The Watch Commander's Favorite Headlines

[Nuo]

NEW COMMANDER CAUSES CHAOS OUTSIDE CONSTABULARY HEADQUARTERS
1659

Journalists and reporters gathered outside the Royal Osronan Constabulary Headquarters this morning to witness a long-awaited announcement from City Watch officials. Two months ago, Watch Commander Oersted announced his retirement after nearly fifty years in the Watch, and speculation as to who would succeed him ran rampant; in public opinion, the clear front runner was Captain Northcott, a hero in the war against the Rhoynish.

Today, flanked by his captains, the much-beloved Commander once again confirmed his retirement in a short speech to the gathered crowd. He concluded by naming his successor: the dark horse candidate Captain Dunstan.

Drake Dunstan, while quite popular in polls among Essharan women of all ages and classes, was previously dismissed in any serious speculation. A foreigner and former sailor, Captain Dunstan is a relatively recent citizen of Esshar, and voluntarily presiding over Osrona's lower-class districts has made him something of a pariah among the upper-class.

Responding to the confusion in the crowd, Commander Oersted only had this to say: "Captain Northcott is a greater man than most, to be sure - but I believe Captain Dunstan is more appropriate for the era." Taking the podium next, the equally confused Captain Dunstan - or Captain Drake, as he insisted upon repeatedly - spoke next: "The modern Watch is made up of the same poor and downtrodden that I've cared for during my entire career," he told reporters, speaking in a slight accent that betrayed his nature as an outsider, "And while Captain Northcott is a better man than I could ever hope to be, I'll do what I can all the same. I know I've only lived here for a few years, but Osrona is the first real home I've ever had. I just want to do what's right by it."

A reporter from the Arendale district of the city raised his hand first, asking "Captain Drake" to repeat himself, citing that his dialect was "offensively incomprehensible." Instantaneously, the Captain shouted several things that cannot be legally reproduced in this paper and rolled up his sleeves before being gently subdued by some of the constables under his command.

Watch Captain Dunstan, due to be promoted at the beginning of the new year, is expected to be disciplined for this outburst. Captain Northcott refused to comment.

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Newly appointed Watch Commander Dunstan clipped a few copies of this article and others like it out of several different newspapers, proudly pasting them around various empty walls in the Constabulary Headquarters. Most constables can't read a word of it, of course, so it is a largely pointless gesture. He's still proud.