"More than patrols! These automatons are soldiers!" Oswall added, "They cannot be hurt by most of the weapons that Vile uses, including the gases made for us." He thumped a fist on the table. "This will not be something they would expect, we would retake the upper hand with such creatures!"

"Do not get too excited, Oswall," Vera said as she lifted a finger. "There's no knowing how long it will even take to make these things safe, let alone fight for us out of the ruins." She then addressed Meesei. "I am inclined to agree with focussing on this project, but as Ri'vashi warns, we should not spread too thin. If we can, we should only take these ruins one at a time. If the research teams must relocate to another ruin, we ought to leave the previous one producing automatons until we have need of it again. Unless, of course, we need to keep that ruin as a safe thoroughfare for the rest of the clan." She took a deep breath through her nose and weaved her fingers together. "As for diverting from the aetherium to this...I feel as though the aetherium has great potential, but the automatons are likely to grant us something tangible and helpful in a shorter amount of time. Time is something we do not have the luxury to squander." Her eyes peered to each lieutenant in attendance. "Are there any objections?"

[hr]
Janius sat on the brassy bench that overlooked the playing children. In one of the clearer squares of the silent city, one of the carpenters had constructed some small skeletal wooden structures and secured them to the floor for the children of the clan to play games in. Mostly, they tended to use their imagination to envision sailing a ship or being on a cart being attacked by bandits. Now, however, they were simply playing tag. Rhazii was dominating the game, courtesy of his height, while Newt was sitting at the highest point of the structures, watching proceedings. Apart from the occasional fall or accidental knock, it was a safe enough play environment. They all loved the playground. Janius wished he had been lucky enough as a child to have such a thing. Although, seeing the scene brought his memories back to his old home in Bravil. He was reminded that he had many things in his upbringing that others didn't have.

Nearby, Janius spotted Saras walking up a nearby street. Janius smiled and narrowed his eyes, before calling him over. He cupped one hand to his mouth. "Saras! You still owe me an ale for shielding you on the last patrol!" Janius then pointed a thumb behind him, in the general direction of the nearby storage room. "Grab me a mug now and we'll be even. Come, share one with me."