As the slavers and pirates continued to ravage the coasts of the fallen city of Qarth, the Free Cities could no longer stand idle. The chaos that followed Qarth's collapse had become a grave concern for the rulers of Braavos, Lys, Myr, Tyrosh, and Volantis. Qarth, the gateway to the eastern trade routes, was too valuable a prize to leave to marauders. Even more importantly, the rise of Eden, a new trade hub of miraculous goods and unheard-of cures, had captured the attention of the entire known world. The opportunity to claim what remained of Qarth and establish dominance over its trade routes was too tempting to resist.
Armies from the Free Cities clashed with one another along Qarth's shores, each determined to take control of the ruins. Braavos, the greatest of the Free Cities, deployed its mighty fleet, confident that its naval superiority would crush any opposition. Lys and Myr, ever at odds, sought to outmaneuver one another both in battle and in diplomacy. Volantis, with its vast legions, had a different strategy: to dominate Qarth's land routes and use its ancient influence to rebuild the city in its own image. Tyrosh, always pragmatic, played all sides, offering mercenaries to the highest bidder while seeking its own foothold in the chaos.
Yet despite their best efforts, the Free Cities found themselves in a brutal stalemate. Neither side could gain the upper hand, and as the days stretched on, the cost of the conflict began to weigh heavily on the rulers. They realized that none of them would win this war without help. The answer lay in Eden.
Rumors of Eden's vast wealth, its cures for diseases once thought incurable, and its unparalleled craftsmanship had spread like wildfire throughout the Free Cities. Every merchant returning from the mystical desert city told tales of its wonders. But most of all, they spoke of the enigmatic Supreme Leader, Mark Lantrun, and his mother, Clara, known to the people of Eden as the Saint. The rulers of the Free Cities knew that Eden was key to the future of trade in the region, and they all sought to gain its favor.
Envoys were sent, each carrying lavish gifts and promises of alliances. The rulers of Braavos, Lys, Myr, Tyrosh, and Volantis all hoped to sway the Supreme Leader to their cause. They dreamed of Eden's wealth filling their coffers and its resources strengthening their armies.
When the envoys arrived in Eden, they were treated with all the hospitality the city could offer. Lavish palaces, beautiful gardens, and luxurious rooms were prepared for them. The envoys were granted two days to enjoy the wonders of Eden before they were scheduled to meet with Mark Lantrun himself. They marveled at the city's beauty, its cleanliness, and the cheerful faces of its citizens. The streets were alive with laughter and music, as if the city had never known hardship.
Yet, as word spread through Eden that the envoys had arrived, a darker undercurrent began to ripple through the city. For many of Eden's citizens, these envoys represented the worst of the old world—the world of slavery and exploitation. Most of Eden's population was made up of former slaves who had fled from places like Qarth, Lys, and Volantis, seeking refuge in the city built by the Lantruns. The thought of their former oppressors walking freely through the streets of their paradise was enough to stir deep emotions.
News of the envoys' presence quickly became the talk of the city. Eden's media, always eager to report on important events, ran stories about the significance of their arrival. "Envoys from the Free Cities Seek Eden's Favor," read the headlines of major newspapers, while television broadcasts discussed the potential diplomatic ramifications. Eden's people were informed that the Supreme Leader would meet with the envoys in due time, but that didn't stop the growing unease.
Protests began to spring up. Citizens gathered in the streets, holding signs and chanting slogans like "Eden is for the Free!" and "No Slavers in Paradise!" News cameras covered the protests extensively, interviewing former slaves who spoke passionately about their experiences. One young woman, a former slave from Lys, tearfully recounted her time in chains and the joy she felt when she finally reached Eden. "This is our home," she said, her voice trembling. "We built this city to escape people like them. We can't let them bring their evil here."
The protests swelled in size, and while they remained mostly peaceful, the atmosphere in Eden became tense. Security forces were dispatched to ensure that the demonstrations did not spiral out of control, and news outlets reported on every development.
But even more troubling was the wave of anxiety that swept through the city. For many of Eden's citizens, the arrival of the envoys stirred memories of the horrors they had fled from. Pharmacies across the city were soon overwhelmed as people rushed to buy Soma, the medication used to treat anxiety and panic attacks. Within hours, Soma was out of stock in most locations. News footage showed desperate citizens fighting over the last few doses, their faces twisted with fear. "Night of Madness in Paradise," one news anchor called it, as images of scuffles in pharmacies played across the screen.
The government of Eden, ever watchful, knew they needed to act swiftly. The last thing they could afford was for the city to fall into chaos with the eyes of the Free Cities upon them. That evening, Mark Lantrun and Clara appeared on every television screen in Eden, addressing the people directly.
Mark, standing tall and composed, spoke first. "My fellow citizens, I understand your fears. I understand your anger. The envoys that have come to our city represent a world that many of you fled from, a world that does not value freedom as we do here in Eden. But I promise you, they are not here to take from us. They are here because they see what we have built, and they know they cannot destroy it. They are here to ask for our help, and we will meet them with the strength and dignity that Eden represents."
Clara, her voice soft and reassuring, followed. "You are safe here. You are free. That will never change. We built this city together, and nothing from the outside world can take that away. Please, trust in us, trust in Eden. The future is bright for all of us."
Their words had a calming effect. The protests, once swelling to uncontrollable numbers, began to dwindle. The city, so tense just hours before, started to return to its usual tranquility. News anchors praised the Lantruns for their swift action, and within a day, Eden seemed to be back to its peaceful self.
However, not all was as it appeared. While the public protests and anxiety were being dealt with on the surface, a darker force was moving in the shadows. The Inquisitors, Eden's elite internal security force, had been activated to ensure that no dissent or sabotage would take root. Though the citizens of Eden had no knowledge of their actions, the Inquisitors moved silently through the night, tracking down those they believed to be responsible for stirring up unrest.
Led by Orin, the Grand Inquisitor himself, they worked tirelessly to maintain order. Suspected agitators were quietly removed from their homes in the dead of night, their fates unknown to the public. News outlets, tightly controlled, made no mention of these raids. Instead, the next day's broadcasts focused on the return to peace, showing smiling faces and happy children playing in Eden's parks. The message was clear: Eden had survived yet another test of its strength, and all was well.
The envoys from the Free Cities, oblivious to the unrest that had gripped the city just hours before, continued with their lavish tours of Eden. They marveled at the city's architecture, its clean streets, and the apparent harmony of its people. As they prepared for their meeting with Mark Lantrun, they could not help but be impressed by the apparent perfection of the city.
Yet, even as the sun rose over Eden, whispers of the night's events began to spread. Despite the city's best efforts to maintain a façade of perfection, tales of the "night of madness" would not remain contained. Some began to wonder if even paradise had its cracks.