As everybody trickled back into the tent, Melija sat in the front, contemplating everything she saw and discussing it with Seliw. I wondered how it would feel, to be flooded with that much information? Perhaps that's why she rarely used magic. I asked for a small cup of diluted rose wine for her so she could keep her energy up. She thanked me and took a few sips.

"Rose wine" is a slight misnomer. It is made with the flowers and fruit of the cultivated mountain rose, which have been used for medicinal purposes for as long as we have oral records. Rose wine is fermented, and therefore does have some alcohol, and it is distilled for preservation; however, it is diluted with water to make it potable enough even for cubs. It is refreshing, sweet, fruity, with a hint of tang and floral notes. An ultimately nourishing drink.

Everybody was back in the tent, Seliw stood up.

"I have recieved concerning reports about accelerated recruitment drives for soldiers in the neighbouring kingdom. My most recent report has shown that they could be gearing up for an invasion. The Salamanderite puppet is creating support for war and violence using religious propaganda, to bring us under the Razivilid Dynasty's influence. This was the true reason for the General's Assembly."

She pauses. "Their casus belli, in reality, is not known to us. The mountains are not hospitable to large surplus agriculture. We do not have the leftover supplies for a protracted war. I am requesting supplies, bodies, allies, food; we can supply armaments and metals. I have ordered our clans to prepare for war. We are the shield to the rest of the Hyena Tribe Lands against the Razivilid Dynasty's constant destruction of peoples.

"This is my plea! If we are conquered, I fear the rest of the efforts of our ancestors to build a stable, peaceful state, free from the horrors of slavery and autocracy, will crumble before our daughters and sons!"

The tent was quiet for a moment before bursting into an uproarious bout of questions, discussion, and concerns.

As Seliw was addressing all of these, I started listen and form groups in my head.

We have Fens, Salamnderites, Leonisi, and Hyenas of various backgrounds here; these start to form the base of my analysis.

The Fennecs are unlikely to join in a war, unless we promise their homelands back. They are exhausted by fighting, as a culture, and I am unsure if we have the resources to grant them that. However, their experience could be valuable to understand tactics and equipment, and they are likely to have food to give to the cause.

The Native Salamanderites may not want to fight their scale-kin, but an invasion is an immediate threat to them, too. If I framed it as them protecting the last remnants of their way of life, untouched by Razivilid Devil influence, I could have a chance at convincing them to lend some manpower.

The Leonisi are much less invested in this. They are the autochthonous of the Plains province, although if the Hills province were to fall, they would be the next frontier. I may have to make a trade deal or pull a few strings.

The other Hyena Tribes are likely to offer food and supplies and lend some soldiers, though some may not want to weaken their position in the grand scheme of things, so are less likely to offer large amounts of support until things get dire. The most important Tribe would be the Grain Tribes, whose fertile lands produce the most abundant and nutritious foods. This has caused them to adopt an aristocratic class of administrators to ensure the proper use of irrigation and management of food supplies. If I can barter with the goods I got from the Capybara Republics, I may be able to secure a deal.

I have my work cut out for me. Can I really manage all of this?