[Event Chapter] One out of three.

„Therefore I hold down that the Brikstrat movement has now has completely fallen apart. “ Catherine says, the pen of Amelia, who serves as their writer, scratches over a paper in response and holds down the conversation. “The few that still feel the need to rebuild the city have moved out of Ultopja.”

Nodding around the table, only Zerine seems to be lost in thought. Her mother is among these few hardliners and although she doubt that they will ever live in harmony again she is sad about her leaving. “That means a loss of about three hundred people, none of which worked a day in our economy or are registered citizens. The situation is now settled.” Catherine concludes and puts down a paper that holds analytic data.

“Great news.” Glenn says and taps on the table, “D-does that mean that…is Ulal getting of the throne?” “Unlikely.” A voice from the viewer platforms says. Everyone looks up at the naked man up there. He looks like a brutish but still very clean barbarian with red hair and horns of the same colour.

Everyone, safe Aclysia, turns red at the sight of the Incubus erotic body and exposed cock as he leans on the reeling above them. Tarzana is quick to jump out of her chair and get on her knees. “I didn’t expect you to come, Great Arch-Incubus.” She says respectfully, her eyes forcibly remaining on the floor.

“Neither did I.” Catherine says, she is much more open about her desires and licks her lips as she takes in everything the demon has to offer. “A pleasant sight nevertheless.” Hans chuckles and waves towards Zeline, who turns from red to deep crimson, unable to get anything coherent out of her mouth.

Aclysia simply stares at him with calculating eyes. “I get that a lot.” Hans responds to Catherine before continuing his earlier statement. “Even though you have reached a good size of above seven-thousand now if Ulal would get down from the Throne right now many of the enchantments would no longer work, you think just because the act of rebuilding has failed it won’t get picked up a day afterwards?”

Catherine nods, “Yes that falls along my line of thinking as well, however he will get of the Throne today.” “Oh, what makes you so sure of that?” Hans asks, “Because he is standing behind you.” Hans turns around and sees the Demonmagus with crossed arms. Ulal is pale, he looks tired and his tail moves with sluggishness however, his eyes are every bit of awake as always. “Boo.” He says and jumps down to the second level.

“Alratha told me everything that conspired in my absence.” Ulal says and walks to his chair. He pulls it back and after a bit of screeching from wood against stone he has found a comfortable position. “I won’t stay long so let’s get this over with….Where are my ‘guests’?” He asks and looks around for the first time.

“Your sneak attacks have to much sneaking and too little stabbing.” Hans shouts down, “I know right.” The Arch-Demon jumps and finds Alratha suddenly at his side. Ulal he could feel because he is a demon so every bit of the earlier was just played to kill a bit of boredom. Alratha however genuinely sneaked up on him, a thing that should be impossible. The assassin smirks at Hans and whispers, “I think he should try a bit of a ‘penetrating’ approach instead to be honest.”

“Quiet up there.” Ulal interrupts the onlookers snickering, the unlikely duo saluting obediently. “So where are they?” “Where are who?” Catherine replies in confusion. “Hayth’s followers. The mark suddenly started burning so I thought that would be it.” He looks at everyone at the table, or the floor, but no one has an answer. “Huh, so what does that tree-lady want from me?”

“You should really get to the root of this.” Alratha says, “Yeah, and don’t forget to plough thoroughly when you did.” “Stop talking.” “Make me. You have the right tool on you.” Hans winks and Ulal makes a disgusted sound. “See now what I mean with ‘Annoying demonfuck’?” Ulal asks Catherine who is still staring, “Mhm, I would still fuck him.” “Who wouldn’t?” Hans asks and poses.

“I. Before my head explodes from this nightmare of a conversation I will get back on that throne. At least getting your energy leached from you is a numbing process.” “Oh, I can leach something else from you.” Hans whispers just loud enough to be heard. Ulal sighs and is about to stand up when the main entrance flies open.

A procession enters of maybe fifty people accompanied by eight members of the elite in complete armour. Ulal recognizes some of the Vakanth followers amongst them. Not surprising, one can say whatever he wants about a religion that preaches male supremacy, although it was a lot less radical then what Saeletra followers sometimes worked themselves up to, but the follower of the dragon had a very warrior like mind-set. Although Ulal is not completely sure if they would side with him over Ulric in the case of conflict. Best never to try that.

The people in the middle all have a rather druidic look to them. Brown and green clothes, many of them carrying staffs that still carry white leaves despite the late time of the year. Wild beards and matted hair, this collection of people look like they escaped the hunt of Hayth’s followers by running into the woods.

“Are you the one they call Ulal?” A man, still strong but with the signs of old age, asks. “I am Lord-Regent Ulal, yes.” The Demonmagus says, “Who am I speaking to?” “Mewan, chieftain of the tribe of the lake, Lady Haylicia said you know which one I am talking about.”

“If you mean Hayth by that I would actually call it a pond…Whatever, as per my contract with your lady, goddess, whatever, I have to grant you one to three favours. Spit it out I have things to do.” Ulal answers the chieftain. “We want to live in your city. Estara found our hiding place and we have been running ever since.” “Okay.” The chieftain seems surprised by how easy that was, “What? Even if I didn’t own Hayth three favours I would have let you stay. We are a truly secular state, not one that just says we are and then let’s people kill minor religions.”

Alratha clears her throat. “I feel the need to inform you that purges within Estaran borders are usually organized by Acrae. Estara just doesn’t get involved in the process because a few peasants aren’t worth straining international relations for.” Ulal sighs, “I know, I know. I am millennia old, I have seen and heard everything. However standing aside as people are slaughtered is just dumb. For all you know one of them could have been a powerful mage…the rest can still pay taxes.”

The chieftain hits the stone floor with his staff to get the attention to centre back on him. ‘That used to be my move.’ Ulal thinks and crosses his arms. “What is it?” “Where will we stay?” “Wherever the fuck you want to. Just stay out of the northern-districts. Are there mages amongst you?” “A few.” “Then speak to Catherine. If that is all I have somewhere else to be.”

Ulal is just about ready to stand up when the chieftain says “You look sick, you should let us help your disease. We have good medicine.” “Whatever you have can’t heal me, Mewan. After all there is no disease here.” Ulal stands up and smiles over his shoulder as he walks towards the back exit, “After all power is not a disease.”

As the doors close behind him Catherine glances back to the watcher platform. Alratha is happily chatting with an Arch-Demon. Aclysia is simply sitting there and going over some data, Tarzana is still kneeling, Glenn and Zerine looks confused and the procession leaves the room. All in all a rather normal day.