And some bureaucratic stuff.

Aclysia and Ulal look at their work. The tower at the centre of the district was empty two hours ago, now Ulal has created and charged all manners of alchemical instruments he does not actually completely understand. There are pipes, flasks, containers and tubes in all shapes, sizes and materials unassembled and categorized into small wooden boxes that are part of a material library. The greatest thing is that Ulal is only a fourth through the list of things Aclysia needs, he has not even seen the list of things she wants.

“This is the Helenic system?” Ulal asks and runs his finger over the metal label under the segment of the shelf he is standing before. It holds a series of numbers. “Yes.” Aclysia states. “Can you explain it to me?”

Aclysia nods and continues to itch a series of number into another label with her finger. The flexibility of Eclys still astounds Ulal and he waits for Aclysia to start talking. She does not. “Will you explain it to me?” Ulal asks with a sigh, “I knew you could do it.” Aclysia calmly states. “The Helenic system teaches that you should assign numbers to attribute. Example.” She pulls out one of the already labelled wooden boxes from the shelf and opens it. “This is a glass tube for cooling down a liquid of magical intensity three or higher within three or less seconds. I gave it the number 2-1-3M-3Tt. 2 for glass, 1 for tube, 3M for intensity and 3TE for time estimated. This is a rather simple item so it ca be categorized by these simple numbers.”

“What do you when the numbers turn longer?” Ulal asks, “Or how do you make sure other people understand the system?” Aclysia walks over to the only desk that is meant for writing at the entrance of the huge circular room. “Here.” She picks up a book and hands it to Ulal.

He peeks inside. It is a simple handbook that describes which number in a line means which and where to find the tables for decryption. “A very elegant system.” Ulal admits, “Provided you have this handbook of course.” Aclysia nods, “The Helenic system is only a process of steps to build a number based system. Very flexible. I recommend you switch to it as well. Your system is unfit to organize anything bigger than a private collection.” Ulal feels the sting of true criticism. He closes the book carefully and puts it back on the table. “You should install metal hangers on the ceiling.” Aclysia says, “Some alchemical contraptions can easily fill this room.” Ulal raises his eyebrow, “And that from an art that comes from tossing weird stuff into a cauldron.”

Aclysia slowly turns to him and gives him a stern look. “If you want highly refined goods you need refined methods. In theory you can create every alchemical binding with just a cauldron but there is such a thing as quality control.” Ulal makes a pacifying gesture, “It was a mere jest, Aclysia.” “Oh. Well humour is not my strong side.” Aclysia says and looks at the magic clock above the entrance door. “We should go now.” She says, “Yes.” Ulal affirms and offers his arm, “Will you do me the honour?”

Arms linked they walk down the streets towards the Imperja district. “You should have created a clock.” Aclysia says and points at the head of the tower, where the emblem of Ulal looks over the city. “The thought occurred to me. My ego got the better of me.” “Unscientific.” Aclysia says, “I disapprove.” Ulal laughs, “Of course you do. But this is still my city and I need to show it.” That sentence would carry much more weight if the city around them would not be completely empty. The amount of living beings that currently live in District Aclysia are zero, as Aclysia herself cannot be counted as a living being.

“Perhaps. Maybe your demonic nature is also impeding. Demons and symbolism are very closely tied.” Aclysia analyses her rescuer. “Perhaps.” Ulal muses, “In other news, do you play the violin?” “Also, yes.” Aclysia knows that Ulal saw her looking at the instrument back at her revival. “It is my favourite instrument.” “So you play more than one?” “Yes.” “Which other instruments do you play?” Aclysia ponders over the question for a second. “Provided that there are no new ones, all of them.” That answer has Ulal almost stumbling. “What do you mean all of them?” “What I say. I play all instruments. They all use a very similar set of movements within their own category. Mastery got easier with time. Then I got old.” Aclysia looks at her right, unoccupied hand. “That is no problem anymore however.”

“Do you plan on picking up music again?” Ulal asks as they close in to the bridge. “If I have more time. It is a fun activity.” They walk the rest of the way in peaceful quiet and maybe if one were to listen very closely that person would hear Aclysia hum a little song.

They enter the Rountable. Catherine, Tarzana and Glenn are already waiting. “Sorry, the walk took a bit longer than expected.” Ulal excuses himself and the duo takes their seats. He looks around, “Where is Alratha? She is supposed to be here.”

She jumps out from under the opposite side of the table. “Right here, Ulal.” She says and playfully salutes, “Alratha in your service.” “You sure as fuck are in my service. Now tell us what you found out.” Alratha pouts a bit, “You are no fun…” Then she lights up with mad smile and bows, “But okay. The attack has begun, I snuck in the city beforehand to make sure of the earlier claims of that Berd fellow, the corn chambers are indeed empty. I give them two weeks before inner conflicts and famine makes their guard crumble.”

“Inner conflicts?” Ulal asks with great interest. “Yeah. The traders and crafters blame the military for indecisive action. The military blames the nobility for not paying the men enough. Finally the nobility blames the traders and crafters for not paying enough taxes to them. Everyone is at everyone’s throat right now. It is a true spectacle.”

Ulal smiles, “Great, apparently I didn’t even need Meltzer to sow discontent, the potential was already there….it would still be a lot easier if everyone was mad at the government but this is salvageable. Alratha I want you to check on the city every few days. Now is there anything else?”

Both Glenn and Tarzana clear their throats and look at each other. “B-by all mean.” Glenn says and gestures towards the Cult Leader. “Go first.” Tarzana doesn’t need to hear that twice. “The first people have arrived, around twenty. I expect two hundred more in the next week.” That is very good news, “When will the Supreme Bishop arrive.” “A month or two. He was staying around Arlheim recently.” Ulal can guess why that is, ‘That Arch-Fucker and his meddling in peoples affairs, I wonder if he wants to do anything to Ulric? Well, not my problem.’ He thinks and turns to Glenn. “And you?”

“Well, there is a stream of male refugees that don’t want anything to do with the attack.” Glenn says. Ulal stands up with a wide grin. “Really? Great! How many?” “Currently 300 but more are on their way.” That puts his population at about 400, he upgraded from a ghost town to a very empty town. “Very good, Yes, Yes. Catherine I want you to test their magical potential and resettle them, and their close family if you have to, into your district.”

Catherine listens up, “Does that mean they are under my control?” She asks, “The mages are, yes.” “Finally, someone I can command around.” She stretches going from looking very bored to very happy, “A truly great day. I hope I find a few.” “Statistically unlikely. Mages are rare. In 300 you would be lucky to find two.” Aclysia chimes in and Catherine immediately looks down. “Let’s hope for one then.” She says with a sigh. With a tap of his metal hand Ulal pulls the attention back to him. “I will also look for a couple more recruits among them. Alratha you will accompany me.”

Alratha understands that he wants her with him so she can look for recruits herself. “If you wish so.” She smirks and winks, of course with Alratha being Alratha nobody things anything off it. “Tarzana I want you and Glenn to work together and create a registering bureau for the new arrivals at the gates. Aclysia, be so nice and help them.” The immortal gives him a slow glance. “That will delay our other project.” “That is okay, it is a last ditch effort anyway.” Ulal ensures her. “A functioning government is what is most important right now and while the siege goes on we have the opportunity to work on a small scale.” Aclysia nods, “I understand. I will design the necessary system and documents.”

Ulal sits back down, still a wide smile plastered on his face. “Such a great day.” He muses, “Anyone got anything else?” Shacking heads. “Then I declare this meeting over. Tomorrow same time, as always.”