Fires of Renewal

[Tyralor]

The dry heat and lack of rain made one thing about the pyres a trace difficult to control. The amount of heat that was being generated was quite likely to elicit some flames beyond the perimeter that the Lieutenant had created. Wheelbarrows of sand had been drawn out in a large circle in the morning, a precautionary measure, along with the few barrels of rainwater and buckets. Better prepared, than the cause of an entire section of the town to be burnt to the ground.

Even as it stood, there would be memories held here for quite some time. The brush had been razed by this point in time, Crackling with flames of their own as the heat had ignited them. The line was holding, but the men were soot covered and thirsty, towards the close of the day. Another task, would be to see to their contement.

For now though, it was the miraculous dance of the flames, as they chewed upon the flesh of the dead that entertained Joshua Kilborn's eyes. There was a hope that shimmered back to him. Hope that the problems could be burnt away. Turned to ashes, perhaps by summer's end. A speedier resolution was hoped for, but he wasn't foolish enough to believe that anything would be done with great haste. A timetable of events, was simply too much to ask for truly. So he waited and reacted. There was precious little else he could do. There was no knowledge, as to how to control the weather. Temper the anger of the populace.

Duvall had been missing for the better portion of a week now. Not, missing precisely, but simply not obtainable. A conference with his better half was much sought. Particularly after the events of the previous evening. The arrest of Gad Phuri had certainly not been kept mum amongst the guards. That Kilborn knew why the man was arrested, was perhaps something of a surprise. There was of course, the upcoming resignation of Captain Kanashia as well. That at the very least, had brought some relief to him. the man had been anything but unbiased in his opinion

The other news that he had been capable of getting his hands upon didn't exactly settle his stomach though. Soot covered figners brushed over his features, streaking the daknress gathered there as well. He needed a bath, badly. There was an election upcoming. That was the good news that he still clung to. If only, if only he would be capable of ensuring that the man completely unfit for the job, in his opinion, was not voted to replace the imposter imprisoned below. A mere ten days. Where are you Duvall? The concept of the Corporal taking charge was simply ludicrous. He'd have to refresh himself on company policy perhaps, but if a mere corporal could advance to Captain on the whim of another, what, exactly, was the purpose of rank in the first place?

The ashes of their deceased would be littered amongst them soon enough. The churning smoke was definitely blowing towards town, despite his hopes otherwise. Perhaps, within the ashes of the dead, a renewal of hope for all, could be found.

Lieutenant Kilborn straightened up slowly, and glanced in the direction of the headquarters. Two days he'dbeen given. Perhaps then, things could improve further. Already a call back for the guards on border patrol had been issued, unbeknownst to Kanashia or the new Captain. Rooms were being prepared for them, and for the others. It was going to get crowded in Myrken Wood Headquarters soon. A hand clutched to his chest for a few moments, as he sincerely hoped it would be enough. Too many were dead already. Could even the numbers he'd arrange, successfully defend the town against itself?

[Tyralor]

He'd gone and done something. Of that there could be little doubt.

Captain Kanashia had been fairly certain there were less than two hundred and fifty members of the Order in total, left patrolling the region known as Myrken Wood. A force about the size of what Captain Taliaferro had originally left the region with. More than sufficient under ordinary circumstances.

Today however, that numbered had swelled. Extra barracks had been termporarily created, and there were, by casual count, close to four hundred men storming in and around the barracks.

The cloak of the Order of Straka was definitely figuring more prominently than one might have anticipated. A large gathering of force present in the graveyard district, setting the stones and graves aright. Cleaning up the despicable mess that had been left behind. Another smaller gathering dealing with the charred region that yesterday, had sent smoke rolling about.

The frustration would occur,without question, when Captain Daniels attempted to discern exactly what it was that was taking place. The response he received, from the majority of the men who seemed to know anything was simply. "Sorry. I report directly to Lieutenant Kilborn."

There was one small consolation for Daniels, even while control of the guards didn't seem to be swinging in his favour, and few seemed capable of tracking down the temporarily elusive individual. Lieutenant Kilborn remained Lieutenant Kilbiorn. However he had managed to bolster the numbers of the guard. However he'd managed to go behind people's back and continue his work, he at least, was not using it for a coup d'etat as it were. There were no rumours mingling about concerning a Captain Kilborn. Simply Lieutenant.

One who was doing his job to ensure the protection of the townsfolk as best as circumstances allowed.

[Tyralor]

There was nothing particularly public about this order. It'd been a slow build over various occassions, before it had actually been issued as actual protocol.

There'd been a number of occassions, when Alexi Rose had organized protests, and stormed meetings designed to elicit events. There had been a riot that had nearly claimed the life of two officials and their various companions.

There was a time, when enough was enough. The meeting was relatively private, and held within the headquarters. The Captain, was not in attendance on this particular occassion. That wasn't much of a surprise, though in a remarkable about turn in his usual policies, there had been a written notice about the meeting available for the man.

Unfortunately, the flood had probably made it illegable before he'd actually had opportunity to read it. Nonetheless, he would be made aware, through dutiful note taking, and submission to his office, exactly what events had transpired this early morning.

"I'm glad that the bulk of you could make it, especially after the unusual occurances of yesterday."

"First and foremost, if the Captain hasn't already made it public, there's another creature out there that is considered dangerous and to be reported to the Captain and his squad immediately upon sighting. It's basically a large, black creature that looks almost to be skeletal in nature. Not quite, but close. It has large wings and a tendency of perching on rooftops. Inform the patrolmen, not to engage with the beast personally, but to call for reinforcements and seek out the Captain."

A momentary pause as he allowed the various staff sergeants and constables grab an understanding of that.

"Secondly, I think that we have our work cut out for us. We have an election coming up in the near future. Our former Captain is running for Governor, after the discovery of the imposter Treadwell. That's going to make our job that much more difficult I would wager, but somehow we'll manage. Remember, we aren't the politicians little toys to move around to their whim."

The sentiment he portrayed was relatively clear there. There'd be a few rumours that'd be slipping through town perhaps, of distrust of Alexander Kanashia. Perhaps it'd be sufficient to sabotage the man's political career, perhaps not.

"What this means, is from now on, there will be no more assigning of bodyguards from the staff here. The Councillors and Mr. Phuri, Treadwell, are all well equipped to hire their own protection, if they feel it is necessary. Our duty, as set down in our charter, is to protect the borders and common folk of the township and region. And maintain law and order over the territory. If Treadwell, or who you know as Gad Phuri, protests this, have him arrested and put in the stocks for a day. Cited for public disturbance."

"Additional work during the election will be handled by the Captain himself."

There was a brief pause for the Lieutenant to sip upon some water at this particular point. There were a few lackluster features out there, and to a degree, he knew he had lost some of his unbiasedness towards the Council of Myrken Wood. It was almost impossible not to, all told. He did however, have the satisfaction of knowing the feeling was mutual. On the other hand, he knew why he didn't like the politicians. He had precious little clue, as to what Councillor Guillaume's problem was. Only that the Councillor apparently had one with both him and Duvall. However, not being a politician's puppet, it really wasn't his concern.

"Finally, the last thing that I want to instruct everyone in, is the unseemingly numerous mobs we have been seeing lately. Frankly, I am tired of it. They're chasing down the councillors, and even by accounts going so far as to interrupt private meetings."

"A special force of guards has been selected and prepared to handle any further instances akin to the ones we've faced recently. Unruly mobs will be met with wooden practice swords, and men undergoing special training in crowd dispersal techniques. Ordinary patrols are to alert one of the Corporals in charge of them immediately upon the sighting of any gathering of ten or more individuals. I don't care if they're nobles or not."

" The Council is a duly elected gathering of officials, and if we want to see any results from them, then we have to give them opportunity to meet in peace, and to determine the best course of the town, particularly in these trying times."

There had been a selection of a few guardsmen, above and beyond the others, to keep an eye on the meeting house proper. He didn't really expect to be informed of any meetings held there. He hadn't been yet. So he had to resort to the only option available.

"Any private meeting, will see this special force on duty. Any public meeting the same. Our duty is to protect the townsfolk, even if that includes from themselves. The councillors need to work, and they need to have opportunity to govern, without various underworked, overpaid mobs breathing down their throats."

"Anyone attempting to instigate a mob, or leading a mob, will spend three days in the stocks."

A pause for the water once again, before he coughed and then decided to summerize.

"To repeat, anyone seeing a flying skeletal creature. Report that to the Captain immediately. Secondly, no more approvals for body guard duty. Everyone needs protection, and we don't have enough men to assign twelve people to every body in Myrken Wood. Thirdly, we let the council do its work, and ensure their security and privacy during their private meetings. Fourthly, mobs will not be tolerated.

A few muttered queries and remarks were passed back and forth between the Lieutenant and others gathered, before the gathering began to file out. And Lieutenant Kilborn went to write a notice to the Captain, and the Councillors. Right after a small sip of scotch anyways.