Richard ignored Theor throughout much of the meeting and remained somewhat uninvolved, but after a while he interrupted the nobles.
"My lords, all this talk about the investigation is interesting, but my time is running short. Parnoth is in Westwatch, and I will have to ride out to meet him as soon as possible. This can end in two ways - me burning down this bridge and leaving you to starve, or me taking my forces and lifting the siege. No matter what happens, Parnoth will be hanged - Charles is going to want his head for that, and I will be pleased to oblige him. However, I do not wish to spill Windlander blood.
If Jitpau is to testimony, he must do it on this bridge within the hour. I have no time to wait for the priesthood to organize a meeting and go through all the bloody procedures... As for the suspects, the time one spent with the king does not affect the likeliness of a poisoning - any man could have paid the cooks or hired so wine salesman, even if that man was half a kingdom away. Besides, Ria was in love with Albert - and I would appreciate if you stopped referring to her as a concubine, lord Edgard - and even though crimes for love are not unheard of, I doubt she would have attempted to kill him. I'd put her on top of the suspect list if, say, the Regent's sister had been poisoned, but she appears to be in perfect health.
Thing is, we don't have time for an investigation right now. Cutting to the chase and starting to discuss terms right away would be more productive. I personally reiterate mine - a council of nobles to take care of the regency instead of one man, with all of us possessing the right to vote, but only me, Renart, Cyril and Dechire to keep a veto right. That way we could ensure that whoever did poison the king will not be alone in power over the realm alone. If you surrender now, then you'll keep land and vassals, but I'll want you to send your troops back to your demesnes, with the double duty of defending them against Parnoth if things go awry on Westwatch and to stop being a constant threat once I start giving the Duc a merry chase. All these demands I am willing to talk over.
The one thing I will not discuss is that the raiders who went through Dechire and Northwatch - and I know perfectly well Stormstead sent them, Edgard, just like I knew of Parnoth's coming before you did - are to be surrendered to my forces, to be sold as slaves. I am well willing to give out pardons to you all, for this affair is clouded with intrigue and I myself am not absolutely sure that the traitor is amongst yours, but dishonorable scum who murder peasants and burn fields will get what they deserve. The nobles who were loyal to you will be expected to pay a compensation for the damages - barely two ducats, I believe, but still."