Putting the Mayor in Chains
Balgair's first arrest as Reeve
Balgair’s attention shifted from the sergeant to the house they were approaching. It was a very nice two-story dwelling. He could tell that it was a sturdier stone and wood construction than those around it. While it wasn’t as grand as the Reeve’s house, it seemed well maintained. “Sergeant, I want you and Ben to take the back door. Farank, Methak, Arien, and I will take the front door.” He tossed Tackett a rune stone. “When you are in position, use this to notify me.”
Tackett caught the stone and examined it. “A mind-stone?” At Balgair’s nod, he pocketed the stone. “Very well, sir.” He climbed down from the landau and waited for the ranger to follow him. “When we are in position, I’ll let you know.”
The ranger’s color-shifting cloak slid into the darker tones as he silently made his way along the side of the house in search of the gate to the backyard. When Tackett followed along without making much noise, Ben nodded in appreciation. “Where did you learn to move like that?”
Tackett shrugged, “I wasn’t always a sergeant. Believe it or not, I started as a scout.”
The ranger chuckled softly. “I can believe it.” He gave a new appraisal. “There is more to you than meets the eye.” The boss will be overjoyed to have three, make that four, people who can move silently.
“There’s the gate,” Tackett whispered, gesturing to the gate hidden by the vines that crawled up the wall.
“Good eye, let’s go,” Ben said as he closed his eyes and traced a small rune beneath the vines. “Tog,” he whispered, a smile crossing his lips as the vines lifted just enough to touch the gate. “I wonder how long it’s been since this gate was opened.” His deft fingers found the lock, and he leaned close as he examined it. “fosgail,” another whispered command as he traced another rune on the lock. A soft light shone, quickly disappearing as the lock opened, and he carefully pushed the gate away from him.
The ranger grinned as the gate opened on silent hinges and led the way through the backyard. Upon reaching the back porch, Tackett reached into his pocket and touched the stone. We are in position, boss.
“They’re in position,” Balgair said as she descended from the landau. “Let’s see how easily this one will surrender.” He waited until Farank, Arien, and Methak joined him before turning and walking up the walkway to the front door. It was the work of seconds to deliver three knocks and wait.
The silence of the house was broken by the barking of a cu, then the cursing of the owner as he stomped toward the front door. Balgair heard the sound of four locks being turned, and then the door opened, and Balgair was face to face with the mayor.
The portly man stared at Balgair, his brown eyes filling with barely contained fear as he saw the uniforms that Balgair’s crew wore. “How may I help you?”
Balgair met the man’s eyes as he calmly inquired, “Are you Theodore Willems?”
“I am Mayor Willems,” the man said, acting as if he were offended. “Who are you?”
“I am Balgair Moeldr, The Reeve of Eola, by the contract of the high council.”
“That’s preposterous,” Willems blustered. “I have ordered no such contract to be made or offered.”
Balgair gazed at Willems. “That is true, but Eola is fortunate to have one honest soul who does his duty.”
The mayor took a half-step back, “What does that have to do with me?”
“Theodore Willems, you are under arrest for violating Article two, section five of the Saorsa laws. By willingly leaving town, along with your magaidh, you betrayed your town and your oath of office.” He leaned toward Willems. “Will you come peacefully?”
“I will, and furthermore, I demand the right to face the council.”
“That is your right,” Balgair calmly replied. “Place the prisoner in restraints and help him into the carriage.” He turned and gestured to Farank, who stepped forward and locked the hand restraints around Willems’ wrist.
Once the man was in the carriage, Balgair dipped his hand into his pocket and touched the mind-stone. We’ve got him. Come back to the carriage.
Ben and Tackett didn’t take long to climb into the landau and settle in.
“Sir, may I offer some advice?” Tackett requested. When Balgair nodded, the sergeant continued. “Put him,” he gestured to the restrained man, “in jail before we get the magaidh. It would be better to have one contained than two get away.”
Balgair could see the wisdom in Tackett’s statement. “Very well, let’s get him secured first, then go after the magaidh.”
On the way back to the jail, Ben point blankly asked what everyone else was wondering. “Where does Eygas live? The clerks couldn’t find his address on file.”
Tackett and Balgair turned and stared at Willems. “If you want any leniency at all, and if you know where he lives, it would be wise to tell us,” Balgair said conversationally.
Willems froze and gulped a breath. “I’ll tell if you protect me from him.”
Farank grunted. “No honor among thieves, eh?”
Willems looked like he was going to panic. “He’s a magaidh. He could kill me without thought.”
“True,” Balgair responded. “But if he did, we’d call for the council to still him, and they’d do it.” He reached over and patted the ex-mayor on the shoulder. “But yes, you and he will be put in different cells, apart from each other.”
Willems flinched at the pat, sighed, and replied, “I suppose that’s the best I will get.” He sulked for a second or two and then shared, “Magaidh Eygas’ house is six blocks north of the supply depot. It’s a two-story brick building with a blue roof.”
Balgair looked to Tackett, who looked surprised, but in the end, it was Farank who said, “I know the place. It’s completely open on three sides, with a large yard surrounding the house.”
The Ranger grunted, “Yeah, now that you mention it, I do know it. There are no walls to hide behind and no real way to sneak up on him.”
“And we don’t know what magical assistance he’ll have set aside.” Methak injected. “We might have to try to talk him out.”
Balgair took in all the information and considered what he wanted to do. “Let’s drop him off first, and then we’ll go and scout out the magiadh.”
Ben and Methak had another idea. “Why don’t you let us scout ahead? We can be at the Supply Depot in ten mionaidean. It will take you longer than that to get to the jail and put him in a cell.” He turned to the driver. “Can you stop at the corner?”
“Aye, sir,” the driver said as he approached the walkway. He had barely slowed down when the two deputies got out and disappeared down the alley.