"Foolish," said Merat, standing up from the improvised table. "Glory in war. Tax. Power to thre-"

"Shut it you, I'm trying to think," said Rughoi, and Merat sat back down. Rughoi now became lost in thought for a few seconds, but soon came to a decision. "Sound advice yet again, Rama. Rally your troops. I want all spare hands working on public structures. Roads, walls, the castle, all of it. We will bring the city up from the ground within the cycle of the moon, no later. Merat, Kutur, that goes for you as well, and I will not hear a word of complaint about it. I will do my part and lay bricks with my own hands." He stood up then, and rushed outside to give the same command to his own soldiers. Merat eyed Rama with a look full of malice, but eventually got up and reluctantly went off to search for his captains.

"Well, for what it's worth, at least, I agree with your proposition, within reason, of course," stammered Kutur.