View source for Stella Heartwood/A Battle in Demeralia

{{News Header|Type=Character News|RealDate=2026-08-16|Author=Stella Heartwood}}After returning from Dredgewater, Stella rented a tent just outside the main street of Demeralia, allowing her to easily meet with the Sheriff and Mayor.

The following morning, she awoke to the sound of yelling in town. Stepping into the alley between the Sheriff's house and the bank, she saw a group of eight individuals occupying the street. Most were young, while their leader, an older man with a scruffy beard, carried two drawn swords.

The man raised one of his swords.

"Come out Johnston! We know you're here! Don't be a coward!"

Stella looked towards the jailhouse, where Sheriff Galloway lay injured alongside armed citizens who had been helping him. They remained hunched down to avoid incoming projectiles.

The gang's leader continued to demand that Mayor Johnston surrender.

Stella noticed citizens preparing bows, spears and swords.

She decided to strike first.

Taking a hidden dagger from her clothing, Stella moved into position and threw it at the gang's leader. The dagger struck him in the thigh, causing him to stagger in pain. The people hiding nearby took the opportunity to attack, throwing whatever weapons they could at the gang.

The gang retreated into the alley between the General Store and Broken Bones Saloon. Two men were killed, while the remaining six fled into the alley.

After some time, the leader shouted:

"Don't hurt us!"

He emerged from the alley, revealing that he had Mayor Johnston hostage with a sword held against his neck.

"Anyone moves, and the mayor dies."

Galloway, still injured, shouted back:

"Let the mayor go, or you die."

The rest of the gang emerged onto the street, creating a tense standoff.

For several minutes, nobody moved.

Then someone did.

Suddenly, fighting erupted.

Spears and arrows flew through the streets. Several members of the gang were struck down, while their leader was shot in the stomach.

Soon, the fighting ended.

All members of the gang were either dead or injured.

Stella turned and saw Mayor Johnston lying on the ground.

His neck had been severed.

He was dead.

Four members of the gang had also been killed. The remaining survivors were a young girl, two young boys, and the wounded leader.

Stella approached the leader as he lay bleeding.

"Who are you working for?" she demanded.

The man responded weakly.

"Fuck you."

Stella took the arrow lodged in his stomach and slowly twisted it.

The man cried out in pain before finally giving in.

"Fine!"

He revealed that Glover had sent them and handed Stella a parchment containing the details of the contract.

Sheriff Galloway, assisted by his deputy and a citizen, approached.

Stella pointed towards the wounded leader.

"Hang him. Let the rest spend some time in your jailhouse. In the meantime, we have some things to discuss."

Galloway nodded.

Riverston had directly attacked Demeralia.

It seemed that war was inevitable.

But Stella still had one last thing she could try.

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[[Category:Character News]]
[[Category:Stella Heartwood]]
[[Category:Era Nova, Year 2]]