Zero Forethought and a lot of Melancholy

Originally published Feb 16, 2020

(this short story was written with zero forethought and a lot of melancholy)

I was visiting Ragni with the intention of asking citizens on the streets for news. A decent bit of spinning and I could turn the story around and make some money. It was overcast and chilly due to a cold front blowing down from the ocean, but I was thankfully well-dressed for the weather. Many of the people I talked to weren’t, so the conversations tended to carry themselves indoors.

I was at a store when I met a fellow who had come from Detlas just then. I asked him how things were going over there, and he responded with old news:

“City’s as troubled as it’s been. People are too afraid to walk the streets at night anymore. Someone else died two nights ago. Trade has been slowing down. It all started when mayor Grian came to power.”

Grian. An unusual name. Bovemism declares that Grian was one of the original creators of the world. It can only be assumed that the name of this man “Grian” currently in charge of Detlas originated from these myths.

After he made clear there was no more news to relay, I thanked him for his time and left.

That conversation brought with it flashbacks to that day a few months ago. I was there in Detlas when Grian took power. I think his name was what made it so easy; Grian the mayor. Builder of a new community, just like his namesake built the world. The appeal’s there. All that was left was to enforce the new rule. It didn’t work out so well for everyone else.

Soon, I got lucky enough to meet a member of Ragni’s council outside the castle. I told her I was a reporter, which was a lie, but she didn’t figure it out straightaway and disclosed that there were plans to remove the mayor of Detlas from office. I pretended to make notes, even though I remembered every word she said:

“Detlas? Yes, we’ve discussed what’s happened there. We have yet to make a decision, but it’s likely that Grian will not remain mayor for much longer. We believe he has affiliations with a mafia organization. Unfortunately, that has not been proven, but there’s an inclination in the council to take quicker action.”

I began rehearsing the story. Four emeralds for breaking news on Detlas, straight from the Ragni council. Not enough. I added that the Ragni special operatives were planning an assassination of mayor Grian of Detlas. Eight emeralds for a story like that? Yes, please.

The made-up part of the story was found out almost as soon as I started selling it and I was driven out of town shortly after. Such is life. At least I have the story and can take it wherever else I want. Except Detlas. I’d rather not die yet.