Wednesday, 18 November
As the sun began sinking towards the horizon, the Governor stepped into the little-used press room at Rhydin's Town Hall. Reporters, cameras and microphones from almost two dozen media outlets—radio and television, the Rhydin Post and other newspapers, and a fair number of blogs—were spread in clusters throughout the room. They exchanged gossip and stories as only media folk can manage. Then one of them spied Ebon approaching the podium, and soon all had taken their seats wearing expectant expressions.
After a brief moment collecting his thoughts, Ebon smiled and began. "Good evening, and thank you all for coming tonight. As has been well documented, this city has been awash under a swelling tide of chaos and violence. It started in Dockside with what appeared to be an unfortunate but relatively unremarkable apartment fire, and has grown into a wave of madness that has seen blazes strike up across the city, bombings, and murder." He paused a moment to consider his next words. "The worst of this activity has struck the Seaside district, allegedly under the urging and inspiration of the Baroness there."
"Now Rostol has been ousted, but the incoming Baron apparently wants to bring his own brand of insanity to the people of Seaside. This will not do."
A hushed murmuring spread through the assembled members of the press. "Until recently the Watch response has been focused on protecting the homes and businesses that have been hit the hardest, keeping them safe from looters and worse, and also doing their best to deter additional outbreaks of violence. In this they have been bolstered by troops from the Duchy of Navarra, graciously provided by Baroness Mairead Harker and her family."
One of the reporters rose to her feet. "Coco Walters, Rhydin 5 News. Is this build-up of troops a sign that Rhydin is moving towards martial law?"
Ebon managed to keep his face a mask of serenity, not giving any sign of his inner struggle to avoid smacking the woman. "You just love asking that, don't you, Coco' The answer is no, so please sit down. I'll take everyone's questions in a moment. Now....where was I?"
"Watch response?" replied a male voice from somewhere.
"Ah, yes!" Ebon replied with a gentle chuckle that was answered in kind across the room. His expression quickly sobered, however. "In the wake of all that has happened, and following the announcement this morning from Seaside's iminent new Baron, I would like to make one of my own."
"Noon tomorrow, Thursday the 19th, several squads of the Watch will take up positions within and throughout Seaside, joined by a detachment of Navarran troops and Batten Industries security forces, all under the direction of my chief of security, Katt Batten....herself, it should be noted, a resident of Seaside for about a year now. They will also be supported by Isuelt DeRomiano and the Sisters of Scathach, likewise based in Seaside."
"Their mission will be a simple one: to assist in maintaining order, and to prevent any unnecessary bloodshed. Simply put, the people of Seaside have had enough of this madness, they would like it to end, and I intend to help make that happen."
Glancing at his notes, Ebon nodded as if to himself. "Before I open the floor, I wanted to thank Baroness Jewel Ravenlock and Baron Kalamar Ar'Din for their offers of refuge to the citizens of Seaside left homeless and fearful in the aftermath of this violence. It warms my heart to see such charity. In similar spirit, the residents of Den City have offered relief supplies, and I have suggested that those be sent to the baronial shelters."
A heavy silence hung in the air as Ebon looked out. "Any questions?"
As the sun began sinking towards the horizon, the Governor stepped into the little-used press room at Rhydin's Town Hall. Reporters, cameras and microphones from almost two dozen media outlets—radio and television, the Rhydin Post and other newspapers, and a fair number of blogs—were spread in clusters throughout the room. They exchanged gossip and stories as only media folk can manage. Then one of them spied Ebon approaching the podium, and soon all had taken their seats wearing expectant expressions.
After a brief moment collecting his thoughts, Ebon smiled and began. "Good evening, and thank you all for coming tonight. As has been well documented, this city has been awash under a swelling tide of chaos and violence. It started in Dockside with what appeared to be an unfortunate but relatively unremarkable apartment fire, and has grown into a wave of madness that has seen blazes strike up across the city, bombings, and murder." He paused a moment to consider his next words. "The worst of this activity has struck the Seaside district, allegedly under the urging and inspiration of the Baroness there."
"Now Rostol has been ousted, but the incoming Baron apparently wants to bring his own brand of insanity to the people of Seaside. This will not do."
A hushed murmuring spread through the assembled members of the press. "Until recently the Watch response has been focused on protecting the homes and businesses that have been hit the hardest, keeping them safe from looters and worse, and also doing their best to deter additional outbreaks of violence. In this they have been bolstered by troops from the Duchy of Navarra, graciously provided by Baroness Mairead Harker and her family."
One of the reporters rose to her feet. "Coco Walters, Rhydin 5 News. Is this build-up of troops a sign that Rhydin is moving towards martial law?"
Ebon managed to keep his face a mask of serenity, not giving any sign of his inner struggle to avoid smacking the woman. "You just love asking that, don't you, Coco' The answer is no, so please sit down. I'll take everyone's questions in a moment. Now....where was I?"
"Watch response?" replied a male voice from somewhere.
"Ah, yes!" Ebon replied with a gentle chuckle that was answered in kind across the room. His expression quickly sobered, however. "In the wake of all that has happened, and following the announcement this morning from Seaside's iminent new Baron, I would like to make one of my own."
"Noon tomorrow, Thursday the 19th, several squads of the Watch will take up positions within and throughout Seaside, joined by a detachment of Navarran troops and Batten Industries security forces, all under the direction of my chief of security, Katt Batten....herself, it should be noted, a resident of Seaside for about a year now. They will also be supported by Isuelt DeRomiano and the Sisters of Scathach, likewise based in Seaside."
"Their mission will be a simple one: to assist in maintaining order, and to prevent any unnecessary bloodshed. Simply put, the people of Seaside have had enough of this madness, they would like it to end, and I intend to help make that happen."
Glancing at his notes, Ebon nodded as if to himself. "Before I open the floor, I wanted to thank Baroness Jewel Ravenlock and Baron Kalamar Ar'Din for their offers of refuge to the citizens of Seaside left homeless and fearful in the aftermath of this violence. It warms my heart to see such charity. In similar spirit, the residents of Den City have offered relief supplies, and I have suggested that those be sent to the baronial shelters."
A heavy silence hung in the air as Ebon looked out. "Any questions?"