The thirty-first of the twelfth month, 214.
Myrken Wood's Meetinghouse.
Morning.
Dawn came early for the Lord Steward, his home servants, and his loyal town crier companion, Jack Alldale.
All newly elected and appointed Councilors of Myrken Wood are to meet here at the Meetinghouse in Myrkentown come mid-week, the thirty-first of this month, in the morning hours. Lunch will be provided, and lodging will be available at the local inns at no cost to the Councilors if necessary. We have business to discuss, including most notably a vote on an appropriate Governor of Myrken Wood to serve as Council moderator and titular head.
In the morning hours? Why, the Lord Steward puzzled again as he scurried about on waking, did he ever write those particular words? Why not after lunch?
"Well, Aloisius, we all make mistakes!"
His wife and children at home were cared for first, of course, and then his personal servants were all uprooted and carted off to the Meetinghouse, there to begin hastily preparing for the incoming Councilors. Much of the work was already accomplished: chairs were in order, the dining table that had long replaced much of the floor space was pushed to a side wall to be set up for something of a buffet, lamps and candle stands were all set at the ready, and a fire was stoked. Stables near to the Meetinghouse were hastily commandeered for the day. The rest of the town criers were commanded quite sternly to watch for newcomers to town and to direct them to the Meetinghouse if they were there on Council business. The front doors were left open to air the place and to allow some light. All Treadwell had to do, after a bit, was to stand still, breathe, rest, and enjoy a mug of tea.
He did not have to wait long. A steady flow of Councilors, some with their own servant or two, soon began arriving. A seemingly unending murmuring of, "Lord Steward," "Sir," "Yes, sir, a pleasant journey," "So, this is the Meetinghouse!", and "Where shall we seat ourselves?" followed.
Soon, though, most of the Council members were gathered. Most. Not every delegate had arrived or would, which was to be expected, but a number in the upper fifties was certainly a good start.
However, after the yelling of "Eleven o' the morning! All is wayeellllllll!" from outside, Lord Steward Treadwell, comfortably and warmly attired in a black hat, robe, cloak, and boots with his white gloves on his hands and his white sash around his waist, would give a singular rap of his gavel on the lectern and let roll with a rumble once perfected for the stage but largely unused for decades since.
"Welcome, Councilors of Myrken Wood, to the Meetinghouse of the Judiciary Council, mmph! For those of you whom I have not met properly, and for those whom I have, I am Aloisius Treadwell, the King's Lord Steward here, mmph mmph, and Myrken's former Councilor for Revenue and Finance, among many other things."
Nodding heads bobbed up and down in the crowd.
"We meet here today with a small number of points to begin with: recognition of the purpose of the Council, discussion of the division of thought and labor, mmph, the establishment of a regular date and time upon which to meet in the coming year. Most importantly, however, hrm hrm, to begin this meeting properly and to call all to order, I must note that the explicit purpose of my position as Lord Steward is to fashion a functioning council with suitable representatives to best manage the future of Myrken Wood, mmph mmph. First, foremost, and primary among the elements of this concern, as noted by Council by-laws, is the naming of a proper Governor of Myrken Wood, as agreed upon by a simple majority of the Councilors in attendance, mmph."
A moment passed for a sip from the tea mug at his hand, and then the Lord Steward continued.
"The role of the Governor is many faceted: it requires putting meetings like this one together, mmph, facilitating Council discussions, potentially having to veto quarrelsome matters, breaking ties on Council votes if horns happen to lock and none will move on an issue, hm, and being the figurehead who generally receives any share of blame and bother from the populace, hrm hrm, regarding the government! Being Governor requires having a notable amount of Council experience, mmph, and for a gathering of this size, I should hope that the Council prefers having a representative who has dealt with government or judicial groups of like numbers.
"To ease this meeting along, mmph, and to take the burden off the rest of you, I henceforth nominate myself for the position, sirs--yes, and madams, as well, as I see a handful of our dear ladies in the audience, mmph mmph. I held for many years a quite similar role in the coastal city of Westenford, on the coast of the Amasynian Sea, heading a council of twenty-nine members daily for thirty-one years; as well, I have held the post of Governor or Acting Governor here at various points, while mutually overseeing the province's revenue and taxes, since 203. Thus, the public here know me, and they know I can be trusted with their leadership, their finances, and their lands."
Another pause for another sip of tea, a clearing of the throat, and then?
"And one final note, honored Councilors!"
A wave up of left arm, setting sleeve billowing, drew attention back to the lectern for the few whose minds had already wandered.
"Let me note quite openly for the lot here. A great many people of the Wood and outside the Wood, mmph, consider the position of Governor quite cursed."
Arm came down, resting softly atop Treadwell's stomach.
"The role of Governor has passed through twelve changes in nearly as many years. Myrken Wood, mmph, needs a Council that can lead without fear of dissolution or impropriety! We, gentlemen and ladies, are that stability for the Wood, mmph, but one of us must take the lead in name if the Council is to act properly, mmph mmph. Therefore," a twirl of white glove and a nod of head, "I repeat that I set myself forth as fitting candidate for the Governorship. Now. . . ."
A gentle tump of gavel to lectern.
"I hereby open this matter to discussion, hopefully brief, and a vote."