Coup d'Etat

[Biske]

The news and rumors fly on wings of parchment and shouted words, whispered from one ear to the next; there *is* no official word, save for a single, cryptic paragraph, and from there the rumors spring and fly.

On This Day November the Ninteenth, AR 206, the title of temporary Governorship of Myrken Wood is hereby placed upon General Eriks deMord Sleipner until such a time that Coriolanus Helstone is able to take up his Duties Once More.

What had happened to the erstwhile Governor? And so close to an election! Many are the rumors; that the Flux has returned, that Helstone had run off with that Ramirez woman; that Helstone had been kidnapped by drow - *again*.

But perhaps the most disturbing of these is the cousin of the cousin, of the best friend's sister, who claims that he saw - with his very own eyes - the Governor and his guard being escorted off in chains by the Myrken Militia; by the General, who now claims ownership of the Governor title.

Many were the men split by Helstone's letter, a thing that had been forced into being - but had still been there, and still lingered. How many militiamen would return, and how many would cheer at the sight of the General, the hero, at the head of a government that had little to do with them?

And yet, how many would frown upon this?

[Vanidor]

"Captain... Did hear the rumour out on the streets?" The aide looked from the doorway that led into Aeryn Karolinger's office, his chest heaving from the headlong run up the many steps of the barrack's main tower. Aeryn himself was behind a desk, hands holding lightly to the sides of his head. Massaging the temples, as it were.

"Yes... Yes Corporal so I did. And I do no know what is going on. But I do know what it is that we will do. And that is shut ourselves into the walls of our barracks. The militia will no be able to root us out, no so easily as it be, yes? Go. Post men who are original to our order, perhaps the boys from Curil's mob. Lock down the doors. Let them think we do a drilling behind the gates."

The older man squeezed out a rough, hardworn smile and then saluted. He turned and ran back down the stairs to deliver the Captain's will. Aeryn returned to massaging his temples, gazing down at the piece of parchment before him. Orders... Orders. Commands given over a year apast and the reminders that came with it. Only one thing to do, reguarding that. Silently he hoped that Agnieszka would forgive his corpse if he died trying to sneak around.

Shortly after the gates were closed, Aeryn himself snuck out of the barracks using a postern gate. His sword was buckled on tightly and hidden under a heavy cloak. Moments later he would be joined by one of Sergeant Rautha's scouts, and then vanish into the heady underworld of Myrkentown.

[Biske]

Oddly enough, the Guard would not even be called for - only now, two days later, does a runner in Militia white approach the quiet Brotherhood barracks. And, rather meely, a note would be delivered for Aeryn's eyes only - but really, would they heed that missive?


Aeryn;

You have three days to explain why the Brotherhood Guards are not at their posts. Whatever your answer, I will neither provoke you nor attack you, but you must promise me the same thing.

Helstone strongly believes that you report to other masters; pray that they seek only to aid us.

By my hand and seal;
General Eriks DeMord Sleipner

[Vanidor]

From: Captain Aeryn Karolinger, Master of the Brotherhood of Janerio
To: Eriks DeMord Sleipner, Councilor

General.

I shall be brief. Your actions are questionable, but -we- shall no shirk our duty to do what is right. Becareful in what it is that you do, lest the world and the -people- truly be against you. This province do no need another ursurper in the place of it's governor.

Keep that in mind. Your actions call you a thief in the night, to come upon your post in the manner that you do and then call yourself Governor in the aftermath. Remember, Kerrak does try this same thing. And he is called mad by the whole of the world.

Aeryn Karolinger.

This letter would come in the night, shortly after the guardsmen resumed their patrols of the city. Aeryn's hand was -readily- clear on the subject, but at the same time... elusive. Odd, how a man can state such convictions so clearly, yet at the same time not show a stance upon the issue.

Politics. Weren't they wonderful.