As I turn around, I find a semi-familiar face looking back at me…along with a few others. Most are sweating buckets and breathing heavy, but that doesn’t seem to deter the menacing looks.
“Ah, John was it. I am not sure what I could have done to cause you to treat me this way, but do you think its wise to have so many guards running around inside the village, when most of the threat is outside of the village?” I am not sure he liked that comment. The level of red in John’s face has increased a few more shades. The other guards seem to have taken offense at someone criticizing their jobs as well. This is not going well.
“Listen here bandit, we are one of the Duke’s free cities. Our authority is absolute. So, come along quietly and we will ‘discuss’ all of your violations to village law.” He actually put air quotes around discuss. I have to wonder how my sister hires these nut jobs.
It’s about this time that I feel my sister finally making her way around the back of a far building. I suspect the wall guards…those that actually stayed on duty…reported John’s little hunt. If I am reading her foot steps properly, she is probably a step away from killing him.
“Lieutenant J. L. Jenkins, why the hell are you chasing my brother around the village and not on duty?”
I think the “my brother” portion of the conversation hit John harder than anything I could do to him. His face slackens, and then I see it…the fear. He knows. I suspect my brothers mentioned something about a missing younger brother, but I don’t think they knew why I left…maybe they suspected. So why the fear? Is it me, or the secret crafting techniques my family knows? Or is it something else?
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Regardless of my inner monologue, it appears the dear Lieutenant didn’t answer quick enough because my raised up three stone slabs pinning the poor man’s legs to the in a nice triangle. My sister was always very talented for a Strong.
“Umm, Captain…uhh, I didn’t know he was your brother. It would have been different if it was…I mean, we would have understood…and…”. He really didn’t get a chance to complete his ramblings as my sister walked up to him and ripped his golden epaulettes off his shoulders. John Jenkins you are removed from duty in the village of New Juniliple. You are to travel back to the Duke for judgement. I will be sending notification ahead. Your charges will be dereliction of duty, excessive force, usurping command, mental impairment, and poor judgement. In addition, I will be reviewing the new recruits you have brought in over the last month…since none of them received Dukal or my approval. In fact, it looks like it is gentlemen around you know. Doesn’t this make it easy. I will escort you back to the barracks, where you will pack and leave the village immediately.” The red was returning back to dear John’s face. I think he was planning on setting up his own little fiefdom. He was far enough away from most competition, so it made sense if you were a greedy a88hat.
As a group, I could feel each of them reaching for their attunements. I could kill them all. It would be cutting off candle before it burns the house down, but I am not sure how evil each of these men are…or were. With a subtle pull, I disconnect them from their attunement…well, maybe not disconnect, but swamp the area in my song. I can see the fear now. They are now, normal humans.
I don’t think my sister realized. In fact she seemed to think this was expect behavior towards a commanding officer. She pushed and cajoled the group in the direction of the barracks. “Harry, I will meet you at the inn tonight…after I clean up the village.”
“Ok sis, just give a yell if you need a hand. I will keep an eye for it.” As she walked away, I turned back towards the direction of the inn, hoping to stop by a clothier or equivalent. I needed some clothes for my new job.