Gradually, the guild masters entered, each one carrying the dignity of their craft in their bearing and attire. Among those who entered, some stood out for their significance in the city's life.
The first to enter was the master of the blacksmiths' guild, a broad-shouldered man with a tanned leather apron that covered him down to his knees. He wore thick clothes to protect himself from the heat of the forge, and his face was illuminated by the light of honest, hard work. With a determined stride, he headed to one of the sturdy chairs and sat down, letting the sound of his arrival resonate in the room.
Following him came the master of the carpenters' guild, whose hands bore the scars of his craft. He wore a linen tunic with an apron that carried the marks of wood and sawdust. With a nod to the blacksmith, he took his seat, his presence as solid as the structures he erected.
The master of the weavers' guild, a figure of authority in her field, entered wrapped in a cloak of intricate fabric, a testament to her skill. She sat gracefully, draping her cloak over the back of the chair and crossing her hands in her lap.
The master of the potters' guild, whose clay works were essential for daily life, entered in a tunic stained with dry mud, a sign of his labor. He settled into a chair, leaving a respectful space next to the weaver.
The master of the goldsmiths' guild, whose jewelry adorned high society, presented himself in fine clothes and a small gold brooch on his chest. He sat carefully, placing a case of tools beside him, a symbol of his meticulous work.
Finally, the Captain of the Guard made his entrance, the authority responsible for maintaining order and security. He wore polished armor that reflected his commitment to protecting the city, and his cape bore the emblem of his office. With a formal salute, he took the last chair, completing the circle of leaders.
Among the others who entered were the master of the bakers' guild, whose scent of fresh bread preceded his arrival; the master of the shoemakers, with his impeccably crafted leather boots; and the master of the tailors, whose garments dressed everyone in the room.
The mayor, in his official attire denoting his office, entered the room with a calm and assured step. He approached Urraca, who waited with a posture that radiated authority and patience. "Everyone has arrived," he announced with a clear and resonant voice, ensuring his message reached every corner of the enclosure.
Urraca nodded, her gaze sweeping the room and briefly stopping on each of the attendees. "Good," she said with a tone that reflected her satisfaction and the seriousness of the moment. Then, she raised her voice to address the assembly of guild masters and the Captain of the Guard. "Is anyone else yet to arrive?" she asked, waiting for confirmation to proceed.
One by one, the masters and the Captain of the Guard shook their heads or murmured a "No, my lady" in a chorus of low but firm voices. It was clear that all those summoned were present, and there were no absences to regret.
Hearing the unanimous confirmation, Urraca turned back to the mayor. "Please take a seat," she indicated with a gesture of her hand towards the chair that corresponded to him. The mayor, with a nod of respect, headed to the vacant chair and sat down. With everyone in place, the meeting was ready to begin.
Urraca stood up, drawing the attention of everyone in the room with a gesture of her hand. "Have you noticed the thunder rumbling in the sky as you came?" she asked, her voice resonating with gravity. "It is almost certain that a rain is coming that is strong enough to, perhaps, flood our city. If you look out the window, it has already started to rain."
The attendees turned their gazes towards the windows, where raindrops began to trace furrows on the glass, heralding the storm that loomed over them.
"Remember that it has been two years since the ditches were maintained," Urraca continued, her tone underscoring the urgency of the matter. "Surely they are obstructed with stones, branches, soil, and other debris. Moreover, it is possible that several sections have broken. We must maintain the entire flood prevention system and repair where necessary. How much will it cost?" Her gaze settled on the mayor, expecting a concrete answer.
The mayor, aware of the seriousness of the situation, stood up solemnly. "If we are to make an approximate calculation," he said, "taking into account labor, materials, and the promptness with which we must act, we could be talking about around 500 gold dinars."
Urraca sat on the throne that presided over the room, her figure imposing silence and attention. "Well," she began, her voice clear and firm, "we can start making a plan to prevent the flooding of the city. First of all, we must ensure that everyone outside the walls, or at least the majority, are taken to the cathedral. That way, if it floods and their homes are affected, we won't have to deal with additional problems and better to solve it now. Later, I will personally speak with the archbishop to coordinate this effort."
Urraca paused, making sure her message sank in with each of the attendees. "After securing everyone in the cathedral, we will need all men over ten years old to help clean the ditches. They must pick up the stones, sticks, and, if possible, remove the vegetation that obstructs the flow of water. I believe this year we have not demanded much in terms of corvee. To incentivize the work to be done as quickly as possible, communicate that for each day of work, two days of corvee will be deducted."
As Urraca directed her gaze towards the master of the stonemasons' guild, her voice resonated with authority. "To repair the ditches and the damaged sections, we will need stone. See if there are pieces of stone available that we can use," she instructed, and then turned her attention to the master of the carpenters' guild. "If there is not enough stone, use wood to reinforce the critical areas."
With a gesture of her hand, Urraca indicated that she had finished imparting her immediate orders. "I think for now I have said everything necessary. If I have missed anything, I will let you know later. Likewise, if you find any problems or have any suggestions, let me know immediately."
The masters nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation and the need to act quickly and effectively. With Urraca's instructions fresh in their minds, they prepared to mobilize their guilds and begin the prevention and repair work that the city required in the face of the storm threat. The meeting had established a clear action plan, and now it depended on the collaboration and joint effort of all to safeguard their common home.