The Fall from Grace Part I

"BLASPHEMOUS!" screamed Pivno "I do not care what you think would be good for our people, no way will I approve such a careless act!"

Chiming in Xsaxis replied, "You fool, our city would only prosper from something like this."

"How dare you say such a thing? You already passed a law so ships without proper identification could dock here. Are you trying to make this town over-run by pirates? I tell you if this passes, the only thing we will see is a higher increase in crime." Pivno responded. Pivno could not believe what he was hearing, to make it possible to sell items without the proper bill of sale would only encourage people to steal. The thought of such gave him an incredibly appalling headache. How someone could be so opaque as to not see the repercussions something like that would have on a town was beyond his comprehension. Miruvhor; it had been nearly thirty years since the town really began to prosper. Since then everyone seemed to wish to bring down this beautiful city.

Pivno was a young and powerful politician. His father started and owned the most successful shipping company in Miruvhor and with that Pivno became the golden child for the town. Xsaxis, on the other hand, claimed he came from some kind of wild town to the far east but no one really knew for sure. He too was a politician but one of a completely different kind. It was no secret that he had dealings with several shady people and his power came from fear, but still no one would do anything to stop him. He was technically inside the law and as long as he did not publicly do something wrong there was nothing anyone could do about it. As far as Pivno was concerned the town had only grown worse since Xsaxis arrived. What was once such a beautiful and peaceful place had become a town out of a nightmare and would only get worse if Xsaxis was left with power. Something had to be done.

When Xsaxis left the building his head hurt. "I have only been in this town for two years and already I have more enemies than anyone could imagine. How could this happen to me, all I wanted was to populate the city. And still I get blamed for the crime rate increasing," he said aloud.

Xsaxis was a young man no more than twenty-five in age but he was exceptionally intelligent, everyone could see that. All he really wanted was a decent place to call home and raise a nice family. Everyone back home told him Miruvhor was that place. Upon arriving there he was treated much differently; he may have talked with a different accent but that was no reason to hate him so. 'The people of this town are so stuck up' he thought. It was not until he was drinking one night and picked a fight with a dwarf did Xsaxis get his start. While he was lying by the side of the street wondering why a dwarfs punch hurt so much, a man came up to him and offered him a place to stay. Over the next four months Xsaxis stayed with him and figured out much about the town. The man even offered him a place to stay so long as Xsaxis would work for him. And in no time after that Xsaxis the Law Changer began his career.

Pivno knew something had to be done, but what? He could not

openly attack Xsaxis reputation without something to back his accusations. Then, almost as if a dark god cast a thought into his mind, it came to him. 'What about proving he is involved with an illegal crowd? That would certainly hurt his chances in the election as mayor next week.' Pivno knew what he would have to do. That night he began writing several letters to some exceptionally important clients who might be able to help him. Within a few days time Pivno had obtained what he was looking for absolute proof that those backing Xsaxis were thieves and murderers. An evil grin came across Pivnos face. Pivno required a perfect time to tell the town the truth about Xsaxis. The election was it. That would be the time when Pivno would strike!

During the announcement of the next mayor Xsaxis had a terrible feeling, almost as if he was about to experience something he had no control over. And just when the polls were made public he could see a change come over Pivnos face.

Here ends Part I of the tale 'The Fall From Grace'.