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Jacob Greyden · Visitor Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Vesper

Winds were strong this night. They whipped over the seas in a violent way as if the oceans themselves were furious. My ship had already docked and once again I was home. This voyage was longer than the last few, keeping me away for nearly a month at sea as well as other travels. I appeared from my quarters as the harbormaster and deckhands were securing the lines while the waters worked against them, trying to toss the ship about. The mast still bore the white and red flag proudly as it would snap back and forth with the winds. My eyes first lifted to notice that, and as I did I could see a glow in the distance. I pulled my cloak tighter around myself, as the winter winds were still looming in the north. Peering towards the glow in the distance I knew it could not be mere lights of the city. Cainen, my bastard son, and Caillech, my daughter, emerged from below to join me on the deck. It was then distant voices could be heard. Muffled by the winds at first then grew slowly in strength. They were a mixture of shouts, screams, and cheers, yet I could not make out what was said. A young citizen of Vesper, no more than 17 years of age, ran towards the docks and could easily be identified. A man of the Vesper Militia, wearing the colors of the city upon simple colored armor, spoke briefly on the docks to the harbormaster. The look upon the harbormaster could not be mistaken, utter shock and horror. He turned towards the docks, looking quickly at the ships now in his care. The Footman approached my own ship as I walked toward the ships edge. He knew well whose ship he approached and called out towards on of the deckhands.

“Rioters!” He called out, trying to speak over the winds.

“WHAT?!” The deckhand replied and gestured the Footman closer.

“RIOTERS!” He repeated.

The deckhand turned his head slowly towards me, but I had already heard. It was no secret many in Vesper, and throughout the lands have grown more impatient and upset. Some even taking to violence and this night the violence had crept its way into the city of Vesper. My daughter and bastard approached, she was bundled tight to keep warm and my son donned the red armor with the sigil of my House upon his chest. I gave a simple enough command and soon the Footman boarded the ship.

“What is going on this night?” Keeping my eyes towards the same glow in the distance, then remembering my station and attempted to regain my composure. “Your name soldier?”

The young man nodded several times, and tried to stand tall and rigid even against the endless winds. “Feldon my Lord, footman of the city Militia. Rioters, they have started several fires in the city.” Now his eyes moved towards the glow and he quickly looked back to me as he remembered whom he spoke to. “We believe several have been hurt or killed already. I have been sent to warn the ships here while we try to secure sections of the city.”

“I am in your debt then good Feldon. Take half of my own men upon the ship to assist you.” Looking back towards my children, Cainen stepped forward assuming I would address him first. “Caillech, return to our quarters here where it is safe.” She did not object and quickly returned below and out of sight. Cainen remained where he stood and I knew what he wished. “Cainen, half of the Guardsmen and go assist the Militia.” He simply nodded, with his hand never leaving his hilt; he spun around yelling towards others about the ship.

Within moment’s nearly a dozen men in red armor stood to depart the ship with Feldon. They departed soon enough and stood upon the docks. After a few words exchanged, of which I could not hear over the wind, Cainen and the men took off on a good pace into the city while Feldon proceeded to speak with the next ship, while the harbormaster spoke to another. My only solace was that I knew my wife was not within the city itself and protected well by other Guardsmen of our House… What has come to this great city?

Jacob Greyden · Visitor Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Vesper

(The next portion is from the point of view of Cainen Waters)

I quickly ran from the docks with men of Greyden behind me, our weapons drawn quickly as we passed the first bridge. Several people ran past us in a panic, not even taking notice to our presence. They darted quickly around a building and out of sight. They were not why we were where and we continue threw the city. As we crossed the 3rd bridge, I saw charred parts upon the bridge and then a scorched wall upon a building. The cries, shouts, and cheers, I heard faintly before were now great in volume. Turning a corner we saw a sight I had not thought I would have ever seen. The cities Militia was in arms against its own citizens! Three Footmen stood, swords drawn, giving chase to several men with torches. The other direction another group of citizens were yelling and setting fire to a signpost while Footmen tried to stop them. The faint glow we all saw upon the ship was now apparent as well. The rioters had now set flame to a number of buildings. The flames grew higher into the sky and licked the strong night winds. As the men were soon out of sight, another larger group rushed my men and I from an alleyway. They were armed with simple tools and weapons yet attacked nonetheless. It seemed like mere moments before their bodies lay lifeless upon the street, with only minor wounds to 3 of my men. A short distance away we heard several screams, near one of the buildings on fire. As we approached, needing to keep back slightly due to the heat of the fire, I spoke to the woman who had screamed.

“HE… HE IS INSIDE!” She yelled to nobody in particular.

“Who? How many are within?” I tried to say but it was obviously she could not gather herself enough to respond.

A Guardsmen stood nearby, who I would later come to know as Terryn. He was dumping water upon the building in an attempt to ease the flames from growing. It was folly, as the fire grew stronger with each passing moment. The flames suddenly lurched out and touched the man as if it were a warning to cease his attempts. One of my men jumped out to him to pull him away before he was injured. A look of horror upon his face, he like myself had never seen such a site within our city.

A few faint cries were heard inside, but the fire was too great to try and enter. Such attempts would only result in the death of any who entered. It was then another cry was heard behind us, as I turned I saw several more rioters beating up a man and screaming at him. My men rushed off to help the poor man, and as we ran towards him I turned back towards the building on fire and those trapped within. If only I had known that night who had been trapped within and what events would follow because of it…

Jacob Greyden · Visitor Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Vesper

(This portion is from the point of view of Lady Naomi Greyden, and with her permission)

The city was tearing itself apart. From South to North rioters and the discontented continued to vent their frustration and anger of the realms policies towards the most innocent. Burning their own city in protest over events and policies they themselves had no control over. But the true source of this discontent came from outside the city of Vesper. Influences that had no interest in stability and order. Instigators of chaos and anarchy moved from city to city throughout the realm like a plague. Death followed them in the form of raiders. Thus far no raiders had been seen in the City of Vesper and for that I was thankful

But with my husband, daughter and bastard son away it fell to me to make some attempt at establishing order. Gathering six of our City Guards I began a consorted effort to find and arrest those rioters who were responsible for starting the many small fires that sprang up throughout the city. Those who seemed to be on the edge of violence but, as yet, had not broken the law, were given a stipend to tide them over until order could be established. I spent thousands from my own treasury to stem the rise of discontent. Still, there were some who would not be satisfied.

“My Lady Greyden, a fire has been reported in the Inn on the mainland. Reports are it is quite large and spreading. Your orders Ma’am?”

“We ride there immediately,” I ordered. Was there really any other choice?

As we approached the Inn from the North a great column of smoke could be seen rising into the mid-day sky.

“What,” I wondered, “could possibly drive good people to cause such destruction against their own interests?”

Perhaps there was no definitive answer. Perhaps, throughout all history, a time arrives when people simply say “enough is enough.” But still I wondered, “Why?”

The fire, for the moment, was contained inside the Inn and had not broken through the roof as yet. If it did break through the roof it would spread to the surrounding buildings and private residences. This could not be allowed to happen. The fire must be extinguished. And quickly.

Several rioters armed with simple but deadly farm equipment. Pitchforks and sickles mostly, stood guard outside the Inn to ensure that those inside could continue to burn unmolested. I and the six City Guards arrived and faced these rioters.

“Stand down and surrender your weapons!” The Captain ordered.

But the rioters only took defensive stances and would not surrender their weapons. The guards then looked to me for orders.

What would my husband do in such a situation? Faced with the possible destruction of valuable city property and perhaps the death of innocent people, people for whose safety and security fell to him, who looked to him and all of House Greyden for protection and order; what would he do?

I steeled myself and, seeing the panicked looks on the faces of the innocent bystanders, nodded my permission to disarm the rioters. The fight lasted only seconds as the City Guard descended upon those poor mislead citizens, cutting them down where they stood. An hour later, with the fire extinguished and the main instigators and arsonists arrested, I received word from a runner that my husband’s ship had docked and he was now engaged, as I had been, with extinguishing a large fire to the Northeast of the city.

As happy as I was to hear that he and my daughter had arrived safely, I could not help but feel that I had, somehow, failed him, for this was no proper homecoming. To be faced with such violence after a long voyage was simply unacceptable. Still my duty was to stand with him regardless of the danger. Our city was in chaos and we must rise to the occasion. House Greyden would prevail and the City of Vesper would, once again, know order and peace.

“We ride to the City Docks!” I cried. “Lord Greyden has returned. Rally your men and follow me!”

I spurred my horse and headed west across the southern bridge. Behind me, the clatter of horse’s hooves echoed over the waters of Vesper Bay.

Julian Randall · Visitor Joined: 03 May 2012 Posts: 1

On that night, Vesper was burning, but Julian Randall was preoccupied with other matters. In a previous life, he had experienced such things firsthand, and he knew that all the food and gold in the kingdom would never stop the change that was coming to Britannia. As always, survival was paramount to this middle-aged merchant, but it was meaningless if he did not secure himself a place in the new order that would follow. As he made his way across the port city, Randall was threatened by rioters on two separate occasions. The first confrontation ended with a gift of coin, while the second required him to brandish the war hammer strapped to his back. Eventually, he reached the small island where the Vesper Customs was located, and entered the building.

"You're not supposed to --!" A young guard sputtered, as he nervously reached for his blade.

"A dozen rioters," the merchant interrupted. "Armed and headed this way. Don't believe we've much of a chance, but mayhaps we should stand against them. I tire of the constant flames."

The younger man glanced uncomfortably at one of the closed doors behind him. He started to speak, but his feet acted before his lips, and within moments he had fled.

A forceful kick brought Randall entry into the office that had so concerned the guard. He quickly surveyed, before relaxing his stance and addressing the room's sole occupant. "Lady Stower."

She was in her early to mid-thirties, wore thick spectacles, and her long blonde hair was thick with an unnatural shine. Her clothing was that of a noble, but in his eyes, she did not carry herself as one. "You shouldn't be here, Randall," the woman stated nonchalantly, as she concentrated on filling a small satchel with documents that were scattered across her desk.

"Then you remember my name," the merchant observed. "I had wondered, the way you ignoring my requests for a meeting." Then he gestured to the pack she held. "You're leaving Vesper."

"No, but there are things best kept from the hands of rioters, as well as their flames."

"You misunderstand me," Randall emphasized each word equally. "You're to depart the city. Tonight. I don't care if it's by ship or by horse or by foot. But you won't be here when the sun rises."

"And why would I entertain such a thought?" She asked, not quite amused, but not yet annoyed.

"You call yourself Alionna Stower," he explained as he stepped closer. "You claim you barely escaped the fall of Magincia and fled here to Vesper. You invested your family's remaining wealth and have done well for yourself. You even hold a seat upon the Merchant's Council." He then paused a moment. "Except, there was a time that I was well acquainted with young Alionna and her entire family. You're not her."

Lady Stower smirked. "And if your information is correct ...?"

"You're Destaing's friend, the tavern b*tch. All the gold and fancy clothing and expensive perfume in Sosaria won't conceal what you are. A gutter rat remains a gutter rat."

"But I'm not the only one here with secrets," she taunted. "I know who you are."

"I assumed as much," Randall nodded. "But you impersonate a dead woman for profit. My secrets are for peace of mind alone. Which of us will survive the harsh light of day?"

"The Justicar will never stand for this!" The false Stower shouted, her temper rising.

"The city is aflame," he calmly reminded. "The Justicar has more important problems now. Don't expect his support if I'm forced to reveal your deceptions."

"You must want something," her face softened, practically begging.

"Of couse," the merchant agreed. "I want a seat upon the Merchant's Council."

"Then ally with me," she pleaded. "I could arrange for that and so much more ..."

"Again, you misunderstand me," he said coldly. "I want your seat upon the Merchant's Council. And I'll take it. I've no need for your bargains. Everything worth having is worth earning."

"The Justicar won't stand for this ..." She quietly repeated, even as she surrendered her acceptance.

Besides, as they would both soon learn, Julian Randall had spoken truly. Vesper was burning, and the Justicar had far more pressing concerns ...

Aria Darkhollow · Visitor Joined: 06 May 2012 Posts: 1

She foresaw fire. But who wouldn't, when Vesper was involved? It was all but consumed by fire these days. Aria tilted her head and watched the water's surface in her reflecting bowl as the ripples splayed candlelight in all directions. The citrine settled on the bottom of the bowl, and the ripples quelled and calmed.

The scryer uncorked a tiny amber bottle and covered the opening with her fingertip. Quickly, she upended the bottle and righted it again. She parted her lips and suckled the bitter spirits from her fingertip before corking the bottle again and tucking it away in a wooden box lined with blue velvet. Slowly, she closed her eyes as the elixir took effect, her mind exploding with colour and light.

Opening her eyes, with renewed sight, she picked up a shard of obsidian and examined it curiously. She held it a few inches above the water's surface and dropped it, her honeyed eyes alight with the supernova that ensued as the candlelight scattered and formed images on the water's surface. Death by fire. Death by murder. Death at the hands of both the well-meaning, and the self-serving.

Mankind falters, and falls. But who will ascend?

The ripples played out, and the images subsided. Aria lifted one more stone: a ruby, rough and unpolished. She pressed it to her lips and whispered words in an ancient and foreign tongue. Then she dropped it into the reflecting bowl.

His face appeared, as thrice before, in the turmoil of the water's surface. Stern, his brow, and noble. Aria smiled to herself as his visage faded into the darkness that lay beneath.

I have chosen well.

Jacob Greyden · Visitor Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Vesper

(This post is from the following day, previous posts were all points of view of the same day)

The sun peeked over the edge of the ocean. Calmer waters rested about Vesper this day. The fires were put out and those rioters whom caused such chaos were either dead, injured, or ran off into the woods. Tension was still high as the city militia observed the people coming back out into the shops. Two more of our families ships arrived during the night, bringing with them their shipments but more importantly more men to protect my family. Bodies of the Vesperians caught in the reach of the rioters were set near the docks in an orderly fashion with all respects due. I could not help but wonder where the Justicar was after all this, why was he not speaking to the people.

On another island of Vesper, men of the militia were digging out rubble of a building the rioters had burned. Shock stopped the men as they pulled up a wooden beam...

I stood on one of my ships as a guardsmen of my House rushed forward.

"My Lord! My Lord!" He shouted running across the docks.

I walked quickly to the edge and looked over towards him, "What is it?"

He looked around a little then shouted up to me, "The Justicar, they found his lifeless body within the city!"

Silence took me over for several moments. This news could cause many uprisings from the city now that he is dead. They will look to the Ministry of Mercantiles until another can be elected. My mind eventually turned to other thoughts, gold. Like any true Vesperian I would look at the profit to be made.

"Thank you Guardsmen, return to help the militia." I say in a somewhat calm manner.

He turned to leave and ran back off, as I turned back upon the deck of the ship. The Greyden family was indeed influencial and controled a good amount of the shipping to and from Vesper as well as other ventures with the ships. Perhaps I could use this to increase my own position. But I shall require backing from others. My largest competitor, perhaps an arrangement can be made there. He had no official standing in the Ministry, as I sat upon one of their seats, yet he was quick to build his own shipping lanes and a likely person to join the Trademen Guild of Vesper. I go below deck and gather a few simple things and depart the ship in search of the man who could possibly help me. He would not be the only one however, I should seek the backing of other Guilds as well. The Shipwrights Guild has always been favorable of the Trademen Guild. Perhaps others whom required ships to move their items would be swayed for their votes, for a price.