**The Great War Room** of the Abyssal Dragon Empire was bathed in dim light, the atmosphere heavy with expectation. Lu Ming, sitting on his obsidian throne, watched with a barely contained smile as the Eternal Wind Nomads' emissary, **Kael**, bowed respectfully to him. The nomads' offer had been clear: a temporary alliance to share information on the movements of the elves and dwarves, in exchange for access to the empire's resources. An interesting proposition, Lu Ming thought, but also fraught with risk.
"**I accept your offer, Kael**," Lu Ming finally said, his deep voice echoing through the room. "But let it be clear, any sign of betrayal or deception will be punished with fire and fury. You will have limited access to the resources you request, but always under our supervision."
Kael nodded, his dark eyes shining with a mix of relief and wariness. "Understood, Lord Lu Ming. Our loyalty is as solid as the desert sands we crossed."
**The Plan Goes Into Motion**
With the alliance sealed, Lu Ming summoned his closest advisors, **General Thalor** and **Priest Lyra**, to discuss the next moves. In the war room, maps spread out on the table showed the current positions of the elven and dwarven armies, as well as the routes suggested by the nomads.
"We will use the information provided by the nomads to launch surprise attacks," General Thalor suggested, pointing out several locations on the map. "We can divert the enemy's attention and attack from the rear, securing a tactical advantage."
Priest Lyra, with his calm voice and keen gaze, added, "We should keep a close eye on them. The nomads are unpredictable, and their loyalty can shift with the wind. I would suggest deploying magical barriers in the areas where they will have access, to prevent any attempts at espionage or theft."
Lu Ming nodded, pleased with his advisors' suggestions. "It shall be done. We cannot afford any mistakes. We will take advantage of this alliance, but we will never let our guard down."
**Preparations for Deception**
As his armies prepared to advance based on the new information, Lu Ming ordered his draconian spies to keep a close eye on the Eternal Wind Nomads. His plan was simple: gather enough incriminating information that could be used to justify a future betrayal, should the alliance become unsuitable.
Additionally, skilled mages began setting up magical barriers in the areas designated for the nomads' access, ensuring that they could not explore beyond what was permitted or steal additional resources.
**Movements on the Battlefronts**
On the battlefronts, the armies of the Abyssal Dragon Empire advanced with calculated precision. **General Varok**, with his imposing figure, led his army towards the **Stone City**. Using the secret routes revealed by the nomads, he planned a surprise attack against the dwarven defenses, which had been reinforced with heavy artillery. The draconic soldiers silently advanced through the underground tunnels, approaching their objective.
Simultaneously, on the opposite flank, **General Selene** and **Priest Zephyr** were approaching the **Silver City**. Using their magical abilities, they created illusions to disorient the elves, while preparing a direct attack on the city gates. The strategy was working: the elves, confused by the mirages, began to disperse, leaving their defenses vulnerable.
**Lu Ming Prepares His Next Move**
As his generals executed their strategies, Lu Ming wasted no time. He was convinced that the nomads, while useful now, would not be long-term allies. In his mind, he was already laying out a plan to get rid of them at the right time. He decided to sow distrust among the nomad leaders by sending undercover agents to create rumors and chaos from within.
"The nomads believe they have found a powerful ally," Lu Ming thought, his gaze fixed on the map. "They will soon learn that there are no alliances in war, only opportunities. And when the time comes, I will crush them along with our enemies."
**The Private Meeting with Kael**
Kael, the nomads' emissary, was summoned to a private meeting with Lu Ming. Although Kael suspected something was amiss, he decided to attend, believing he could manipulate the situation to his advantage. When he arrived, he found Lu Ming waiting with a glass of wine in hand.
"A toast," Lu Ming said, his smile enigmatic. "To our long-lasting alliance."
Kael raised his glass, but his mind was alert. He couldn't completely trust Lu Ming, but he needed to keep up appearances. "To our alliance," he repeated, his eyes studying the draconian leader's every move.