I can understand now why the watchman Adalbart has been driven to the end of his rope.
I found him in the usual place outside the Prancing Pony and when I arrived he was already under assault by the woman I've come to know as Arelie followed in the company of a hooded woman, I remembered her voice from the other night.
Accusations and poor words already thrown towards the watchman who clearly had no mood to deal with the women again. They seemed to be quick to take their leave as I neared.
With a basket in hand and news for the watchman I offered him to walk to the jailhouse to speak. I had prepared some pies for him and his men to enjoy, hopefully to help their morale in these times. He was thankful for it and we sat down to speak but the man barely got a slice on his plate when the whole thing began.
He was called outside of the backroom to speak with people again, the masked man of course began to stir trouble in his cell knowing the watchman was back and from that point Adalbart had no peace. He was let out peacefully with a fine and that is sword would be held for a week. Like a child this masked man whined going on how he refused to leave without his blade, as if he would never get it back. Thankfully he was quickly tossed out though I shall not be surprised if he goes to harm himself to try and blame it on the Watch. I have never seen a man act so pathetic because he is unable to carry his sword for seven days.
For hours he had to deal with someone, one after the other. The hooded woman from before returned claiming another body had been found. It is interesting to think that all these bodies found are always found by these who have made it their mission to soil the watchman's name and actions. He sent another watchman to check on this but this of course brought him no peace.
People continued to make way in asking about Brynleigh only resulting in further delay to let the woman go home. They act as if they have concern for her, that they are her friends and yet they continued to halt progress to allow the woman to return to her home and husband to be.
Children were even dragged into the jailhouse and no control taken towards them when it was considered better they wait outside.
Yet another woman plagued the jailhouse that day refusing to leave, having some perverted desire to see the body that had been found even when it was not at the jailhouse.
Finally when he had time for rest we moved to the backroom again to speak. The man was able to get down three mouthfuls of the pie that was left before he was called out yet again. At least this time it were some better company.
The captain of the Bloody Dawn had caught the news of this siege the simple minded wished to force upon the Watch and he extended an offer of aid towards the Watch. It was good to see some sense after the long day and I could see some relief on the watchman himself as he accepted the aid.
It wasn't long after that people began to gather only to whine and yell, demanding the woman be set free, acting as if the Watch had planned to keep her there for years. Yet again halting any advancement towards setting the woman free and letting her go home. Even her husband to be stood there demanding her to be let out, only to be another reason the whole thing was delayed.
She was meant to be allowed to go hours prior but people continued to delay it. I am starting to wonder how good these so called friends of her are when they do all they can to prolong such a stay.
The crowd grew and it was not long until I spotted the doctor and his followers, those that pushed Adalbart again and again. These people who gathered even endangered children, bringing them along into this protest. I do not know if it was due to ignorance or plain stupidity that they allowed a child to be there, are they unaware of the danger that these sort of gatherings can bring? What then when they try to provoke violence? These people continue to endanger children yet it is the Watch who they press blame on.
They began to spew their lies towards the Watch and how they do nothing. How can the Watch do anything when these people do all they can to halt any advancement? Withhold information and get in the way of any investigation?
They spoke of the Watch mocking what has happened, another foul lie that spewed from their lips. I know Adalbart and never has he mocked such events, he always takes it seriously and does his questioning but how can a man do anything when nothing is given? How can he know of murders that are never reported?
These people act as if he can read minds and have the strange illusion that a crime can be solved within ten minutes of its discovery. He is given no time to do his work because of them and still they continue to push blame on him, even while standing in front of the Jailhouse gate to yell and once more halt all progress.
The people of Rohan who have taken to turn on the Watch have soiled the name of their kinsmen, they and these people who attacked the Watch have become enemies of the Free People, the foreigners invaders for their actions. They did all in their power to provoke violence. Even when Brynleigh was finally brought out to go home an attack was made towards the Watch and their allies and quickly Brynleigh was brought back inside so that she would not risk harm. The people continued to keep her from going home.
I joined inside to watch over Brynleigh and my heart grew heavy when I saw her so broken and in tears, she just wanted to go home. How can her lover and these so called friends treat her this way?
Thankfully things calmed down enough to bring the woman back out safely and she could finally go home. Despite these people knowing she was to be let out early morning they kept her here for so long, acting as if she had been horribly mistreated. I know she understood Adalbart's reason and accepted it. I can only pray that words of her good nature shall shine true and she shall help to clear the watchman's name from the horrible accusations made towards him about her.
Even after the woman was freed these people continued. Spewing their lies to try and turn more people but thankfully there were others who could see past these lies, people that had some sense to stand with the Watch and not against them.
It was of no surprise to me that tired, hungry and frustrated Adalbart's mood had soured greatly. The other officer soon arrived to try and help calm things down and only now it seemed these people listened.
They would only heed the word of one man and while Corrben is a good man this is cause for suspicion. This is favoritism in its most ugliest form.
Corrben agreed to speak with the doctor and the man of Rohan who follows him. I soon followed after moving to the backroom to take up on polishing the armor and keeping within earshot of their conversation.
As I suspected they were quick to start pouring their venom and lies before acting as if they had always supported the Watch and wished to work with him. When questioned their answers flowed freely and all details were given and yet I know when Adalbart asked the same questions and had the same requests their lips shut and he was spat towards.
It wasn't long until Arelie came to speak and it is rather interesting how she can pick and choose when she understand the language and when not. There is no wonder the watchman hold frustration towards her and the rest of them for that matter.
The matter of the child she care for was brought up and when Corrben asked to speak with the child they were eager to arrange it and yet when Adalbart asked to speak with the same child he was denied it.
They continue to claim he does nothing but how can he when all his actions are halted in such a manner? These people disgust me. I shall pray Brynleigh shall move from their company before she is poisoned by their foul and cruel nature as well.
When they left Corrben came to the back and we spoke. I was happy to learn he is a man with sense and I could put my trust in him. He shall have my alliance, our alliance. I gave him my warnings and he heeded them. I shall not see his name dragged through the mud by these orcs in Men's flesh as they have done Adalbart.
I may offer Adalbart to come with me north just to unwind and become his normal self again. I spoke to Corrben about the matter and he seems to find it a fine idea. Too much stress has been placed on the man's shoulders and he's been driven to the edge. Few could take so many attacks from so many and still manage to stand, to do the work that needs to be done.
I shall continue to do some work around the jailhouse for now. It shall earn me some extra coin for supplies to take back to the keep. We shall need all we can get if we are to try and find Ulfey and Thorontir again.
