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The upper city, home of the wealthy and prosperous. There is little garbage or debris found on the white paved roads of this section of the city. Separated from the "riff raff" of the lower city by a tall guarded wall, the nobles were free to count their coins and plan their business in peace. Pleasant little shops dotted the area, selling anything from fresh food to exotic decorative (and preactical, if you knew where to look) weaponry. Everything here spoke of wealth and elegance. Every member of the council had a house in this section of the city, even if they never used it. The city itself was one gigantic circle, with one road leading all the way through the Upper city. To the center, the gigantic Council building loomed, looking down on the whole city

((Within the Upper City, and any other location, you're free to go most anywhere, including houses (members have say over what their houses look like or whether they're locked or trapped or whatever). Most locations logically inferred, like houses, stores and that sort of stuff you're free to just invent, along with corresponding minor NPCs. Major possibly recurring NPCs should be reported to me, as should any kinda bizzare places so I can look them over. (like a thieves guild. In the upper city. That's a no). Most stuff will be fine though. I may lengthen the description of the Upper city later, when more awake and more able to think what else might be there.))

Erig Van Pyroshk, Council member, and Respresentative to the People of Anthalis, was in his workshop of his small mansion. It was barely a mansion, much closer to a large and rather unimpressive house. It reflected his personal taste, being in black with gold and red gilding but still nothing compared to those with real power. Still it suited his needs and allowed him his privacy.

In his workshop Erig was not wearing his usual outfit, instead he wore a workshirt and leather apron. His goggles and gloves were donned as well as he mashed ingredients with a pestil into a bowl. There were various bowls, vials, and packages made of waxed paper around him on tables and cabinets as well. Once he was done grinding up the ingredients he stepped over to a device holding a four foot tall cylinder of thick wax paper. He very carefully held the bowl over the mouth of the cylinder and waved his free hand in a pattern over both bowl and container. He felt the energies gather and forced them into the powder that he now poured from the bowl in the pattern he had been weaving with his hand. After the bowl was empty he stopped moving his arms and looked down into the cylinder. The powder settled down atop many layers of other powders and with it the magical energy that he had imbued it with.

Erig released a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding as a sigh as he turned away. It was his most complex spell ever and very dangerous, if the powders and their energies didn't mix just right it would be disastrous for him. Erig was about to begin preparing the next powder when he noticed one of his servants standing in the door. Erig didn't keep many servants, he only had two besides the cook. The woman waiting for him was middle aged, an experienced maid who brooked no nonsense.

"Yes Irvana?"

"Dinner is ready my lord."

Erig frowned and looked to the small clock he kept on one of the shelves in his workshop and found it was indeed time to eat. Knewing he couldn't argue with Irvana he nodded, "Alright, I shall change and be right there."

Observing the pure little bubbles and lavender fragrance, feeling the satin-smooth water around her body and the warm haze that filled the bathroom, Lexine didn't want to believe that her bath had to end soon. After so many weeks in the wilderness and the sub-par accommodations the nobles of the territories offered her, she nearly forgot what true luxury was like.

"Marie? I'm sorry, but could you...."

"Your robe? Of course, my lady." The old servant, Lady Becke's attendant since childhood, already had the dark blue silk robe in her hands and dressed her in it as she stepped out of the bath. Again, Lexine couldn't believe how comfortable the fabric felt. To be home again!

She walked out of the bathroom with small steps, geniunely enjoying her apartment. The loft, set on the top floor of her father's estate and with an astounding view of the upper city, was decorated in her favorite hues of ivory cream and lapis blue. Antique chairs and an over-elaborate canopy bed occupied her bedroom, where she was approaching at the moment, but Lexine couldn't help but admire the simplier sofas and rugs that were laid in living room, complimented by exquisite vases and old portraits. It was impressive how well her servants kept her apartment so prestine while she was off, and she flirted with the idea of reporting her admiration to her father. Possibly he would give them a bonus.

"I've set out your writing instuments," Marie said in a soft voice, the type of tone that she had found comforted her lady the most. "But Lady Lexine, are you certain you do not wish to rest first?"

"No, I musn't." She insisted, crossing the room with an odd, slightly undainty walk and sitting at the beautiful old white writing table with a small sigh. "I should set to work, I wish to have my report ready for by tommorrow."

"Please pardon my rudeness, I would imagine that resting is more important, my lady."

The thought of sleep upon her plush, goose-feathered bed as opposed to the harder ones she submitted herself to during her travels nearly wooed her, but Lexine was resolute and picked up her quill pen.

"Thank you for your concern, but please leave me be for tonight." The attendant curtised slighty and closed the double doors to the room as she exited, leaving her lady to her work.

Seren-Xi had recieved the message that Yuthaweh, a fellow council member, had arrived, but she let him to wait in the entrance hall for some time. This was for two reasons; firstly, as a subtle reminder of her status within the council and also to merely let Yuthaweh fret for a while at having to wait. When people were irritable or tired they were more likely to let things slip; their words, actions, expressions, were far more likely to give away tiny pieces of information that would otherwise have been kept hidden. This was especially true when they wished themselves elsewhere, and with what Seren knew of Yuthaweh's habits, it was certain there was no place he would rather be right now than his lab. Perhaps, then, he would give away in a glance or expression his personal feelings on the subject of the Head Councilman's demise; for this was surely why he had come. While this particular information in itself would not be overly significant, in Seren-Xi's experience, no information, no matter how trivial, was useless.

After a considerable, but not unreasonable wait, Seren motioned for Yuthaweh to be shown in. She was seated, as usual, in her high backed chair, and a small table bearing a variety of beverages and appetizers had been set up within arms reach. Yuthaweh stepped into the room, and Seren ran what she knew of him over in her head, her expression vaugely welcoming but neutral. Strong-minded, she remembered, and a humanist to boot. She wondered whether he believed the propaganda about her own humanist tendancies, whether he saw through the lie yet still hoped to use her or whether his motives lay elsewhere. Well, she would soon find out.
"Welcome, Yuthaweh," she began, in a voice which carried easily to the man walking up the large room, "I apologize for keeping you waiting. Age is, as they say, a curse, and my bones, it seems, are not what they used to be." It was a courtesy, but also a clear exaggeration. Seren acted as though age did not apply to her; if it had affected her at all it was only to hone skills already sharp with experience. "Please," she continued, motioning to a nearby lounge seat, "have a seat."

Seren-Xi raised an eyebrow. Declared support - from Yuthaweh? And so early. This was an interesting development. While it would not have come as a great surprise to find he had voted for her when the council eventually got round to voting her in, Seren had not expected his interest in council politics to extend this far. She wondered what was in it for him; these 'projects' seemingly had something to do with it. He must have something up his sleeve. She waited a moment before replying.

"I must confess I am both surprised and pleased for your support, Lord Yuthaweh, so soon after the Head Councilman's... unfortunate... demise," here she paused, and a whisper of a smile appeared in the very corner of her mouth. "I will not insult your perspicacity by suggesting that I am not aware of the rumors in the council that I will be the next to take the post, or your intelligence by claiming that I do not intend to apply for the position. I am perfectly aware of the gossip, although I do not feel as secure in my own apparent power than the lower members of the council. Therefore your support is much appreciated," here she allowed the smile to spread, and altered it masterfully so as to present the appearance of genuine kindly appreciation. She continued, in a careful tone;
"And I confess that I have indeed worked toward that end. I felt that our former leader was, perhaps, somewhat content to rest on his laurels - he was perhaps a little too... comfortable... in his position and may not have achieved as much as another in his position might have." Seren was careful not to accuse the former Head of anything; that was dangerous. Especially as she did not know Yuthaweh's own opinion of the man.

"Nonetheless," she continued, here in a slightly more cheerful tone, "that is not to say that any pet 'projects' he endorsed are entirely without merit. Any previous council undertakings must, of course, be assessed, and those projects of value must be continued." Seren kept her face carefully neutral here, giving it a moment to sink in. Seren-Xi was quite happy to part with the measly council funds necessary for Yuthaweh's personal 'projects' in order to secure votes. But it would not do to let him get too comfortable; if she agreed too easily it would look like greed, or worse - like a false promise (which it would possibly prove anyway - once she had been voted in, she could pull the plug on Yuthaweh's little enterprises quickly enough if she needed to). She wanted to appear ambitious but fair. Thus, her face still giving nothing away, she threw in a sliver of doubt.
"Naturally, though, any proposed continuation would depend on the project. You are referring, I presume, to your little golums?" She asked with measure of kindly condescension, pretending greater ignorance of his magic than was accurate - although she knew less than she liked.

Seren slowly began to smile as Yuthaweh spoke. She guessed that he hadn't liked the condescension in her voice, and the subsequent onslaught of information seemed to lend credibility to this assumption. However, the information itself... so the old b*****d had been building himself a private army. She had heard some information to this effect, but had not had enough intelligence thus far to verify the fact. She turned back to Yuthaweh, an allowed a lively interest to show on her face.
"Well well," she began, "you have been busy." Here she smiled again quickly before continuing. "These city-guard golems sound most intriguing, and further development must certainly be continued. Although I will, of course, look further into the reports and information available, as you say. But if all is as you say, I can see many possibilities for golems in law-enforcement; perhaps there is room for further varieties of golems among our guards," She paused here to take a breath. Seren had ideas concerning the city-guard golems, and this golem army too; an idea was already forming in her mind, one that might crush the AU rebellion totally.
"And this army of golems you mentioned also sounds like a worthwhile endeavor, worth continuing. In event of a war or uprising, substituting golems for soldiers must surely save countless human lives, and an army of this nature is therefore an invaluable asset." Seren threw in the last line in a convincing tone, designed to appeal to what she suspected was Yuthaweh's motivation, as well as to up-hold the facade of her own humanist leanings. She hoped the comment would act to soften her next -
"However, the invincible Golem you speak of," Seren began in a guarded tone, " sounds of a completely different nature. I am somewhat suspicious of our former leader's motives, which, thus far, sound dubious. This does not mean I will, if elected, curtail the project. But in the absence of any reliable reports on the project, I find I cannot immediately endorse it," but then she smiled.
"Nonetheless, this lack of information is nothing you yourself cannot rectify. A quick tour is perhaps in order. I don't mean to inconvenience you, of course, but perhaps you will find that it is in your interest to do so." Her eyes gleamed at this point, she was about to offer something she hoped he could not refuse.
"My lord, considering the - ahem - covert nature of at least one of your projects, I believe that in coming weeks, you will find yourself short of funding. I presume that the former Head was personally signing for your funds, perhaps using his own discretionary funds as Head of Council, or I would have learned of these developments much earlier. With no current Head to sign for your funds, I believe you will find yourself in a somewhat awkward position. When the rest of the council learns the news, there will be considerable upheaval and disorder while the various factions and individuals, including myself, attempt to fill the power vacuum. In this time of limbo, I expect there will be very little chance of getting a motion passed for the distribution of funds from the central council source, especially since many council members may not support the motion out of loyalty to opposing factions. What I propose is this; I will fund your endeavors personally during the interim period of the elections. In fact, I believe that I am in a unique position to do so; I know of few other councilors with the resources or the inclination to finance such a venture. Your work can continue for now, at considerable expense to me. In return, I want three things:

The first is a bodyguard golem, the price of which will be included in my funding. In the coming weeks my safety will almost certainly be compromised as rival councilors and perhaps even certain terrorist elements of the civilian population seek to prevent me from taking power. As I am sure you are aware, I am fully able to protect myself at night, but this increased risk during the day is no longer acceptable. I would have certainly hired a human bodyguard at any rate but I believe one of your golems is a far more satisfactory alternative.

The second is that I will want a certain degree of input into your work while I am still funding you. While it is unlikely I will exercise this right in any large measure and will certainly not curb your creativity, I am un-willing to finance any venture that becomes, for me, un-ethical. I'm sure you understand.

The third is simple. I want your vote, and a promise not to collude with my rivals in any way. This will include keeping me informed of any significant information that may fall your way concerning my rivals. I cannot and would not expect you to actively work to further my own cause, or to literally seek out plots against me. But it would certainly be in your own interest if I were to become council Head. I will leave it there.

How does my proposal suit you, my lord?"

Seren nodded. "As a matter of fact, there may be. A question. Can golems be made to remember what they have seen? That is, record it, as a scribe takes down notes in a meeting... or the same way a human remembers? And if so, could a golem be created soley for this purpose, in a similar shape, perhaps, to the little spider thing you have there?" Her tone was curious as she pointed to Yuthaweh's companion, whirring softly on the floor. She was careful to expertly conceal the excitement that was growing within her, an idea was starting to blossom...

Seren nodded at this, deep in thought for a moment. Her mind ran over the situation quickly. It would be harder than she thought, but perhaps, just perhaps, there might be a way. If she - if Yuthaweh - could get these spying golums to work, there wouldn't be a rebel safe in the city. Come to that, there wouldn't even be a political opponent who was safe. But that would come later, provided the idea was at all possible anyway. Getting elected was the important thing, for now. She pulled herself into the present, and turned her attention back Yuthaweh with a kindly, yet authoritative manner.

"Well, we shall have to see. I may bring you a scrying mage at a later date, as I have an interesting idea I would like you to try out, but for now you can focus your attention on your pet projects. I will probably visit at some point tomorrow to pick up my guardian golum - toward sunset most probably, when I can travel accompanied by some of my own guardians. I will also bring some paper-work and a temporary contract for you to sign, agreeing to the bargain. Just a pre-cautionary measure, of course, I mean no offense by it, but my law-scribes and advisors will have my neck if I don't," she said in an amused tone, finishing with; "If that is acceptable to you, of course?" meaning both the visit and the contract. It was less a question than a statement, and besides she was testing the waters. If he was hesitant about the contract issue, perhaps he was hiding something.