After the Wedding

After a brief honeymoon, Solace is installed in the castle in Lucas' new quarters -- a larger suite, with rooms for him, for her, and for the baby. Lady Vesper comes to visit more often than anyone, including Solace, would like. She hints that it might be a good idea for her to stay at the Castle for a while once the baby is born. Solace mentions this to her husband, commenting that she thinks this isn't a very good idea ...

Can Lucas arrange very posh and extravagent quarters for Vesper outside of the castle? Perhaps a tour through Shadow? In short, Lucas will do what it takes, short of murder, to keep this woman from moving.

Lord Vesper already has very posh, very extravagant quarters in the city. Lady Vesper doesn't want to leave her little girl as she gets near her time.

You may have to call in help on this one, Lucas ...

Vere may be one of the few Royals who is always unfailingly polite to Lady Vesper. He always listens to her opinions and complaints with an interested expression, nods at all the right places, and makes soothing and concerned noises. Whenever she actually asks him for anything he always apologizes over the fact that he isn't able to assist her.

After the wedding, it's time for everyone to get back to work, except for Lucas, who gets a week off to make time with his new wife.

Solange and Martin (in Lucas' stead) all head out to Garnath to pick up on the border dispute, now about six weeks old, with Venesch in tow. When they arrive, they find that the settlement has burned to the ground. Everyone was able to get out of the remaining homesteads in time, although a few people inhaled too much smoke.

Interestingly enough, even though the homesteads burned, the nearby forest did not catch on fire.

[When Lucas is back from his honeymoon, he will be sent out to join Solange, and Martin will get to come back to the city. Paige may travel out with Lucas if her duties permit.]

This is NOT good. Solange will ask Brita if she's heard any rumblings from the Rangers about action against the settlers, and now, besides the original investigation, we have to investigate whether the settlement fire was accident or arson. Aaaargh.

Brita has not heard anything specific about this. She does ask Solange if she has heard of Robin and if she knows where he [yes, I know Robin is female, but Brita doesn't] might be now?

"The last time I heard anyone mention Robin, the Rangers seemed kind of annoyed that I wasn't him," Solange says. "They seem to feel that this Robin, whoever that is, has more right to lead them in Prince Julian's absence than anyone else. More than that, I don't know."

What does Solange want to do about the investigation during the first week? Martin's going to let her take the lead on this one until Lucas, who is more familiar with the situation, gets back.

Solange says to Martin, "At this point, I am fed up with the damn investigation. I am ready to act like an Annoyed Mom, and say 'The Rangers have to help rebuild the settlement -- within its legally specified borders, mind you -- since they didn't get there in time to fight the fire, and the settlers have to re-plant the areas they cleared, and from now on the Rangers should wear badges so new settlers know who they are, and everybody PLAY NICE or next time I will start knocking heads together.' Do you think I could get away with it?"

Martin says, "If it were politically viable, I'd just do some head-knocking without bothering with the lecture. Not until afterwards, anyway."

What do Lucas and Solange do once Lucas is back?

Lucas will evaluate the situation when he shows up and work from there. Otherwise it's business as usual.

Is Paige joining them to investigate? What does she suggest?

Yes, Paige will. She wants to get angry at the Rangers, but will leave that to those who know them better. She thinks they should've been there to help the settlers with the fire. Apparently they were able to protect the forest.

Do you all set up an inquest for Venesch to ask the locals about causes of death? Do you ask the Rangers for the same?

[Lucas]
Sure.

[Solange]
Yes and yes. Also, I want to know if any of the long term residents were burned out, or whether it was just the new settlers.

Paige would be interested in one, yes. Even if everybody gets slapped on the hands, the Rangers for the fire, the settlers for the incursion, there's deaths to deal with.

Brita would like to ask the Rangers what happened. She is concerned that there may not be enough patrols through the area to protect everyone adequately.

Solange encourages this.

Brita would also ask Solange (in private, away from any other Rangers) whether Solange thought that probability could be manipulated to find Robin? Would we have to know who he is?

"I think we would," Solange says. "Have you gotten any better sense than I have who this Robin is?"

Brita would have talked to the Rangers about Robin. Does anyone know where he went? Is he reachable? That sort of thing. She probably would ask this of the Rangers who mentioned that there were some "cowboys" in the group....

Brita asks her friend Needle, a Ranger of middling seniority. Needle helped Solange when she took over as liaison to the Rangers, and now he works closely with Brita.

"Where did you hear about Robin?" Needle asks. "Never mind. I don't want to know. Listen, don't go talking about Robin to anyone, especially not around here. We're all pretty sure Robin is dead now, and it will just upset people to talk about it."

Folly's friend Ever comes to Reid with news on the warehouse front. He's found a warehouse guard who can tell Reid about a theft from a warehouse that went unreported. Ever doesn't think you can get the man to testify in court, but he's willing to talk to Reid privately. Is Reid interested?

"But of course! I'd like to hear every detail available on the matter, regardless of context."

Stoat is a nervous little fellow who works as a guard in a warehouse rented to Master Carver, a trader. The owner, Mark, was a jewel merchant before the Sundering, but he hasn't been able to do much trade in jewels since that time. He rents the warehouse to Master Carver, who has been a factor and later an accompanying merchant in the post-Sundering food trade.

Stoat tells Reid that he has been paid to take the night off several times in the last six months, and when he's returned, he's noticed that the warehouse has less food in it. He would just think the food had been removed during the day if it weren't for the fact that Master Carver, a notorious skinflint, had paid him for the nights off. It's just a little suspicious, and Stoat is now afraid that he'll be killed to shut him up.

"Calm down and continue working as usual. I'll be playing flute in these bars on these nights." Reid hands him a list. "If you get a paid night off again, come see me and I'll buy you a drink."

Reid also has Ever check in on Stoat regularly, to make sure he hasn't gone missing or worse.

At the next council meeting, Reid reveals that food may be the item being stolen... a bad portent in current times.

Paige confirms that she's heard rumors in the same vein, but was hoping they were untrue.

[Also, regarding info from Paige]
Reid will want to meet Lord Laurel, Lord Jewel and Old Man Bliss, individually if possible.

Does he approach them directly, or ask Paige for an introduction?

Paige is willing to arrange such meetings.

She's arranged interviews with the PCC for Reid. In order for them to a bit more subtle, all those men sit on the membership committee of the Prince's Retreat. She's arranged a meeting and is planning on introducing Reid there. Once he's introduced himself, there are numerous places for him to speak with them, her former rooms if need be.

Michelle will have to do the honors if Paige is still stuck in Garnath, as she may well be.

During a nightly meeting of the Council Vere will present the results of his investigation into the unlit ships that have been seen at night. He has reports, of course, for anyone who'd like to look them over.

"It appears, Cousins, that the situation involves a religious group who call themselves the Paresh. From what I have been able to put together, they are mystics who reject both magic and technology. They do not appear threatening, and while their doctrines are not well documented their religious beliefs seem to indicate that they expect that the end of the world is approaching, and they are seeking to flee this sinful city and establish themselves in a private homeland somewhere up or down the coast.

They have not been a problem for Amber before now, they live in a single quiet enclave in the city and keep to themselves. The only major situation involving them occurred about 200 years ago, when King Oberon put down a splinter group for refusal to pay religious taxes.

The boats they are using are unimportant to the overall fleet, there are no more than 150 total members of this religion, and their move will not be a loss to the city. I am of the opinion that we should allow them to continue their plans to leave the city, and that if it makes them feel more secure to think they are being stealthy and hiding their plans from us then I see no reason to disabuse them of their belief in our ignorance.

It is of course possible that they are not the only ships out there, so some further quiet investigation of the sort that Ossian has planned is in order, but I would suggest mere observation rather than direct confrontation at this point. If Cousin Ossian would not mind, I thought that perhaps the two of us might take the Psyche out at night a few times to see what might be seen."

[OOC: Ossian has been already been out for a few nights, I guess. Without Vere's knowledge, probably] Ossian smiles:"That will be a pleasure."

"I can add that this could fit with the rumors down at the docks. There are nightly activities with small vessels transporting things the Garnath way."

Vere will suggest to the Council that he and Ossian put out to sea in the Psyche for several nights during the next dark of the moon, and watch for these ships. We will then follow them to find out where they are going, and report back. Vere is completely confidant that he is a far better sailor than these people, and will be able to spot them and follow them without being spotted himself.

Jerod is curious as to where this group of religious individuals are planning to set up shop and what they plan on doing in this little enclave they intend to set up if the world is coming to an end. While he's not figuring to go looking for trouble, he's got some concerns when groups espousing the end-of-the-world decide to wander off on their own. Especially when said "end-of-the-world" doesn't materialize (the groups can get a bit touchy and dangerous after that).

Mostly, he's concerned whether this might not be a cover for some other operation...whether there is a risk from illegal settlement in another area and possible confrontation with legitimate crown interests or the local populace. He's also not too sure that he likes a group sneaking around so steathily. If all they want to do is leave, why are they being so secretive? Unless there's some regulation preventing them from leaving, it makes him wonder what's up. It may be something of a cliche, but usually the only people who sneak around are people with something to hide. Sometimes that's not the case and said people are just scared or nervous, but more often than not that's not the case. Does Vere have any information in that vein?

"I fear not, Cousin," says Vere. "Hard facts on them are difficult to come by, and I did not think it prudent to approach them and demand to know their plans before discussing the situation with the rest of you. My reading of their religion is that they are basing their beliefs on legends or psychic flashes that deal with the Shadow War and the Sundering, and misinterpreting the situation according to these beliefs. I suspect that they are 'sneaking around' because they fear that we would try to prevent them from leaving, simply because the fact that we do not share their beliefs automatically makes us less than truly human, and such people can be expected to act against the good of 'the faithful.' More investigation is called for, but I have done all that can be done without approaching them directly, and I wished to apprise the Council of my findings before embarking upon such a course of action."

"Hmmm...well, now that the smuggling of food has been mentioned, it puts some of their activities into a different perspective." Jerod says. "Especially if they're involved in that."

Ossian tilts his head slightly: "So what are our philosophy regarding food? Does everyone have the right to food, including those fanatics, or do _we_ have the right to food?" His tone indicates that he does not care very much which.

"I'm not really too concerned about our philosophy of food." Jerod says. "Though I'm not one for letting people starve. In this situation, food has become an instrument of power. Supply and demand...and we're not in control of the supply. That means someone else is...and that's dangerous."

Vere ponders for a moment, then replies, "It is an interesting question. I believe that merely by having emphasized our right to oversee food distribution and interfere in the economics of the city for the common welfare we have implicitly stated that we also have the right to seize food supplies if we so choose, and compensation relies upon our good will, and, not to put too fine a point upon it, our whim. The Crown is absolute in Amber in theory, even if in practice there are certainly commonly observed limits. As a matter of policy, if it turns out that the Paresh are responsible for the food thefts, which is not yet established I might add, then our response should be based on what we think is the best result for Amber, not on a mere technicality of law or even an abstract theory of Justice. If we are better off with the Paresh out of the city, and the food loss is insignificant, then we should ignore it and speed them on their way. If we are concerned about them as a future threat, and if the food that is being stolen will result in hardship for others, then we should come down hard and fast upon them, up to and including exterminating them if the threat is that severe."

Vere looks slightly unhappy. "I do not think that they are that severe a threat based on current information, and I would rather not have to react with such severity, but we must be prepared for the eventuality."

Does anyone mention this food stealing business to Gerard?

Didn't realize he wouldn't be at council meetings, seeing how I figured we were his councillors. If he hasn't heard, Reid would tell him his progress on the case.

Gerard attends Council meetings on an irregular basis; the Council formally presents recommendations to him, but Gerard doesn't feel obligated to listen to y'all argue about every petty issue.

That would sound very selfish, but Reid, like some of his other sensitive cousins, can tell that Gerard is often in pain from his shattered legs, and sometimes has difficulty concentrating on state business. Reid would certainly be aware that it's hard to dose Oberon's sons with drugs, even helpful ones like painkillers, and thus he doubts that Gerard indulges in them.

Food smuggling is certainly enough to merit Gerard's full attention. He wants Vere to arrange for a warehouse census of food, aided by Ossian and Cambina. The merchants and warehouse owners will all be upset, and Jerod will have to smooth their ruffled feathers.

Ossian sighs, but does his part of the job. Hopefully he will be out there, and take some of the confrontations, rather than doing the paper work (OTOH I guess Cambina is quite happy with the paper work?). Ossian's attitude towards warehouse owners is hurried and businesslike, and he accepts no messing about.

Vere will do so immediately, and he is more concerned about getting an immediate and accurate census, before anyone can realize what is happening and move food or otherwise hide the facts, than he is about possible upset. All warehouses in the city will be included, those owned by nobles and merchant houses included. Anyone who complains will be directed to submit a written objection to the Council, and if they attempt to prevent a census they will be given one warning. If the impediment continues they will be arrested forthwith.

To support Vere's warehouse census, Jerod would recommend that the nobles all be brought simultaneously to a meeting, under somewhat false pretenses, to advise them of the census - where Jerod can proceed to smooth the feathers, and where the nobles can be kept together for a period of time and unable to communicate with subordinates who might attempt to hide the facts.

Gerard thinks this is a fine idea and you all implement it within the next couple of days, which is as quickly as you can reasonably call the meeting without arousing suspicions. Half the council may be off in Garnath, but we don't have time to wait for their input.

Reid will continue his investigation and correlate the results of the food census with what he has learned between his interviews with Stoat, Laurel, Jewel, and Bliss and any other information he has. Folly will assist either Reid or Vere, or keep the docksiders quiet, as needed.

If food is being hoarded or smuggled out of Amber, Gerard wants to know who's doing it and how, and if we have to make a bunch of apocalyptic fools unhappy, so be it.

Lucas was checking on any info he might have heard. Reid will check in and see if anything's come of that.

Reid brings [the incident] up one evening at the Diogenes Club to see if Jerod has come across any further info and he'll coordinate with Ossian about the smuggling leads on the waterfront itself. Reid's primary concern will be the warehouse thefts, but if the nature of what's being stolen is coming from the waterfront, he'll try to decide how much of Ossian's information is useful to his own case.

Ossian sighs: "The waterfront is only rumors. Smuggling, small ships here and there in the dark, but nothing specific. Someone out there seems to be from Garnath. That is all I have learned."

A half-dozen warehouses are found to be significantly short of food by Ossian and his subordinates, including Master Carver's warehouse and a warehouse owned by Lord Laurel and Old Man Bliss. There are political followers of all stripes involved, so all of you who are involved in politics are a little nervous.

Is this reported to the Council (given the mention of "all of you who are involved in politics")? If so, and I'm assuming so, Jerod arranges with Venesch to have a small group of handpicked men ready watching the nobles while they're in the castle as guests. He doesn't want any of them bolting. Jerod advises Gerard and the others of this surveillance.

Ossian will indeed inform the council.

When Reid interviews the warehouse owners involved, they all claim accounting errors, staff pilfering, and the like. Except Bliss, who is scared shitless and wants to throw himself on the Regent's mercy. What does Reid do? Let him talk to Gerard, let him talk to someone on the Council, or handle it himself?

Reid takes on the role of stern professor. "Bliss, this is a very egregious thing that has transpired. The trade routes are thin, the people are hungry, the merchants are all hurting equally. Why don't you tell me what you know about the situation and everyone who was involved. I want names. I want places. And I want dates. I know you have this information, and if you come clean, then I'm sure my good uncle Gerard will be just with you. On the other hand, if this gets drawn out, and Oberon returns, I can make no such promises to either your own well being, or your status in this land. Do you understand me? Let's handle this now."

Reid is prepared to write down anything Bliss has to say.

Vere and Ossian encounter no secret boats, smugglers or religious, the two nights before the warehouse census. Do they continue to go out after the census?

Vere enjoys the chance to get out on the ocean in any case, so unless something happens to change the situation he'd like to continue for at least another week.

And Ossian enjoys the darkness. So he gladly continues too.

[Ossian]
"By the way, Reid, how is your portrait of Solace shaping up? May I have a look?"

"Certainly!" (chuck dashes home to find the FTP login info...)

"I did it as a watercolour. Overall, I'm fairly happy with it, though I don't know that I got the eyes quite right. They could have been more blue..."

"I like that one. Simple, yet revealing. She did not like sitting for the portrait, did she?", Ossian grins.

Paige offers a wry smile when she has an opportunity. "I see the idea of being married for the next several hundred years to Lucas was heavy on her mind when she sat for the portait, Cousin."

"It looks like Lady Vesper must have been nearby, to me." Brita says, admiring the detail in the portrait.

"Well? Hmm." Reid begins, giving the matter some thought. "I suppose I could have made a glamour portrait for her posterity. I didn't think about that, because that's not normally the type of thing I paint. As it is, I just painted her as I saw her. I hope the tone of the piece doesn't offend too much."

Jerod stops to look over the portrait for a short bit and nods. "It looks nice." he says to Reid. "I'll keep you in mind if I want something done." and then he heads off again on whatever task he has his mind on.

"Don't take me wrong, Reid. I love it. I have a hell of a time with watercolors, but really, you've captured Solace. It's wonderful." Paige smiles and lays her hand on his. "You have wonderful hands. I'd love to sketch them sometime."

Not having heard anything from those who's names we fear to speak for they are the hive-mind...:)...I'm assuming that Jerod has not come across anything and unfortunately doesn't provide anything to further Reid's investigation. Should that situation change, Jerod will make sure to get ahold of him.

Gerard wants a decision from Jerod on who should help him lay the next Shadowpath and a planned timetable for doing it within the next two weeks.

Since there has been no objection to Folly's suggestion that she speak to the Golden Circle ambassadors, Gerard delegates her to do so. He also wants her to get ready for her spud-hunting expedition.

As long as Solange is tied up with the border dispute, she cannot accompany Folly. Ditto for Paige, who is on call, and ditto for laying Shadowpaths. Something has to give, and Gerard hopes it's the border dispute.

So does Solange!

"Well, then, let's see...." Folly counts off on her fingers. "Lucas is also working on the border dispute, and anyhow I don't think spud-hunting is sexy enough to talk him into. Reid, bless his heart, just got here -- I'm not gonna' drag him off into Shadow again. I think if Solange keeps being tied up here, I should take Martin or Ossian, whoever ends up not laying Shadowpaths. You both speak potato, right?" she asks the two of them with a grin.

"I don't know if I can find a raw potato, but I'm sure I can find Shadow's Greatest French Fry, and that ought to count for something," Martin says with a grin.

"Of course, with the way the border dispute is shaping up, I don't know that Gerard is going to let anyone go off for six or eight months to lay a path."

Vere is still looking into the matter of the possible smugglers, and may want to report his findings to the Council once he has run his investigation as far as it will go.

Paige, having completed her investigation of the Widow Fisher case, rules as previously mentioned: the widow owns the fishing vessel and her husband owes her for the waste of it. (The vessel itself comes under the charge of Ossian and Vere, who arrange to have it repaired).

All the male cousins hear a lot of bitching from their fellows at the club. Ossian and Reid hear mixed reactions from the ladies they are giving lessons to. Some are excited by the prospect of being independent, like Lady Folly or Lady Solange. Others are frightened and depressed by the prospect of having to manage their own money.

[Solange]
They can do the same as their husbands or fathers always did -- hire a "man of business" or solicitor...

Lucas, Paige, Solange and Venesch all report the following information after two weeks of the inquest.

- The evening confrontation that resulted in the deaths of the Ranger and the settlers was the culmination of a series of such confrontations in which the Rangers told the settlers to get out of Arden and the settlers told them that the cleared land was no longer part of Arden, if it ever was.

Lovely. Paige is sure that it's just going to escalate.

Solange, in private, has probably found a nice WALL to pound her head against.

also...

- Four settlers were killed, all men. The youngest was a thirteen-year-old boy. Cause of death for two of them, including the boy, was short-range bow-shot. The third was killed by a more distant bow-shot. The fourth was killed by an axe blow. It is the third death that troubles Venesch, because the distance he deduces from the reports of the wound suggest that the man could not have been a danger to the Rangers, and the wound was in the side of the body, not the front as with the other three.

Paige suggests that the man have been shot at range by supporting fire while being a "danger" to another Ranger.

Solange disagrees. The Rangers have a duty to protect the landholders as well as to protect Arden, and the evidence suggests "excessive force." Time to subpoena the actual patrol & find out who shot the settler at range.

- One Ranger was killed. While no one will admit to knowing how this happened, the evidence is clear that the Ranger was shot in the back. Both the rather sullen Ranger witnesses and the local witnesses agree about the wound that probably caused his death.

If we look into it longer, which Paige doesn't neccessarily want to do, this is where she wishes to focus.

"No one will admit to knowing how this happened?" Does Amber have a concept of "contempt of court" here? Solange is severely fed up with this and would like to dangle people out windows by their ankles until they are willing to talk, but realizes that this does not promote the rule of law, which is REALLY her goal, even if she would much rather be out seeking the Perfect French Fry.

- The inquest can talk to the Ranger witnesses, but they are the men who came for the body. All those who were actually there are currently on patrol elsewhere in Arden, which is Rangerspeak for "I can't get hold of them".

Paige suggests to Solange and the others that if neccessary they can go looking for them, or get a writ from the Regent commanding them to appear before the inquest. She also suggests that in due course of the investigation it's probable that several of them will have to turn up...

"You work on the probability, I'll get the writs. If they don't show up IMMEDIATELY, then we go find them and try them for obstructing Crown justice. In fact, I think we ought to fine them for that out of hand, once they DO show up."

- While no settlers were killed in the recent burning of part of Wind Grove village, it was mostly new settlers' homes that were burned. Some homes that were burned were not illegal encroachments. The pattern of the burning is suggestive of controlled burn or arson, although nothing can be proven.

Paige feels that the Rangers had a duty to the populace there and should be held accountable for their handling of the matter.

Solange agrees. (See below.)

The Rangers demand justice for the murder of their man.

[Solange]
Then they had damned well better show up to Aid Us In Our Enquiries. As Paige says, we can't hang a whole village just to please them.

The settlers demand justice for the murder of several of their number and the burning of their homes.

For the Rangers, as none can give proof as to who committed said crime, there's no one to administer punishment (what the Rangers are calling justice) upon. If they can provide better witnesses, perhaps, but otherwise the law will most likely side with the settlers. We can't prosecute a whole village for one Ranger's death. Paige is trying to put the burden of proof upon the Rangers.

The settlers? Well, first things first, perhaps we can get some of Folly's Army out here to help get these people some shelter and rebuild their lives. Paige wishes to watch for opportunities to further forward the property initiative, but is not forceful with it, considering carefully.

The Crown will indemnify the settlers for their loss of property. The Rangers who ought to have been patrolling the area and didn't manage to save the houses (a duty roster will tell us who) are assigned to help the settlers with construction, within the proper deeded boundaries. They are on half pay until the amount they would have received equals the amount the Crown had to pay out to the settlers.

Lucas' friends in Garnath are very uneasy about the entire situation. They tell him privately that some of the other border settlements -- never named, of course -- are starting to arm against future Ranger incursions. This is highly illegal, but the settlers feel it is necessary to protect themselves. Other settlers have also had Ranger visitors, inspecting how close to the Arden border they are.

[Solange]
Please clarify the "highly illegal" aspect. Yes, I understand the definition the GMs appear to be using for "armigerous," and the settlers are not of that class -- but I thought that applied to bearing arms within the City? Are freeholders permitted any sort of arms when on their own land?

[GMs]
They're not permitted swords unless they have a right to bear them.

[Solange]
For that matter, does Amber have a corresponding law to the medieval English one requiring ALL men to practice weekly with the longbow?

[GMs]
Nope.

[Solange]
Also, are we talking swords and maces with which they are arming themselves, or are we talking more gray-area items like billhooks, which make impressive pikes but which can be argued are merely brush-clearing implements? (Or, just to stop being Eurocentric for a split second here, I could mention the Okinawan _sai_ ...)

Please clarify the situation before I decide what to do about uppity settlers.

They're carrying billhooks and scythes out of season and the like. They are implements that you'd hesitate to confiscate because of their utility, but they are not being carried for their appropriate use in farming, land clearing, etc.

Paige has a bunch of notes from Loring with her. The precedents on land law are not particularly clear. All of the settlers are in freehold from the Crown, so the Crown has a duty to protect them. However, the Rangers are also Crown officers, even if they don't wear livery and badges.

Based on the other post on this topic and the idea that they are the majority of armed forces Amber currently has, Paige feels the Regent should organize them as such, enforcing the wearing of badges and reminding them of their loyalty to the crown.

Solange agrees. Up until now, she has been the one paying them out of her "personal funds" with the understanding that she will present a bill to Prince Julian when he returns. Given the historical precedent, this cannot continue. Despite the disappearance of the Black Road, Amber can still be considered to be in a state of war, as we still have troops out in the field and we have not received any sort of formal surrender from the enemy. Therefore, the Rangers ought to be considered Crown troops and wear the Crown badge until further notice.

[Paige]
It would also do to put someone they seem to trust in formal command, perhaps, not just a liason. Brita seems up to this and as a relative newcomer, can step into that role better than someone who's been here for a while. Someone has to rein in the Rangers, let it be someone they can respect. Paige is happy to be a bad guy if need be, of course Solange is the ideal "bad cop".

Solange likes this. Solange thinks that after this whole inquest mess is over, she should probably NOT deal as much with the Rangers as before, because they are NOT going to be happy with her, so PLEASE let them be Brita's headache next.

Brita notices that more of the Rangers are carrying axes and boar spears, even without rumor of any monsters. This is not illegal, but it leaves Brita with a funny taste in her mouth.

[Paige]
Outlaw weapons and only the outlaws will have them...

The Crown will issue a directive that Rangers are to wear leather jack or light mail while on patrol, & bird bolts and nets will be part of their regular gear. They are to avoid using lethal force on Crown subjects unless their lives are under immediate threat.

When Brita asks the Rangers what happened, the stories vary. Like the members of the inquest, she cannot locate the men who were present. Informal Ranger opinion is divided between "the settlers were poaching on Arden turf and got what they deserved", "the settlers ambushed our man when he told them to get out of Arden", and (not said in the presence of other Rangers) "we have some real cowboys around here and I wish Prince Julian were here to put them in place".

Do you all have a recommendation for Gerard yet, or will you investigate further?

Paige is out on it a bit, but is willing to listen to ideas while trying to formulate her own...

Solange communicates all these ideas to Gerard before actually issuing the Crown directives mentioned above. She tries not to tear her hair out in front of her dad.

It sounds to Jerod that two elements have to be dealt with - one is the settlers who are encroaching and need to be brought under a slightly tighter leash to keep friction to a minimum.

And the second is the bunch of hotheads in the Rangers who need to be reminded that Arden belongs to the Regent...not to the Rangers. And Solange's idea about knocking some heads together sounds like not a bad idea.

Assuming this is done in Council where everyone hears, Jerod listens carefully to the ideas, but is mostly watching Gerard for his reaction. Jerod has his own ideas, but for the moment keeps them to himself.

Do Solange et al. come back to the city to make these recommendations? I have Gerard's answer in mind but it may make a difference whether he gets written recommendations by messenger or a Council presentation.

Solange would want to come back to present her suggestions to Gerard in person. She would prefer it if at least one person stayed in Garnath in the hopes that this would act as a deterrent to further escalation. Also, if it's possible, she'd rather present directly to her father, rather than convene a full council session and have everyone else second-guess her and give her MORE headaches.

Paige will return if the others do, as she's in no place to deal with the Rangers alone...

Brita will stay behind and help with the rebuilding of the village on approved lands. She will have relayed any information (or lack there-of) to Solange and asked her to ask Gerard if he knows anything of Robin.

"I already asked him, the first time I heard the name. He hasn't got a clue," Solange tells her cousin.

Brita agrees with Solange that the two sides are behaving irrationally. She believes that having the Rangers wear the crown badge would help to avoid confusion later, but the Rangers must see that they are not empowered by the badge beyond the law.

"That's exactly the point," Solange says. "If they wear the Crown badge, then they answer to the Crown -- us. Right now, with Prince Julian gone, they answer to nobody, and that's a factor in how they got so out of hand."

Last modified: 1 Jan 2002