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They will need time. The Order of the Purest is possibly your best military force you have on hand- the best trained, best equipped, most eager for a fight, and quickest to mobilize. They will be able to delay the enemy a time. Hopefully time enough to save some lives and treasure.
But it will be costly. "Lady Paladin Schalljatter," The woman looks up eagerly, a smile spreading across her face, "Call forth your paladins. Ride like the wind to the Coalamp Belt, save who you can, but-" She stops, partway standing, "But keep a reserve. Some of your order will be needed to give some spine to the levies that shall go to Onearm Pass. Stay with them, and ready the defenses at the pass."
Lady Paladin Schalljatter gives a bit of a look of disappointment, but she stiffly bows, "At once, your Majesty."
She turns on her heel and strides out. General Adirovnan looks after her with ill concealed fury.
"For the rest of you: Eleanor, find out what you can about this new horde, who this is, what their force is like. High Cardinal, gather the priests, pray to the Crystal, and divine a course for us. Adirat, Dominic, find whoever you can as allies- the elves, the dwarves, the far shores, anyone we can. Our dignity is a small price to pay for this. Grombrina, see to it that every forge you can reach is working overtime. I want everyone, down to the last peasant to have fresh made mail. And General Adirovnan, gather every last soldier you can and hurry to the pass. All of our lives rest on this, and the lives of everyone in the kingdom. You fight for the sake of all. Work like your lives depend on it, they do. May the Crystal guide us."
"May the Crystal guide us," they repeat after you. They turn and march off- though you see Eleanor pause a moment by Le Fevre, exchange some words. Le Fevre waves her off, and then approaches. She falls to a knee, looking down. Not exactly respectful. But she waits until the last of your council march out, and the door slams shut behind them. She laughs, and stands.
"None of that will mean a damn thing, you know."
You glare down at her, "It could save some lives."
She stands, looking you in the eye, despite the throne and the dais. Time has shrunk you, you realize. And time hasn't touched her at all. She gives a lopsided grin.
"Maybe. If they surrender," She shakes her head and walks up to your throne. You're tempted to object, to protect the last of your kingly dignity, but you know it'd be useless. She steps beside you on the throne, and leans next to you, draping a possessive hand on your shoulder, "Oh poor, poor, poor dear. Having to pay the bill for a deal your ancestor made. I told you, same as I told your father, the only options you have here. If you want to hold off, I can understand- but I advise you, the clock is ticking."
"Do you know anything about this human leading an army orcs?" You rouse yourself from your chair, waving off her offered hand, and hobble to the balcony off the side of the court.
