Succession: Heir to the Empire

"I-I'm fine," Nebi told her with a grin, finally able to regain his composure. He lifted his head and spoke, "The slave is innocent. He's to be rewarded his freedom. Slaves are not to be killed without just cause."

Baruti blinked, before nodding at the guards who let go of the elf before leading him out of the hall. He looked over at the boy in surprise. Usually when the throne became this active, one had to obey or be driven mad. This was interesting.

Nebi stood up and staggered, "Wow... That was fun."

"Carlisle, you are next," Baruti announced to the medic.

((So....anyone hear from Alec lately?))

(I haven't. I'll message him.)

(I apologize for holding this RP up. Lets move on I guess.)

Carlisle

Carlisle slowly stood up and walked past Nebi towards the throne. The Doctor felt a great sense of dread as he began to get close to it, for he knew that there was no way he would be able to resist the thrones power like Nebi had. And so as he arrived at the throne and sat down on it Carlisle stabbed his hand onto the prick on the sidearm of the throne. Blood began to quickly flow out of the boy's hand and onto the throne, though Carlisle didn't seem to feel any pain.

"Send in the accused."

Baruti nodded and signaled the guards, who brought in a beaten and bruised-looking woman. The Stward paused before announcing dutifully.

"One of the most trusted slaves from this palace tried to escape. She knows of certain pieces of information, enough so that attempting escape could be considered treason," he told Carlisle.

Carlisle

Carlisle's eyebrows raised before an uncharacteristic expression rested on his face. He looked almost amused to see this woman, to be in this position of power over another person's life. "I see. Why did you try to escape?" He asked the slave calmly.

"Medical experiments. I was given over to the Imperial Healers so they could test their theories on me! I could have died!" she cried.

"Those experiments have benefited the Empire," Baruti noted, "She was shirking her duty."

Carlisle

"Tell me, how is it that you became a slave? Were you born into it? Did your parents sell you, or did you commit a heinous crime?" Carlisle asked as he looked down at the girl, his mind already made up as to what her fate would be.

"I was born a slave," she told him honestly with a frown, "What does that have to do with anything, though?"

Carlisle

"Not much really, it just helps me decide a suitable punishment for you." Carlisle replied before turning to look at Baruti. "Have her returned to her original post so she can be continued to be tested on. But this time, make sure her legs are broken, so she wont run again."

Baruti nodded and signaled the soldiers, who dragged her away as she struggled against them. After a minute, they could hear her screams from across the palace. The Steward smirked.

"Good, Carlisle. There is strength in you," he noted.

"Yes. But whatever it is, it certainly isn't an inner strength." Carlisle agreed aloud with Baruti, but as his mind began to clear he began to concentrate on his doubts.

"Well I suppose that just leaves Caesar then." Kegan stated quietly as he watched Carlisle walk away from the throne and towards the other Heirs, a grimace on his face as a trail of blood followed him.

Baruti frowned, but nodded in agreement. He had to allow every Heir take a turn. Besides, the Emperor's spirit would teach the humage who's boss.

Caesar

Caesar strode toward the throne, and gently took a seat upon it. Like some of the other Heirs, he did not use the power of the throne. However, his reasons as to why differed. It wasn't that he didn't want to be corrupted by it, or anything like that.

He simply didn't care for it. After all, what need did he have of it? It would not help him right now, after all.

"Bring in the victim!" Caesar cackled, a wide grin spreading across his face. This would sure be fun...

Baruti nodded, with the guards bringing in an elf, fearfully trying to free himself from his captors' grasp.

"This elf was a servant and was caught selling information from the palace to the highest bidder," Baruti stated.

"Please! I have a family!" he cried.

Caesar

"And what information was this?" Ceasar asked, giving the elf a predatory stare. The Humage leaned on the edge of the throne, curious as to what information the elf had revealed. Whatever it was, it must have been serious enough to get him arrested.

"A scandal among the most powerful noble families. Such information shamed them and the Empire in the eyes of the commoners," Baruti sneered, "Information about an affair, between two married men."

Baruti grimaced. Such relations was taboo and, though they occurred, it brought shame when it was revealed.

Caesar

"I see. And what is the usual punishment for giving away information such as this?" Caesar asked.

"Death, with torture preceding it first," Baruti told the humage with a smirk. If there was one thing he knew the freak loved, it was torture.

Caesar

"Ah, I see. Hm, what a tough choice to make." Caesar said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Well, this would be really easy to do. Still...

"Tell me elf, why did you sell this information?" Caesar asked.

"Money, lord, to feed my family. We are poor and every little bit helps," the elf stated, "And the offer was too generous to refuse."

"The Empire cares not for your financial troubles," Baruti stated with a sneer.

Caesar

"Ah, I see. Oh, your poor, poor family. If you were to die, then who'd take care of them? Well...if they truly wish to live, I've no doubt you could have found a way. Child slavery is a booming business these days, and if your wife has the looks, then she could also turn to the brothels for income. There are many ways your family could have gotten by without you needlessly risking your life. Ah, but your pesky morals got in the way didn't they? Oh well." Caesar stated. His freakish grin grew wider, if possible.

After a few minutes of deliberate silence (to let the elf squirm), Caesar announced his sentence. "Hm, torture by the Imperial Inquisitors seems rather...linent, don't you think Baruti? Have him brought to my chambers; I will make sure to do a much....better job then the Inquisitors could ever do."

Caesar let out a mad laugh as he stared at the elf much like a wolf would stare at its prey.

The elf shivered, begging for mercy even as the guards hit him behind the head and began to drag him away. Baruti nodded, even he feeling reluctant.

"Very well... He's to be given over to the guard tomorrow morning," Baruti told him with a frown.

(Who's next?)

((That is everyone, I do believe.))

((Hm, so what next? Any ideas?))