Chapter 281

The troops are slowly divided into groups: ordinary soldiers, officers, and nobility. The first question raised by the loyalist forces is how to treat this. There are three basic methods under Skyview laws. As a civil war, an attempted Coup by the Nobles, or an insurgency. 

The third is out very quickly since they find no evidence that the Anti Monarchy army had any outside forces in it. So that leaves them torn between civil war and an attempted coup. 

A civil war would typically lead to reconciliation efforts to settle the root cause of the uprising and some form of punishment for the leaders. An attempted coup would end in many executions and every rebel noble’s entire extended family being stripped of all properties and assets. 

To the commoners, the difference is slight; to the Nobles and those who directly do business with them, it is massive. Roughly a fifth of the country’s Noblity were involved, by best estimate. Initial fears were a third, but many of the Nobles who were swayed by King James stayed home, not supporting either faction. 

[I want you to propose an adjustment. For Nobles stripped of lands and wealth, instead of the Crown claiming it all, as is customary, I want one of you to suggest that a loyal commoner who has proven themselves should inherit. That will let us fill the vacancies with loyalists as well.] King James sends directly to both Cain and Duke Chen. 

This mess is too big to settle indoors, so the two sides are assembled near the palace walls, and tens of thousands of civilians have come to watch the aftermath of the battle, and the trial was announced across the city. 

“With evidence from multiple witnesses, and careful deliberation, the crown has determined the intent of this attack to be one of ending the Royal Lineage. We cannot find a way to view this as anything but an attempted coup.” The King declares, and the Nobles look devastated. 

Duke Chen steps forward and bows to the King. “As your loyal advisor, I would plead for leniency on behalf of these treacherous Nobles. I ask that they are spared their lives and instead stripped of their titles and all wealth held within Skyview.” 

That is already a significant concession towards reconciliation, and many in the crowd feel they don’t deserve it. The murmurs start to turn into angry shouting when the King lifts his hand for silence. 

“Without our Nobles, who will manage our lands, pay our guards? Will the crown take everything?” An officer from the defeated side shouts. 

The accusation that King James might use this chance as a power grab for himself, claiming a large portion of the country as Crown Land, doesn’t sit well with anyone, even the loyalists. 

“Your Majesty, If I may. There was a precedent in my previous life that might be relevant. Instead of the crown claiming the vacated lands and title for itself, might they not instead be allocated to those of the commons who have performed an outstanding deed or commendable service for the nation? 

It would prevent power from becoming too consolidated and elevate those of great character to the nobility, citizens who would work to better the whole would gain wealth and rank.”

Duke Chen smiles as Cain’s suggestion spreads through the crowd. King James has in the past worked for the commoners, so there is hope that this might be accepted. 

“Heroes are hard to come by. Where do you suggest we might find so many worthy candidates, Duke Cain?” James asks as if skeptical of the plan. 

“Some might come from the border forces, Captains and Champions put forth by their peers as worthy in deed and character. Others by the citizenry. They could be children of Nobles who have personally worked to improve the lives of those around them, or lower Nobles who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, even commoners in vacant territories who have shown great loyalty and results for their communities despite a lack of noble leadership. Let their peers and your loyal Nobles put them forth for you to consider as you wish.”

That way, the consideration can be done in private, and the King can choose anyone he wants for specific positions. There will be a lot of spaces to fill once the trials are complete, after all. 

“We have considered your proposals, noble Dukes. An official announcement will be made within the week declaring how an applicant who is deemed worthy by their peers might be put forward for our consideration. Might anyone else have a compelling reason not to strip these traitors of their wealth and titles?”

Not a single voice sounds in their defense, everyone recognizing that the sentence was incredibly lenient. Only the Nobles involved have been punished; those whose children have independent assets have not. During the succession wars that were largely ended just this year, entire families were routinely annihilated to prevent revenge attempts or inheritances by their kin. 

For most noble families, that means they’re all losing everything, as property ownership requires wealth and business relationships are often long-standing, so everything is in the family name. But still, some few will escape with a decent amount of assets, and the rest will at least survive.

They’ll never hold title here again, but they might be able to rent a shop and continue doing business if they can convince the King not to banish them.

King James has moved to the far north end of the line of Nobles, ready to begin the questioning for the actual Royal Trials to determine their fate. 

“State your name and defense of your actions.”

“Your Majesty, I am Count LeapingPupper. My actions bear no defense; I still believe the nation better served with a Beastkin on the throne.” The Young Wolf Kin transfer states proudly. 

“The Crown admires your dedication to your cause, misguided as it is. Your assets are forfeit, as are your titles in the Nation of Skyview. You have until dark to leave the territory; transport will be provided if necessary.”

So it goes down the line, with roughly one in three rebel Nobles presenting an argument to remain and being granted leniency. 

Just passed the halfway mark, when the refreshments are brought for the King by a bodyguard that Gwen Summoned, the lineup reaches Earl Millsap, who the other Rebel Nobles are glaring at in disgust. 

“Your Majesty, I was wrong to have considered treason against the throne. My loyalty may have come late, but I hope you can accept it.”

“Earl Millsap, your change of heart was brought to our attention near the beginning of the battle. Our understanding is that your current holdings are that of three adjoined Baronies plus two stores in the Capital?”

“Yes, your Majesty.” Millsap nods solemnly, wondering where the King is going with this. He arrived with the Rebel army and expected to be punished, but he hoped that the King might forgive him. 

Initially, six others were to join him and attack the back lines, but they all turned on him when the time came, killing almost all of his loyal forces, plus his wife before the Seraphim arrived to rescue them. His wife, a swarthy human woman with arms the size of most men’s legs, was resurrected and sits behind him now, but very few of his men are among the survivors. 

“For your part in keeping news of the rebellion from us, the Crown demotes you to Baron, reclaiming two of your three adjoined territories. Arise and rejoin your peers.”

Millsap looks stunned as the King moves on, and Cain oversees those around him as the Baron and his wife get up to join the loyalists, making sure he doesn’t get assassinated where he kneels. 

That was better than Millsap had hoped. They get to keep their home, most of their assets, and even their businesses, just with a reduced title and a mark of shame on their names. Very few of any others will be so lucky. 

After every noble has been judged, the King turns to the ordinary soldiers and officers. “Return to your homes. Your Lords have paid for their rebellion, and the crown grants you leniency. News of changes in the nobility and a transfer of border guards to understaffed areas will arrive very soon.”

The loyalist forces, as well as Cain’s summons, see them out of the city, most leaving in large groups for home, but others are heading for the city’s public transfer circle, which currently isn’t charging the usual fee.

The disgraced Nobles are being tracked, with City Guards assigned by Duke Archibald to follow them to their homes and report back if they have indeed left the country by nightfall. 

When only loyalists are left at the palace, King James turns towards Duke Archibald. “Our friend, it seems We have overworked you. Karrack City Administrator and Defense Minister at the same time is too much responsibility for one man to manage and still take care of his family.

As such, we will lighten your load. The position of Defense Minister shall be split into a Defense Council, which I will name in the morning. Each shall be responsible for a region’s safety, ensuring nothing is overlooked, and our ministers are not so overworked.”

Pretty words, but a severe demotion to Duke Archibald, who takes it with relative grace. He still has oversight of the capital, after all, and that’s the only region that ever mattered to him to begin with.