So what you're saying is we'll be destroyed either way. Silverclaw didn't give this thought any voice, though he mentally raved for a while longer. Should we win this war, we will gain great might, true. But our culture does not lend itself to empires. Should we become one, we will lose what defines us now, inevitably. Should we fail to succeed in this war, however, we will be hunted to extinction, an equally unpleasant fate. Finally, he spoke. "Alex, if I may give more counsel on this matter..."

"Please do. Perhaps Tiberius is getting a few hundred years ahead of himself."

Silverclaw gave a small smirk at that. "It should be remembered that the might he speaks of is a better means than end. The hunters who came here today did so out of vanity and arrogance. If our actions are motivated by more of the same, we can hope to do no better than replace our enemies."

"I agree on that. I also do not wish to foolishly blunder into war and have my people skinned- If we are to go to war, we must be quiet guerillas, and not a blundering mass of semi-trained fighters ready to be filled with arrows."

"Perhaps it is a little too soon to consider this a war at all." Silverclaw replied. "The birdfolk are not our allies, sure enough, and we have just experienced an incursion, but the ones who attacked were not soldiers. Would it not be better to wait and see how the situation develops? Oh, yes, be ready for a war if it becomes one, but be open to the possibility of continued peacetime, as well."

"Your counsel is wise as ever. Though if we do encounter war, it would perhaps be advisable to have help and alliances from and with other packs. If we are united and may warn each other easily, we can raise a host in defence with much greater ease, and to trade would improve all our lives. We all have plenty of extra resources which others might require."

Horst nodded. "Perhaps you would like to be a part of that delegation, Silverclaw?"

Silverclaw hesitated. "We have many younger, faster warriors who could approach the other packs more quickly." He pointed out.

"Fair point, to be sure. Though most of them are hot-headed and not so experienced."

"An equally valid point." Silverclaw nodded. "...I will go, on the condition that Tiberius comes with me."

"We can grant you that at least."

"How soon do you want us to set out?"

"Whenever you're able, but hopefully sooner than later."

"I am prepared to leave whenever you command, but I imagine Tiberius has a few things he needs to gather... if I am not mistaken?" Silverclaw looked over at him for confirmation.

"I suppose. And an offering of peace should surely be in order."

"Undoubtedly."

Tiberius nodded. "By your leave, brothers and sisters."

Silverclaw looked around for any sign of other business.

"We will have your offering prepared. Horst will work on tools and shields."

"As you wish." Silverclaw replied, backing away from the others.

(Change of scenery? Might be good to look at the Emissaries or the Avorals...)

(Sure. I'll create an Emissary)

(Might as well throw in two more of mine: )

Name: Clarence Scribe
Gender: Male
Age: 21
Faction: Royal Emissaries
Appearance: Clarence has short brown hair, neatly trimmed and groomed, the family's green eyes, and a simple grey robe, roughly the same color as wet stone. There's an air of amicability around him, as well, that can't be attributed to any one feature.
Personality: Clarence is the most friendly of the three siblings, and probably the most successful, as well, though he obviously sees no point in showing off any wealth.
Other: Like his sister, Pyrra, Clarence is a proficient magic user. Unlike her, he can work with people well enough to be a diplomat.

Name: Terrance Scribe
Gender: Male
Age: 20
Faction: Royal Emissaries
Appearance: He looks similar enough to Clarence that they've been mistaken for twins in the past. Fortunately, there's an easy way to tell them apart... Clarence doesn't carry any weapons, but Terrance is armed to the teeth, carrying two swords on his belt, another strapped across his back, a crossbow strapped to his thigh, and a pair of daggers in boot sheathes. Regardless of the circumstances, he's always wearing a heavy set of armor, though the weight doesn't seem to bother him.
Personality: Years of training as a soldier have left Terrance with a rather lacking sense of self, instead giving into a kind of patriotic fervor. Almost every waking moment he spends serving his country, mostly through force of arms.
Other: A soldier in the King's army, usually. Was assigned as a bodyguard to the emissaries at his request.

Name: Kairi
Gender: Female
Age: Mid-30's
Faction: Royal Emissaries
Appearance: Does not stand out much, usually carries a basket-hilted broadsword, but is more of an economist than a fighter. She wears a long wool outfit with the royal seal on it.
Personality: Relatively docile and interested more in trade and compromise than in taking up arms. She sees the Avorals and Wolflings as trade partners that must be protected against each other.
Other: Will fill in.

(Looks good. You wanna start, or should I?)

(go ahead!)

The Scribe brothers made their way toward the capital's main gate, with Clarence wrapped up in a one-sided conversation that consisted mostly of trying to get his younger brother to talk to him. So far, he hadn't had any luck.