The covered court doors open again. The Imperial Officer has summoned two men beneath Eisenfaust’s authority, while Brother Konrad remains beside the sealed findings and Sir Eleutherius watches the entrance.
An elderly episcopal advocate enters first, narrow-faced beneath a fur-trimmed mantle. Behind him comes a younger secretary with ink-stained fingers, a red cord and several folded letters in his hands.
Imperial Officer
You stand before an Imperial record, not a private episcopal chamber. State your names, offices, and whom you represent.
Konrad Falken
I am Konrad Falken, advocate for Bishop Eisenfaust. This is Ulman Ried, his secretary. We request review before these findings become an accusation.
Brother Konrad
The findings already contain sworn testimony, authenticated copies, and a lawful chain of custody. Review is permitted; disappearance is not.
Ulman Ried
Then let the men named in these papers answer openly. The Bishop’s household will not hide behind clerks or distant seals.
The admission stills the court. The Imperial Officer turns toward Frieda, while Falken’s guarded expression reveals that Eisenfaust’s faction has finally stepped into the open.
“Frieda smiles innocently. "The Bishop's household seems to be hiding behind a lawyer. I do not see here the men who threatened me, assaulted me and chased me all over Franconia. I wonder where they might be."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled +2)
Frieda
The Bishop’s household seems to be hiding behind a lawyer. I do not see the men who threatened, assaulted, and chased me across Franconia. I wonder where they might be.
Her smile remains courteous, but the accusation lands cleanly. Falken’s narrow face tightens, while Ried lowers his letters and avoids the advocates’ waiting gaze.
Konrad Falken
Those men are not present under my authority, Chaplain. I cannot answer for their current whereabouts.
Imperial Officer
Then their absence is noted. The record already identifies their conduct, and their patron cannot erase it by sending an advocate in their place.
Brother Konrad closes his hand over the sealed findings. Sir Eleutherius remains near the entrance, silent and watchful, while the two episcopal representatives stand beneath the weight of the completed record.
Brother Konrad
The court will proceed against the evidence before it. If Eisenfaust’s men wish to answer for their deeds, they may come openly and face lawful examination.
The Imperial Officer’s seal pressed into the record, and the chamber fell still beneath its weight.
Imperial Officer
Let it stand: Eisenfaust’s faction shall answer before the Empire.
Brother Konrad
And those accused must appear openly, or their silence will speak for them.
Frieda
Then let the truth be heard where all can witness it.
Sir Eleutherius
At last, their shadows had names.
Falken and Ried withdrew beneath the authority they had tried to shelter behind, while the sealed findings remained in Imperial hands.
Frieda’s accusation was no longer a solitary cry but part of a formal reckoning. Eisenfaust’s hidden principals had been drawn into the light, and the evidence would proceed against them under lawful authority. The chamber kept its silence, but it was no longer the silence of fear. +#+#+#+#+#+