CHAPTER 15
What had been the Army of the Great Basin were now four smaller independent settlements. Until now we had largely ignored them because the Army had never been able to coalesce and unify and so weren't a threat to Sacramento.
Cain reported that their raiding parties and had overrun and looted several small settlements inside the interior valley. The report suggested we nip these incursions in the bud before the groups became bolder and increased their raids. The various fragmented groups were still a nuisance that we needed to deal with.
I was given the task of raising and warrior force of four hundred warriors. Jace, Cain and I felt this would be of sufficient strength to take control of the Three Rivers settlement. I told Saam that there should only be a token resistance due to the resentment of the Three Rivers warrior guild dues. The Three Rivers guilds wouldn't have popular support of the warriors. But there were always some warriors who would fight for anyone willing to pay them. And that I needed a large enough force to be assured of that I could over power any resistance raised. When I had established control I was to turn the settlement and half of the warriors over to Jace. Jace would administer the settlement until the council could reconvene and appoint a governor to run the settlement.
While I was gone Saam was to lead three hundred warriors and march into and destroy the primary warrior settlement of the old army of the Great Basin. Due to its complexity this was an assignment that would allow Saam to prove he was indeed a fully qualified warrior.
Within two weeks I was marching my men toward the Three Rivers settlement. Upon arriving at the north gate of the settlement I was met by a force of two hundred and fifty warriors. "By order of the warriors' guild of Sacramento I order you to lower your weapons and stand down," I shouted.
Three warriors strode out from the front rank of warriors. "It's you who will lower your weapons. All of your warriors are free to return, but you will be arrested or die where you stand," sneered the center warrior. Suddenly he stabbed me with his short sword. I felt the blade pass by my side with a searing pain. I jumped to the side and drew my own sword.
"Let's take him!" he shouted to the two warriors beside him. But when he glanced left then right he saw arrows protruding from their chest.
"No matter, I will kill you myself." he said.
Before he could swing his sword, I had lashed my sword forward and cut his throat. As he gurgled and gagged he sank to his knees. I looked up at the opposing Three Rivers warriors. First a scattering of warriors lowered their weapons. But as my warriors stepped forward they all either lowered or dropped their weapons.
"All of you are to return to the public barracks until I send for you." I shouted so that as many as possible would hear me.
"I sent ten warriors to accompany them. I sent another one hundred men to encircle the settlement and blockade the south gate to the settlement. I marched at the lead of my remaining two hundred warriors.
Arriving at the settlement Elders hall, I motioned for two of the warriors to open the door and accompany me inside. Once inside I found the three settlement elders awaiting me.
"What is the meaning of this outrage, warrior? And why have you had the affront of entering our presence while armed? We were notified that a large warrior force was approaching the settlement. Master Lassor was ordered to dispatch a warrior force to arrest you," blustered one of the elders.
"I am here by order of the Sacrament settlement to annex the Three Rivers settlement and dissolve the guild houses." I said.
The elders looked at me in disbelief and one of them said, "We have been informed that a representative of your settlement murdered an envoy from the Three Rivers warrior guild. You can't just march into Three Rivers and tell us you're now in charge of the settlement. We must insist that you turn over this assassin for trial."
"Yes I'm afraid that as of this moment that is what I'm doing. If you cooperate you will be left in nominal control of Three Rivers while being over seen by an administrator from Sacramento. Or you can choose to resist and suffer the consequences. You have until I return to consider my proposal. I'm now going to the guild houses and start closing them. When I have completed that I will return for you answer." I told them and turned to leave ignoring the demands for the arrest of Jace.
I positioned two guards outside the elders hall and told them the elders were not to leave.
Once outside I posted a notice of guild closures to the community bulletin board outside the Elder's hall. Then I sent a detail of twenty warriors to close and lock each of the Guild houses. The remainder of my warriors and I marched to the Warriors guild hall.
The clerk working at the guilds reception desk looked up recognizing me and said, "Ah, Remy isn't it? I'm afraid your shares in the guild bank have reverted to the Guild. It's been what three of four years since you left on your wander?"
"No, I'm afraid that is where you are wrong friend. As of now the Three Rivers warrior guild house is closed. You will answer any and all questions that my friend here has and then a warrior will escort you to the guard house, "I said.
"I will only relinquish my records at the direction of Guild Master Lassor the head of this guild house." said the clerk.
"Fine, as you choose." I said and called a warrior inside.
"Post two warriors outside the hall then take this man to the guard house and lock him up. If he resists or tries to escape, kill him." I said.
I signaled a clerk that had accompanied me forward. "I want you to look over their records and prepare a report on the fiscal soundness of this guild." I told him.
My next stop was to the residence of guild leader Lassor. A doorman answered the door and advised me that Guild Master Lassor was not receiving visitors at this time. I motioned for five warriors to enter and to bring warrior Lassor outside. After five minutes two warriors exited the front door dragging an unconscious Lassor between them.
"We found him hiding in a cupboard, sir" laughed one of the warriors.
I motioned to the warriors to drag the unconscious Lassor over to the well. Once there, water was splashed on him until he spluttered awake.
"Guild Master Lassor, by order of the Sacramento Warriors guild you are under arrest." I told him.
The clerks whom I had brought with me combed the guild house records while I waited for Jace to arrive at the to Three Rivers settlement. It seemed that the warrior's guild was not the only one that appeared to be taking the lions share of all fees the guilds charged for service. It would require several months to straighten out and refund the funds to the workers and warriors who had been cheated by the old guild houses. But that was a problem for the new Governor of Three Rivers.
Four days after Jace's arrival in the Three Rivers settlement I prepared to return to Sacramento. I negotiated with and and hired one hundred and fifty warriors from Three Rivers. I left one hundred of my Sacramento warriors with Jace. I marched my new and remaining warriors back to Sacramento.
Couriers from Saam battling the warriors at the old city brought news that was less than encouraging. The remnants of the Army of the Great Basin were still a well disciplined warrior force. They were putting up an admirable defense despite their shortage of supplies and being outnumbered. I gathered my warrior force and started marching to aid Saam.