Enter the Deputies

The Arrests will continue until morale improves.

The first to enter was the ranger in his color-shifting cloak.  “Brandyn wasn’t kidding.  You took the job.”  Ben joked as he stepped in and leaned against the wall. 

“Well, of course, he wasn’t,” the archer said as he placed his longbow against the same wall and examined the office.  “Looks like you’re all set.”

“As well as I can be, Methak,” Balgair replied as she watched the next two people enter the office. 

“Hey, Captain, are you sure you want an old thief-taker to work here?”  Farank inquired as he moved further into the office and sat on the couch. 

“I can’t think of anyone better to work here than you,” Balgair replied.  “and it’s Reeve, not Captain, at least not in public.” 

“Congratulations, Maighstir,” the redheaded enchantress said as she walked in behind the thief-taker.  She knelt at her maighstir’s feet, her green eyes examining Delilah’s uniform.  “If I work here, can I get a uniform like that?” 

“You can,” Balgair nodded.  “In fact, I suggest that you do.” 

He looked around for the fifth person from their little party.  “Where’s Rique?” 

The archer laughed, “He sends his regards and says he’ll help out when needed, but he’s kind of leery about coming here.” 

The Reeve nodded, relaxing back into his chair.  “So, are you four ready to get to work?”  When each nodded, he continued, “You know where the quartermaster’s office is, right?”

When Ben nodded, Balgair grinned, “Go there and tell Lieutenant Parcival that you are my new deputies, and he’ll fix you up.”  He looked down at the woman.  “Arien, you’ll need to go to Samar’s shop and tell him that you need at least four uniforms like Delilah has on.  If you tell him you are a member of my support staff, he’ll know what you need.”  Before they left, he stopped them, “While you are at the quartermaster’s, look around for some leather armor for yourself.  I might need you guys to patrol, and I want you protected when you do.”  The four nodded and left the office. 

After watching them go, Balgair casually asked, “What do you think about them, Delilah?” 

The scribe nodded, replying.  “Maighstir Dafyd tried to recruit them a while back, but they weren’t interested.  What changed their minds?” 

“Shared danger,” the Reeve replied with just enough mystery to catch her interest. 

Chapter Fourteen

The four new deputies had just returned from the quartermaster’s when Tackett poked his head into the office.  “Hey, Boss.”

Balgair looked up from the map on his desk, where he had been looking over the three towns without deputies.  “Come in, Sergeant.”  When Tackett came to attention, Balgair waved at him to relax.  “What’s up?”

“You asked to be notified when our absent officials returned,” Tackett commented.  “Mayor Willems and Magaidh Eygas …,” he paused when Balgair grinned.

“You mean ex-mayor Willems and ex-magaidh Eygas, don’t you?”

“Er … Yes, Ex-Mayor Willems and Ex-Magaidh Egyas have returned to town.  The guard at the North gate just informed us.” 

“Where would the ex-mayor go right after returning to town?”  Balgair inquired.  “He wouldn’t go straight to his office, would he?”

Tackett shook his head.  “No sir, ex-Mayor Willems wouldn’t return until Diluain, very late on Duluain.” He amended with a cough.  “Ex-Magaidh Eygas rarely comes in, leaving me to handle the communications.” 

“Good,” Balgair said brightly.  “Want to take a walk with me?” 

Tacket took a minute to look at Balgair.  “I like the new uniforms, sir.  They make the department look professional.” 

The Reeve chuckled, “Thank the quartermaster, he had them in stock.  The women’s uniforms were bought from Samar’s Shop.” 

“Very good, sir,” Tackett said wisely.  “Just the two of us to arrest the ex-mayor and ex-magaidh?” 

“You, me, my four new deputies, and deputy magaidh,” Balgair said very carefully. 

“Very good, sir,”  Tackett replied with a nod.  “If you are ready, we can go at any time.” 

“No time like the present,” Balgair commented as he pushed away from his desk and rose to his feet.  After settling the cloak around his shoulders, he entered the outer office and gestured to the four new deputies, “Are you gentlemen ready for your first assignment?” 

“Sure are, boss,” Farank said with exuberance as he, Ben, Methak, and Arien disentangled themselves from the group in the corner of the office. 

“Grab some hand restraints.  We’re going to need them.”  Balgair stated, drawing a surprised glance from Tackett. 

The Reeve looked at the Sergeant.  “Did Dafyd or his deputies often arrest criminals without using restraints?” 

“Well, no,” Tackett admitted.  “I guess I wasn’t considering Willems and Eygas criminals.” 

Balgair blinked in shock.  “Don’t you consider their leaving without thinking about the town a criminal act?”  When Tackett didn’t answer, Balgair went on to explain.  “What do you think would have happened if Brutus and his lackeys tried to take over the town and you couldn’t call for help?  What if they’d figured out that you were the sole person responsible for the crystal?  Isn’t it criminal that they put your life at risk so that they could go on a trip?” 

The Sergeant was forced to admit, “I … You’re right, sir.  I hadn’t thought of it that way.” 

Balgair took a step toward the sergeant and whispered.  “You have to think of it that way.  It’s the way I’ve always thought of my commands.  Everyone has a job, and it’s mine to minimize the danger to everyone else.”  He clapped Tackett on the shoulder.  “Now that you fall under my command, that includes you.”

“Thank you, sir,” Tackett mumbled. 

“It's for their safety as well as yours, so we’ll treat each arrest as a criminal arrest.”  Balgair waited until the four deputies had returned.  “Come along.  Our first stop will be the mayor’s house, then the Magaidh’s.”  That seemed to remind him of something.  “Are one of those sets of restraints capable of dampening a magaidh’s power?”

Arien’s skirt rustled as she checked out each set of restraints.  “No, sir, but I can cast a dampening spell before we put them on the magaidh.”  She looked up at Balgair.  “Just give me a heads-up.”

“Will do,” he promised as he led the way to the back courtyard.  As the six stepped out into the afternoon sun, Balgair caught the driver’s attention.  “What wagon do we usually use when we arrest people?” 

The Driver looked over his shoulder, “We have the cage wagon, the landau, or just an open wagon.  How public do you want to be?”

Balgair paused, stroking his chin as he thought about it.  “Let’s take the landau.  We’ll give the two criminals one last chance to feel like normal people.” 

“Aye, sir.  Just let me get it ready.” 

Balgair nodded and moved to lean against the oak tree in the center of the courtyard. 

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