I saw the waters rise today. Standing just beyond the tidal flats, near the Lower Port, the Gods blessed the dry land with rain upon the earth. The clouds had moved swiftly and I saw the knowledge reflected in the eyes of the Velmarians as they went about their day, casting glances at the gathering clouds.
Some came and went; others wandered into the Tidehouse. I followed those ones, entering into the old signal station that became a meeting place for those seeking warmth and dry land.
Looking out of the windows, I heard the rain as it hammered the wooden roof. A deafening roar, as the parched land drank greedily of water that did not leave salt behind.
“It’s unusual to get rain, at this time of year,” I overheard one man say, his eyes watching the rain as it fell. Solis is not the month for monsoons- but that doesn’t stop the rains from falling.
“Perhaps the Father-God is displeased.”
I watched as the man turned to face the small band of Justicars who had sought shelter from the rain, too.
“And what would he have to be displeased about?”
“The quotas are due for the fish shipment to the capital and they are yet to be met.”
“Oh, don’t you worry your delicate selves over the fish quotas. Leave that to us fishermen.” The man had scoffed at the young Justicar, bristling the remainder of the guards from Vitrum.
“The quota will still need to be met.” This came from an older member of the guard.
“Did I say the quota wouldn’t be met?” the man spoke again into the now silent room. It was not just I that watched this exchange with quiet interest. Justicars were tolerated in Velmaris, but that did not mean they were accepted. “We’ve never missed a quota yet, despite your hungry Lords demanding more and more fish in tribute.”
“Vitrum grows in numbers each month.” was all the Justicar could supply.
The fisherman scoffed.
“Keep taking the fish from these waters and soon there’ll be no one here to do the work for you. Then you’ll have to fish the empty waters yourself.”
“I will not-“
“These unexpected storms always bring the friction out of a community, do they not?”
I glanced at the new voice- and recognised him for who he was. What he was. How many knew that a member of the Bloodbound walked among them? The scowl on the oldest Justicar told me of his suspicions. And yet, these creatures are adept at smoothing over friction like a crease in velvet.
“Come,” he spoke to the fisherman. “Allow me to buy you a drink. You need not bother yourself with the Justicars today.”
“We want reassurance that the quota will be met.”
“And you have it, my friend.” The Bloodbound vampire spoke. “I will personally ensure that they are met, but now is not the time nor the place to be discussing such matters.”
I watched as he led the fisherman away, towards the bar, and provided a drink for him- which he took with gratitude.
The same offered to the Justicars, too. A drink for each of the men who had sought shelter from the rains.
Not one of them touched the drink that had been purchased for them.
~Nerien.