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The Last Sunset The man looked up, as best he could, to see the setting sun. Locked in the stocks, it was tough to see much of anything. As the sun set, he had nothing but time to think about the actions that brought him here. Still, he was calm - much calmer than you'd expect for a man about to meet his demise. He was resolute in his actions. Edes was a simple man. He started a printing business in the city. He was content in his work, which was mostly to create signs or banners for other tradesmen and shops in the city. After many years, he had established a reputation for quality and fairness. "Moldon Edes, you have been sentenced to death, for sedition and crimes against the crown" As he heard this, his face remained unchanged. His heart was still. What events transpired that lead a simple man, content in his life, to being locked up and awaiting execution? It was the appointment of a new ambassador, and with it, a new tax. Edes stood back and watched as many shops and stores had to shutter under the new economic rule. For the first time in years, he was greatly discontent with what was going on around him. And so, "The Trying Times" newsletter was created. Edes published a new edition of the newsletter weekly, or sometimes with even more frequency as he learned of new information that he could distribute to scandalize the new Ambassador and paint them poorly. The letter caught on quickly and spread like fire. He heard the mutterings of discontent amongst the townsfolk wherever he went. Although he had created and distributed the newsletter anonymously, Edes arrived to his shop one to find a stack of letters in support of the newsletter, including some well written articles that shared his views, so naturally, they made it into a quick edition. As you might suspect, the conversations that "The Trying Times" had sparked leapt from words on a page to organized action, and several groups formed in defiance of the new Ambassador and their new laws. Meanwhile, the Monarchy had discovered who been behind the newsletter, and quickly captured Edes and locked him in the stocks, to be made as an example to anyone plotting against the ruling government. Edes was to be executed the following day, at sundown. Although he had not personally organized a militia or taken up arms, his concern for the other hard working townsfolk had sparked a revolution. The next evening, as he stood locked into the stocks, a young boy slipped through the crowd and beyond the watchman's eye to whisper into his ear, "I was sent to share with you a message: We can't free you. It is too dangerous. But know that the steps you have taken will free us all." And so Edes looked up, as best he could, to see the setting sun. MARN | |