"Hear, ye! Hear, ye! I, Binde Hoovins, can absolutely promise that as future mayor..."
The rest of the speech drowned out in Avaron's brain; she was too focused on her potential success. The goodness. The glory.
She could see herself up there with Binde Hoovins himself, proudly smiling and waving at the villagers, wearing a sash emblazoned with her name accompanying political slogans in bright red. How glorious, she snickered, to be in such a position of power.
"Mr. Hoovins, I'm afraid I disagree with that," an opposing voice said. "As mayor, I shall ensure that the merchants will be made to pay the ten percent tax on all incoming goods."
On an adjacent podium, a slightly younger man stood so confidently, the determination shone in his green eyes. Most of the villagers were more focused on him, mostly ignoring Hoovins.
Hoovins scowled at him in disagreement. "Thomas Banchard, my good man, you are mistaken. If you tax the merchants, you could put the town's profits at high risk!"
"And how would I?" Banchard asked. "If we were to implement this task, then we could solve the deficit in the town's budgets."
"But then, my good man, think about the loopholes that those greedy merchants could exploit!" Hoovins begged with fake urgency of consideration.
"Well, Mr. Hoovins," Banchard countered. "Let me present to you my plans for closing said loopholes."
Avaron sighed. She really didn't want to see such bickering. But she needed to make sure that the plan was all going fine and familiarize herself with her opponent.
Thomas Banchard sure was one determined guy. He was clearly winning over many of the villagers. He had some amazing policies in store. Ruining him was going to be difficult for sure.
However, Hoovins and Avaron had planned a big surprise for him, unbenownst to Banchard. Any moment now...
BOOM!
A loud explosion came from behind Hoovins, causing him to jump. The podium collasped under his feet.
The villagers stood up in fear. Some screamed and ran away. Others backed away from the main area.
"Help! Help me!" Hoovins cried. "I was almost killed! What happened!?"
Some people rushed to the aid of Hoovins.
"You!" he realized, pointing his cane accusingly at Banchard. "You tried to kill me, didn't you?!"
"No." Banchard shook his head. "If anyone hates you, it would probably be one of the villagers you wronged in the past."
"Lies!" Hoovins shouted. "You are the only person who could hate me so much!" He took a quick glance at Avaron.
Avaron stood up, winked at him and walked away.
******************************************************************************************************
Later that evening, Avaron had finished her shift at the tavern and met with Hoovins behind the bar.
He limped on his cane, his foot wrapped in a cast. He winced every time he had to move his foot. Perhaps that explosion was a bit too much?
"You doing alright, Hoovins?" Avaron asked.
"I'm fine, thank you," Hoovins remarked. "Injury aside, good work."
"Thanks." Avaron pressed her hands together and smiled wickedly. "Now then, what's our next step?"