[3/3]
The reason becomes apparent as soon as you exit the tall marble building they call the ‘Skia’ their house of Caste government where the veterans assemble to discuss politics and plan campaigns.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzIjikjFPjE&ab_channel=JamesHorner-Topic - Stratiokas AssemblyThe Field of the Dragon’s Children is a plain that has been purposefully cleared and levelled for this impressive display of military might. Standing row by row in complete silence, helms grimly faced forward and polished spears glinting upwards, there must be scores upon scores of Stratiokas cohorts each with a hundred warriors in their number. Distinguished only by the colour of the cloak and a square banner held at the front of each column, you lose count in the high forties and you were only barely halfway.
There must be thousands upon thousands of them on parade here and untold many more thousands garrisoning vassal states or on campaign in the Everwarm waters, as many as ten thousand or more all said. You had known Cathagi, even in decline, was still a force worth reckoning with but you had no idea though that their core elite infantry line could match anyone of the Cantonian duchies entire military levy. At a nod from the Autarchs the Kyria Exalted Eustace raises a hand in salute, answered by the double clang of thousands of shields upon thousands of spear shafts. As the cohorts moves into marching order in <span class="mu-s">perfect</span> unison, still utterly silent and indefatigable, you feel a hint of dread.
If Cathagi were to invade Romaine in earnest, with the aim of establishing a new tributary like the Everwarm waters, you begin to fear at your people’s prospects of success. Canton itself could splinter, if the Duchies did not unite in time.
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>Military might is nothing if their triumph is not willed by the Almighty. They may look pretty on parade here, with their shiny spears and devotion to a false idol, but your people have frustrated their ambitions before more than once. And by God if it comes to it they will beat them again. You may report on their strength in time, but you will not panic those at home by adding any urgency to it. [Divine]>This isn’t just a parade, it’s an invasion force. The military might of Cathagi’s core is multitudes stronger than anyone at home had imagined. You must warn Sir Gilbern at the first opportunity, with a direct message via your griffinhawk. [Hearty]>This is a demonstration of power. Perhaps none of them suspect that you report to the Ordo Reginate specifically, but they know you will bring word back of what you have seen here. You will be careful to ensure you are not watched and pass this alarming report on discretely after minimal delay. [Idealist] 