O'Cynen Does it Again

[Rattrap]

It was another meeting of the public. It was another stand for Joseph O'Cynen to take, to speak out again - the majority of the public now were all simply scared. Scared out of their wits. The riot of the past day didn't help matters; the massacre didn't help matters. People were getting mad, going crazy - and perhaps they had a right to. Their worlds were simply being flushed straight to hell. Joseph proposed to bring them a little comfort; it was all he could really do, at this point.

The councilor had taken a brief circle through town, gathering all of the people that would follow him - whether the farmers, or the merchants, the smiths, the tanners - he hoped that the look of the crowd would simply attract more. Yet he was acutely aware to create a crowd, not a mob - he kept his message up until the announcement plain, simple. "I have things to inform you of," he had said to each individual who had approached him.

Eventually, he'd be in the town square once more. The gathering was decently sized - not anywhere near the size of Joseph's previous speech. There hadn't been the planning before hand. This time, the farmer was going to rely on those who had come to relay it to those that did not.

"People of Myrkenwood...these are troubling...oh, that doesn't even begin to touch it. These are terrible times, horrible times. Everything seems to be falling away. But! I implore you, good people, to stand strong! You watched, the other day, as your own governor fled the scene of a horrible massacre. He did not stay and try to fight. But he's not a fighter. Nonetheless! He did not stay and try to help! Lives needed saving on that day."

The farmer paused for a moment, clearing his throat.

"So I come here now to tell you of a change. A change, hopefully for the better - a change for better things to come. I realize that a lot of you are angry at the governor - so am I. We have good reason to be. So I hope that the news of an election will come as even the slightest comfort during these days. Yes! An election - a replacing of Gad Phuri, if you good people would see it fitting. A new chance to show Hell that seems to have fallen upon us that it is not welcome here, and show it to the door."

Another pause, as Joseph looked to the ground for a moment. Then: "You see me standing here today, in the light of the other day's massacre. Those that were there heard it speak it - those that weren't have certainly heard the rumors. This Baie seems to want somebody in particular, now - me. But you won't see me hide out! Nor close myself in, locking my doors. I will live my life as I always have - the devil himself could not stop me. A life lived in terror is not much of one. If it comes, it'll come - and I'll make sure to give it a hell of my own."

"Stay alert. Be aware. It's the best thing we can do - let us not allow the other day's massacre to be repeated. Try to make a smart decision, when the election is announced. And god speed."

Joseph O'Cynen took a step away from where he stood, pausing a moment for the crowd's response to mull over him. Some were certainly helped. Some were only pulled from absolute terror. Some, even, although hopefully fewer simply continued to mull about in a panicked state. The words were there, though. To be done with as they chose to.