personally, to wash the stain of the oathbreaking from me.
Signed, Sir Roldan the Red, Sheriff of Larket
The Execution
Roldan stands, flanked by Jonn and Ronnet, before a swiftly yet sturdily constructed gallows. The two traitors wait on the platform, hands and feet bound, nooses draped over their necks. They both show signs of torture; it would appear that the Sheriff has squeezed every last bit of useful information from them. "Let it be known," the red knight says, his voice loud and commanding. "The punishment for treason is death. There are no second chances, there is no hope of escape." By this time, a small crowd has begun to gather, eager to watch men die. Roldan continues, "However, these two proved cooperative. They gave me every last detail of the prisoner, her accomplice, and their conversation. Because of this, I have decided to be merciful." He turns to the two condemned men. "The queen has given her consent, and you two will die. You have brought shame and dishonor to Larket, to the City Watch, to me, and to yourselves. May the gods judge you justly." With that, Roldan gives a nod and his two deputies step forward. As one, they haul on the ropes, hoisting the traitors high. As the men kick and wheeze, their faces slowly turning blue, the sheriff addresses the crowd. "Such is the reward for treason. These men sold their lives for a mere five thousand gold. Now that gold, along with everything else they own belongs to the crown. They have widows, and children, who now live on the streets. Consider their fate."
At long last, the spectacle comes to an end as the hanged men slowly cease to struggle. When Jonn moves to cut his charge down, the senior officer shakes his head. "No. Leave them for the ravens, to better act as a warning." The crowd disperses, and the lawmen are left alone with the dead. Together, they return to the sheriff's office, silence reigning between the three.
Related Pages:
- Larket
- Part of the Case of the Burned Baker Arc