The Downpour

Rains of Revolution

Anna sat at the Glennvale Café, the first café to open in downtown Glennvale. She was sipping her coffee, a small plate scattered with the crumbs from her lunch pastry in front of her on the table. She was watching the small downtown district of Glennvale. The district had sprung up over the last several years, fueled by the money pouring into the town via the state of the art magitech factory. It consisted of three separate cafes — two ones copying the Glennvale Café in its success — a couple of classy restaurants, a few boutiques, several specialty shops, and a small theater.

The downtown district was currently sparsely populated, due to the steady downpour. The rain had been falling for five days now, without break, and it was a miracle that the streets were not completely flooded at this point, in Anna's opinion. Sure, it was technically because of the feats of engineering known as storm sewers, but Anna considered engineers to be miracle workers.

Anna sighed heavily. It was late spring now, and she was long past ready for the sunny weather to move in. “Seriously,” Anna complained under her breath. “There is no way this rain is natural.”

“I agree dearie,” a thin voice chimed in from behind her. Anna whirled to see Madame Eva had crept up behind her. Madame Eva had lived in Glennvale since long before the magitech factory had been built, and she was known to spend plenty of time griping against the factory. Apparently the new parts of town, particularly the offending factory, were an eyesore.

“What...?” Anna asked, surprised to find the older lady behind her.

“You are right. This rain is not natural. And, it needs to be stopped before it destroys this whole town. You ask me, only one place is capable of making something like this happen.” Madame Eva looked around conspiratorially. Anna considered this quite unnecessary, as the only other person in the café right now was the barista, and he was busy in the kitchen. “I think it is that blasted factory!” Eva exclaimed in a whisper.

Anna caught her hand before it could begin rubbing her forehead. “You always assign everything bad that happens to the factory,” Anna replied. “At some point people just aren't going to believe you anymore.”

Eva glared at her, one eyebrow raised. “Who else in this town could attempt something like this?”

“It could just be a storm,” Anna said, looking back outside.

“You would defend that infernal place,” Eva said. “Your fiancé is part of the management team.”

“Look, Eva, I can understand your complaint. It can't be easy seeing your town change around you. But sometimes rain, is just rain.”

“Pah!” Madame Eva spat. “I'm telling you girl. Those people are up to no good. I just hope you see it before it is too late.” The woman spun on her heel, shockingly gracefully for her age, and left the café. Anna watched as she stomped her way down the street, a view more amusing than intimidating given her age and stature.

After watching the older lady walk away, Anna turned back to the newssheet she had been reading. There was a report, hidden in the back half of the papers, that had Anna somewhat concerned. Apparently, malcontents calling themselves revolutionaries had been spotted causing problems near the southern border. They were easily recognizable by their strange pearly colored masks.

Anna didn't need a lesson in global politics to understand what that meant. Rennor, the nation to the south and a frequent rival of her home nation Organd was stirring up trouble. A bit of discontent with the current monarch -- not entirely unfounded due to his underwhelming handling of the technological revolution -- was being stirred into a storm. Add in criminal elements and funding that Rennor was surely supplying, and the situation was ripe for an attempted revolution.

Anna shook her head and walked over to the front counter. There was nothing she could do about any of that; it was far to the south and would be dealt with by the military. No, Anna needed to keep her focus more local, helping her fiancé fight rumors of factory involvement with the rain. She placed a couple of coins on the counter and called to the barrista, “Keep the change!”

“Thanks ma'am”

Anna unfurled her umbrella and made her way out into the storm. As she walked down the street, she figured the town's one saving grace was that, while the rain had been steady, it had never been particularly harsh. She walked down lonely streets, passing only a few people brave enough -- or perhaps desperate enough -- to make their way out into the storm. By this point, people were likely beginning to run out of supplies and were needing to go to the markets to get more.

Anna wandered slowly, aimlessly on her way home. She was not actually to bothered by the rain. While she was ready for the sun to return, she also enjoyed the sound of it pattering on her umbrella, the damp smell it always brought. She also found the empty streets to be somewhat surreal, and appreciated the juxtaposition with the norm being crowds of people, particularly downtown.

As she considered this, however, Anna felt a pang of empathy for the business owners. They were not bringing in their normal revenue right now. Perhaps it would be best if the rain let up soon, even if she would rather it stay a while.

Finally, her feet took her to the door of the townhouse where her fiancé lived. She would meet with him after he got of work, and eat dinner with him before heading home to her apartment. She knocked, and the housekeeper, Martin, answered the door.

“Ahh, my lady Anna, Master Richard has not yet returned.” He gestured her inside, taking her umbrella and coat. “Shall I show you to the sitting room?”

“Please. Can you have the novel I was reading brought as well?”

Martin gave her a bright smile. ”Of course, of course. Anything to drink, or eat?”

“Not yet. I had a pastry at the Glennvale Café. I will wait for dinner with Richard.”

“Very good. This way.”

Anna spent the rest of the afternoon reading her novel, a story about knights and princesses and dragons. While the story was not exactly the most original, it still managed to pull at her heart. She was lost in the ending when a hand touched her shoulder.

Anna jumped, and turned to see Richard behind her. She gave him a smile as she stood to greet him.

“How are you?” he asked. ”I see you are lost in a novel again.” Anna felt her heart skip a beat when he brushed his blonde hair back from his face.

“I... I am doing great,” she said. “Uh, Richard, I heard a rumor today.”

Richard grimaced. “Let me guess, something about the factory causing all this rain.”

“How...?”

“The rumors are all over town. It is preposterous of course. What could possibly possess us to summon rain for a week straight?”

“Yes,“ Anna said. “It is crazy. But it comes from people who are grieving.”

Richard grimaced. ”Perhaps that is so. But it does not excuse slanderous rumormongering. I wish the rain would just stop already.”

“The factory won't become any more or less popular because of this,” Anna soothed. ”People have all already decided how they feel about it. Most are delighted, embracing the advancement of our community.”

“Yes, but many still hate us merely for existing. You would think we brought nothing but evil upon their heads.”

“They don't like the change. They liked the peace provided by a small community.”

“Hmph, you sound as though you agree with them,” Richard said, looking annoyed.

“Peace,” Anna soothed again. ”You know that is not true. I love the new Glennvale. It brought us together, after all.“ She laid a hand on his arm. “But I can understand what those who are not so pleased have lost.”

Richard took a deep breath. “Apologies. I... have not had an easy day. You know the storm is localized? As close by as the capitol they have not had rain in the past week. Questions are being asked.”

Anna's eyebrows shot up. “Seriously? So this rain is truly unnatural?”

“Worse, it's on us to solve it. And, if that weren't enough, rumor is that some 'concerned' citizens are going to attempt to break in tonight.”

Anna pondered this for a moment. “Well, whatever is going to happen, we need to have dinner. You would hate to have to fight on an empty stomach.”

“True enough. Martin indicated that dinner would be ready when we are. Shall we?”

Anna placed her hand on his arm as they proceeded to Richard's small but elegant dinning room. There they ate their dinner, discussing other subjects for a time. Finally, as the finished eating, they turned back to the subject of the weather.

“So, what are you plans for tonight?” Anna asked.

“We are going to have people there, on guard. I am leading one of the teams,” Richard was fiddling with his silverware, and Martin gently took them from him when he came to take the dishes.

“I want to go with you,” Anna said, standing.

“Really?” Richard asked. ”No way. It could get dangerous.”

“Maybe, but I want to be there anyway. I want to see it all go down.”

Richard raised an eyebrow. “I am hoping that nothing goes down.”

“You know what I mean.” Anna looked fiercely at Richard.

“I swear. You always get what you want, don't you?”

“Well, I certainly try,” Anna said, smiling satisfactorily.

“Fine, fine, but you will be staying right by my side, where I can keep an eye on you. Right, well, if we are going, lets get a move on. We want to be in place before sundown.”

Richard grabbed an umbrella off the stand near the entrance on their way out. He held if over himself and Anna, pulling her tight as they made their way to the factory.

When they arrived, there were many men arranging themselves into teams. Richard pulled Anna along behind him and the crowd parted before him, allowing him to make his way to the group of managers who were giving out instruction.

One of the men spotted Anna and gave Richard an annoyed look. ”Really? Couldn't leave your girl alone for one night? Gotta rub it in on the rest of us?”

“It isn't like that,” Richard protested. “She insisted. Anyway, I'll keep her out of the way. Just give me my assignment so we can get this night over with.”

“Right, you are taking team 'D'. Check the map for your area.” The man gestured to a poster that had been pinned to a bulletin just inside the front door.

Anna followed Richard to look at the map. They had been assigned one of the back corners. Richard gathered his team, and they made their way to their station. Their mission was to catch whoever was making the break-in attempt, so when they arrived, Richard directed each of his men into hiding places, then pulled Anna into one alongside him. They would watch from here, waiting all night if necessary.

Anna had resolved to stay awake as long as needed as well, but soon found here eyes drooping. She must have fallen asleep, for the next thing she knew, Richard had shaken her awake. He pointed and Anna saw several masked figures creeping into the building. As they approached, it became clear that their masks were pearly in color.

Anna nudged Richard back. He nodded, looking intensely at the intruders, but continued to hold position, waiting for the right moment. As the men passed by Richard and Anna, Richard gave a sharp whistle, and a dozen factory men leapt out of hiding. They were well equipped with the newest weaponry made in the factory, and had the intruders outnumbered. The intruders made to fight upon discovery, but reevaluated at seeing the greater numbers and technology arrayed against them.

Soon, Richard and his men had the intruders chained up, and word had been brought that there were three intruding teams altogether. Both of the other teams had chosen to fight, leaving a few factory men injured, but all the intruders dead.

Anna nudged Richard, ”Lucky us, huh? I, for one, am glad we didn't need to be in a fight.”

“You didn't have to be present at all,” Richard remarked dryly.

One of the men on his team approached, holding a dark blue orb in his hand. “Some sort of magic item, sir,” the man remarked. ”They didn't have anything else of note though.”

“Strange. I wonder what this is, precisely.” Richard examined the item closely, pulling a pair of spectacles to his eyes. Anna had seen him use them before to aid in reading magical signatures. Richard's eyes widened. “This thing summons rain!” he exclaimed.

“What? Why were they bringing it here?” Anna asked. “Did they not think they would be caught?”

“Probably not,” Richard said. “They likely wanted to pin the rain on the factory. They are also probably the source of the rumors spreading through town.”

“Hmm, it makes sense,” Anna said. “Rennor probably is supplying them. They want to cripple our ability to produce magitech weapons. I bet they hope to catch us at a significant disadvantage in the next war.”

Richard nodded. ”An astute observation. You have keen insight, you know.” Richard smiled at her. “It seems I have chosen well.”

“I don't know,” Anna responded. “I think I got a pretty good deal myself.”

Their flirting was interrupted by the factory chief walking up to them. ”Have you seen...” he began. Richard held up the orb.

“Yes. And as my fiancée noted, we suspect Rennor is probably behind this whole scheme. We need to ramp up production if Organd is to be ready for war.”

“True enough. A report needs sent to the capitol as well, though I can tap someone else for that job. You two get home and get some rest. I expect you ready to work come morning, Richard.”

Richard gave a sharp nod, and guided Anna off, out of the factory. As they left, they found that the rain had already ceased, and the clouds were beginning to break up. ”I'll walk you home,” Richard said, putting his arm over Anna's shoulder.

“Thanks!” Anna said brightly, pressing in closer to his side.

The next day, Anna had taken up her usual spot at the Glennvale Cafe, and was reading the newssheet of the day. The front page headline read 'Factory Framed! Revolutionaries Responsible for Rain'. Anna heard a harrumph, and looked up to see Madame Eva.

“How can I help you?” Anna asked kindly.

“I don't believe it,” Madame Eva said. “That factory is up to no good.”

“Maybe, maybe not,” Anna smiled. “One thing is for sure though, they did not cause that rain.”

Madame Eva harrumphed again before leaving, clutching at her pastry. Anna considered, thinking they were in for a tough few years, what with war on the horizon. That said, as she looked out onto the sunny street, covered with townspeople, tired of being cooped in their houses, she figured that every rainy season had its ending, one way or another. They would be fine. The sun would come out again.