"There will be at least four more packs just like these. Apparently, one of them will be under the guidance of their clan leader, and he's supposed to be the strongest out of them all. At least, his magic will be. Frankly, most Keel don't seem to have to concern themselves with any of the attacks from their magic. At least, if they are attacking wide swathes. The kid said that if they focus on individuals, the magic will pierce a lot more easily through defences. Finally, he says that the most advanced, like the Nyust'taa, can just make their magic phase through people's defenses. From that, I'll say that you should be cautious with magic, but don't worry too much about it. Either way, I don't know how much we can trust this being a possibility, but be aware of it."
My elites all flared their frills and acknowledgment of my words, and I allowed myself a small smile.
"Then, is there anything you'd want us to do? The hunters are happy to continue our extermination of any of the wyrms or Misti Hawar that we come across." Took's words were the first to fill the quiet as I stopped speaking. "Of course, we can turn our attention back to finding more prey, though the food provided by the Beastkin is enough to feed most of the country without our assistance. We do need an objective, though."
"Your primary objective is to keep an eye out for the wyrms and Misti Hawar, but your method of doing so will be that you search for them while you are also scouting out any additional avenues to feed the country. All of the Kha have been tasked with reproducing as much as fast as they can. Even Khatif have been encouraged to do so."
"And do you know what it is that we will have to do to ensure all of the hatchlings survive to adulthood?" Ytte's question was next.
"In general, yes I know how to take care of them and how many resources it will require. However, in specifics, I am leaving the details to Trai as she has been the primary carer for many of the newer broods."
"Zaaktif, I must unfortunately advise you that my daughter has once again changed her priorities."
"I don't care. She's sticking with taking care of the hatchlings and the eggs for now. If I need to give her that command myself, I will, but let her know that if it comes to that, there will be punishment for not accepting my command when given through an intermediary."
Foire bowed his head in acknowledgment of what I said. His daughter still had not become Keel, and he and I both knew that it was frustrating her. That was one of the main reasons why she was constantly flipping from one interest to the next, hoping that the newest one would push her to evolution.
"Have we gotten a general number for how many Misti Hawar there are? I would feel a lot better about how we're going to fight and win this war if I knew a little bit about what we are going up against. Are there going to be many that can use these higher echelons of magic, or will it be a select few only?" Shemira's question was immediately supported by several of the people who stood near her. Quiet murmurs filled the room and quieted again as I spoke.
"He didn't seem to know, but there are larger, more powerful families than his. Our little helper suspects that there are at least 20,000 Misti Hawar living throughout the mountains of the Principality. I don't know how accurate that guess is, but I do know that there's no way that their leader would be able to get all of them to leave their homes for this would-be extermination of our people. That will also weaken the highest echelons, as they'll be left home to protect the home front from any enemies that would seize on the opportunity. At least, for now we can believe that. That's part of why I'm pushing everyone who can to raise more children immediately, to give the hatchlings more opportunity to grow to adulthood."
"Very well." Shemira bowed her head as she stepped back and whispered in conference with one of her trusted assistants.
"What's your plan with the two prisoners for now? Do we let them live?"
"That's a better question to ask Sybil than me. She is now completely in charge of them and I trust her judgment completely."
"We will continue to hold them for a time." Sybil answered smoothly. "Perhaps they will serve as messengers or as a deterrent for the rest of our attackers. I will continue to see what I can do to influence them to do as we wish. Until then, we will hold them as we have until now.
Nobody disagreed with the thought, and there were nods of approval at the idea of my Zaaktifi assisting in the subjugation of our enemies.
"Do note," I said, "that Sybil's magic will not be our long-term plan to continue subjugation of any who we conquer. Instead, it will be used for now as a tool to ensure that we can pass on the information and messages that we specifically wish to pass. Later, we will develop and work with other possibilities."
My people flared their frills in agreement, and though I saw a couple idle questions in their eyes and stances, I also saw that none thought their thoughts were important enough to voice at this time. With that, I flared my frills, and dismissed them all with one last declaration that sent them all into excited chatter.
"Now, we will be able to take the battle to our enemies, instead of being kept on the back foot this entire time. Brutus, prepare the Alqat. We have a meeting point to find and some blood to spill."
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