Editing Last Breath of Winter:Characters:Mask:History (section)

==Life 2- Judge Paktrichter==

I took up the mantle of Judge of Contracts on the second Saturnday of Ascending Wood after my 16th birthday. Given the general perception of the position, it was understandably a fairly private swearing ceremony. Beyond my father and Nestor, the only other people there of their own choice were a number of the top city merchants, no doubt present to jockey position and to see if I might be made of softer resolve than my father. Still, it was an honor to take up the duty of my line.

The work was never-ending, and time flew by because of it. Every day was another con, another dispute, another conspiracy, not to mention the yearly duty. I'm sure some ploys slipped past me, but it was not from a lack of dedication nor, to risk vanity, from a lack of skill. However, unlike my father, I had learned new ways to handle the constant defilers. Where my father had stood stoic and unapproachable, I used a more... approachable demeanor. Given my youth, I was already underestimated by most of these men, the bulk many years my senior. By reducing the prominence of myself in their mind, I was able to dig much further than otherwise would have been possible. In fact, I attribute my methodology for allowing the city to finally route the underground drug trade cartel run by the Guildsman Cord Tearing Bat. In a different life, I'm sure that the two of us would have had many more meetings, but that was not to be the case.

To have been five years, it all seems so brief and distant now. I can only imagine it was the steady flow of work that made the time seem brief. Still, despite the work, there was always solace and seeing my City running smoothly. In many ways, it was much like gardening: you trimmed away the sick and the parasitic to better nurture the growth of the pure and strong. Though sometimes it would hurt a part of the City, it was always for the greater good.

Though, looking back, I do remember a desire for something more. Whether that was a sense of Destiny or just a natural desire of all people is a question better left to the philosophers. But, there were so many nights I dreamed of years prior, when I was able to explore the world. I loved my city, and upheld my duty, but I always felt like a visitor. 

===A Day at Work===

"I'm terribly sorry, sir." Ionus offered a sympathetic smile. "But the matter is simply out of my hands. However, you could still manage to regain your caravan..."

Bat whipped around, grabbing Ionus by the shoulders,"What? How? Tell me!" He paused and regained himself. "This solution involves a tidy sum of money, I imagine, hmm?" 

A grin crept across Ionus' face. "Yes, it most definitely does."

Bat gave a coy grin and stepped reached for his ledger. "Very well, my sagacious young judge, how much are we talking? A thousand? Five thousand? Five thousand could remove quite a few troubles, I wager..."

Ionus looked up from straightening his robes with a look of apologetic confusion,"I'm sure it could, sir, but I am unsure what the cost will be. You see, I've never been good at estimating auctions."

Bats face swelled with red fury,"What do you mean 'auctions?'"

"Well, illegal goods of course must be destroyed or contained, but the other items, such as transportation equipment, are typically sold at auction. The price rate varies sale to sale, but Sapphire Shrike- He is a competitor of yours, yes?- seemed particularly interested in the sale, so it really is anyone's guess. However," Ionus casually glanced out the window, "I hope you will forgive me, but I really must see to some additional affairs. I hope you have a lovely day, Master Cord Tearing Bat." 

The young judge turned a deaf ear to the sounds of rage behind him as he left. As he stepped out onto the street, a young boy tripped across his feet, landing a sprawl before him, his bundle of goods going everywhere. "Geez, you oaf, why don't you learn how to walk! Do you know how much that... " The boy's face lost all color as he turned around. "J-J-Judge Paktricht-t-ter, I-I'm sorry! I didn't know! Honest!" He scrambled to his feet.

"Nothing to worry about, young man. My fault entirely." Ionus surveyed the now trampled goods. He gathered a few coins from his purse. "Here, this should cover it, I would think."

The boy began backing away,"No, i-it's fine! I'll find more! Really!"

"Nonsense, here..." The motion of Ionus toward the boy was all it took to send him scampering down a side alley. Ionus gave a heavy sigh. ''You can't do it for the glory. That's for sure.''
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