Blessed Clay 7 - Aftermath

Two days later Uklag steps back into the governess’s office. After having brought back the cart and sleeping a bit he made his way to Brikstrat and now falls into the governess’s seat with a relieved “Aaah.” As he puts his feet on the table.

“Zal, water please.” “Of course, Master.” The bald servant obeys and fetches a tablet with a pitcher of cold water and a glass. Uklag drinks a glass of it and closes his eyes for a second. “What a week already.” He muses. When he next opens his eyes, he takes in his surroundings with the look of someone that musters his new front lawn.

The luxurious office has bookshelves all over the walls, all of which are filled to the brim with tax reports and other state business. Very few parts of the walls peek out between the shelves and the big carped reflects the midday sun on its red cloth.

Droy is currently leaning on one of these few bare parts, Halja to his geet. The governess seems unharmed and very content with her situation. In fact her empty eyes she would be happy with pretty much anything as long as it involved serving Uklag.

Zal was standing next to his master, the pitcher in hand ready to serve him more water if he so desired. Lastly Tienal and Meltzer were standing in front of the desk, one awaiting orders with a hopeless expression the other one looking tired. “Meltzer, you said you were running a business before, correct?” Uklag asks after another glass of water.

“Pretty much, yes.” Meltzer answers. “Think you could run a city?” A small, thin-lipped smile creeps across his face. “For you, anything.” He says. It’s obvious that Meltzer doesn’t actually care who he works for as long as he gets to command somebody. “Good, you will remain here and rule this city for me. Halja, you will listen to everything he says.”

“Of course.” She says. “Good. Try to build something of substance here I might need it later. Droy you will also remain here to help him.” Albino looks unhappy at the prospect of being separated from Celine, but he doesn’t complain. “And Tienal, you will tell everybody that you have caught and killed me as well as Alratha. You don’t know what happened to Catherine but you found a burned body that matches her description near where you found me. Everyone else in your party was killed in action by some cowardly traps. Halja will gladly put out the official document.”

The knight simply nods; ever since her pride has been broken, she hasn’t been much of a talk-active person. “Good. Now I have to work on other projects, also Catherine keeps urging me to teach her more advanced stuff so I have to do that as well.” He stands up and yawns. “Zal we are going back to the base.” ‘Cave.’ He hears the voice of Aelana in his head, ‘Are you really bored enough to correct me when we are separated by several kilometres? Also you know I hate it when people intrude on my thoughts.’ ‘I figured I am already fucked regardless so I might as well keep the gag going.’

She is not wrong about the first part.