The Fall of Brikstrat Finale - Equality.

Everyone is gathered on the city plaza. Or well, all those that managed to get there in time. With seven thousand people even the gargantuan plaza is filled to the brim and many have opted for the benches at the edge of the streets instead, knowing that they won’t see the Lord, but hear him just fine anyway.

Ulal is standing on the south-side of the fountain inside a runic circle he created there this morning. Behind him his four council members he looks over the crowd and raises his hand into speaking position. “People of Brikstrat.” He says, the gauntlet spreading his words throughout his city. “I hope you have been comfortable tonight.” Of course they have, with this amount of people the enchantments that regulate the inside temperature should have become active everywhere.

“Many of you are likely to not know why I intervened in the first place so let me clear this up for you: I could not stand by as these atrocious acts were committed. I understand the anger of these that acted but just reversing the situation will accomplish nothing. Therefore, I made a contract with your leaders to free everyone, guarantee your live, rights and religious freedom as well as grant you shelter until Brikstrat has been rebuild. These terms are not limited to women but I also will extend my hand to all of you men who wanted to do nothing but free themselves.”

That announcements stirs a lot of movement within the crowd and Ulal has to shout against the turmoil. “Do not misunderstand me. All those that have murdered and raped will not be forgiven.” The quiet grows silent again, although heavily agitated. “They will not be forgiven. However all those that have been using and belittling men should take a long look at themselves for as long as they stay within these walls, walls erected by me, a man turned immortal. For all those that have been exploiting and ridiculing men, I have given my word and therefore you are allowed to stay but don’t expect to feel welcome.”

Ulal waves at Catherine who hands him a list of names. Names of women that she knew have been unnecessary cruel in Brikstrat. “Anne Zerik, Hannah Jarobin, Tanja von Reklern.” The list goes on for a bit, at the end he has read around fifty names. “Under Estaran law all of you might have been gotten away with your deeds but here I rule. None of you are above men here and because of your past deeds you will be punished.”

Agreeing and disagreeing shouts, one of the women steps forwards to say something. Ulal waves her closer. “I need to understand you, come closer.” She steps into the circle. Ulal smiles faintly, a smile that vanishes so quick one has to wonder if it was ever there. “You guaranteed our rights and our live, are you breaking your word?” She asks. Obviously she is one of the women he just publicly denounced.

“Your rights are guaranteed, as is your life.” Ulal says and gives the list back to Catherine. “Here your rights is equal and your punishment will be prison. I have not broken my word.” The women crosses her arms and steps even closer. “Listen here.” She hisses into his ear. “You might be a mage but you are still a man, how dare you filthy creature judge me? You are a worm in front of our traditions and frankly you should just purge the rest of these traitorous males and then die yourself.”

Ulal says nothing. The lady senses that something is wrong and turns to the crowd. The onlookers are completely silent. With widely opened eyes she realized that her words, meant to just intimidate the Demonmagus, were just sent through the whole city. “Lock her up.” Ulal says and lowers his hand, the gesture is no longer necessary. The runic circle under his feet takes up the task instead. A couple of his soldiers come and drag the women away. Nobody tries to stop them.

Sometimes things are very easy. Especially if you can manipulate the feelings of people. Ulal stops his Alteration on the ladies mind and opens his mouth to continue his speech when another lady steps forward, this time of her own accord. It is the lady Zerine he carried out of the dungeon. Somewhat uncertain she steps into the circle. “Might I say a few words?” She asks Ulal. He would love to deny that but that would paint an image he wants to avoid, so instead he says, “Go ahead.”

“People of Brikstrat, I am Zerine Terziere, and I need to say something that has been weighing on my mind for a long time now. I support the claim for equality.” That comes as a surprise to many, Ulal included. A noble that wants equality? “I know what you are asking yourself. Only because I profit of it doesn’t mean I want to support it. I should have acted sooner, not stand here now that another stronger person has paved the way already. I should have had the courage to fight on my own, I hope you can forgive me for my cowardice, males of Brikstrat.”

Ulal is speechless. Not because of surprise but because he has to hold back the laughter. Here it is, the perfect galleon figure. Zerine bows and her destroyed dress does little to hide the marks of torture on her body.

“You hear it men of Brikstrat.” Ulal says, perhaps a bit too cheerful for the situation, but he is not that great an actor to hold back every bit of amusement this situation stirs in him. “Even after being whipped and beaten this woman wants to help you. Lady Zerine, I need to ask you a question.”

As she turns Ulal pays actual intention to her for the first time. Her brown hair is wavy and a bit matted after days of pain and under the bruises is likely a cute girl of twenty years. Her figure is not all that bad either. ‘Yes, she will do perfectly.’

“What is it, Lord Ulal?” She asks, the usage of the title rubs some of the women the wrong way but they remain quiet for the moment. “Do you think that equality can be achieved if you return to Brikstrat, to Estara?” Zerine hesitates. She know the answer but giving it would mean betraying her home land. In the end however the idealist wins over the loyalist inside her. “No.”

“Then I ask another question. Would you be willing to stay here with me and build another society entirely? One based around equality, law and order?” “I would be, Lord Ulal.” Ulal stomps on the ground, the loud noise booms through the city as the circle spreads it out. “If there are any amongst you, wherever you come from, whoever you are, that share that opinion and drive, you are welcome to stay here with me.” He shouts, “This is the city of Ultopja, the city I build, Lady Zerine Terziere.” “Yes?” She asks, “For your courage to speak here today I give you a seat on my council. May you speak for all of those that didn’t have a voice until now and may you keep the voice of all those whose words weighed too heavy.”

Zerine is taken aback and looks confused at the cheering crowd. Most of the applauding people are men but a good amount of women agrees as well. Given time maybe the rest can be swayed. “All of you that want to stay, at the gate there is an office that hands out the necessary documents. The rest, I wish your efforts to rebuild Brikstrat proceed well.”

Ulal transmutes away the circle on the ground. “We will now hold the first council meeting.” Ulal informs Zerine and gestures for her to follow him. “Very well, Lord Ulal.” “Please, we are equal now, call me Ulal. These are Glenn, Catherine, Tarzana and Aclysia.” Zerine looks a bit surprised at the last name. “Aclysia? What an unfortunate name.” “I hear that a lot.” She says. “She is the real one. I will spare you the details but the story Estara told you isn’t all there is to it.”

Now Zerine looks more afraid than anything else. “Before we hold the council meeting however we might want to get you something new to wear...let’s see if we have some leftover steel plates that I can transmute into a dress.”