09)Crimson Witch

Midnight of 16th August, the Captain of the East Borough Division, Balancers Adrian Black(S6 Judge) along with his team which included 4 Sheriffs(S8) and 2 Barbarian(S8) moved towards the Bollen Gang's headquaters which was located in the intersection of East and St.George Borough. This gang usually preyed upon the poor folks who toiled in the factories of St.george and lived in little shacks which provided sub-human living conditions. No matter how cruel they acted, the Balancers usually didn't interfere in the activities of gangs as that could create an power imbalance and start a gang war, unless of course, they crossed the line, which was usually a mass murder or something serious enough that it starts to interfere in the plans of Industrialists.

However tonight, Captain Adrain had no other option other than direct interference. The intersection was dyed red from human blood and flesh was sprinkled throughout the headquarters almost as if preparing a sacrifice for an Evil God. Never even once in his fifteen-year carrier working under MI9 and now in the Balancers, had he seen such a dreadful scene. When he entered the gang leader's cabin, what he saw was a 17-year-old pink-haired girl who seemed out of place in this crimson-dyed abode except for the fact that her palms were dripping in blood.

Adrian controlled himself from sighing and ordered his subordinates to start searching documents and all other materials that felt out of ordinary. He then looked over at the girl, and announced in Hermes, '''IMPRISON''' '''PROHIBIT MOVEMENT'''

He then took out a tab and scribbled the brief field report tagged the "Crimson Witch" and then signed it. He then declared,

"Spirit wandering above the world, absolutely friendly creature, the messenger that belongs to Edessak Augustus"

as he did so, a golden Sparrow appeared out of thin air, as it choo'd, Adrian handed the note to it, but the little sparrow didn't leave, rather it choo'd protestingly while Adrian sighed and bowed gracefully and said "Thank you for your service Prince of Sparrows 'Cleo' ", the little guy harrumphed proudly and disappeared. Adrian stood alone as he exhaled deeply.

Next Morning

Red Rose Manor, Empress Borough

Earl Hall, Duke Negan and Prince Edessak were now sitting in the Meeting Cabin for a arbitration session. As the Conservative Party and New Party continued to go at each other's throats without reaching an agreement, both Hall and Negan had decided to reach an agreement of sorts and arbitrate out the larger differences. However, it was harder than it sounds as the King agreed more with the New party and the Crown Prince was a conservative, so the only viable person who could arbitrate was Prince Edessak, whom both Hall and Negan were wary about. Negan as a Sequence 6Judge could feel what a monster the prince was and Earl Hall didn't like the fact his wife Catelyn thought that this little Prince was worthy of her daughter. Blasphemy! However, as experienced politicians, neither of them expressed any displeasure. And gestured their approval to begin the arbitration session. Prince stated in a deep baritone, "Duke Negan and Earl Hall, I believe you both will take up an oath to fulfill the basic agreement that we shall reach in this meeting" then Hall followed by Negan took up their oath upon the honor of their respective families. Duke then cleared his throat and then started,"Prince Edessak and Earl Hall, you need to understand that the Conservative Party doesn't want any conflict with either the industrialist and nouveau rich nobles of the New party, all we want is that you stop encroaching on our rights given to us by the founding King of Loen!" "Oh, Duke Negan I do honestly believe in your cause, but it is also the case that the people who agree with Earl Hall's position believe that members of Conservative Party are hoarding resources" said Edessak, "Indeed Prince, How about both me and the duke take a step backwards and then put forward our best step, we both want the best for Loen afterall" Hall proposed, Duke Negan looked deeply at Earl Hall and then stated "How about this? The Conservative party doesn't interfere with Industry Amendment Act and your friends abstain from voting for the 45th Land right amendment? Is that good enough?"

, Earl Hall smiled and said, "We can work with that" as if he had already expected such a compromise. Both then looked at the Prince for notarization, " It seems that this compromise is equally acceptable to both Duke Negan and Earl Hall and the parties that you are representing?" both noblemen nodded at the prince's statement, " Both Earl Hall and Duke Negan take up the oath to fulfill the verbal agreement between them which took place on 17th August 1348 of the fifth epoch in the presence of Prince Edessak Augustus. They are ****PROHIBITED TO BREAK THIS AGREEMENT, RULEBREAKERS SHALL BE PUNISHED{in hermes}****"

Both Lords looked at each other and sighed in relief that they had won a brief armistice between the parties before this inevitable shit storm started once again.