The Siege of Ultopja Prologue – The Calm before [Ulal] <-- new main route

“Search an check the outside a last time and destroy everything you can’t get to the city in time. Leave nothing for the incoming army.” Ulal commands, the messengers quickly nod and are on their way. The enemy army has been scouted a day from here, now the whole city would go into the defensive.

The speed at which the Estaran army was able to gather itself was astounding, a month after the ambassador left they were already at his doorstep. ‘Chances are that they already started mobilizing before she was sent. I guess I have a certain barbarian to thank for that.’ Ulal thinks and steps on the stairs that lead to the higher floors of the tower Imperja. Without him spending energy, the stairs simply lie there and he has to walk on foot.

The population has been told that the recent weakening of the circuit stems from the charging of defence mechanisms. While not totally wrong it is far from the truth. It is likely that people that are more intelligent have made the connection between the circuit weakening and Ulal’s public resurgence. Not that it matters much to the Demonmagus, the more able would be informed about the truth at one point or another anyway.

He steps up into his laboratory where three, no four, people are awaiting him. Catherine and Aclysia wait in their usual spots, one of which sitting in a chair reading a book the other standing writing one. The newcomer he immediately sees is Tang.

The giant of a man was promoted to general last week and got a new uniform to show. Instead of the plain black one, this one is midnight blue and adorned with silver stripes. Three golden ones at the sleeve show his rank. The last person Ulal can’t see but he knows that she is there. “Alratha, come out.” He says as he walks over to the gathered persons.

The assassin appears from under a table. “How did you know?” She asks, “Because you have become a complete stalker in regards to Tang here. The fact that you two are an item nowadays is weirding me out in all due honesty.” Ulal admits. “Is our relationship not allowed?” Tang asks in the tone of someone who would actually stab himself if commanded to. “No, you go ahead. You are just an unlikely pairing.”

“I Disagree.” Tang says, “Yeah, show him babe!” Alratha comments from the side-lines and chuckles. Ulal sighs, ‘What have I done to deserve these people’s idiocy?’ Catherine closes the book she was reading with a loud clap. “Will we get this started now? I have things to take care off.” Aclysia nods, “Agreed.”

Ulal shrugs, “Oh well. So, Tang, you know why you are here?” “The procedure.” “Yeah, exactly. I want to make triple and quadruple sure that you and the Dragonbone are properly synced up. Can’t have my best soldier fall to some defect.” Tang seems to grow another inch at the compliment. “You are so easy to please~” Alratha walks over and whispers something more in his ear before giggling excessively.

Ulal closes the distance between them, grabs Alratha by the arm and tosses her across the room. Without a problem, she lands on a table a few metres away. “That was very rude!” She says with a wide smile. “Like I can be rude to you. You are my property remember? Now shut up and look to your feet.”

She does and finds a bundle of clothes made from black leather. “The uniforms for your students as well as your new weapons. Have fun with it.” “Will do.” Alratha assures and, after jumping of the table, unpacks the bundle like it is the most precious present she was ever given. Besides the clothes for her girls, black leather like her own, she finds a one-handed sword and throwing knives. She straps those unto empty parts of her belt.

“Any enchantments I should know about?” Alratha asks as she does so. “No, you should kill people silently and most enchantments get in the way of that. You still have nine needles for emergencies.” “Oh, I love those, they make bodies go bang!” Ulal giggles a bit, “A rather crude way of describing it but yes, yes they do. Now back to the topic at hand.”

Ulal walks over to the table at the heart of the room. “Don’t you mean the topic in arm?” Alratha says and starts laughing excessively. “Okay, that’s it.” Ulal pinches the bridge of his nose. “Catherine, please show Alratha the exit.” The witch rolls her eyes, “As always you leave the dirty work to me.” She complains but grabs Alratha by the collar and drags her out of the room nonetheless. The assassin doesn’t resist but stretches her hand towards Tang in a dramatic fashion, “Oh beloved, until we meet again!”

As Catherine slams the door behind Alratha. The room finally grows quiet. “That girl is driving me insane.” Ulal’s finger, still at the bridge of his nose, move in slight messaging motions. “How can you live with that all the time? Is it the tits? It has to be the tits!” “Talks for two. Counters me.” Tang gives his usual short answer.

“I guess.” Ulal sighs and puts his hand down. “Strip of the shirt and lie down here please.” Ulal says and points at the operating table. In total that table has seen the operation of one hundred and two people already. After today the preparations would be done however.

‘Which means I will have to get back on that energy sucking chair.’ Ulal makes a grimace; the thought is not exactly pleasant. “Aclysia, are you ready?” The immortal puts the notebook to the side and nods. “Catherine?” “Always.” She says and comes closer. They found that sealing the wound in a team of two is way easier than doing it alone.

Ulal puts his hand on Tangs head, “You know what happens next.” He says and forces Tang into sleep. The mental defence of his general is strong, surprisingly so, but it also gives in within mere moments. It as a weird feeling to Ulal to be trusted to this extent by a person that knows his true nature. The Demonmagus grins ‘Some subordinates are just better than others apparently.’ The grin turns sour as he thinks about the twins.

Aclysia interrupts his thoughts. “First cut.” She says and lays her finger turned knife on Tang’s shoulder.