Nikiphoros, after listening intently to Tagaris' statement and reading the records a couple of times, stands, and bows to the Basileus.

Basileus, Caesar, Senators...

If I understand correctly, I am to first make a case for myself, after which Tagaris will rebute my statement. Finally, after all this, I will rebute Tagaris' first speech.

I will say first that the Empire has a problem. The problem of law. Law-breakers now fall under a noble category: Senators. We know the story of the Caesar, we know how Caesaria was exterminated, and we now know the Sack of Alexandria. Of the events at the Hippodrome, I will not speak, since it is not useful here.
In any case, there is a problem of law. And to solve that kind of problem temporarily, until a clear-cut solution is found, we must base ourselves on facts. This is what I will do.

Scopia was inherited by Methodios Tagaris from Kosmas Mavrozomis, who was also my sponsor (OOC: the one who adopted Nikiphoros). Tagaris went on, open the House Korakas, gain me as a vassal and to conquer Alexandria. To sack Alexandria.
The legality of such a move was contested. Unfortunately, the Caesar was planning some form of treason, and Tagaris' act was temporarily forgotten. All seemed to be well since he was "repenting", trying to help keep Cairo in order.

But there's an adage, I believe, which goes: "Pardon one offense, and you encourage the commission of many". Well, in this case the Magnaura has forgiven two acts: the Caesar's mishandling of the Order and the extermination of Caesaria. I will not suffer many offenses. The Magnaura must draw the line somewhere, and I wished to draw the line with the Sack of Alexandria.

That apparently was not to be so. Tagaris, realizing I might condemn him, released me of my Oath, and thus threw me out of the House Korakas. I was not going to suffer that. I used subterfuge, I connived, I conned and cheated my former Lord to regain membership in that House. I then used the law of Ilios Korakas to punish Tagaris.

The law of Korakas, written by Tagaris himself says two things pertaining to this case. Firstly, it mentions:
Quote Originally Posted by II.) Membership
D) Members joining the House that are already in control of a province will be asked to release their hold on it to the House. The Captain-General may choose to let them keep the control over the said province. The said province is considered House property for all purposes.
Thus, we can believe that Scopia became property of House Ilios Korakas. Alexandria as well, since Tagaris conquered it sometime after opening the House.
Then:
Quote Originally Posted by VII.) Punishment
4) Expulsion:

It will consist of the subject's lord breaking fealty with him, as well as the subject's vassals breaking fealty with the subject. Anyone who refuses to break fealty with the subject will be expelled as well.
The expelled subject will be asked to leave the House's lands and to give back any land to the House. Refusal to return lands to the House will be considered a declaration of war with the expulsed member considered the declarer. Lands returned will become the automatic property of the expulsed member's lord.
The feudal chain will re-organize itself to take into account the expulsion.
Therefore, if Tagaris were to be condemned to expulsion, the following things would have to happen:
- My Oath of Fealty would be broken,
- Scopia and Alexandria would be returned to the House.

Once back in House Korakas, I used my power to judge Tagaris. I put forth expulsion, with all that measure entails. He accepted that punishment, except for Alexandria. I decided to let him have Alexandria. Thus, another circumvention of the law; I should have ownership of Alexandria, but I do not. I will let that offense slide out of respect. Tagaris is an honorable man, and I respect honor.
However, the fact is that he agreed to being expulsed. He lost the leadership of the House and governorship of Scopia. I then closed the House Korakas, giving Tagaris the possibility to have it back. I had never wished for the responsibility that accompanies the leadership of a House.
At this point, then, Tagaris accepted his expulsion, but kept Alexandria and had the possibility of being leader of House Korakas once more. The things he lost are a Vassal and Scopia.

I tried to start anew, in House Asteri. After I swore Fealty to one of its members, Tagaris comes in and declares:
I accepted my "expulsion" from the House... This doesn't mean that I accepted you breaking your oath... The only way I could accept this would be if you returned Scopia to me, you sneaky thief...

Either that or you will suffer the consequences of your oath-breaking...

Your new oath is void.
From this, he basically asks that the punishment is cancelled. If I agreed, he'd have the House, Scopia and Alexandria. Senators, to be in that situation is not to be punished.


My claim is this: Tagaris was punished by House Korakas. Such punishment included giving his cities to the House and releasing me from my Oath. He asks for Scopia, thus refuses punishment. That is a fact.

Finally, Basileus, Caesar, Senators...
The case of Scopia is much more than that of a town. It is much more than the case of vengeance. It is a case of law, and respect of the law. Without those two, the Empire would be in chaos. Noble and Great Basileus, please remember that.

Thank you all for listening. Let us hope that this debate truly decides the ownership of Scopia."

Nikiphoros bows to the Basileus, sits, and begins to chew his nails, while waiting for Tagaris to answer.