"We've lost so much already. We don't want more war, more destruction, or more reasons for the Empire to target us. But we also can't continue losing our people to harvesting operations. If this offers even a possibility of stopping that, we should try."

Others murmured agreement, the survivors particularly motivated by desperate hope that something might change their trajectory toward extinction.

Finally, Madayanti called for formal consideration.

"We vote. The proposal is: authorize a small team infiltration of the Imperial capital, led by Jorghan Sol'vur, to reach the Emperor and deliver a direct warning about the consequences of continued elven harvesting. No assassination unless team safety requires it. No unnecessary violence. Strictly a deterrence operation. Those in favor?"

Hands rose around the circle.

Not unanimous, but a clear majority. Even some of the more conservative clan heads recognized that defensive strategies alone weren't working.

"Those opposed?"

Three hands remained up, including Korreth's.

The Nor'vack patriarch looked uncomfortable but firm.

"I don't oppose the concept. I oppose the timing. Give us six months to rebuild defensive capabilities first, then attempt infiltration from a position of slightly more strength."

"Six months means hundreds or thousands more captured," Jorghan countered.

"And it gives the Empire time to potentially strengthen capital defenses if they suspect we're planning something. The advantage of doing this now is they're not expecting it."

After brief additional discussion, Madayanti called the vote final.

"Motion carries. Jorghan Sol'vur is authorized to assemble a team and plan infiltration of the Imperial capital, with Council oversight on final operational parameters."

She fixed Jorghan with a look that carried both warning and expectation.

"Assemble your team carefully. Plan meticulously. And remember that you're not just representing the Sol'vur clan in this operation. You're representing all thirteen clans, and our survival may depend on your judgment."

Jorghan nodded, accepting the weight of responsibility.

"Understood. I'll need access to intelligence on the capital's layout, defensive capabilities, and Imperial protocols. And I'll need to identify individuals capable of operating at the level this requires."

"The Council will provide whatever resources you need," Madayanti confirmed.

"We reconvene in three days to review your initial planning. Until then, this session is adjourned."

The clan heads began rising, conversations immediately breaking out about what had just been decided. Some looked hopeful, others concerned, and a few outright worried about what they'd just authorized.

Jorghan remained seated for a moment, processing the magnitude of what he'd just committed to. Infiltrating the Imperial capital. Reaching the Emperor himself. Delivering a warning that could either stop the harvesting or trigger the very war everyone feared.

No pressure.

Sigora appeared at his side, her hand resting on his shoulder. "That was either brilliant or insane. Possibly both."

"Probably both," Jorghan agreed. "But sitting here debating defensive strategies while our people get harvested wasn't working. At least this way we're taking initiative."

"Just don't get yourself killed proving a point," Sigora said quietly. "You've only just been recognized. It would be inconvenient if you died before actually building anything with that recognition."

Jorghan smiled despite the gravity of the situation. "I'll try to avoid inconveniencing you."

Around them, the Assembly Chamber was emptying, clan heads departing to process what had been decided and what it might mean for their people.

The Council had agreed to strike at the heart of the Empire.

Now Jorghan just had to figure out how to actually do it without getting everyone killed.

-

The Council sessions over the following three days focused on practical matters that lacked the dramatic intensity of the capital infiltration debate but carried equal importance for elven survival.

They discussed resource allocation between clans, establishing supply lines that could withstand Imperial disruption. They debated population distribution strategies, weighing the benefits of concentrated settlements against dispersed communities harder to target. They reviewed intelligence networks, identifying gaps in their knowledge of Imperial movements and capabilities.

Jorghan participated actively, asking pointed questions that revealed his analytical mind. He wanted to understand not just the surface politics but the underlying power structures. Which clans controlled critical resources? Which had leverage over others through debt or historical obligation? Which were genuinely committed to collective survival versus pursuing narrow self-interest?

Sigora watched him work with growing appreciation. He was learning fast, absorbing information and synthesizing it into understanding that went beyond what most achieved in years of Council participation.

By the fourth day's evening session, when Madayanti finally declared the extended gathering concluded, Jorghan had developed a comprehensive mental map of clan politics, resources, and vulnerabilities.

"We reconvene in one month," Madayanti announced.

"By then, Jorghan will have preliminary plans for the capital operation, and we'll have better intelligence on recent Imperial movements. Until then, safe travels to all."

The clan heads began dispersing, most returning to their home territories, some lingering in Dewura'tt to conduct private business or simply enjoy the city's amenities.

Jorghan and Sigora returned to their shared quarters in the Highrest building as the sun descended toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and crimson that reflected off the eternal waterfall.

"You're thinking about something specific," Sigora observed as they entered their chambers.

"I can see it in how you're moving. Predatory.

Like you've identified prey."

Jorghan's smile was slight but carried calculation.

"Not prey exactly. Opportunity."

Before he could elaborate, a knock sounded at the door. Firm, purposeful, carrying the weight of formal business rather than casual visit.

Sigora opened it to find an Arumak standing in the corridor, its multifaceted eyes reflecting the hallway's magical lighting.

"Lord Jorghan Sol'vur," the android said with perfect inflection.

"You have visitors requesting an audience in the Highrest Hall. Six clan leaders, stating they have a formal proposal to present."

Jorghan and Sigora exchanged glances. They both knew exactly who those six were and could guess what proposal they'd bring.

"Tell them I'll receive them shortly," Jorghan replied.

"The Highrest Hall in fifteen minutes."

The Arumak bowed slightly and departed with silent grace.

-

The Highrest Hall was a reception chamber on the building's main floor, designed for formal meetings between visiting clan leaders. It was smaller than the Assembly Chamber but no less impressive, with polished stone floors, carved pillars depicting historical scenes, and windows offering views of both the city below and the abyss beyond.

Jorghan entered exactly fifteen minutes after the Arumak's message, Sigora at his side. His expression was composed and neutral, giving nothing away. But his mind was racing with possibilities, calculations, and strategic considerations.

The six clan leaders stood waiting, arranged in a semicircle that suggested they'd discussed positioning beforehand. Their body language carried nervous determination, the posture of people about to gamble everything on a single roll.

Vel'moth of the Nue'roka spoke first, his weathered face showing every year of his long life. "Jorghan Sol'vur. Thank you for receiving us. We know you've just completed four days of intensive Council sessions. We appreciate you making time despite exhaustion."

"I'm rarely too exhausted for interesting conversations," Jorghan replied, moving to stand before them. He deliberately didn't sit and didn't relax his posture. Kept the dynamic standing, face-to-face, suggesting this was business rather than social pleasantry.

"What proposal brings six clan leaders to my quarters?"

The six exchanged glances, some final wordless communication, before Kal'tun of the Nuwe'rak clan stepped forward.

"We represent clans that are dying," he said bluntly.

"Not slowly, not theoretically. Actually dying. Our populations are too small to sustain themselves. Our resources too depleted to rebuild. Our infrastructure too damaged to support what few members survive. Within two generations, perhaps less, our bloodlines will cease to exist."

He paused, gathering courage for what came next.

"We've come to formally offer our clans' pledge to the Sol'vur. Complete merger. Our surviving members, our territories, our resources, our histories—everything transferred to your authority in exchange for your protection and the continuation of our bloodlines through integration with yours."

The words hung in the air like a blade suspended over their necks.

Jorghan remained silent for several heartbeats, his expression unreadable. Inside, his mind was working at tremendous speed, analyzing implications, identifying opportunities, calculating how to structure this to maximum advantage.

Six clans. Hundreds of surviving members total. Scattered territories across the realm. Diminished but not completely destroyed infrastructure. Knowledge bases spanning millennia. Genetic diversity that could strengthen the Sol'vur bloodline considerably.

And most importantly, six clan leaders are willing to subordinate themselves completely out of desperation.

This wasn't just an opportunity. This was a foundation for building something unprecedented.

But he needed them to understand exactly what they were offering, needed to ensure there would be no ambiguity, no room for future challenges to his authority.

-

"Six clans pledging to Sol'vur," Jorghan said slowly, as if considering the concept for the first time despite having anticipated this exact moment.

"That's not a merger. That's absorption. Your clans would cease to exist as independent entities. Your names would become historical footnotes. Your leadership would transfer entirely to me."

"We understand," Narmishina of the Ma'zenti clan said quietly.

"We've discussed this extensively among ourselves. We know what we're offering and what it means."

"Do you?" Jorghan's tone sharpened slightly.

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