Thread: A Pillar of Serpents [ft. xanaphia & november]

The man said his name like it was important, like everyone either knew what it was or was supposed to know. Darius sighed and leaned forward on his horse, and the horse tossed his head from side to side, flicking his ears as if he didn't want to be bothered by the intrusion. Well fine. He was relieved that Persia was taking up the slack and doing the speaking. He didn't trust himself to some lengthy public debate in an impromptu forum. He knew how to convey information, and get information, and phrase something in a way that would keep people from being too upset. He had some social graces, he supposed. But dealing with a group of uneducated people and barking at them, swaying the tide of emotion you could run into in a place like this - well other people were more skillful, and they tended to use that skill on... well, on trivial horse shit shit. He closed his eyes and tried to follow the conversation, and it was, in essence, the conversation every Nidernan carried in their head for generations. Would they really risk losing everything a second time? For what, the spectre of national destiny, the idea that were was something that needed to be taken in front of them? The political situation was very simple - there were too many rich and powerful people and not enough in the way of holdings. Darius thought a Niderna that didn't try to expand would tear itself apart in another generation. He mumbled something to himself, but it came out as a low grumble. Sorry? ... are they safe? Avaliani twisted his neck as if he was being presented with an obscure riddle. I don't think I know what - Well, pick your answer. I meant children, but you can pick whatever's important to you. He extended a palm towards the priest and shrugged his shoulder. Maybe you like... women to be safe. Or buildings, I've been told there's an amazing farmhouse on the opposite side of town. Maybe you're the type of person interested in protecting old priests. The crowd laughed at this, thank God, and the priest laughed too. One of those phony cunt laughs where you show everyone what a good sport you are. Or like the words are there to entertain him personally. Either way, you have things in this city dear to your heart and you have to ask whether it's safer now, with half-built walls and a fucking famine and with the Dahnae on the march. And it's the only question because... He gave the horse a signal and it moved forward, fast, almost enough to knock the priest over and he had a half-mind to do just that before stopping short of him and pulling to the side of him. War's coming. It's coming again, I mean. And there's no more questioning about how to prevent it because it's here, it's been that way since we landed here and it's only going to get worse. Unoccupied land in the frontier. Nobody there, nothing harmed. And answered with arrows and knives in the night. We aren't here to talk about the war, beyond telling you that it's upon us. The only question here is are they safe? And if you feel they are. The people and things you love, your family. He jerked a finger at the priest, his own fake gesture of magnanimity. The church. And a thumb back at Persia. The Queen, who rode out here personally for your sake. Then you don't have to pay us any attention, do you? But if you aren't. Or you aren't sure, well, come to the Posting Inn, center of town. We're going to be helping the families here and talking about how to make us safe. Or you feel free to sit here and talk, whatever suits you. He took another step forward. The priest was still talking, something about what true safety was, but he was already pulling away. Some people had to get the last word in, and if you waited for too long...