Warsinger by James Baldwin (most important books of all time txt) 📕

To address a Riot, go to your Kingdom Management menu, drill down to the location where the riot is occurring, and take action.

I had my HUD read the article to me at 2x speed, struggling to absorb it all as I got my head out of nerd mode and back into Jock-of-All-Trades. The courtyard of the castle was swirling with motion and noise: bells clanging, sergeants barking orders, war-bred hookwings hissing as they postured at each other and their riders. I scowled at the KMS as I jogged toward Karalti, a towering black island in the midst of the chaos. She was vibrating with tension, her wings half-spread.

“What’s going on? Suri said there’s a riot?” Her head tracked me as I weaved my way to where the infantry guard were assembling. “What do we do?”

“Hang on. I’m about to find out. Can you listen in telepathically?”

“Yep!”

I ran to where Istvan was taking the count. He looked as exhausted as when I’d first met him, when he and his army had been the bulwark against the Demon. He wasn’t the only one. The troops had a tired, mean-eyed look to them I didn’t like.

“Your Grace.” Pale, unshaven and pinched around the eyes as he was, he still saluted smartly as I drew up. “What are your orders?”

“We are not suppressing this riot with lethal force,” I said firmly, looking pointedly at the ranks. “Non-fatal tactics only. If that means getting a handle on it less quickly and at more expense, that’s fine. We can’t afford to lose any Renown. I want this put down by separating the rioters and not letting them regroup in the center of town. Do we have megaphones that we brought from Prezyemi?”

“One or two,” Istvan said.

“Split the rioters and isolate them into smaller groups. Take the megaphones and shout. Tell everyone the Volod is sending food and help will arrive in four days’ time. Get them to disperse.”

“Wait,” Karalti's voice echoed in my mind. “Don't tell them that! Tell them that YOU went to Taltos to secure food and help for the county. Make sure they know we did it, otherwise, we won’t get any Renown for it.”

“Uhh… quick revision to that last part.” I cleared my throat. “Make sure the citizens know that it was me, Suri, and Karalti who went and secured food for Karhad. Tell them we petitioned the Volod to make sure all our people would be provided for until the harvest.”

“Is it true?” Istvan asked.

“Hell yeah it is. Karalti just reminded me.”

“It will be done, my lord.” Istvan nodded. “You heard him, you cocks! Fall out, double-time, and fight with honor and discipline! No bladed weapons, rifle butts only!”

“Hey! Sweetcheeks!” Suri called to me from behind. I turned to see her in full armor, striding ahead of Rin, Ebisa, and Kitti Hussar and her entourage. The young Lady of Bas looked much better than when I’d first met her. Her hair and clothes were clean and she’d found armor that actually fit her, a sword the right size for her to use. The girl was vibrating with excitement.

“Hey girl. And hey Kitti - how's it going?” I beamed at her, confused as to why she was out here but glad to see her anyway, and nodded to her scowling beetle-browed bodyguards. “Guys, look, we're going to have to take a double-pronged approach to this: putting down the riot and taking care of some of the city-based quests that caused. What’s your plan?”

“The map on the KMS shows the Marketplace is the center of the riot. There’s a quest there, Clear the Market,” Suri replied crisply, coming to a stop with the others in tow. “We're gonna take it on and clean up the place. I ordered Vilmos to remain back here with a third of our total cavalry and the specialist units to protect the castle in case the rioters take it further than the city.”

“I just ordered the troops to use a placation strategy,” I said. “We don’t have enough Renown to risk inciting a rebellion.”

“I know.” Suri nodded. “And not enough troops for a suppression, as it stands. Kitti thinks she can help.”

I eyed the girl and grimaced. “Uhh… you’re taking her into this?”

“Kid says she's got to take back her county down south from some old pedo cunt.” Suri jerked her thumb over her shoulder at the young lady Hussar. “Seems like she could do to learn some berserking.”

I winced. “I don’t know if this is a great idea.”

“She’ll be right,” Suri drawled. “I killed my first man at fourteen. Nothin’ to it.”

“Don't worry about me, your Grace. As long as I’m with Lady Suri, I’ll be fine,” Kitti gushed. “Besides, Letho and Gruna won't let any harm come to me. And I know how to use a megaphone!”

Letho on the left - or Gruna, I wasn't sure - cracked his knuckles and grunted.

“Works for me. In that case, Karalti and I'll take on the sanitation quest. We’ve restored water, but the sewers are backed up and that’s why everyone’s having a shitfit down there,” I replied. “No pun intended for once.”

“You can’t go into the sewers!” Kitti exclaimed, looking up to Suri. “You’re the Voivode!”

“There’s a big chunk of Renown on the hook for this mission,” I said. “Probably because half the city probably wants to throw me into the sewers anyway.”

“But is Karalti not a dragon?” Kitti asked, wide-eyed. “How will she go with you into the sewers?”

“She can change her shape,” Suri replied. “But can she fight in human form yet, Hector?”

I winced. “No. Not really. Vash was going to teach her, but he’s down for the count. She can carry a torch or a magelight or something, though.”

Suri snorted. “Roger that. Good luck down there. Kill ‘em dead.”

“Try not to kill them in the market.” I leaned in as Suri did, and let her kiss me on the cheek before pulling my helmet on. I clapped