To Fortus Arum, Lion Tribe, Palace, Guest Quarters

From Huo Lohse Lang, Phoenix Tribe, Palace, Guest Quarters

June 3

Fortus,

I can’t help but notice that you still haven’t written to me, but that’s not why I’m writing. On my way here to the exchange, I passed through the Panther Tribe and ran into Kuchezan Utu. You’ll remember him from your first two years of the exchange. We spent some time catching up and discussing our war preparations.

Kuchezan opened my eyes to the challenges of being a small tribe during times of war. They have limited resources and a small population, and their value as an ally is also limited by that. They need help if they stand any chance of defending themselves against the dragons. Specifically, they need military leadership with training experience. I’m writing to ask if you could send a small task force to the Panther Tribe to help train their soldiers. They only have six hundred or so troops, and most of the soldiers have day jobs apart from the military. It’s a unique situation, so whomever you send should be sensitive to that.

I have to admit, I’ve started worrying about all the other small tribes, the Boar and Komodo Tribes in particular as their territories are the closest to the Dragon Tribe. As Kuchezan said yesterday, if the Dragon Tribe were to decide to pick off one of the smaller tribes, they would likely be completely annihilated before they could send off a warning or ask for help. I’m shamelessly appealing to your sensibilities as a tactician to think of ways to shore up the smaller tribes. They are so incredibly vulnerable.

I suggested to Kuchezan that they might consider relocating temporarily to one of the main tribes’ territories for safety until the threat has passed, but he wasn’t too keen on that idea. However, I intend to write to my dad and Philige about this issue to see if they have any ideas or if they can offer any additional assistance.

Hoping this finds you well,

Lolo

***

To Bear Tribe Leader Philige Tragen, Bear Tribe, Leader’s Lodge

From Huo Lohse Lang, Phoenix Tribe, Palace, Guest Quarters

June 3

Dear Philige,

It’s been a while since I wrote to you directly. I’m sorry to be abrupt, but I have something to discuss with you that dovetails into an issue Standig mentioned you’ve been struggling with. As such, I think you might have some unique insights.

I understand that you’ve been working to figure out how to protect your people when they are so widely spread out. Yesterday, I ran into Kuchezan Utu who brought a similar issue to my attention. The smaller tribes are all vulnerable in a similar way. Here are a collection of, essentially, villages living disconnected from the rest of the world. Their armies would be completely wiped out in a confrontation with the dragons, and their people slaughtered. Most of the small tribes do not have the resources to sustain a full time army anyway. I’m concerned for their safety. Especially for those in close proximity to the Dragon Tribe territory.

I’m not really sure what I’m asking here, but I wondered if you had any thoughts or ideas on the subject. I’ve sent a similar letter to my dad and asked Fortus Arum to give it some thought as well.

I miss you and hope that you are well! One of these days I really want to come visit the Bear Tribe again so I can see you and check in on New Pahaad. I hope you don’t mind me inviting myself over.

Lolo

***

“Lolo, are you done writing yet? We need to head out!” Ulana was getting impatient.

“You’re in such a hurry! And I’m done anyway. Who do I give these to?”

“Bring them to the meeting. There are always messengers there. They will take care of your letters for you.”

“So for class this exchange, we’re just supposed to sit in on the council meetings and write reports?”

“That’s what I understood from my dad,” Ulana shrugged.

“I mean, I guess that works. It will certainly give us an idea of the inner workings of the Phoenix Tribe. Do we have any sword training this year?”

“I haven’t heard anything specific about sword training, so I don’t know.”

The girls found their way to the council room and, to their surprise, were ushered into chairs in the front row a few seats to the right of King Ukhaan. Lolo was seated next to a man with brown skin and warm brown hair who looked to be in his late twenties.

“I’m Huo Lohse Lang from the Wolf Tribe, here for the training exchange. What’s your name?” she introduced herself in a whisper before the meeting started.

“I am Surakh Ukhaan.”

“Ukhaan as in King Ukhaan?”

“I’m his grandson.”

“Ah! The crown prince?”

He nodded.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, princess.”

“Please, it’s Lolo to just about everyone. Huo Lohse if you really insist.”

“Lolo, huh? Where did that come from?”

“My brothers called me that when I was born, and it just kind of stuck. Now all my friends call me Lolo.”

The prince chuckled softly. “Does this mean we’re friends?”

“I don’t see why not.... What should I call you?”

“Surakh will do,” he smiled. “Well, friend, let me know if you have any questions during the meeting today.”

“Thanks, Surakh. What are the discussion points for today’s meeting?”

“We discuss issues of the court and issues of the people.”

“What distinguishes issues of the court from issues of the people?”

“Issues of the court involve things like laws and policies, regional issues, leadership related things and the like. Issues of the people can be anything from grievances and crimes to happier things like requests and gratitude. Individuals from the tribe can come to request an audience with the council to discuss issues that local leaders are unable to resolve.”

“Makes sense. Do you discuss the status of your military in these meetings?”

“Yes. Well, the general gives us a brief update every day.”

“Oh, yay! What can you tell me about your military?”

“We have over thirty-one thousand troops and we’re still recruiting. Training is normal.”

“What does your military training involve?”

Surakh gave Lolo a funny look. “The usual stuff. I don’t know.”

Lolo was shocked and, suddenly, for reasons she didn’t understand, quite upset. “That seems like important information right now. What on earth does your general report to you every meeting?”

“Numbers. Basic status of things.”

“He doesn’t update you on the things they are working on, what training methods they are trying, what has been successful, how prepared they are to go into battle, injury reports, anything?”

Surakh seemed confused and shook his head. “Do you take an interest in these things?”

Lolo felt herself becoming increasingly emotional and almost panicked. “Very much so! These are the things we need to know before going into battle. Proper training is of the utmost importance right now. I’ve experienced firsthand the brutal training methods of the Dragon Tribe, and I’ve spent the last two years adjusting the Wolf Tribe military training specifically to combat their methods and prepare our men to meet them in a life and death struggle. Are you telling me that you’re not the least bit concerned about these things?”

Surakh was observably unsettled. “It’s not that I’m unconcerned. I’ve just never given it much thought.”

“But you’re the crown prince! How can you protect your people if you don’t understand your own military, your strengths and weaknesses?!”

“I don’t know.”

Lolo's throat was tight enough to make her feel like she was choking slightly, and Surakh felt like someone had punched him in the gut when the meeting was called to order. Right out of the gate, General Chadvargi was invited to share his report with the council.

“My king, councilmen, as of yesterday, we have thirty-one thousand, six hundred and forty-two soldiers. Training is continuing normally. We are still recruiting in preparation for the war.” The general bowed and moved to take his seat again.

“Excuse me,” Surakh stood up to address the general, “what does your training involve?”

The Phoenix General seemed surprised to be asked any question at all. “Well, standard sword forms and maneuvers. Troop formations and deployments. Physical training.”

Lolo was writing frantically and handed Surakh a slip of paper. “Do you run battle simulations?” Surakh read from the paper.

“No,” the general seemed confused.

“Are your men practicing delivering killing blows?”

“We spar until an opponent is forced to yield.”

Lolo started scribbling furiously again, and Surakh waited for her to finish.

“I’m sorry, my king,” the general appealed to the Old Phoenix in the meantime, “why am I answering the questions of a young Wolf Tribe princess? This is a council meeting, not a classroom.”

Lolo felt like she’d been slapped and her stomach hollowed out as she waited for King Ukhaan to respond.

“Princess Lang, perhaps instead of feeding your questions to my grandson, you would care to address the general yourself?” The Old Phoenix invited Lolo to stand.

“I thank you for your kind indulgence, your majesty.” Lolo rose cautiously to address the Phoenix General. “I apologize for my impetuousness, general. I’ve spent the last two years working with the Wolf Tribe military to optimize our training methods. I’ve also been communicating with the Bear and Lion Tribes about their methods of training, so, as you can surely understand, I take a very active interest in these matters, especially at this particular time.”

“I see.” The general shifted slightly, and Lolo sensed overwhelming discomfort from him.

“Are you aware of how the enemy is training their men?”

“How could we possibly know how the Dragon Tribe conducts their military training?”

“Did you bother to ask Ulana Zugeer about her experience during the Dragon Tribe exchange two years ago?” Lolo indicated her friend to her right.

“Uh. No,” came the answer. Lolo felt her cheeks growing hot.

“Have you consulted with the neighboring Lion Tribe about their military training methods? Or any other tribe for that matter?”

“No.”

“Have you researched optimal methods that will best prepare your men for battle?”

“No.”

“Have you adjusted anything since news of an imminent war broke?”

“N-not exactly, no.”

“Then what exactly have you been doing for the last two years, general?!” By this point, Lolo's emotions had boiled over, and she was practically shouting. The room full of councilmen sat watching in a state of silent stupor, while the Phoenix General was visibly shaken. “War is at your doorstep, general, and the collective world is counting on the Phoenix Tribe to be prepared for it! You plan to send over thirty thousand under-trained young men into battle to be slaughtered because of their pathetic lack of competent leadership?! Your casualty counts will be astronomical! Are you working for the Dragon Tribe?!”

“No! No, I’m not! I swear!” General Chadvargi sounded desperate as he humbled himself to his knees. “These are tried methods-”

“FOR TIMES OF PEACE!” Huo Lohse’s fury could no longer be contained. She forgot all propriety, and hot, angry tears began to spill from her eyes as she continued to snarl. “The world is not at peace, general! Use your head! Have you even been in a real battle before?”

“N-n-no.” He was shaking.

“Have you ever had to kill an enemy soldier before?”

“N-no.”

Her voice dropped to a dangerously low volume. “Well, I have.”

The room was unearthly silent as Huo Lohse stared down the trembling Phoenix General. No one knew what to say as they had all been jolted out of a false sense of security to arrive at a state of absolute terror. General Chadvargi fell further to drop his head to the ground as though begging. “What do you want me to do?”

“Your job,” she hissed. “Or get out of the way so someone else can do it for you.”

King Ukhaan cleared his throat. “Princess Lang, I do believe that you’ve found your next great project.”

After a few more unpleasantries were exchanged, King Ukhaan dismissed the general with orders to expect someone that afternoon to review the Phoenix Tribe military training methods and status. The rest of the council meeting proceeded under an oppressive gloominess. The council members all seemed distracted, and Surakh kept fidgeting nervously next to Lolo with his pen. After a torturous two hours, King Ukhaan dismissed the council early and called the exchange students to meet with him and his grandson in private.

“You’ve made quite an impression, princess Lang,” he began. “ It’s only your first day here.”

“My apologies, your majesty,” Lolo said quietly with a shallow curtsy.

He waved off her apology. “I want to thank you for exposing this great weakness. It’s much better to learn about it now while there is still time to do something about it. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Huo Lohse Lang and Ulana Zugeer, I give you full authorization to make any and all necessary changes to the Phoenix Tribe military in order to prepare us for war.” Lolo and Ulana exchanged shocked looks with each other, and the Old Phoenix chuckled. “It has been a long time since anyone in this hall has dared to challenge the status quo, and I recognize skill and talent when I see it. If anyone can save us from this incredible oversight, you two can.”

Ulana dropped into a bow. “Thank you, your majesty. We will do our best to get the military back on course.”

Lolo followed Ulana’s example and bowed, though the gesture was done somewhat dispiritedly. “I only hope that we will be able to do enough.”