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Post by Eivor on Mar 23, 2021 21:40:38 GMT
Eivor goes to him and puts a hand on his shoulder. "Can this be contained or do I need to bring in troops? Be honest with me. Much more of this and the city will burn around your ears."
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Post by Admin on Mar 24, 2021 1:27:29 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/GM3yfWw/pardo~png "Would troops quiet down the mobs or just inflame them towards greater damage? These troops would be seriously outnumbered and surrounded in the city streets. People believe this Coy was a foreign agent so the sight of foreign troops could be interpreted as the start of an invasion." Hakker says. From behind Eivor there is the sound of someone clearing their throat. An impressive feat considering all the noise in the chamber. "This is all your fault, Hakker," the man says. Eivor can see him as a middle aged man wearing fancy robes. "Your foolish liberal policy of allowing the commoners money has lead to the destruction of our economy," he continues in a smooth, calm voice. "Lady Eivor, is it? Lady Eivor, daughter of Prince Julian of Amber? I am Lord High Trader Pardo. You see, economic difficulties are a hazard in the business of trade. When all was done by the noble families of this land the result would be arguments in this chamber, the odd duel here and there, occasional assassination, and such things. But now that the common person has been handed money and is privileged to invest the money in various schemes and companies...well you can see what a small dip in share prices has wrought."It does appear that, along with an aristocratic mind, Pardo loves the sound of his own voice.
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Post by Eivor on Mar 24, 2021 16:43:02 GMT
"Yes, I am Eivor. Do not lay the blame at Hakker's door, our enemy has done a very good job of deceiving almost everyone, Lord High Trader." Eivor replies. "Laying the blame solves nothing; order must be restored. Minister, unless your government can re-assert control, they will have a foreign army to deal with, whether they want one or not. I suggest you remind them that Amber has an interest in stability here, and if Deiga cannot be trusted to govern itself, then others will do it for them."
"Now if you'll excuse me, my investigation is not done yet. When I return I hope to see more constructive decision making and less bickering."
She nods curtly to each man then goes off to find a quiet corner where she can speak to Kat by trump. It would be much easier that searching the crowd.
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Post by Admin on Mar 25, 2021 6:31:26 GMT
Eivor attempts to contact her friend. Now it is just a matter of waiting to see if Kat responds...
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Post by Admin on Mar 27, 2021 3:27:42 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/GM3yfWw/pardo~png Eivor hears the roaring of the mob through the connection and suddenly contact with Kat is lost! The unctuous man Pardo approaches her again. "Lady Eivor, the mob outside grows even more restive. I have to believe they will storm this building soon. If you have a means of safe escape from here I would suggest you use it before things get too violent."
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Post by Eivor on Mar 27, 2021 21:26:45 GMT
Eivor stares for a moment into thin air then shakes her head. The day wasn't getting any better. When confronted by Pardo she frowns. "You don't need to worry about me - what about you and your fellow ministers? Do you have a means of escape? Will reinforcements be arriving to impose order?"
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Post by Admin on Mar 28, 2021 4:19:41 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/GM3yfWw/pardo~png "I imagine that any soldiers not here have joined the mob by now. Truth is I don't know why these ones still stand on guard; someone must have promised them jewels or gold from the council treasury to stay on duty. All we are seeing now is how long avarice can withstand the threat of death. As true Deigans avarice holds the upper hand."He pats the sword at his belt. "I will give a good account of myself if I have to. And, no, there is no secret escape tunnel below the palace. It was discussed but defeated in council due to the cost - Deigan, once again. The real old timers will quickly fall to the crowd and the rest of us will give good account of ourselves before we die.
"Unless you were to stand before the mob, Lady. Your skill and talent and breeding might be just hat Deiga needs in our hour of darkness! You can convince them of the better days ahead and your leadership can bring us those days."
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Post by Eivor on Mar 28, 2021 9:57:29 GMT
"Is there a platform or galley I can speak from to the masses, where they might see me? Or is it just a case of standing on the roof? If there is such a place, take me there now." Eivor urges him.
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Post by Admin on Mar 29, 2021 6:36:31 GMT
Pardo takes Eivor's arm and pushes through the lobby crowd towards a stairway leading up to a balcony overlooking the palace entrance and the public square below.
"There must be a megaphone somewhere about but until we find it I hope your voice is booming enough to reach the nearest and most likely to storm the building," Pardo says.
Then, "Mine and Deiga's nobles thank you for this, Lady Eivor." before he runs off - hopefully to find a megaphone.
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Post by Eivor on Mar 29, 2021 9:03:47 GMT
Eivor did not want to wait for a megaphone, advantageous though that may be. Time waits for no man, or woman. She had commanded warbands on the icy wastes of Baal, and though they might have been more inclined to listen than the unruly mob below, she trusted the power of her voice and the spirit of the great bear inside her. Focusing on the Pattern, she let its power wash over her before drawing her dagger and twisting the hilt so it assumed its full form: the Great Spear of Fortune. She activated the image within, so the shaft was illuminated by the pale moonlight of a distant land.
Taking breath she stepped forward and bellowed down at the mass of bodies below.
"Citizens of Deiga, hear me."
"Lay down your arms! Why do you fight when your only enemy is fear? Look around you. Look what you are doing to your friends, you city, your trade. You are better than this. Lay down your arms! Go back to your homes! Think about what you have done, and think how you can help rebuild! This city does not need rebellion, it needs strong government. Only then can it face the challenges ahead."
"YOU HAVE DONE ENOUGH. GO HOME!"
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Post by Admin on Mar 30, 2021 5:22:46 GMT
"The governors and ministers are thieves!" one person shouts back.
"We have been left penniless while the ministers hoard all the realm's gold and jewels in the palace!" shouts another.
"Hang 'em all and give us the gold!" shouts a third.
The crowd likes the responses by the three at the front. They all still mill about but seem less unruly and more likely to listen. Far back in the crowd, however, there is still rioting and unrest.
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Post by Eivor on Mar 30, 2021 21:32:50 GMT
"Your voices have been heard," Eivor cries. "There will be change but not before there is peace. Burning down the city and murdering your leaders will only beget more murder and burning, not the equity you seek. Gold taken by piracy and revolution exacts a blood price. This is not your way. Return to your homes. You have no kings here to overthrow. Go home, greet your wives, your husbands, your children and be joyful that today you have walked away. Turn away now from the path of destruction. Choose the path of reason, not of fear. Tomorrow we will hear your petitions; today your work is done."
"Go in peace, go to your homes!"
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Post by Admin on Mar 31, 2021 4:16:48 GMT
"How can we return home and face our children when we can't afford to bring them any food? And in this storm we can't buy any firewood?" one calls.
"We can feed them the still beating hearts of the High Traders!" another cries out a bit more shrilly than necessary. But a number of those around him mutter in agreement.
"Where can we find food?" the first person yells.
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Post by Eivor on Mar 31, 2021 8:42:19 GMT
"If food is what you wish, then follow me," Eivor replies. I'm not sure how far down it is, but I assume with a controlled drop from the balcony it's not too much trouble for an Amberite. She will then attempt to lead the crowd on a short walk through Shadow, adding unattended carts, then unattended market stalls filled with all manner of fresh food and vegetables. This done, she will return them to Deiga where they can tell the good news to their colleagues. Whiled appreciating not everyone is likely to follow, if enough of the crowd can be pulled away the immediate threat to the Councillors will have passed.
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Post by Admin on Apr 1, 2021 4:07:45 GMT
Some of the people do follow Eivor. But what of the others who stayed behind? We will find out shortly.
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