Must lawbreakers be punished?

A short discourse on the importance of laws and punishment.

“Where to, sir?” The Driver asked after Balgair had helped Arien into the landau and ensured the other four men had comfortable seats. 

“Ex-mayor Willem’s house first,”  The Reeve said as he relaxed back into the seat and looked at the men who looked as uncomfortable as he did. At least I’m not the only one who’s not used to riding in a carriage,” he joked.

“I’d rather walk,” Methak stated as the carriage started moving. 

“Or at least riding a horse,” Ben commented as he looked at the wheels with distrust. 

“Speak for yourself,” the thief-taker bragged as he stretched his arms out and rested them on the back of the seats.  “This doesn’t bother me at all.”

“Oh?” Tackett raised an eyebrow as he leaned toward Farank.  “Why is your face green?”

“Shhh, Laddie, don’t point mine out, and I won’t point yours out.” 

“Men,” Arien muttered as she made herself comfortable and crossed her ankles.  “You’d think that a ride is a sign of weakness.” 

Balgair winked at Farank as he turned his attention to the sorceress.  “There is one thing that I like about a landau.” 

Sensing a trap, Arien eyed him skeptically.  “And that would be?” 

“A man can pull a bond across his lap and spank her, and very few people would notice.”  He said cheerfully.

Her eyes widened slightly.  “You wouldn’t.  Not here, not to a bond that’s not yours.”  Arien whispered.  Would he do it?  She wondered as she drew a deep breath and shot him a covert glance.  Why do I suddenly feel so hot?  She shot a quick look up to her maighstir.  “Would you let him do something like that, Mo Cridhe?” 

The thief-taker pursed his lips as he gave it some thought.  “I don’t think I’d stop him if you anger him enough to do it.”  He frankly admitted. 

The sorceress eyed the Reeve, then her maighstir, then back to the Reeve again, shuddering as she brushed her hands up and down her arms.  “You’re mean,” she quietly complained. 

“So, I’ve heard,” Balgair commented as he met Arien’s glance, then looked forward.  “Do you agree that obedience is paramount?”  When Farank grunted, Arien looked at Balgair.

“I don’t understand.”

The Reeve sucked on his teeth for a second, “Laws and regulations are written for a reason.  Should we always obey those laws and regulations?” 

Another grunt from the thief-taker, followed by a snort from the Archer.  The ranger chuckled. 

Thinking it was a man thing she could never understand, Arien didn’t answer.  She wasn’t allowed the luxury of not answering as Balgair looked directly at her and cleared his throat.  “Oh, Unn.  If the laws and regulations are put there for a good reason, then yes.”  She sounded uncertain.

“What if your maighstir told you to do something and wrote it down so you’d not forget it?  What would happen if you disobeyed?” 

I see where this is going, Arien thought.  “I would be disciplined harshly,” she replied.  “Maighstir Farank would punish me until I learned my lesson.” 

Balgair nodded. “As it should be.”  He sat, silently watching the carriage driver. We are going to arrest two men who thought it was wise to disregard the laws and regulations. I doubt that they’ll come along easily.”

Opposite her, she saw Tackett blink as he heard that. “Why wouldn’t they come willingly?”  Balgair merely stared flatly at him. “Um … yeah, I get it,” the sergeant said. I guess I was putting myself in their place.”

“So was I,” Balgair replied.  “If someone came and tried to arrest me, I’d fight it.  Especially if it were someone that I didn’t know, claiming to be the Reeve, a job I knew that I didn’t request.” 

Tackett, being used to how things had been done in the past, was slowly realizing that Balgair would do things as they were supposed to.  He gave the Reeve an appraising look before tactfully saying, “I suppose you are right, sir.” 

“Why thank you,” Balgair’s sarcasm set the other men laughing.  “You don’t know how it warms my heart that you agree with me.” 

What have I gotten myself into? Tackett wondered as he accepted the good-natured ribbing from his new boss.  “Out of curiosity, how many assignments have led to all-out fighting?” 

Balgair made a humming sound.  “Let’s see. I’ve served for fifteen years, starting when I was fifteen.  I’ve had at least two contracts a year, on a good year, three.”  He lapsed into silence as he thought about it.  “Let’s say forty contracts, and out of that, thirty have led to combat.”  The Reeve commented.  “So yes, I have an inkling of what might happen.”  He gestured to the four deputies in the carriage.  “As have these four, if I don’t miss my guess.”

That’s good, Tackett thought, because Dafyd had never experienced combat, and in the end, it got five people killed. 

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