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[Thrax]

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The crowd, if it could be called one, that had assembled in front of Pier 39 waited anxiously for the Archon to appear. Papuans were not noted for their patience, and though there had been incentives to assemble there in the form of free food, drinks, and gold, they were in a hurry to get back to work or home. Besides, they didn't really miss Thrax all that much anyway and were only mildly curious as to what had become of him and the Magistrate, Lady Alicia.

Skurj was the first to step outside onto the porch of the building. He took a spot near the steps, hands clasped in front of him. The murmurs of the crowd faded. Lord Thrax, resplendent in his dark armor and crimson sash, his red hair stiff against the slight breeze, made his appearance beside his son. Raising one arm in a gesture of good will, he began to speak...

"Fellow citizens of our beloved Papua..." he began.

A few hands clapped and cheers filled the air... all quite reflexive and forced. The sounds died quickly.

"It is with great sadness of heart that I come before you today. My absence has been due to a great illness that overtook me. I had to go to find a remedy and left with such haste and concern that I was unable to inform even my own son that I would be leaving. I did not expect to be gone so long and, as often turns out, the cure was worse than the illness. I lay nearly comatose for days on end..."

A young townsman let out a quite loud and believable sigh of sympathy. Skurj glanced at the man and their eyes met. A slight nod from Skurj and the man knew he had a few extra gold pieces coming.

"Yet I have returned and am quite fit and ready to resume my duties. Sadly, the first is that I must inform you that Lady Alicia... your dutiful and benevolent Magistrate... has perished."

Those gathered were truly aghast at the news. It was obvious from the looks on their faces and the gasps that escaped a few lips.

Thrax lowered his head, nodding slowly. He looked up. "She fell prey to an assassin's blade... the same one which sought the life of our Director of Trade, Mauric Branwyr. I witnessed it myself, but could do nothing. I will tell you the whole story so that you may mourn with me... with us... the loss of a dear friend and benefactor..."

The man who earlier sighed, raised a fist to the air and shouted: "Death to the murderer!! Long live Lady Alicia!" A few other voices lent support but then fell silent as Thrax raised his hands to quieten them.

He continued. "I watched from the upper balcony of my home as she crossed the yard from her uncle's home to mine when out of the shadows, a dark figure, who identified herself by leaving a note at the scene, fell upon her with evil intent. Lady Alicia had no chance to defend herself and fell quickly to the poisoned blade of the vile assassin. I could not save her. The poison was too powerful and could not be undone by even my own considerable skill in healing. She died in my arms." He lowered his head and paused for a moment.

The crowd went silent except for one old woman's wailing. Skurj shook his head slightly and the woman shut up.

Reverently, Thrax spoke. "We entombed Lady Alicia's body at my estate after a private and informal ceremony... something she had asked for herself, being the humble and unassuming person she was. She wanted no fanfare nor elaborate eulogies. Such was her kind spirit and cheerful disposition that we shall all miss so very much." He hesitated, then raised his voice and gauntleted right hand which he made into a fist. "Her death shall be avenged!! The injustices perpetrated upon us will be righted!! You have my word on it! Whoever harms me or mine, or any of you... fellow citizens... shall reap dire and violent consequences!! This... I promise you as Archon of Papua!!" Anger flashed in his eyes.

The crowd, now somewhat actually moved by his words, cheered in earnest.

He waited for them to quieten. "In the meantime, my son Skurj, who has been serving ably as our envoy and ambassador shall be made the new Magistrate of Papua. He will attend to your needs every bit as much as did our beloved Alicia. You may believe he has your best interests at heart. Please give him the same respect and support to which you gave her."

They clapped and cheered, but not very enthusiastically. Most preferred him as envoy; he wasn't around all that much.

"I go now in search of this adversary. I know who she is. You will see her lifeless body, swaying from the hanging tree... left to rot like the carrion it is... a feast for crows and dogs. That is my promise! Go now. With hope and vigor continue to make our town grow and prosper!" He bowed and, with Skurj, entered the building. After some brief clapping the group dispersed.

"Do you think they believed it, father?" Skurj whispered as they spoke together in the Archon's upstairs office.

Thrax removed his gauntlets and placed them on a table. He reached for a goblet of wine. "What do we care? Besides, the truth would only frighten them," he nonchalantly replied.