90 An Ultimatum to Dawn

10 hours since the decision was made to send an ultimatum. Dawn, being the closer of the two neighbouring towns, receives the ultimatum first.

Kretea and Iuostaph are leading the delegation to Dawn, accompanied by a couple of dozen soldiers, both from the Warband and Oulvgar. They needed to take several large pickup trucks to accommodate the large and inhuman body shape of the Oulvgar, but this also instantly gave away who they were as they arrived in Dawn.

The people of Dawn looked at them with suspicion and distrust, parents hiding their children and the cautious and looking from their windows. The streets on which the delegation drove were quickly cleared of people as the delegation drove to the town centre. The players around Dawn are the only ones to try and get up close to see what's happening and end up following after them. Upon arriving at the Central Hall, where the Mayor's office is, Kretea and company were almost immediately greeted by all the high ranking officials of Dawn as well as anyone else with significant status, such as Harold, the Branch Manager of the Post Office.

As the closest settlement to the Sea of Trees, the Town of Dawn had long been in internal discussion regarding the situation. With the delegation from the Holy Oulvgar State driving up to their door, the Officials of Dawn we able to quickly respond. Previously, the Town of Dawn had been trading with the Oulvgar, although a sense of distrust existed, relations weren't hostile and since some of the Officials were getting some high-quality fur, they turned a blind eye to the matter. But now, with the declaration of war from both the Kingdom and the Church, public opinion has worsened and the trade between the two has stopped. Seeing how the people who arrived seem to be soldiers, the Officials don't believe the arrival of this delegation is to negotiate trade.

The boldest of the group, Police Chief Wolfhard steps forward, "You should know we are in a state of war right now. But seeing how you haven't attacked our town or citizens, it doesn't seem like you're here for a fight. So what brings you here unannounced."

Kretea wants to take the lead, but Iuostaph, feeling that she will mess something up speaks first.

"As you have already surmised, we are here on behalf of the Holy Oulvgar State. We are here solely to deliver an ultimatum," Iuostaph says as Kretea begrudgingly gives him the rolled parchment in her hands.

Unfurling the parchment, Iuostaph continues, "You have 50 hours to comply. You will surrender and come under our rule or we will annex this town by force. Should you come under the rule of the Holy Oulvgar State through surrender, you will be free from paying all taxes for the next 5 years, from then on it will increase up to 5% over the course of another 5 years. However, food production must be increased and is to be given to the State. Your positions will not change so long as you don't go against the Holy Oulvgar State, but a governor will be placed here to oversee all operations within the Town of Dawn and its territory. Any laws that suppress Demons, or as you call us, Mystics, must be removed. All property of the Church of Light is to be handed over to the State. Should you resist, all dissenters will be given a public execution upon annexation, assuming they are not killed during the annexation."

"What kind of negotiation is this!?" Wolfhard shouts.

Iuostaph responds calmly, "This is not a negotiation. This is a demand, an ultimatum. By the will of Lady Astur, the Town of Dawn will come under the sphere of the Holy Oulvgar State, by peace or by force."

Ignoring the shouting from the struggling Wolfhard who's being held back by the people around him, Iuostaph hands over the parchment containing the ultimatum to one of the more reasonable looking people, the Branch Manager of the Post Office, Harold Delfringer.

Harold passes the parchment to the Mayor of Dawn who sighs, "We will discuss the matter internally. Will you be staying or will you be returning to the forest?"

"We will be returning. But we'll return to hear a response once the allotted time is up," Iuostaph says as he, Kretea, and the others return to the truck.

As the delegation leaves under the moon, the Mayor turns to Harold, "What are your thoughts on this, Minister Delfringer?"

"Former Minister," Harold says, "But they certainly work faster than our government. It hasn't even been a full day since the announcement was made. I believe that we should surrender for the sake of the town and its people."

"That's blasphemy! The Church will not stand for such an act!" A representative of the Church shouts.

"I also don't agree with surrender," Wolfhard says, his compatriots finally releasing him, "They're just a small settlement in the forest. We have the might of the Royal Military and the Church behind us! Why should we surrender when we have the larger force!?"

As a staunch loyalist to the crown, Wolfhard would naturally resist any mention of surrender. His words also spark the agreement of several of the other Officials of Dawn as remember that they should have significantly more soldiers.

Harold shakes his head, "Think about it a little more. Both our Kingdom and the Church haven't even gathered their troops yet and it will be some time until they do. I'm very familiar with the internal bureaucracy of the Kingdom and I know it will take quite some time before anything substantial will happen. Moreover, it's clear that the Holy Oulvgar State has been preparing for a scenario like this and likely have its army at the ready or almost ready. Otherwise, they wouldn't have given us this ultimatum. And don't forget, their population consists of mostly Mystics and Monsters. As Humans and Beastfolk, we are far outclassed on a general individual standard. We need to think very carefully about our next move. But we can discuss this inside, the seasons are changing and it's quite cold at night, especially to an old man like me."