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Authors: Galen Beckett
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not criticizing the remainder of the government—gentlemen, I remind you that
we
are the government. And I do not think I should be hauled off to the prisons below Barrowgate for observing how crookedly other lords might wear their wigs or noting how foolishly they bet their money while gambling with dice among the back benches. Rather, I consider insulting my fellow magnates to be a God-granted right, and one that cannot be revoked.”
Laughter erupted around the Hall, along with several calls of
Hear! Hear!
Lord Davarry frowned, perhaps rethinking his eagerness to engage in debate on someone else’s time.
“Besides,” Rafferdy went on as the laughter died down but before Davarry could have a chance to go on the offensive himself, “isn’t this matter already addressed in the Rules of Citizenship?”
Rafferdy gestured toward the sheet of paper posted on the wall behind him, which provided exhaustive direction for the correct behavior of proper citizens of the country. It was the same notice posted in every public shop and tavern and market square in the city. Indeed, so abundant were the printed notices throughout Invarel that people had begun to take them for use as kindling to start fires and to paste upon their walls to stop drafts—two habits which had recently been addressed by Rule Forty-Six:
No one shall make use of these printed Rules for any purpose other than posting in public for the education of the people
.
“I believe the Rules already clearly state that it is prohibited to speak about the Crown in an unfavorable manner,” Rafferdy continued.
“Yes, that’s so,” Davarry replied slowly, as if reluctant to offer any sort of agreement. “Yet as I am sure all present know, the Rules of Citizenship are maintained by the Gray Conclave, under the authority of the Crown itself. And while the Crown may issue rules to clarify the enforcement of the laws of the nation, it cannot enact laws itself. That is a right reserved solely for Assembly under the Great Charter.”
“For which we all thank our forebears for their wisdom,” Rafferdy interjected. “But if the Gray Conclave already has the power to regulate the speaking habits of the public in an effort to enforce our existing laws, then what need have we of new laws? It seems a dreadful waste of paper, which I do not need to tell you is getting scarce and expensive these days.”
Davarry’s expression darkened, and in his narrowed eyes Rafferdy noted the first glimmerings of contempt.
“Yes, the Gray Conclave has the authority to investigate those who bring suspicion upon themselves with their speech,” Davarrysaid, enunciating each word carefully. “And those investigated have sometimes been found to have engaged in treasonous activities, and so are sent to the gallows. But just as often no evidence of a crime is found, and the perpetrator is released. So they are free to roam the city again and speak ill of our nation.”
“But shouldn’t they be released if they haven’t committed a crime?”
“That is precisely the point,” Davarry said. “Speaking out against the Crown in a seditious manner should be considered a crime of High Treason in and of itself, regardless of what other treasonous activities might have been engaged in. Yet only Assembly can make the law to add such a crime to the rolls.”
Rafferdy snapped his fingers. “I see! Very well, then, I propose an amendment to the act in question.”
“An amendment?” Davarry said, clearly surprised. “For what end?”
“For funds enough to pay for a very large quantity of rope.”
Now Davarry’s surprise became a scowl. “That seems exceedingly frivolous. What could a quantity of rope be required for?”
“To fashion all the nooses that will be needed for all the necks here in the Hall of Magnates, of course,” Rafferdy said pleasantly. “For which of us hasn’t at some point spoken ill words about the actions of the Crown—statements which have all been clearly
we
are the government. And I do not think I should be hauled off to the prisons below Barrowgate for observing how crookedly other lords might wear their wigs or noting how foolishly they bet their money while gambling with dice among the back benches. Rather, I consider insulting my fellow magnates to be a God-granted right, and one that cannot be revoked.”
Laughter erupted around the Hall, along with several calls of
Hear! Hear!
Lord Davarry frowned, perhaps rethinking his eagerness to engage in debate on someone else’s time.
“Besides,” Rafferdy went on as the laughter died down but before Davarry could have a chance to go on the offensive himself, “isn’t this matter already addressed in the Rules of Citizenship?”
Rafferdy gestured toward the sheet of paper posted on the wall behind him, which provided exhaustive direction for the correct behavior of proper citizens of the country. It was the same notice posted in every public shop and tavern and market square in the city. Indeed, so abundant were the printed notices throughout Invarel that people had begun to take them for use as kindling to start fires and to paste upon their walls to stop drafts—two habits which had recently been addressed by Rule Forty-Six:
No one shall make use of these printed Rules for any purpose other than posting in public for the education of the people
.
“I believe the Rules already clearly state that it is prohibited to speak about the Crown in an unfavorable manner,” Rafferdy continued.
“Yes, that’s so,” Davarry replied slowly, as if reluctant to offer any sort of agreement. “Yet as I am sure all present know, the Rules of Citizenship are maintained by the Gray Conclave, under the authority of the Crown itself. And while the Crown may issue rules to clarify the enforcement of the laws of the nation, it cannot enact laws itself. That is a right reserved solely for Assembly under the Great Charter.”
“For which we all thank our forebears for their wisdom,” Rafferdy interjected. “But if the Gray Conclave already has the power to regulate the speaking habits of the public in an effort to enforce our existing laws, then what need have we of new laws? It seems a dreadful waste of paper, which I do not need to tell you is getting scarce and expensive these days.”
Davarry’s expression darkened, and in his narrowed eyes Rafferdy noted the first glimmerings of contempt.
“Yes, the Gray Conclave has the authority to investigate those who bring suspicion upon themselves with their speech,” Davarrysaid, enunciating each word carefully. “And those investigated have sometimes been found to have engaged in treasonous activities, and so are sent to the gallows. But just as often no evidence of a crime is found, and the perpetrator is released. So they are free to roam the city again and speak ill of our nation.”
“But shouldn’t they be released if they haven’t committed a crime?”
“That is precisely the point,” Davarry said. “Speaking out against the Crown in a seditious manner should be considered a crime of High Treason in and of itself, regardless of what other treasonous activities might have been engaged in. Yet only Assembly can make the law to add such a crime to the rolls.”
Rafferdy snapped his fingers. “I see! Very well, then, I propose an amendment to the act in question.”
“An amendment?” Davarry said, clearly surprised. “For what end?”
“For funds enough to pay for a very large quantity of rope.”
Now Davarry’s surprise became a scowl. “That seems exceedingly frivolous. What could a quantity of rope be required for?”
“To fashion all the nooses that will be needed for all the necks here in the Hall of Magnates, of course,” Rafferdy said pleasantly. “For which of us hasn’t at some point spoken ill words about the actions of the Crown—statements which have all been clearly
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