The Word of Law.

[Vanidor]

He had been away on a trip to survey the wall in its wholeness. The entire fastness of the Ringwall (as he still thought of it) was to be inspected for completion. Due to the times, it was hard to find the man and his wandering patrol whilst on the road, yet his office at the least, was easy enough to locate. There, within the building that was the Myrkentown Meetinghouse, his box had filled with various bits of postage and parcels.

Greetings and well-wishings. Dirision and hate. It was part and parcel of being a politician, really. Those seeking succor and those with hate in their hearts. These, both he found once he finally returned. It had been early in the day, the sun just barely kissing the horizon when he arrived. The sun was just barely over it when he started reading his mail.

Some of it amused him, some of it annoyed him. And then, there were the two pieces of information that made his blood boil. Oh, the man had his predjudices, he wouldn't hide that. He hated Orks, since most of those that he'd met had attempted to take his head. He thought elves were flighty and weird. Dwarves were too stoic (though they made the -best- ale). Dragons were to be respected, and anything they said was suspect. So yes, he had his predjudices.

However, he did not think of himself as... a racist. Not ever, and definately not in -this- reguard. The missive written to him about the demi-riot involving the creature (he hated the term, but the writer didn't know what to say about) angered him. And the other missive, from another source, made him angrier. Straka would get them? For protecting another? The Captain-Councilor sneered and reached for a piece of parchment.

By the end of the day, a dispatch would be released to the general public. Nailed with heavy black iron spikes and driven into various locations around town. Upon the Wall, even. He made his stance clear as crystal. And, some would have to remember, that he had the muscle to enforce it...

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To the Residents of the Provience of Myrkenwood.

It has come to the attention of my office, that some have taken into their own hands to suppress those who are different from ourselves. To take 'justice', as it were, upon themselves and delivering it upon those who do not look as we do, who do not speak or dress the same as the rest of us.

To those who practice this, I give the following message. Any such activity shall be met with disgust from this office. Any persons directly involved in the injuring or maining of an 'inhuman' or 'abhuman' shall be incarcerated and sent to the gaol for a months time. Those who are guilty of killing any of these people shall be executed the dawn after their capture.

To those people who find themseves at the swords edge, I urge you to come to my office, or to one of my personal guard, and seek the proper justice. Do not take matters into your own hand, as you will be as bad as those who percecute you. I make it my personal vow to uphold your honour and safety.

Remember, none are above the laws of this land. Each and everyone of us are subject to these rules. There is -no- excuse to take matters into your own hand. Especially not in this fasion.

Kerrak al'Nerun
Councilor of Defense and Civil Security

[Treadwell]

"Executed?!"

It's early morning in Myrken Wood. Shops are just now barely opening up, traces of smoke are creeeeeeping out of smokestacks at various homes, and, for Aloisius Treadwell, the wonderful aromas of baking pies and pastries are drawing him through the town on a morning waddle that has brought him to the bakery. However, his rumbly-burbly stomach has to wait. Tready just stopped to take time to read the note left by the newest addition to the Myrken Wood judiciary.

Myrken's favorite tub in bright red is certainly most displeased, if the huffiness of breath and the fitfulness of smoke coming from him mean anything much.

"What does this oaf thing he's doing, threatening the populace at large like this? It's out of his jurisdiction! He hasn't the right to go ordering executions--not by himself, at least! Civil defense or not, mmph mmph, it ain't a bit of it right! Being willing to defend folks and being willing to stop folks from getting attacked--that-that-that's all well and good! But threatening to kill folks--good, normal, everyday people!--to enforce it all? Mmph!"

A thump of his cane into the dirt punctuates Treadwell's statement, throwing up a small cloud of dust that leaves the pipe-puffing toymaker coughing and hacking for breath. Wanting no more of this messy business, a wheezy and hungry Aloisius Treadwell turns his attention to more important things: things like waddling into the bakery and gluttonously "sampling" Tready-sized portions of pies for a pre-breakfast snack.

[Suede]

Suede came into the presence of this recent decree with a far different view than that of Treadwell, and mostly grinned over the subject before scribbling upon the bottom of the poster he'd found. Nothing complex, just his own signature.

A murderer of someone for being different sentenced to death? Where was the issue?

[Vanidor]

Between wanting to do good, and simply bringing terror and undue punishment upon a populace? Between fixing a problem and only making it worse. It was there, to be sure, but sometimes it was hard to discern it's location until it was a smidge too late. Hopefully in this case it wasn't too late in the extreme. No one, at least, had been executed. None had managed to pursue to test that level of the edict. A few had been sent into the Gaol, yes, but one could say that they had been sentanced due to the laws already on the books. For disturbing the peace... But in any case...

The line... had to be eased.

And in the early hours of the day, as the sun slowly kissed the trees and rooftops, the criers would be out and the posters pasted... there was news once again....

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To the Residents of the Provience of Myrkenwood.

It has come to the attention of this office, thanks to the concerns of several townfolk, that the edict most recently issued from this office was exceedingly harsh for the terms. Therefor, the ruling that had been lain down has been recinded. It has also come to the attention of this office that penalties and fines have already been set into the books.

It was not the intention of this office to create undue fear amoungst the populace. And as such, I, Councilor Kerrak al'Nerun wishes to express my regrets at any hardship that this may have caused anyone. However.

I would also like to remind the good folk that there are laws on the books already, and as such would like to remind the people that they will be enforced. I pray that we will continue to respect our neighbors and friends, even those that are different from ourselves. Just because a wall has gone up around our home, does not mean that a wall needs to go up around our hearts as well.

If any of you has a question or concern, please feel free to come by my offices at the Meetinghouse, were myself or one of my assistants will be there to see to your needs.

Thank you.

Kerrak al'Nerun
Councilor of Defense and Civil Security

[Altias_Bromn]

Altias paused, reading over the newest notice from this, Kerrack. It gave him pause. He had been prepared to have to battle this man, after Treadwell's description. But this, this seemed to prove that at least the man thought of the people of Myrken and reconsidered his choices. This was generally a good thing.

Although, there was the suspicious side of him which could not help but think that there was something more to this change of heart, this clarification. Ease the minds of the people, make them comfortable, trusting. Or perhaps, it was that he worried that this caring man, if he truly was that, would take the place of Altias himself in their minds.

"Papa, what does it say?"

Avel looked up at the notice, squinting her wide violet eyes. It was not that she could not read it, only that she was too far away to see the words.

"It says that one of our councilors has changed his mind on some changes he had made in Myrken law. It is not important, save for the fact that it will ease the mind of the people."

The small girl pursed her lips, a frown creasing her ebon features.

"Papa, why is that important?"

"It is important, my sweet, because the people must trust their leaders. If they do not trust their leaders then they will not follow the directives set down by those leaders. Without trust there is no order in a lawful society."

Large, expressive eyes watched Altias as he spoke. Still the frown turned her lips, furrowed her brow.

"Some would argue, Papa, that the same result could be achieved by force. In a society ruled by force, the leaders need no law, no order. They need only strength."

Altias studied her for a long moment. Such words from such a young child. Though there was far more to Avel than her apperance would lead one to believe.

"That is true, Avel. Force can bend masses to the will of another, but many believe that ruling by force is contrary to the good of the nation. "

A short nod of her head at this, silver hair falling to curtain her dark features for a moment.

"True, Papa. But then, more often then not, the many do not desire what is best for the one."

And with that, she turned from the posting, beginning her walk back to the Inn. As she turned to look over her shoulder, the contemplative look was gone, replaced by the serene smile Altias had grown to love.

"Aren't you coming, Papa? It's getting late, and you said Uncle Treadwell was robbed last night. I don't want anyone hitting you in the head with a rock."

And with that she was skipping down the road, turning ever few steps to make sure that he had fallen in to step behind her. Which, of course, he had.

[Tyralor]

They had all lost their minds. That was the only viable, reasonable assumption that Joshua could make under these circumstances. Admittedly, it had taken him far too long to hear about some of the alterations that'd taken place. Two new councillors was it? Two awful choices, in his personal opinion.

One individual was associated with a drowess that was responsible for arson on various occassions, and Kilborn had the unproven suspicion that he was responsible for far worse events. The other had once been a respectable individual. Now there were threats against the population, a personal army, and false claims being made.

There had been a belieft at one point in time, that things were suppose to be improving in Myrken. Now Kilborn had nothing but a growing sense of dread. For a fleeting moment, there had even been a desire to grab the nearest sheet of paper, write out his resignation, and make for the hills before all hell broke loose.

Kilborn immediately reached out to grab the nearest sheet of paper and a quill to start writing.

Kerrak al'Nerun
Councilor of Defense and Civil Security

I must express my immediate regret for your chosen profession in the field of politics. My deepest condolences.

In regards to the recent edicts that your office has produced, this will be your first and only warning. In regards to the enforcement of laws of Myrken Wood, the Councillor of Defense and Civil Security may raise issues with the Order of Straka that may need to be resolved, but under no circumstances will the councillor utilize his own personal army to promote hatred or justice. If you choose to pursue this course of action further, I will have no choice but to incarcerate you.

Vigliante justice by any persons or individuals within Myrken Wood will not be tolerated. Criminals, no matter what their crime, will be caught and sentenced in accordance to the Laws that have been established. Furthermore, each individual will be judged on the individual merits of each case, and not in a rash, emotional manner.

If your office plans on creating any more edicts that suggest there are two bodies of law enforcement in Myrken Wood, then I will have little choice but to charge your office with propoganda and fine it appropriately. I can assure you that the Order's coffers could use the extra funds.

I would also counsel any member of your personal staff to report any crimes or suspected crime to the Order, so that the dispute may be handled professionally.

I would also implore you to take a firm stance on issues, rather than waver back and forth akin to a leaf in the wind. It'd be nice if there was a politician with a backbone.

Lieutenant Joshua Kilborn
Order of Straka


It was definitely not a letter he should send to the councillor. It had similar attributes to the initial edict that the awful new councillor, which he had just denounced. So Kilborn edged it to the side of his desk for the moment. The entire concept galled and frustrated him. Of course there was little he could actually accomplish. The politicians in Myrken Wood knew best of course. The fact that, in Joshua's opinon, they knew nothing at all didn't seem to phase him. Exhaling heavily, and feeling better, he rose to his feet and moved out of the office. It had been a while since he'd visited Otis and found out the latest issues were in the gaol.

* * * *

Adjunct Key Lannew frowned at the letter that was on the lieutenant's desk. Usually, when there was a missive to be sent, she was notified and dispatched a messenger immediately. She'd been busy since lunch, so Joshua probably hadn't had an opportunity to let her know about the letter. That caused a moment's hestitation, before she picked up the message to Kerrak, and added it to the rest of the mail the office would be sending out.

[Tyralor]

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To the Residents of the Provience of Myrkenwood.

What Councillor Kerrak al'Nerun Means.

Order of Straka continues to enforce all laws and regulations in Myrken Wood.

Anyone that sees a crime should immediately report that crime to an Order of Straka guardsman.

All individuals accused of a crime will be judged fairly.

All individuals guilty of a crime will be punished fairly.

Posted by the Order of Straka
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That should do it. Now even the uneducated lowlifes that probably didn't understand what the devil Kerrak had been rambling about would understand what was going on. Politicians and their big words, not to mention their round about way of saying things.

Directions were issued to have postings etched underneath each one of Kerrak's current posts.

[Jirai]

Oh, the changes.

It was late at night when she paused to read the new edicts. Kerraks elicited a slight frown. A pity, that, as she had been planning on counting on that law in the near future. Alternative plans could be arranged though. She made a mental note to find the Councilor at some point in the near future.

As for Kilborn's postings, those drew a moment of laughter from the cloaked woman.

"All individuals accused of a crime will be judged fairly."

She, of course, hadn't seen much judging when she had been accused of crimes. Just the accusation, and the punishment. Not that she expected anything different (For the most part, she had been guilty, anyway!) but it was amusing, nonetheless.

Curiosity assuaged for the moment, she continued on her nightly rounds.

[Treadwell]

"Uncle Treadwell" had indeed been robbed and hit in the head with a rock. That meant the lazy lump had spent the day nursing a new lump and lying there like the lump he is.

That also meant he hadn't been paying any sort of attention to all Kerrak's blithering and blathering about.

That also meant he still didn't care much for the man.

Also, Tready didn't trust himself to handle recordkeeping and accounting and taxing today--not being woozy and swimmy-headed. He spent the majority of the day in bed at home, a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Myrken Wood.

Maybe Tready should be hit in the head with a rock more often.

[Vanidor]

And so a letter that shouldn't have been sent was sent, and came along to the Office of the great Leaf... Well, Captain-Councilor. Which set the man to frowning slightly, before shaking his head. He had attempted to reach his hand out to the Order of Straka, and this was how they returned it. After such a period of silence even. Oh, yes, he was aware that his first command had been a bit.. hasty. But still... if they had objected -that- severely, a note should have come from that 'august' body sooner.

And so, then, did the Captain pick up his pen and start writing.

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To: Lieutenant Joshua Kilborn
From: Councilor Kerrak al'Nerun

Lieutenant,

I find it most vexing that you have finally decided to break your long silence on this matter. Though, I will admit that you have several valid points. If you took the time to read the missive I had sent to you earlier, you would have seen my desire to speak with you once again and hammer things out.

Perhaps, as well, you should know of the general sentiment within this town... No, this Provience concerning the lack of competancy within your Order. I do not call your own into question, mind, as I have it from a most reliable source that you are a very capable man. I doubt a lesser man would have had the balls to write such a letter. I would hope to see better cooperation between our two entities.

But, let it be know, that if your Order fails to uphold the sanctity of this district, and continues to allow the common folk to wallow in the dispair that I have often seen, I will take it up with the council to suspend your charter with this Provience and set up another service that will better serve the people of Myrkenwood.

Is that enough backbone for you?

Captain Kerrak al'Nerun
Councilor of Defense and Civil Security

[Tyralor]

Lieutenant...Acting-Captain Joshua Kilborn leaned back in the wooden chair the office provided him, and furrowed his brow. It hadn't taken long for realization of what had transpired to dawn upon him. Key had simply done her duty and addressed one of his needs. It had been his fault for not specifying, that in this situation, this need had been an exception to the rule. Of course, there was no method in which he could retract the statements he had made. There was a vague recollection with something to do about backbone. Even Kerrak had discussed it. Wearily this time, Kilborn reached over for another sheet. There was some benefit here. This was could lead to some politeness to the letter he was about to compose. Oh bloody flaming hells. He was starting to touch into politics. The frown deepened, and his initial paragraph turned far more biting than he'd intended...though perhaps it would provide Kerrak with some knowledge as to the frustration that the Order might be enduring.

Councillor Kerrak al'Nerun

You seem to have me at somewhat of a disadvantage. The most current policy that I am aware of was for the Council to discard any statement made by the Order immediately. Please forward any alterations to the policy to my attention at the Order of Straka so that we may adhere to the new regulations.

In regards to the other issues you raise. The Order is still awaiting a revision of the charter requested two years ago to increase funding. The current funding provided by the Council is to maintain a garrison of fifty men, which the Council acknowledged as inadequate.

The Order is still awaiting official information pertaining to the construction of the Wall. We have made every effort to assist in its construction and protection, despite this being outside the scope of our initial agreement.

The men of Straka are dedicated, honest, and caring individuals attempting to maintain order and justice in turbulent times. They have bled for Myrken, they have wept for Myrken, and they have died for Myrken. Their primary motivation for all the blood, tears and sweat that they have put into their duty is the love that they have for this land, and the -

I will not preach to you. I have never liked politicians, nor politics, and these recent exchanges reek of politics. You will do what you want. I have nothing further to inform you of upon this topic.

The Order will remain steadfast in the face of adversity as it must.

Joshua Kilborn
Acting-Captain, Order of Straka


A mildly upset Joshua rose up from the seat and moved to gather his cloak. There was only one solution to dispose of the stench of politics that permeated the office at the moment. Go on patrol and perform his duties. The letter was left for Key to address and arrange delivery.

Flaming bloody politics.