The Siege of Ultopja 2 – Arrival [Ulal]

“There they are.” Ulal says and looks at the trail of torches that pass the dark silhouette of the ruined Brikstrat in the distance. He is talking to himself, there is no one else there. He has just gotten back from Aclysia’s tower. Her district finally has a few people living in it that have a basic understanding of Alchemy. It’s not much but it is a start, and they are able to follow instructions. Which is the most desired trait right now because in war innovation can only bring you so far if you run out of materials.

They tested a new theory based on one of Uklag’s old ones. It worked, now Aclysia is working on making a weapon out of it. Hopefully that will be enough to get them the advantage that they need: Time. Once the Grimoire is finished they would win anyway.

“That is really what this war boils down to, huh? Either they break through our defences or we finish the spell of mass destruction.” Ulal mumbles and grins, he can’t wait to use that thing. The torches slowly order themselves in a semi-circle around the walls, building a blockade in the distance, far away from any conventional means of attack.

‘How big is this army? Five thousand?’ The logistical nightmare to field this many people. In the winter no less. From official figures, he knows that Estara in her glory days managed to gather an army of one hundred thousand, so maybe this isn’t so bad.

“Is it because they believe me weak or because they can’t gather more troops?” Ulal asks himself. The reason for that assumption is his experience when he went to get Zethyla. The countryside, which historically has been a place of low influence of Estarian traditions, is getting uppity. The amount of rebels, bandits and other lawbreakers that feel emboldened by Ulric and Vakanth may be the reason that Estara is not the sending a bigger army. Or maybe the General is of the mind that this is a prolonged siege and doesn’t want to have the supplies be exhausted too quickly.

Or the General thinks she can win with just that. Ulal smile grows, if it is the latter this is going to be an easy war. In a defensive position a fortress can defeat armies several times its garrisons size. Attackers have to take ludicrous losses just to breach the gate and that is assuming wood. The gate of Ultopja is solid stone, with metal lines that seal it shut with magnetic force. Opening it is only possible from up here or with a passcode only he knows. Protected against smashing and prying by several enchantments the only way to bypass it would be to get rid of the magical energy that sustains the defences.

Which won’t happen as long as he sits upon the Focus Throne. Ulal turns his head to look at the thing. Even if he was to die in the near future there is not a doubt in his mind that scholars will try to figure out that thing, and the whole city as a whole, for generations. Unless somebody tells them how it all works…

“You look like somebody is about to betray you.” Catherine says and steps into the room with a slightly annoyed look, “I had just gotten used to the automatic stairs…” “What a coincidence.” Ulal says and turns back to the marching torches, his face plain and thoughtful. “I was just thinking about you.” “Oh? Nothing bad I hope.” Catherine joins him at the windows.

The torches have finished their formation. In near perfect lines they describe a semi-circle. Likely, they have been fixed to the ground now as the soldiers set up camp. “I was thinking about how this would be an ideal moment to betray me.” Ulal says and keeps a steady grin while giving a less friendly gaze towards his apprentice. “Yes it would be.” Catherine agrees and returns a smile of her own.

“Just killing you here and now. I would be a hero, my sins would be forgiven, maybe they would even put me in charge of this city.” Catherine muses, “Catherine the Great, killer of the Demonmagus, sounds good, doesn’t it?” “Not to me, I very much like to live.” Ulal says and chuckles. ‘If she talks like that I have to fear nothing today.’

“But very much to me. Sadly there is that little problem…I genuinely like the ideals of this city.” Catherine sighs, “No nobles, equality, and a focus on progress. Nothing to die for but I am sure I can wiggle myself out of this even if we lose.” “Banking on your friendship with Helena?” Ulal asks. He got all the details from Alratha, all the ones that are accessible anyway.

“More or less. She would never kill me. She is too nice for that.” “Really? Tell me about her, know thy enemy and all that.” Catherine ponders for a second. “Helena is…she is….well to put her into a single word she is radiant.” Ulal raises his eyebrows, “That tells me exactly nothing.”

Catherine shrugs, “You will understand once you meet her. Which will be tomorrow.” “You sound certain of that.” “Because I am, remember when you said ‘There are rules to war’? Now imagine someone who genuinely believes that.” Ulal is offended, “I genuinely believe that!” Catherine rolls her eyes, “Well she does because she thinks that conflict is inherently evil and should be avoided. You do because you can act morally superior afterwards.” ‘She is not wrong.’ Ulal thinks and laughs again.

“That means I can postpone sitting on that chair for a bit.” “Yep, about until tomorrow noon. Helena has a weird obsession with the sun.” Ulal freezes. “Does she now?” Catherine doesn’t notice her masters narrowed eyes, preoccupied as she is staring down at the quickly erecting camp. “Back at the orphanage she sneaked out every morning. I followed her one day out of curiosity. I asked her what she was doing and she simply sat there, at the edge of roof, staring at the horizon. ‘I want to see the light’ she said.”

Catherine scratches the back of her head. “She is a weird girl. Might be the reason we two got along so well. I always found it fascinating how she could stare at the sun for minutes or hours without being blinded by it.” The witch turns her head and finally sees the disgust on Ulal’s face.

“What is wrong?” She wants to know. “I have no way to be sure yet…” Ulal puts his left hand on the window. “but I think that friend of yours might become a major pain in my sides.” Catherine tilts her head but before she can ask Ulal shakes his head and says, “Don’t ask, unless my theory becomes true this is an information you don’t need to concern yourself with.”

Catherine hums disapprovingly, if there is something about Helena she wants to know. However, Ulal looks like he really is not willing to discuss this topic further. “Well, then about why I came here this late.” Catherine pulls out a sketch Ulal has given her personally a few days back. It shows a pin in the shape of the three eyes symbol.

“Production is almost complete but…I can’t feel but think there is something strange about the enchantment.” Ulal crosses his arms, “Basically you don’t understand it right?” Catherine furrows her brows, “Yes, and it is driving me nuts. Especially because you told Aclysia to not tell me either.” Catherine stares at the sketch and the alignment of runes. “The idea to hand every member of our city a pin to easily make out spies, which wouldn’t have one, is a pretty ingenious one and making it safe against replications with an enchantment I understand as well. But the enchantment itself…the old one was stupid, the hell is the new one?” Catherine goes over the runes again, “’To avoid misfortune’ is the best I can make of this. Ulal I am sorry to tell you this but there is no good luck enchantment.”

Ulal laughs, “Of course there is not, it has another meaning entirely. You know what I am going to say next, don’t you?” “Telling me would ruin the surprise, I know, yes.” Catherine sighs and puts the sketch away again. “Well, If you won’t tell me I suggest you and I have an entirely different sort of conversation.” She points at the bedroom. “Last chance before you get stuck on that glorified chair again.”