<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=86983.msg3843461#msg3843461">Quote from: Balen on November 01, 2010, 05:41:10 pm</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Having spent the night keeping watch of both the perimeter of the town, and the girl, he had allowed himself to sleep only when dawn had begun to rise. John did not like town meetings; he made no secret that he thought most of them reached no real decisions about anything. In truth the negativity stemmed from his dislike of large crowds, he didn’t mind being the center of attention, he just didn’t seek it out. Attention in this world got you killed and quickly so. This place had been spared till now, because it had natural cover and a distance from what was coming, the town didn’t draw attention to itself.<br/><br/>John kissed the silver locket around his neck, but deep down he knew no amount of distance could protect them in the end from the outside world. Entering the meeting he moved directly to Kayla, ignoring anything else but his goal. He didn’t draw attention to himself in his walk, because that was not his intent. Reaching her and passing her the note, he nodded firmly. The rifle was still over his shoulder, knife on his belt, and that same alert look he lived with was in his eyes, more focused than ever now.<br/><br/>Kayla’s words and tone didn’t faze him, when he was sure about something there was no other course of action. He waved off a second questioning soul behind him who had overhead them, as his eyes were now locked on the Mayor. The exchange between those gathered was mute to his concerns, given the dreams Kayla spoke of, only confirmed it to him. The hunter in him sensed, no smelt what was coming. John would do everything he could to save them all, but the girl, so much like his child, was first and foremost on his mind.<br/><br/>He didn’t address the mayor now, the mayor was one man and title meant little to him. Instead he strode up beside the mayor, giving him no time to object, standing shoulder to shoulder with the man as he spoke to the room.<br/><br/>“You all know me, and you know I have never approached you for anything. I do not enjoy drawing attention to myself and so I would not speak unless I was certain. Trouble is coming.” There were several murmurs from those gathered. “I don’t know what kind, but I know these girls need to be kept safe, I also know I can prepare this place for it. I know the land better than anyone and so if you are wise enough to encourage others to join me, more can be done, but if we wait it may become too late.”<br/><br/>His mind thought of traps, positioning more on watch, sending some parties forward of the border, there was a lot that could be done if the danger was external, however he was far from sure the danger lay outside the town. If all he did here was shake them up, and keep their eyes more open than usual, he might save a few lives at the very least, <em>but the girl would not be harmed.</em> He would leave the fine details to the others, he only cared about preparation for the inevitable. How he was so sure even he didn't know, it was something the girl had given him, making his eyes sharper, preparing him mentally for what had to be done.<br/></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div>The mayor withdrew from John, not liking to be told what to do. Shaun attempted to keep the situation from deteriorating, but the mayor soon retreated into his chambers, calling a de facto end to the meeting. Great. This was not going well.<br/><br/>John stepped back from the group, looking for something approaching an ally, someone he could use to further his cause. The teacher woman seemed oddly hostile, though he was quite certain she, too, had felt something last night.<br/><br/>And then ... the voice again ...<br/><br/>"Where am I?" the girl asked. "It's dark."<br/><br/>"You're merely sleeping," he found himself saying, his mental voice offering up a soothing tone he had not used since ... well, since the long-ago death of his own wee one.<br/><br/>"I need to wake up. Wake me up."<br/><br/>"You need your rest to mend properly."<br/><br/>"John Beckett. They're coming. For me."<br/><br/>But before she could clarify, her voice faded yet again.