[ There's a comfort - a meager one - in not having to explain further to Viktor. It makes sense the other man would know, especially given what he hopes to do here in examining the summoning ritual to pull it apart and find out how it works. Such a thing wouldn't be possible without understanding as much, Claude imagines, though that's also surely an oversimplification of something incredibly complicated.

What's less so, however, is the expression on Viktor's face as he considers the workshop and what all needs to be done. The frown is a familiar one if only because he's sure it's been on his own face now and then over the years, and Claude's quick to shake his head. ]

Too much is exactly why I offered since it might be too much for you, but it won't be if we can get some things figured out here. I've been working for some of the merchants around the city with book balancing, orders, various contacts with whoever their clients are, for the past year or so. I can put some or all of that to use here if you'd like me to. Same goes for what I know from running a country from before that.

[ Slight wry smile there, since: that's something he realized in retrospect he probably should've told Viktor in any one of their conversations prior to announcing it to the Free Cities Summoned as a whole some time ago. ]

I don't think I'd be the only one to offer help either. You're not alone, and that's what we're here for.