[Location] Thane's Estate

[Amber Brightwing]

The Thane’s estate was a huge house with three stories, made of shimmering white marble, so unlike the thick grey stone that dominated the rest of the city. The walls seemed to glow in the sunlight, shimmered almost unnaturally. While the better part of Vortex was dark and depressing, this one house could compete with any of the residences in the rest of the Empire. The house’s front was decorated with statues of sprites that were holding garlands of flowers and leaves and slender, graceful columns. Those columns were decorated with leaves as well.

A black fence, about five feet high and rather typical for Vortex, surrounded the whole property. The main gates were always open, with two guards were standing at each side of the entrance. Perhaps akin to the practices of the eastern gladiators, their eyes were little more than dark slits and their features masked by black full-helms. Beneath the cloaks draped across their shoulders were steely, carapace-like cuirasses and leathers. Each of them was equipped with a short sword on their belt and a spear in their hands. Most of the time they were just leaning on said spear, looking around or chatting away, but should anyone try to pas through the gates, they would step up with spears crossed to stop the intruders.

"Halt. State your name and your business."

Once one got passed the guards they would find a that on either side of the quaint and cobbled path a beautiful garden lay. It looked neglected at first sight, grass growing longer then usual and several flowers and plants spread over it almost randomly. This was only appearance however, as everything had been made this was to resemble the purer aspect of nature. The overall effect made it one of the more beautiful gardens in city, especially during spring when most of the flowers were in bloom.

At the end of the path one would find the double doors of the mansion, a veritable work of art. It was made of dark fumed oaken wood and covered with intricate carvings that depicted parts of the battle that had taken place in the city a few patterns before. In the upper right corner one could see a dragon in flight, a dragon that did not seem to be made of much more than shimmering bones, a Dracolich, a powerful undead creature. An unknown master had cut all the bones of Undead Dragon with such passion that is was clear what side he had sympathizes. The beast was tearing apart something that could only be considered a flying ship. Figures of the battling mages, with their hands raised up to the sky and lightning striking around were placed below that. The next level was devoted to knights and fiery horses were running toward each other. The lowest part of the door was devoted to struggle of the footed soldiers and numerous undead servants, marching toward the left side. The one who had time to step back and see the whole picture was able to see that the master made it looking in the way as if right side was winning over left, although that was against the history.


Original description by Polina, edited by Kalinda, edited by Charo, edited by me.

[Dimitri Wladisyaw]

First Cycle of Cryxatum, spring of Era XIII

(Ooc: Light assumption pm me if it is wrong to just be let through)


Dimitri moved through the higher portions of the city feeling at ease, at his back strode six dark elven soldiers, four of them armed with a intricately crafted scimitar, the back two each carrying a heavy crossbow. It was evening and the sun had already retreated on this murky evening, a gentle calm hung over the skies but Dimitri was happy, his plans were to be put into action and there was a barely noticable spring in his step espite his limp. The guards he had were of course taken from the econd house and had been equipped well despite the financial problems of his patrons. They each wore a silk mask that left only their eyes free. Intricate blackened leather armour completed their attire with only silk gloves on their hands completing the assemble. They strode behind him resolutely and in step as good as any martialled force.

As he approached the guards the guards fanned out gently and left him to walk up to the guard and nod his head gently. "I am Dimitri Wladisyaw and I am here to speak to the Thane, you no doubt served my father. I have trained with you in my time, the elite guard of this fine city. I seek to speak to the new Thane to make sure the Dukes of Vortex are properly represented in this hierachy." he smiled and gently motioned to his guards and they lined up outside the estate and allowed him to enter alone. When he pushed the door of the estate opened he looked around for a secretary or a guard to ask to be led into the Thanes office.

[Amber Brightwing]

As the guards saw the group nearing the gates they sprung on their feet and barred the way. When he introduced himself they glanced at each other and stepped aside to let him trough, not really looking to sure of themselves. The rank of crusader in the church of the faith held little power in the dark city, but the name Wladisyaw… It hadn’t been that long since they had served under Duke Vigo Wladisyaw after all.

Once he got passed the door he would find a hall with white marble walls, richly decorated with paintings of exotic places, of beaches, snow covered mountains, jungles and swamps, of Vysstichi, Humans and Halflings. Two staircases on each side went up to the next floor.

Right in front of him, at the other end of the hall, two more guards were standing, each on one side of a door. They were Human and looked very alike, due to being twins. They had short black hair, black eyes and skin so pale that they almost looked as if they were dead ... or undead. They wore identical uniforms of black and purple, the colours of Vortex. They were muscular and the armour underneath their uniform made them look even bulkier. Dimitri would no doubt recognize them as Sergei and Andrei, the previous bodyguards of his father. They didn’t recognize him however and as he entered the building they sprung forward, their hands on the hilts of the swords by their side, ready to draw them at the first sign of trouble.

“Halt! Who are you and why are you entering without escort of one of the guards outside?”

[Dimitri Wladisyaw]

Dimitri strode into the hall making sure he was at his full height, he hovered around six and a half feet and his broad frame made it all the more intimidating. Some had often suggested the family had traces of orc blood in them, his father had been suitable tall as had many in his family who served as some of Vortex's foremost warriors in the past.

A light smile stretched to his lips when he saw Sergei and Andrei, who of course he knew well. He was pleased they were here and immediately saw the Thane in a better light, best to merely steer the same ship as opposed to building a new one after all.

"The guards outside knew better than to stop the rightful Duke of Vortex from entering any building in this city, I am the blood and the sweat that built this place from the ground up." He smiled "I am the last to carry the name Wladisyaw, will you afford me the same respect you showed others with the name and allow me to speak to the new Thane about my place in society?" He smiled and rested his hands on his hips with a grin.

[Amber Brightwing]

Intimidation didn’t work with the twins. They just went aside a bit so they would end up each on a side when trouble came and stayed alert. Any wrong move and they’d lash out. His words made them stop in their tracks though. There was indeed a certain familiarity in the voice and physique, but the face was all wrong. The one on the left muttered something about the guards and after a quick glance at his brother he took the word.

“Then I’m sure you wouldn’t mind showing us your visa and handing in your weapons sir. If you are who you claim to be then you have changed since the last time we met.”

Their hands didn’t leave the hilt of their swords just yet, but rested lightly on it and the voice who had been commanding previously had now become polite. As soon as they had confirmation of his identity they would loosen up even more. They’d still insist on having his weapons though. Regardless of who he was, they still had a job to do.

“Welcome back sir. I’ll go ask the thane if she’s available.”

Sergei was in the thane’s office for only half a minute or so when he came back out and with a simple hand gesture he let Dimitri know that he was free to go in. The room had previously been the duke’s study and little had changed too it. A thick red carpet, Arakmatan in style, lay on the floor. A huge desk made of reddish brown wood stood in the middle of the room. Several stacks of paper lie on the desk, forming small towers on each end and with only a handful of leaves here and there between that. Occasionally a books lay on the desk as well. Two huge broadswords , ornately decorated with silver and numerous gems, were hanging on the wall behind it, swords with hilts that were filled with a multitude of gems. Two cosy looking chairs were standing in front of it and two more could be found in a corner next to a small table. A couple of bookshelves and a fireplace completed the furnishing of the room. The fireplace was burning to drive out the chill that was still left in the air from the past winter.

In the middle of the desk sat a small Fae, the current thane of Vortex, on an equally small pillow, legs crossed and her eyes and looking attentively at her latest guest.

[Dimitri Wladisyaw]

Dimitri of course offered his imperial visa and his bladed gauntlets easily, he had no desire for violence after all. Smiling as they mentioned his change of appearance he nodded gently, "My unbinding was not the best, I lost some of my looks but gained much more." He smiled gently "However I am still of the blood of my father, and as such I hope to follow in his footsteps, not professionally but morally and gain the same respect."

With a quiet friendly nod to Sergei he made his way into the Thane's office, at first he cast a glance about not noticing Amber sitting on the pillow. He thought he was to speak to a man or a woman of the more common races. However his good right eye finally found the fey and a slight smile crept to his lips, he would not underestimate this one. The magical fey were a danger, and this one especially had clearly persuaded those foolish beurocrats in Nexus Prime that it was up to the job. Curious, it was curious.

Gently he dropped into a bow with a slight flourish of the arm, he had no arrogance. He was not the Duke yet, he was certainly not after the title of Thane and this fey held more power than him. A bow was not only polite, but deserved. "I do not know if Sergei introduced me already lady Thane, I am Dimitri Wladisyaw, son of the former Thane and Duke of Vortex, and some may say I now hold the title. Though my breeding was not within the law, as such I carry only my illustrious name." He smiled gently and slipped out of his bow, slowly he held his hands behind his back.

"My worry is you will feel threatened by me, I assure you it is not arrogance, I have no wish to replace my father, nor do I bear any ill will to any who sit in this office I know so well." He relaxes slightly and now held his hands before him, crossed at his waist. "I merely come to inform you of my presence, and to assertain your character, for the good of the religious in this city and my own curiosity." Another light smile as he now cast the bait out rhetorically, "I hope you do not mind my questions, do you follow the same principles of rule as my father, you have kept on some of his staff which I feel is wise, do you approve of necromancers and their art in the city? And what about the dark religions?"

[Amber Brightwing]

The twins merely nodded at his explanation. It hadn’t been needed though as they had taken the visa as confirmation of his identity. When he entered the Fae just awaited his greeting before speaking herself.

“Well met. My name is Amber Brightwing although you might have known that already. I didn’t know your father and I only arrived in the city shortly before he was murdered. I’ve heard enough about him though, and I can only hope to do as well as he did.”

She smiled. It never hurt to return politeness after all, but as the saying went, nothing but good of the death, so she was fairly certain she had heard only his accomplishments. Not that it took anything away from his achievements. She do hoped to do better in one single aspect of governing a city though and that was crime. Even under the Duke crime had been a big problem and she hoped to be able to do something about it, but it had been without much luck so far.

“I don’t felt threatened. I rather await someone’s actions then being paranoid in advance. My position stands and falls by the grace of the governor, but given it had been empty for such a long time I’m not too concerned with loosing it right now.”

And even if she did loose it there was no telling whether she’d necessarily consider it a bad thing. Before she could speak again she was interrupted by a knock on the door and a maid entered.

“Ah, can I offer you something to drink or eat perhaps?”

She waited for his answer before speaking again.

“But to answer your questions, my principles are a bit different from your fathers, although they are probably very similar. Necromancy is illegal by imperial law and as such, it’s illegal in Vortex. The past has proven that there’s little use in trying to go up against the empire. That said, I have no intention to hunt down anyone just for their believes or their looks as some other places in the empire do, be it necromancers, Aeternians, Vysstichi, Dracons or Orcs. If they commit a crime, they’ll be punished just like any other person of course.’

She fell silent and waited for him to speak again, wondering if a little chat was the only thing he had come for.

[Dimitri Wladisyaw]

Dimitri nodded gently and held a hand out to the maid indicating he did not want anything, after a moments pause he continued softly, "I am rather based in the same mould of my father. I love this city Lady Thane, I may not hold the title Duke of Vortex but I will always act as though I have a duty to this city." He smiled for a moment showing his sharpened incisors, "I am inclined to say that this city should use all its resources, as such I am in favour of using the art of necromancy where applicable." He moved to take a seat in front of the desk now and crossed his legs upon sitting.

"It may suprise you, I am a member of the church of the three and certainly I should dislike Necromancy, but my loyalty to my city extends even past my religious beleif." He nodded to himself ready to begin to show his hand to this Thane who had impressed him thusfar, "I myself am probably the most powerful human in the undercity, I count as religious leader and general fo the second house. The old Necromantic Collegium is controlled by my followers and it is safe to say I exert an influence." A light smile again, a disarmingly light smile that seemed to creep up commonly when he spoke and then vanish just as easily.

"It may suprise you but I am a Druid by training, I was unbound last season by a Dryad, it was unplesant at best. However it is a skill I hope to use in time." He paused ready to beging to show his aces to the Thane, "I feel you are a clever political oeprator lady Thane, you know very well you will have little chance of influencing the undercity. Admittedly you can launch decrees and I am sure they will pay some notice of you. Perhaps in time you could even learn to control them. However for a moment I will make you an offer. Essentially I will offer my services to you." He leaned forward and moved his hands together as he played idly with his signet ring, "You no doubt met the Govenor in Nexus Prime, I have never been formally introduced but I know him well enough, he has a man with him at all times I seem to recall. I would seek to fill a similar role for you, I will act as your enforcer."

He leaned back and now he had cast the bait he began to make the offer seem promising, "I would ask for a number of things but I think you could do worse than by appointing me. My family are well regarded in this city, I am favoured by the Dark Elves, the nobility and many of the commoners. I am also a member of the Church of the Three and as such I have some influence with the Prelates, that in itself could prove useful. And since you have kept many of my fathers staff on, and many members of the infastructure were appointed by him it would futerh solidify your position." Crossing his hands gently he took a deep breath before resuming his speech, "And of course I will use my resources such as my dark elven soldiers to solidfy your position in the lowercity." He leaned forward again so his face was in line with that of the fey, "In return I want a few little things, I want my role of Enforcer to give me durastiction over the armed forces, the watch and so forth. I also want to have control over the gaol. I want to be recognised by you as the rightful Duke of Vortex so later I can claim the title more easily from the govenor. I wish to be your closest advisor on the city, by no means will I dare to tell you what to do. I do however wish to be given the opportunity to release my opinions. I also wish to be given a slight free reign, for example I have my own goals, I will curb crime for you, however I want to use the watch for my own purposes that will beneift you as well. Under my leadership I will patrol the entirity of the lowercity and establish a stranglehold on the Dark elven city. Which will make you popular with the Govenor I imagine."

He leaned back once again and took another long breath, for a moment he looked slightly preturbed and continued, "I am not a man who is obsessed with morals Lady Thane, I support the church of the three but do not mistake me for a zealot. I am in favour of necromancy, ruthless economic practices and slavery. In offering myself for both our benefits I give you enough information to destroy me. Tell the church of my liberalism in certain areas and I will be removed from sight rather quickly. So as you see I have no desire to rise from my humble role." He smiled, "Are you interested in my proposal? I imagine you will have a few changes to make."

[Amber Brightwing]

She grinned at his words. Clever political operator… Right, she didn’t even believe that one. She knew very little on politics and relied on making sure that the people who know what they were doing did their job.

“I know what you mean. Initially I didn’t plan to stay in this city, but I’ve grown to like it a lot. It’s the reason I applied for Thane in the first place. I want the best for the city and keeping necromancy illegal and not openly use it to better the city, something the previous Thane might have done if she stayed long enough, is only for the best. The empire is already looking our way and that’s not a good thing. You no doubt know how it ended the last time we mouthed them off.”

Necromancy definitely had it’s purposes, she would be the last one to deny that, but using it in public was rather problematic. And the lack of necromancers that had answered the previous Thane’s call showed that they themselves had no interest in acting openly anyway and who could blame them? She preferred to keep such things to herself as well. The governor and his assistant were probably the only two that knew about it outside the cult at the moment.

“I don’t have any interest in controlling Har'oloth either. How the matrons rule it is of little concern to me. It only becomes a concern when it starts affecting Vortex. I hope to speak to the matrons themselves on those matters one of these days. I’m not interested in becoming popular with the governor. Keeping him satisfied enough not to act against the city is all that I want.”

“As for the claim on your father’s title, I’ll look up what I can do. But now, for your proposition. I am certainly interested, but I’d like to know why you think you would do better then the current head of the guards. What will you do with it? How do you think you can curb crime and most of all, what would you use the guard for relating to your own goals? In case you want an idea of what I expect, I don’t mind a free reign to a certain extend, but I will keep an eye on what your doing and expect you to report anything of significance. You will receive little direct orders from me, but I will want a final say on any important changes and I won’t tolerate abuse of you power. I’m a reasonable person, but I’ll have the final responsibility on what you do, so I’m sure you’ll understand that I’ll keep a certain amount control over it as well.”

She fell silent again and waited on his answer. A strong man as head of the guards was just the thing she needed, so she definitely was interested, a loose cannon however wasn’t. Any comments on removing him from sight were kept to herself. She didn’t need any rumours for such things, but there was no reason to tell him that.

[Amber Brightwing]

Brightening 7 of the First Cycle of The Month of Immanis in the Season of Winter
Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIII Post Fractum in the Age of the Darkening

After several interviews, Vortex was finally fully staffed city again. Perhaps over time things would change, but as for now the following people had been appointed:

• Aedile: Fergal Kachada, moraden dracon
• Prefect: Aderesu, half Vysstichi
• Head of the guards: Trevor Galen, male human
• Exchequer: Katrin Saimei, female human

[Dimitri Wladisyaw]

Dimitri smiled gently, he was certainly growing to like this Thane. She seemed to share his political views, a quiet hand guiding things along gently. Softly he rubbed his lips as he began to answer her first retor about necromancers, "Of course the necromancer question is a tricky one, I would be inclined to do as you do. Do not harass them, and perhaps keep them watched. After all if the govenor does decide to act against us...it would be nice to have all our men alive or dead avaliable to be called upon." A gentle smile as he rubbed a finger along his lower lip almost daring her to beleive what he had just said.

"As for the matrons, I am on the verge of controlling the would-be matron of the second house though I would ask you not to tell her that. I hope to have considerable influence there before long, and as such I would like to serve as your liason down in the undercity. And if you are speaking to the Matrons, I would ask that you allow me to be present at the time. I do wish to get my face known to them after all. Of course only if we agree on matters first." He smiled gently and leaned back in his chair, "Now Lady Thane what do captain of the guards do? Meddle gently in affairs as long as they are outside the control of the southern quarter and the undercity." He smiled, "I have links in the undercity I can control it with my dark elven soldiers and watch soldiers I could secure the first two levels at least and tax them properly. And that would only look good to the outside world." He chuckled, "As for the southern quarter, crime currently rules, so with my resources I would seek to stamp out the crime and if crime must exist I will control it." He nodded gently, "It is naive to think crime can be stamped out in this city, it will stay like necromancy and slavery and the dark elves. I will however be able to muscle in and control it. And of course any profits after passing me would return to the city treasury." A gently smile again, he did not know how she would view his corrupt views on crime. It made sense to him however, why fight a war to quash it when one could reap the rewards of the crime and use those funds to take further control.

"Lady Thane I am motivated by my own desires, my greed and hunger for prestige. If I can use the guard along with my own soldiers to take commercial activites from one individual who misuses them, then they shall belong to me and the financial control shall be good for the city. Any money of mine will be invested in this city after all, I am the lifeblood of it."

"Send me to quash crime I will, I will make the guard a proper fighting force. You will have control over much of the city your predecessors neer enjoyed. I am corrupt but if you see me becoming too corrupt, reel me in. I am merely out for my own intrests after those of the city and your intrests of course. One thing you can be assured of, I will not let the dark elves leave the city en masse for another foolish attack. And I will stop any largescale civil unrest. And of course I will act as your personal bodguard should you require it, and liason in the lower city." He smiled and nodded, "You know my character, do you trust it?"

[Amber Brightwing]

She didn’t react any further on his comments on necromancy. If things went sour, she estimated that the chances were high that many would gather in the cities defence. Perhaps Vortex was weaker then it had been, but the empire no longer had the same strength either. Narim and Paxia had shown how much trouble they had with simple orcs and she believed the armies Vortex could gather were far superior to that. She would avoid a war at all cost though as it would destroy the city, victory or not. She seen what had been left of Paxia and she knew how much the city depended on import when it came to food.

“At the moment I have no need for a liaison. I know best what I want after all, so in the first meeting I’d rather meet them alone. Perhaps after that I might find a contact person useful.”

She paused for a moment to smile.

“And who knows, perhaps the head of the guards might be a good choice. The first plane is where the two cities meet after all, so I can imagine most practical information would deal with the patrols our guards do anyway. The first plane by the way is as far as I want the cities influence to reach. I’m not going to interfere with the matron’s own businesses. Perhaps you missed that.”

There was little doubt in her mind that he hadn’t missed it and as a result, her last words had contained a small hint of sarcasm. Power was an interesting thing, but political power was not something she cared much about and as such, the thought of extending her direct influence held little attraction. Interesting contacts were much more interesting in her mind, so she’d more then satisfied if she could be on good terms with the matrons.

“But to return to the position you’re aspiring. I don’t believe that you could get rid of crime completely, but I do believe that it’s possible to get rid of most of it. I want Vortex to get rid of it though, not the Vysstichi – at least openly. I want to show the people that the city is on top of things. I don’t want to replace the current crime lords either, I want to get rid of them. I want the citizens to feel safe in their town, by day and by night, regardless where they are. I know that’s probably too large a goal, but it’s to give a general idea what I would like to strive towards.”

She grinned widely. What she had just said was of course a bit of an exaggeration. Not all crime was necessarily bad.

“There can be exceptions of course. Like I said, I want towards the people feeling safe, so things like theft and murder would be on top of the list with crimes to fight. Smuggling on the other hand might benefit the city if it would create more trade. I also said I want them to feel safe anywhere in Vortex. What happens in other cities is not of our concern after all, say for example they would happen to loose their Visa some place in Centripax. For all we know they’re just trying to talk them out of their barbari status.”

No doubt more examples could be found, but she figured he’d get what she was aiming at. Her concerns were with the city, but other then that she cared little.

“As for how you planned to deal with crime, I found your answers rather vague. The things I really want to know is if you have any experience with the Southern Quarter or knowledge of how things are around there? And what do you think of the guards themselves and the guard in general? Do you know what you’ll be dealing with? And if so do you have any concrete plans on how to deal with the problems there are?”

[Dimitri Wladisyaw]

"very well if appointed I shall only patrol as far south as the first plane of the city." He nodded gently, his own control would extend deeper of course. Let him control what she did not want, maybe then he would have his own powerbase to tax.

He chuckled gently at her words on crime, "My dear Lady Thane you speak of crime like the High prelatess herself, to remove it totally is an infantile dream. Crime is a necessity in Vortex, Dracons, Orcs, Rodenti and all the rest cannot congregate and not cause trouble. Invariably crime will exist all a captain of the guards could hope to do would be to contain it. Naturally I could strive towards your goal, but it would be next to impossible." He rocked back on his chair and pondered briefly about the situation, he was concerned this Thane was a little too oral for her own good. Ambition and greed were his vices and he needed to indulge them.

"As for some crimes being good and some bad, all crime co-exists. Very few criminal bands will merely smuggle goods, they will smuggle them and then kill rivals, steal rivals shipments and so forth. It would be difficult to allow some crime and yet curb others." He raised his eybrows gently, "It was a strange view this fey had of the world, some crimes good and som bad, smuggling was theft in itself. The honest merchants of the city would suffer for it, then the items that got smuggled in such as drugs and weapons would be used to commit more crime. It was a naive view of the world, not that he told her such.

"Being more precise on my methods of crime however is easy. I am a hardliner on crime lady Thane, I was trained by the church in discipline and still hold the title of crusader of the three. I think discipline and teamwork are vital, hence if appointed I would give you a martialled and powerful fighting force. I shall need to establish contacts on the first plane, in the southern quarter and around the city in general but once I have them I can stop crime in some regard I am sure." He paused and leaned forward focusing that unflinching eye missing a pupil at the Thane, "I myself am aware of the finer points of torture and interrogation, give me the gaol and I will find it far easier to crack crime. As for the guard themselves, they are no doubt corrupt and cowards. I have no problem with corruption, but they must still work to supress crime so they can beneift. I care little if they ask for a little extra from a shopkeeper for protecting him from a raid, so long as they then stop the raid itself." He smiled grimly and resumed, "The slavery industry I would seize control of in the lower city and regulate it carefully so I could free any important slaves that were taken back to their city. Drugs would need to be regulated as well so they did not damage the profitability of the city. Brothels and other dens of vice would be controlled by the guard and not by sleezy individuals." He chuckled, "The crime bosses would be harder, a drawn out war perhaps? Or maybe I could use the dark elves to balance them out in some regards, that I would need to see about further if appointed." A light smile, it made sense to appoint him at this stage, if she did not he could gather some support and present a challenge to her. Keep your enemies close and all that, "Lady Thane, understand that I know the nature of a man. I myself plan to keep slaves in my estate on the lowest plane of the city. I favour the company of harlots and whores, I revel in the illicit and I indulge in corruption. However I seek to regulate all crime and put the city in control of it. Profits back into the city, the citizens shall not be harmed by it, they shall pay to enjoy the illicit charms of this city. It is better to be feared than loved if one cannot be both, I shall make criminals fear the guard, and while the citizens shall be afraid they shall know they are safe."

He paused and leaned back on his chair gently stroking his now greying hair, "Do you approve of my ideas Lady Thane, I am not here to tell you i am whiter than white, and I will curb crime like some generic puppy lapping at your hand for any scraps you offer. I will be your servant but also your advisor, I shall do as you order but also when you give no orders work on my own inititive, I shall deal with criminals and kill them if I feel like it and I shall make Vortex safe, no matter how ruthless I have to be." He chuckled, "Appoint whoever you like to the captain fo the guard and warden of the gaol Lady Thane, that is your luxury just know that I am the best choice, and I shall get things done."

[Amber Brightwing]

“I did mention that I was aware that I didn’t believe that you could get rid of crime completely and that I was talking about a general idea what I would like to strive towards. I’m not as naïve and childish as many of my race.”

There was a venom in her words. With calling her infantile or naïve, even if indirectly, he was walking a very fine line, one he better didn’t want to cross if he was interested in staying alive and healthy. She could hardly be called naïve anyway. Her goals were slightly utopian perhaps, but she was well aware of that and would be more then content with only partially achieving them.

“You also don’t seem to be catching my point. All crimes are bad ones, some however should have a higher priority. Again, the aim would be to let the regular citizens feel more safe. An occasional stabbing contest between gang members would do little to affect that compared to random murders and kidnappings or frequent burglaries and hold ups. I also said that smuggling might benefit the city if it would create more trade. I don’t want it to affect the honest merchants either as they would fall under the regular citizens. Narcotics and weapons are not illegal goods by the way, even though few completely honest merchants deal in the first. If you can manage to get more underground trade in the open so taxes can be collected that’s a good thing, but much of the smuggling happens below surface, so there would be little we could do on that I think. Slaves aren’t illegal either if barbari, but as I said, a good part of those that arrive in Vortex have ‘lost’ their Visa some place.”

“Speaking of slavery. If you manage to free important slaves that’s always a good thing, but generally speaking I doubt there are many of those and I’m pretty sure they’ll hard to track, so I wouldn’t waste too much resources on it.”

“I don’t see the point in the city taking over more questionable trades either. I don’t mind the city patrolling outside brothels and such or having more regulations if they are sensible, but as far as their own security is concerned I’d leave it up to them to sort out business with troublesome customers.”

“The goal and its daily working would be under your command, but interrogations, just like the arrests, are normally done under the guidance of the constables, who are in their turn are under the command of the prefect and not yours. That said, I’m sure they won’t mind some extra expertise or a helpful hand in those matters.”

He’d have to work together with the prefect in many matters anyway as their jobs were entangled at many points.

“Now, from your words I gather that you seem to know little of the current situation. Either that or you didn’t listen to my questions.”

She gave him a mischievous grin. He migh