After hours of hard searching he was satisfied that everyone was taken care of. Leaving the quarantine he was greeted by Marta waiting alongside a small group. Those looking for family in the hopes they survived long enough alongside volunteers to care for the ill. Joyed to see a team willing since he wasn't going to force people to do it. Forcing would only fester contempt to those taken care of. A fleck of gold on the forest edge let Blake know that Val was still there waiting for him as the rest were. Moving the ill along he eventually saw her leave.

Marta spoke up about her on their way to the new quarantine. "He's been standing out there since you went in. I worry he aims to have your head if given the chance. Should we pick them off before they become trouble?"

"I'm not going to hunt people down because of fear for what they may do." Can't say much for that when I'm too afraid to go after them. "I don't even know what Val wants. If she wanted to take over Temple Gate I would think she'd have tried earlier. You're more of a block to that then I am."

"I trust that even he would fear the angel of death. Yet, to be the one to strike down such an angel would earn a mighty title. Should we really wait 'till the day they strike? Everyday they settle themselves deeper into those mountains. Festering up there like ticks feasting on our blood. It'll be harder to pry them out when we finally do act."

Calming himself from getting too sick by the conversation he took some deep breaths. "How about we train the guard to be better prepared for that day? What have you started them on so far?"

"Basics they've learned, tracking trails for the capture. Aggravatingly slow to handle the threat by the time they do catch up. they keep goin' in circles on how to restrain them. Different from the usual process of making them unconscious entirely first."

"What tools do they have?"

"Rope, but not much. Weapons by way of various blades. Flashlights."

"Any zip ties?"

"Haven't seen those in years."

"Could make catchers loops. They're easy to make off what we got. A piece of hollowed pole and some dull wire."

"Mm, another matter is where to place them after. Should we use one of the old spaces?"

"No, those shouldn't be used. We need one large single space that we can add onto. Put in some more plumbing to make better cells."

"We used to have a basement for storage before it collapsed years ago. Fix the structure and you'll have a convertible space." Gesturing her staff toward a short square building out in the distance.

"That could work, can you show me?" Following Marta to the double doors of the building. Opening them to a large set of stone stairs downward to the start of a large area. Blocked as Marta said with a caved in roof and many rotten beams threatening to collapse if they haven't already. Seems like the best we got. Separate the place with cells and a front area to act as a buffer in case things go wrong. "Is there another entrance or is this the only one?"

"Only one."

"Good, we won't have to block another. One way in for the jail is best. I'll ask Liam to work on it. Capture loops I'll make myself after everything else is handled."

"And Val? If he's caught within the walls of Temple Gate, planning your execution. Then what?"

"If she's caught, send her to jail. I'll either interrogate her or decide right then and there what's to be done." Correcting something he noticed everyone did in Temple Gate at the mention of Val's gender.

"She? But Val's not-"

"No, but yes." Trying to keep this as easy an explanation to someone not used to being open. "Maybe not in body, but that's who she is in soul. I won't fight what her soul says is true. Long as it doesn't hurt anyone, then there's no reason to deny what she knows is her true self." He wasn't sure if he liked using souls as a part of it, but it was a simple start to open the door.

Marta did a sort of eye roll, but didn't argue. "As the angel says. If we capture her we'll bring her to jail and send you news of such then. What about any other Voltaire?"

"Hold them until I get there for interrogation. Unless it's a large group, then bring them to jail."

All those Blake could save were safely migrated to the new quarantine. Mathew having done well with the tasks given to him. Passing out a bottle to everyone with only a couple of handfuls left over. Using a whole heap of other medical supplies him and Blake cleaned everyone before carefully re-wrapping them. Covered in fresh clean gauze surrounded by the sterile smell of cleaner or alcohol. Each given a simple mat bed, not as fancy as a hospital bed, but would have to do. Blake overlooked their grand handy work while Mathew spent time talking with his mother. The medicine wouldn't fix the damage done to her, but it would buy some time. There were groups of similar on the edge of death, but Blake saw they had enough life to help them out of the pit as much as he could. Their likelihood of fully rejoining Temple Gate wouldn't be possible. They'd be released from quarantine, but they would need full time care and couldn't work. Another thing atop his plate of planning. When everyone was settled he called their attention for the dreaded assembly of awkward sex ED. Explaining what they had, how it was passed and all the basics they should have gotten in an average middle school. Doing his best to answer the strange questions at the end. Hating that he'd have to repeat this for the rest of Temple Gate. He scrubbed himself down all over in a strict cleaning regime. Strong soap smelling heavily of citrus fruits. Then with alcohol before leaving quarantine. Instructing everyone else to scrub with soaps often as possible. Any leaving of quarantine could only be done by the medics, who had to do a thorough scrub down like him.

Pulling his chain mail off he looked over the damage done. Sections disconnected from the many arrows embedded into it. Having gotten the bolts free and the rest from the shooter he took the whole crossbow kit to John. Hiking up the mountain trail naturally developed from foot traffic.

Handing it off to be used for long range hunting. John highly praised Blake for it. "This will be perfect for deer if we come across any."

"Glad you like it. Know how to use it?"

"Oh yeah, used to be a few in circulation. You can guess what happened to them. Laird and Nick were the last to have one. They even knew how to make 'em."

"Guess that's why he never ran out of bolts, heh. I plan to have that meeting I meant to give earlier. Gather people at the grand hall on your way there."

"Of course. … Sir, I want to thank you for what you've done. For my family, my wife especially. Didn't think I'd ever see her after she was sent away. Or if I did, I'd be leaving my son behind."

he smiled. "It's fine. Be happy and don't worry about it." Waving goodbye back down the mountain trail.

Blake headed to Liam next about converting the basement after the houses were all fixed. Given permission to gather whatever wood he needed. As for the jail cells, metal bars were to be recycled from the cages Knoth used. Walls created from layering concrete and brick. Walls doubled up with doors if any escape attempts were made. A whole working set for plumbing to be installed. The whole power supply was independent from civilization. Their pipes connected to a massive underground well that naturally refilled come warm spring.

I really need to get on giving out those lord titles. Dragging his feet to the grand hall for the second sex ED class. It felt incredibly long and agonizing telling a bunch of adults this. Fleeing at the first chance he got when the older members filled in for answering the questions. At least not everyone was clueless about the sex life. Inside his room he carved out a few round disks from a white branch he had on the side. Sorting through who was dubbed a lord over what. Aiming this to be more official in some way he carved out a set of badges for each main category. Farming had the silhouette of a recessed bulls head with a carved stalk of wheat over it. Hunting had a bucks head with a berry branch similar to the farmers layered carving. town needs had a hammer surrounded by a carved ring of rope at its edge. health was the classic cross surrounded by a ring of carved olive branches. And guard he based off the classic sheriff star from old western movies he used to watch. Decorated with carved on fake stitch embroidery to simulate threaded leather. Taking time to loop a little wire over to thread each badge onto a chain. Inspecting the two inch disks for anything else to be added.

In hand he gathered up the people to be dubbed. Easy to gather everyone again after they stuck around since the last meeting. Ducking away from more sex questions being asked. Motioning everyone to sit back down while a select few stood on stage. At the podium he awkwardly started his announcement. After so many he still wasn't used to doing them. "Okay, I'm happy to see how far we've gotten. Places rebuilt, farms up and working again and people happy. Since things are growing so large to manage I decided to name a few lords under me. They will manage each sector I put them over and I trust them to make decisions without running to me every time. They will update me when there are large decisions needed. They will help with any issues they have and pass them up to me if serious enough. They'll be wearing one of these, so you know who each one is. They won't get any special treatment. They'll eat and live the same as everyone else." Lifting up the dangling badges.
"First is Marta, in charge of the guard to protect the town from inside and outer threats. James, in charge of farming to managing food stock and storage. John, in charge of hunting and foraging the surrounding land. Liam, for town needs. He will be building what we need or fixing what we have. Along with delivering major supplies from one end of town to the other. And finally Mathew, for health. He will run the hospital, care for the sick, distribute any future meds and keep track of any illness spreading." Mathew wanted to be a lord and Blake felt he fit it best. He knew the young man wouldn't leave his mothers side needing permanent care. May as well make him in charge of the job to be nearby round the clock. Seeing him beam over the badge warmed Blake's heart that he made the right decision. Dismissing everyone except for the lords to give a meet up schedule. Every few days they'd meet to discuss things that were noteworthy, but could come to him anytime if they wanted.

For the next few weeks nothing much noteworthy happened. Houses were rebuilt from the rot to create nice fresh rows. The basement structure had its framing redone to make a safe inner space. Cells would be constructed later. Mathew was taking his position seriously by constantly giving updates from quarantine. Notifying Blake when they needed more medical supplies or cleaner to keep things sterilized. Updates that the ill were gaining weight after being put on a proper diet. Their sores were leaving alongside the rashes covering them. Major scarring was left over and most likely wouldn't leave for years. Taking up to covering themselves to hide the noticeable marks.

Marta's guard had been improving since being given the capture loops. Hunting down practice volunteers took less time each round. After seeing Blake's chainmail had survived multiple crossbow bolts they asked for a set themselves. To save time making six sets he taught them how to make it themselves on the side. Improved upon by braces of spare wood they collected from Liam and tanned hides John had set. Their new layered suits could protect from anything sharp for the most part. A cross bolt or two if that ever happened. Farms were flourishing through multiple crops Blake aimed to have harvested before the approaching winter. A huge chunk of the harvest would be picked for long time preservation. A selection of meat smoked and dried into batches of jerky. Stored away in jars in a fixed up barn. Numbers were recorded for Blake to copy down into a notebook. A breakdown of medical supplies used, food eaten, and how much money was flowing out of Temple Gate to get its footing. Worrying over the major amounts of cash they were bleeding. All necessary, but the money would run out eventually. And then what? The question haunted him in his dreams. Always delivered by Lynn, who was mutilated differently each time. Asking what he was still doing in Temple Gate. No matter the answer he yelled she refused to accept them. Stabbing him with insults of wanting her death. Keeping all the killers alive after all that they did. Gifting mercy on those who deserved an equally tortuous death that would come back to bite him.

These recurring dreams had soured what mood he had. Hiding it all behind false smiles to keep everyone else up. Neglecting his sleep to stay up late doing anything else but that. He still had a few weeks until the ill would get a health check. Those cleared would be integrated soon as possible. Splitting the head count across various areas, but that could change on the day. Blake rubbed his tired face checking over the copied food numbers. He wanted to be sure everything was copied over correctly or else he could end up panicking from messed up totals. Almost accidentally marking the page from urgent banging on his door.

One of the guard shouting through the door. "Sir, we caught a Voltaire!"

Blake jumped from his chair to the door. "Show me." Racing out behind the other. Chest tightening at the thought of who it could be. "Is it Val?" She was to be taken to the jail when caught, but that wasn't set up yet. What will I do if it is?

His guard's answer calmed him. "No, a random." they ran up to the guards surrounding the one snagged. Looking around he wondered what they were doing here. Nothing but a bunch of rotten buildings overtaken by nature.

Marta oversaw everything until Blake arrived. "Snagged him, skulking like a fox. No weapons on him, or anything else." She approached Blake away from the captured. Whispering the next bit. "You can't see Val, but he's watching from the hills nearby."

"She and thank you."

Marta sighed. "She." Watching him pass to part the ring of guards.

He looked over the one caught, they were thin and small. Covered in various scar marks, eyes glaring right at Blake as he was kept pinned down. Loops tight around his neck and some at his legs. Blake set his hands on his hips. "What were you doing?" Starting his interrogation. Seeing already that this wasn't going anywhere.

One guard spoke up. "Let's use him for information. He's quiet now, but we can get answers out of him by morning. When we're done we can-"

"No, we're not doing that." Blake wasn't willing to torture answers out of him and by the others stare he wasn't giving any answers willingly. He thought of skipping them and directly asking Val. That would be a gamble in itself. If this grunt had no worth she wouldn't answer, yet he must have some. She was hiding to see what would happen. A test of Blake's spine when handling threats? A wait and see, to see what would happen and nothing more?

"We should make an example of him."

The hard glare of the looped one immediately dropped. Their tense shoulders slumped to what was being proposed.

"What has he done?"

"Nothing, yet."

"Could say trespassing." Another answered.

"I'd hardly call that something. Let him go." He waved off.

"What?! We can't let him go. We caught him skulking around to do something."

"To do what? There's nothing on him and he's hardly anywhere he could cause trouble." Gesturing around to the old area left untouched still. Made up mainly of dirt with a few rotten abandoned shacks in between. Far from any space being used or lived by. "Why not go directly somewhere else?"

"He could have been sent in to spy."

"All the Voltaire used to live here. They already know where everything is. What new information could he gain?"

"Find out where you sleep. Next one will be a sent in killer."

"I'm sure they could figure that out from a distance. I go into the grand hall and never leave like everyone else. If sending in an assassin was so easy I'm sure Knoth would have been dead ages ago."

"We should string him up as a warning to the others." The first guard spoke. "We let this one go and they'll push us further next time."

Agreed by the second guard. "Set on a pyre would be seeable for miles. Even from the mountains they could-"

"No! We're not doing any of that!" Blake roared to shut the conversation down. "He's done nothing but step into an abandoned area. If someone else comes and does something then that'd be worthy of a punishment." When they passed looks to each other Blake knew they disagreed. Marta passed him a look in asking if she should settle the dispute for him. It would have been easy, but not good for the long run. "Alright, choose what you want to do with him. I'll use that as the base for what each of your punishments will be. I know a few of you here did a lot more than trespassing. Some of you remember well what Knoth decided when he imprisoned you. How did it feel all the way until I freed you? What were your crimes that he decided were so heinous? That ceremony to free you of your sins only stays so long as you change. Do you want to decorate the town with new bodies? You still think trespassing is worth killing over?" They glanced at each other, shifting themselves to downward looks. Avoiding Blake's judging stare aimed at each of them. "Let him go." This time the order wasn't argued. Loops slipped off before the released was shooed away. Stepped after by Marta up to the border to make sure they were chased out. Blake caught a glimpse of Val reuniting with the other before they ran off.

He had the guard spread out again while he went to sleep for the night. His actions strange consequences becoming known within a matter of days. Val had been spotted repeatedly watching Temple Gate far off in the distance. Reports from Marta kept him aware of each time and place she was spotted. Never seen at night or with any other Voltaire at any time. Marta's paranoia about it still too high; she enforced her guard shifting their routes constantly. In case Val was attempting to study that for a time to attack. Creating a bland map off guesswork Blake pinned the spots she appeared. Not finding out much from it.

While in the dining hall he spotted her from a window. Standing in one of her common spots on the horizon. They were the best spots to get a view of Temple Gate without getting too close to its edge. While avoiding being too far and high on the mountain to see people as specks. He questioned what she wanted. She should know where everything is, at least by now if not before. Does she want something? Turned toward the idea of maybe she wanted to speak with him. No, what would I say to her and what would she ask of me? Speak some crass words or drone on about joining her side? Stomach dropping as if he ate a boulder at the idea of meeting her face to face. Either stabbed by her knife or grabbed by her hands. Feeling him up again while pinned beneath her. Blocking out the idea she'd want to join him instead. No, she wouldn't want that. Shoving away any concept of how to integrate them. He'd prefer focusing on integrating the healed as that day grew closer. Only nine more days. Nervous about how well things would go. He explained everything, but people were still fearful of those recovering. Would he need to separate the groups to prevent fights? Would separating the two help or make things worse? What if everyone refused to work unless the healed were sent away. He had a duty to be their protector, to ensure they were treated fairly in Temple Gate after so long.

He rubbed away a migraine forming at the front of his skull. Hand dropping when he was approached by a group of men. One stepping forward to make a request Blake hadn't experienced before. "Sir, can you official a marriage?"

"Uh ..." I'm not a priest, but it's not like Knoth was. Guess anything goes. "Sure? When's the wedding? What do I do?"

"Don't have much weddings around here. Knoth made 'em official between the families attending in a church. Says a few words from his gospel. Nothin' else than that."

At least it sounds easy. "I can do that. Won't be from his book and I'll have to do it in the grand hall instead."

"Close enough. We'll fetch the bride and groom."

"I'll be here." What do priests say at the altar? He pondered as the group left him. Do you take each other in sickness, health and blah blah. I now pronounce you, is that it? God, I remember it being so much longer than that. I was all over the place at my wedding though. Making sure Lynn wasn't stressed. Heh, she was doing the same. Maybe more, I was the nervous wreck through all that. Feel bad for the photographer. How many times did I ask to see the photos? Making adjustments to have Lynn look perfect. That's what happens when you're your wife's camera man. She had to lure me away from that poor guy using a tray of appetizers. Coming out of his thoughts by the group returning. Introductions passed back and forth between the families and Blake.

His pleasantry cut when he met the bride. "Claire." Introducing herself. A girl looking far too young.

With a groom far too old. "Don."

Blake stood frozen at what was going on. "Uh, … How old are you?"

"Sixteen." She kept her head low, eyes scouring the floor for nothing in particular. Avoiding all the older men surrounding her. Shooting her warning looks now and again.

Refusing to support this he stated without hesitation "I'm not marrying you."

"Why not?" Don asked. "Is it 'cause you didn't oversee the sale? We can go over the trade right now."

"She's too young."

"she's sixteen, old 'nough to marry.

Her own father stepped up in agreement. "She's not lookin' at anyone else, thought his offer was fair. So he should get her. Before she gets too old to have kids. 'less you actually want her, but you gotta offer more than Don."

Blake had to grit his teeth together. "I don't support child marriages." Holding his temper coming to a roaring boil. "Not in my book."

"What's the problem? She has to settle down soon and I want 'er."

"What aren't you getting?! First of all, you can't buy anyone to be your wife! Second, You can't marry until both sides are at least eighteen."

Marta's appearance briefly paused the argument. The men waited for her to do anything. Glancing from her to Blake when nothing happened.

"Tsk, fine. We'll make our wedding set in bed. Doubt you could officialize it anyways." regretting his words under Marta's stare.

Blake yanked the girl away. "Like hell I'm letting that happen." Feeling bad about needing to do it roughly, but they were ready to yank her back. Letting go after Marta stepped forward to intimidate them back.

"You gonna let her die alone? She needs a husband."

"No she doesn't." growling out his frustration. "You're lucky the jails not finished yet or I'd throw you in there!"

"Jail for what?!"

The fact that Marta also seemed a little confused worried him. Reasons clicking into place. I'm not in the outside. He sighed before giving a break down. "No one has to marry anyone they don't want. If they want to be alone their whole life, that's fine. Men and women can freely make that choice on their own. You can't claim someone for any reason."

"How else are we expected to start families? If we let them choose then nobody will get married. Worse, we'll have whores running amok with every man they seduce. Destroying households until there won't be any left."

"Doubtful." Blake wasn't going to let this conversation go on. "I'm telling you right now. No-ones allowed to claim anybody. You want to get married so bad? Find a girl that'd actually like you." An impossible task for him. That I'm sure of. "What you did won't be allowed anymore while I'm in charge. I won't be letting you walk off after this either. You can help James on the field for the next few months. Rise early and leave late, removing all the rocks and weeds."

"Why should I?! I did nothing wrong! This is how it's always been done! You can't take away-"

"Bite that tongue of yours." Marta quieted him immediately. "You heard him. Get going before he chooses somethin' worse."

The man glared between her and him, taking her advice to skitter off alongside the others. Blake turned to the girl, who flinched at his movement. He spoke softly to her. "You don't have to marry him. Or anyone else your father says you should. He can't sell you, I won't allow that." She thanked him quietly, saying nothing more. He grit his teeth in anger over what happened. Switching to Marta to focus some of it. "Why didn't you say anything?"

her brows furrowed, tapping the cane on her shoulder then giving a half shrug. "That's the way?" her statement hinting at her confusion.

"... Well, it shouldn't. It's not allowed anymore. … Knoth allowed a lot of things that I don't condone. Fathers marrying daughters was one I remember reading."

"That was only allowed if their wife's passed first. Polygamy wasn't allowed even in marriage."

"That's not the point. … Do you support it?"

Marta's face crinkled, mumbling in whispers. "That's … how it's been. Knoth wanted the congregation to grow. A holy army ready for war when the end came. Even more so after the ranches fall with so many taken away from us. Outside law was dropped for his holy law to take full effect once Temple Gate was settled." sounding tired as she droned on a teaching hammered into her. "It's just always been the way, even for me back on the ranch. I owed Knoth for what he gave me."

"Nobody can own you."

"My body and my soul always belong to Knoth. Knoths eye, Knoths hound, his best beloved to name a few of my titles. Everything but the wedding ring to finalize it between me and him. He didn't want us to be, nor any other women of the flock for him. Due to his higher callin', but he finalized a few suitors he chose for me. None of 'em lasted after some great struggles."

"… I want to make it clear you can't belong to someone because they did something for you. You don't belong to me, never will. Knoths gone, you're free, you can say what you want."

She froze, statue-like, breath held while watching him over the long moment. Blake thought he'd have to repeat the question. Is she looking for an answer from me first? Agree with me no matter what she really thought. Hmm, that's how it's been. Tempted to nudge her in the right direction, but it was better said straight by her.

Minutes stretched on, then she answered. "No, I'd rather see it gone."

He lightly smiled and nodded. Turning to the girl standing quietly by. Can't let her go home. Asking Marta for suggestions. "Are there any abandoned houses nearby? Ones that aren't falling apart?"

"Few in the forest not far."

"Good." addressing them both. "I'm not letting you stay near those creeps or with your dad, who showed support for that. You're moving into a new place. If you want anything from your old home, Marta will escort you there to grab what you want and escort you to your new home. They try to stop you, Marta gets to break their legs. They can't harass you either, tell me or Marta if they try."

her voice was quiet. "You don't have to do that. I'm expected to marry by my age."

"I am and you shouldn't. Marry who you want when you're old enough. … Ah, eighteen years old, minimum." I'll have to do a major announcement for law changes. Back to speaking solely to Marta. "What other stuff did Knoth support? There's a lot I want to see gone. Anything you didn't like that stands out immediately?"

Her eyes widened in a short flash. gaze darting around in a rush to search for something deep in memory. Appearing to have a lot to say, but crushed under the weight of it all in a short instance.

"A lot of stuff then? We can sit down and list them."

"If you have the time for it all."

"I do. Help her get settled first then let's go talk at the hall."

By afternoon, Blake ended up finding out just how much there was to toss or change. His few pieces of paper to take notes turned into its own little book with categories he marked. Many disgusting laws he outright crossed off with others, being not so bad. Needed minor twerking. Marta was a lexicon of everything Knoth ever put into place down to the very day. His laws started out reasonable such as those trained to drive could only move the heavy tractors. Turning more deluded and sickening in the more recent years. Many more were obviously "rules for thee, but not for me." Like Knoth having many "visitors" in the bedroom without restrictions to women or men. Yet, a common villager had to find a wife to have as many children as possible. No other relationships were allowed.

He went through them all, showing the old vs the renewed to best see his changes. Marta seemed satisfied with a lot of them while others she liked a little less so. Being apprehensive about the concept of parole instead of strictly jail time. "it's always been like that on the outside."

"Sounds like baby sitting to me. Waste our time watchin' them before they've truly paid for what They've done. Keep 'em in jail 'till they've really learned."

"As opposed to babysitting them in a cell?"

"Least they're in one place."

"If they're out, you won't have to feed them all the time."

"Mm." she hummed out a light agreement. "When you putting this up?"

"Immediately."

"All of it? That's a lot to chew in a day."

"Yes. I don't want people thinking any of this is okay for a day more." Copying things to a fresh page. "I'll make a few copies to pass out. Can't make one for everybody, 'least not right now."

"We better make sure you ain't in grabbing distance when you talk. Lot of folks won't take the changes sitting down."

He nodded between copying. "If things do go south ..." He started. Hands turned cold for no reason he stopped writing.

"I'll be with the guard."

"But should you?"

"You don't want me to be?"

"I don't want anyone dying. Especially not to you. If it gets bad enough-"

"I can do a lot more than kill." Interrupting him. "I did it because those were my orders. Without those shackles holdin' me back. people will realize they got more to fear now then before."

"I don't want people to be scared either." Tapping the book with his pen.

"Fear keeps them in line, but that was Knoths way. You've managed to find your own to work with. I pray you'll find a way with this too."

"Thanks. Guess I'll pray too." Continuing to copy he joked. "Maybe God will save my ass for the twelfth time."

"Wouldn't hurt."

"I might be doing this for a while. Can you tell the lords there will be another assembly today. Have them spread the word."

"What time?"

"Let's say after dinner. I should have at least a few copy's done by then."

She dipped her head, leaving him to his copying alone. It took him a few hours to make twelve copies of the law book before dinner. One he'd keep personally, one for Marta to keep, one for the guard to study together. As for the rest, some would be left in the hall for people to reference and others kept in case the others disappeared for any reason. Coming up was the harder part, another assembly that had Marta stand beside her guards. The other lords John, Mathew, Liam and James sat toward the front. Blake stood at the podium flicking his hand and stretching it open and closed into a fist. Copying a thick book for hours had strained it. Its sore movement provided a small distraction from his rattled nerves. Repeatedly flexing the strain away in waiting for everyone to sit before starting.

"Today I had to get involved with an issue," he started. "one about marriage and how it's conducted around here along with the general treatment of women. A toxic black spot left over from Knoth that I need to fix right away. Along with many other laws and views he supported and left behind after his death. Many of those I will not tolerate. I should have fixed this sooner, but I'm doing it now." He went on through the long assembly. Bringing up the new rule book and many of the big changes it stated. He expected the backlash developing further with each new law, but not the equal defense against the naysayers.

It shot off after some aggressive shouting between a few men. Some on both sides of the room stood up to face one another. "We're supposed to let women run around without husbands. Letting them be a bunch of whores?"

"What do you think they're going to do without a husband? They're women, not succubi! Let them out of the homes and work with us. We could use more hands in the fields. No point forcing a woman to cook at home when you can't bring food to it."

"I'm not working next to some dumb bitch who can't tell a weed from a growing crop."

James stood up and scoffed. "Boy, you couldn't tell a carrot from a tree root. Let the women decide if they wanna. If they decide not to then nothings changed now has it?"

"Why change anything at all? This is how things have always been."

John stood up next."And how's that been working for us? How high is our body count? Take a look around, how many women we got left? We're lucky Knoth didn't force us to kill the last of them."

James added on. "We'd have no future at all if they all went. What Knoth created had Temple Gate dying a slow death. We got a chance to change things that I thought would never come. Weather hell comes or not, I'm not missin' this."

Liam stood on the other side. "Sure, let's change things to help Temple Gate grow. Should make the chains tighter and keep 'em on a curfew. Escorts out of the house by their fathers or husbands only."

Blake shot that down immediately. "Never."

another snapped back. "And what if the girls refuse every hand offered to them? We shrug our shoulders -oh well- and watch our town die out after forty years?"

"I rather see that then this town turn toward sex slavery!" James shouted. "You don't want it for that family angle you keep flashing."

"Of course we want family's." Liam stated. "It's the only way this town can keep going."

"Keep going how exactly, through marrying kids, through birthing more baby's?" Room going hush at the word. One side far calmer than the other shifting on their feet. "Look at all of you. You're terrified at the mention of them. Eventually, one's gonna arrive and you'll have to take Knoths false words or accept them for Temple Gates' future. You dumbass's forget what kids were?"

"We ain't forget." One spoke. "We got a plan together around that."

Another joined. "If we lock up the girls, get 'em all pregnant, we would know which one bares the Antichrist. Then we-"

"NO!" Blake roared everyone quiet. "NEVER EVER! If I hear one more suggestion like that from someone I will kill them personally myself!"

"You won't do anything. making up all these useless rules, wastin' our time. I ain't following a one. Anyone who ain't married needs to pick a wife. When the Antichrist is found, it'll be killed, then we'll raise the rest. Get the girls married quick, start them young to keep our-"

"SHUT UP!" Kids being targeted next had him snap. Vision filled by a blur of red he attacked the man. Punching into him, clawing and thrashing across the floor. Bashing into many others between their fighting. Whole hall exploding into a riot had Marta lose him in the outbreak. Forced to start grabbing and separating everyone as her guards did the same. One pulled out a knife on James, who got a few slashes to his arms. Forced back he fell over a table, flinching in expectation of a stab to the gut. Instead he heard a shriek of pain. He opened his eyes to see Marta had snapped the attackers leg backwards at the knee. Shoving them against the wall. "Sit and don't move." Turning to face the crowd again in yanking people away. Any attackers that challenged her wrath were dealt with aggressively. Broken limbs, jaws, physically thrown over her head into the furniture. James and John took to moving the unconscious and broken out of the way.

Even as she was clearing a chunk of the crowd, she still had no sight of Blake. Who was still beating down the man on the floor. Rage dying to exhaustion, hand numb by the strain, his death threat earlier wasn't coming as easy as he wanted it to. When he slowed the other took his chance of a bottle falling off the bar top counter. Smashing it over Blake's head who flinched from the sharp glass. A liquid fell from his head that he expected to be beer. Its red color let him know what it really was. A large pain burned across his head that he couldn't figure out before being punched off the one under him. He slammed into a roll that didn't go far. A knee slammed into his side knocking him over further. Covering his head that spun after receiving some heavy punches. Arms grabbed to be forced away for the punches to connect with his skull. Teeth clacking together he was sure he tasted blood off his bit lip. Struggling to get up with the one above straddled over his back.

Between every other person fighting he wasn't sure what he heard over him. Some strange breath then a gurgle. A warm liquid water falling onto the back of his neck. The weight of the other slumped off him onto the floor next to him. Blake sat up at the sight of the other gripping their stabbed throat. In a moment they stopped twitching to bleed out the last few drops. Blake felt across the back of his neck and saw the blood that wasn't his own. Wiping it away using his own sleeve he was disgusted by how much there was on him. Head whipping around to see who could have done it; nobody stood out to him. Standing up from the floor his appearance stunned everyone still. Being the only one soaked in blood he stood out like a glowing beacon. Dead body bled out laid by his feet as proof it wasn't his own blood spilt.

Without anyone else covered in red he couldn't pinpoint the possible killer. Everyone equally a suspect unless they gave themselves up. Zoning back from his fixation of a killer in the room he noticed everyone staring at him. Locked on in fearful awe that he did exactly as he said he would. Swallowing the taste of copper he spoke to the stilled room. "Anyone else got something to say?" Scanning the room carefully for hints of the killer rather than another debater. "No? Then get the fuck out!" Pointing toward the door.

Main parts of the crowd shuffled out straight home. Marta turned to the guard members standing nearby. "Take all those idiots to the hospital." Pointing to the line up of those she personally injured. She stood by Blake alongside John, James, and Liam. When it was only them she looked from the corpse to Blake. "You didn't kill him." the others squinted between Blake and her.

"How are you sure?" John asked.

"He couldn't kill anyone to save his life."

"No, I didn't. I didn't see who did it either. Did one of you-" Each shook their heads.

"James and John were by me. Liam stayed on the stage after I threatened to break his legs."

He glanced around, asking next. "Where's Mathew?"

"He ran out soon after the fight started."

"Shit." he knelt down to look closer at the body.

"Does it matter?" Liam asked. "You wanted him dead."

"Yes, but If I'd killed him then I'd only have to worry about my own sanity. Now I have to worry about what kind of killers out there." Ignoring all the old murders. On closer inspection of the man's neck, he saw a yellowed white piece sticking out. Plucking it out he gave the sharp hard sliver a careful wipe down. "This a porcupine quill?" Standing to show everyone the item in his palm.

Marta picked it up for a careful glance. "It's bone."

"Bone?" Glancing at the body. "Can't have come from him."

"No. This is a bit old based on the whitening." Passing it back to Blake.

Snapping open a pocket he carefully placed it away. "We should find Mathew. Maybe he saw something."

John leading the way. "I bet he ran home. I always tell him to go there if there's trouble."

A short walk had them approaching John's house. A small white house with a short covered porch. Its outer paneling hadn't aged gracefully with rot and peeling paint making its appearance. John stepped inside, followed by everyone else to find Mathew stressed out at the dining table. "You okay?"

"I guess."

"You should drink something." Fetching a glass of water.

"I don't need- !" Shot up from his chair when he saw Blake still coated in blood. "What happened?!"

"Was in a fight, but someone killed the guy. You see anything?"

"N-no. I ran out soon everyone stared fightin'. Came r-right home."

"You sure?"

Mathew nodded, taking the glass of water from his dad.

"Okay, if you remember anything. Come tell me or Marta." looking to the tall woman, her eyes locked into glaring down the boy. "Come on Marta." Lightly waving her to leave. Even when she turned away her eyes stayed locked on Mathew. Broken past the doorway out of each other's sights. Blake rubbed his face then gagged at the blood smearing further. "I'm going to get cleaned. James, can you handle the body? Marta, you should patrol. In case anything else happens." Giving out orders through his worsening exhaustion. Tired brain struggling to grasp the answers his lords gave while walking off.

Next morning he felt fresher after last night's deep scrub. Sleep however had slipped away from his grasp. Nightmares of being stalked just before being killed were the recent ones. Better than seeing that fleshy creep at the school. Trying to stay optimistic in his zoned out brain. Zoning back he took in that he was looking out the front window of the grand hall. What was I doing before? … Oh yeah. Seeing that fleck of gold on the horizon. Val, in her usual spot in the mornings.

"Sir, you doing alright?" John approached Blake, who didn't look too well.

"Yeah, brains just been buzzing with all the stuff I have to do. worrying about what's going on in here … what's out there." Tipping his head up.

John followed his gaze, giving a hum of understanding when spotting Val. "You dealt with them before, right? What do you plan to do with them?"

He sighed. "I don't know."

"Going to kill them?"

Dull and tired, he was open to suggestions. "Should I?" Swallowing in regret of his question. " I … I didn't mean that."

"Hm, most people would. Why don't you?"

"... I don't know. Willing to look away from a lot of things already? I've read a lot of notes left by people. Some from … I wasn't there, but I read what happened. The children cull, the suicides, the guilt everyone admitted too but had no one to turn too. Knoth swept it under the rug as sins or else marked them traitors for death. How much of it was them or how much of it was Knoths crushing choke hold? Would this town have gone so crazy if someone else stepped up?"

"Like you are?"

"Maybe … I guess. I'm not a leader, I couldn't even save one person."

"You helped all those in quarantine."

"That's different." Looking down at the ring on his finger.

"Ah. … I can't speak for everyone, but a lot of us didn't want this to happen. We tried to make things better, help each other, while some- I can't say what they wanted. Nightmares gripped us in every waking moment. Knoth always told us it was our sins finding us and maybe it was? Could say it was us feeling guilt for all that we've done. I like to think of it as showing we still have a conscience left in us, despite everything. Some of us who committed the cruelest things wished we really hadn't. … Marta was one of those and I'm sure there are others. For all those who show regret, will you forgive them?"

"Hard to say. Some of the things Knoth supported I can't ignore. I'll have to deal with those too if they start showing up again." He sighed. "If they really do regret what they've done and change for the better. Then I have nothing to go after them for."

"I'm willing to help and I'm sure many others are too."

"Thanks John."