城下で変事が起こったとの知らせが届いた。
Word arrived that something untoward had happened in the castle town.
万一変事があれば、すぐに連絡してください。
If anything unexpected should happen, please contact me at once.
村人たちは相次ぐ変事を何かの前触れだと恐れた。
The villagers feared the series of strange mishaps was an omen of something.