A week later, Derin came to the palace to report. He had completed the census. The people were organised and ready to work.
He walked into the main hall and stopped, stunned by the sight before him. The long table was covered in complex blueprints.
He saw the design for a city so grand and advanced that it made the royal capital of Azuregard look like a primitive village.
"My Lord…" he whispered, his voice full of awe. "This… this is magnificent. But the foundations… to build something so grand on the weak soil of this valley… it would be impossible."
He shook his head, his practical mind seeing only problems.
"And the required manpower is also immense. To our great shame, the city has no more than fifty engineers."
Rhys looked up from his work. He looked at the weary but determined face of his administrator, then at the grand blueprint spread before him. A slow, confident smile touched his lips.
