The chamber buzzed with a nervous energy. A dozen figures, all clad in the regalia of the newly formed Kingdom of Lazica, huddled around a large table crafted from reclaimed stone. Maps of the region, intricately detailed and painstakingly crafted, lay spread across the table, each one a testament to the meticulous planning that had led to this moment. The air was thick with the scent of incense and the murmur of voices, each syllable weighted with the responsibility of their new nation.
"The Kelan Union and the Federation of Duridarr are locked in a bloody stalemate," said a man with a sharp jawline, his eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight, "They are like two dogs tearing at each other's throats, oblivious to the bigger picture."
The others nodded in agreement. The war between the two Eastern powers had been raging for months, a carefully orchestrated distraction that had allowed the newly formed Kingdom of Lazica, under the shrewd guidance of their unseen leader, to solidify its position.
"Our Lord's strategy has been masterful," stated a woman with a calm demeanor, her voice a low, resonant purr. "He has played the Kelan and the Duridarr against each other, ensuring that their attention is firmly fixed on the East."
"We are fortunate," said another, a young man with a thoughtful expression, "that the two are so deeply entrenched in their own internal conflicts. They have no interest in our newly formed kingdom."
"Yet, that is a precarious position," the woman with the calm demeanor cautioned, "We are still vulnerable. We must remain vigilant, ensure that our defenses are unyielding, and exploit this window of opportunity."
"We must expand our influence," the man with the sharp jawline said, his gaze hardening, "Expand our borders. Secure trade routes, establish alliances. We cannot afford to be stagnant. We are a nascent nation, and our survival depends on our ability to grow."
A ripple of unease passed through the room. The idea of expanding their territory, of taking land from their former enemies, was a sensitive one, but the need for it was undeniable.
"Yes, but expansion must be gradual, strategic," said another, "We cannot afford to antagonize either the Kelan or the Duridarr, not while they are still at war. We must be patient, play our cards carefully, and wait for the right moment."
"The Kelan and the Duridarr are weakened by their internal conflicts," added the man with the sharp jawline, "We can exploit their vulnerabilities. We can secure our borders, strengthen our alliances, and prepare for the inevitable moment when we will strike."
"Such a moment will come," the woman with the calm demeanor nodded. "We will strike, but not without careful planning, not without securing the support of our allies, not without ensuring that our victory is absolute."
Elara, the dark elf, leaned back against a stone pillar, her eyes narrowed. "I have no interest in the struggles of the humans" she said, her voice laced with a hint of disdain. "They have always been at each others throat ever since the dawn of time. I with my sisters will only provide our aid when they come to threaten the lives of the common folks which will then invoke our agreement with the Queen."
"Is that how you wanna do it?" Khao'khen pressed, his gaze sharp.
"The agreement... We will honor it to our last breathe" Syvis, Elara's companion, interjected. "We will do what we can... As ,long as we are capabale to do so."
A heavy silence descended on the chamber, broken only by the crackle of the candles. Each member of the alliance, their faces etched with a blend of concern and determination, understood the gravity of the situation. The new kingdom of Lazica, with its stance still unknown towards them was considered a threat.
"We must act," Faynah finally said, his voice carrying an undeniable urgency. "We must strike while they are still vulnerable, before they can truly solidify their power."
Adhalia's lips curled into a smile. "It is a good strategy," she agreed, her voice soft but dangerous. "Lazica is a fledgling bird, its wings still weak. We can clip them before they learn to fly, but are we ready to go for another long campaign?"
Khao'khen's eyes narrowed. "We are not" he answered, his voice low and intense. "Yohan is at risk... We can't embark on another campaign till we deal with the troublemakers to our north."
*****
Although Khao'khen wanted to expand the territories under their influence, he was not in the right circumstance to do so. To the north of his base, enemies were threatening its safety. The city of Yohan was at the risk of being conquered.
The Threian kingdom, in their arrogance, had sent scouts to gather intelligence, but Yohan's sentinels, stealthy and vigilant, had intercepted and eliminated them with ease, leaving the intruders' bodies as a warning to any who would dare threaten their sovereignty.
Khao'khen can't leave the Threains to do as they wish with his base. He must put them in their place first, before he could safely expand his control to more lands. Galum'nor had sent him numerous messages, asking for the horde and his return because of the troublemakers, but their campaign of the Burning Sands was yet to be finish.
And now, with their campaign finally coming to an end, he can now swing back towards his base and deal with the troublemakers who had come to seek their death. Khao'khen although not very confident in Adhalia and Faynah's abilities to manage the new Ereian kingdom, he had no other choice but to trust their capabilities, as he retraced back his steps along with the horde, back towards Yohan.