The Month of Rain, 9th Day, 1850, Frank had arrived in Dunwall over two weeks ago, and he had come to learn much about it and the Isles themselves in that time frame. He learned that Dunwall was one of the largest whaling cities in the Empire and contained vast and sophisticated technology for its time period. From the creation of rail cars and rail lines used to transport people and cargo to defenses such as Walls of Light and Arc Pylons which incapacitated or incinerated people on contact. Everything was advanced and all of it ran on Whale Oil, the blood of Dunwall and the Isles themselves. There was even a form of religion called The Abby of the Everyman. Their ideology centered on standing against the one who occupies the Void, known as the Outsider, but it was also tasked with civil matters throughout Dunwall or wherever they were present throughout the Isles; they were the same people who interrogated Frank during his short time in Coldridge Prison.
It was all enlightening and thought-provoking, but the more time Frank spent in Dunwall learning about its culture and technology, the more people became aware of his presence.
Word traveled of Frank Williams, people started calling him; The World Traveler. It didn't take long for people to become divided by his presence. Riots were getting closer, and those who wished to topple Kaldwin's reign would try and use the upcoming conflict as an opportunity to do so. The fact that the culprits were constantly on the move and wisely covering their tracks made them nearly impossible to track down. With Corvo away on personal business, the Empress herself needed to lure these men out of the shadows and into the light.
At first, Frank wanted to use Todd, but there were complications after people fiddled and tampered with Todd while Frank was imprisoned. Even after two weeks, Todd was still running diagnostics on its world archive and search processor and repairing them, leaving them unable to look for the culprits.
With that idea out the window and time running short, they were left with no other choice; Frank was going to have to use himself as bait.
Before the culprits managed to successfully cover their tracks once more, an investigator managed to intercept information regarding their plans and found out what they were proposing. Their plan was to shadow Frank, wait until he reached a populated area, and then incite civil unrest. They would use that opportunity to kidnap Frank and hold him for ransom, forcing the Empress out in the open for negotiating, it was there they would strike. Everyone who wished to depose the Empress was going to be personally involved, including the head of the group; so Frank would use that opportunity for the Empress to strike back.
Inside the war room, the Empress and Frank personally went over the plan. There was a lot riding on the Empresses plan of attack, and it would take great precision to pull it off without shedding any blood.
"You will travel by boat on the Wrenhaven River, we will drop you off near the docks of the Tower District, from there you will travel by foot. If our intel is correct, they will follow you from a distance while you're sailing. When you dock, they will try to create an opportunity to capture you. When the time is right, we will send in the Elite Guard to apprehend everyone involved"
Frank thought long and hard about the plan, he needed to give his input.
"If their plan is to start a riot than innocent people will get involved. You should arrest and convict those who are trying to overthrow you, not citizens who are angry or scared"
"Unfortunately we have no way to separate the conspirators from civilians, we need to apprehend everyone considered a threat"
Frank knew Emily was correct, but that doesn't mean they couldn't soften the blow.
"You need to promise me that you will conduct thorough investigations, all that are not involved need to be pardoned"
A smirk formed on Emily's face.
"Trust goes both ways. If my people are to see that you are not a threat, then they need to see that I am understanding, that I am willing to hear them out instead of condemning them; correct?"
"Um, something like that. Your Majesty; I need your word that you will investigate everyone, and that innocent people will be spared"
Emily remained silent, the tension was in the air. It would be a long road, the path they were taking. But she knew Frank was correct.
"You have my word. Get plenty of rest, we start in four days; be ready by then"
The Month of Rain, 13th Day, 1850, Tower District, Frank stepped off the boat and onto the dock. There was a slight drizzle coming from the cloudy sky on what was yet another busy morning in Dunwall. People were out and about while rail cars zipped back and forth above him. He had to keep both eyes open as he pretended to browse and window shop. Frank could feel eyes on him as people recognized who he was, he didn't know what to expect or where trouble would be coming from, but he needed to be ready.
As Frank browsed around a local fish market, he began to feel less alone. Todd may not have been able to reveal the identities of who they were looking for, but he could still scope the vicinity and be Frank's second pair of eyes.
"Anything suspicious Todd?"
Frank whispered, trying not to gain any more attention than he already was.
"Analyzing: Nothing for now"
"Got it"
Frank continued pretending to shop for fish when Todd spoke up once more.
"There is a man approaching from your left, stay cautious"
Frank was approached by a man, he tried not to look him in the eye, he needed to stay focused. It seemed like time came to a halt while the man stood there, fiddling with something in his front pocket. Eventually, he walked off without saying anything. Frank turned around to see what he was doing, he appeared to be getting back to work as he helped move shipping crates around the docks.
Frank's observation was halted when the fish merchant called for his attention.
"Hey, haven't I seen you somewhere?"
Frank turned to answer him, the man was somewhat burly, with a styled mustache.
"Um, can't say I know you from anywhere"
A woman approached the fish market, addressing the owner.
"Where's John?"
"New management"
The man's comment caught Frank's ear.
"New management huh? What happened to the original owner?"
"Sick, if you ain't buying move along"
Frank decided it was best to leave. After a few seconds, he could hear the burly man call for him.
"Hey wait! I know you! You're the World Traveler! The one everyone's talking about!"
People started to look as the man drew attention to him and Frank.
"I don't know what you're talking about"
Frank continued walking away.
"Oh really? Hey! Don't walk away from me!"
As the burly man followed, more people started setting aside their daily routine and gathering around Frank with anger in their eyes as they grew unruly.
"The World Traveler!"
"Choffer!"
"Get out of our world!"
"He's here to harm us all!"
Frank tried to walk faster, only for the crowd to grow larger and surround him. The burly man was at the center of it all as he paced around Frank, he was the one. The ringleader, the mastermind. He was charismatic as he spread false anger to rally up the crowd even further.
"My name is Charley Benton! And I am a humble man! But even I can't remain soft-spoken in times like this!"
Charley Benton, that was the man's name, allegedly, most likely a pseudonym.
"Your Empress would open the doors for a man who hails from a world we know nothing about! Who is to say he isn't dangerous!? Who is to say he was not sent here to infiltrate!? Who is to say that by us opening our doors, that he wouldn't let in something worse!? We have all heard tales of the Void! He claims he does not come from there! Then why does he hide his true birthplace!? I say we drag him to the Dunwall Sewers and drown him in sewage until he talks!"
The crowd was in an uproar. Civil Guard that were already present tried to calm the situation, only to tussle around and be overpowered by the many. It wasn't long until people were fighting against each other. People were brawling in the streets, rocks, and bottles thrown in every direction. Frank tried to push his way through the mauling crowd, pulling himself free of those grabbing him as they hurled more objects and insults.
"Scum!"
"Monster!"
"Get him!"
"Throttle him!"
"Kill him!"
Frank was almost clear when Todd cut in.
"Behind you"
"What!?"
Frank felt an arm wrap around his throat. It was Charley, joined by five other men as they grabbed him and started dragging him off. They threw him on the ground, kicking and punching him, trying to soften Frank up until he was too limp to walk. He tried to cover and protect his head, it was no use, but he couldn't let them knock him unconscious. They picked Frank up as more people from the crowd came in and took turns continuing to beat him. Some hit hard, some hit soft. Some scratched, some pulled his hair. He tried to kick some of them away but it was frivolous, he couldn't take on over twenty people as they swarmed him. Finally, several men hoisted him up in the air and dropped him hard on his front, a loud smack echoed as he hit the stone sidewalk. Frank was in a daze from having the wind knocked out of him, he felt himself get pulled up and dragged off again, they were trying to take him as they seized the opportunity they had; it seemed like they might actually pull off their plan and get away.
A siren blared over the loudspeakers as Elite Guard swarmed the area. There must have been fifty of them, rows of ten all lined up with blunt weapons and switches to incapacitate and calm the riot. Frank managed to break free in the confusion, but he couldn't get far. His chest was in agony, he could only fight to keep moving as he tried to speak to Todd.
"Todd what's wrong with me"
"Analyzing: you're suffering from bruised ribs. Immediate care and rest is recommended"
"Kinda hard to do that now Todd"
Frank tried to move forward through the crowd, only to be knocked down, hitting the ground with a large thud. A blur of red and blue coats fighting civilians moved around in front of Frank's eyes as they thrashed about and pummeled one another.
Despite the pain, Frank managed to force himself up. But as soon as he was on his feet, he found himself tackled to the ground, a knife to his throat by an enraged civilian.
"Otherworldly pig!"
Just as quickly the man was pulled off of Frank as he got off the ground and huddled close in an alcove under some steps, soon after it appeared the riot had quieted down. Many were hurt, some most likely injured, but no one was dead with everyone involved restrained. The loud speakers started up and addressed everyone, those who were arrested, and those who stood by and idly watched.
"Citizens of Dunwall, it has come to our attention that there are those among you who have plotted against our beloved Empress. The attempted riot was a ruse, all set to stage a kidnapping of the World Traveler. He was to be used as leverage to bring our Empress into the open and assassinate her. There will be a thorough investigation, those responsible will be tried for treason, while those manipulated through lies and confusion, will be pardoned. All we ask is that you trust the World Traveler. He put himself at risk today for the good of this city; he means you no harm. That is all"
Frank felt like he could breathe a sigh of relief, even if it did hurt to breathe. As Frank stepped out into the open, his peace was shattered as he heard the click of a gun, he turned to see a woman pointing a pistol at him. Elite Guards pulled out their pistols in retaliation, ready to open fire.
"Put it down! Now!"
"You expect us to believe any of this!? He is here to hurt us! He must be stopped!"
The woman was riled up, the fighting must have brought out the worst in her.
"Take her down!"
The guards were going to kill an innocent woman, Frank knew he had to act quickly.
"Wait! Wait! Don't shoot! Nobody shoot! Guards stand down!"
Frank raised his hands slightly as the guards kept their pistols trained on the woman. She was in her mid-thirties and was most likely part of the working class.
"Calm down okay? Let's just talk about this"
"No! You refuse to tell us where you come from! But I've seen things! Those Outsider Shrines! The worship of the Outsider and what he has brought! You will do the same thing! You will bring chaos! You have already begun to bring chaos!"
"You're right, you're right. I have not been honest with you about where I come from. But give me a chance, to be honest. I want to prove to you, I want to prove to you and everyone that I mean no harm"
"Even if that is true, what is there to stop other things from crossing over to our world. How do we know you aren't the harbinger of other threats!?"
"Maybe, maybe something else will come, it could. There will always be threats. But I promise you; I am not one of them"
"You lie! You lie you lie you LIE!"
The guards were getting anxious, and the poor woman's life was about to end if Frank didn't do something. Frank continued to stand his ground when Todd chimed in.
"Frank, diagnostics, and repair is at eighty-five percent, but my programming can allow me to temporarily bypass the errors long enough to find you significant information about this woman"
"You can do that? Talk about a deus ex machina…do it"
"Who are you talking to!?"
"On my mark, fire!"
"Dammit I said stand down!"
Frank screamed at the guards once more, he was determined to keep matters under control, even if he was at risk of getting killed. Todd eventually found what Frank needed and began feeding the information to him.
"The woman's name is Abigail Blair. Employed at the waterfront docks. Mother of two children, Timothy and Simon Blair. Recently widowed as of last year after her husband Lucas Blair died of cardiac arrest"
"Abigail?"
Frank began to address Abigail, but he still needed to pick his words carefully.
"What? How do you…"
Abigail was confused as to how Frank knew her name.
"Abigail listen to me. I know about you. You lost your husband Lucas and you have two kids, Timothy and Simon. Now listen carefully, do you love your children?"
"What are you, doing?"
Abigail's eyes turned red and puffy with tears, her voice was hoarse.
"Abigail, do you love your children?"
"I…yes…of course…"
"I know it's been hard for you, you're probably not thinking clearly. Abigail, this is important. If you kill me, you will either be killed, or, or you will be captured and imprisoned. And if that happens, you will never see your children again. No one will care for them and they will be thrown onto the street; is that what you want for them?"
"No…I want to keep them safe…"
"Then put your trust in your Empress to look out for you and your children. You can start trusting her by trusting me. Please, Abigail put the gun down. We can end this peacefully, you can go on with your life, you can be a mother and raise your kids"
Abigail was shaking, but she slowly lowered her pistol.
Frank kept an arm out at bay to keep the guards from shooting Abigail. He approached her slowly, placing his hand on the barrel of the pistol, before calmly taking it from her and handing it over to one of the guards. Abigail buried her face in her hands and cried as Frank put his arms around the poor grieving woman to comfort her.
"It's okay, everything's okay. Come on, come over here so you can sit down"
Frank lead Abigail over to some stone steps, he grunted from his ribs as he sat down with her, an arm around her shoulder as she continued shaking and whimpering.
"There you go, can someone get me some clean water please?"
One of the civilians left the crowd and raced into one of the buildings, coming back out with a jug of water in hand as he handed it to Frank. He brought the jug to Abigail's lips and tipped it, helping her slowly drink it.
"Here you go"
After Abigail finished her drink, she wiped the tears from her bloated red eyes, she was finally calm.
"Thank you"
"Alright, it's okay. Guards, can one of you help take her home? Just tell them where you live, they'll escort you home"
An Elite Guard came forward and helped Abigail up. He seemed reluctant, but that was most likely due to his bravado. What was important was that Frank handled the situation carefully, and made sure no one was hurt in the end. The crowd stood around him in awe, he could have easily had that woman shot, but he managed to talk her into standing down.
Little did everyone know that Emily Kaldwin was closer than they realized, watching everything unfold from the rooftops. As she watched the climax of the uprising through her spyglass, a smile grew across her face. To see Frank not only put himself in harm's way but to do so without a single drop of blood being spilled. But the end of it surprised her the most. Instead of allowing the grieving woman to be executed, he spoke to her and provided the comfort she needed during the hard times she was faced with. People would still be divided about their opinions of the World Traveler, but what was important was that he did the right thing.
Emily had come to know Frank well over the past two weeks. It was a risk, but she put her trust in him and his ethics. Emily was happy to see that Frank represented everything he spoke of; and that her trust was well invested and well placed in him.