Balgair Reads himself in
Establishing authority and getting to work.
After the Draoidh and his bonds had disappeared, Balgair leaned back and started planning his next step. I suppose I should read myself in, as it were. So, the Reve’s office, then back to Brandyn’s to get Lucy, then to the Reve’s estate.
Blue eyes looked up from the hem of her dress to the Maighstir, wondering why he was so quiet. She was curious as to his thoughts. If I bother him, would he punish me? She watched as he rubbed the knuckle of his thumb on his top lip. He’s not mad. It’s almost as if he’s plotting a campaign. “Is something wrong, Maighstir?”
It took him a few minutes to realize she had asked a question. “No, I’m just thinking.” His eyes cut from the crystal to where she was kneeling. I wonder how these fools will take it when someone they didn’t plan for takes office. With his mind made up, he gave a curt nod. “Come along, Heather. I’ve got work to do.”
Work? She hadn’t expected that and wondered what he was doing next. “Yes, maighstir,” she rose to her feet and followed him out the door. She watched raptly as he looked both ways down the corridor, then called out. “Sergeant Tackett! Front and Center!”
This was the Balgair that she loved, the one that made her shiver in delight. Heather lurked behind her Balgair and watched as the Staff Sergeant automatically rushed into the hallway and came to attention before the mercenary captain.
“Sir, Staff Sergeant Tackett, reporting as ordered.” He announced in a stentorian voice. “What are your orders, sir?” Then, blinking as if he were amazed at what happened, the sergeant held the salute until Balgair returned it.
“For starters, you can take me to the Reve’s office and answer some questions on the way.” Balgair waited for the sergeant to falter. When he didn’t, Balgair nodded. “Lead on, Sergeant.”
“Yes, sir!” Tackett turned on his heel and led the way down the hallway.
“Sergeant, I haven’t dealt with many Reve’s in my time in service. Tell me about the Reve’s office and how much authority he has.”
“The Reve is the highest executive in the county. He is the only person who can tell the village mayors what to do. He is in charge of law enforcement, hiring deputies, setting patrol routes, acting on warrants, overseeing the arrest, detention, and trials of the accused.”
“Does the Reve outrank the Guard Captain?” Balgair figured he did but wanted it confirmed.
Tackett missed a step as he considered the question. “Yes, sir,” he finally answered. “The Reve acts as a high council member and, as such, has control over the guard's pay.” Tackett glanced out of the corner of his eye and caught the slow smile.
“Does the Reve have a hand in promotions of the guard?” A plan was starting to form in Balgair’s mind. He wasn’t happy that everyone in charge of the communication crystal had abandoned their duty posts, and he meant to fix that first.
There was another long pause as Tackett went through the regulations in his head. “I believe so, sir.” He gave a half nod. “I also believe you have the power to remove the mayor from his position and the magaidh as well.” This should be interesting indeed.
“Lead on, Sergeant,” Balgair commented jovially. “I hope you enjoy fireworks, sergeant.” Because you are about to see some.
Heather quirked an eyebrow as she listened to her maighstir. What is he planning to do?
Midway down the hallway, Balgair paused as if a sudden thought crossed his mind. “The Reve also oversees the tax assessors and collectors, correct?”
Oh my, they are in for a rude awakening, aren’t they? Tackett grinned as he replied, “The Reve is the highest executive in the county, sir.”
The only thing that would make this better would be if I had written orders from the council that I could use to read myself in. Balgair thought to himself, but in essence, I do. I have the contract in my hands. “Carry on Tackett.”
“Yes, sir.” The sergeant continued down the hallway until he stood before a double oaken door bounded in iron. Two doorknobs graced the center of the shared doorway. The Runes across the door read. REVE’S OFFICE. The badge of office, a five-pointed star, the guardsmen's crossed swords, the tax accessors' half-rolled scrolls, and the administration's various sub-guilds surrounded the runes.
“That many people in one office?” Balgair inquired. How will I ever get anything done with so many people around? In the Army, each staff member had their own office or area. The only exceptions had been the quartermaster and supply sections, which shared huge buildings among themselves.
The sergeant was quick to explain. “It’s a suite of offices, sir. You have your office in the back, and all the other departments have suites.
“That’s better than I thought,” Balgair admitted. “And the jail?”
“Is underneath the main building,” Tackett said with a satisfied grin. “We just had the whole thing rebuilt a couple of years ago. Before that, the departments were scattered all over town.”
That sounds good in theory, but in practice, it may bite us in the nether regions. Balgair thought as he listened. I might have to spread some of this stuff out again.
What is he thinking? Why is my blood rushing as it is? Heather wondered as she picked up her maighstir’s feelings. He’s like a kid with his first sword. She thought as she watched him. Her eyes widened as he made up his mind and stepped through the door.
“Sergeant, do you have a copy of the Contract for Reve?” The mercenary inquired as he looked around.
“Yes, sir, right here,” Tackett stated as he handed the contract to Balgair. “What did you have in mind?”
Heather could feel her maighstir’s satisfaction as he held the contract and walked to the center of the room.
“Ladies and gentlemen of Eola, I am Balgair Meoldr, and I would like your attention for a few mineadean.” As the room gradually grew quiet, Heather could feel the disconcert as everyone turned their attention to Balgair. From him, she sensed joy, the joy of combat in its purest form.
A supremely confident Balgair held the contract up where everyone could see it. “Captain Balgair Moeldr. You are hereby required and requested to take command of the Reve’s Office in the township of Eola by the High Council of the Saor-Shealbhan. You will take command by the date of five Cèitean. Signed by Rhysiln Darkblade, Member of the High Council.”
Heather half-listened to his speech and braced herself as she first felt shock, surprise, and casual interest. All the emotions washed over her like an ocean wave, leaving her breathless. What surprised her most was that most of the people in the department accepted his claim at face value.
At first, I thought the Reve effectively acted as a combination of governor and chief constable, or perhaps a marshal. Now, I realize it's much closer to an officially appointed count or duke, holding a great deal of political and legal power. I'm curious to see the leadership qualities Balgair displays as he moves forward in this position, and I have to admit I'm rather growing to like Tackett and hope he'll stick around.
More than this, though, I'm continuing to marvel at how seamlessly you shift from the thoughts and perspectives of one character to another. Most fiction that does this ends up feeling jarring, but with bonded characters able to directly sense each other's emotions and, to a degree, sus out their thoughts, the swift transitions of perspective between Balgair and Heather end up both feeling very natural and adding a lot of depth to this particular brand of magic they share.