The Ganut

Episode 26: They have to hear it, they have to know it.

The sun had risen over Sifane for a while. Mary, who was not working this weekend, had finished getting ready to go to army headquarters. She went to the nearest stable to reserve her place in a shared carriage heading to the west of the city. She bought another pamphlet, just to be in tune with events in the city. The major event was the death of the widow of the previous king Demek. Also, Michel, her colleague and also president of the activists, announced a meeting for women's rights. The last announcement was the royal horse race which will take place in a week. Mary had finished reading the news before arriving at her destination. She chatted a little with her neighbors who were two young lovers who were going to visit the grandparents of their future child. Mary briefly recalled her memories with Jadik when she was pregnant with Garuk. While she was deep in thought, the carriage had arrived at Mary's stop. She got off and went to the army's HQ.

The guards downstairs were the same as last time. They let her in this time without making a fuss. She didn't even wait more than 30 seconds at the secretariat. She was surprised by how quickly everything had happened. " Already ? » she said when the secretary informed her that she could enter the general's office.

-    Nobody bothered you this time I hope.

-    How so ?

-    You had to pretend to be my servant last time. So I left clear instructions.

Mary then understood the behavior of all the soldiers towards her since her arrival. She let out a smile that Jerel appreciated in return. Mary apologized in advance before explaining the reason for her visit. She gave the letter to Jerel and asked him to abandon the search. The first leads of the investigation did not indicate a voluntary departure given that he left in a hurry and without his favorite horse. No traveler or carrier remembers him. But hey, Jerel had to stop researching the regulations, the wishes of the complainant and the letter. After all maybe he was fine and is Dizek's like the letter said. Mary was about to go out when Jerel held her by the hand. "Give me a second chance," he said. Mary still didn't know how to resist the touch and the look of the magnificent young man. She accepted. So he invited her to join him at the royal race next week. She accepted his proposal with a nod and left her office.

She booked a shared carriage, this time heading to the city center, to listen to the activists and pay a little visit to Michel, her colleague. Michel had just given Clarisse the floor just as Mary had just arrived in the room. Makissi also wanted to be there to see Clarisse at work. Clarisse came to the desk and spoke. His speech aimed to convince not only men but especially women. They wanted through certain strikes or demonstrations, women to show their indispensable nature to all of society. For her, no woman should leave the fight to others because they all must fight. It is therefore imperative to establish what is right and not settle for the wrong system as long as it does not really affect us.

-    This is why even men are joining our cause! The more we remain silent, the more our margin of freedom and equality shrinks. So I ask all the women of Sifane to tie a red fabric at the level of the biceps as I did today. I want us to do this throughout the "week of festivities." This will show them not only how numerous we are, but above all that we are united. This will make them understand that we are important just as they are. I would have liked us to strike all at once to see a real impact, but it has been two years since our request regarding the right to strike has been rejected. I reformulated a new one and I hope our red fabric will open their eyes. Why should a male and female teacher who provide the same courses at the academy have two different salaries? Why can't a woman join the army? Why can it only have one woman on the council of eleven? Why can't a woman be ruler of Sifane? Is it because we are less smart!? Of course not. It's just because they don't see us as more than housekeepers or good wives. We are much more than that! They need to hear it. They need to know it! Why would there be sanctions intended only for women while men who sin in the same way are exempt from punishment! The walk of shame must be revoked! Better yet, this type of law must be voted for by everyone. We are much more than that! They need to hear it. They need to know it! Why would there be sanctions intended only for women while men who sin in the same way are exempt from punishment! The walk of shame must be revoked! Better yet, this type of law must be voted for by everyone. We are much more than that! They need to hear it. They need to know it! Why would there be sanctions intended only for women while men who sin in the same way are exempt from punishment! The walk of shame must be revoked! Better yet, this type of law must be voted for by everyone.

Meanwhile, Lorentz and Paul awaited the king's arrival in the throne room. Paul was still trying in the last moments to convince the prince when the royal trio arrived. Bali didn't even want Lorentz to be knighted. She was afraid that this would happen to them in the future. Paul and Lorentz curtseyed. Morak first offered his condolences then reiterated his proposal to Lorentz.

Lorentz: I appreciate your generosity but no thanks. We have already been made clear that we are not welcome and trusting you again would be very unlikely on my part, so no thank you.

Bali: I told you these people didn't deserve our gratitude.

Morak: Enough mother! Stop calling them "those people." They deserve more respect.

Caesar: If it's the fact of being accountable to me that slows you down because you would be a count, we can make you Duke you know.

Lorentz: (small laugh...) She calls it gratitude. At the risk of appearing unpleasant the next time I speak, I ask to withdraw. Even if the proposals of your majesty and the Duke of Jutrecky seem to me to have good intentions, I remain in my position: No thank you.

(Lorentz curtsied and retired to wait for Paul in front of the palace.)

Bali: What a waste of time!

Morak: (He first stared at his mother with an angry look) May this be the first and last time you address my guests like this. (Furious, Morak left the room as well)

Bali was speechless. She was ashamed and immediately blamed Caesar. She stared at him and said:

-    Are you going to let him talk to me like that?

-    What do you want me to do, he's the king above all.

Only Paul and Caesar remained in the room. Paul took the opportunity to confirm the name of the 3rd member of their internal investigation known. It was the Duke of Lidsor and member of the eleven Ervin Carney. There was no one more faithful to the nobility and history of Sifane than him. His family is one of the oldest in Sifane. Ervin did not hold an important enough position so he will surely not be spied on like Paul and Caesar might be. The great sage informed Caesar at the same time that their meetings will now take place in the luxurious establishments and taverns of Ervin.

As soon as Paul got in the carriage, Lorentz told him : "Send the money to my account before we forget. I have to make my own history"