Because of your negligence, 80 souls have been lost, Gilmore! Not counting another 85. You were entrusted with the safety of our city's gates, and you let them down. You let me down. Such a weighty responsibility demands vigilance and action, which you have sorely lacked. You are not only the eldest among your siblings but were once the most trusted. I must know, what has led you to such a disastrous omission? Speak, Gilmore! How do you answer these charges laid at your feet?"
The total is 165 my Lord" Gilmore whispered just loud enough that the king could barely hear him.
My apologies for the oversight, my lord. It is with a heavy heart and profound regret that I find myself in this dire situation, facing the gravity of the consequences brought about by my actions – or, more accurately, the lack thereof. The lives lost weigh heavily upon my conscience, none more so than my own unbearable guilt.
In the line of duty, one must remain ever vigilant, a standard I have upheld throughout my tenure until this tragic misstep. The causes for this lapse are many, yet none can serve as justification for the outcome. I have grappled with personal challenges which may have clouded my judgment and diminished my capacity to execute my responsibilities with the required diligence.
Distractions of a personal nature, a complacency bred from years of uneventful watch, perhaps even an overconfidence in the systems and protocols that hitherto had served us well – these may all have played a role in the oversight that led to such loss.
Furthermore, it must be noted that no defense or fortress is impregnable, and as the eldest among my siblings, the mantle of vigilance has perhaps taken its toll over the years. It is, however, no excuse. A sentinel must adapt and overcome such challenges, not succumb to them.
I have failed you, my sovereign, and the people who entrusted me with their safety – a trust I have not merely breached but shattered. I stand before you and the court fully aware of the enormity of my error, ready to face whatever judgment you deem just.
It is my ardent hope that my past service shall not be wholly forgotten amidst this calamity, but I am prepared to accept that it may be overshadowed by this grievous misdeed. My actions – or inactions – have cost us dearly, and for that, there can be no forgiveness strong enough to absolve the weight of 165 souls.
I lay myself at the mercy of the court and humbly await your decree.