Book 3: Chapter 61: Deja Vu
“By a vote held by the council of Greybeards, Riverside Brewery and Thirsty Goat Brewery were found not criminally responsible for the riot that occurred within Redwall Grand Market on the 1st day of the 5th month following the joint sales of Burning Brew and Dragonator. In accordance with the Ordinances of Kinshasa, Volume 1, Section 5, Subsection 10, the aforementioned breweries will be fined for damages incurred by the city and local businesses. The amount shall be determined at a later date, but shall not not exceed 60,000 Gold at a ratio of 2/1 for Riverside Brewery. If unable to meet their obligations, the owners shall be subject to no less than 100 years in a Kinshasa penal reform mine or until they are able to provide the required gold.
Health and Safety Auditors have determined that the aforementioned brews do not classify as a risk to the populace under normal circumstances, and the Thirsty Goat Brewery and Riverside Brewery may continue to sell them so long as a warning is properly affixed to Burning Brew’s label.
Gods bless the King and Kinshasa.”
Annie read the fancy letter, written on vellum and sealed with red wax, with a trembling voice. When she was done, she collapsed into a chair, breathing heavily. We all knew it was coming, and the mood around the Thirsty Goat had been black for the past couple days as we awaited the Greybeard’s judgment.
The Redlip Riot as it was being called, had resulted in mostly material devastation. The Guard had quickly quelled the worst of the fighting, and Annie and Schist had managed to rally the sober to hold the line against the agonized drunken horde. I’d made it through quite handily, so for now I just added the day to the list for CPTSD therapy with Aqua.
The amount roughly matched what we’d been told to expect by our [Lawyer]. The fine would go towards repairing the city streets and shop fronts as well as the Healer’s fees. Apparently the transient traders and bazaar merchants would be getting a significantly reduced amount, and wasn’t Whistlemop unhappy about that.
Not that I’d seen him much lately. He was angry at being ‘abandoned’ and I was angry about the lack of hired guards. We’d talk again, eventually. Like adults.
Eventually.
Aqua wrapped an arm around Annie’s shoulders. “It’s okay Annie. We have more than enough to cover that amount, it’s not like it was back then. You’re not going to a penal mine, and nobody died.”