Part 2 - The expected consequences.

From what Catherine said she did expect a bit…more. The Demonmagus in front of Arlene certainly is imposing, his bone tail, his red eye, the metallic hand. However he is also shorter than her, looks tired and most of all frail, like somebody who just ran twenty kilometres and is about to collapse.

Ulal extends his hand as a greeting. Arlene, out of pure necessity, shakes it. The people around them applaud. It has been two days since she arrived, at the first day Catherine entertained her by showing her around the city, while on the second day she was shown the military.

It is, she has to admit, a very well-coordinated fighting force that could likely beat a mercenary army of the same size. But not an Estaran army, even with the visibly superior equipment the soldiers of this city have. What truly terrified her however, as she was inspecting the ranks, is that women started to integrate as well. It was only once she activated the enchantments in the quarters at the west wing of the tower, where she was housed, that she understood why. This city has an almost mind numbing amount of small and big luxuries that make life easier on a fundamental level.

Her mind returns to the here and now. Ulal finally agreed to the negotiations and so they met in front of the tower. People flocked to witness the scene as Estara and Ultopja finally came together. In a rather mundane handshake, that now finally ended.

Ulal cannot see through Arlene’s thick mask of diplomacy but he does guess that she has the very big urge to wash her hands. “Let us take this inside.” Ulal graciously says and turns towards the towers main door. “You are of course welcome to take you guards with you.” Arlene nods towards the eight knightesses and the form two rows to the side of her as she walks after Ulal.

They walk through a wide floor and another giant door before entering the round table. Ulal walks around the table to the north-end where falls into his chair. “Please sit down.” He says and points at another chair opposite of himself. Arlene does as she analyses the other members of the council.

“I introduce to you, Lady Zerine, Lord Glenn, Lady Tarzana and Lady Aclysia.” Arlene glances towards the pale woman. Catherine had told her that the Witch of the South would be here, but she doubts the truth of that claim. None the matter, the person she is here for is… “As well as myself, Lord-Regent Ulal. I hear you are already familiar with Lady Catherine.” The Demonmagus finishes his introduction.

“In the name of my city and its citizens I greet you, Lady Arlene Karstenstein, ambassador of the Queendom of Estara.” Arlene nods with a high and mighty attitude. “Citizens that are rightfully ours.” She reminds Ulal, “Citizens you resettled here without or consent.” “I don’t hold them here.” Ulal replies without any care in the world, “They can go back to Estara whenever they want to.”

“You say that, yet I hear that you have taken prisoners amongst the influential of Brikstrat.” Arlene says, “Estara is thankful for your intervention in the Brikstrat rebellion, but we cannot tolerate that sort of behaviour.” Ulal makes a dismissive gesture, “Yes, that is right I did have those woman imprisoned under the law of my city. It was a temporary measure to protect the equal right of man during their stay. Now that it is clear however the Brikstrat will never be rebuild I am willing to return them to Estara.”

The certainty with which he says that Brikstrat will remind a burned out ruin ignites a small flicker of anger inside Arlene. She keeps it under the surface and smiles, “That is the correct action to take of you. I hope you are willing to give into our other demands as well.” Ulal narrows his eyes, “Depends on the terms.”

“Estara demands that you cede this city and the land it controls back to the motherland. This means not only that you will step down as the ruler but publicly apologize for the false promises you made to the man and admit your natural inferior position. Afterwards you will help install a government befitting of a city of her majesty and give us the plans that created this city.”

Ulal starts laughing. “Isn’t that the greatest hypocrisy?” he says while still chuckling, “You want me to admit inferiority and in the same breath demand the plans for a city you don’t understand.” He gestures towards Tarzana.

Arlene turns towards the Cult leader, “What about the rights of the Cult of Five and Vakanthism?” Tarzana asks, although she says that second religions name with a good amount of disdain, “Would these be preserved if we were to give in?”

“We can make an exception for the Cult, although you would have to agree to constant observation by officials. However Vakanthism is intolerable, the barbarian that started it will be brought to justice soon.” Ulal blows air out of his nose, “I doubt that. He has friends in potentially high places.”

Arlene acts as if she does not take note of that. Ulal however knows that her mind is now going through hundreds if not thousands of officials that could betray the Queendom in such a way. Likely will not achieve much but misinformation is one of the best ways to sow discontent.

“Then I must disagree to your demands.” Tarzana says, “The Cults right cannot be culled…and I guess Vakanthism is important in some ways as well.” Glenn clears his throat and speaks up with a shaking voice, “S-so, as the speaks person of the man I cannot agree to those demands either.”

Catherine shrugs, “I don’t care much, the university will only lose half of its students.” She smirks at Arlene, “I am willing to work for you if you let me stay in charge.” “That can be arranged.” Arlene says and watches Ulal chuckle, he acts completely relaxed although he exactly knows what is coming.

“I don’t care.” Is all that Aclysia has to add to this meeting. All eyes fall on Zerine. She collects herself for a few moments before saying, “I cannot agree with the mind-set of the demands either. In the name of the woman that strive for equality I refuse.”

“Three No, One Yes, One Neutral. To sum it up: Ultopja refuses to agree to those conditions.” Ulal says. Silence in the room as they wait for Arlene’s response. “In that case.” She slowly says and rises from the table, “Estara views the negotiations to have failed. Our previous, merciful, terms are therefore null and we will dictate new ones after we have crushed you. Estara officially declares war on the rogue city of Ultopja, may Saeletra, the three sisters and all spirits of nature have mercy on your souls.”

Ulal stands up as well, still smiling. “Ultopja hears the declaration of war, may our differences be settled on the battlefield. In the name of all beings of high power, demons, dragons, gods and otherwise I wish you a good ride home, Lady Arlene Karstenstein.”

With a disgusted look Arlene turns and walks away, the knightesses around her. “Aclysia, how many people do we have now?” He asks as soon as the door closes behind her “Roughly Seven thousand and five hundred.” “How many are in the hundred?” “The hundred have been filled halfway, although many are close to meeting requirements and woman are interested in joining as well.”

Ulal nods, “Take them all and prepare the procedure, we don’t have the luxury of being picky anymore.” Aclysia leaves the roundtable through a side exit. “Catherine, concentrate the schooling efforts on battle focused appliances. I will inform the population in about an hour; afterwards I need you three, Glenn, Tarzana, Zerine, to keep them together and spirits high. I can’t have anyone abandoning the city at this crucial time.”

Everyone mumbles in agreement, Catherine leaves, the other three wait until Ulal gets into motion. “I had hoped for more time.” He admits, “Well, at least they will be stuck in a winter siege.”