Inside Maluka

[bravesirrobin]

As Azir steps out of the front door of the palace he can see that the situation inside Maluka has changed dramatically in the short time he's been inside the palace. The city seems to be in a full blown state of riot. There is a mob gathered at the gates, trying to force their way into the place, no longer held back by guards, but merely by the sturdy construction of the gates.

The scene is too chaotic to pick out a coherent thread of intent. But snatches of shouted demands reach Azir's ears. The mob seems to have reacted to the landing of the Wasp on the roof, and have worked out it must have brought some solars into the city. The responses though are wildly varying. Some seem to want to help the Solars, some to oppose them. Various threats and demands are screamed, almost incoherently.

The city is a powder keg, ready to burst. And indeed scuffles already seem to have broken out at the back of the crowd. It is at this somewhat inopportune moment that the Infallible Messenger from Keiran flits down from on high in order to deliver it's message to Azir.

[oneiros]

Azir pulls up short on the threshold of the palace doors, masking his momentary surprise at the appearance of the jewel-winged cherub, thankfully unseen by any but him, with that of concern at the turn things have taken outside. Wheels in his mind though start spinning as to how best to turn the situation to their advantage.

"My new friend, we have many injured soldiers out here who would benefit from your talents. I suggest you either finish this conflict quickly from inside the walls or find some way out here. Otherwise many men will die"

*Right now, Friend Kieron, I don't give a damn about those soldiers. I am trying to conclude this swiftly and I don't need banal witterings hindering me at this juncture. Oh for a return messaging feature on these things...*

Returning his attention to the more pressing matter of the gathered crowds, Azir quickly scans the courtyard, noting both the fact that the gates are holding and there are steps leading up to a narrow rampart around the walls. He turns to those few palace guards who had follwed him out, more out of confusion than anything else. With the semblance of confidence and conviction taking the place of actual authority, he issues his commands. "You two go to the gates and stand ready to open them if needs be. The rest of you wait here."

Gritting his teeth, Azir sprints to the steps and climbs to stand on the rampart overlooking the gates and the mob. The enormity of the task before him settles as a dull weight in his stomach. *Sol Invictus, this is madness. I must remember to 'thank' Kairos for his oh-so ingenious intervention.* A few faces in the crowd have noticed his appearance on the wall now and turn their heads, pointing and muttering. The noise abates slightly as they await whatever news this figure brings. The conflicting tension amongst them is nearly palpable... *But I do wish he was here now - he's better with large crowds than I am. I'm a doctor, not a general. Here goes...* With a deep breath, Azir launches into his speech, believing that his steely conviction in what he is doing is definitely the right thing will bleed through into his voice and make up for the lack of emotion in his heart. [Powers up Natural Solar Conviction Technique with whatever personal essence reserves are left. Having reread the flaw, this probably counts as Partial Control, though I'm counting on the emotions of others rather than my own.]

"My friends, my friends! We have been betrayed!" He pauses dramatically for a moment to let this sink in. "Betrayal of the highest order! The Auspicious Advisers have stood idly by and let calamity befall Maluka. Where were they when noble soldiers gave their lives in defence of this fair land? Where were they when Maanas fell? I'll tell you where! Conspiring in their comfortable palace chambers! Plotting to take advantage and bring down the kingdom in a tide of chaos.

"Why else have they not been seen? Why have they been locked away and allowing no-one to see them? Why have they not issued any sort of reassurance in this difficult period? Not even a short statement! Why would they refuse even status reports on what is going on in the city? Because they do not care what happens to you, to the citizens worried for their families both here and beyond the walls, for the soldiers whose bodies have not been recovered and those who lie wounded in the barracks. Has Ysa, supposedly charged with the care of the citizenry, seen for themself the damage that has been wrought?

"I have seen the wounds, the broken bones, the fear, the confusion. I hope my meagre skills have had some benefit to those I've been able to treat. But they," he denounces, pointing back at the palace, "needed to know. But what do I hear when I manage to get in? Not concern for you but concern only for their own lives, how best to take advantage!

"With the aid of some stout fellows..." whereupon Azir tries to force a crocodile tear down his cheek. "...we managed to breach the door to the council chamber only to catch them in act of absconding - fleeing down a secret passage! Cowards and knaves the lot of them, abandoning us in our hour of greatest need, bereft of the firm leadership that is needed to guide the kingdom.

"The true enemy has been sitting like a nest of vipers in our midst. We must cleanse the infection and quickly! Decisive action is only thing that will aid us now." Azir drops to one knee, in a supposed gesture of fealty. "I know some of you may be thinking that I am but an outsider, what do I care? I have treated your wounded and dying. This plight has affected me deeply. If it be your will, my friends, I will go and negotiate with the enemy commander, take Maluka's case as my own and secure an end to all of this. I pledge that I will get the best outcome for this nation, for all citizens from farmer to soldier, so that everyone can sleep peacefully. Use this opportunity to build a nation that can enjoy its prosperity, free from a tainted heart, and where everyone can stand proudly as a citizen of Maluka." Azir rises to his feet and lifts his arms, his voice rising in stern exhortation, inflected with triumph ascending (and satisfaction of the end to come).

"What say you? Be this your wish, my friends?"

[bravesirrobin]

[Successful 3 dice stunt - awesome]

Azir may not have the experience, but the drive behind his words is real. And with the tipping point so nearly reached, his words have a dramatic effect. It's doubtful everyone heard what he said, but enough got through, and the word spreads like fire through a dry thicket.

The barely restrained anger of the crowd blows into full blown frenzy as Azir concludes, many turn on each other, and the scuffles escalate into brutal fights scattered all over the square. At the front of the crowd, purposes seem to unite and a sudden surge forward finally breaks bursts open the gates as the citizenry descend like a pack of rabid dogs upon the palace.

The two guards turn to flee, but the crowd is too quick for them, and they are swallowed up by the body of people. The direction seems to be into the palace, so Azir is out of the way for now. The occasional face turns to look at him, but the momentum of so many prevents anyone from breaking ranks.

[oneiros]

[Excellent! Thanks And buoyed by success, his tongue becomes even more silvered - buying a second Persuasion specialty]

"Okay, that wasn't quite what I had intended. But I have my apparent mandate to act." Azir turns away from the crowd, a brief but decidely wicked smile playing across his lips. Turning back he signals to the guards on the palace doors but finds that fear has overtaken them already and they have shut them in the face of the oncoming mob.

Spotting Commander Essellee being swept along by the crowd, Azir waves, summoning him to the steps and waiting with restrained patience as he forces his way through. "Commander, we must restore order as soon as possible - remind them there is still an army at the gates! Pull as many soldiers as is necessary and gather the other commanders. Put one of them in charge here and I want to see you and the others in the Council Chamber in about 30 minutes. Go!"

As his docile companion sets off, barking orders officiously, Azir bellows from the wall at the top of his voice, "My friends! We must remain calm! There are soldiers still at our gates and loved ones still in danger! Let's not lose our heads! I thank you for your support. Now let me work for you! Return to your stations please!"

As the orders start to sink in [hopefully], Azir descends and attempts to move through the crowd, the strength of his rousing benedictions and conviction acting like a plough as folk move as best they can to let him through to the palace doors.

[bravesirrobin]

The noise is too great and the emotions too high already. Esselle has forced his way through to Azir, but further words have no effect. The mob has broken through the door, and people have begun to stream into the palace. Azir can barely hear himself over the din, and he knows how unlikely it is that anyone else can hear him.

Esselle tells him that gathering enough of the army in one place is hopeless. The combined pressures of social disapproval, a reluctance to march against chosen of the sun, and the continued doubts against the council means that too many men have deserted, and the chain of command is beginning to fracture. He says he can gather what men he can, but getting to the council chamber will be too dificult, and indeed Azir realises that he is correct as the mob, still flowing on into the palace has begun to loot and pillage.

They descend into the crowd and the two of them begin to force their way against the flow, back towards the square. The crush is no longer so great, but the violence in the area is ugly and Azir sends a silent prayer of thanks that he has not made himself as memorable as Kairos or Ferric. The looting is already beginning to spread, and a couple of windows of buildings on the main square have been smashed. A small column of smoke is rising from inside one of the broken windows.

[oneiros]

Glancing back over his shoulder, Azir considers that perhaps his disdain and cold-hearted indifference had failed to take into account the passions his words might have stirred. But then shrugs that off. *No time for regrets. Re-evaluate and re-establish the plan in light of new information* Logic pathways whirring, the two manage to make it out to the relative sanctuary of a nearby barracks.

"Change of plan Commander. Leave the mob attacking the palace. Gather what forces you can and what captains are still present. Secure stores and military structures first. Any attempts at insurrection against these should be dealt with firmly. Spread the word that if any of the Advisors are found they are to be arrested and silenced. Any traitors resisting arrest may be executed in defence of the civil duty. If we can turn some of the mob's 'enthusiasm' to such a task so much the better.

"Once the mob have calmed down, do your best to restore order. The palace stands alone so barring a change in the weather, any fires shouldn't spread but take necessary measures if things start to get out of hand.

"I'm going to do what I promised and speak to the beseiging troops. Try and end this horrible mess. I will be back as soon as I can. You are in charge until then. I am counting on you Commander."

As he stalks towards the main gates, leaving Essellee to carry out his orders, the Doctor fumes silently at the predicament Kairos has exacerbated. *You couldn't have waited a few more hours?!*

Set firmly on the task ahead, Azir approaches the gate and summons the guards left on duty. Briefly filling them in on what has happened, he picks one to serve as his adjutant and advises the others to remain steadfast and loyal to Maluka. If any external contingent should arrive, they are to be brought into the city and used to help restore order.

Grabbing a city standard as his banner, Azir and his new adjutant - Lt Cuddy - draw back the bolts on the smaller gate-within-a-gate and venture out to deal with the 'enemy' commander...

[oneiros]

[Apologies if this is going too far ahead but I can modify once you have an idea of my intentions.]

Azir moves quickly, determination powering his steps, so that Lt Cuddy has to trot in order to keep up, raising the cowl on his cape as he does so and explaining what he want to happen when they reach the 'enemy'.

Part way out, a squad meets them and Lt Cuddy explains that the official representative of Maluka, seeks audience with their leader to discuss the cessation of hostilities. Whereupon, the pair are taken through the camp and brought before the imposing figure of Grey Wolf.

Lowering his voice, Azir announces, "I represent the city. May I speak with you in your tent so we can end this situation?"

Once withdrawn, he drops his cowl, revealing himself to GW and hissing, "His impatience has messed this up. Use your power and tell them to get back here immediately. And to execute any remaining councillors. We're going to have to install new leaders."

[bravesirrobin]

Azir has little military bearing, and more than a few soldiers are dubious of the way he starts handing out orders. However Maluka is a city built on rules and procedures, and with the complete collapse of the upper echelons of the chain of command, many of them are desperate for orders of any type.

It takes a great deal of persuasion before Azir is finally allowed out of the gates of the city, but he achieves his goal, and is brought before the besieging armies. There are no tents to accomodate them, but Dalph continues leading the men through drills while Grey Wolf's second sees to the hapless lieutenant, giving Kieran and Azir a chance to talk in peace.

[greywolf]

As they are out of earshot (and line of sight) of the Lieutenant, Grey Wolf turns to Azir. He looks his new ally up and down. Something is different from the last time they spoke. The compassion which used to be in his eyes has gone, leaving nothing but expedience and cold hard logic. Grey Wolf decides to alter his approach slight, pointing towards the logic of necessary actions rather than hoping to appeal to his compassionate nature.

"It is good you have come. You must tend to the men, as they will be necessary should reinforcements arrive. If we are unable to hold this position due to lack of warriors, then all is lost.
What has happened within the city? All seems in chaos as we would hope. I suspected that friend Kieros was planning to go straight to the leaders of the city, but you demeanor and words are not encouraging. Has the situation gone so wrong?

Before I send the message, I must ask - would execution be the answer? While I have no compassion for these men, it is my experience that soldiers are more likely to follow there own, especially those they are used to taking orders from. Would it not be better to give Keiros more time to work his magic? Is it not better to convert them to our cause rather than risk word seeping out that we have killed them. We risk being seen as the brutal executioners rather than liberators of the people. What we really need is for some of the Council to come out and welcome us as saviors.

However I do agree that this waiting is not good, especially when Dalph and I are unnecessarily loosing men to injury and disease. Perhaps we could consider using your new found role as representative of the city. We could go back with me as the envoy for the liberating army and we could meet up with our friends. Then perhaps we could have “negotiations” (which would include our friends of course) and come to an agreement ending with the leaders forming an alliance which should appease the people as it stops any more blood shed. What say you?

[oneiros]

Azir ponders the words spoken by Grey Wolf...

[continued in 'Grey Wolf and the Men' since we're outside the city now ]

[oneiros]

[continued from 'Grey Wolf and the Men']

By the time Azir and Lt Cuddy reach the city gates, the strange sounds of laughter and relief can clearly be heard. Lengthening their strides, as they near the stout defences, they can hear the bars swinging away and bolts withdrawn as the gates start to swing open.

Confusion clearly registering, Azir calls out, "What is the meaning of this? The enemy still sits before us and now you invite them in?!" But even as the words cross his lips, comprehension dawns... or rather, 'eclipses' his previous confusion. *By Sol, Friend Kairos seems to have worked his magic again and turned the rabble.*

As the pair are greeted enthusiastically, the Doctor picks out snatches of explanation, of how the two enemy warriors had come to save the city not burn it, that there would be a new fairer rule and that - something Azir really couldn't believe - every citizen would receive double earnings and a rebate! From his own ministrations and what he could see, both the wounded and the healthy were suffering from infections... and he would be hard-pressed to say which one was worse.

Fending off the hands that wanted to shake and the inappropriate spinning reels of the citizenry, Azir managed to push his way through to a table to grab quill and parchment. He rapidly pens a note*and seals it, pressing it into the hands of Lt Cuddy. "Take this to the general I was conversing with." As Cuddy heads off once again, Azir fixes his sight on the palace and attempts to move through the now-jubilant crowds towards the seat of government that had been a tinderbox when he left...

[continued in 'Aftermath']

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