Enough for the Village

Chapter 1 - Intro: Found Out

The weekly council meeting was an event attended by many people in the village to discuss matters of logistics, rules and general doings about the place. Meetings were typically cordial and mundane, but less so as of late. The councillors, headed by Gabriel Baker (also the head baker of Westton), had recently been subject to scrutiny over the management of village food resources. The rumour was that food supplies were being hoarded by a few families in the midst of a, not terrible, but less-than-average crop season. Councilmen overseeing alimentary allocation, including Gabriel, denied these allegations. These were not baseless accusations, Gabriel and a few others on the council sported unsubtly large midriffs amongst rather slim peers. Some had grown chubby in the arms and legs over the course of the season, all heightening suspicions. Gabriel was a young, naive councillor who was voted in based only on his heritage. At 23 years old he was fourth in a lineage of long-serving, successful councilmen.
The accusations had become common belief of the people, but it was difficult to do anything with no hard evidence. This did not stop the village from taking out their frustrations.
"Settle, settle!" Gabriel commanded firmly. The raucous noise deafening the council chamber did not subside at his request. After a few minutes of aggressive yelling and threats towards the councilmen, the noise simmered down.
"We understand you are upset, we all take these matters very seriously, we held an investigation into the food handling and logistics and, honestly, we have found no problems... there is no thievery, all crop yields and production is accounted for and distributed fairly." Gabriel had little explanation for his recent weight change, but he knew that with no evidence, nothing could be done. He expected a fight, but the crowd hushed to near silence. Everyone was waiting for Gabriel's next word in an air of resounding dejected acceptance of defeat. Just as morality was falling to a low, a lumber worker named James thrust open the doors of the village hall.
"I have evidence!" He announced, as dramatically as he had entered. A murmur breathed through the room before he spoke again,
"This ledger of bakery intake and productions is full of discrepancies!"
"Where did you get that? This is an obvious forgery." Gabriel retorted, James saw a clear glint of fear.
"I er... found it, but it is real, it's signed with the personal stamp of the head baker, Gabriel... it's his handwriting too!" The whole room was silent, listening in hopeful suspense. James handed the parchment to prominent members of the public. James explained to the crowd that he had a baker cousin who was able to gain access to Gabriel's files after hours. The crowd erupted,
"seize him!" was chanted by a few. There was a large presence of senseless anger towards their once respected leaders. Gabriel was at a loss for words. He was yanked from his seat by the local guard and whisked away to the nearest gaol, partly for his own safety against the seething crowd. He didn't expect his greed to be discovered this easily and swiftly, although he certainly wasn't the wisest man in the village.

The punishment was discussed at length by the village people, with the common consensus being that it should be harsh and very discouraging to anyone else who might have ideas about pulling a similar stunt. Execution was an attractive option, however another controversial yet seemingly fitting proposal was put forward.
"I think he should be stuffed full, all day every day. If he wants to fill himself on village produce, then we will gladly grant him this." James proposed with a slightly sinister smile, standing on the step at the corner of the councillors bench. Another short murmur followed before many appeared to agree, this punishment felt very fitting. It was decided that Gabriel would be held in gaol and fed above-average portions of baked goods for every meal while further arrangements were made for his punishment. Gabriel became incredibly bored after a week of being fed huge meals in captivity, but he would soon be begging to be only be held in a cell.