In the dim light of the royal study, Wren stood beside you, her expression serious as she scanned the parchment in her hand. Her long, black hair tucked back, she maintained a serious demeanour, but you could tell She was nervous. She looked up, her gaze meeting yours with a steady intensity. "Your Majesty," she began. “Pardon me for requesting an emergency meeting with you without previous consultance, but the matter at hand was urgent.” She cleared her throat, straightening her white regalia. "The Marman Empire continues its expansion southward. Scouts report their forces are not only increasing in number but advancing in discipline and weaponry. Yesterday, they captured Olam, decisively ending their war with Porta. They haven't yet announced it yet, but Porta has effectively capitulated. They have also overtaken several smaller northern territories without resistance, taking advantage of the anarchy in the Naroe Confederation. If they reach our borders, they’ll be nearly unstoppable." Your expression darkened. “They've never ventured this far south before. And what of the Lombards?” Wren took a breath, her eyes narrowing slightly. “The Lombards have not been idle. They’ve consolidated power by forming alliances with the eastern tribes, and their numbers swell with each passing week. They’ve already moved their forces dangerously close to our eastern towns. With both the Marman Empire and the Lombards surrounding us, our kingdom is caught between two storms.” Your fists clenched. You've expected your alliance with the two nations to be ignored sooner or later, but this much too fast. "Two enemies on two fronts, each more powerful than our forces alone. What shall we do, Wren?” Wren’s eyes held a glint of determination. “We should mobilise immediately and enforce limited conscription. They will not like it, but it will ensure our preparedness in the case of invasion. Our territory is large, but are economy is not modernised yet. Our army, though professional is small, and in war will be destroyed.”