Is the Law of Our Side?: Part Three

"When valour preys on reason, it eats the sword it fights with."

November 12th

The validity of Contessa Capulet's will was expected to dominate the second day of the trial. Goneril had concluded the first day with a cautious switch of tactics, and she had begun the second convinced that the will was invalid and thus could not be contested or consulted. She believed a favorable resolution would come more quickly if her mother's will was set aside. Afterward, Goneril would be generous enough to return her portion of the profits, that the estate might be divided up legally (which, in her view, would be just as it had been) by the Court. She had no concerns there, not when all that was due Lady Capulet would finally be hers. 

Naturally, the opposing side was against invalidating the will. Though she believed a fair hearing from Lady Iden was possible, Juliette was not so green as to not see how the court's discretion could be bent to serve other considerations. Fitzwilliam expressed all the indignation of a scholar, packed to bursting as he was with information he believed must contradict such an abuse of law. Of course, there would have been no call for indignation if he did not know that facts could be overcome. Facts were the cornerstones of their argument. If facts were overlooked in this trial, Juliette's cause was doomed.

Like Fire and Powder

"By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes."

July 28th

The heat had abated in Verona; the violence had not. The Mob Laws were now being enforced, making public assemblies of more than ten people a crime. The Ducal Guards, now supported by reinforcements from nearby districts, established nightly barricades on the major carriage roads. Drunkenness, insulting gestures, and drawn weapons were now also now criminal offenses worthy of arrest and fines. Further elevation of temporary restrictions was being debated by the Council.

Love Give Me Strength

"Go to your bosom, knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know."

July 13th

On a warm summer night, the Duchess Gardens would usually be brimming with people. This night, it was deserted because of a curfew. Even with the Montagues in mourning and the Capulets celebrating, there were plenty of people ready to slit throats in the capital. After several nights of brawling, the Ducal Guards had ordered everyone to their homes at dusk and were keeping watch nightly at popular assembly spots.