returns from the forest. Stopping to read the missive posted on her guild, her face flushes and she tears the parchment from her door.
She throws open the door and stomps across the room to her desk, dropping her large aromatic bag on the central table as she passes. She sits at her desk heavily, mumbling under her breath, her face twisted in a resentful glare. She pulls a piece of parchment out of her desk and grabs the quill from its holder. She begins to scribble quickly on the parchment. When she finishes, she stops and glances over it. Then she sets it aside and pulls out a second piece of parchment. Again she writes furiously before pausing and rereading her work.
She places the quill back in its place and pulls two tacks from her desk. Picking up both missives she heads out the door. When she exits, she turns and posts one of the declarations beside the Den door and then heads up the hill with the other parchment still in hand.
The missive on the Den wall reads:
"I declare that no Brothers of the Bladed Gavel have authority over this town and any declarations made by them will be expressly ignored by the leaders and members of this guild. Also, anyone who is part of this would-be conquering force or sympathizes with them is not welcome on these premises and their presence will be met with force.
Nevara Dynthera
Mistress of the Healer's Den of Jastrey
Loyal Jastrian since Birth!"
(See the Town Post forum for continuation.)
After returning from posting the second missive, Nevara is following her usual process of treating the herbs she has gathered and turning them into salves and potions. She listens to Thalenir and then responds.
"The futility was the point and I would expect that if they wished to live in civility they would have initiated this discussion civilly. Anyone who strolls into a town already occupied with others and declares themselves in charge is fairly accused of attempting to conquer. Civility would dictate that the members of this town choose who they believe can fill the duties of defending town and enforcing the laws. As far as I have seen they have only put effort into declaring themselves in charge and threatening anyone who opposes them. I suppose if you are part of this group, that might seem like defending town but to those of us who belong to this town it seems far more offensive. Am I missing something or were they here to rid this town of Gnolls? Where were these Brothers, The Ravager and Corvax, when we fought off the undead and demonic servants that assaulted us just weeks ago?
If you want to change an approach you ought to start with these people, you see I am not approaching the issue I am reacting to it.
We are not opposed to a sheriff or reinstating laws, or a council or a magistrate but these positions are earned. They are given by the people of town, not forcibly taken. So if you truly wish for a peaceful resolution, I suggest you have them follow the proper process. Call a town meeting, discuss with everyone what positions are vacant in this town and let everyone decide who is capable of filling them. Otherwise, we will quite aptly continue to see this as a hostile takeover by a foreign force and will react as we always have.
I understand if you agree that we should have a group responsible for keeping order in Jastrey, and if that is what you mean by supporting their intentions, then you are welcome to stay but if you mean that you will assist them in forcing the people of this town into supplication under their control then I must ask you to leave."
Her expression is weary but determined.
Thalenir listens and nods. "I think your response is a valid one. They have acted without due respect to Jastrey's citizens, and should, at the very least, apologize for their brash conduct. As for where they were when the gnolls attacked, I cannot say. In their defense, I wasn't in Jastrey by then, either. I suppose that makes me sympathetic. Concerning the more recent attacks, I like to think they had their own good reasons, but, again, I cannot say."
"You are correct in your understanding. I believe their intentions are noble. I simply think they have gone about this business improperly." He laughs. "I assure you, I have no interest in subjugating anyone. I just want to see a few well-meaning folk have a chance to do some good for this town, rather than be stigmatized as invaders."
"At any rate, it sounds as if we're on the same page. We all have an interest in establishing law and order on our shard." He rises. "I will speak with the Brotherhood, communicate your grievances, and advise them to seek such positions of authority through more appropriate channels. I believe I can get them to agree to a town meeting. If they do, can I get you to attend? I'll spread the word to the Baumgartens, Gecel, Adyslaine, and Firelilly as well." He pauses to consider if he's forgotten anyone. "With luck, we can settle this matter to everyone's satisfaction."
"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."
- Wizard of Oz
She nods.
"I understand that many people are new to the shard. It is the nature of repopulating. My point was more that there are those here who have lived here through those events and fought for this town. You at the very least have managed to accomplish an introduction of yourself to those of us older Jastrians.
I am part of this town and will be present for any town business that I am made aware of."
(Note from Stephen Ward: Nick wrote this post without realizing that Thalenir had already left the Healer's Den. I've removed it at his request to avoid confusion.)
Like a coming storm Gecel thunders into the den. Seeing Thalenir, Gecel calls to his axe,"Come Stormbreaker!"
In a flash the tainted axe is in Gecel's hands from seemingly nowhere. Not looking at Nevara, Gecel stares intently at the empyrean. "Be this one of the usurpers ye spoke of Nev?", Gecel scowels. "Never did trust this one me self, too close to tha urdek fer me like'n." Gecel slurs as he speaks.
For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thalenir walks in holding an empty inkwell. "Adyslaine? It's seems I'm running a bit low on ink. I was wondering if...," he begins, trailing off as he notices Nevara's missive. His mouth moves silently as he reads it to himself, and he closes his eyes for a moment, apparently collecting his thoughts.
"Nevara?" he says as he ventures further back into the Den. "Ah, there you are. I'd like to have a word, if you don't mind. It's about this Brotherhood business."
He pauses a moment and spreads his hands in a gesture of peace. "First and foremost, I'd like you to know that I am impartial, both on a personal level and as the local representative of the Syndicate. I understand your frustration over the bluntness of the Brotherhood's approach, just as much as I respect their intentions. If that makes me unwelcome in your Den, I will leave, but I hope it doesn't mean the two of us can't have peaceful relations."
"Second," he continues, "I would advise a different approach. More than anything, this town needs as many defenders as it can muster. Whatever your differences with the Brotherhood, they have shown a willingness to stand in Jastrey's defense. In the interest of the public good, then, I'd ask that you settle the matter peacefully. If you can agree to that, I think I can convince them to do likewise."
"As far as the law, I think there is a need these men can fill, if we let them. As Jastrey grows, I think we will see a growing need for laws, and for someone to enforce those laws. I agreed to serve as a magistrate under the condition that the laws be decided by a town council rather than dictated by an individual. With the proper oversight, I believe these men can serve the common good. Try not to look at them as conquerors, but, like I do, as able-bodied citizens of Jastrey out to do what they think is right."
"At any rate," he says with a wry grin, "I hope I don't have to impress upon you the futility of declaring that another person's declarations are invalid. I think we're all civilized people here. Civilized enough, at any rate, to resolve this dispute peacefully, rather than letting it devolve into a shouting match. Don't you agree?"
He waits patiently for Nevara's response.
"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain."
- Wizard of Oz