Dark Thane

"You needn't have bothered," Tarn answered coldly as he mounted the steps. Glint Ettinhammer greeted him with a smile and an apologetic shrug. Shahar Bellowsmoke ignored him, while Brecha Quickspring glanced at him briefly before haughtily turning away. Rughar Delvestone sat on a step at Jungor's feet, scribbling like a secretary in a large black logbook spread upon his lap. The Hylar thane stood above them all in his usual tattered robes and wizard staff and one-eyed hideousness. Unlike the other thanes, Tarn included, whose hair and beards were still rumpled from sleep, Jungor looked like he had never even gone to bed. Indeed, it made Tarn wonder, what had the Hylar thane been doing that he should still be up at this horn- of the night?

Tarn climbed to a step higher than where Jungor stood, then swept his eyes round, casting a swift glance over the crowd before turning his attention to Jungor. Though he said nothing, his baleful gaze told Jungor to step aside. Jungor returned his stare with a cold eye, then bowed, moving aside for the king. But the smirk on his face promised that he would not always do so.

Satisfied, Tarn crossed his arms over his broad chest. "Now, what do we know? Were many folk injured? Anyone seriously?"

Thane Ettinhammer stepped up, elbowing past the Hylar thane. "So far, there have only been reports of minor injuries. The houses of healing are still taking a count, but to this point, we seem to have come through this relatively unscathed."

"We should begin taking an account of the damages to buildings," Tarn said.

"We had already begun to do so before you arrived," Jungor said briskly, turning to the Daewar thane sitting on the step below him. "Thane Delvestone, please continue to record the reports as they come in."

Tarn glowered at Jungor for a moment. "Then perhaps he could read to me what he has recorded so far," he said through gritted teeth.

The Daewar thane looked up at Jungor, who nodded his assent. This, more than anything else, infuriated Tarn- that Rughar should seek permission from Jungor to follow the king's order. Tarn's cheeks flushed scarlet to his heard, and the hot blood throbbed so loudly in his ears that he barely heard Rughar's voice.

"Engineers are still inspecting the transportation shafts. The entire Klar quarter of the Anvil's Echo has been flooded to a depth of several inches, we're not sure why. We've sent a team of engineers down to the first level to investigate a report of damage to the site of the new Council Hall, which is still under construction, as you know. Other than that, we seem to have suffered widespread but only minor damage to streets and buildings."

"Thank you, Thane Delvestone," Tarn growled. He stroked his beard for a moment, pondering his next move, then addressed the crowd. "I'm ordering that the engineers' office remain open throughout the night, to assess damage reports and begin to recommend repairs. Anyone in need of medical assistance should report to the houses of healing on their level. I will remain here to observe and assist as needed."

The crowd milled uncertainly, many of them staring up at Jungor, who silently leaned on his staff, his head bowed as though in thought. Tarn's blood began to pound in his ears again. "Everyone, I order you to return to your homes," he said a little too shrilly.

Jungor lifted his head and raised his hand, drawing everyone's attention. The crowd grew silent. "Anyone in need of any assistance whatsoever should come by my warehouses in the Hylar quarter of the second level. I have been storing food, water, medicine, bandages, bedding, tools, and other supplies in preparation for just such an emergency as this. Those in need may draw from my stores free of charge."

A cheer went up from the crowd. "I suggest that the other thanes return to their own quarters of the city to see to the needs of their people, especially Thane Ettinhammer, whose realm has been flooded. Everyone else should return home as the king suggests. What can be done is being done. We'll know more in the morning." Another cheer went up. The crowd began to disperse and the thanes hurried away to their homes.

Jungor turned and smiled up at the king. Tarn ground his teeth in frustration, but there was nothing he could say. Once again, Jungor had not directly challenged him, but had still somehow managed to wrest control from his grasp and leave him gaping like a landed fish. The people weren't in serious need of medical supplies, food, or water. It had been, after all, only a minor groundquake. But by offering them that which they didn't even need, Jungor had both managed to create a need in their minds and then satisfy it at the same time. Meanwhile, the king's thorough, efficient, and practical manner of resolving this crisis had been greeted with less favor.