An Octarchal guard walks determined to the plaza.
-Citizens! -he shouts- Gather up. The Octarchy summons you! Meet me at the plaza to face the danger that stalks the city sewers!
Soon after that a crowd started to gather around him.
- I am here to organize a group of deputies and hunt the creatures down until our sewers are safe again!- he explains.
The citizens surrounding him raise their voices in agreement. Satisfied by the reaction, Viloran calls for volunteers:
- Who answers the call of the Octarch?
The first one to step forward is Ulfer, followed by Hanace, Thinzall, Gnarrly and Tharback.
- Are you ready to rid Hydlaa of all the creatures in the sewers?!- Viloran shouts, rallying the volunteers.
- Aye!
- HUZZA!!!!
- YEA!!!!!!!
- AYE!
- ATTACK!!!
- Let the blood of our enemies fill the sewers this day!- Thinzall says. Excited by the enthusiasm, Viloran continues:
- Are you willing to spill the blood of every single monster down there until not one of them is left alive?!
Once again all the men cry a bloodthirsty "Aye!" as one.
- Stop!- a voice cries as a flash of light suddenly interrupts the gathering. When the light dissipates, a small Nolthrir woman stands before the confused group. She bares the signs of Xiosia. Viloran cusses in silence.
- Out of my way, Nolthrir. This official business.- Viloran says bitterly.
- The creatures have all the right to be alive! Just as any other man or beast!- she explains
- But they are killing citizens- Hanace explains.
- Didn't you at some point, Hanace?- she replies, her eyes fixed on the menki.
- They attacked me, hunted me like some beast. I want retribution, I want their heads!- Ulfer says.
- What are you talking about woman? There are monsters down there and must be killed!- Viloran intervenes again.
- If you kill them all, the balance of nature will be upset.
- The balance of the city comes first!
Viloran thought it would be easy to rally the citizens and raid the sewers, killing everything on their path but now that priestess was on their way. He was not sure yet whether to stomp on her as well or spare her. In any case, the group that up until a few minutes ago was ready to follow his orders unquestioningly now hesitated and looked at each other for a consensus.
- Perhapse some could be tamed- Tharback says.
Ulfer waves his hand dismissivly. -Nature.. pah! -he utters.
- Why would you want to kill all the creatures? -she asks - You may find you're unable to fight them...- This last comment did not please Viloran.
- What do you mean, priestess?- he asks, tempted to strangle the woman.
- Nature is a large force, and Xiosia will protect everyone to her best ability.
- You and your riddles! Bah!- he says, frustrated.
- Where was your Goddess when her monsters attacked our city?! Why did she let that happen? -Viloran argues but some men are already siding with her.
- She is right!- Calak yells -What are we to kill these creatures... we should spare them and find a way to coexist with them!
- Spare the creatures?!- Viloran replies widening his eyes.
- Their agressiveness comes from overpopulation -Tharback observes.
- They are outside their natural habitat- Hrothbert adds.
- They are too violent to be compromised with.- Phinneas replies.
- There might be a way to rid them from the city. But I know not of one yet. -The priestess adds.- So we should listen to a priestess and not our weapons?- Thinzall asks.
- Perhaps -Tharback says.
- I cannot believe what I hear! -Viloran says.- I am here to protect this city from anything that threatens it! There is no place for such creatures here!
- Sir, do you have a document detailing your current mission? -the priestess says calmly.
- My mission?
- I think that's the proper way to ask. -she replies. Viloran looks at Avalnis angrily.
- I am bere to protect the city. I don't need any stinking document! My badge is all I need!
- Your badge doesn't hold up in Xiosia's realm, sir. -she says.
- Well, I've never seen Xiosia down these streets so she must live in another city! -he responds, mockingly, causing a few chuckles among the crowd.
- If you are to exterminate any species, the Octarchy must have approved on it. -she replies, her eyes locked on the guard.
He hesitates. She obviously knows what she is talking about.
- Ummm...Kenzel does not want to end a species...no matter how odious... -Kenzel observes.
- Silence!- Viloran shouts, breathing heavily.
- If you have no orders to that effect, go to your superior and get an octarchy approved document entailing the demise or the species, and the why along it. -she says- Otherwise, I'll have to call upon the forces of nature to stop you. At any cost.
- Laanx! You and your Goddess are endangering us ALL!- he responds.
Even though he has lost the battle he is not willing to let things slide so easily.
- Your cheap tricks will not stop me! I shall go se the Octarch and come back with his permission to exterminate all of the creatures! -he promises then he turns to the crowd- Citizens! Tomorrow I shall return with the Octarch's decision. Meet me here to put an end to the menace of the sewers!
- I want ALL the octarchs to sign in.- the priestess demands. Viloran dismisses her, rallying the crowd once more.
- Bring your weapons for no creature will be left alive! Until then, do not expose yourselves to danger!
After saying this, the guard walks away, visibly angry, leaving the priestess behind to celebrate this small victory. He mutters a curse as he hears her praise Xiosia.
[Will the creatures be exterminated? Is there a way to coexist with them? Will a species be wiped off the face of Yliakum? What is behind the mysterious attacks? Join us today (Sunday, July 20 at 21:00GMT) and find out!]
