Lilia sits in the large chair in the audience room, listening to yet another squabble between two residents of the city. With the conversation going back and forth and essentially nowhere, she had zoned out a while back. If only Reud was here, he’d be able to deal with this far better. He was the thinker, she was the fighter. As much as he complained about not being able to deal with people, his calm demeanour gave him an aura of authority they seemed to like.

Lilia lets out a long sigh, resting her cheek on her palm. The sudden quiet in the room brought her attention back to the matter at hand. Looking up, Lilia notices that all the occupants of the room are staring up at her expectantly.

“Rachel, quickly summarize the problem for me.” Lilia orders, trying to hide the fact that she hasn’t been listening to them for a while now.

Rachel stands on Lilia’s right, much to Lilia’s delight. The young woman had proven herself invaluable in keeping the city running, quickly springing into organizing and managing to blossoming settlement. Evidently she had picked up a lot from watching her father govern Littlestream.

“My lady, this is a dispute over housing. Both Poliver and Barnet here claim they set up in the property first, yet neither has any proof.” Rachel summarizes.

Lilia rubs her forehead, remembering now why she stopped listening. As the protective walls have been pushed further and further out more buildings have become available. The people that were crammed together in the only available liveable place slowly spread out, searching out and occupying the most intact buildings they could find. Alongside new arrivals to the city, it had become a free-for-all in claiming homes. Up until now Lilia hadn’t put any restrictions on who could claim what, and as a result conflicts over ownership were running rampant.

Lilia looks over the two men. “Can you really not find a compromise? Maybe you can share the building.” She says hopefully.

Immediately a look of righteous indignation breaks out over both their faces, and they begin to protest, pointing accusing fingers at one another. A surge of anger rises within Lilia. They had an entire city to pick from, and they are squabbling over a single building!

“Fine, as you can’t agree then the city of Srinaber will claim the building. You can both find somewhere else to live.” Lilia says.

The men fall silent, looking shocked. Eventually the man on the left, Poliver, speaks up. “But my lady, I should-”

“No!” Lilia barks out, her anger getting the better of her. “I’ve had enough of your bickering. You couldn’t work together so now you can both lose out. That is my final decision.”

The men look at one another, lost for words.

Rachel steps forward, reading Lilia’s expression. “This audience is over.” She guides them to the exit, all but throwing them out the door.

“Reud was right, why are all the disputes such petty nonsense?” Lilia grumbles, slouching in the chair, throwing a leg up onto its armrest. “Why do they need me for this? It’s mind-numbingly boring!”

Rachel walks back up the room as she responds. “The problem is that we don’t have any real government. No officials, besides you and Lord Reud. No records to speak of. Therefore, it’s difficult to keep track of who owns what or who lives where.”

Lilia looks up at the ceiling. “Let’s fix that then. Surely we can dredge up some trustworthy people who can read and write, and start putting some of these decisions down on paper?”

Rachel stops by Lilia’s side. “As you wish, I think I can suggest some people who can be trusted.”

Looking down at Lilia, Rachel’s face twists into a critical frown. “Master Lilia, please stop slouching, you need to look respectable.”

“There’s no one here, let me relax a little.” Lilia complains.

“As you have told me, the only way to achieve results is through constant, rigorous training.” Rachel responds, frowning. She looks up to Lilia’s left. “Bo, could you please?” She says.

A boney hand reaches down and gently but firmly pushes Lilia’s leg from the armrest.

“Dammit you bag of bones!” Lilia exclaims, looking up at Bo. “You’re supposed to obey me, not her!”

“Don’t shout at Bo, he knows I’m right.” Rachel says, stifling a giggle.

“You two are insufferable!” Lilia says. “Let’s get out of here and go train, I’ve done enough mediating for one day.”

Lilia springs up from the chair, reaching around behind and pulling out two swords. One she tosses to Rachel and the other she straps to her waist, over the top of her tunic. Rachel catches the sheathed blade with practised ease and straps it on too. Together they head out of the room and into the city outside.

***

The street is lively, filled with people walking with a purpose. The sounds of hammering fill the air from all directions, mingling with the voices of a multitude of people going about their lives. A few stalls stand along the road, the vendors behind them selling various fruits or small tools. The atmosphere was lively, full of hope for a brighter future.

Lilia studies the people they pass, many of the faces unfamiliar to her. Over the past couple of weeks a steady trickle of people have arrived at the city gates. Mostly young men and women, eager to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire their own space. Back in their own villages, a family would often share a home, three, maybe even four generations packed into a single tiny building. What Srinaber offered was a place to grow, and as a result people were flocking here in droves.

The clacking of bones on stone sound from further up the street. A gang of skeletons round the corner, carrying a large tree trunk between them. People quickly spring out of their way as they march onwards, heading along the route to the storage yard adjacent to Grym’s workshop. The sight has been a regular fixture in the city for weeks as the skeletons continue to clear the trees that took over the city and the surrounding lands. Bit by bit, tree by tree, the forest is being pushed back.

As Lilia, Rachel, and Bo continue on they pass a number of building projects. The old stone ruins are slowly being reconstructed with wooden roofs or walls. Skeletons and people work side by side, the undead providing the strength required to lift and position the heavy materials so the people can fix them into place. Lilia smiles as she watches a man direct a pair of skeletons to align a couple of planks. Reud would be delighted to see how his creations have been accepted by the people, his craft not being considered something vile for a change.

One of the workmen spots Lilia and pauses his hammering, wiping the sweat from his brow with one hand. He gives her a bow followed by a cheerful wave. His companions follow his gaze, spotting Lilia too. Immediately they also stop and wave. Lilia raises a hand and gives them a little wave back.

“I’ll never get used to this reaction.” She whispers to Rachel, continuing to wave, much to the delight of the workers. “It’s just so strange being someone people are so excited to see.”

“Master Lilia, you are a noble. Surely in your original home the people reacted similarly?” Rachel says, looking confused.

“Right, of course, yes.” Lilia stammers, avoiding Rachel’s gaze. Quickly she changes to topic to avoid any further inquiries. “So have you been keeping up with your training?”

“Of course Master Lilia, every morning and night I have been following the plan!” Rachel says proudly, raising her arm and flexing her bicep theatrically.

Lilia laughs. “Well let’s go see if you’ve improved then.”

Together they pass through the city and out through the gate into the undefended area. None of the buildings here have been repaired at all yet, though the skeletons have thoroughly cleared away the undergrowth to reveal the bare stones beneath. The road here threads around until it arrives at a large open field in the heart of the city. Back when Lilia was young this was one of Srinaber’s famous parks. Vibrant flowers would have lined the paths that criss-crossed the park, and an intricate maze of hedges and statues would have filled the rest. None of that remains now bar the tumbled remains of the once majestic stone statues.

One side of the park has been claimed by the farmers, and beans have been carefully planted in neat rows. Apparently, in a few months the city can get its first harvest, and then they can replant and fill up the rest of the park. Beans aren’t the most exciting food, but they will help deal with Srinaber’s food supply issues.

“Bo, you keep an eye out.” Lilia says, turning sharply to face Rachel. “As for you, draw your blade, let’s see what you can do now.” She says, pulling her sword free of its sheath.

Rachel grins fiercely and pulls out her sword, raising it into Falling Sky.

Lilia inspects the stance critically. “Knees bent, arm straight!” She barks, pointing out Rachel’s flaws.

Rachel grimaces but quickly adjusts her stance.

Lilia nods in approval. “Okay then, begin when you’re ready.”

With a shout Rachel springs forward, bringing her sword whistling down. Lilia turns her body and brings her sword up, gently deflecting the swing with a circular motion.

Rachel shafts her stance and swings her blade up into a diagonal cut. Lilia steps forward within the girl’s guard, stopping the attack by slamming her hip into Rachel’s arm. Rachel stumbles back, almost dropping her blade.

“Don’t go for big swings, it leaves you too open.” Lilia says, lowering herself into Falling Sky. “If someone deflects your attack like so.” She mimics Rachel’s first attack. “Then reset into guard like so.” She brings her sword back into Stable Ground.

Rachel nods. “Yes Master Lilia.”

Lilia steps back and gestures to Rachel to reset her stance. “Right, let’s go from the top again.”