A modest crowd had gathered in the square before the courthouse steps....most had at least heard of the woman, but many had never actually seen her.
Karen arrived riding a chestnut warhorse, causing quite a stir among the crowd. Most had expected her to come out from the courthouse itself, so her arrival was quite the surprise.
She guided her horse at a slow walk up to the steps of the courthouse....nodding to those in the crowd who called her name, and even the occasional hint of a smile crossing her features. Some were brave enough to reach out to touch her armoured leg, or trail their fingers along the chestnut's barding as the horse walked past. Her escort hung back....under orders to not interfere unless things got out of hand.
She climbed from the saddle a bit ungracefully....her right leg stiff and slow to respond, her right arm refusing to bear it's share of her weight as she pivoted to the steps. Still, she stood proud and tall as she looked out over the assembled crowd.
"Me Fellow Citizens..." she began, her trademark heavy accent colouring her words. "There 'ave been great troubles thet beset our home....Would-be conquerers....Demons....an' those thet would destroy e'erything we hold dear. Through all these times, The Knights Templar 'ave stood against th' foes o' this city. We 'ave worked hand in hand wit th' Watch an' th' citizens o' this city fer many years now. An' now, tae further thet work, I seek yer approval tae become th' Govenor o' this great city!"
The crowd roared and cheered at this, only quieting when Karen raised her hand and began to speak again.
"Some will claim thet I 'ave no experience in governing or in politics....But ye all know they are wrong!" Random cheers forced her to pause for a moment before she continued.
"I's held th' Mantle o' Overlord twice, an' seen th' rise an' fall o' many o' th' great Dueling Houses. I am a Commander o' the Knights Templar, seasoned in battle an' in peace. I work wit th' Watch, co-ordinating the defence of th' city, an' 'ave held Baronies through some o' th' most turbulent periods in our history."
"Some will say thet me religious beliefs will interfere wit' me governing o' th' city....But ye all know they're wrong!" The cheers were louder now, and more enthusiastic.
"Th' Knights Templar promote our Faith wit' our deeds an' examples. An' it is wit' those deeds an' examples thet we aid an' protect all th' good people o' Rhy'Din. Fer tae long, people 'ave turned a blind eye tae Slavery, Assassinations, an' other crimes against th' people of our city. If they say I's tae religious....then I say they's tae immoral!" Another rush of cheering burst from the crowd.
"I know thet wit yer help" she pointed out into the crowd, "we kin make this city safer an' better fer ourselves, our children an' our children's children....now an' ferever!"
As the crowd cheered loudly, Karen climbed the steps of the courthouse, her arms raised in victory.
