Esteemed Members of the Aegis,

I am writing this letter to you with great trepidation. By doing so, I risk an important portion of my case being revealed before I had intended to do so. Yet, to not write would be a greater travesty. To not write now would be to do not only my client ill, but do both the Aegis and the Empyre itself ill.

At first glance, this letter may seem as if I were attempting to argue my case before the trial. In truth, I am attempting to dismiss the charges before the trial, for a trial can only do harm to all involved. I am also attempting to address certain problems and right certain wrongs. I do so as a servant of the Empyre. Those who know me well will always know that above and beyond all other things, I am indeed a servant of the Empyre.

I will move now to the meat of the matter.

As juris consulo for the accused, Altair Leander Chryseis, I move for the following:

1. All charges against Altair Leander Chryseis be immediately dropped and that his name and reputation be completely cleared.

   The basis: Altair Chryseis is being charged with murder and treason. The basis of the charge of murder is the death of Caius Germanicus Antoninus at the hands of Altair Chryseis. The basis of the charge of treason is that Altair was acting on the orders of Delphi, while disobeying the orders of the Empyre, when he killed Caius.

   1. The death of Caius Germanicus Antoninus took place on Haven soil. Jurisdiction for the prosecution of such a crime is therefore in the hands of Haven. The Empyre has no standing laws that allow for the prosecution of murder outside its territories, since its laws are notwithstanding outside its domain.
   2. Altair was a Commander in the Hounds at the time of the event. The Hounds are the established, recognized and legal police force of Haven. The Empyre has recognized the authority of the Hounds, and thereby executors of the law, within Haven in the Empyre-Delphi Treaty of 1627.
   3. Altair was acting in direct accord with the standing orders of the Estrella of Delphi. The Estrella are the recognized, highest authority of Haven. The order was lawful according to Haven law. Altair's adherence to the order was lawful according to Haven law. Refusal to carry out said order by Altair would have been unlawful according to the regulations of the Hounds and the laws of Haven, which he was oath-bound to obey.
   4. The Empyre recognizes the authority and laws of Delphi, the Estrella and the Hounds within the confines of the territory of Haven according to the Empyre-Delphi Treaty of 1627. In correspondence with the treaty, it would be implausible for Empyreal law to be imposed within the confines of Haven, nor can the Empyreal government legitimately prosecute a legally employed agent of the government of Haven for any Empyreal crime while carrying out his or her duties within the confines of Haven.
   5. The enforcing and administering of Empyreal law is the sole purview of the judicial branch of the Empyre, or otherwise the juris consulos and jurators. While the Praetorian Guard has the authority to act as the police force to ensure that the laws of the Aegis and the decisions of the Jurators are enforced, it is not within their jurisdiction to make or levy charges upon an individual. They must, as all branches of the Empyre, go through the appropriate body - a jurator or juris consulo is responsible for levying appropriate charges so as to insure there are no frivolous or biased decisions made.
   6. No official, lawful order given by an officer empowered to act in the name of the Empyre was ever given to Altair countermanding the orders of Delphi.

2. Financial repayments are to be made to Altair Leander Chryseis.

   The basis: Altair Leander Chryseis has lost his position in the Hounds directly due to the actions of official agents of the Empyre claiming to be acting on behalf of the Empyre. Such actions were unlawful and as such harmed the position of Altair Chryseis. Altair Chryseis has therefore lost his income from the Hounds and lost further income while being imprisoned and unable to work. This series of events has put Altair Chryseis under considerable financial strain. Furthermore, the damage to his reputation because of these charges will cause him more difficulty in finding new employment. It is therefore the duty of the Empyre to make appropriate financial reparations.

3. Imperator Theron of the Praetorian Guard is to be investigated for treason, demoted in rank and reassigned outside of Haven.

   The basis: Imperator Theron has acted, several times in this incident, above and beyond the authority vested in him as a member of the Praetorian Guard. His actions are unbecoming that of an officer of the Praetorian Guard, much less an officer of the rank of Imperator. Furthermore, his inability and refusal to adhere to the laws of Haven place him at risk of causing significant further conflict between the Empyre and Haven. He has already been the center of serious diplomatic problems between both states. It is inadvisable that the Empyre continue to risk yet another major conflict that may be started by him if he is allowed to continue to serve in Haven. Finally, the charge of treason should be investigated by independent council due to his actions which are in direct conflict with standing policies, laws and international agreements of the government of the Empyre. His actions may be deemed to be a threat to the sovereignty of the government, the laws of the Empyre and therefore potentially treasonous. I note 'potentially treasonous' - I cannot verify this at this point and therefore am requesting that it be investigated by council external to the Praetorian Guard.

   This is supported by the following:

   1. The powers of the government of the Empyre are clearly divided between the branches. While the Aegis creates the laws of the Empyre, it is the Jurators that interpret said laws, rule on them and enforce them. The Praetorian Guard, while acting as a police force for the Empyre during peace-time, does not have the authority to charge or arrest individuals without the direct approval of a duly appointed Jurator or Juris Consulo, unless they are witness to a crime currently transpiring. Therefore, Imperator Theron was acting beyond his authority and inappropriately when he ordered the arrest of Altair Chryseis. Such an order would have to originate with a Jurator of appropriate rank, authority and stature.
   2. The Praetorian Guard is not empowered to issue proclamations concerning foreign policy, especially foreign policy in which the Empyre has no authority. Foreign policy can only be issued by the Aegis or the Emperor. However, Imperator Theron declared that the Empyrean Quarter of Haven was off-limits to the Aesir and Najada. This is a foreign policy statement that the Imperator has no authority issuing. Furthermore, it directly disputes the authority of Delphi, who is the only government capable of issuing such edicts over the entirety of the Empyrean Quarter of Haven.
   3. The Praetorian Guard cannot take military action during peace-time within the boundaries of a foreign state without the express orders of either the Aegis or the Emperor. Imperator Theron mobilized a large number of the Praetorian Guard within the Empyrean Quarter of Haven to specifically stop the arrest of Caius Antoninus by the legal authorities, the Hounds. In the process, the Imperator issued a threat against the life of the Commander of the Hounds, Altair Chryseis. This entire situation is rife with abuse of authority, violations of foreign policy , gross diplomatic misconduct, breach of Haven laws and similar actions that would be considered illegal by Empyreal law and blatant misuse of the name of the Empyre against the spirit and oaths of the Praetorian Guard.
   4. The Praetorian Guard does not have the authority to act as foreign dignitaries. It is the duty of the Aegis or the Emperor to do so. Imperator Theron issued an official letter on behalf of the Empyre protesting the arrest order for Caius Antoninus to Delphi. Imperator Theron also issued a letter on behalf of the Empyre demanding that Delphi turn over Altair for the supposed murder of Caius Antoninus.
   5. It is suspected that Imperator Theron aided and abetted in the escape of the criminal Caius Antoninus from Haven, while negotiating in bad faith with Delphi to turn over Caius Antoninus to the appropriate authorities. Among the various violations this constitutes, it is a violation of the second oath of the Praetorian Guard, Honor: "A guardsman shall maintain the highest standards of honor both on and off the battlefield. He is responsible for his conduct at all times, as any actions taken by him reflect upon the whole of the Guard. He will retain the standards of etiquette, show kindness, uphold the law, and be merciful in the execution of his duties." Imperator Theron is considered to have violated this oath on numerous occasions.
   6. The Praetorian Guard, as a body, is bound to serve the Empyre as a whole. Not a single individual. It is believed Imperator Theron misused the Praetorian Guard to fulfill his own personal agendas. Included among this is his misuse of the Guard in blocking the Hounds attempt to arrest Caius Antoninus, as well as the potential use of the Praetorian Guard, out of uniform, to trail and harass Altair Chryseis after the death of Caius Antoninus. These actions violate several principles and laws sacred to the Empyre, including the third oath of the Praetorian Guard, Service: "A guardsman serves his Empyre and his Empyre alone. The Guard serves not one man, but the hopes and dreams of the entire people. A guardsman's dedication and love for his Empyre are such that none should have to call that into question. His service to the Guard shall be whole and complete, forsaking all others while in its care. None shall stand higher in his heart while he wears its colors." In fact, Imperator Theron's use of the Praetorian Guard seems to denote his belief that they are his own private army or mercenary force to be used as he feels when he feels.
   7. The Praetorian Guard cannot seek to interrupt the duties of the juris consulo in their sworn duties to represent their clients. During my efforts to represent Altair Chryseis, Imperator Theron issued an order forbidding me to bring a Sylvan by the name of Kita on my visits to the Eyrie. As a juris consulo, it is my right to choose who may act as my aide or assistant. For said visit, the Sylvan Kita was aiding me in my work. This order interfered with my ability to carry out my duties properly. The Eyrie was secure and there was no potential threat to the security of the building or prisoner.
   8. Theron stated no visitors were being allowed to visit Altair this close to the trial. He has also taken actions with regards to the holding of Altair within the Eyrie that would be construed as highly antagonistic. From prior interaction with the Imperator, it would appear that there is a grievous personal grudge between the Imperator and the accused. This appears to have biased the Imperator's actions and behavior throughout this entire case and would once again be considered a breach of the Oaths. To behave in such a manner, with open and obvious biases, is against the codes and expected behavior of commanding officer of the Praetorian Guard.

   In the short time I have had chance to investigate this matter, many transgressions of Imperator Theron have come to light. I believe a deeper and full-fledged investigation of Imperator Theron will provide the Aegis with considerably more evidence on actions that are in violation of his oaths, his duties and his loyalty to the Empyre. As it stands, enough evidence has been produced in this letter to have the Imperator removed from his position and station within the Praetorian Guard.

4. The Empyre will issue an apology to Delphi for the actions of officers acting in the name of the Empyre who were in direct violation of the laws and sovereignty of the recognized state of Haven. In addition, it will ask for the reinstatement of Altair in the Hounds in his previous position as Commander.

   The basis: Imperator Theron, acting inappropriately and without proper authority, but in the name of the Empyre put undue pressure on the government of Haven and continued to violate its sovereignty and laws. It is the duty of the Aegis to admit the wrongs committed by its officers and to repair the diplomatic damage done by them. The loss of Altair's position within the Hounds was due to direct influence and intervention of officers of the Empyre and while the Empyre cannot force Delphi to retake Altair into the Hounds in his old position as Commander, it would go a long way in making restitution, and to helping him and his position by asking for such.

5. The Empyre will issue an apology to the families of the Hounds killed or injured by Caius Antoninus when he re-entered Haven and the attempt to arrest him was made. Appropriate financial reparations will also be made.

   The basis: Through gross negligence, violation of law and inappropriate use of position and authority by officers of the Empyre, Caius Antoninus was allowed to escape arrest by the Hounds prior to the incident in question. Therefore, those members of the Hounds would not have died or been grievously injured if those officers of the Empyre had been discharging their duty appropriately. The burden of responsibility of these actions falls upon the Empyre.

6. The Empyre will investigate the actions and operations of the organization known as Kyklos.

   The basis: The organization known as Kyklos has been established as a group that believes itself above the laws of the Empyre. Such a group would be considered to be conspiring to commit treason against the Empyre, for its very actions are counter to the laws and traditions of our state. It has already subverted at least one member of the Praetorian Guard and my information has led me to believe that other members of the Empyre, including members of the nobility and possibly even the Aegis, have also come under its influence. If left unchecked, the threat of Kyklos will continue to undermine the Empyreal government and state.

Yet, I have found in my tenure as a juris consulo that facts alone do not always convince one of the rightness of a certain path. They are cold, they are hard and they are distanced. And in a case such as this, where emotions have run hot, the facts may be ignored. And so, I will try and appeal to more than the mind. I will try and speak to the heart of the Empyre, as well.

And so I begin...

To be honest, when one considers this case, no stronger argument can be made than this: If it is the position of the Empyreal government that an Empyrean citizen can commit any action or crime within Haven, in violation of its treaties, and not be subject to Empyreal and Haven law, then Altair Chryseis cannot be found guilty of any crime or wrong-doing. Yet, if it is the position of the Empyreal government that an Empyreal citizen must answer for crimes committed within Haven as subject to both Empyreal and Haven law, then it has failed in its duties in the most grievous manner possible with regards to Ceterion Caius Germanicus Antoninus. The facts have plainly shown that he not only committed several murders, but that officers of the Praetorian Guard as well as the Empyreal government were aware of these facts. And that they not only took no action against Ceterion Antoninus, but acted on his behalf, to protect and defend him from both Empyreal and Haven law.

There is no more fervent an admirer of the Empyre than I, no more loyal a servant. I believe in its greatness, I believe in its destiny. To all the world, we must be a shining example of law, of justice, of decency. Our actions must mirror the moral beliefs, the ideals and standards that are carried within the heart and soul of the Empyre. To falter, even once, would cast a shadow most long and dark upon the state of the Empyre. Upon its spirit.

I think, as many of you must know, this case would never have come to be if not for the fact that the accused is Altair Chryseis. He is not a man well-liked among the leadership of the Empyre; he has made many enemies among the nobility. He lacks tact and sense, he has the wisdom of youth, which is often impulsive and foolish.

Altair Chryseis is not my friend. I barely know the man. I have never met him socially and have only been in contact with him once before, when employed for his defense in another case that was found lacking. I cannot say, in all honesty, that he and I are kindred spirits in any manner.

I know it is easy to dislike him. I know there are many flaws in character that can be found in him, especially within a social setting. He can be unpleasant to deal with and abrasive to the ear.

Yet, the law does not take personal preferences into account. The law was not built upon the swaying of the crowds, nor upon the popularity of an individual. One is not guilty because one is not liked. This is not a contest of who is most well-thought of in our social hierarchy.

Do not find Altair Chryseis guilty, because you do not like him. To do so may satisfy some temporary need for vengeance for perceived prior slights, but would strike a blow to the heart of the Empyre that would not be forgotten or forgiven in the years to come.

Has the Empyre become so filled with hubris that we will not abide by our own treaties with other nations and states? Will we break our bond and our word, and lose our noble spirit in the process, by making a hero and a martyr out of a madman and a murderer? Will we hang an innocent man, because we dislike him and because he had the audacity to stop another whose evils were being claimed as actions on behalf of the Empyre? Will we put to death an innocent man, who has been locked within a cage for nearly four months without trial and without even a chance to spread his wings; wings whose muscles grow weak from lack of use.

Did Caius Germanicus Antoninus act on behalf of the Empyre, or did he act on behalf of himself? Who is this man, who thinks his wisdom is above all others, who would commit such heinous crimes and call them just? Do not mistake the ideals of this one man as the ideals of the Empyre and let not his belief in his own greatness, in his own supposed duty to the Empyre, rewrite history and create a hero of a monster. His actions were spurred on by his own prejudices, and he believed he was the law unto himself, transforming himself into judge and executioner, and thereby destroying our own traditions and undermining our own laws.

I ask that this case be thrown out, before it goes to trial, for a trial can only damage the Empyre. All will be watching at a trial and all of our mistakes will be put on show before the world. Must we endure this humiliation, as the dirty secrets of the Empyre are exposed? Must we show the hubris of a few specific individuals, who believe in their own authority and stature, above even the Empyre itself? No good can come of a trial, for it will only further damage the Empyreal state in front of outsiders.

This case is founded on the principles of two or three individuals who circumvented the laws and traditions of the Empyre, in pursuit of their own personal vendettas. It is a shame, a black mark upon the Empyre, but do not compound this evil, I implore of you. If the Aegis finds Altair Chryseis guilty, then the Empyre will be considered nothing more than a state of rogues, liars and oathbreakers to all others. Do we break the faith and promises to Delphi, who have trained our Emperors for millennia? Do we give reason to the Atlanteans, the Varati and the Sylvans to break their own treaties and promises, as we do to Haven? And do we lose the heart and spirit of the common man, who will look upon his own nation, with scorn and disgust as he discovers that the Empyre has become rotten from within, foul with hypocrisy, under the weight of its own arrogance and pride.

When you judge this case, when you decide upon the fate of Altair Chryseis, remember these things. Think upon this case with the knowledge that the lares watch our decisions and that the choices you make now reflect upon their memory. Upon their honor. Know that your children's children will read this case in the histories of the Empyre and will not know of the political agendas of those involved, nor the personal prejudices of the individuals mired in these troubles, but will remember the final outcome. They will remember the moral path we have chosen on this day.

Finally, I implore the Aegis to investigate Imperator Theron Marcellus, the Praetorian Guard posted under his command and the organization known as Kyklos. With the actions taken by the Imperator and the Guard under his command, I fear that much wrong has occurred within their ranks in recent days. It would not be ill advised to reassign much of the current Haven Praetorians away from the Aegis and bring in others whose loyalty to the Guard and the Empyre is greater than their loyalty to the Imperator. The Empyre has seen the insurrection of the Praetorian Guard but a few scant years ago and the seizing of the Aegis. In recent days, it has seen the capture of the Hall of the Sky and the Imperial Palace by the Schola. I fear that the Empyre will not be able to withstand an Imperator who would make himself Tribune, Jurator, Aegis and Emperor all at once - for the deeds of Imperator Marcellus have mirrored the powers of all such bodies and may topple all we love, if left unchecked.

The ills of the Kyklos are dangerous and cannot be overlooked. Should this esteemed body hesitate, I fear their power will grow, their seeds of corruption will spread. Treason is in the air and there can be little doubt of its source.

I would even be willing to undertake the investigation of both the Guard and Kyklos, if the Aegis so desires it. It is also my recommendation that juris consulo Cleon Thanatos assist me in this work, as an impartial investigator. Though we stand on opposite sides of the field in this case, I have met with him and my belief his integrity and honesty is strong. In the end, I feel that he will do well by the Empyre, above all else.

I know this letter will provoke much concern and I know that I have taken my own life into risk by writing it. And while I have taken actions to protect myself, I know it may not be enough. So many of our brightest and greatest advocates of truth have died in recent days and I have no illusions that I may too follow them for daring to speak against this great wrong that I feel has infected the Empyre. But to do anything less, to hide behind others and not stand forward this day, would cause me a death greater than any physical one.

One may be born with wings, but it is by choice of heart that one becomes a true Empyrean.

Severus Gabriel Aurelius
Servant of the Empyre
Juris Consulo
 

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