The council of strategic elders gathered in the palace's vast conference room, an imposing space with walls adorned with detailed maps of every territory beneath the empire and beyond. Around the long, dark stone table, the elders spoke in low, measured tones as they awaited Orion's arrival.
As soon as he entered, everyone bowed in respect.
Orion gave a brief gesture for them to settle down, and the meeting began.
"The conflict in the east has the potential to escalate quickly," a veteran of border battles began. "The Kingdom of the Seven Flames is a considerable power, but the clans of the Crimson Desert have experienced warriors and impressive resistance to extreme heat. If an uneasy alliance between them were to strengthen, it could cause imbalances across the continent."
