Monte and the cat leaving town [https://i.imgur.com/NaGArIC.png]

THE TOLL

From the inside, Monte pushed on the door to the clock tower with his free hand and it opened. The bells had stopped, but they left a tinny ringing in his ears. Even so, the cheers from the crowd outside the door were clearly audible.

Up in the belfry the mob had seemed much smaller. Seeing them assembled at the ground level, all looking at him, was intimidating. So much so he dropped the boot of the Company man he was dragging.

More cheers went up from the crowd, almost as loud as the bells had been.

"He's done it! Just like we knew he would!" Kieran emerged from the crowd. The mayor appeared behind him. Monte noticed his hands were once again bound.

"Well done, well done." The mayor said as he approached Monte. He then lowered his head and leaned in towards Monte.

"I never had any doubt you could clean this mess up for me." Padrig said it quietly, directing it only to Monte.

The words gave Monte pause. Was he really just part of a big scheme here? How people spoke about the mayor, it was clear this wasn't just the Company's doing.

This man really is a rat.

Monte stepped away from and addressed the crowd.

"For you? I did this for the people here. They deserve better than a mayor who can be bought and sold by the Company." Monte spoke confidently. The crowd lapped it up.

The look on Padrig's face changed, he was stoney. He let out a deep sigh.

"All right. Yes I can see the error in my ways. Just please, grant me a fair trial! I'm innocent. I was merely a pawn in this scheme!" Padrig said, trying his best to appear remorseful and resigned to his fate.

The crowd led out a collective groan. Monte hoped that Padrig would make it long enough to get that trial. The looks on some of the faces suggested his hope was for nothing.

"We'll see about that. Now about those Company men…" Kieran said, stepping over to where Monte had left the man he brought with him from inside.

Just then the town butcher and another man, who Monte believed was one of the town Guard, brought the ringleader forward from the crowd. He didn't appear to be alive, his injuries were grievous. Monte couldn't tell if they were from hitting the ground or the moments after.

"Let's show them just hospitable we are!" Kieran shouted. The crowd responded with relish.

The mob surged forth and grabbed the mayor. A few of the younger folk went up into the tower without bothering to ask if it was safe. Before Monte could say anything Kieran turned to him.

"Come with me now, quick now. Let the town handle these men." Kieran said so only Monte could hear him.

Kieran put his arm around Monte and started to lead them away. Looking over his shoulder one last time he saw the crowd descending on the man he'd just dragged from the clock tower.

"What will happen to them?" Monte asked. Kieran said nothing.

He'd been asked to bring them back alive to the crowd. Monte assumed that meant they would be put on trial. He tried to make himself believe they would.

Kieran led him to the town hall and they went inside. Demonstrating he knew the building well, Kieran immediately went upstairs and into an office. Above the door was an ornate wooden sign reading "Mayor".

The room was the most beautiful he'd ever been inside, lined with bookshelves holding more volumes than some of the libraries at the Academy. A humble fire was burning in the hearth.

Behind the massive wooden desk was a leather wingback chair. It was unoccupied, unlike the almost equally fine sitting chairs arranged on the other side of the desks. One of the chairs was empty. To Monte's great surprise the other chair was graced with the Clockmaker.

"He did it, all four of them. I believe at least two are still alive." Kieran said to the Clockmaker.

"Those men deserve to be tried in a court. The Company and the mayor." Monte said. The entire situation had him feeling uneasy. He could justify the two men he defeated in combat, he might not be standing here if he didn't. But if two of the men had survived they deserved justice.

"The town can decide their fate, but tonight isn't the right time." Monte continued.

"Surely you are correct Monte." The Clockmaker hadn't risen from her chair, and spoke with the same calm tone as she had inside her quarters.

"You have done us a great service here. Your efforts will not soon be forgotten. The Company men will be locked in the Guard cells. As for Padrig, he too will be dealt with." The Clockmaker finished.

From an adjacent room, the young woman he'd seen in a state outside this very hall earlier this evening emerged. Her eyes no longer bore any signs of distress. Had it been an act before? Monte didn't know yet how all these people were involved, but he knew he had somehow been manipulated.

She carried a stack of papers. They were of different sizes some appeared older and more worn than others. Monte assumed they were all the directives from the Company.

"Here you are father." She said, handing them over to him.

"I'll take them to the Guard office now and lock them away for the trial." Kieran said to his daughter. Then he turned to Monte.

"Now I must leave, the townsfolk won't know what to do now that I've gone. I will handle winding them down tonight. Good night all. And thank you again Monte." Kieran said, extending his free hand for Monte to shake. Monte accepted it and Kieran shook it vigorously, then he turned and left.

"Now about our arrangement." The Clockmaker cooed. Monte turned and she beckoned him to take the seat open next to hers. The woman, Kieran's daughter, took the seat behind the desk. Something about her occupying it felt very natural, as though it wasn't the first time she'd done it.

"I believe you have held up your end of the bargain, Monte. Am I right, mayor?" The Clockmaker said, turning to the woman in the mayor's chair.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"If you're referring to your agreement with the town, which I hereby reinstate effectively immediately, then yes I believe our friend here has." The new mayor said.

Monte must have looked shocked, confused, likely both.

"I've been running this town since my father stepped down several years ago. Padrig just plays the part. My mother here helped me bring you to the town to set things right after that old rat got himself in too deep. I'm Orna." She said, and reached a hand across the desk.

"Mother?" Monte couldn't help letting the words out. He looked from Orna to the Clockmaker.

The Clockmaker's eyes flashed a sign to him, then slowly closed and she gave a slow, shallow nod. So the Clockmaker was this woman's mother, and Kieran was her father. It didn't all quite add up, thought it was certainly possible. Monte wondered if there was yet another secret about the Orna's parentage. It surely didn't seem like the most important matter. Monte remembered his manners and leaned forward to grasp her hand. It was smooth and warm, like the women he'd been classmates with at the Academy.

"And what do you mean you brought me here?" Monte asked Orna.

"Everything I said to you in my chambers was the truth." The Clockmaker spoke in place of Orna. Just then Monte heard the tinkling of the cat's bell. She must have been curled up near the fireplace, and decided to come join them. She hopped up on the Clockmaker's lap and looked at Monte. How did she know to come to the town hall?

"I did know your father." Her eyes darted to Orna and back to Monte.

"He did help me build this town's clock tower. What I neglected to tell you is that since he came here to tell me he was in danger, I have been attempting to follow your movements. Your father didn't know what would happen to you if her were to be killed. But he suspected you might be caught up in the investigation. I take it he was right." She said, and paused.

The Clockmaker's words were as soothing as he remembered. Had they not been Monte would have had a harder time hearing them.

"My father knew I would be accused of his death?" Monte asked, needing to know more.

"He wasn't clear with details, it was just a feeling he had. He would have them sometimes, as you surely know." She said.

Monte did know. His father had an intuition unlike any Monte had seen anywhere else. Even the most veteran Guard couldn't predict the things his father often could. Why didn't his father warn him? Why didn't he tell everyone in the town when he could? Monte knew the answer, it was obvious even with his clout something like that would only create more suspicion. It all added up, but there will still more questions.

"I still don't understand how I ended up here." Monte confessed. The Clockmaker was taking a sip of tea.

"News of your actions in a village near here reached us at a very opportune time. When I started finding papers around saying Padrig was being called on his debts I knew something was wrong. He stopped working with me entirely, he started going over my head. I don't have final say, so town hall simply stopped paying for civic services. All the money we brought in was flowing right out to the Company. That's when my mother, father and I devised a plan to host a festival for the final tolling. We convinced Padrig it was his idea, a sort of tourist draw that might help him pay off some of what he owed. In truth, it was designed to draw you here." Orna spoke for her mother this time.

Monte felt relieved to hear it. His paranoia had obviously been valid. He didn't know how he would have responded if they had simply told him what was happening and asked for his help.

I would have run. Fast.

He cursed his stubbornness, once again Monte found himself in a situation where he had access to the Company. He could have interrogated them, surely they had useful information. Now it was very unlikely they would ever speak to him. Even in the clock tower he couldn't get answers, it had been too loud.

The clock tower!

"The clock tower!" Monte said it aloud, it was all starting to make sense.

"Yes. I hope my little trick aided you in dispatching them." The Clockmaker said.

Monte had been so occupied with getting out of the tower alive, he hadn't stopped to consider why the bells started tolling when they did. Of course the Clockmaker had orchestrated it.

"It did. Thank you." Monte replied. Monte decided to leave out some of the details. He was sure they would learn soon enough.

"I had some help from my little friend of course." She cooed, giving the cat a scratch on the head. She rang her bell, it sounded somehow even more self-satisfied than usual.

"So I have held up my end, I guess. What will happen to Padrig? And what about Alaya and her shop? Can you really control the rats?" Monte asked the questions in quick succession. He had many more, but wanted to get these out of the way.

The two women looked at one another.

"Padrig will be given a fair trial. Likely he will be spared and allowed to stay in the town, though I must imagine he will choose to leave." Orna said, solemnly. Monte couldn't imagine how Padrig could show his face anywhere in town after tonight. Most of the townsfolk likely wouldn't be able to forgive his actions, even if the morning gossip sessions suddenly turned in his favor.

"The town will hold an election. I hope to run a campaign with the backing of my mother and father, and you Monte… I would be honored to have your support behind me. I vow to restore the civic pride in this town and grow the services we provide to our people, just like you said you would do. Vendors in the square will of course retain their properties. And I swear to never interrupt the musician's troupe, even if it's important." Orna said, now smiling.

Monte was flattered. He stared at her for a moment. As far as he knew, they had never met, but she looked incredibly familiar to him. He couldn't place it.

"I'm honored, though I don't know how much help I would be." Monte replied.

"As for Alaya, and the other vendors in the square. The rats will no longer be a problem. One of your father's genius ideas was to imbue the bells with the ability to ring at frequencies that keep the rats fully in the Old City. They were trained for years to stay underground, for fear of the shrill sounds.” The Clockmaker paused. Monte thought back to when he drew his father’s sword outside the Clockmaker’s room and the rats stopped.

The wailing must have confused them.

“He used the same crafting technique he honed his entire life. And I daresay this cat's bell was the pinnacle of his achievements. A sound only one person can hear. I can't fathom it." The Clockmaker said.

My father truly was a genius.

As if on cue, Monte heard the tinkling of the bell. There was so much about his father he still didn't know. He wished he could find the answers from the two women here, but he knew they couldn't help any more than they had. He thought about Alaya. Had she been part of this too? Monte knew he would have to leave this town, and leave her. It felt much easier now, like he had some closure on why he came in the first place.

"Now, if you feel satisfied, if I'm not mistaken the town would like to show you off the best way we know how." Orna said. With that she stood and swept the three of them and the cat out of the building.

On the square, the decorations Monte thought looked so sad in the midday sun looked festive once again. A fresh cask of ale had been rolled up from the tavern cellar and tapped. On the stage, the troupe of musicians took up their instruments once again. It seemed like every vaguely familiar face wanted to issue him their personal thanks, and toast to him. After what must have been the thirtieth, Monte took to the space in front of the stage to dance. It was deep into the night by the time Monte was able to get away. He found Alaya still awake and steeled himself.

"Alaya, thanks for making me so welcome here. I've had fun but I need to move on in the morning." Monte told her. The ale helped steady him.

"Oh Monte. I've had fun too. You're the town hero! You really brought the action to our sleepy little town. We will miss you. I will miss you." she said.

And for the first time since he arrived, Alaya brought him to her room above the café. He thought she was convincing him to stay a little longer, as the evening was immensely enjoyable. But, when he awoke alone the next morning, he knew what he had to do.

Before giving his final speech, he had a few coffees to clear his head. It was crowded with locals, people were standing around the periphery of the café. Even Orna stopped in. The entire room was waiting for it. Kieran had been egging him on all morning. Donning his most theatrical voice, Monte stood on his chair and cleared his throat.

"I thank you all for your fine hospitality." Monte started.

"It has only been nigh a week since I arrived, but I feel this is my home. I hope I haven't overstayed my welcome." He paused. There were murmurs to the contrary.

"Even though my dancing, I've heard, leaves something to be desired." This time there were laugh.

"In this very room is the woman I believe is right to be your new mayor, and I urge you to support her." He pointed to Orna, standing in the back with Kieran. The room applauded.

"She's responsible for the festivals, bringing back the bells, and sending away the rats. She's responsible for making sure this town stays this town!" He paused for effect. There were exclamations from the crowd.

"I sincerely hope the next time I'm here it's just as charming, just as industrious, and just about the same as it is now. Thank you!" Monte concluded.

"One more time for Monte!" Kieran shouted from the back. The crowd picked up the cheers.

Monte grabbed his bag and slung it over his back and made for the door. He waved one more time and gave a very modest bow. Then he left the café. No sooner had he left did the bells begin a cheerful carillon. Monte found the cat and she jumped onto his pack. They left together in the direction of the Capitol. He could hear the bells tolling for him until they were just memories.