Lord Thomas was led from his cell and into a private room within the Imperial Treasury. The room was cold, and dominated by a large, ornate desk.
Behind it sat the Imperial Treasurer, a bulky-looking man with a cruel smile, and a Senior Imperial Judge.
"So, Lord Thomas," the Treasurer began, his voice dripping with condescension. "Do you have anything to say in your defense? The auditors have found your private vault to be completely empty. A staggering 400,000 royal gold coins are missing. We have more than enough evidence to charge you with treason."
Lord Thomas, now with a newfound strength, met his gaze without a hint of fear. "My defense is quite simple," he said, "The money is not missing. It is in my vault, where it has always been."
The Treasurer's cruel smile wavered. "Are you calling the Imperial auditors liars?"
