SJ hurried after the guard, leaving Alice behind. When she reached the exit, Natalie was busy forming the tower guards into squads. They were a sight to behold. Their immaculate gleaming armour, all carrying large tower shields and clubs. It looked like a police riot squad; they also brought their usual weapons, although their swords were sheathed and spears strapped to their backs.
“Right, let’s go,” Natalie shouted, putting her helm on her head as they began to jog toward the park. She had formed six squads, each with ten beings, and SJ watched as they departed.
She hurried down the steps and around to the bushes before transforming and taking off. The park wasn’t far from the tower, and she could hear the unrest before she could see it. SJ flew above the guards as they entered the park, splitting off as they did and moving into positions as directed by Natalie.
From SJ’s vantage point, the scene was absolute chaos. Everywhere she looked, fights were underway. Beings fought viciously against each other, the flashes of steel visible in the light of day. The guards who had been near the platform had retreated onto it and were now only able to prevent beings from climbing it rather than attempting to stop the violence.
Several injured beings lay on the ground, and SJ noted some not moving and clear signs of blood. She wasn’t sure how so few guards could ever control such chaos. There were hundreds involved, but not everyone was, and SJ saw several trying to break from the fighting and move away.
‘How are they going to stop this?’ SJ thought.
“I doubt they will. Looking at the way the guards split as they entered the park, they are looking at containment rather than prevention,” Dave said.
SJ could see that the guards had been split to cover the various entrances to the park rather than move towards the fight itself.
‘It looks like many beings are going to get hurt if it can’t be stopped.’
SJ could see more guards en route from the main barracks to the park. At least another hundred were on their way. She spotted the tower guard general’s helm, its brilliant golden plumage clearly visible even at a distance. They looked like a force to be reckoned with.
‘Those reinforcements should help.’ From her bird's-eye view, SJ noticed that even amongst the chaos, two groups of beings were behaving strangely. As SJ watched, it appeared that they may have been the beings behind the disturbance. It appeared that they were deliberately triggering fights and then pulling back after further violence ensued. A group was operating on each side of the gathering.
‘Can you see those agitators?’
“It does appear that they are deliberately winding up the crowd as much as possible.”
SJ continued to watch as they continued instigating further pockets of violence among the gathered. If things didn’t get curbed soon, the whole gathering would end up involved. Many beings were moving away if they could, attempting to escape the violence, but there were also the same number, not more, who appeared more than willing to get involved. The problem for those trying to escape the violence was that, due to the size of the gathering, it was difficult for them to do so.
SJ started to swoop down towards the groups she had noticed as the agitators.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Dave said.
‘I’m going to make a note of those agitators,’ SJ said as she picked out the suspected individuals and started to identify them. As she triggered her skill for the sixth time, the being she had triggered it against began to look around. Thankfully, it didn’t look upwards.
‘That one had a high Wisdom,’ SJ thought. She continued the process until she recorded the details of thirteen beings before increasing her height again.
The guard reinforcement had now reached the park and had approached the chaos. As the guard reached the edge of the large open area surrounding the platform, they formed a wall formation thirty wide. The whole row was giant beings; most were orcs, and the shields they carried were oversized, making a standard tower shield look small in comparison. It was an impressive sight as they began to bang their shields on the ground and shout. The noise was even evident above the screams and cries of the melee. Several of the guards who had arrived didn’t have shields and were moving to the sides of the main formation, keeping their distance and spacing as they further extended the line.
SJ realised that they were mages as an instruction was given, and they all started to move their hands with the gesture she had seen mages cast spells. Water jets began to smash into the crowd.
‘I never expected to see water cannons on Amathera,’ SJ thought, thoroughly impressed with the display of control and power. Those beings hit by the water sprays were taken off their feet. Some, seeing the guard forces’ arrival, had even attempted to attack the wall of shields. That had ended badly for them all as they were systematically pulled through the defensive wall by guards behind and subdued quickly. Those behind the main force were literally cleaning up the mess as the group progressed through the fray. It was like watching a monster eating prey as it quickly progressed into the crowd.
The mages performing the water magic were also being systematically switched out, and the professionalism and control of this force were unbelievable. SJ could see General Crawford’s massive form standing back, orchestrating the undertaking through his captains. As the guard forced their way into the fray and began eliminating the main pockets of violence, SJ spotted those she had deemed agitators starting to move away to the edge of the gathering.
‘I need to grab them as they try to leave,’ SJ said. Natalie was positioned at the main entrance, and her troops from the tower were still placed at the other park entrances. SJ flew quickly towards her. Several of those who had escaped the violence were now arriving at the park’s exits and slowly being allowed to leave. SJ noticed that some beings had even brought their children with them. Many had tear-streaked faces as they hadn’t expected to be caught up in such violence and mayhem.
“Natalie,” SJ called as she flew towards her, still in her miniature form. That was one way to ensure she got her attention, knowing that no one would be addressing her by her first name on official business.
Natalie’s look of surprise was almost legendary. In an instant, it went from shock to confusion to perplexity, seeing SJ’s miniature fae form.
“Ambassador. What are you doing here?” she asked, staring at SJ.
“I was above the crowd, and I think I identified the main beings behind the violence. It looked as though they were deliberately causing fights and then leaving others to the violence. I identified thirteen suspects. I have their names and race details.”
“Sergeant,” Natalie called, looking over to the guard. He had a different trim on his cloak than the regular guards, signifying his rank.
“Yes, Captain,” he replied smartly, turning to face her.
“Please note the details the ambassador has and then proceed to the other exits. No one else is to leave the park.”
The sergeant looked at SJ’s hovering miniature form, frowning at seeing her there.
“Ma’am,” he replied. “You heard the Captain,” the sergeant barked as the guards at the exit clamped their shields together, blocking the exit. This action caused several to begin shouting complaints, only wishing to escape the area. A high iron railing enclosed the park. The spiked tops of the railing deterred those thinking they could jump the fence to leave.
SJ landed and grew as she gave the details to the sergeant. It didn’t take long before a runner was sent hurrying off to the other park exits. Once SJ had given the details, she shrank and took off again to observe. In the short time the main guard force arrived, much of the disturbance had already been quelled. A few small pockets of violence were underway, but groups of guards were forcing their way towards the combatants and separating them. Many beings lay face down on the ground with guards overseeing them, and the mages were no longer casting water jets into them.
‘I can’t believe how efficient the guards are,’ SJ thought; she was impressed beyond belief. She had witnessed riots back on Earth, only on TV, but seeing how effectively they had handled the disturbance was astonishing. She noticed several of the guards were also now dealing with injuries and performing healing magic. Overall, the display of force and ultimate efficiency shamed what she had seen on Earth. She supposed one of the main benefits was the absolutely monstrous size of the guards who had led the main push. Very few other beings in the crowd would be able to challenge such a strong force.
SJ spotted two of the agitators she had identified moving off into the trees rather than towards a park exit, having realised that they had now all been blocked. She wasn’t going to let them get away that easily, so she swooped down into the branches, following them as they headed towards the fence line. At several points around the park, some buildings broke up the fence, and it looked as though they were heading towards one such building. The building didn’t have a door allowing access to the park, but it would be much easier to scale the building wall to escape the confines of the park than to climb over the railing.
As she watched, she saw that they had indeed scaled the wall, using it to secure themselves over the railings before dropping into the street below. With the commotion in the main park and by the exits, no one paid attention as they casually began to walk from the area. SJ followed, staying high and tracing their movements. This may lead her to who was behind the riot.
The two weaved through the inner city streets, heading towards the outer city gate. The nearest district was the exit to District 7, and they both headed in that direction. As they neared the gate, they spaced out, making it appear as though they weren’t together. After passing through, they again joined up a street inside District 7’s boundary. Their actions revealed that the pair knew exactly what they were doing. These couldn’t be ‘common a garden’ beings who had been unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
They continued through the district, eventually crossing over into other districts, until they reached District 10, where they headed towards the outer wall area. SJ flitted over the rooftops as she tailed them. As she watched from above, the pair turned down a side street before approaching a house halfway down. They walked to the door and knocked, waiting before it was opened, and they both disappeared inside. SJ flew so she could note the name of the street and the house’s location. Streets weren’t always like those on Earth with numbers denoting homes. She opened her map and annotated her display with the details.
SJ landed across the street on the roof of another building and observed the house for some time. She didn’t see either of the beings leave again, but she did see another one she had identified at the park. He had been limping down the street, holding his thigh as he moved, and SJ spotted a tear in his trousers, a line of blood soaked into it. It still amazed her that beings paid no attention to others who walked with injuries. She supposed that it was normal for some as they could be on their way to a chapel or similar to get healed.
‘I am going to go and report the details to the tower,’ SJ thought.
“I have been impressed with your detective work, Watson,” Dave said.
SJ rolled her eyes as she took off and flew back towards the inner city. She hadn’t even changed her dress as things had unfolded so quickly, and she was surprised that no one had noticed her from the ground. She supposed that there really wasn’t a reason for many beings ever to look skyward.
The crowds that had been in the park had slowly been dispersed and allowed to leave. The area was scarred, with signs of fighting. The usual pristine grass and flower beds were trampled and destroyed. As SJ flew over the scene below, she watched a group of beings in green cloaks enter the area. She paused her flight, landing on a branch of a tree to observe what they were doing. A glow of green light emanated from one of the being’s hands, and as SJ watched, the area that had been trampled was repaired. The grass was regrowing, and the muddy stains left from where beings had fallen became their previous pristine state.
The group of beings continued around the park as they performed their activities. SJ was entranced watching them work. She wasn’t entirely sure what class they were, but they had to have the gardening profession to have the skills to perform the magic they were doing. It was obvious that they were experienced and had performed this task before. It was similar magic to that she had seen Mrs Farthing use in Killic on the grounds of the church and her garden but on a much larger scale. Eventually, all the damage was repaired, and the park was back as it had been prior to the disturbance. Considering the number of parks and open areas in the inner city, SJ assumed that they must have a continual requirement for the group. The streets were lined with pristine trees, and all the gardens and bushes were always well-maintained.
There was still so much she had to learn about her new world. As she arrived, a large group of beings were outside the tower. After landing and growing, she walked around to the front by the entrance.
“The execution will be completed privately. Only those of direct connection will be in attendance,” Natalie announced to the crowd.
Several of the gathered beings called out in anger at the announcement, but from what SJ had seen in the park, it was probably the best solution. One of the beings, a skinny man with a nasty appearance, spat at the ground, cursing Natalie. That drew the attention of the closest member of the guard, who, in an instant, stepped forward and thrust the blunt end of his spear into the man’s gut. The man doubled over, collapsing to his knees and holding his stomach.
Natalie said, “The decision is final, so I suggest you all head home. You will not see anyone executed today.”
The imposing form of the tower guards general, General Crawford, walked from the tower. The huge gnoll who SJ knew walked beside his captain.
“You have been told to disperse, or the guard will remove you. There has been enough unnecessary bloodshed today,” he said.
Many, at seeing the general appear, backed away, having lost their confidence. His gleaming armour and giant two-handed sword, which he carried easily in one hand, were enough of a deterrent.
As the crowd dispersed, SJ approached them. “General, Captain.”
“Ambassador,” General Crawford acknowledged her with a nod of his head.
“SJ...I mean, Ambassador,” Natalie corrected herself as the general frowned. “Thank you for your information. We managed to secure seven of those you named who were trying to leave the park. The scriers will be questioning them to understand their involvement.”
“That is good to know. I also need to inform you about the possible location of three more of the beings. I followed two back to District 10, where they entered a home, and as I was watching a third arrived. If I were a gambling being, which I’m not.”
Dave interjected, “That’s a blatant lie.”
Ignoring Dave, SJ continued, “I wouldn’t be surprised if they are associated with the handlers gang.”
“That would make sense and aligns with our suspicions about them. We have never had any confirmed location where the gang operates. They continually move, and I am pretty certain they have contacts in the District 10 guard. Every attempt to ever raid any premise has failed.”
The general’s information matched what Carlito had told her. SJ gave them the address in District 10.
“Captain, please detail a force to attend the premises. Ensure that there is no prior warning given to the district,” General Crawford said.
“Sir. I will despatch a group immediately.”
After bidding them farewell, SJ entered the tower to find Alice again. Alice hadn’t left the tower during the incident; she was still in her office.
“Well, that was quite interesting,” SJ said, entering the office.
Alice was sitting on the sofa reading, “I assume you went to the park?”
“I did,” SJ explained what had occurred to Alice.
Alice shook her head. “Always looking for action.”
“What do you mean?” SJ said defensively.
“Is there ever anything that you don’t try to get involved with?” Alice said, chuckling.
“I don’t get involved in everything.”
“Only that, that you aren’t aware of.”
“She has a point,” Dave said.
SJ scowled. “Do I really try and get involved in everything?”
“It’s not a bad trait to have to want to help, but you seem to take on the responsibility for others. Beings have jobs and roles within Killic and even more so in Asterfal. You need to realise that you have your tasks and jobs to do rather than worrying about others all the time.”
“But I do my job.”
“Yes, and the job of several others. That’s my point. When was the last time you took some time for yourself?”
‘First, Jay, and now Alice is telling me off as well,’ SJ thought, sulking.
“It is because everyone cares about you. None of them are blind or stupid. They see everything you get involved in. How many times since you were granted the role of ambassador have you taken on extra responsibilities?”
‘Not that many.’
“Really? You should think back about all the jobs you completed in Killic that had been given to others.”
‘I was just helping out as I knew a way to resolve the problems.’
“That’s Alice’s point,” Dave sighed.
‘Well, maybe if I could level, I would have something to focus on,’ SJ huffed in her mind.
