Ulrick slumped down in his chair, sitting all alone in his office. He needed some space to digest the news.
He was the leader of R&A now.
Only a few weak rays of golden light shined into the room, heralding daybreak. Besides the distant, muffled noises of some Relief Force members probably working, the world was still half-asleep.
Ulrick did not care how early it was. He slammed a glass of fine dwarven brandy on his table, before pouring himself some. His sharp smell could already tell him the exceptional quality of the drink.
āWell, congrats Ulrick.ā
He said to himself, words deadpan and dry. The fine brandy went down in a single gulp. He barely even felt it burning his throat.
This was not supposed to happen. He wasnāt supposed to win. How can he not mess up his new position on the Council? How can he lead the whole R&A organization?
His coworkers, his friends, probably expect some celebration from him, or at least a grand speech. But now those things were the least of his worries.
Their enemies must have already learned the news too. R&A has a new head, a much less experienced one at that. They must be already scheming something devious...
Dropping the glass, Ulrick sunk deeper in his chair, almost looking like melting.
If only Hirk was here to give some guidance on how to run thingsā¦ But now, he was currently busy burning a realm to the ground at the behest of the dragon Mindcarver.
Ulrick got hit by an immense sense of shame. Their old, true, leader was risking his life again to save everyone, while he was moping in a dark room? Yeah, he felt even worse now. If only he could do the sameā¦
Then againā¦
What would Hirk do? Certainly not just sitting around, feeling sorry for himself. Heād do what needs to be done for the good of people, even if it seems impossible.
R&A needed a leader that it could rely on. Someone to show guidance, even when the night is at the darkest. A solid foundation to rest on.
Ulrick jolted up from his chair, leaving his room in haste. He had so much to do, so little time to spare. The whole organization counted on him doing his best. And their enemies shouldnāt see any signs of weakness either.
Hirk will hopefully return soon, and they can sort out how things should go on. But until thatā¦
Archimene sits perched atop a tower. He peers into Ukricks office with a telescope of xray, stalking his next victim who he'll dump all his paperwork on.
"Never cared for the Dwarven stuff. Might sound hypocritical coming from me but Dwarven spirits take themselves too seriously for my liking."
I uncork my flask of "Ithacarian snapper." Which is really just cinnamon whiskey laced with the mind control potions I microdose to build resistance, and raise a toast.
"I admit, I'm not adept at reading lupine faces, but you seem less than happy about the win."
Eh, I like the kick they have. Burns your throat just the right way.
He raises a toast too, and then chugs it down
Well, not much. Just sunk in how much extra responsibility I got now. All while my friend who knows how to run things are risking his life again for everyone.
"You'll rise to the occasion. I'm sure of it. R&A is all about mastering the darkness of this world. And who would know better how to do that than one who's mastered the darkness within himself? Hirk couldn't have asked for a better successor."
Congratulations on the Burdens of responsibility" spoke an orb message from a rat humanoid. Caller ID said it was the Kahn of Cattail City, Vimbroise Penrose.
Almost the exact instant the news dropped, a document requesting approval to enter the cursed artifacts vault finds its way onto Ulrick's personal desk baring the unmistakable handwriting of a certain madman.
"It is a pleasure to hear of your success, we know you will be up to the tasks, and be a leader we all need at these uncertain times. "
The message from the orb was addressed from one of the Occult Orders, their leader must have been working night shifts after the incident with the student who cheated in the Illusion exam.
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u/CosmicChameleon99 Cheryl, hedge witch, R&A Feb 20 '25
/uw amazing read