The Real Solution

by Viptorian Arcinian

Baresh retrieves the thick, congealing concoction and places it on the bar. The cloaked man states confidently, "Sir, I got something I should like ta share with you. Tis a story about a man who lies, kills, and hides."

"Tis not an honest man that I speak of. This man has his own agenda to take care of. He is not out to help the province better, but to attain as much power as his vile heart can handle."

Baresh leans on the bar, propping his head upon his hand, listening intently. The man starts again, "The man of whom I speak is the "Prince" of Zoluren, Vorclaf."

"I am sure," the man continues, "that you have heard of the bailiffs running around in the Crossing, arresting every criminal they can find. That my friend is one of the injustices committed upon the people of Zoluren. These bailiffs are here to uphold the laws of the land, no?"

Baresh opens his mouth to begin his commentary, but is interrupted by the speech of his tall patron. "No good sir, that is not true. Why, just last night I saw a young thief driven by his hatred of the law attack bailiff Quillak. Quillak warned the young thief that he should not continue upon his course of action, but his calls went unheeded. The man then fired upon the confused young thief, removing him of the use of his left arm."

"The young thief," the ominous patron continues, "was frozen in pain and fell to the ground, when Quillak took it upon himself to let out a mighty bellow that was so loud that his made many passers by bleed from their ears.

"Now my good man," the cloaked figure chuckles, "I may be mistaken, I doubt it though, but is it not a law of the land that such things be prohibited while inside the walls of a city? Not only did the bailiff endanger the lives of the public, but with two more shots of his bow, Quillak slew the young thief with no remorse for his reprehensible actions."

"Now, we have quite a situation on our hands my good man. We have a "prince" who hires a man to uphold the laws, but who upon his own discretion, completely disregards the laws he is paid to uphold. Can we trust such a man in power? I ask you sir, why do we allow ourselves to be governed by a man who hires bounty hunters, prevents his citizens from visiting the Ulf'hara Keep to see him, and who is already suspected by many, myself included, of poisoning the drink of his late father? No good man! We can not! Vorclaf should not be trusted, nor obeyed."

"I say, good sir, we revolt upon the established government! Show Vorclaf that we will not tolerate his actions! Inform all you hear good man! I shall now take to the streets and inform all who I see; Revolution is the ONLY solution!"

The large patron throws his GorTog Bloodgrog down his gullet and flicks a gold coin to Baresh. As he turns to exit, the golden greatcloak he is wearing flaps and reveals a tattoo of a golden pit viper coiling itself around the name, Viptorian. Baresh shrugs off the name and goes to cleaning the empty mug of Bloodgrog of it's remaining filth.