Sorik is bursting with refugees

Over the next few days, with the Hasoungan armies splitting into smaller units, the other cities in Sorik's path are sieged and conquered in quick order and like with Alamum all their citizens are chased east, and all their food stockpiles seized.

With the invasion force to the north, the swarm refugees head east like a rising tide, with seemingly no end in sight.

"General Hoteac, what is this supposed to be? I thought we were meant to make all due haste to Sorik before our food supplies run out?"

Claudia was reaching the end of her patience, unable to comprehend Hoteac's actions.

The Dwarf turned to level an even gaze at her, and neither said anything for a few moments, each trying to discern the other's intentions.

Then Hoteac was the one to break the silence, saying, "The Three Lions will need a full two days to muster their armies, and for the refugees to travel to Sorik will require a few days on foot. It's absolutely imperative we finish all our preparations by then."

"...To increase our odds of victory?" Asked Briolforn.

"Aye, that it is," Said Hoteac, "Oghash and Adrian have the northern front locked down, and with Kalgoli forces locking down the eastern front on their end, it now falls to us to finish preparations for the western front. And to that end-"

"We need to fill Sorik with a swarm of locusts to eat away at their food supply," Briolforn finished.

"Yes, that we do," Said Hoteac.

Understanding immediately dawned on Claudia at that moment, and she nodded her head in agreement.

"Then what else are we waiting for?" Said Claudia.

"Good, now we make haste to Sorik," Said Hoteac.

With that, the Hasoungan army departed, an army of lions come to consume a flock of sheep as their designated prey.

"With all due respect, Sultana, we must deploy the imperial army of Sorik to deal with this threat. They will not be sieging the walls of the capital."

The throne room of Sorik's royal palace was in a state of chaos as officials formed up in their respective factions, each giving their respective opinions like a band of vultures pecking relentlessly at each other's throats. A significant faction of these officials supported Aik-Serdar Akarsu and the Three Lions, but they comprised merely a third.

And at the throne was a young little girl, timid and quiet and looking alone in a sea of people, no one by her side. Through the windows the evening sun shone into the throne room, casting a dark amber that burned the eyes of the timid, a dark shadow cast over her being.

"I know, but we have the refugees to take care of, and without troops to protect the capital, how can we protect them?"

"But they will also eat through our food stockpiles very quickly. At most we'd have a month before they run out, and if they begin to starve, they will begin to riot, and if they riot, they will outnumber our troops and throw open the city gates in a bid to escape."

"Are you saying we should simply abandon our people? Leave them at the mercy of these invaders? The people of Ganadonia have not forgotten what we have done to them in our invasions of their lands, they will surely want revenge."

"This Hoteac suggests otherwise; he has left our people unmolested and forced the soldiers to leave them be on strict orders."

"All the same, we can't take any chances, if we..."

All the conversation was a blur to poor little Ceren Turkoglu. The young Sultana was silent as a brick wall, never saying her opinion, trembling like a little mouse.

Then Akarsu said to her, "Şehzade Sultana, what are your orders?"

Timidly she stood up, and said, "We can do nothing about the refugees. Have them hole up in the city and prepare to drive off the invaders by any means necessary."

"As you command, Sultana," Said Akarsu.

As they left and court was adjourned, Akarsu stopped and cast one last glance at Sultana Ceren.

And he saw the timid girl that never seemed to change, never seemed to break out of her shell.

Shaking his head, he left the throne room.

"Damnit, don't they know we're just full up already!?"

"Royal orders, we can't disobey them."

The stream of refugees soon overcrowded the streets of Sorik, and the common districts bore witness to heaps of makeshift tents and sleeping cots placed in a haphazard manner. Many of the city's residents complained, and the poor soldiers had the duty of relaying the unpleasant decree to them.

And as the last refugees reached the safety of the city walls, the drawbridges were quickly raised up and alarm bells rung as the garrison took positions.

Before them was the massive Hasoungan army of nearly three hundred thousand, stretching as far as the eye could see, and the sheer pressure they emitted gave the entire garrison pause.

"No way, so many?"

"This is the first time my home's been under such serious threat from foreign invaders..."

"Looks like we're in this deep, no going back."

On the ground, Hoteac and the other generals were gathered in the command tent, anxiously awaiting his next orders.

"Now that all preparations are complete, here's our new strategy," Said Hoteac, "With the refugees gathered in the city, they'll have put them on a strict time limit, so the Yanikarans must defeat us before it lapses and the riot opens up the city. With this, the whole beehive will come swarming towards us as troops from various neighbouring cities come to attempt to break the siege."

"But judging from your tone, that won't be a concern," Said Briolforn.

"Indeed," Said Hoteac, "Their coordination will be jumbled and messy, so we can just have one army hold the siege. What we should be concerned about are the armies led by the Three Lions."

"So where will they be deployed?" Asked Claudia, "I know none of them can afford to try lifting the siege immediately."

"Yes, you are right, Claudia," Said Hoteac, "In fact, one of the Lions is already deployed to Atabey, to fend off the Kalgoli. His name is Husam Akalin, and he is a monster strategist. The city of Sekiler has Alpayer trying to beat back the naval invasion, but our comrades there do not need our help. As for the last army, they will be gathered at the plains of Hacinga. In fact, I'd wager they'll commit the bulk of our troops to this last expedition under Akarsu."

Claudia nodded, then said, "Who will handle the siege then?"

"You will, Claudia," Said Hoteac, "You're an expert in siege warfare, but more importantly, you specialise greatly in defense."

"So I'll have to deal with this pesky swarm of troops coming my way," Claudia said with a smirk, "Leave it to me, Hoteac."

"Then I and Briolforn will go to the Hacinga plains," Said Hoteac, "Ladies and gentlemen, we're now entering the next phase of this war. Gods be with you all."