[center][b][h1]Bork[/h1][/b][/center]

Bork listened to the Captain pointing out the complications of his idea about seizing the gems.  His throat emitted a slightly annoyed growl.  People were so much messier than machines.  After a moment he waved dismissively.  [b]”Forget that idea, then.  More trouble than it’s worth.”[/b]

As for the rest, law and order and such, the engineer had more to think about.  He wasn’t going to have any trouble filling that book with drawings, provided he had time to make them.  [b]”I’ve already got schemes for an oil press,”[/b] he told the captain.  [b]”That means more lamp oil, and more light after dark.  A proper jail might be premature.  We don’t have the money nor the scale nor proper courts yet.  But building a couple suitable sturdy rooms, with chains stapled to a wall for holding, might be workable for now.  Some stocks might not be amiss, though, and some strongboxes for seized goods and collected fines.”[/b]

The dwarf’s thoughts ran to a whipping-post and a chopping-block as well.  But one needed a proper knouter or headsman for those.  Nothing uglier than a beheading botched by an amateur.   Any guard could lock somebody into stocks.

He nodded.  [b]”One thing this town will need is a proper locksmith.  You and I, Captain, maybe one of the things we should do is survey the town’s physical security.  Which houses have locks.  Internal locks on secure rooms.  Who has strongboxes, that sort of thing.  What’s the lighting like at night.  Which neighbors look out for each other.  Which neighbors have it in for each other.  Could a neighborhood watch be organized.  I wasn’t looking for any of those things specifically when I went through yesterday, and you probably have a better eye for that than I do.”[/b]  

More things to do.  More things to see.  Bork smiled.  He liked having things to do.  He glanced meaningfully around the inn.  He understood why he was there, but that did not make the frustration of inactivity any less galling.  [b]”If I’m going to be doing that with you, would I be safe enough in the open in your company, you think?  Something I could do while we’re waiting for this…protective custody to be over?”[/b]