Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156907 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 785(@200wpm)___ 628(@250wpm)___ 523(@300wpm)
And it was then, Lahn and Frey (and it must be said, mostly Lahn) took the bulk of the attention of the males in the room (and the females, but for a different reason).
As they waited, Cassius lounged in his chair and noted that the most reaction in general was from the few women in the assembly, women who seemed taken with studying Elena and her gown.
The men gave very little away, except in some cases, they did not hide their antagonism toward Cass.
It seemed to take too long before a herald stood in black regalia (Elena clearly had not had time to affect a change in the Citadel uniform), and he called, “King Gallienus arrives!”
And with that, his father walked in between two Bailey guards, as well as Reginald of the Bailey trailing him, Nero leading.
There was a hush before a rush of murmurings from the gathering as he strode in, thin, ill-kempt, straggly, his clothing clean and fine, but hanging on him.
Elena, it seemed, was not the only one with the skill to create import out of appearances.
“This is a disgrace!” he shouted, being led across the back wall. “A bloody farce!”
Although ill-kempt and straggly, his voice was strong and carried far.
Cassius cast his gaze down to Domitia and Cornelia.
Cornelia could easily be mistaken for a statue.
Domitia was visibly fretting.
“What has become of my throne room? This is obscene!” Gallienus yelled.
Cassius sighed.
Gallienus was led up to his box and immediately reached to the pennant hanging beside it, his mouth opened, Cass was certain, to continue to bellow his kingly lament.
“If you tear that banner down,” Cassius said in a voice that carried. “I’ll hang you with it.”
Gallienus turned stiltedly toward his son.
“Now sit. For your wives, this will be done quickly,” Cassius ordered.
“I want it on the record, I do not recognize this tribunal,” Gallienus announced.
“And I’ll go on the record to assert I do not care,” Cassius returned. “Now be quiet until you’re asked to speak.”
“I am king. I will—”
“You are a flailing, useless old man who did not recognize that time had come for change. Who bowed to tradition instead of worked for progress. Who was so weak, he could not secure his own realm, even from his own citizens, and continued to allow them to hold power over him. And who, if you did not show some sense in relinquishing your authority, would have led this realm to ruin as the other lands united as military and economic allies,” Cassius declared. “Now, be silent and demonstrate a little dignity during your final public appearance, for the gods’ sakes.”
Gallienus glared at him.
Cassius dismissed his father and turned to the recorder.
“Read the charges, if you will,” he bid.
The charges were read.
“Preposterous!” Gallienus shouted.
The new law was read.
“Ludicrous!” Gallienus yelled.
Cassius had never really paid much mind to his father.
His casual cruelties, yes.
His flagrant sadism, yes.
His childish tantrums.
Alas, no.
He noted them now, but he did so nonverbally.
Verbally, he commenced proceedings as they had planned.
Hadrian shared shortly and without detail what he had witnessed in the king’s bedchamber. Antonius did the same.
And when asked, Domitia declared that this was so.
And when asked, both women attested in brief to the physical and sexual abuse that had occurred throughout their marriages.
That done swiftly, Cassius turned to his father.
“It was not law before, but your violation of her Honorable Domitia was an offense after. Do you deny this version of events as presented here today?” he asked.
“It is not a crime to handle my wife as I see fit,” Gallienus sniffed.
“This is incorrect. As the law was read, it is a crime now. So with your words, for the record, you do not deny this version of events as presented here today,” Cassius repeated on a sigh.
“Of course I don’t,” Gallienus snapped.
“So be it,” Cassius said. “I therefore find you guilty of one charge of assault and battery of a person and one charge of sexual violation of a person. Thus, you are hereby sentenced to ten years as an issue four prisoner in Slán Bailey for the first charge. This you will serve after you serve the sentence of fifteen years as an issue five prisoner for the charge of sexual violation of a person. This sentence will begin immediately. And with that, this tribunal has ended.”
There were more murmurings about the room, but Cassius ignored them.
And even as he straightened from his throne, he nodded to Reginald and his prison guard that stood with Nero at the foot of the box, an indication to take Gallienus away.
“I’ll be in that Bailey maybe a week,” his father asserted.
He would be there for twenty-five years, if he lived that long.
But Cass did not share that.
He noted his father saying “a week.”
So, his father’s allies intended to move in some manner in that week.
That did not matter for the now.