NOVGO.NET Chapter 527: They are practically giving him the throne!
Chapter 527: They are practically giving him the throne!
“You were all called here because the rules of coexistence with the Stonefangs have already been decided, everything that was of concern was discussed and thought through by the people you have been trusting your entire lives.
Today, I ask you to do the same too.
Today, I will announce the new rules.”
Kael paused, letting the words settle.
“Rules that, if you wish to survive, you must follow.”
The cold and sharp wind brushed through the square as Kael said those words. The clouds above remained heavy, pressing down like a warning. The people stood packed together in thick cloaks, ten thousand breaths rising like smoke. Most faces were still tense, still angry, still dissatisfied, still… afraid.
But no one interrupted.
Not now.
Not with Kael looking at them like that, with that cold, distant gaze.
Finally, Kael took out a stack of papers from his Sanctuary. It was the same stack Morvain had given him the night before. From the condition of the paper, it was clear that Kael too had read these rules more than once. And after staring at the papers for a good few seconds, Kael finally turned towards the people again and—
“These rules,”
He began.
“These were carefully written by the Matriarch and the other Elders of the Iron Council after a long, thorough discussion.
I too have read these rules and find no faults in them. If these rules are followed and implemented as intended, the unity between us and the Stonefangs will grow, and the chances of us surviving what is about to come will rise.”
Kael looked at the people for a brief moment, reading their gazes as they held themselves back from saying anything right now. Kael nodded at that expression, then—
“Now before I begin announcing the rules, I’ll make a few things clear.
Do not assume you understand a rule before I finish it. While I announce the rules, you are to stay silent. If you have questions, keep those in your mind until after I am done announcing everything. You will be allowed to ask your questions then.”
The square went completely silent at those words. The people nodded at Kael’s words. They too understood it.
This was happening, and there was nothing that could be done to stop it. No, stopping it would only mean their end. This was the only way to survive; this was the only way to… live.
And as Kael read the atmosphere, he took a deep breath and began.
“First.
One Wall. One Law.”
He spoke; his words confused the people for a while, but he soon began to explain.
“The law inside the Wall will remain equal in all cases. No one inside the city will be above it. Not because of their birth. Not because of their tribe. Not because of their past. Not because of their pain.
In these rules I am going to announce, the words Velmourns and Stonefangs are not mentioned, since these rules will apply to all and—”
Kael’s eyes then sharpened and—
“The same will be true for the punishment.”
He looked over the crowd slowly, his eyes hardening.
“Every person will be judged the same.”
A few people shifted uneasily, but Kael ignored them. He had a long list in his hands; he couldn’t waste his time on just the first rule.
“Second, Shared Emergency Authority,”
He said.
“Until this crisis ends, emergency orders will come from a shared authority.”
A murmur ran through the crowd at that, but Kael’s voice remained steady.
“The Matriarch, Morvain Velmourn; the Quarter Leader of the newcomers’ quarter, Chief Gruumak; and… me.”
Kael paused as he pointed at himself.
“Any emergency order must be agreed upon by at least two of the three.
This is so no one side can control the other.”
When these words were announced, some people shifted—especially those who understood the concept of power and authority.
People like… Draksis.
After all, it was quite clear how this rule alone pushed Kael to have… even greater influence once again.
He was now no longer just a Council Member. He no longer shared power with seven other Council Members. He now shared true power with… just two.
As long as he had either the Matriarch or the Stonefang Chief by his side, he was… absolute.
An ugly expression appeared on Draksis’s face. He glanced at the Matriarch and the Elders beside her to see if this rule was actually created by them, but seeing their hardened expressions—as if they already knew about this—
He realized it as well.
Just what are they thinking!?
They are practically giving him the throne!
This will lead to tyranny!
He boiled in anger but… he didn’t dare say anything right now. Not when Kael had already told them not to interrupt him and…
As much as he hated this man, the last thing he wanted was to go against his orders…
Draksis thought inwardly as his eyes fell on his burnt hand, which he could no longer feel or heal.
As for Kael, even though he knew the implications of this rule, even though he knew what people might feel, his voice did not soften.
“This rule exists because the trust between the two sides is low. The communication needs… a bridge.
And…
I will be that bridge.”
The crowd stayed quiet. Even the ones who disliked it couldn’t deny that… this was the only way this could be done.
Plus, the Iron Council Elders and the Matriarch were silent; it was clear that they agreed with these rules.
While the people convinced themselves, Kael continued—
“Third, No Revenge Claims.”
He announced as he once again looked at the people.
“There will be no revenge inside these walls.”
At those words, many faces changed.
“I know many of you—no, most of you, in fact—hold strong hatred for our allies, but as mentioned before, this is an alliance. So from this day forth—
No one will be harmed because of old blood. No one will be attacked for what happened years ago. Not for what happened last winter. Not for what happened last week.
Only what happens inside the Wall, from this day onward, will matter.”
Kael announced, and at those words, some people clenched their fists, some swallowed hard, some stared at the snow like it was suddenly interesting.
And Kael—
He continued.
“Now the Assigned Quarters.
Every person will belong to a quarter.”
He lifted the papers slightly.
“You will live and work in your assigned quarter, unless you are assigned elsewhere. One quarter has been assigned to the newcomers; the rest remain for you. Each Quarter will have their assigned Wardens. The duties of a Warden will be discussed later when the Wardens are chosen.”
Kael took a brief pause, letting his words sink in.
“Now moving to the Fifth, Entry Between Quarters.
No one enters a quarter that is not theirs without consent.”
He spoke clearly, slow enough that even the old and the children could follow.
“To enter another quarter, five adult residents of the receiving quarter must agree.”
He held up his hand, fingers spread.
“Five,”
He repeated.
“From five different households.
Their names will be recorded by wardens. If you enter without consent, it is trespass, and the punishment for trespassing is confinement and work duty.”
Again, the people shifted uncomfortably at those words. This rule felt… particularly sharp and… strict.
How was this any different from taking away their freedom?
If a few people they knew lived in another quarter, now they would need to go through an extra process and take permissions to meet them?
How did that make any sense?
Kael, however, just continued, ignoring people’s discomfort.
“Sixth, Quarter Watch and Entry Records.
Every quarter will maintain watch. Watch posts will be created in each quarter, and these posts will record the consent lists, the people who entered, and why.”
Kael then looked at the crowd and—
“Please keep in mind that we are not doing this because we want to control you. We will be bringing two enemies together; things will be rather chaotic, and we will need to keep constant watch for future investigations.
We cannot afford lies in a crisis, and I hope you cooperate with us.”
The crowd stayed quiet. Some still seemed dissatisfied, but many people nodded slightly. If this is what it took, then…
“Seventh, Essential Roles Can Cross Quarters.
Some people will cross quarters without needing five names.”
Kael raised a finger.
“Healers, supply runners, patrol and guards, and messengers carrying sealed orders. These people will carry a visible duty mark.
A token or seal that can be checked.
Anyone who abuses duty access will face long confinement and will lose their position.”
“Eighth, Protected Places.”
Kael said,
“Some places are protected.
Food distribution points. Water lines. Healer tents. The Faith Tree area.”
A quiet ripple moved through the crowd at the mention of the Faith Tree. Vandra’s eyes shone brighter.
“Any violence in these places doubles punishment.”
This time, the people didn’t react too strongly. This rule made perfect sense; they had nothing against it.
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