Tactical Decisions.
Chapter 3 - Part 2 Law & Order
Previously, Balgair decided to visit the jail and was escorted through the facility by Angus. When he asked about the mayor, he was taken to a solitary cell, where Willems tried to act as if he were beyond the law. After informing him that nobody was above the law, Balgair reminded Wilems that if he were in the military, he could be summarily executed for abandoning his duty post.
After leaving the mayor and returning to his office, Balgair felt as if he needed to wash the slime off his hands. He knew it wasn’t the fault of the jailors, as they ran a tight ship. It was because the mayor had not shown any remorse for his desertion. Feeling his anger grow in proportion to the perceived sliminess, Balgair knew he wouldn’t be able to get any work done in his office and decided to visit Parcival. He entertained thoughts of dismembering the mayor, joint by joint, as he walked down the hallway and walked into the Lieutenant’s office without knocking.
“Can you get hold of your agents and get them to do something for me?” He asked as he caught the iron guard by surprise.
“By Huitzilopochtli’s dark spear,” Parcival cursed as he shot out of his chair. “Where did you learn to sneak up on a person like that?” After taking a deep, calming breath, he gave Balgair an inquisitive look. “What do you want them to do?”
Balgair looked at the map hanging behind the Iron Guard’s desk. “I want them to scout out the canyon, if they can do it without getting caught by the bandits.”
Parcival’s expression turned devious. He turned and examined the map, estimating the distance from Rydell’s current position to the rim of the canyon. “The scouts can do it. When do you want them to break away from the main body?”
Balgair stared at the map, figuring out the same distance that Parcival had worked out. After scratching his chin, he said, “As soon as possible. I have a feeling about what’s in that canyon.” When Parcival quirked a brow, Balgair explained. “They are heading straight toward the canyon. Almost as if they are running to ground.”
The conclusion Parcival drew filled him with concern. “You think they’ve got a camp in the canyon?” When the sheriff nodded, the lieutenant grabbed the grayish silver stone from his desk. “I’ll get them moving just as soon as I get hold of them.”
“Thank you,” Balgair said, then continued. “I didn’t mean to make you jump.” He grinned. “But you have to admit that it was amusing watching you jump like a raw recruit.”
The Iron Guard shook his head, chastened by the amusement in Balgair’s voice. “Best keep an eye open, sir. Payback’s a bitch.”
“I’m sure it is,” Balgair admitted before withdrawing from the office, leaving Parcival to contact his agents.
~ ~ ~ ~
Captain Rydell, his Adjutant, and the two scouts were hunched over the Adjutant’s soul-stone, listening as Parcival relayed their new orders. Rydell let Parcival finish before asking. “What authority are you acting on behalf of?” He knew that Parcival was an Iron Guard, just as he knew that the lieutenant wouldn’t bother him in the field unless he were ordered to do so.
“The sheriff,” Parcival replied, drawing looks of surprise from the four listeners.
“I’ve never known you to joke around, Lieutenant,” Rydell stated. “You’ll have to explain it to us.” They knew the sheriff had been killed and buried, even before they left on their patrol.
“There’s a new sheriff in town,” Parcival explained. “I think you and he will get along great, Captain.” The Iron guard said, drawing a skeptical look from the captain.
“Why is that, Parcival?” the adjutant inquired, unable to contain his curiosity.
“He’s an ex-black swan, and he’s making changes to his department. Good changes.”
“Such as?” One of the scouts asked. Like the adjutant, he was curious, even more so since Parcival mentioned the sheriff being ex-military.
“The city guard, the gate guard, and your unit are being placed back under the Sheriff’s authority,” Parcival replied.
“It’s about time,” Rydell commented. “I’ll wager that Willems doesn’t like that one bit.”
“Willems doesn’t have anything to say about it,” Parcival said, sounding mysterious. “He’s currently in jail awaiting trial.”
Rydell blinked, glancing over at his adjutant, then at the scouts. “Does the new sheriff have a name?” Hearing that the sheriff was taking control of the law enforcement arms again filled him with hope.
“His name is Balgair Moeldr,” the iron guard replied and then waited for them to reply.
“I’ve heard of him,” Rydell finally stated. “Your plan sounds like something he’d suggest.” When the scouts nodded, he continued. “Tell the sheriff that our two scouts will get right on it.”
While the two scouts slipped away to gather their supplies, Rydell and his adjutant filed an amended report for the sheriff.
~ ~ ~ ~
While Balgair worked in his office, Heather sat out in the outer office, counting down the time until lunch. Beside her was a basket of food she had picked up from the nearest café. She felt the excitement mount as the time grew closer. She was going to put the first part of her plan together and introduce Delilah to Ben.
Ben and Methak were the first two officers to take a lunch break, and Ben paused when he saw Heather sitting alone in the outer office. Walking over to her, he smiled, “Hey, beautiful. Were you waiting for me?”
When Methak lifted the lid of the basket and examined the contents, Heather shooed him away.
He backed away, holding his hands up. “It looks good. Is it for you and Balgair?”
Heather shook her head. “No, it’s for Ben.” When the ranger arched his right eyebrow, she huffed and said, “I got this for you. I thought you and Delilah could get to know each other over lunch.”
Ben gazed at her as he considered the offer. “Does she have any idea?”
Heather tried not to blush as she shook her head again. “No, she hasn’t come out for lunch yet.” She frowned. “I’ve probably messed everything up.”
“What did you mess up?” Delilah inquired as she walked up behind Heather and saw the basket.
Heather almost jumped out of her skin when Delilah spoke. Heaving a deep breath, she turned and sighed. “Don’t do that to me,” she groused. After calming down, she offered the basket to the scribe. “I thought you might like to share lunch with Ben.”
Delilah brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear and glanced at the Ranger. “Oh my, are you trying to set me up on a date?”
Heather buried her head in her hands, wanting to disappear. “Yes,” she muttered. “I’m sorry. I was just trying to …” She couldn’t complete her thought.
Delilah watched Heather for a moment, then looked at the basket, lifting the lid to peer inside. Leaning closer to Heather, she whispered, “You’re so sweet. I’ll let you know how it turns out.” Then, smiling, she scooped up the basket and walked towards Ben. “Would you care to join me for lunch?”
Heather could only peek out from beneath her fingers and watch as Ben and Delilah went in search of a place to eat. “I don’t believe it.” She whispered.
Methak hid a grin as he wrapped an arm around her. “I hope you don’t fall apart when you introduce me to Miss Aelwyn.”
“Oh, you,” she tried to glare at him but failed and leaned into him. “I’ll try to do better when it’s your turn.” In the back of her mind, she heard humming and inferred that her goddess was happy with her.
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