As we arrived at the camp I could smell the scents of roasting meats and hear the tell sounds of knife slicing vegetables. We here at last. The General's Assembly.

Melija and I entered, Jonzo stayed outside to take any messenger crows. I bowed my head in respect as is Hill's Tribe tradition as Melija kneeled by the cloth that was put down. An assortment of foods was laid out, rice, vegetables, preserved and fresh, with pieces of caramelised beard candy. No doubt the meat outside will be added to the platter too. This is a feast meant to impress a series of nobles.

I looked towards the back of the tent, where the guest of highest honours usually sits. A Salamanderite, tied up and kneeling, he looked disheveled with messy, long, curly filaments. His shirt was in the Razivilid style, buttoned up most of the way but with his chest exposed, most undignified. He must be from the neighbouring Salamanderite puppet kingdom. In front of him was a tall slender guard with a bronze sword drawn. He too was Salamanderite with a torc made of coppered-gold, and a cloak covered his shoulders. No doubt one of the mountain natives that are scattered in the Hills province.

As people settled in and arrived I noticed parties from across the provinces arrived from as for west as my home, the River Province, from as far south as the Coastal province, with representatives of the Fennecs, Leonisi city states, Native Salamanderites, and their associated Hyena tribes. A pit grew in my stomach. A Hyena woman one seat clockwise from the disheveled Salamander spoke, her cup being filled with rose wine by her interpreter.

"Everybody, thank you for coming to the assembly. I apologize for calling you all on such short notice but this is an emergency." she took a sip from her drink "I am Seliw Enu guest of highest honour is Solsicus Docosimum. My patrols captured him at the border today we will decide his fate and after which there will be other things on the itinerary, he will introduce himself and plead his case. He is still adjusting to our customs so patience is required"

She put her cup in front of Solsicus' lips "Take a sip and speak"

Solsicus spoke followed Seliw's instructions with trembling lips

"Thank you for the hospitality. I am a noble born Salamanderite of high status, exiled from my homeland and forced to wander what I was told was the wastes of these lands. As my tumultuous brother admonished some poor peasants into paying a redudant tax, I stepped in bravely and the feud escalated into a brawl which took us to a nearby cliff... and... and.." He looked down, unable to bring his gaze to meet ours "He fell down. I was deemed guilty as murder under trial, and here I am. I wish to reestablish myself into a community!"

The other guests were silent. Digesting what they were told. Melija passed the cup clockwise to a native Salamander representative

"Dulra, your turn"

The representative took a sip, pausing to take in the taste

"Good wine as always Chieftess-Genral, the mountain roses have been happy with your care. You, scale-kin, we cannot accept you back into our communities unless you renounce loyalty to the demons in the Dynasty cult and even then I am unsure if the locals would fully allow you to integrate"

The discussion continued, with the cup being passed along as each individual spoke. The Fennec reps demanded an execution with ferverous spite. Their reasoning being that he could have been one of the nobles that orchestrated the slaughter and mass enslavement of the Fennec people or at the very least benefitted greatly from it. The Hills tribes reps were on the fence with integrating him after interrogation and execution. Melija, with her intelligence experience, suggested that we send for an update on the city he was exiled from to verify his story first, if he's telling the truth, integrate him into Seliw's clan, if he's lying, kill him. Many third parties remained quiet, perhaps they did not feel comfortable.

As the cup came back to Solsicus, Seliw stood back up. Tall and strong with her stoic expression she spoke

"We seem to have really have two options when we break it down to single words. Execution, and integration. If we agree on integration I will take him into my clan and adopt him into my family. Enjoy the food, enjoy the drink, discuss amoongst yourselves then we will have a vote"