Tipping the Scale

His Eyes (Part 2)

She wanted to ask Warchief, what kind of help he had in mind but didn't get the chance as he was already following the innkeeper. Pulling on her hood, she quickly caught up to them as they continued their way through the Northern slumps. With each passing street, more people seemed to join their parade until they could finally hear a commotion ahead of them. Slowing her pace, she failed to see what was happening due to the crowd that had gathered. This didn't stop Roland, however, who barreled straight through. The wall of people hurriedly parted as they noticed his approach to prevent being trampled. As the circle closed again, Warchief gestured her to follow, and they found a spot within the crowd to observe the happenings without being noticed themselves.

A group of around twenty guards faced off with the crowd that had surrounded them. In their midst was a teen girl who twisted and screamed in a desperate attempt to be released. The animosity between the guards and the residents was tangible in the air and Lidea was taken aback by how brazen the citizens treated the city guards.

Seems like Morto lost all control in the slumps.

It explained why Warchief had not been too worried about being discovered.

"What is happening here!?"

Roland had reached the center and his booming voice caused several of the guards to straighten up and grab for their weapons. Based on their reaction, she guessed this hadn't been their first meeting with the innkeeper. One of the guards, an older man whose uniform bore a star indicating him to be a captain, answered him in an exasperated tone.

"Tell them to stand down Roland, she has broken the law."

The innkeeper snorted as he widened his stance and shook his head.

"You know better Yirthu. I thought we had an agreement. You keep out of my streets, and your goons don't end up hurt anymore when they enter the North Quarter."

Glancing over at Warchief, she understood why he operated so carefree within this neighborhood if their spokesman was this openly hostile towards the guards. She wouldn't be surprised if most guards avoided this area when they could.

Roland's taunts had an effect as the captain's face reddened.

"We will leave you alone if your people stop breaking the law."

"And what law is it this time? Another one of those that you people forgot to tell us?"

The crowd started to shift in agitation and Lidea could only guess at what previous altercations had caused the whole area to be in open rebellion against their king. Even Warchief seemed affected, his laid-back attitude having been replaced by an angry grimace.

If they didn't de-escalate the situation fast, then those guards wouldn't leave without causing bloodshed, and this would only further incense the citizens. On the other hand, if the girl had broken the law, then letting her go, would bolster the lawlessness of the area. Based on how bold they acted, she strongly suspected that the guards had been going soft on them for a while now.

The captain seemed to be aware of his precarious situation, as he chose to try and gain their sympathy.

"The girl is accused of heresy. We are just doing our job, you know this."

"I know, and as good citizens, it is our job to let you know when you are mistaken. She is a very pious girl, is in the church at every free moment, and even volunteers to help the sick in our dear Lord's name."

"That is true! Just yesterday she visited my sick boy, she did!"

"Sunday she helped us clean the church! How could she be a heretic?"