78 chapter 6 - The Mayor (1/2)
Essenark was beautiful.
Trees were trimmed, storefronts had fresh coats of paint, while the people were fat and jolly. Yet while men laughed and ladies ate their fill, dark eyed werewolves could be found everywhere.
Watching, waiting, and willing to attend any villager with a sense of urgency Kenji found disturbing. They carried bags, pulled carts, worked fields, and served drinks.
The villagers treated this like the natural way of things, and coming into the centre of the village Kenji caught many people talking joyfully of the new construction projects without the slightest mention as to the workforce building it. Several frameworks of huge buildings rose slowly in the village's centre, while stone walls were hastily being prepared as if Essenark expected a siege.
”How long have you had werewolves working for you?” Kenji said, interrupting the farmer's long winded speech on the intricacies of beetroot farming.
”It's only natural, once the Mayor offered them a chance to join civilisation and stop being hunted...well it's obvious no? They were animals, and now they are tamed animals. Like donkeys or pigs, they now serve the common good. We hope to breed enough for export, the Mayor has spoken at length of how rich we'll all be when Essenark becomes the source of the world's werewolf supply. Their cubs are especially easy to produce-”
”Thank you, that was interesting,” Kenji wheezed, having to stop the man speaking before Tenko snapped his arm like dry wood.
”Indeed, here's the Townhall, you'll find the mayor inside. The Hunter General too, assuming someone was daft enough to replace the last one after The Hound was done with him. A terrible thing that happened to that fellow, really scaring people that wild werewolves might still lurk in the dark.”
”This Hound, you think his a wild werewolf?” Kenji said, relieved they hadn't all been placed into this strange delirium.
”Has to be, our werewolves are well trained. Don't bite, and if they do they get gummed. Had a rocky start when the Mayor first introduced them, but I swear to you that they are loyal now. Would cut off their own heads if I asked,” the man chuckled, Kenji mirroring him with a mirthless gurgle of his own.
”Well, places to be. Hope you find what you're looking for,” the man said eyeing Kenji a tad annoyed, and lashed the werewolf boy across the back to get him going. Heaving again, the poor boy got to pulling the cart down the road.
”Calm down Tenko, control yourself,” Kenji whispered, feigning a smile to match the very happy villagers all around him. Staying silent, Tenko focused on not losing her shit as she tightened her grip enough to became Kenji wince.
In great pain he entered the charming wooden town hall, the only tall building yet finished, and was greeted by a series of doe eyed werewolf maids and charming werewolf butlers. Behind them sauntered bow and sword wielding guards with green feathered caps, each wearing at least one silver ring.
”Who are you?” grunted one of the guards, his steel breastplate marred with dirt and his face unshaven for many days.
”Kenji of the Hero Guild. Apologies for coming unannounced, but I was hoping to speak with either the Mayor or the Hunter General,” Kenji looked the fellow up and down, the dishevelled man practically radiating exhaustion, ”are you quite alright?”
”No,” the guard snapped, and waved a hand towards the furthers door of heavy set oak. ”Mayor's in there, indisposed though. I'm the Hunter General but, what do you want with me, pretty boy?”