“I’m not against the idea,” Johannes said. “So long as they’re new rules, not some convoluted tradition that we can’t hope to study before events come to pass.”
“New rules,” Sandra said. “We limit the collateral damage by keeping all altercations between official combatants. To protect individuals that can’t speak for themselves-”
“Small children,” Johannes said.
“Yes. To protect individuals like babies and small children, we assume that only those individuals that sign a given, freely available tome are participants in the struggle for the Lordship of Jacob’s Bell.”
“I’ll have to say no to that one,” Johannes said. “My allies come and go, and some can’t sign a book. The rule is biased against humans and humanoids.”
“Individuals that can speak for themselves,” Sandra clarified. “Make a declaration.”
Johannes spread his arms wide. “I have friends that can’t speak conventionally. And how and when would this declaration take place? You’d need observers, which suggests it would have to take place in a setting like this, but that creates time restrictions. Not to mention it’s a rule that explicitly puts me at a disadvantage. I’d prefer my enemies to be surprised with the sheer variety of contacts and allies I have.”
“Then you won’t agree?” Sandra asked.
Johannes shook his head.
“If I may?” Duncan asked.
“Go ahead.”
“People can declare themselves out of bounds, with the caveat that they cannot participate,” Duncan said. “Those who cannot speak for themselves can be named by another.”
“While they are present,” Johannes said, “With room for objection.”
Duncan nodded.
“I have no objection to that,” Sandra said. “Innocents, and anyone who names themselves or is named by another and cannot or will not speak against that?”
“Works for me,” Johannes said.
“A show of hands, then?” Sandra asked, raising her own hand. “Who is interested in making a bid for power?”
She kept her hand in the air. It was joined by Duncan, Johannes…
And Rose.
“Rose, I know you’re new to this,” Sandra said, “But you might change your mind if I were to tell you that if an area has a diabolist for a Lord, that area becomes a target for other groups.”
“Groups with a sense of self preservation,” Duncan said.
“I know that already,” Rose said. “I’m still making a bid.”
“And your, ah, Circle?” Johannes asked.
“We’re standing by her,” Alexis said.
Sandra made a bit of a face. “Right. Then do we have any individuals or groups that are declaring for themselves? Separate and apart from the conflict, or hoping to gain from it without declaring for a side?”
Hands went up around the periphery of the room. Various Others. The two Faerie.
The little Aboriginal girl’s hand went up, as did the Briar Girl’s.
“Very well,” Sandra said. “You agree to abide by the rules?”
“If we don’t,” the Briar Girl said, “You’ll deal with us first, to keep this controlled, won’t you?”
“Yes,” Sandra said.
“Then I guess I have to.”
“I have to ask if there are any explicitly neutral declarations? A role to play in the contest itself, or in relation to the city?”
Andy and Eva’s hands went up.
Mags raised her hand too.
“Good,” Sandra said. “We’ll clarify the details in a moment, then. The second point would be to protect the citizens. Any altercations for the Lordship, should take place within Jacob’s Bell, which is only appropriate. No property should be damaged or altered in such a way that it distresses an innocent resident. I don’t want this to be about bloodshed and destruction.”
“Within Jacob’s Bell and its demesnes, and my residents aren’t considered innocent,” Johannes said. “Honestly, Sandra. Do you really imagine I’d let that one slip by? Amend it and I’ll agree.”
“I’ll agree as well,” Duncan said.
“Very well,” Sandra said. “Any altercation should involve a clear declaration of war. Where allowed and fitting, I would like to do this with clear rules of engagement. Contests, rather than outright fighting and murder.”
“This is getting tiresome,” Johannes said. “Of course you want contests rather than murder. You’re an enchantress. Assassination and violence remain on the table, or this is a farce.”
Sandra smiled. “Good. Declarations of war, then. Fair notice, confrontations should take place behind closed doors, the public none the wiser. I’ll just suggest it’s more Lordlike if one can best a foe without such barbarism.”
Johannes smiled just a little too much at that. “Of course.”
“We can add more rules at a later point,” Sandra said. “For the time being, are these basic restrictions fair? Any objection?”
“I object.”
Rose’s voice was quiet, but it carried.
It wasn’t the first time she’d displayed good oratory skills. Eyes turned her way.
“You object?” Sandra asked.
“Yes. I’m declaring my bid for the Lordship of Jacob’s Bell, and I’m unequivocally refusing all the proposed rules and conventions.”
“Don’t be an idiot,” Duncan said. “You know what’s going to happen. Anyone who refuses, like the Briar Girl said, is inviting immediate retaliation.”
“You keep telling me things like I was born yesterday,” Rose said. “I know. I don’t particularly care.”
“You’re making enemies here,” Sandra said.
Rose shrugged.
“You’re putting innocents at risk by weakening this agreement,” Duncan spoke, his voice low.
“Oh, you’re thinking of your fiancee,” Rose said. “Again, you keep telling me things I know and have considered.”
Johannes spoke up, “Your circle will be obvious and easy targets to weaken you. Surely you’re not that heartless.”
Tiff fidgeted, hands out of view behind the back of the pew in front of her.
“It certainly looks like I am that heartless,” Rose said.
“They’re open game, then?” Johannes asked.
“Try,” Rose said.
She stood, fixing her coat, then strode from the church.
It was a good twenty seconds before her circle and Others had all departed. The door shut behind the monstrous Other with the seaweed flesh.
“Well,” Mags said. “That happened.”
“We could forge the same deal with her absent,” Duncan said.
“It would be far weaker as a group-sworn Oath than it would be if everyone was involved, and it would put us at a disadvantage in relation to our prickly miss Thorburn there, tying our hands while leaving hers free,” Sandra said. “I’d rather not, not officially.”
Johannes smiled, leaning back on his pew. “Honor system it is, then.”
The North End Sorcerer excepted, there were very few present who looked particularly happy with the turn of events.