Chapter 83: The Sheriff

After a little more conversation, Raymond handed Marcus two gold coins and forty silver coins. He had intended to give a detailed account of the money, but Marcus stopped him and sent the young man on his way. After so long away, Raymond needed a proper rest.

Once Raymond had left the town guard's headquarters, Marcus clapped his hands and called for his young clerk.

“Go and ask if Mayor Walter can see me. I have something important to report.”

“Yes, Sheriff.” The clerk immediately left the office.

Marcus drained his wine cup and began changing his clothes. He had never liked wearing his Sheriff's uniform, but when meeting Blackstone's highest administrative official, he had to wear it as a sign of respect.

Once he had changed into the almost-new uniform, he felt himself standing a little straighter. Before long, the clerk returned.

“Sheriff, Mayor Walter is waiting for you at the town hall.”

“Good. I'll go now.” Marcus strode toward the town hall with his head held high.

It was not far from the town guard's headquarters. The soldiers stationed there also belonged to the town guard, and the clerk had already announced his visit. Marcus walked straight inside and headed for the Mayor's office without anyone stopping him.

Walter stood with his hands clasped behind his back, silently gazing out the window at the Blackstone Mountains. At the sound of Marcus's arrival, he turned with a smile.

“There you are. I hear you have something important to report?”

“Yes, Mayor Walter.” Marcus saluted him. “Do you remember the operation involving the gnolls I told you about a while ago?”

Walter thought for a moment, then frowned. “I think so. Vaguely.”

“They trade ore and other goods from the Blackstone Mountains for food and weapons. I sent men to wipe out the gang that used to handle the trade. We didn't go through with the last exchange, so the gnolls made the trip for nothing.”

Walter's frown deepened as he listened. He gave Marcus a puzzled look.

“Why are you telling me this? You don't need to consult me over such minor matters.”

“No, Mayor. From what I've learned, the ore they bring isn't ordinary ore. It's Ebony ore.”

“What?!” Walter's voice rose. He could no longer hide his excitement. “Is that true? Are you certain?”

“I can't say for certain,” Marcus replied cautiously. “That's what my inquiries turned up, but I think there's a good chance it's true.”

“Ebony ore? Good! Good! Good!” Walter paced excitedly around the office. “Take more weapons and supplies to the next exchange. Try to get the trade going again, and bring back as much Ebony ore as you can.”

Marcus froze. He had not expected such a response from Mayor Walter, and for a moment he stood there without agreeing.

When no answer came, Walter turned to him in confusion. “What is it? Is there a problem?”

Marcus swallowed. His voice was slightly hoarse. “Mayor, these gnolls are dangerous. Even an ordinary male is a match for one of our finest soldiers. They're far more of a threat than goblins.”

“That's exactly why we need to keep trading with them.” Walter held his gaze. “They need our weapons and supplies, so they'll be less likely to turn against us. Otherwise, who's to say they won't come down from the mountains and take what they want?”

A factual aside: this text was taken without permission from the place the author publishes. Reading on that official page supports their work.

“They need food, but they need weapons even more,” Marcus said uneasily. “They can hunt for food in the Blackstone Mountains, but they have no way to get better weapons. If we sell them weapons, we're arming our enemies.”

“I'm not here to listen to your complaints, Marcus.” Walter's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing. “I just need you to follow orders. Is that understood?”

Marcus lowered his head and looked at his immaculate uniform. For a moment, he did not know what to say.

Walter stepped up to him with a sigh and patted his shoulder. “Marcus, Ebony ore is an extremely important resource. Most of the ancient smelting techniques have been lost. With the methods we have today, we probably can't extract much Ebony, but even so, that ore is worth more than either of us can imagine. Are we really going to give up something so valuable over threats that might not even exist?”

Marcus kept his head lowered and said nothing.

Suppressing his anger, Walter continued. “You and I can't begin to imagine how much money Ebony ore could bring in. We could use it to build roads, help the villagers, recruit more soldiers, and buy new equipment. Aren't you always complaining that the town guard is poorly equipped? I'll give you the funds right away. How does that sound?”

Marcus had never expected the Mayor he had always respected to say such things when there was real profit at stake. His mouth felt dry. He had never dared to anger Walter, but now, as Sheriff, he would not give in.

Slowly, he straightened. He was much taller than Walter, who now had to look up to meet his eyes.

There was still a measure of respect in Marcus's voice, but the warmth had left his gaze. “Mayor, no matter how much we stand to gain, I won't resume trading with those gnolls!”

“You!” Walter glared at him in anger. “How dare you! Have you forgotten your position?”

“My position? How could I forget?” Marcus's lips twisted in a self-mocking smile. “I'm the Sheriff of Blackstone. I'm responsible for the safety of every one of the thousands of people here. How could I possibly forget?”

“Very well.” Walter nodded repeatedly. “Then as of today, you're no longer Sheriff. Dario will take your place.”

Marcus stood his ground, staring coldly at Walter. “I'm the Sheriff of Blackstone. The town council approved my appointment. You can't decide this on your own!”

Walter tried to say more, but Marcus had no intention of listening. He announced that he was leaving, turned, and walked straight out of the town hall. As he left, he even heard tables and bottles being smashed behind him.

The young clerk walking beside him gave him an uneasy glance. He hesitated, but in the end asked nothing.

“Get all the squad captains and senior officers, including Deputy Sheriff Dario,” Marcus ordered. “Tell them to drop whatever they're doing and come to my office immediately.”

“Yes, sir!”

Marcus returned to his office with a grave expression and sat silently in his chair.

Before long, a squad captain who had been resting at headquarters arrived. He found Marcus sitting there, looking grim and saying nothing. Puzzled, he could only stand quietly to one side.

Then came a second, and a third. More and more men entered the office, but faced with Marcus's stern expression, none dared speak first. Only when Dario arrived did his expression ease noticeably.

Marcus carefully counted the men in the office. Apart from two squad captains on duty outside, everyone seemed to be present. He immediately took out pen and paper and began writing, addressing the captains in a grave voice.

“Listen carefully, all of you. Starting now, take an inventory of all the armaments in the storeroom and enter them in the register. Sign it and leave your mark. Record all weapons that have already been issued, too. Suspend all weapons shipments unless I've personally approved them!”

The captains exchanged puzzled looks, but none objected. They answered together. “Yes, sir!”

“Second, send men to Silverleaf Village, Stonebrook Village, and Hazelvale Village immediately. Set up lines of communication and patrol shifts. Make sure someone patrols every day. Arrange for mercenaries to be stationed in the villages as well. The town guard will pay for them.”

“Sir, this seems...” Dario gave Marcus a puzzled look and stepped forward to speak.

Marcus raised a hand to stop him. Still writing, he continued.

“Third, offer generous pay to recruit experienced mercenaries willing to guard the pass into the Blackstone Mountains. They're to keep a close watch on activity in the mountains. But make it clear: they must not enter the mountains or attack the gnolls without orders.”

“What?”

“The Blackstone Mountains? Sir, that's...”

Several captains began murmuring in surprise at the third order.

Dario could hold back no longer. He stepped up to Marcus. “Sir, normally you'd need authorization from the town hall to issue orders like these.”

Marcus smiled. “You all know how well Mayor Walter and I get along. I've just come back from seeing him. Don't worry. I'll take care of the paperwork afterward. Just do as I've told you.”

He handed out the three sheets of parchment, each signed and stamped with his seal.

Everyone present knew that Marcus and Walter were close friends. They suspected nothing, took the parchments, and left.

Though Dario still had doubts, he did not dare openly question his superior. He too turned and took his leave.

Soon Marcus was alone again. He slumped heavily into his chair and closed his eyes. The office fell utterly silent.

Only after a long while did a barely audible sigh break the silence.