No Good Deed

by Jerry Jackson

  “I am Bilton, your Minister of Justice. I run the sheriff and courts, maintain law and order within the land.

  “Now, let’s get a few things straight. I am in charge now. You don’t like it, there’s the door,” he pointed. No one left. “When I tell you to do something, I don’t expect to be questioned on it. If I want your opinion, I’ll give it to you. Got it?”

  “Yes sir,” they all said in unison.

  “Good. Now my first order of business is going to make an announcement letting people know about the regime change. Next, how much money does this kingdom have?” Frazier showed him the books. “And how much does it take to run the kingdom?” Frazier showed him that too. “This guy keeps a lot for himself doesn’t he?”

  “Yes sir. He liked to keep the coffers overflowing,” Frazier was pretty pleased with his answer.

  “Why? What good is this money just sitting there? This is a lot of left over cash. Redistribute 10, no 20% back to the masses, and adjust the taxes accordingly. I don’t need to live a lavish lifestyle. Y’all will continue to be paid as you are.”

  “But sire..,” Frazier began. He never finished because he caught the back of Obidaan’s hand and was now on his back looking up. Obidaan has is foot on his chest.

  “How quickly we forget our liege’s speech. Now, what did I say earlier about my orders?”

  “Carry them out without question,” he replied. Blood was dripping down his mouth to the floor.

  “And what did I say about opinions?”

  “If you want them you’ll give them to us.”

  “So, what are you going to do?”

  “Return 20% to the people and adjust the taxes accordingly.”( No ping.)

  “Good,” he moved his foot and offered Frazier his hand and pulled him to his feet. Laying on his hands, he healed Frazier’s cut, “One more thing, when making policy, don’t ever lie to me. I will know it instantly, and I will kill you on the spot.”

  “I don’t believe you,” Serena said. (Ping.)

  “That was a lie. Were we making policy, you’d be dead.” Obidaan walked out the door without looking back.

  A shiver went down her spine. “He’s right,” was all she could get out.

  Obidaan walked around the castle and found the Vanguard hanging out in the king’s chamber. Relina was sitting on the king’s thrown. Obidaan walked up the dais and sat in the queen’s chair. “What is thy majesty’s desire?” he said to Relina.

  She looked over and smiled at him. “Obidaan,” she said wearily, “what happens now?”

  “I don’t know,” Obidaan replied, “I feel like Alister, playing it by ear.” Alister cut Obidaan a not so nice glance, “I’m giving some money back to the people. The ministers here are sycophants. I think Rhineholt said it best when he said the people don’t care who rule them, just as long as their bellies are full. These advisors tripped all over themselves to kowtow to me. Seems they’re just interested in maintaining whatever power they have.”

  “What were you expecting?” Terry asked, “A parade? The advisors to thank you profusely and then run the country in the most efficient manner possible? I’ve been alive a long time, seen many regime changes. They all go the same, the people get screwed, the power brokers maintain their power, and the leader last till the next big coup. It’s the whole reason you guys were created, remember?”

  “Yeah, how could I forget?” Obidaan said.

  “So, what will you do?” Don brought the question back up, “Oppress the people? Behead the aristocrats? Seems you’re already redistributing the wealth.”

  “I don’t know! Nothing is going the way I thought it would. What would you do Alister?”

  “Me! You’re asking me?” Alister laughed, “Hell, if it were me, I’d give some grandiose speech about the new world order then have a giant party and bed every lady in the kingdom. But that’s just me.”

  “Nice to see you haven’t lost your priorities,” Obidaan said, “Vizier!” he shouted. Instantly she showed up.

  “My liege,” She bowed. “What is thy bidding?”

  “You’re not planning a coup are you?” Obidaan asked.

  She was shocked by the question. “Um, no?” she sheepishly replied (No ping).

  “Good. Now remember, the day you lie about that will be your last day,” she swallowed hard, “Gather the people and let them know their new king wants to give a speech.”

  “Yes, sire. It will be done within the hour. Anything else sire?”

  “No” As she left, Alister made a clearing throat sound.

  “Sire?” She asked. Obidaan looked over to Alister, cleared his throat and made a couple of head bobs.

  “And prepare a party for the people,” Obidaan said. Alister smiled.

  “It will be done,” and she left.

  “See, that wasn’t so hard,” Alister said.

  About an hour later, the vizier came in, “They’re ready for you, sire,” she said. “Just speak from the balcony; it will carry your voice.

  “People of…, My fellow…, Citizens…” Obidaan was having a hard time starting. He had his speech prepared but now he didn’t have the desire to say it. He looked back, there was his group. Relina stood behind him, smiling as best she could for him. Alister was ready to take over the world. Don was somber and peaceful. Terry, the big sister of the group being just that, encouraging him to do what he has to. He turned back to the citizens, who remained inordinately quiet through his little stammer; that concerned him. He looked about the crowd and noticed it was interlaced with guards and sheriffs; crowd control no doubt. This he could not allow. “Please, Rhineholt, Bilton, remove your guards from around the crowd. I want the crowd reaction to be genuine. Take no action against any citizen who is not pleased with my speech. But I do ask all of you to hear me out first.” Silence permeated the scene. Bilton and Rhineholt nodded and people began to shuffle away from the crowds. A sigh of relief could almost be heard over the crowd.

  He began again. “People, for a long time you have had to endure the whims and desires of those who do not have your best interest at heart. I can stand here and say that I will change things. That I have your best interest at heart, but that is equally a lie. I do not have your best interests at heart, I have my best interest at heart and with luck, it will benefit you.”

  “A great evil was done to me, so I‘ve lashed out. But as with many I chose not to lash out at the object of my anger. Like a merchant who gets angry with a customer, instead of lashing out at the customer, and possibly loosing the sale, he holds it, only to lash out at his family, loosing their respect and love. He has put money over family. He has determined that getting the sale is more important than his well being, more important than his family obligations, and more important than his self—respect. Because, ultimately, that is what he’s lost, and he must regain it. Rather than regain it from the person who took it, he takes it from his family. He hurts the ones he loves in order to redeem himself. I can’t say I am much better.”

  “I should have lashed out at my city but I saw too much of myself there, too much of my family, the ones I love, and I couldn’t do it, yet. So, in a reverse of the merchant scenario, I have chosen to lash out at a customer and I have chosen you as the first customer. You are the first, but you won’t be the last.”

  People reacted with dead silence. He continued on, “I have chosen this place because I found your king despicable. He was despot, a liar, and kept most of the wealth for himself. That is going to change. You will get back some of the money he has stolen from you. Taxes shall be lowered so you may prosper. I don’t require a salary, so I shall take none. That money shall also be returned to you,” People began to cheer. “With the rest roads shall be improved, buildings will get refurbished, and those who keep the peace shall get a raise and better supplies.” Cheers came from the guards and sheriffs.

 
“However, we have a roll to play in this too. I’m sure many of you pay ‘protection’ money. This ends now. That is why we pay our police force, so you don’t have to.” People chuckled a bit. He turned to his advisors “And I know my staff, from this day forward, will not condone the continued payout of protection, extra tax, or whatever the hell it’s called you take more than your fair share from the people and line your pockets with the excess, am I right?”

  They all nodded in fear, except Bilton, who just stood there, beads of sweat beginning to form on his head. He didn’t want to say anything for fear of retribution. Obidaan looked at him. “After all I am offering, you’re still willing to fleece these people? I’ll have you know these changes go into effect for you as well. You will be getting more money in your pocket now! You have no need for graft, why continue in it?”

  “Habit?” was all he could say.

  “Not good enough,” Obidaan replied, and took him to the front of the balcony. “Here is a man, I am offering everything to. He sits in your upper echelon, the elite and yet he still feels he is above you. Now, tell these people you won’t steal from them.” Obidaan demanded.

  In his most sincere voice, “In the past, I have had my men rough you up a bit in the name of the king, but times have changed. I must change. Rest assured that from this point on, I shall uphold the laws as laid down by you.” Ping.

  “Liar!” Obidaan screamed. He produced Mystic and ran him through with the sword. A loud gasp ran through the crowd, “This is the fate that awaits anyone who does not obey me.” He removed the sword and Bilton fell dead on the balcony. He looked back at the crowd. “I am not trying to rip you off. I am trying to make sure you have a safe and secure place to raise your family, to fulfill your dreams, to do what you want to do without us massively intruding on your rights and property and personal beliefs. Do you understand that? Don’t you see what I’m trying to do? If you’re a good person, surely you can see this can’t you?” He looked over the crowd. Many didn’t say anything, a few nodded. One person nodded but Obidaan knew he was lying, he didn’t want the peace and prosperity, he thrived on the chaos and misery, he couldn’t have this. Obidaan spotted the liar and summoning Mystic once more and hurled her at the man. He seemed to make a dodge so he looked to be in two places at once. Mystic was not fooled and she struck true, right through his heart. He summoned Mystic back to his hand then she vanished. “Do you understand now?” Obidaan asked again. Everyone nodded no one pinged.

  “By the gods, that was the leader of the thieves’ guild,” a voice cried out.

  “I wouldn’t look for a replacement anytime soon,” Obidaan retorted. “Now, as I was saying, I’m just trying to make your lives easier. You have a question feel free to ask me, or any member of the Vanguard.” He pointed to his group. This put the advisors aback. “I’m sure my advisors thought I was going to mention them, but as we’ve seen they still have ties to the past, which they will be getting over soon; one way or the other.” He looked at the dead advisor still bleeding on the balcony. “You can consider these people my… marshals. If you have a problem with anyone, go to them, they will help you.”

  “I wonder if we get badges,” Alister said under his breath. Terry wasted no time reaching over and hitting him on the back of the head.

  “The reason I am doing this is because I want you to know that the Vanguard are not part of this town so can’t be influenced by its politics. They are free from corruption. They will help out of the goodness of their heart. You do not need to bribe them or offer them favors to help you. The Vanguard is a shining beacon of good that you can go to without fear.”

  The rest of the group perked up when they heard that. It was nice to know they were going to play such a significant role in his plans, they just wish he had told them first.

  “They will act independently and will answer only to me. These four have the power to solve any problem and if necessary — with extreme prejudice. And so you will know them, allow me to introduce them to you.” He waved for his wife first. “My wife, and Priest of the Seers, Relina;” people began to applaud, “Bard and Wizard Alister;” They were growing in intensity, “Monk, Don; and Ranger, Terry.” By this time the crowd was applauding loudly and began to chant “Vanguard.” Obidaan gave the crowd a newfound freedom and they wanted to take advantage of it. Alister, as usual was eating it up, while the others took it in stride. “Now go forth and have fun!” He waved goodbye and left the balcony. The remaining advisors followed him in followed by the rest of the Vanguard, except Alister. He stood on the balcony for a while, blowing kisses to the ladies and waving to the crowd. He was going to begin to sing except Don came back for him and yanked him into the castle.

  “Excuse me, sire.” The grand vizier said, “may we have a word with you?”

  “Of course.” Obidaan said, “Go into the chamber, I’ll be with you momentarily, I must address my marshals first.

  She was about to protest but quickly remembered what he did the last time someone protested, “Yes, your majesty.”

  “I’m sorry guys I don’t know where that marshal thing came from. I want these people to feel safe and y’all are the only people I trust. I hope you don’t mind.” He looked at his group. They smiled back.

  “My dear,” Relina said softly, “I am glad you said what you did. We were afraid they were going from one bad dictatorship to another. At least now they know there are people to help them. We will gladly be your marshals.” Then her voice got a bit more stern, “This way we can also keep an eye on you.”

  “Yes, yes you can.” Obidaan left the hall and headed for the royal chamber.

  “I don’t know about you guys” Alister said, “but I’m going into town to meet our subjects, party too much, and wake up someplace else.”

  “Sounds like a great idea,” Terry said, “You’ll need company. We’ll all go.”

  Obidaan entered his chamber, walked to the throne and sat. The advisors were on the podium, and seemed a bit nervous, angry, and frustrated. “What can I do for you?” Obidaan said cheerfully ignoring their mood.

  “We need to discuss our place in your new regime,” the vizier said.

  “We’ve already discussed that,” Obidaan got up, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have better things to do.”

  “Please, sire,” the Vizier began, “that was before the mention of your marshals. We were curious as to how we fit relative to them.”

  “I believe I made that perfectly clear. If you screw up, they have permission to kill you.”

  “Yes,” she was nervously trying to get to her point, “yes but it seems they’re running things now.”

  “No,” Obidaan turned to her, “they’re correcting things. If you sycophants think you can keep on gouging the people, if you think extortion and bribery are going to continue to be the norm, you are sadly mistaken, and you have two choices. Get with the program or die. As I said, you’ll keep your status, you’ll be paid well, and you will get to run the country. If you don’t want that, then be prepared to die.”

  “Couldn’t we just flee the country?” she asked.

  “Are you crazy? Do you really believe I’d let a bunch of power hungry, lying, cheating, stealing sycophants loose in world? Again, your only choices are follow me or die. That’s it.” Obidaan left the room.

  The rest of the Vanguard had a great time that night as people celebrated their freedom. Alister, as usual went overboard. However, even Don and Terry were able to indulge and found people who were very happy to see them and willing to show it.

  Over the next few months, Obidaan and the Vanguard kept things in order. Soon the advisors stopped complaining and did things Obidaan’s way and got richer than they had before. The land began to prosper because people stopped worrying about having to pay exorbitant taxes or getting beat and thrown in jail for no reason. The Vanguard did have to bust a few heads in order to get the messa
ge, but with their special weapons, no one in the city was a match for them. The biggest moment came when a few of the guards tried to shake down an inn a few months into the peace. They were grumbling that even though they were better paid they didn’t command the fear they once had and they wanted that back. About ten of them in armor went to a tavern, the same one Obidaan first entered when he came to town. It was now called the Freedom Tavern.

  The guards came with a few of them positioned themselves inconspicuously by the exits. Others grabbed a table near the middle of the room and sat down. The leader moved to the bar where the owner was serving up drinks. “Pretty nice now.” He said.

  “Yes, yes indeed,” the owner replied, “with all the extra revenue, I’ve been able to fix this place up rather nicely. It’s turned into quite a hot spot. As a matter of fact, I’ll give you and your men their first drink free,” he said with a smile, he was totally oblivious to the guard’s true intentions.

  “How about instead,” the guard said, “you share some of that wealth with us.”

  “What? Are you daft? You of all people should know that there’s been a crack down on extortion. I suggest you get out of here before something bad happens.”

  “That’s funny,” the guard began to laugh, “considering we’re the ones in power at the moment, no marshals are coming anytime soon, and the paladin sits up in his castle, oblivious to the little guy. Yeah, he had his moments, but they’re gone now. Now it’s time for business as usual. Now, about that cash.”

  A couple of people were headed for the door but were blocked by the guards. They made sure no one could get out. Those coming in were forced to sit and watch.

  “I’m waiting,” the guard said.

  The bartender pulled out a silver coin. Rubbing it, he flipped it to the guard. “Why don’t you take that and we’ll call it even.”

  The guard grabbed the bartender, “Look old man, I just was some cash so we don’t rough up you and this place. However, if you’re going to act like this, I’m not above a demonstration. Don’t you worry; I’ll keep the bruise to the chest and stomach area, so you can cover them up,” he laughed.