Shows of force...

[`Bishop]

Starting early this morning, a line of grey and black uniforms would be seen marching from the Barracks, or riding out from Fort Sumpter, north of Myrken wood. Both foot and horse soldiers would parade down the main street of Myrkentown, their uniforms pressed and medals and buttons polished, banners and flags of the Brotherhood of Janerio and Myrkenwood carried by colour guard.

Under the direction of sergeants and officers, the troopers would begin a mass of complicated drills and displays of military prowess in the fields outside of the town. Hundreds of infantry and cavalrymen would march, parade and drill for all to see, in perfect order and timing. The discipline and pomp of the whole of the Brotherhood was placed upon display.

Also, during the show recruiters of the Brotherhood would canvas the gathering crowds, talking to young men and women, convincing them (or not with some of them) to join up with the organization with promises of high pay and three squares a day, as well as a lesson in discipline and goal creation.

Notices were distributed as well, some of them being delivered to the Meeting House for the Councillors.

"Effective immediately, as punishment for his indiscretions, Lieutenant Maxwell Bishop, Cavalry Division, is penalized as thus:

All forfietures of pay and benefits during the period that he was Absent Without Leave. He is also fined the amount of 2000 Myrkenwood shillings and that all monies are to be paid to the Brotherhood of Janerio's "Widows and Orphan's Fund" that offer financial and monetary aid to those who have lost loved ones that were in the ranks of the Brotherhood.

Also, henceforth, Lieutenant Bishop will take a downgrade of pay equalling that of a Sergeant, until such a time that the commanding officer of the Brotherhood deems fit to raise it."

[channe]

And another show of force, in the main Thursday marketplace:

A group of Brotherhood soldiers stands by a cart, at which loaves of bread lie; each family that approaches is talked to, and if they meet the proper income requirements ('for the shilling-folk only, the folk who cannot afford such,' says one of the guards), is given a card delineated with ten spaces and made authentic by Helstone's own seal. They may come every Thursday, for the next ten weeks, he says, and will be given a loaf of bread and a few ears of corn; people who ask learn this is a free Council action funded in part by Helstone's very own salary as Councilor of Administrative Sanctions.

People who ask gossip about how Helstone helped the baker below him find new quarters after the unfortunate catapulting of his house; how he has told many of his ordeal at the hands of the Drow; and how, in gratitude the baker is working with him to offer low-price and free charity loaves to the hungry of Myrken Wood.

It is a small gesture, and one that cannot reach everyone, but one that will speak volumes.

Or, at least, he hopes.

[Guillaume]

And so begins what promises to be a turbulent week's end.

The Lieutenant has been busy; so has the Council. Troops walk through their moves in the fields just past the town's border, and uniforms parade through the Myrkentown streets, but there are Judiciary couriers darting through the gathering crowds as well. They're not readily recognised of course, having no colours of their own, no livery at all, but they are swift of foot and sure of stride, and visiting a great number of destinations this morning.

Their scrolls are delivered to the home of 'General' Eriks Sleipner; to Lieutnant Bishop and Aeryn Karolinger; to the swelling manse of Lord Hawkesbury (with particular pomp, as suits his exclusive lineage). One missive will find its way to the hands of Gerard de Santiago; more yet will be entrusted to Ariel O'Cynen, to Coran D'zir. And while each might be worded differently, the gist of their message is the same:

A place at the Council's table awaits you -- today. If you wish your voice to be heard, then seize this opportunity.


It need hardly be added that, as early as dawn's first light, guards are already beginning to gather at the Meetinghouse doors.