//------------------------------// // 7. Jacquerie // Story: Auriga // by Knoster //------------------------------// “The situation in the countryside has deteriorated,” said Kampilan. “The peasant councils that seized power after the fall of Griffonstone still refuse to recognize our authority as the legitimate government of Ganzir, and they have called for a Grand Council to convene in Neighneveh.” “Jacquerie,” muttered Auriga. “Representatives from every peasant council in Ganzir will gather to come to an agreement on their future,” Kampilan continued. “I would advise sending an ambassador to negotiate with respect to their integration with the Provisional Government.” “That would be wise, I agree,” said Nimbus. “Auriga, you have met with these peasant leaders before. You shall travel to Neighneveh and do your utmost to persuade them to acknowledge the supremacy of this Provisional Government.” “Yes, ma’am,” said Auriga. “Kampilan will mobilize the National Guard. If the peasants refuse to unify voluntarily we will have to do so forcefully, but this will be our last resort.” Nimbus pointed at Kampilan. He nodded. Auriga left the room. I should probably tell Scrimshaw… *** “I’m coming with you,” said Scrimshaw. “It’s no short trot to Neighneveh, it could be dangerous.” “No argument here. I’m glad I always have you to watch my flank,” said Auriga. Scrimshaw blushed. As they left Irkalla, several ponies stopped to give them dirty looks or jeers, all invoking Boreas. The anti-clerical measures being undertaken by the National Assembly were public knowledge, and Auriga’s stance on the Temple was no secret either. “You know, we’ll be free from these types in Neighneveh,” Auriga whispered to Scrimshaw. “Really?” “Even though the Temple holds much sway in Irkalla, it has no real presence in the countryside,” explained Auriga. “Ponies practice more traditional mysticism there. Gods that raise the sun and the moon, that kind of thing.” “Well Boreas sounds downright rational next to that,” Scrimshaw snorted. *** Auriga and Scrimshaw arrived in Neighneveh after a long day of travel, exhausted. They found a room at an inn and slept until morning. They woke to the sound of loud commotion, and left their room to find ponies running frantically through the lobby. Auriga stopped one of them. “What’s happened?” she asked. “The Provisional Government has fallen!” the pony hurriedly replied. “After they were denounced by the Borean High Prelate in Irkalla, an officer named Kampilan dissolved the National Assembly, arrested Nimbus Gust, and declared himself President-Marshal.” Irkalla has fallen? *** Scrimshaw was stunned. Auriga galloped back to their room, but Scrimshaw needed to stay still to process the news. She needed to contact somepony in Irkalla. But how? She walked outside the inn and saw it: the Neighneveh office of the Meridian Company. Of course! Mr. Meridian said there was an Ether Port in every one of his company’s offices. I can use this one to reach the one in his study! Scrimshaw raced inside to find an unenthused unicorn stallion at the front desk. “I need to use your Ether Port,” said Scrimshaw. The stallion paused to look at her quizzically before answering. “It’s out of order,” he replied. “We don’t have any crystals.” “Is there any way to use it without a crystal?” “Well, it can be powered manually with unicorn magic, but that process is… draining.” The stallion winced. “Take me to it, I’ll power it myself!” Scrimshaw nearly shouted. The stallion led her to a back room that held the Ether Port. Sure enough, there was an empty slot open on the side of the machine. Scrimshaw focused her magic into the slot. Good thing his number is easy to remember, I just have to hope he’s in his study. The screen on the port remained black for a tense few seconds, but eventually Prime Meridian’s face appeared. Scrimshaw could feel herself losing energy powering the machine. “What’s going on over there!” shouted Scrimshaw. “Hurry, I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up.” “Kampilan has taken over, it’s chaos!” Meridian tapped his hooves together anxiously. “The Sword has been forced back underground, but most of my contacts are still good,” he added. “Prepare the Sword for a second uprising,” Scrimshaw grunted from exertion. “In a few days we will return to Irkalla with an army. Be ready to send a signal the night we are in position.” “An army? How do you plan to do that?” Meridian asked. “Auri can do it. I know she can.” Scrimshaw’s magic faltered. She couldn’t power the machine any longer, and she collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.