"And you would be Ror, the Tripower member I've been hearing about," said Vorcet Tophen and he shook Ror's hand firmly. "Only good things I hope?" Vorcet laughed. "Of course." And then they talked, about Westbridge. A school and a theatre were at the forefront of the discussion. Where to build them in Westbridge? Which steps were necessary to take? In Vorcet, Ror had found a likewise mind, a fellow bookworm. As the discussion went on, the topic of ruling came up. The city needed a ruling body, but the question was which. Vorcet explained that his preferred choice would be a council with one or two members of each group that may have an interest in trade and the general structure of law within the city of Westbridge. Outsiders, clans. Vorcet explained how a council of the clans would provide a system of checks and balances. Not one group could grab more power without the rest coming down on them. But Ror was sceptic. Although, he liked the idea of a council, he suspected the clans also brought with them greater interests than the city of Westbridge alone. Interests that would sooner or later tear the city apart in strife, with war quickly following. Perhaps it was cynical, but a good politician would have forged an alliance within a week, and by the second week would have minimalized opposition within such a council. Not even the Keepers could prevent politics to unfold in such a way. And so a devious plan formed in Ror's brain. "I have an idea..." said Ror, and he then explained it to Vorcet.
Ror proposed a council chosen by the people of Westbridge. Since the current people were untrained and unfit to rule, they would then lease administrative rights for 80 years to the Keepers. It was the only neutral party in the conflict that had the respect of all participants. "Park your island above the city park," said Ror, "Like an umbrella shielding the city. While the city is governed, we build a theatre for culture and a school for education. And after four generations under the protective umbrella, Westbridge would be strong enough to defend and fend for itself." Ror could see how the school had to be divided in subsection. Primary and secondary school, specialized education for those not joining a guild and interested in trading, law or politics. And finally an university. Economical growth would sort itself out, or only needed to be sorted out later in time.
But alas, Vorcet pointed out that the island was not under his command. Things were a little more complex in that regard, but he would put Ror's idea forth to those that guided the Keepers. At least, that's how Ror understood it. It was the start of a gradual topic change. First on structure of the Keepers of Balance and its new leader, and then the topic of Thasmudyan. After all that talking, it seemed Ror had found the wizard he needed, who seemed genuinely interested and most important of all, capable and free of charge. He wondered if Alsin would believe him. It almost sounded too good to be true! As time and drinks passed the moment of departure came and as Ror walked home, he realized he had forgotten to ask something.
Three days later, Ror knocked on the door of Traggik Endings, and waited for the door to open. Ror smiled when the door opened and said, "Fancy an adventure?"
