The Ohseun Unrest: Part 1

Ghvami stood next to Klaedee as they watched the nearby disgruntled crowd slowly grow. The locals at first simply paused to glare in anger at the soldiers and foreigners before going about their day, but as the sun passed its peak and began to fall, the crowd began lingering longer. He didn't blame them, it was their difkohae being torn apart, where would the sick go now? Still, his lot was to do the Lihvor's bidding, and it was by royal decree that this construction be done. The town had even agreed with the development, though Ghvami doubted the negotiations were fair.   "How likely is it we have to beat someone?" Klaedee asked with a nervous chuckle. Ghvami gritted his teeth, hoping they wouldn't need to, the thought weighed on him. His polearm felt warm and heavy in his palm, his grip readjusting constantly as his eyes darted between the townsmen.   The noise of this construction washed over them with it's strange shrills; loud, unnatural sounds from odd tools that the foreigners brought in. They taught a few true Trovians that were loyal to the Chancellor of Construction how to use them, and began changing the difkohae into something different. It was to be the first in a series of changes Lihvor Vil'Ladu promised. Still, the townsmen didn't seem to appreciate losing their place of healing for the vague promise of something good, especially something brought by foreign men. The oldest generations this far north still told their grandfather's tales of the elves who ruled here with little mercy.   Footsteps to their left broke their gaze from the murmuring masses. One of the the foreign officers approached, his uniform strange and vibrant compared to any noble soldier he'd ever seen. The man carried one of their odd tools in his hand; a handle with a bulb on the top made of some fabric. Ghvami and Klaedee straightened their pose and saluted, their left fists pulled sharply to their right shoulders. Despite following orders to give honors to all foreign officers, Ghvami felt strangely disloyal giving the salute, and it didn't help that some in the crowd began whispering at the motion.   The officer looked annoyed as he gave their odd two-fingered salute in return, touching his brow with his right hand. He handed the handle to Ghvami, reaching with his other hand to a small silver coin on the side of his neck.   "Tell the crowd to disperse," his words were jerky and forced, the strange coin compelling them. Ghvami took the handle and looked it over. Foreign script was written on it, though he wouldn't have been able to read it even if it was in Vala. A small nob on one side of the handle had script seeming to indicate it's importance. The officer gave an agitated huff and explained with the tap of his finger. "Press that and speak into the microphone".   The officer turned and walked away, saying something in his own tongue as he marched off. Ghvami glanced at Kaedee then across the construction site towards the other two standing guards. All three tilted their heads, as confused as he was.   He lifted it up, pressing the button. He felt the strange, tiny draw he knew was his inner arcane powering the device, then spoke to the crowd through the head of the microphone. "Unless you need..."   Unless you need...unless you need...unless you need...   He heard his voice in at least three different spots around himself. He expected his voice to get louder, not replicate from around the area. It was odd to hear himself in such a way. Eerie even. The crowd was clearly unsettled by this as well, but the foreign soldiers seems to be amused at their small table by their repurposed supply shed. Ghvami cleared his throat and continued.   "Unless you need to be here, leave the construction area, or you will be forced to leave."   "Like you forced my wife's mother to leave? What if she has another fit? Where do I take her?" One man yelled from the crowd. Others started to grumble and nod too. The nearby buildings, mostly market-homes and administration buildings, had faces looking out of them, heads nodding in agreement. More people in the crowd began to voice their malcontent, a few people stepping closer.   "I'm going to get the captain," Klaedee said, turning away. Ghvami swore to himself for not thinking to do so himself. His job was to stand and look intimidating, not actually do anything. He had never even been in a fist fight, let alone beating back people with his weapon.   "Leave now," he spoke into the microphone once more, "or we will be forced to make you leave. This building is under construction by royal dec-"   A stone cracked into his shoulder. Not hard, but enough to feel through the leather and make him twist. He was caught off guard, looking down at the stone in disbelief. He raised his gaze back towards the crowd, to find the townsman that threw the rock, just as another rock came flying toward him.