CHAPTER 15: THE CROWN’S LEDGER [3]

"My apologies if my words offended you," Lord Lucius Imre said with a calm voice. "Let us begin."

Princess Nyella gave a small nod and sat down. The long table before them was scattered with maps, sealed scrolls, and carved tokens that represented armies and cities.

Lord Lucius, the Lord of Shields, sat straight and placed a black marker on a region drawn in red ink.

"We’ve been observing the movements of the Sandborn warriors," he began. "Our scouts report that they are gathering in large numbers at their capital village. Right now, they’re about twenty-five thousand in number. And more are joining them by the day. Some are still scattered across the dunes, but our estimates place their total numbers at no less than thirty thousand."

Everyone in the room became quiet, and Princess Nyella looked disturbed. Her eyes widened just slightly, but she kept her voice steady. "Thirty thousand? Are you sure?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief. "That many?"

Lord Kasien Arvel, the High Marshal of the Realm, stepped in to answer. "Yes, Your Highness. Our reports are consistent. As for our forces, our main army holds thirteen thousand men."

Nyella blinked. "Only thirteen?"

"If we pull forces from the Western and Eastern battalions," Lord Arvel continued, "we can raise the number to nineteen thousand."

Nyella paused, calculating in her head. Her face looked more serious and disturbed. "But if we do that... won’t it leave our flanks vulnerable?" she asked. "The West and East are not completely safe either. If we draw those soldiers away, and someone decides to strike from the sides, what happens then?"

Lucius nodded slightly, as if he had anticipated the question. "The citadels stationed there are well-fortified," he replied. "And the generals we’ve left in command are no ordinary men. If there’s any threat, they can hold them off and we’ll be alerted immediately. In that case, we send a cavalry unit from the main force to deal with it. They can ride there in hours, crush the threat, and return."

Nyella slowly exhaled, the response gave her a slight comfort. But she wasn’t fully satisfied.

Her gaze shifted toward Lord Kasien Arvel.

"Forgive me, Lord Arvel... but if I remember correctly, you were the one who told my father, King Tharyn, that we were ready for war. That we could face the Sandborn. Is this it? Is this your idea of ’ready’?"

The room went quiet again. The Lords looked at each other as they were not sure of what to say.

Lord Arvel stood taller. "Yes, I advised the King," he said. "Because our army is not just measured in numbers, Your Highness. Our men are trained. Many of the Sandborn warriors are unorganized clansmen who just climb onto horses and run around. Their strength is in numbers, yes. But they lack order. Discipline."

He moved one of the markers across the map. "We also have weapons they do not. Ballistas, war trebuchets, reinforced shields, and armored cavalry."

Nyella wasn’t convinced. "That may be true," she said, "but they have eleven thousand more men. Eleven thousand more blades. And you still suggest we fight them on open ground? As much as we all agree that the Sandborns are a threat... I truly believe now is not the time for war."

Lord Arvel didn’t wait. "Then tell us, my princess, when will the right time be?" His voice had an edge. "If we delay any further, they’ll grow stronger than we can even imagine."

The princess met his eyes. "Then we grow stronger too, Lord Arvel. We train harder. We gather more allies and more soldiers. We don’t just rush into a battle we already know is not in our favor."

"But you speak as though we have the luxury of time!" Lord Arvel placed his hand gently on the table. "They’re not waiting! Almost every child in the Sandborn clans grows up to be a warrior. Every single one of them is trained for war. Do you know what that means? Each passing day, they grow in numbers and strength. We can’t just sit and hope for the best."

Nyella looked down briefly with a heavy heart. "You’re pushing us into a fierce and bloody war. Even if we win... We’ll lose so much. Our soldiers. Our people. Families torn apart... That doesn’t feel like victory to me."

She turned toward the Lord Arbiter, Lord Edgar. "Is this truly unavoidable? Is there no other way? Must it really come to this?"

Lord Edgar sighed deeply. He had seen more years of war than anyone in the room. "My princess, I wish I could say otherwise... but I fear it is far too late. Our scouts say the Sandborn already know of our intentions. Word travels fast in those parts. I’m certain they’re mobilizing as we speak. They believe we’re outnumbered and will try to crush us before we even strike."

Lord Lucius, who had remained quiet for most of the discussion, said. "I stand with Lord Edgar. The time is short, my princess. We have less than a moon’s cycle to make our stand. They will attack, and they don’t need their full numbers to do so. They’re known for launching surprise offensives before they even have complete numbers. We need to move. Fast."

Nyella looked around at the faces in the room... There was tension, but also resolve. They were ready to fight... but were they ready to lose?

She slowly rose from her chair. Her voice now became louder and clearer. "Then so be it. On behalf of the Crown, and in the King’s absence, I authorize all generals and commanders to begin full preparations for the coming war. Mobilize every division. Strengthen every outpost. Prepare the citadels. Ready the soldiers."

"If you need any resources, send word immediately. You will have everything you ask for without delay."

Then she looked at them, not just as soldiers, but as people who have their own families. "But I also plead with you, fight to win, yes, but fight to save. Keep our people safe. Bring our soldiers back home. Let their children see them again and let our victory not be stained with endless grief."

Everyone in the room lowered their heads and bowed to the royal decree.