As things calm down a bit Seliw and I discuss our plans on getting support of the different groups, debating and disputing over the intricacies of my analysis. Her experience with diplomacy is mostly military, with other Hills Tribes and the Native Salamanderites. These cultures, due to having to deal with the harsh lessons of the hills are strict and conservative; Everybody must contribute what they can to survival out here and one wrong step can lead to you falling to your death.

Seliw was of the opinion that the Fennecs should give full military support. This is impractical. Eventually she conceded that full military support may be off the table, but what if they could offer mounts and baggage trains?

Getting supplies through the mountains is difficult because there is a lot of climbing but the Fennecs, being a mountain culture, had solutions to this. They have a special pack animal that they have introduced to us, the Cerulean Elaks. These are beasts of burden that can climb nearly vertical surfaces using hooked claws and along with the Messenger Crow, are cornerstones of the Fennec religion, being given to them by their gods.

I approached the Fennec representative, sitting beside him with an offer of food

“Here, have a taste of Guardobon. This one is roasted with what smells like Kema herbs”

He thanked me and ate the piece of meat, taking in the flavours

“Thank you, mammalian meat is not common to us. Young man, quite the predicament we have, yeah?”

“Yes, I'm hoping to help keep casualties as low as we can. May I ask some questions about the Salamanderites. Is that okay?” I kept an empathetic tone, knowing that he was most likely traumatised.

“Sure, go on. I'll tell you what I can”

“What equipment did they have in the invasion?”

“Their armour was light, mostly boiled leather I think. They used bows and arrows” He paused for a moment “They... They showered arrows on us. Most of use didn't have a chance to put on our armour as we were herding our flocks. I didn't see the melee weapons up close but from what the others have told me, they used straight, double edged iron swords and did a lot of stabbing and thrusting”

I wrote everything down, this information is the gold of strategy.

“Do you know anything about their tactics? How did they engage in battles?”

“They seemed to not be so used to mountain and hills warfare, more than likely they were trained by the Razivilids who seem more used to hilly savanna warfare. They tended to gather in larger groups and as they approached, they scattered. A few groups of soldiers managed to lure them between mountains”

“I also heard that you Fennecs had a special draught animal that can climb the perilous mountains. Is there any way we can secure any? I can exchange Guardobans which can work long hours and do well in the Plains Province that your people were resettled in”

“The Cerulean Elaks? They don't make for good battle calvary, but for mountain reconnaissance and backpacking they are most useful. We have many extra in my village. Let's negotiate...”