[AAR] Ull, Lord of the Open Road

[Leif_-]

Turns 8 and 9

There are three great forces that rule the hearts of men. Power, lust and gold. I am power, Epiphania is my leash on lust and now that my two dogs have control of Nern and the great mines there, I do not want for gold. I set a Numerican petty chief to the task of overseeing the mine and keeping the gold flowing, and urge Eioneus and Askalaphos deeper into the Sleepy Mountains, to reqconquer the old foundations of my old stronghold. I make bold Grifec take his leave of the two lovers and turn back north. I have another task waiting for him.

I watch the streets of Arcoscephale for half a day before I find what I seek in a grey-bearded, aristocratic man overseeing a team of slaves digging a trench. He is not a Kallikrates, but he knows enough of the sacred geometry for my purpose, and I do not have time to wait for a Kallikrates to emerge. I show him to Epiphania, and once she is done with him I send him south in the path of blood my two dogs have left behind them, to start the work of erecting my Fortress of the Edge once more.

Epiphania's daughters have, at long last, prepared the bare bones of my sacred workshops. Feathers of owl and stone-oil ink. Petty trifles and children's toys! But they are a beginning.

[Leif_-]

The two lovers has been at work securing the southern border of the Sleepy Mountain, ensuring Phleibas, the engineer, the time he needs to complete the building. He is of a delicate physique and the journey from Arcoscephale did not sit well with him. He is dying, and only my will and Epihania's allure makes him endure his work despite his fever. I send Hieronyma south to tend him and ensure he lives long enough to oversee the walls and towers be raised. Others can deal with the petty details that follows.

To the north-west, Grifec is scouring the swamps at the mouth of the river Dust, destroying the tribes of lizard-men who make them their home. I have not forgotten how they once sided with the Pantokrator against me, nor have I forgiven.

From Grifec I am told of merchants who ply their trade on Dust, and on rumours they bring of a new power rising in the south, near its springs. Along with the two empires that already threatens my south-western border, this is troubling news. It seems time is no longer my ally. Perhaps the ranging huntesmen of Muspel can be sent out to bring back word from beyond the sight of my still half-closed
eyes.