The uncertain king

A: John of Arieda -

B: His Majesty.

A: No, he forfeited that title.

B: We don't agree.

A: That's what this process is for. To decide whether he is a traitor or just terribly negligent.

B: We object to that framing.

A: We've taken ample note of that. Now the facts. Six days ago, John of Arieda, formerly King of Sileas and the Steppe, Grandee of the Church and Guardian of the Peace, passed a law without consulting his Cortes, already a treasonous act. No - quiet! You'll get your chance. His decree disbanded all radical factions of the army, and was therefore a declaration of war. It is proven that this was at the behest of Marco Demano, on whom sentence has already been passed. Nothing to say? Good.

His Ex-Majesty, after burning the constitution, rounded off his night by witnessing the execution of two heroes.

You're saying Demano didn't tell Arieda he was going to kill Una and Faruma? Hmm. What did he think was going to happen? Now we're getting to the negligence part.

What would I have done? If I was the king, and my general told me he had overthrown the Cortes and if I didn't want a civil war, I must legitimise his coup?

I wouldn't do what Arieda did, that's for sure. But to first acquiesce with Demano, then change my mind and try to persuade him to let Una and Faruma go? There's no evidence that happened, but let's say it did. And when it didn't work, wait for fourteen hours in my chamber, and when the traitors failed, try to escape by climbing over the garden wall, where I was arrested by the loyal soldiers retaking the palace?

This is no time for forgiveness. These acts are an outrage. The people have shown how strong they are. They deserve more than a weak king.

No, there is no evidence he invited Demano into the palace. So what? He might not have wanted to be seen as a traitor. That doesn't mean he isn't one.

Oh, you're giving him some credit for barricading himself in his bedroom with the queen? What a hero. Well, perhaps that action did sap the enemy's morale at a crucial moment. But that was too late for Una and Faruma, and all the others who lost their lives.

And why sign that law? What was going through his mind? What does he truly believe in? From start to finish, the aim of every clear, positive act he committed was to save his skin.

B: Not true. He didn't give in to Demano. And he refused exile.

A: He seems to have found some integrity at precisely the wrong moment, as usual.