Pisidia meeting and hijacking

Pisidia meeting and hijacking
Location	A theatre in Pisidia, Lyra's world

This meeting was held at an old theatre in a city in Pisidia to discuss the strains on the local rose-growing and -processing industry. It was hijacked by a group of men, armed with guns, who took several speakers and members of the audience hostage. It was resolved after Malcolm Polstead killed the leader and Enver Demirel negociated safety.

Known participants

• Malcolm Polstead
• Enver Demirel and a number of other local politicians
• Bryan Parker
• Nine gunmen, including their leader
• A farmer from Baris
• Four other speakers and five further hostages
• Members of a trade association sponsoring the meeting

History

When Lyra Silvertongue was twenty, Malcolm travelled to the city to meet a contact of his, Bryan Parker. Bryan took Malcolm to the crowed meeting and translated as the speakers related the strain on the industry with the 'men from the mountains' destroying rose gardens and attacking growers and their factories. One farmer described how his workers were forced to destroy his factory at gunpoint, feeding the flames with the precious rose oil. Whilst the speaker talked, Malcolm noticed that the armed police at the six entrances had disappeared, only to be replaced with six gunmen.

Before the third speaker could finish, three armed men appeared behind him. Their leader ordered the audience to destroy the rose gardens, declaring the industry to be displeasing to God. When the farmer who had spoken before confronted the gunman, asking about the livelihoods of those connected to the industry, the situation escalated and the leader shot him in the head.

The four other speakers were taken hostage, along with six members of the audience. Malcolm volunteered in the place of a woman and was led backstage with the others. In the confusion, darkness and dust, he quickly killed the leader and used the gantry to climb to the other side of the stage. He escaped through several doors and into the alley behind the theatre.

Without their leader, who had no interest in negotiation, Enver Demirel was able to encourage the remaining gunmen to talk. With Bryan taking minutes, they agreed to everyone's safety in exchange for the escape of the gunmen without punishment. He was also able to persuade the audience that the leader's mysterious death had been divine justice for killing the farmer. Bryan later reunited with Malcolm at Calvi's and related what had happened after he had left.

Appearances

• The Secret Commonwealth