Early the next morning, the great square outside Minas Tirith's City Hall was already buzzing with voices.
Every registered citizen, artisan, civil official, and soldier representative had been notified to attend a meeting in the square.
Garrison soldiers stood along the edges of the square, but they carried no weapons and looked relaxed and friendly.
Artisans and civil officials gathered in small groups, quietly discussing the noises from the harbor the night before.
A dozen or so knights stood to the right of the crowd.
Confusion was written on every face. They could not understand why their lord was in the mood to hold a meeting at such a critical moment. Shouldn't he be figuring out how to drive off those stinking sea rats?
In the preparation area behind the platform, Tristan paced back and forth, gripping the reform proposal with slightly trembling fingertips.
"Lord Veylin, aren't we rushing this?" Tristan stopped and turned to Veylin. "I thought we would proceed gradually, starting with a small-scale trial."
Veylin adjusted his cuffs. "Time waits for no one, Tristan. We must complete this reform before Sea Wolf returns."
"But these policies..."
"There will be resistance, questions, and even opposition," Veylin interrupted. "But that is precisely why we must announce them in front of everyone. Let everyone hear them. Let everyone know the rules."
Barrett walked over and gave Tristan a heavy pat on the shoulder.
"Don't be nervous, lad. You've spent so long preparing. What's there to be afraid of?"
Valerius stroked his beard, encouragement in his eyes.
"Tristan, I've read your proposal. It's far better than the first paper I presented at an alchemists' conference."
Ola rested a battleaxe on one shoulder and laughed heartily.
"I swear by my father's battleaxe! So what if you say something wrong? You can always