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[Thrax]

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All things were in order; the plan would now go forward. The hundreds of refugees had been advised and were eagerly anticipating returning to their homes. They thanked the Baron and Baroness profusely, and Seknakht even more so, for their care, hospitality, and security during their stay in Thraxstadt. The only casualties among them had been several victims of the drow raid that freed Vaskiira from Thraxstadt prison, and for those losses, the families had been compensated as much as was possible.

"You have nothing now to fear except that you may forget the past and allow another tyrant to appear and rule over you," the Baron spoke to the assembled group. "Once the Commonwealth is established, I will relinquish my titles entirely and take my rightful place among you, not as ruler, nor even as Benefactor as I am in Papua, but as your fellow citizen, friend, and equal!"

There was a bit of cheering before an elderly man spoke up from the crowd, "What of your grace's title of Baron? Does that go too?" His question revealed a tone of genuine concern that there may be imposed a double standard. It was a natural reaction from people who for years had been victims of politicians who did not practice what they preached.

Without any hesitation, Thrax replied. "I shall lay that down also! Hear me, and listen well! The aristocracy imposed long ago by my sister and her husband, and enlarged recently by one of her officers, shall be no more, at least in Yew, Felucca! I do not care what they do in Trammel! That is not my home! Let them stay and do as they will there, but, by the gods and all that is virtuous, we shall be equals here... and free!!"

Loud cheers filled the air.

"Furthermore, this land shall no longer be called Thraxstadt, in honor of my family name, but shall become a precinct of Yew known as Alderglen! Every vestige of the decadent aristocracy shall be removed!"

As the cheering subsided, a woman, with three children, one in her arms, spoke up. "But what of the foreign armies? What will we do if they come seeking vengeance?"

"Let them come! We have always had to deal with invasions! Whether it be from renegade orcs, or humans with morals of renegade orcs, we have survived them all! Our patience and passive resistance shall be the tools of victory over them! If they come, we shall hide our valuables, feed their soldiers poorly, refuse to pay taxes, strike when ordered to work! We shall make their atrocities so outrageous that the whole world will see them for what they are! And if the whole world stands by and does nothing, we shall not be surprised nor dismayed. For they have never given us anything and we expect nothing from them in return!

We shall make the invader in our midst feel as one living a nightmare... until the very name of Yew makes their stomachs churn and their hearts ache for home. But we shall never again submit to them and surrender our honor and freedom!

So fear not! We cannot be overcome! The day of military forces imposing the will of self-styled, self-serving kings and regents is over! In our patience and longsuffering, we will have won our freedom, peace, and ultimate victory!"

His last few words were drowned out by cheering. He looked upon them and smiled. Hope was restored to his people. For Yew, a new age had dawned. A new age of freedom.

[Thrax]

---

Having been crowned King of Yew, Felucca (albeit briefly held) by Regent Ramses at the last meeting, Thrax put his plans into action. The refugees were escorted safely home, and then went to work immediately telling their kin, friends, and neighbors that a plebiscite was in the making, one that would reinstate the Commonwealth and dissolve the aristocracy.

The questions on the ballot were: Should there be a restoration of the Commonwealth and a dissolution of the aristocracy, allowing a parliamentary democracy to take its place? Would you permit the former Baron, Thraxanduril, to assume the mantle of Prime Minister in order to assure the basics of an Articles of Commonwealth be implemented?

By an overwhelming majority... four to one... the measures passed. The next day he had his aides hand out copies of the Articles of Commonwealth that he had, with help from other sources, devised.

Thrax then stood before a large and friendly crowd in the square in Yew and addressed the cheering citizens, with Lady Ishtar at his side...

He raised his hand to quieten them. "You have done this yourself! You have sent a message to all those who would rule by force and on the forgotten deeds of the past that you will be free!!!

Soon you will vote again, but not for your freedom, but for your right to be heard in the government! This parliament shall be comprised of members from among you, the citizens, by vote, and they shall serve for five years if elected. The Prime Minister shall be elected also. A system of checks and balances will ensure that no one man or party will ever dominate the government again! I, myself, have not only renounced my claim to be King of Yew, which was, by reason of legitimate succession, mine, but as Baron also!

I call upon those who claim virtue as their guide, honor as their manner of life, and love as their consuming goal, to follow my lead!! And if they will not... you will see them for what they are, and for what I have known them to be... tyrants, dictators, consumed with power and blood lust!

I know not everyone desires this. I am certain there are some who will balk and realize that their dreams of wealth will dry up, as they are fed from the tables of the aristocracy. To them I say... the same road that led you into Yew, can take you out... so GO!!! Take your pilfered gold and wealth with you and begone from us! You are traitors anyway!"

Cheers erupted.

"You know where I live. My door is open to you and shall always be. I congratulate you for your courage and vision! I look forward to serving Yew alongside you all."

A voice was heard above the din. "You are a wanted man! Beware sire!"

Thrax shook his head. "Call me sire no longer, but as for the other... well, it is good to be wanted is it not? I rather pity more those who are not!"

With that, Thrax and his lady departed returning safely home to Alderglen.