DORULL SAGA - SWAMP OF DEATH
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Xavnier managed to slip unnoticed
from his mansion, knowing he would still have to deal with the crowd gathered around the main city
square. He was welcomed by a rather loud shouts, and some quite hostile ones. Despite them being expected, they worried halfling. Cordon of soldiers ensured Xavnier a safe passage to the city palace. He was showered in questions, as
soon as he approached close enough to the surrounding townsfolk. But he
couldn’t understand a single one. Indistinct, loud noises were far too bungled.
Strong, southern winds brought the
rainy clouds from Kabial. Flags in front of the council's palace were already
lowered to a half-mast. Carried by the occasional gusts, flags fluttered
beautifully, in a stark contrast of the dismal, bleak symbolism they
represented. Xavnier was feeling a bit relieved, as he reached the massive,
polished stairs in front of the palace without any incident.
This three story building was
perhaps the most beautiful one in the entire town. Bright, white facade
certainly stood out from the rest. The town was spending a
significant amount of resources every year on its maintenance. Massive, black, double doors,
decorated on both sides with white columns, led into a wide, spacious hall.
Majestic, double staircase, was rising to the second floor, stretching into a
gallery, surrounding the room. Huge, crystal chandelier, hung from the high
ceiling, light the entire hall with its hundred, slow burning candles.
Dozens of oil paintings decorated the walls. Floor of the room was covered in
polished, lacquered wood. Long, bright red curtains were hanging on both sides
of the windows. Room was spotless, which wasn’t surprising at all, seeing a
couple of butlers were taking care of it on a daily basis.
Commotion suddenly stopped. Xavnier
turned around, just in time to see the arrival of the Issurk officials. At the
head of the procession, rode lady Eilonna Falkner. With the help from one of
the soldiers, she dismounted her magnificent, noble, white stallion, with ease
and grace. In a couple of light steps, councilor Falkner approached the
halfling, taking his hand gently.
“My deepest condolences.” Eilonna
said, so the others could hear her “Issurk is ready to help, in these, for all
of us difficult moments.”
“Thank you, milady. This means a
lot to us.” Xavnier retorted.
Halfling let the councilor Falkner
pass by, entering the hall of the palace right behind her. They went up the
stairs, and all around the gallery, towards the glass pane doors, leading onto
a large balcony. Small, wooden podium was built in the middle of it, right
beside the rails. Xavnier stopped for a moment. Events that transpired in the
last couple of days, finally caught up with him. Realization, he partake in the
assassinations of his colleagues and friends, made him dazed. Feeling slight
vertigo, halfling leaned against the wall.
“Are you alright?” Eilonna grabbed
him under the arm.
Instead of an answer, Xavnier
suddenly went down in a crouching position, holding his chest. Halfling’s heart
was pounding quite fast and erratic. Cold beads of sweat appeared on his
forehead, at the exact same time, as the wave of nausea made him vomit.
“Do you want me to call for some
help?” Eilonna asked.
“N…no, I’ll be fine.” color was
returning in the halfling’s cheeks “Just a second…it is passing.”
“Understandable, regarding the
circumstances.” Eilonna patted his shoulder “Come now. Show these people, you
are fit to lead.”
Small, wooden podium, erected
against the fence, was fitting halfling’s small frame. Otherwise, no one would
be able to see him. Square in front of the palace was completely filled. By
the time Xavnier exited onto the balcony, almost everyone from Vallsynk was
here. Perfect opportunity for halfling, to leave the impressions on these fine
townsfolk. At least that was the plan, to begin with.
“This day will forever be
remembered, as one of the darkest, in the history of our beautiful town.”
Xavnier began his speech, somewhat shyly, “Fire, which completely destroyed the
building of the merchant’s guild, took the lives of councilors Slynan Panmorn
and Aesedair Fletcher.”
Halfling sighed silently, looking
down. New wave of frailty made him stop for a second.
“You can’t afford showing any
weakness.” Eilonna whispered, standing by the door frame behind halfling
“People need to see you as a brave and capable leader.”
“In this tragic accident, we lost
the great leaders. It is true, you know, when they say that deeds speak more
than any words. Under councilor’s wise guidance, Vallsynk grew and developed
into a town that we know and live in. Legacy they left behind, can only honor
the memories of them.” Xavnier stopped for a second or two “Therefore, I sense
it is my privilege to continue their splendid work. To turn their visions into
a reality. To make Vallsynk even greater.”
Lack of any reaction, was clear
enough sign for halfling, that people did not have a positive opinion about
him. He did know, for a long time now, of the jibes and ridicule, aimed at him
and his eccentric lifestyle. On any other day, Xavnier would probably just
shrug it off. But this new development made him start thinking about his image
and reputation. He was determined to show he is capable, or people will never
back him up.
“Therefore, I am pleading to all of
you for help.” Xavnier said “Only together, we can overcome such a horrible
tragedy.”
“How did councilors die?!” one loud
voice came from the crowd.
“Were they killed?!” halfling heard
another “Where is Zaanven?!”
“Is the elf responsible for the
fire?!” people were restless.
Xavnier was hoping he would avoid
such delicate questions. He never had a chance, nor time, to agree on the story
with councilor Falkner. Ever growing stir and commotion among the townsfolk,
threatened to spread all over the square. People wanted answers. Halfling had
to please their curiosity, and fast.
“Calm down, please!” Xavnier cried
“For now, everything points to an accident. But, the suspicious disappearance
of councilor Zaanven, is a strange thing to say at least.”
Absolute hush pleased the halfling.
People were listening to him.
“Refrain yourselves from any and
all rumors. Investigation I ordered first thing this morning will quite soon
eliminate any doubts, regarding last night tragedy.” Xavnier said in a
reassuring manner “We need to remain civilized and dignified in this difficult
week ahead of us, so we can mourn our loss. That is it for now, thank you all
very much.”
Halfling immediately walked from
the podium. In just a few steps, he was back inside the palace. He ran down the
hallway, and to the left. And would probably tumble down the stairs, if it
weren’t for Eilonna, grabbing his arm.
“Take it easy my friend. Who are
you running from?”
Xavnier did not respond. It seemed
as if he couldn’t see her, or hear her. He looked petrified. Twitching and twisting,
halfling tried to escape from Eilonna’s grip. He wanted to hide from everybody.
This was a completely new experience for him. For the first time, Xavnier
addressed this many people. Usually, other councilor’s were the ones holding
the speeches. Halfling was glad and relieved to let them. But now, he came to
realize, it would all fall onto him. And it frightened him, to say the least.
Self-centered, eccentric above all,
halfling was a complete opposite of what his new position demanded out of him.
Except for the small circle he mingled with, Xavnier avoided socializing. He kept away from gatherings, dinners, parades and celebrations. But this
unfortunate distancing from the others, now seemed to be a serious problem. Halfling had to change his ways overnight. Otherwise, he would never be accepted
as a leader of this town. Lady Falkner promised him help with that. It was
urgent to speak with her, as soon as possible.
“Will you calm yourself?” councilor
Falkner finally got to him.
“Ah, there you are, milady.” Xavnier said, as if he was awakening from the dream “I looked for you everywhere. We have to talk about our arrangements.”
“Silly halfling. I was standing beside you this entire time.” Eilonna laughed wholeheartedly “Come, let’s go sit in the lounge room.”
