|
Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jun 10, 2011 16:47:40 GMT -5
I had not intended to cause any sort of disturbance that day. I was merely taking a leisurely stroll around Elua's Square, as was my custom each day.
I had certainly intended to ignore the fanatic in Elua's Square.
A substantial crowd had gathered around him, and I could see from this distance that it was nearly impossible to move in the square without being caught up in the crowd.
I entertained the thought of turning around and heading home when his hoarse voice carried over the din of the crowd:
"Throw them in! Throw them all in!"
The phrase was just puzzling enough to warrant an investigation, and so I veered from the path and headed straight for the crowd.
Books...a pile of them...lying discarded like refuse. The sight of them, and the sudden realization that the phrase that he had shouted carried a far more sinister meaning caused my blood to boil in my veins. Where the hell were the guards? Was it not their job to prevent such idiocy, or were they going to condone such blasphemy in the very heart of the city?
I heard a voice shouting, and then I realized that it was mine.
"Are we barbarians?!" I roared, pushing through the crowd until I faced the instigator of sacrilege. He seemed familiar, and I vaguely remembered him as a scholar of some repute in certain circles I used to frequent.
A scholar? Bah, he didn't deserve to be called such!
"Are we barbarians, to destroy knowledge because it does not concur with what we have been taught?" I continued. "Are we blasphemers, to contradict Shemhazai himself, who said 'All knowledge is worth having'? Well?"
"The 'knowledge' contained in these tomes is the fruit of heresy!" I had to own, the man was a skilled orator, and that alone made him dangerous. "Is it not our duty to purge the city of such sacrilege?" He snatched up a tome from the pile, waving it erratically. "Only a heretic would defend such works!"
Damnation, this madman was going to turn the crowd against me if no one else would step in and be the voice of reason, but I knew if I walked away at this point, I would betray the principles I had worked so hard to uphold.
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 10, 2011 17:17:19 GMT -5
I had come back from purchasing some items when at a jewelery store. The necklace was going to be delivered to my sister back in Camlach. I noticed that there was a unusual large crowd burning books. Then I heard the sound of a man telling them to stop.
I went over to the guy, "Do you want to start a riot? You don't want this crowd coming after you." I tried to get him to see reason, unsure why he felt the need to attempt to try to change a angry group's minds. It seemed ridiculous to me.
Then I heard the mad man speaking to turn the crowd against the stranger. I turned toward the man, "Surely you don't believe that's true. There are believers of Shemhazzai who believe the same thing." I tried to reason with him.
The mad man spoke up, "The heretic has a friend! It must be another heretic! We should silence their voices!" The crowd began cheering, but it was still a little unclear if the crowd understood what steps the man wanted to take or if they simply cheering to continue destroying books.
|
|
|
Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jun 10, 2011 17:48:03 GMT -5
I was somewhat relieved when the man intervened, at least I would not face this mob alone, but our friend was practically frothing at the mouth at the chance to condemn someone, anyone.
"Tell me, do you have a sword with you, friend?" I whispered. "We may have to clobber our way out of this crowd." I had my estoc, but I did not wish to use it against unarmed persons.
"Listen to me, people of the City of Elua!" I cried. "Will you heed the words of this madman, or the words of Shemhazai Himself?" Belief in the gods, while foolish, could be useful for swaying minds in situations like this. "Would you submit to tyranny, or embrace freedom?"
I heard mutterings in the crowd, the seed of doubt appeared to have sprouted in the minds of the rabble.
"You call me the madman! You, who is advocating that such...writings...should be allowed to poison the minds of the people?! They must be destroyed before they are allowed to fester, like a contagion!"
Damn it all to hell, I wished I could whack this man over the head with the hilt of my sword and thus end his diatribe, but such things could land one in the dungeon.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 10, 2011 18:44:52 GMT -5
It had been the plan from the beginning, that I should explore the city freely, to see what it was like. It was pleasant, for the most part. But as I approached Elua's Square, the centre of the city, things began to turn sour.
There was a sizeable crowd gathered around a pile of books, carelessly discarded, a sight that sat ill with me; and a man behind them, arguing with two gentlemen at the top of his lungs.
"Heretics!" he cried, making ready to set fire to the volumes. He didn't seem quite in his right mind. Warning bells of danger began to alarm in my head, this wasn't a good place to be, but the crowd began to grow and surge around me, pushing me forward, making it impossible to turn back to the townhouse. And despite the severity of the situation, I was curious.
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 10, 2011 19:11:40 GMT -5
I nodded to the older man, placing my hand on the hilt of my sword that was always set on my hip. I watched him try to subdue the crowd. My eyes looked over the crowd as I tried to come up with a way out of the situation.
I noticed a blond woman who was being forced into the crowd. I hoped she wouldn't get hurt as well.
"Surely you all have better things to do then destroy some writings. It is false prophets that say such things. He is no man of the cloth. Can any of you say that you know him or can verify his beliefs?" I spoke out. I was trying to plant seeds of doubts.
I could hear the crowd began to look amongst themselves, whispering softly. A few of them shook their head and walked off, but it looked as if the rest were still not certain.
|
|
|
Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jun 10, 2011 19:41:17 GMT -5
I could hear that there was dissent in the crowd, almost see my countrymen splitting into factions. Some still wanted to burn the books, others seemed uneasy about the whole thing. I knew from experience that this sort of situation could easily erupt into violence...
And yet, here I was in the centre of it...
Damnation!
I turned my attention away from the instigator for a moment to scan the crowd, resting a hand on my sword. For once, I was grateful for its presence.
"See? See how easily other minds are poisoned by such honeyed words?!" He cried. "This is only proof of the vileness of these writings!"
How I wanted to snatch one of the books from that pile and throw it at him, perhaps, if I threw it with enough force, it would temporarily silence him and give someone enough time to call a priest or a chirurgeon to speak sense to him.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 10, 2011 19:46:28 GMT -5
After being pushed right to the front, I listened and gathered the general gist of the argument, indignation welling up inside me at the fanatical idiocy the man was spouting.
"Love as thou wilt," I addressed him directly, instead of pleading with the crowd. "There are sacred texts in this pile that you wish to destroy, these are texts that embody the love people have for our deities. You are defying the precept, in that sense. You are the one who is poisoning the mind of others, poisoning minds with hate because you do not understand."
I picked up a book from the pile and stared back at the man, defiant.
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 10, 2011 19:54:42 GMT -5
My mouth opened when I saw the woman come to the front and began to speak. I immediately moved to her side, watching the crowd with weary eyes if they were to turn on her, I hoped to move in front to keep her from being heard.
I spoke softly to her, "Do you know what you're doing? This could quickly become a angry crowd...." Both of them were endangering their lives, but if I could only protect one, it would have to be the unknown woman.
My eyes searched the crowd to see if any of the members had weapons or anything that they could throw, and if it looked as if they were ready to fight.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 10, 2011 19:57:30 GMT -5
A man moved to my side as I spoke, gently trying to warn me. He was right, of course, but there was no way out now. Belatedly, I hoped that it would end soon and relatively peacefully, before Owen could find out.
"It's too late to try and turn back," I answered, indicating the crowd behind blocking any safe route out. "Might as well try to quiet the man down."
|
|
|
Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jun 10, 2011 20:16:16 GMT -5
Fire.
I had been complacent, trusting that my countrymen would do the honourable thing in the end. I should have known better.
I still wanted to throttle the lout that had somehow come into possession of a torch.
He was truly wild-eyed now, focusing all his attention on the woman who had spoken. "I am doing this for the good of the City!"
The fire blossomed, flames devouring fragile parchment and old leather. The crowd surged forward, and I barely had time to reach into the pile and snatch one of the condemned tomes before it was consumed.
"This is monstrous!" I exclaimed. "MONSTERS! BARBARIANS! IS THIS TERRE D'ANGE, IS IT!?" I could feel the heat of the flames against my back, and I feared that if I did not move, I would be the one burning next.
There was no time to cast about looking for the two people who had been in the eye of the storm with me. The book in my hand became a bludgeon, and I sincerely hoped that none of the knocks I administered were fatal...even if some of them deserved it.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 10, 2011 20:21:11 GMT -5
"No!" I screamed as the man lit the pyre of books. All hell seemed to break loose at that, the riot began in earnest. Heedless of my own safety, I scrabbled forward to salvage some of the tomes near the edges.
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 10, 2011 20:25:25 GMT -5
I shook my head at the foolish man. He was most certainly older than me, but he was acting like a child. Putting himself in harms way for some books? This was ridiculous! And if it were not for the woman, I would have found my exit somehow.
I pulled out my sword as the crowd came forward, "I have fought many a skaldi and brought them down to their knees. You would do best to be on your way."
A man came out me with a rock. I hit his head with the flat of my blade, and he fell to the ground. I had made sure that he hadn't been hurt too badly. I kept my back to the lady, as I began doing what I could to keep the crowd at bay.
One man pulled out his sword and began making his way toward me. We began fighting blade to blade. I saw another man come rushing toward me, and so I jumped into the air and kicked him in his head, knocking him to the ground. I landed on my feet and continued hitting blades with the stranger.
"There is no need for blood shed, sir," I spoke to him.
"You are either with us or against us, and you have shown which side you are on!" he called out. He went charging at me, and I dodged to the right, allowing him to fall into the fountain. I then turned back around as quickly as I could, looking to see what would come next.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 10, 2011 20:30:19 GMT -5
I heard the clash of metal behind me and turned to see the man who had warned me earlier fending off some of the crowd. Immediately I felt guilty, and turned away from the burning pile of books. I'd saved what I could, I shouldn't be adding to the trouble.
Feeling utterly useless, I looked around for something that would help and wished that I had learned how to fight. How did one calm down a riot?
|
|
|
Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jun 10, 2011 20:47:07 GMT -5
Why did I have to involve myself in such things? This is one thing I would never understand about myself. "Oh yes, Leandre, a stroll in Elua's Square would be lovely!" I spat as I fought against the surge of D'Angelines driven into a frenzy due to the words of one madman. "Naught happens in Elua's Square, 'tis the peaceful hub of the City of Elua, where everyone is in a constant state of level-headedness!"
Suddenly, I found myself on the outside of the mob, smoke rose in great black plumes, the horrid scent of burning leather assaulted my nostrils.
My family had always protected to knowledge, and I had been helpless to prevent its destruction.
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 10, 2011 20:53:13 GMT -5
I began using my martial arts techniques as more people began coming toward me. I managed to hit my palm against this one guy's neck in just the right spot as to put him to sleep. I punched one man in the chest, and swiped my foot across two others, forcing them to fall over to the ground.
A guy in the far back yelled out obscenities and threw a glass bottle at us. I looked up just in time, and moved forward to catch it in my hand.
One of the men, was coming toward the woman who I still had yet to know her name. I hit him over the head with the bottle, thankfully keeping the bottle in tact.
Then I handed the bottle to her, "Fill it with water and try to extinguish the flames. The smoke is going to make this more difficult than it is." I blocked a punch from one guy and then turned his arm and flipped him onto his back.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 10, 2011 20:57:01 GMT -5
I barely had enough time to thank the man before he gave me the weapon that could have killed me and told me to try extingushing the flames. I looked up at him incredulously; a single wine bottle? But it was better than nothing.
"All right," I said, not mincing words and heading to the fountain to fill the bottle and put out the fire in small, excruciatingly slow, doses. I could feel the smoke making it hard to breathe, playing with my eyesight and making me dizzy, but kept on working steadily.
|
|
|
Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jun 10, 2011 21:54:09 GMT -5
I had managed to work my way free of the crowd, but I could see neither hide nor hair of the two people who had chosen to defend me.
Well, I should say that I thought I was free of the crowd...
One moment, I was on my feet, the next, I was on the ground, a burning sensation in my forehead indicating a cut or a possible concussion.
I touched my brow, my fingers came away stained with blood.
A cut, then, fantastic.
"Messire, are you well?" There was a swirl of white and a young man was kneeling next to me. "Ah, 'tis but a small cut, you were fortunate, it could have been much worse. Hold still," I felt something cool touch my forehead, and I could only think of how absurd we must look, a man in white tending to a fallen nobleman while their countrymen rioted all around them.
I suppose more superstitious persons would imagine that Shemhazai himself had chosen that moment to tend to me. I would then reply that it would have been better if he had stopped the riot from occurring in the first place! It was all such foolishness!
|
|
|
Post by James de Valois-Burgundy on Jun 10, 2011 22:11:10 GMT -5
I wasn't given to patrolling the City, that wasn't my job usually, it's what the watch was for, but in these troubled times, the King had requested that I do so. He said it might calm the unrest to see the Commander in Chief out in the streets, keeping the populace safe. I felt like it was beneath me, but one did not argue with the King, no matter that the man was nothing more than an upstart who only held the position because he was in the Queen's skirts.
No matter, though, I had the job and I was damn well going to do, so when one of my men spied smoke coming from the Square, we decided to go take a look at it. We were on horseback, and as we rode closer to the Square, we heard shouts. Closer still, the clang of swords. I exchanged a glance with Craster, and we headed into the fray.
The Square was a mess. I had never seen the like in my time in the City, and I was not about to preside over the burning of the Square. I ordered Tommen and Marc to get the Watch to take care of the fire, and the rest of us rounded up everyone we could get our hands on. I only had to hit one person, which was slightly disappointing, but once everyone was assembled as far from the fire as we could get them while still keeping an eye out to make sure that it was being contained I started asking questions.
"All right, what is the meaning of this? I better hear a damn good explanation or you are all spending the night in the dungeons!"
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 10, 2011 22:17:36 GMT -5
I let out a sigh of relief when I saw that the guards were coming. The crowd died down and stopped coming after me. I lined up beside a few of them and raised my hand to get the man's attention.
I gave a bow, "I believe that I can explain, sir. I'm Marquise Renard de Valliers. There was an argument concerning religious texts. This group wanted to burn them, and another man...I do not know his name...attempted to dissuade them from doing so. In the midst of the back and forth, the group decided to come towards us. I did what I could to protect the woman who was near me, and I did my best to avoid any fatalities."
I hoped that the man would believe what I had said, and not arrest me for my deeds. I had merely been protecting myself and the defense of a lady. I looked around, hoping that the other two would support my story.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 10, 2011 22:21:52 GMT -5
The man, Renard de Valliers as he had introduced himself, stepped forward and answered. Quite brave, considering the intimidating look of the commander. Wanting to be spared as much trouble as possible, I stepped forward too.
"Eulalie de Perigeux," I introduced myself, curtseying. "I can vouch for his story. Another man had disagreed with the burning of the books; we tried to dissuade him from it, but he did not heed us."
|
|
|
Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jun 10, 2011 22:52:49 GMT -5
I tried to relax and let the man tend to the cut on my forehead, but my reverie was short-lived as someone bellowed for order, demanding to know what had transpired here.
Damnation, that meant I had to get to my feet, especially if I was about to be arrested.
"Help me up, man," I said to my rescuer, already trying to gain my feet. The young man placed my arm across his shoulders, supporting me as I hobbled towards the mounted form of the Commander in Chief.
Commander in Chief? Merde! My head was in no shape to explain the utter idiocy that had taken place this day, but I had to try. I would not fail twice in one day.
"M'lord, I am Leandre de Guivre, Baron Citrine," I had wanted to strangle my uncle's men when I had discovered that I had inherited his title, but now I was grateful for it. "The altercation occurred due to my attempting to halt the burning of certain literature, which, as a man of Siovale, I personally find distasteful. As you can see..." and here I made a vague gesture towards the fire. "The individual who desired the destruction of these tomes has had his wish granted."
I took a deep breath. "The fault lies with me and that fanatical man, arrest me, if you will, but I pray you will at least give me a gods damned drink before throwing me to the rats!"
|
|
|
Post by James de Valois-Burgundy on Jun 11, 2011 18:58:20 GMT -5
Someone had been burning books? In the Square? I did not think that the burning of books per se was against the law, but doing it in Elua's Square was definitely a disturbance. Personally, burning books seemed like a stupid use of one's time; if you did not like a particular book, don't read it. I listened to the three stories and then for the men who were supposed to have been burning the books... but I saw no one left but these three, the rest had scattered like rats.
I had half a mind to take them all in, but it was the man, Baron Citrine, who seemed the most out of sorts, and perhaps it was he who needed to be questioned. The other two seemed to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"You two may go," I said to them, dismissing them after giving the woman an appreciative glance. Under other circumstances I might have tried to get her to consent to a drink or three, but unfortunately now was not the time. I turned back to the Baron then.
"You sir, will come along with me, back to the Palace where we can get to the heart of this matter." I turned back to the Watch, who had gotten the fire out and said loudly, "And you, get this mess cleaned up, and be quick about it." I wasn't winning friends among the guards in the City, but then, I wasn't trying to.
I had someone offer the Baron a horse, only because of his rank, if he were a citizen I'd have made him walk, but as it was, I'd learned my lesson about dealing with the peerage, even the lesser nobles such as this one.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 11, 2011 21:02:13 GMT -5
The Commander dismissed us with a brisk sentence and a look that I didn't much care for. I stiffly curtsied, but he had already turned his attention to the Baron. It didn't bother me; I was just relieved that it was all over.
I glanced at the Marquise de Valliers, who had been stoically silent thus far. "Thank you," I said sincerely. "I would probably be unconscious or dead now if it wasn't for you."
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 11, 2011 22:00:21 GMT -5
I nodded silently to the man who spoke with authority. He seemed to have a good head on his shoulders, and I was thankful that I would not be persecuted for what had been under my control.
I turned toward the woman, giving a bow to her, "It was my pleasure to defend you, Lady Perigeux. I would be willing to escort you home, if you have need of me. If you would give me but a moment to speak to those I've injured." I took her hand and gave it a light kiss.
Then I made my way over to the few that were injured and being seen to. I gave a soft apology and then gave funds to the Eisheth Priests, "You honor us all with your work.." I said to each priest or priestess.
I made my way back over to Lady Perigeux, "Well, this was quite a day to end my first week in Elua. Please tell me these events do not happen all the time." I gave her a light grin, hoping to bring some humor to what could have been a horrible situation.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 11, 2011 22:09:23 GMT -5
I decided to take up his offer about escorting me home. It would probably be safest.
"Thank you, I would appreciate that," I said, as he kissed my hand. I watched as he moved away to speak quietly to the priests; he seemed a very considerate person.
When he returned I was surprised to find out that he was new to the city too. I gave a wry smile. "I would like to tell you, except I myself only arrived recently. This was my first venture into the city. Are you living in the residential sector?"
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 11, 2011 22:18:45 GMT -5
I found it interesting that she was also new to the city, and yet she had decided to get herself involved in halting the burning of the books. I noticed that the books she had saved were still by the fountain. I picked them up and dusted them off. I handed them to her, "You might as well keep these, you risked your life for them. Were they really so important to you?" My eyes searched hers questionably. I understood what it was to stand for what you believe in. Of course my values and beliefs were far from focused on books. I had a honor code to protect family, country, and especially women and children. My parents had ingrained such values in me, and there were just as part of me as perhaps religion might be to this woman. Although she had engaged in some foolish actions, I couldn't help but admire her determination to be loyal to her values.
I offered her my arm, "Yes, I live in East Borough. Where do you reside?" I was looking forward to getting to know this woman. In the back of my mind, I was reminded to be weary of those who look to manipulate and use you.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 11, 2011 22:28:46 GMT -5
I took the books from him and considered how to best answer his question. "To me, yes they are. All knowledge is worth having, as you probably heard the Baron quote. They aren't just books, they are the living, breathing ideas of scholars, they're records of our religion and the tenets that we live by. They're our history. To me, that's something worth saving."
Then accepting his arm with my free one, we began to walk. "East Borough, that's close to where I'm living, in the West Borough. I'm currently fostering you see." I bit my lip, looking surreptitiously down at my dress which was dirty and stained with ash at the hemline, wondering what Owen would think if he knew what I'd been involved in.
|
|
|
Post by Léandre de Guivre on Jun 11, 2011 22:45:03 GMT -5
I was at once grateful and filled with apprehension when they offered me the use of a horse, grateful, because I did not wish to walk the whole way to the Palace, and apprehensive, because I feared I might topple from the saddle.
I still felt a tad light-headed as I swung up and into the saddle, the young chirurgeon who had assisted me giving my knee a reassuring pat and an even more reassuring smile before he seemed to vanish into the crowd.
Now I simply had to focus on not toppling and making even more of an ass of myself. Fortunately, my horse seemed content to plod after the others. Truthfully, I did not trust that my hands were steady enough to make any maneuver more complicated than a simple turn.
It seemed that the closer we came to the Palace, the more I was convinced that I would need a drink before the day was out.
|
|
|
Post by Renard de Valliers on Jun 11, 2011 23:09:12 GMT -5
I listened to her speak passionately about the books and I nodded as if understanding. I did agree with her when it came to history. I believed that history was worth saving, but it could be captured in various ways, not just with books. It could be captured with a memory or a specific item, or a old man who told a tale that continued to be told throughout a land.
"I admit that I did not agree with your actions, but I do admire your bravery and your loyalty toward your beliefs. I would place those books on a mantel, if I were you. Especially if they are worth your life," I spoke in a calm tone. I was trying to lecture to her, and I hoped she didn't take it that way.
I nodded when she said that she was fostering, "That sounds like a wise decision. What are you currently studying?" I had spent a lot of my time practicing martial arts skills and fencing, so I knew what it was like to be a apprentice of sorts.
|
|
|
Post by Eulalie de Perigeux on Jun 11, 2011 23:19:27 GMT -5
He was right of course, but written records had their own special magic; they were less likely to be warped than stories told orally that could be changed from telling to telling. He disapproved of my actions, he openly admitted it, so I merely nodded at his suggestion and decided not to continue that vein of conversation. I suppose only a fellow Siovalese would truly understand it.
When he asked me what I was studying I couldn't help a slight scoff. "Manners, etiquette and society," I replied drolly. "My parents' idea," I explained. "I finished my academic studies long since but they felt it was time to expand my social circle and knowledge." To be fair on them though, it wasn't as tedious as I expected it was going to be. Owen had already defied expectations and now having been in a riot in the heart of the city, I was actually looking forward to life here.
"So what brings you to the city?" I asked, steering the conversation away from me.
|
|