Topic: Another public speech

Karen Wilder

Date: 2008-01-13 07:26 EST
Karen arrived early that morning on the steps of the Courthouse. After a small crowd of onlookers began to gather out of curiosity, she stepped forward and began her speech.

"A number o' th' candidates 'ave made some verra specific promises. Detailed plans, 'igh minded goals....an' low-minded ones as well from some." she added the last part with a chuckle, knowing that most would know what she meant.

"A good soldier knows thet th' best laid plans rarely survive past th' first few seconds o' battle." She began pacing on the steps, only using the cane lightly this morning. "A good leader knows thet th' less complicated a plan is, th' more likely it is tae succeed. There's always new things comin' up....priorities kin change in th' blink o' an eye, and a good leader's plans 'ave th' flexibility tae adapt to changin' situations."

She stopped and looked over the increasingly larger crowd. "Lots o' people say we need tae increase th' size o' th' Watch....An' yet, other than throwin' money around....how's thet gonna happen" Where are th' new Guardsmen gonna come from?" She paused to let that sink in. "Th' wealthier people....they're nae satisfied wit th' Watch....so they've their own bodyguards, house guards an' such. An' there's many other groups like th' Pheonix Guard....th' Scathians an' e'en th' Templars in this city." She gestured around to indicate the Templars who had accompanied her that morning. "By commissionin' these groups tae aid in th' duties o' patrol an' public safety, we solve most o' th' prollems right there. As fer who's gonna keep these groups in line....well, 'tis obvious tae me thet th' Watch kin watch o'er them....an' each group will remain independent from th' others, but all under th' auspices o' th' Watch."

Just as someone was about to speak out, Karen held up her hand. "Now some o' ye might ask why these groups should be given th' duties an' privilages o' th' Watch....But there's nae much more they'd be doin' than any good citizen might. Anyone arrested would still be turned o'er tae th' Watch....any crimes'd still 'ave tae be proven tae th' magistrate....an' anythin' major done by one o' these groups'd be checked o'er by th' Watch an' th' Governor's office." She pointed out towards the road. "It's nae different than some'un rescuin' a child who's 'bout tae get run o'er by a coach....Would ye insist thet only a member o' th' Watch should do thet' Or ifin a thief ran from a store an' got grabbed an' brought back by a passing warrior....would ye say thet warrior were wrong tae do it?"

She descended to the bottom-most step, to get closer to the crowd. "When we all work taegether fer th' betterment o' th' city....e'eryone benefits."

She moved into the crowd then, shaking hands and introducing herself to those who didn't recognize her right away and reminding everyone there were still a few days left to vote in the primary election. She never asked anyone to vote for her specifically though....Often just saying that it was important to vote for the person you believe in. Her Templar escort moved closer, but they remained at the edge of the crowd....following orders to not get in the way.