Elendor
Vote for Change
Brenden presses Bywater about his attentiveness to his public duties.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Bree
Description: It's another late, cool spring evening. Many are enjoying drinks after dinner, and one of those is Brenden Ferny who is chatting amiably with a couple of farmers. He's scratching his fingers through his mop of brown curls, talking in a friendly voice, ".. but Mrs. Willowbark couldn't even -find- the mayor. So I stepped in to give her a hand with things, of course. Gotta help each other out, right? It's a shame that so much of her parlour was ruined by the rain, though. And there's a hole two feet across in her ceiling where that rock tumbled down."
[Cordelia(#24827)] Not too far away from where Brenden is, Cordelia sits, sipping a mug of cider. Her eyes follow Brenden as he speaks, though for th emoment she stays quiet.
[Torebras(#25187)] Into the middle of the tale steps someone conspicuously absent these past couple of weeks - ever since that little trip to the Barrow Downs, in fact, neither hide nor hair of Torebras Bywater has been seen around town. Enquiries at the healing house have confirmed that no, the mayor hadn't been kept in, and was healing nicely thank-you ... so why hasn't he shown his face outside his own front door? Too shamed of his own behaviour, some folk whisper.
Now Torebras pauses just inside the threshold, ostensibly adjusting his fine feathered hat, but at Brendan's words his face reddens.
One of the farmer's asks "Did you get the boulder out? And did anyone catch the fool kids that were playin up top 'o the hill?" He's an older man with a gravelly voice and a thick gray beard.
Brenden rubs the unshaved stubble on his chin. "Yeah, we got the rock out, had to roll it out the front door. Didn't catch the kids, but Mrs. Willowbark was awfully upset that she couldn't find the mayor to tell him about the incident. No one knows where he's been, some say off treasure hunting."
The farmer scoffs at that. "Fat lot of good that does the town.. Treasure huntin'.. bah."
[Cordelia(#24827)] "The mayor was injured trying to investigate a murder," Cordelia says, standing up now and walking toward the group. "He wasn't treasure hunting. And there he is now." She points to the door.
[Torebras(#25187)] Oh dear. The look Torebras throws Cordelia is anything but grateful. Hunted, rather. "I ... ah, that is ..." Catching sight of one of the hobbit serving-lasses, he clears his throat and calls out quickly, "I'll have a glass of wine, please, Lily," then busies himself in undoing a button on his waistcoat. By this time he's recovered somewhat, and manages an airy, "Oh, good evening there, Mister Ferny. Anything I can help you with?" There is sweat on his brow - well, it is a mild evening.
"A murder? I haven't heard about any murder!" Brenden counters, and looks over at the mayor that's suddenly made an appearance. "What murder, Mayor Bywater? Where? Who?" The two farmers watch intently as well, one crossing his arms over his chest, the other sipping his beer.
[Cordelia(#24827)] "It's out by the Barrow Downs," Cordelia shrugs. "Some man murdered about a year ago, or so one of the rangers said. The mayor was investigating," she continues, not blinking under the mayor's look.
[Torebras(#25187)] "Ahem." Torebras shifts from foot to foot, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention. "As Miss Wood said, it was important to ascertain the cause of death and such things ... nothing for folk to worry about, of course!" He gives a vigorous nod and a beaming smile - he continues to watch Brendan carefully though, just as a mouse might a lazy cat.
"A year ago? Down in the Barrow Downs? What does that have to do with Bree now? It's springtime, trade's coming in, there's official business piling up.. and you're off looking at some fool that died a year ago? Poking where he didn't belong?" Brenden stands up from the bench, a challenging expression in brown eyes. "And futher, why so long? It's been over a week since any have seen you!"
[Cordelia(#24827)] Cordelia gives the mayor an apologetic look, but otherwise stays silent.
[Torebras(#25187)] Torebras does not meet Brenden's eyes - instead he glances off toward the kitchen, and happily he is rewarded, as the plump hobbit-lass emerges with a small goblet of wine. "Why, thank you Lily!" he exclaims, pressing a handful of coins on her, too flustered even to count them. Looking back to his questioner, he counters, "Unfortunately I had a small accident. I'm still not fully recovered, as you see." With his non-wine-holding hand he pulls his hat off to reveal a faded yellow bruise at his temple, barely visible at all in the common room's dim light.
"An accident? What kind of accident, mayor?" Brenden asks, approaching the hobbit slowly, tilting his head to one side to get a better look down at the bruise. "And what did you uncover about this murder that was so terribly important?" The young man doesn't seem willing to give Torebras any slack.
[Cordelia(#24827)] "Brenden," Cordelia says in an offhanded way, "I'm surprised your sister did go to the Barrow Downs to pick up some of the jewelry and valuable old coins thatare lying around. There for the taking, and if you go during the day, it's completely safe. Not far off the road atall."
[Torebras(#25187)] "I really don't think that's any of your business," Torebras blusters as he places his hat back on his head - it now rests slightly askew - before taking a careful sip of his wine. "Ah, a fine vintage," he murmurs haughtily.
At Cordelia's words he gives the girl a sidelong look and a raised eyebrow. "Come now, I'm sure Mister Ferny isn't interested in such things," he chides.
The sun flashes brightly on the horizon. Night gives way to morning.
Brenden looks over at Cordelia, watching her carefully for a moment. Then his gaze goes back to the mayor. "Given that you're in a public office that is supported by all the people that live here in Bree, I think it -is- my business, Mayor Bywater. How does one suffer such a grievous wound investigating a year-old corpse? What did you learn? That wine you're enjoying is paid by -my- taxes, mayor. I want some answers. I think we all do!" Perhaps more than a few are watching now, drinks lowered.
[Cordelia(#24827)] "Huh? So you would just let a skeleton rot out there, the murder unsolved, and the windows of teh Pony blown out by what is likely a ghost or a wight from the Barrow Downs?" Cordelia asks, piping up to try to support the mayor.
[Torebras(#25187)] Torebras blinks as Brenden starts to speak - at those final words he turns quite purple, though, spluttering into his wine. "Really, Mister Ferny, that is outrageous!" he protests when eventually he can speak again. "I quite resent the implications!" Brenden's chances of getting a straight answer to the initial question have just substantially lowered
Brenden is unphased by the flustered mayor's response, and a slow smirk is spreading on his face. He looks back to Cordelia, "So you think that investing a dead body from over a year ago.. down in a place known to be deadly, is more important than being here in Bree dealing with the spring business? How well we prepare in the spring sets the prosperity for the entire summer and fall." He looks back at the mayor. "No answers, mayor? No information for the hard-working citizens that you're supposed to be serving?" He turns away, addressing no one in particular. "You see? I would make ten times the mayor that Bywater is."
[Cordelia(#24827)] "So...what are you going to do about whatever or whomever it was that came through the Pony and broke the windows, Brenden? Just ignore it and pretend it didn't happen?" Cordelia replies. "Now it may be that the dead man on the Barrow Downs had nothing to do with it, but at least he investigated it."
[Torebras(#25187)] Torebras takes a few more sips of wine and lets Brenden wear himself out with talk. Only when Cordelia has spoken does he, respond himself this time rather more calmly. "Yes, I think we'd be most interested to hear that, Mister Ferny. And also quite how you plan to deal with business matters. I don't believe you've any formal training in figures, do you? Even an expert book-keeper like myself must spend many long hours spent dealing with Bree's financial burden - I am sure you quite understand why such matters sometimes keep me at my desk."
"Considering that the incident was weeks ago, and nothing bad has come of it since, I would focus on more important matters of seeing farmer's needs met and encouraging spring trade." Brenden answers, turning back to face Cordelia and Torebras. "Perhaps we would have more answers if something had been done about the problem when it first happened."
Ferny then smirks at the excuse of figures and book-keeping. "There are plenty of folks in the town that are skilled in keeping coffers balanced. I would find someone with a good, honest reputation and hire them to manage it, so that I could be out seeing to the needs of the people, handling things in a -timely- manner.. not weeks, months, or a year after the fact."
[Cordelia(#24827)] "You mean your 'friends,' Brenden? The ones in touch with the thieves?" Cordelia says quietly.
[Torebras(#25187)] Interestingly, Torebras chooses this moment to focus on finishing his glass of wine, leaving Brenden to rebut Cordelia's accusation as he will.
"My friends? What friends would those be? I have no idea what you're talking about, Miss Wood." Brenden answers smoothly. "Unless you speak of the other hardworking people of Bree as thieves." The young man looks over at the farmers again, giving them a small shrug. "I say we have an election. Let the people choose as they will, Mayor Bywater." Ferny looks back at the hobbit, "Unless.. you oppose an election?" The question is heavily weighted.
[Torebras(#25187)] Torebras looks steadily back. "Mister Ferny, you cannot expect Bree's hard-working councillors to call an election on one man's whim!" He lets the protest stand for a moment, then goes on, "However, my term of office is nearing its end, so ... I do believe you shall have your wish. I'm sure Bree's honest and dependable citizens know the right person in whom to place their trust."
He sets his wine goblet down on a nearby table, adjusts his hat, then states smoothly, "Now, if you'll excuse me I have important /business/ matters to discuss with Mister Butterbur. Good evening Miss Wood," he tips his hat to Cordelia, "Mister Ferny," a hard stare. And off he trots, head held high.
[Cordelia(#24827)] "If you say so," Cordelia says, giving in at the mayor's words. She turns to sipping her cider, watching Brenden over the rim of the mug.
Brenden lifts his brows as Torebras grows more angry, still smirking. "We'll see who the people choose, Bywater. I'm sure your business is terribly pressing with Mr. Butterbur.. " He watches the mayor leave, then says absently, "That's why he was here having a glass of wine first." Cordelia is given a level gaze, as if he's trying to decide where she stands. "It's growing late, I best be getting home to my family." Brenden moves to leave some coins on the table he was sitting at, then scoops up his coat and heads for the door.
[Cordelia(#24827)] Not too far away from where Brenden is, Cordelia sits, sipping a mug of cider. Her eyes follow Brenden as he speaks, though for th emoment she stays quiet.
[Torebras(#25187)] Into the middle of the tale steps someone conspicuously absent these past couple of weeks - ever since that little trip to the Barrow Downs, in fact, neither hide nor hair of Torebras Bywater has been seen around town. Enquiries at the healing house have confirmed that no, the mayor hadn't been kept in, and was healing nicely thank-you ... so why hasn't he shown his face outside his own front door? Too shamed of his own behaviour, some folk whisper.
Now Torebras pauses just inside the threshold, ostensibly adjusting his fine feathered hat, but at Brendan's words his face reddens.
One of the farmer's asks "Did you get the boulder out? And did anyone catch the fool kids that were playin up top 'o the hill?" He's an older man with a gravelly voice and a thick gray beard.
Brenden rubs the unshaved stubble on his chin. "Yeah, we got the rock out, had to roll it out the front door. Didn't catch the kids, but Mrs. Willowbark was awfully upset that she couldn't find the mayor to tell him about the incident. No one knows where he's been, some say off treasure hunting."
The farmer scoffs at that. "Fat lot of good that does the town.. Treasure huntin'.. bah."
[Cordelia(#24827)] "The mayor was injured trying to investigate a murder," Cordelia says, standing up now and walking toward the group. "He wasn't treasure hunting. And there he is now." She points to the door.
[Torebras(#25187)] Oh dear. The look Torebras throws Cordelia is anything but grateful. Hunted, rather. "I ... ah, that is ..." Catching sight of one of the hobbit serving-lasses, he clears his throat and calls out quickly, "I'll have a glass of wine, please, Lily," then busies himself in undoing a button on his waistcoat. By this time he's recovered somewhat, and manages an airy, "Oh, good evening there, Mister Ferny. Anything I can help you with?" There is sweat on his brow - well, it is a mild evening.
"A murder? I haven't heard about any murder!" Brenden counters, and looks over at the mayor that's suddenly made an appearance. "What murder, Mayor Bywater? Where? Who?" The two farmers watch intently as well, one crossing his arms over his chest, the other sipping his beer.
[Cordelia(#24827)] "It's out by the Barrow Downs," Cordelia shrugs. "Some man murdered about a year ago, or so one of the rangers said. The mayor was investigating," she continues, not blinking under the mayor's look.
[Torebras(#25187)] "Ahem." Torebras shifts from foot to foot, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention. "As Miss Wood said, it was important to ascertain the cause of death and such things ... nothing for folk to worry about, of course!" He gives a vigorous nod and a beaming smile - he continues to watch Brendan carefully though, just as a mouse might a lazy cat.
"A year ago? Down in the Barrow Downs? What does that have to do with Bree now? It's springtime, trade's coming in, there's official business piling up.. and you're off looking at some fool that died a year ago? Poking where he didn't belong?" Brenden stands up from the bench, a challenging expression in brown eyes. "And futher, why so long? It's been over a week since any have seen you!"
[Cordelia(#24827)] Cordelia gives the mayor an apologetic look, but otherwise stays silent.
[Torebras(#25187)] Torebras does not meet Brenden's eyes - instead he glances off toward the kitchen, and happily he is rewarded, as the plump hobbit-lass emerges with a small goblet of wine. "Why, thank you Lily!" he exclaims, pressing a handful of coins on her, too flustered even to count them. Looking back to his questioner, he counters, "Unfortunately I had a small accident. I'm still not fully recovered, as you see." With his non-wine-holding hand he pulls his hat off to reveal a faded yellow bruise at his temple, barely visible at all in the common room's dim light.
"An accident? What kind of accident, mayor?" Brenden asks, approaching the hobbit slowly, tilting his head to one side to get a better look down at the bruise. "And what did you uncover about this murder that was so terribly important?" The young man doesn't seem willing to give Torebras any slack.
[Cordelia(#24827)] "Brenden," Cordelia says in an offhanded way, "I'm surprised your sister did go to the Barrow Downs to pick up some of the jewelry and valuable old coins thatare lying around. There for the taking, and if you go during the day, it's completely safe. Not far off the road atall."
[Torebras(#25187)] "I really don't think that's any of your business," Torebras blusters as he places his hat back on his head - it now rests slightly askew - before taking a careful sip of his wine. "Ah, a fine vintage," he murmurs haughtily.
At Cordelia's words he gives the girl a sidelong look and a raised eyebrow. "Come now, I'm sure Mister Ferny isn't interested in such things," he chides.
The sun flashes brightly on the horizon. Night gives way to morning.
Brenden looks over at Cordelia, watching her carefully for a moment. Then his gaze goes back to the mayor. "Given that you're in a public office that is supported by all the people that live here in Bree, I think it -is- my business, Mayor Bywater. How does one suffer such a grievous wound investigating a year-old corpse? What did you learn? That wine you're enjoying is paid by -my- taxes, mayor. I want some answers. I think we all do!" Perhaps more than a few are watching now, drinks lowered.
[Cordelia(#24827)] "Huh? So you would just let a skeleton rot out there, the murder unsolved, and the windows of teh Pony blown out by what is likely a ghost or a wight from the Barrow Downs?" Cordelia asks, piping up to try to support the mayor.
[Torebras(#25187)] Torebras blinks as Brenden starts to speak - at those final words he turns quite purple, though, spluttering into his wine. "Really, Mister Ferny, that is outrageous!" he protests when eventually he can speak again. "I quite resent the implications!" Brenden's chances of getting a straight answer to the initial question have just substantially lowered
Brenden is unphased by the flustered mayor's response, and a slow smirk is spreading on his face. He looks back to Cordelia, "So you think that investing a dead body from over a year ago.. down in a place known to be deadly, is more important than being here in Bree dealing with the spring business? How well we prepare in the spring sets the prosperity for the entire summer and fall." He looks back at the mayor. "No answers, mayor? No information for the hard-working citizens that you're supposed to be serving?" He turns away, addressing no one in particular. "You see? I would make ten times the mayor that Bywater is."
[Cordelia(#24827)] "So...what are you going to do about whatever or whomever it was that came through the Pony and broke the windows, Brenden? Just ignore it and pretend it didn't happen?" Cordelia replies. "Now it may be that the dead man on the Barrow Downs had nothing to do with it, but at least he investigated it."
[Torebras(#25187)] Torebras takes a few more sips of wine and lets Brenden wear himself out with talk. Only when Cordelia has spoken does he, respond himself this time rather more calmly. "Yes, I think we'd be most interested to hear that, Mister Ferny. And also quite how you plan to deal with business matters. I don't believe you've any formal training in figures, do you? Even an expert book-keeper like myself must spend many long hours spent dealing with Bree's financial burden - I am sure you quite understand why such matters sometimes keep me at my desk."
"Considering that the incident was weeks ago, and nothing bad has come of it since, I would focus on more important matters of seeing farmer's needs met and encouraging spring trade." Brenden answers, turning back to face Cordelia and Torebras. "Perhaps we would have more answers if something had been done about the problem when it first happened."
Ferny then smirks at the excuse of figures and book-keeping. "There are plenty of folks in the town that are skilled in keeping coffers balanced. I would find someone with a good, honest reputation and hire them to manage it, so that I could be out seeing to the needs of the people, handling things in a -timely- manner.. not weeks, months, or a year after the fact."
[Cordelia(#24827)] "You mean your 'friends,' Brenden? The ones in touch with the thieves?" Cordelia says quietly.
[Torebras(#25187)] Interestingly, Torebras chooses this moment to focus on finishing his glass of wine, leaving Brenden to rebut Cordelia's accusation as he will.
"My friends? What friends would those be? I have no idea what you're talking about, Miss Wood." Brenden answers smoothly. "Unless you speak of the other hardworking people of Bree as thieves." The young man looks over at the farmers again, giving them a small shrug. "I say we have an election. Let the people choose as they will, Mayor Bywater." Ferny looks back at the hobbit, "Unless.. you oppose an election?" The question is heavily weighted.
[Torebras(#25187)] Torebras looks steadily back. "Mister Ferny, you cannot expect Bree's hard-working councillors to call an election on one man's whim!" He lets the protest stand for a moment, then goes on, "However, my term of office is nearing its end, so ... I do believe you shall have your wish. I'm sure Bree's honest and dependable citizens know the right person in whom to place their trust."
He sets his wine goblet down on a nearby table, adjusts his hat, then states smoothly, "Now, if you'll excuse me I have important /business/ matters to discuss with Mister Butterbur. Good evening Miss Wood," he tips his hat to Cordelia, "Mister Ferny," a hard stare. And off he trots, head held high.
[Cordelia(#24827)] "If you say so," Cordelia says, giving in at the mayor's words. She turns to sipping her cider, watching Brenden over the rim of the mug.
Brenden lifts his brows as Torebras grows more angry, still smirking. "We'll see who the people choose, Bywater. I'm sure your business is terribly pressing with Mr. Butterbur.. " He watches the mayor leave, then says absently, "That's why he was here having a glass of wine first." Cordelia is given a level gaze, as if he's trying to decide where she stands. "It's growing late, I best be getting home to my family." Brenden moves to leave some coins on the table he was sitting at, then scoops up his coat and heads for the door.
Players: Brenden, Cordelia, Torebras
