The Ohseun Unrest: Part 2

The stone crashed into Ghvami's helm. The thin metal rang out as his head jerked sideways from the blow. His blood rushed through his body, ready for a fight with the townsmen. He looked up, scanning for the men throwing stones. A young boy stood in his gaze instead, his father placing another stone into his shaking hand, his face mimicking his father's anger.   Ghvami didn't wish to use force against a child. He took a quick breath and spoke again.   "Restrain yourselves. We don't wish to throw you in the cells," his voice echoed out, melting into the angry murmurs. The crowd seemed only to get more agitated, their voices raising to angered shouts. "Leave the area and return to your homes."   His comrades on the other side of the construction were standing anxious, their hands gripping their polearms tight. Even the foreign soldiers were grabbing their exotic weapons, devices that seemed to work like a crossbow with invisible bolts far stronger than any bolt or arrow he's known.   "What are you even building?" Shouted one of the townsman, stepping forward.   Ghvami didn't know. He also didn't know how he was supposed to handle this situation. Wherever the captain was, he needed him to take charge. This was a leadsmen's job, not a guardsmen. Taking a breath, he continued his assertive tone.   "By royal decree, this building will be constructed. When your Lihvor deems it right, you will know what this is."   "You listen you little dreev," the town's leatherman stormed forward, a shaping blade clenched in one fist as his free hand pointed at Ghvami. "This is our home, that is our difkohae!"   "Back down"   "You and your Lihvor can grasp my-" A loud boom, like boulders crashing down, rang out across the site. The artisan let out a yell of pain as he fell sideways, grasping his arm and groaning   "Leave now or more force will be used!" Captain Kahel was to Ghvami's left. He held up one of the foreign weapons in both hands. The long, dark metal tube had light smoke fading from the front. He had it pointed down at the man. A few of the townsmen started to run up to the leatherman, halting as the captain turned his attention, and weapon, on them. "Leave him as well, he will be detained and treated for his injuries by the mercy of your Lihvor and the aid of the vigrent benefactors."   A couple vigrent soldiers, one marked with bright arm straps embellished with a red and gold tree, walked up to the downed man, inspecting him. Captain Kahel approached Ghvami, holding his dark gray officer's jacket closed with his free hand.   "Why, by the name of Unheard, were you agitating the crowd?" the captain was disheveled, but he wore his formal uniform, the jacket at least. Ghvami saw Klaedee several feet back, sympathy and concern across his face.   "I'm sorry, captain. I wasn't sure what to do."   "Clearly," the captain remarked, holding his hand out. "I'll take the microphone now."   Ghvami handed it over, his gaze falling in embarrassment.   "This is shit," the captain spat the words out like venom as he looked down, taking a breath. He tucked the microphone away then pulled his jacket together, fasting it closed with his belt. "What are we going to do? What Ghvami? Now the town is going to get restless and angry. They'll want answers that I don't have, and the Lihvor wanted this to be quiet. I already got a shit assignment here. The town didn't want this. I don't want this."   "I'm not sure sir. Maybe these foreign soldiers will keep them scared with weapons like that." Ghvami motioned at the weapon his captain still held.   Tucking the loose end of his belt into a pocket, the captain held the weapon up. "It's called it a riot gun. It won't kill unless up close, i'm told. I've already asked that ass of a captain of theirs for more. He and all his vain glory will 'take it under consideration' while they watch us watch the agitated town."   "Why do they have soldiers here? They aren't helping us with crowd control. They just sit over there all day and night."   "No idea, I'm in no position to ask. Misha-Uldra Silvina will be here within a few days, she'll have more negotiating power than I could ever muster. She'll speak on behalf of Liege Calvan. For now, we need to settle this agitation. I do not want another Nonaik on my hands."   A flush of cold went through Ghvami. Nonaik was a small town in the far west that held the seed of a revolt. The rebels were taken and made into Lailow's, according to the official stories, but rumors in the ranks said that the entire town took up arms, so the soldiers slaughter everyone and razed the town. Ghvami wasn't sure if he could do something like that.   "For now, we need to talk to their Renuer. As head of the town, he'll be able to pacify the townsmen, if temporarily. I've heard you have made a bed with his daughter, is this right?"   Ghvami flushed. He had tried to be discreet with Sidane, but there were only so many places to sneak off to in this town. "His granddaughter sir, I know her."   "Good enough. Go change and find her. I'll talk to the Renuer now, but I want you to try and get her to be sympathetic to us here," he turned away, taking a single step before pausing and looking back. "Ghvami, help me keep this from becoming Nonaik."