Small importances are often overshadowed by larger events in the Corners of Khorvaire.
Ardev, Breland may seem like a small town to most. But sitting in the metaphorical shadow of His Majesty's private estate of Castle Arakhain, the markets of Ardev are filled with goods coming from Wroat and Galethspyre as well as Byeshk ore coming from the mountains on the border with Droaam. The streets are also patrolled by the loyal members of the King's Citadel. The King's Swords and Shields can be seen in abundance, as well as the King's Wands seeing to magical defenses, with unseen Dark Lanterns and Shadows no doubt operating in secret. All of them working together to see to the safety of the Nation, its people, its king and his family.
Imagine my surprise, dear readers, when I found out that the town of Ardev does indeed have its own dedicated City Watch! Although the members of the Watch admit that their positions are mostly ceremonial at this point, the faithful soldiers (mostly older veterans of the Last War who haven't quite reached retirement) still perform their duties with commitment.
I was invited to join Sergeant Frit and his partner, Corporal Ebbi, on their "beat" (what the Watch calls their daily patrol). Over the course of the day, the Sergeant and his partner walked amiably through the streets of the town. They greeted shopkeepers and merchants of the stalls with smiles and polite nods. The two would "check in" with the various townsfolk and knew each of them by name.
"Most of the actual crime, per se, gets taken care of by the Citadel soldiers." Sergeant Frit told me. "Ebbi and I mostly break up arguments before they become fights or usher a child who has wandered away back to their parents."
"Directions is big, too." Ebbi continued, "We're always happy to direct tourists and visitors to some of our favorite merchants around town. An' if those merchants happen to let a sandwich or two fall into our hands 'cause of that, well who's to say boo 'bout it?"
The sergeant leaped to his partner's defense saying, "What he means is that we're here to look after the community that we live in, right? The Citadel looks after the King and the Nation, but the smaller folks...excuse me, Mr. Genbo...the less prominent citizens still need someone to keep an eye out for them. We watch out for them and they watch out for us."
When we returned to the Watch House at the end of the day, Frit and Ebbi were met by their relief shift. Two younger members of the Watch who the two old hands ribbed gently about pulling the night shift on the rota yet again. When they complained that this was because Sergeant Frit himself was in charge of setting the rota, Frot chuckled and simply said "Rank hath its privileges." Once the youths had left, Frit debooted and massaged his feet while warming himself by the stove where Ebbi made them both mugs of tea. I decided to leave them as they began to discuss their plans for the evening.
On behalf of all the "little folk", I say a heartfelt "Thank you!" to all of those who watch over us with care in the Corners of Khorvaire.
Genbo Santor d'Sivis.
