Arden

Arden by: dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)

72: Civil Discontent

1320, 4th month, 3rd day:

All of my runners are making wonderful progress. Soon Nikias and a few others will be strong enough to run long distances with me. All this running has prepared them well and they all enjoy and do me proud, in the new team sports, in which running has a strong part.

The Argonauts and Eagles report, all through the city and in many rural areas, youth sports teams are now well established. These are centered at the public baths and schools.

Hyginos grows every day, I am positive of it. His legs become longer by the hour I am convinced. He runs well and I am sure when he is finished growing he will rival me in stamina. The other aids are now assigned. I find we princes are not the same in how we interact with them. They are good boys all and I think will prosper with us.

I have proposed that Kastor create an Aid Core. The members of this group can be assigned to one of us for long periods but they should have the opportunity to serve others. That will widen their experience. It will also make scheduling simpler, given assigned duties, schooling, physical or special training and so on. Hy needs special mathematical education the others do not. Iason's aid will need a more military bent. He thought the idea a good one and would study it. Perhaps Panther should be given the job of chief aid and Lyuben second. The core would then have both Princes' Aids and Personal Aids.

1320, 4th month, 5th day:

Little has happened worth recording.

1320, 4th month, 7th day:

Construction on my summer home started today. Myron's training goes well.

1320, 4th month, 8th day:

I was absolutely outraged. This time I managed to keep my composure. The mayor came to see us, he was waiting in the lobby before the council chamber. One of the junior pages came to announce his presence. Poly and I went to see him. It was obvious he was most upset with something. The look on his face told me that.

"Prince Arden, Prince Polydeukus, I am afraid I have some disturbing news. The vandals were at their work again last night. This time they defaced the statue and drinking fountain in the plaza along with much distraction of the plants."

We quizzed him further. Several incidents of vandalism on public buildings has occurred in the past several weeks. He also told us these incidents occurred about a week apart and always late at night.

We immediately went with him to inspect the situation. By the time we got there the Argonauts were just beginning to restore order. I stopped them and told them to hold until we returned. The mayor showed us the other damage to public buildings, most of which had been cleaned up. We returned to the plaza and looked closely. Little sayings and puns were painted on many of the stone and wood surfaces. The bronze statue had paint splashed on it. On one of the benches it said Argonauts are girls. On another, one boy loved another and so on.

Placing of this kind of graffiti is common in the world. I understand that, but to place it on public monuments and buildings or on fountains, is just vandalism. To destroy the flowers and plants in the public garden is disrespectful of the citizens that use it. To brake the benches and public seats often used by our older citizens is mean spirited.

There was much speculation about who would have done this. Several ideas were also put forward about why it was done and what should be done about it. I was not interested in any of it. I was angry. This was a thoughtless act of selfishness by people who had to little to do with their lives. They moved at night, I assume courage is not a strength.

What would be your normal response to something like this, I asked the mayor?

"I would set the city workers to cleaning this up."

"You have spare staff for this," Poly asked?

"Oh no, not budget either. I must hire several temporary laborers for tasks like this."

That is when it struck me. These workers mayor, tell me about them.

"There is a small pool of young men that hang about the tavern two streets over." He pointed.

That was the same tavern that was the meeting place of the kidnappers some time back.

This time mayor you will do something quite different. I want you to post notices all around this place, declaring that the plaza will be closed, to the citizens. You will not hire anyone to repair any of this damage. You will immediately see that the water to the fountain is cut off. If anyone asks, you will tell them that Prince Arden and Prince Polydeukus were so much offended that the citizens of this city thought so little of Argonauts gifts, they are considering the removal of the plaza altogether.

You might suggest to them, if the perpetrators were to voluntarily come forward our minds might, just might be changed. You might also suggest that if the citizens truly desire the plaza to remain and show this by identifying the vandals, you are confident you can change our minds. Under no circumstances are you to hire any temporary workers for any purpose. Say nothing of this but if asked why this or that is not being looked after, say simply the city has no money to spend on it.

I think you should suggest to the landlord of the tavern, that it would not be wise to extend any further credit to those young men, who you have hired in the past. Say no more to him on it. The Argonauts will place the barrier around the perimeter yet today.

I think the sheriff and his men should pay frequent visits here and strictly enforce your order.

"You realize this will anger many in the community who use this place?"

Yes and I hope it does that very thing.

"Are you not punishing the innocent here," Poly suggested.

No, the innocent have been punished by the actions of a few vandals. Those actions should be motivation enough but we know it is not. I see few if any showing concern about any of our public facilities. Since they are owned by everyone, no one feels the need of responsibility for them.

Perhaps the prospect of total loss and denial of any access will be added incentive. If these vandals step forward on their own, or with pressure from the citizens, I will not be overly harsh with them. If someone gives us information that we can act on and this must go to trial, rest assured my atonement requirements will be harsh. If this crime remains unsolved, the plaza will be dismantled and the Ganymede of Parga will be taken to the castle. It will never be seen again by the citizens, as long as I live. Once the lights are gone from here they will never return in any of our lifetimes. The water will not be turned on and the King will remove the fountain. It can find a home in the castle courtyard.

I set the Argonauts to their task and commissioned them to visit every house and business in the area and to make sure they asked every patron of every tavern directly for knowledge. They should pay several visits a day to these establishments for the next several days. Poly told them to listen carefully for any mention of the slogans or statements painted. Should any be the same, I suggested they physically engage the sayer. If anyone repeats the statement that the Argonauts are girls you have my leave to make him pay.

Poly suggested his inspectors would make frequent and detailed inspections and visits the taverns, especially the one suggested by the mayor. I thought that an excellent idea. What I had noticed was only paint and charcoal had been used to deface things. The plants would grown again after the mess was cleaned up. None of the lights were broken. The statue had paint dumped over it. All could be cleaned. It would take work to do this but it was possible. Poly realized my thinking completely. These vandals were trying to create well paid work for themselves or others, or it seemed so.

By the end of the day we are receiving complaints that the plaza was closed. I simply refused to comment but thanked them for their concern and interest. I looked the situation over from the terrace of our apartments and realized that not only was the place in a mess, but because it was a mess, the young boys took it as an invitation. I could see a number of them throwing stones at the glass globes on the light poles. I do not know what it is about situations like this but boys seem to gain great delight in throwing stones at things for no other reason than to throw them. Perhaps it goes to our ancient origins, a skill that men must have. I know not. It is like our delight shooting arrows, using a sling or spear with or without a spear thrower.

I gathered my young runners and we stormed out of the castle and down the hill to the plaza. When the boys saw us coming they began to scatter but we had the advantage to coming down hill and athletic training. Long legs helps too. In short order we rounded up about 5 and I suggested that they had three choices: go to their homes and not return with the intention of throwing things, to receive an ass warming from my brothers and myself or join us on the running track each afternoon for the next five. They chose to go home.

Several of the merchants came to talk with us. They were most disturbed about what had happened. I think they were concerned their business might also suffer.

I told them I would not take any actions until the heat of the moment had passed, this kind of thing would only be stopped if the citizens demonstrated their displeasure by not protecting those who are responsible and those responsible took ownership and made proper atonement. I think this will test us as a people and also how much or little we value our public monuments and spaces.

But Prince, they protested, to remove the plaza would admit the crown is powerless. No, merchants it is only to admit the crown made an error in its judgment of what the citizens want their city, their home, to be like. The crown has never had the power to command its citizens to love their homes and their city. I have no power to command that you love and respect your home. The Argonauts will gladly turn their efforts and attention to other places and projects. Many requests come to them every year. I know several places that would be delighted to have a clock tower.

"You would remove it?" The clock will fall silent in about 4 four days, as the Argonauts are forbidden to wind it.

"Has the mayor nothing to say in this?"

Nothing, it is the crown, the Argonauts and the guilds that paid for most of it. If this is an example of how our gifts are treated we will simply find places that truly respect them. It is as simple as that.

Then we will donate the money to the city for its restoration, a merchant said. Donate what you will, to who you will, but if this plaza is removed it will never be replaced as long as I am a Prince of Parga, and gentlemen I am significantly younger than any of you.

"Why do you spurn our help Prince Arden?"

I have asked for your help to apprehend these vandals. Your money is not needed. Were it I would simply ask the mayor to raise your taxes or I would see your rent is increased. I realize that I ask the greater price here. Either the plaza is worth it to you and the others or it is not.

Graphite is a time honored result of our and I would guess all civilizations. I myself have carved my name on rocks and stone fences. We have all done that. Who among us has not left their mark here or there. That is not the issue. This is simply an insult to all of us and for what purpose. There are public spaces and there are spaces used by the public. This is one kind, that rock in the mountains is quite another.

It is my intention to apprehend those responsible. It will be done with or without your help. The fait of the plaza is less related to apprehending them then it is to how much help I receive from the citizens. But Prince you can not let the actions of a few dictate your actions.

Oh, but I can. It is often the situation when the actions of a few are what motivates me and you, if thought be given. In this situation it is the actions of many that will dictate, not those of the few. The few will be apprehended and they will pay the price. The longer that takes the higher that price becomes. There are citizens that know, have information or knowledge, perhaps just suspicions. Perhaps they feel some obligation or loyalty to the perpetrators, perhaps they are afraid of reprisals, perhaps they just do not care. After all the damage was done to public property, not their own.

I say every citizen has a civic duty and part of that duty is stewardship of the community. I would like to think that if all citizens take their duties as seriously as I take mine, this would be a perfect world. I think that in my dreams only. I am not perfect, non of us are. Each will need weigh their loyalties in the light of their various duties.

I will send the Argonauts into the community each day until one of two thing happens; they are given the information needed or the plaza is totally dismantled and we have no further need of that information. What ever happens will be result of some citizen doing or not doing, the right thing.

"There are some who say Prince Arden is only bluffing," One of the older citizens said.

To that I replied, have you ever know me to bluff?

That evening everyone tried to cheer me up. It mostly worked and I forgot about the plaza. In the morning I faced a new day and the old reality. I rose early to write this.

1320, 4th month, 9th day:

I spent the morning at the university Many of the students expressed concerns about our building. At the Academia the students were not holding for concerns, they were making active plans to protect their building and the Spirit of Parga. I liked their attitude.

We had no council meeting today, I worked in my finance department until it was time for sports. When I returned I found a number of delegations, mostly from guilds. They all volunteered to help in the restoration. I could not disappoint them but I could not let them begin either. I told them the Argonauts would be organizing what ever it was to be in about a week's time and they would be called to a meeting. In the mean time it is critical to find these vandals, nothing is safe as long as they go un-apprehended. Not long after they went on their way another small group asked admittance. This was two women and two men from the prostitutes guilds.

Apparently they had not been invited by the other guilds. I told them the same as the others.

"We are looked down upon by the others and pushed aside by much of society. Never by you Prince, the crown has done much for us. We too are citizens and as guilds try to participate in the social life of Parga, as best we are able. It will mean much to us. None of us were able to help with information. At the time of this atrocity most of us were with clients."

I realize few people know and fewer if any saw. We believe we know who some are. Suspicion and proving are not the same. You should expect the Argonauts to call on you and everyone else, every day. They will be doing this to demonstrate our resolve and to place pressure on those who know something but are perhaps to timid to say. We suspect a group of 5 or 6, young men with not enough to do and no great talent and even less ambition. We suspect they are your clients, all be it less frequent then they would like. They have limited wealth and it must be shared with wine or ale.

Students are well known for making mischief but this goes beyond that. If you can offer us any suggestions of suspects, it would be of great help. Independent of that, the prostitutes guilds will be invited to the meeting I spoke about. No citizen will be excluded from making a contribution, even those that did this deed. Theirs will be the greatest I can assure you of that.

"Then you are not intending to close the plaza?"

Yes and no. I posed that as a real possibility and it must remain so. Everyone wants a plaza, even those who make little or no use of it. No one wants responsibility for it, even those that make much use of it. When Prince Tertius asked the mayor of the day what he thought about the Argonauts proposal, for placing the statue in that barren space, he was most supportive as long as the cost was born by someone else.

He believed and I am sure rightly so, his tax payers would view it as frills they did not wish to pay for. If the city has surplus then lower their rates. The same is so for libraries, hospitals, schools and other public institutions. You will remember the outcry when Polydeukus imposed his water tax to finance the delivery of water to every citizen. None were willing to loose what they had but most were unwilling to help pay for anyone else's, even if someone else paid for what they now had. It is the nature of humans I think.

As to the plaza. If the citizens are not willing to take a very small amount of responsibility for it, I do not mean financial or physical, I mean civic responsibility, why should they have it? Those that did this damage count on the fact that few care enough to do anything. I believe if faced with loss, the real value of it will be recognized and they will do their duty.

"Is it possible that someone knows full well but is refusing to say?"

Those that did the deed know. I am not sure I expect them to just come forward, that would be simpler, it will not happen. I think someone knows but may not realize what they know. Some may suspect but are hesitant, in the event they are wrong or perhaps it is a close relative that is suspected.

That is why we keep asking, eventually someone will remember something that will help. Also, if everyone is angry, those that did this have no audience, they dare not claim credit.

"Prince," one of the females said, "your are truly the most beautiful man in Parga. Most so because your physical beauty is matched by your mind. May I kiss you on behalf of all my sisters and brothers?" Of course I accepted.

I am left to wonder why it is some, perhaps many, have such an elevated views of themselves. I found these prostitutes and the others I have encountered to be bright, hard working and concerned citizens. All that I have encountered are of good character. They are often treated by others as lesser. They are not the only ones who suffer from this social isolation. (TN: today we call it marginalization.) I can understand giving respect to those that have excelled in something. I enjoy much just for being a prince. I trust I earn most of it.

I do not look down on others who are not princes or who are not knights or anything else. Because a man cleans the stables or the streets, does not mean he is lesser a person. In fact, his contribution to the society, in some respects, is more important than that of many who feel superior. Because these men and women rent their bodies for sex, is that any less than one who rents their knowledge, muscles or voices? I think not.

This is not to say that some in our society have privileges other may not. It is to say that those privileges need be earned, nor should they be denied to anyone. Many in our society and others seem to feel that their status must be protected and should not be shared. That they have some right to status, not for what they are, but just because they simply exist.

Marriage is one of those things. Since the religious seem to feel that only marriages between men and women are part of their faith only these should be allowed. That marriages between man and men or women and women, some how makes theirs lesser in value. This is nonsense. Since the state sets the standards and they are the same in all cases, they must by definition, be equal. I guess this partly results from the assumption on the part of the religious that they have not only the truth but that their god is the definer of all things. Therefor their dogma is superior to all else.

Each group claims to have the truth in hand. The truth of what, is another matter. This truth is not arrived at through logic but through faith. Faith is the suspension of logic. It seems to me we all need some faith in our lives to facilitate living. To live a meaningful life, it seems to me that faith is only useful when tempered by logic. Logic tells us when we drop something it falls to the ground, it does not rise up to the clouds. Logic has explanations for this obvious truth but they are not satisfactory to all. Faith that this will happen, is then a useful adjunct to logic. Logic tells us their must be a true cause of this. Faith tells us we need not know or understand this true cause; drop it and you will need pick it up. This is a lesson that every person learns as a very small child, one not yet able to use language. This lesson is learned, we know logic is learned, is then faith also learned? If faith can be learned, can it then be unlearned or must this faith be substituted by another as one logic, when shown false is replaced by another, one thought to be or held by faith as true?

Parga is like every other place and it is also unique. We are about 85 thousand and all of one clan. It is expected that everyone, all citizens, have some loyalty to that clan and therefore the state. Within that clan-state all citizens have families as large groups of related people and within that large group, smaller groups of more closely related. We have other groups to which some belong, religious groups, guilds or professions, are like the families; the group as a whole and specific temples or smaller associations. We have guilds and trades, schools, villages and neighborhoods and so on. Some are parts of military organizations, the navy, marines, army and so on; all with smaller groups, ships, units. We have social groups, friends and associates, sports teams, musical ensembles and so on. Each belongs to several of these all at the same time. Each has demands or expectations on the person. It is how that person relates to his groups and between them that gives meaning to our lives.

I suspect each of us give different attention to those groups at different times. This attention depends of the needs within the group and the needs of the person at any one time. We do this quite naturally and often without thought.

1320, 4th month, 10th day:

The Argonauts continue to ask questions. Poly's inspectors have been placing increased pressure on all the taverns in the area, especially the suspect location. The landlords were less than pleased that each of their patrons were also being interviewed. Several of the younger Argonauts reported that some of the patrons were much bothered by them and refused to even hold discourse.

They told us that one group of young men called the Argonauts girls and told them to run home to their mothers. The landlord ordered them out of his establishment. That was the suspect tavern. This was interesting to Panther and Lyuben who had seen just such a slogan painted on the door to the clock tower. That slogan could not be seen from the street. They immediately came to me. I thought this as interesting as they did.

Iason was livid when he was told and we needed to stop him. The two young Argonauts were brought in. We decided that these young men, four in all, and the landlord needed to learn a lesson, a little civil respect. It would be the princes themselves that delivered that lesson. I for one, would loose no sleep if that tavern was closed.

I looked out the window and saw the Princess Elpis was in port. We sent a page with a hand full of coins and the message: Prince Arden is buying, at this specific tavern, in one hour's time. I figured ten good men would be enough. We organized ourselves, Kastor, Polydeukus, Iason, myself and our guardians along with Panther and Lyuben. Much more force than would be required.

I asked young Argonauts to come along and play our little game. They were most pleased to do so. On the way we happened on one of the men I had sentenced to atonement following the earthquake. He had been the most recalcitrant of the lot. He assured us he knew nothing of the incident, he had been drinking in the tavern we were heading for and went home when the landlord closed. I got an idea. Do you remember who was in that place that night. He did, almost all were regulars and he knew them. I handed him several coins suggesting he needed an ale. Just sit in the corner and if any of us asks a question and are given a false answer, drink. If it is a truthful answer do not drink. He was delighted to help and hurried ahead of us. We walked slowly giving him time to take his position. Kastor asked how I knew he could be trusted. I reminded him, when we called for volunteers to help with the wounded, he was the first one to come forward, saying "anything for Prince Arden".

I asked the Argonauts to precede us and to go about their business. Our guardians would hang close to the doorway but not enter with us. They did not like this in the least but we insisted. Knowing the Princess Elpis crew was already inside, we were not unprotected. The Argonauts entered.

"Are you two returned again, I thought I told you go and not come back," the landlord said.

"We are carrying out our orders landlord and those orders are to interview you and every patron in this miserable place. That is what we will do."

"And who gives orders to boys that supersede my authority here?"

"I do," Iason said, stepping in the door, "and I, and I, and I," we each said entering behind him. "Now you have one of two choices landlord, welcome my Argonauts and cooperate with them or you will find yourself looking for a new livelihood." Iason announced.

I asked which ones of the now six, they were pointed out. We joined them at their table much to their consternation. While the Argonauts interviewed all in the place we suggested to these six that it would be best if they gave a little respect to those who were doing their duty.

"Argonaut, are these the men who would call you girls?" Kastor asked.

"Yes Sir."

"I suppose you think because they are only young you can make fun of them; however, since they are on the King's business that may not be a very good idea," Poly suggested.

One of them said, "we never said such a thing." My friend raised his glass.

I know for a fact you did say just such a thing. I also know the Argonauts would not lie to us. Landlord did or did not these men call the Argonauts girls and tell them to go home to their mother?

"No Prince they did not such thing." The mug raised again.

Landlord you are a bald faced liar. Let us see if you can do any better with the other questions Prince Iason has for you and these reprobates.

Iason rose, "What are your names? He pointed to each. They gave their names.

"Where were you on the night of the 4th month, 7th day." They all said they were at home. Again the mug was raised.

"That to is a lie. Landlord were these men drinking here on that night?"

"No, Prince" Up the mug went.

"That in your second falsehood. I do not take kindly to being lied to," Iason boomed looking at the six.

One of them protested. "I do not lie and take offense at being called a liar by anyone, even the Crown Prince." Up the mug went again.

I grabbed the fellow by the throat and raised up lifting him off his seat. You will tell the truth or I will extinguish your miserable life. I let him go and he dropped to the floor. All eyes were on me. Iason was shocked as were all the others. I know my face was bright red.

Iason spoke again. "This establishment is closed until further notice. Landlord you will appear in court tomorrow morning." He turned to the six. "I will have no more of your lies. You six had best go with our guardians to the jail. At least Prince Arden will not be able to harm you there. Argonauts, find out where these men live and check on the voracity of their statements."

I think several were prepared to fight and several other patrons would probably have helped but they realized these sailors and marines would back us and our guardians were also at hand.

I went to the landlord and told him I wanted a list of every patron that was drinking in this place on that night. He hesitated.

I suggest, do this or two things will happen to you. One, I will turn these marines and sailors loose and they will destroy this tavern just as they destroy pirate ships. Second, you will never run another tavern in Parga. I see several of these other patrons were also here that night perhaps they will assist you in making your list complete. I will be outside.

One of the six was about to run but Silas told him, "you will not get far, none of us can out run Prince Arden and we train with him, don't be so foolish."

He brought me the list. Loyalty, I told him, is most often an admirable thing but protecting criminal or socially unacceptable activity is not. I choose to believe you attempted to protect your regular patrons out of loyalty and not knowing by doing so it also supported criminal activities. Your loyalty to them must stop when it impinges on our collective loyalty to Parga and its' good government, peace and good order.

Our route to the castle went by the plaza. We stopped for a few moments. The six were sullen and apparently uninterested in the situation. I held my silent vigil as did my brothers. In that moment I realized that my thoughts had not been as clear as they should have been. The others were correct, we must restore the plaza and make it even better. The stature is a memorial, that is true, it is also a symbol. A symbol of spirit, pride and accomplishment. It is a monument to an ideal and that ideal can not be snuffed out or hidden away, it must be celebrated.

It is not like me to be vindictive. It is like me to demand atonement. I had best do this by proving my case. I must recuse myself from the bench, I can be the inquisitor. I looked at the six. I will send a copy of the Ode to you. I expect you to memorize its words, in the hope that you will come to understand what they mean.

"I had no part in this," one protested.

Then you will be found not guilty, learning this short ode will not harm you.

"You are just angry that your likeness was desecrated," another said.

I smiled. No, were it that simple I would not bother with a formal trial. I would simply meet those I thought responsible on a field of honor.

"We can arrange that," Lyuben added.

None were interested. I do not blame them.