As troubling news from the Eldenia battlefield arrived, Selena sat at the long table in the council chamber, facing the chieftains and elders of the tribes. Her expression was grave, though she concealed a hint of fear that she had never shown before. The forced retreat of Maeldor and Taka had thrown all of Airtulan into tension and unrest. Arthur and the allied forces had been pushed back to Eldenia's capital under the relentless assault of Strongson. Communication with the frontlines was severed, and the situation grew increasingly uncertain.
Amid the heavy silence, Selena took a deep breath and broke the stillness. "Arthur is out of contact. We cannot stand idly by."
Her voice, though soft, carried the steadiness of a seasoned leader. The chieftains seated around the table bowed their heads in thought, the sudden crisis pressing heavily upon them.
Loka, chieftain of the Flame Tribe, spoke bluntly. "This is no longer merely an Eldenia issue. If Arthur cannot endure this conflict, we'll lose our chance to stand against Strongson. We must act."
Magda, chieftain of the Glacier Tribe, paused briefly before speaking in her measured tone. "Another problem we cannot overlook is the strength of Strongson's cavalry. If we act recklessly, Airtulan may face even greater pressure."
"I agree," added Kanu, chieftain of the Mountain Eagle Tribe. "But we cannot simply sit back. If we delay, a greater disaster will surely await us. We can unite our forces to disrupt Strongson's rear and buy Arthur some time."
Both Taka and Maeldor nodded in agreement, showing their support for action. However, Selena's expression remained heavy. She knew all too well that mobilizing large-scale forces would inevitably draw the attention of Marquis Eric. Historically, there had been no conflict between Eric's lands and Airtulan, but if their movements were exposed now, the situation could become even more complicated.
"Selena, if Strongson continues advancing, can we truly rely on such small forces to withstand them?" Maeldor asked, his voice low but tinged with deep concern for the future.
Selena furrowed her brow. "Marquis Eric's stance is critical," she replied, her tone calm but thoughtful. "We need to ascertain his position. If he aligns with us, we may find a way through this predicament."
The chieftains exchanged glances. Though they harbored doubts, they knew Selena's words carried weight. Kanu spoke up. "Reports from our tribes living within Eric's territory suggest he does not support Leon's aggression. He allowed Taka and Maeldor to cross the border without interference, which may indicate he harbors reservations."
Selena nodded, feeling a small weight lifted from her heart. She rose to her feet, her gaze firm. "I order all tribes to regroup their warriors along the border, ready to provide reinforcements at any moment. As for Marquis Eric's stance, I will dispatch envoys to investigate."
After the meeting adjourned, Selena left the council chamber alone. She did not return to her tent but instead made her way to the mountaintop sanctuary. This was one of Airtulan's oldest sacred sites, a place of silence and pure air. Standing before the altar, she closed her eyes, clasped her hands tightly, and silently prayed for Arthur. She wished for the brave warrior's safety and his ability to lead Airtulan out of its plight.
At that moment, there was no fear in Selena's eyes—only determination. As the guardian of the land, she knew that every decision she made would shape Airtulan's future.