Lena’s Resolve

Lena stood at the head of the table, her mind racing through all the options. She couldn't afford to falter, not now. The lives of her people depended on the choices she made. The Rhytil were cunning, ruthless, and they wouldn't give up without a fight. But the Alliance had proven its strength, and Lena had proven that she could lead them.

"We move forward," she said, her voice clear and unwavering. "But we will not rush headlong into another fight. We will take time to repair, to regroup. But we will not back down. We've shown the Rhytil that they can be beaten. That's the message we send: We're not afraid. We will finish this."

Her words hung in the air, and for the first time in days, the officers seemed to settle. There was agreement, a consensus. The Alliance was fractured, but Lena had the ability to hold it together, to bind them with her leadership.