The Prince had been studying the map intently as well, however, he had said not a word during the entire deliberation.

Liliandra watched and waited for the ranger to respond, "Please tell us what you remember and I will either agree or give you an update, Wil."

"Yes? Oh!" The Prince came out of his thoughts and smiled, "Please forgive me, Lili, I was merely taking my father's advice with regards to matters of state. He always told me that a good leader should be silent, listen to all opinions and thoughts around him, consider what is being said and speak only when a question needs to be asked or when a final decision needs to be made. He always believed this way of decision-making inspired trust among his subjects."

Willow continued, "But in answer to your question, Irzen and Alyson, my father always believed that infantry at the capitol had to be strong. When I left, the king could field a one-hundred thousand infantry to defend the capitol."

"A hundred thousand?!" Irzen whistled in pure disbelief, "That is impressive. I didn't known Elven armies could number so many?"

"You are correct, Willow. Your father always made sure that that number of defenders never decreased." Liliandra nodded, "They are the best in all of Northaven and with your elder brother, Prince Ash ready to defend or drive back any foe that dared to threaten our kin."

"That is good to know," Willow acknoweledged with a firm nod.

"They can when you marry your sons into neighboring Elven kingdoms and bind those marriages with war pacts designed to assemble such armies overnight," Willow responded honestly, "My brothers' marriages did far more than merely bind four kingdoms into one empire, they also gave my father an army worthy of an empire."

"So, I would take a guess the reason why the emissaries were sent out was because of the neighboring cities, your people, supplies, and with the hopes of preventing any enemy from getting that close." Lazheros studied the map again.

"You are correct, Lazheros," The Prince admitted openly, "My father has never been known to wait to the last minute to defend his kingdom."

"Besides the Southern Valley, are there any other trade routes that your people traverse, Willow?" Alyson asked the ranger.

"Well, there is the--" The Prince began to reply.

"EUREKA!" Irzen cried out, "I'VE GOT IT! I know how we can beat Gruumasht."

The elementalist suddenly grabbed a hold of the bronze man from the swordsman's outburst. "Gah!!!"

Lazheros glanced down at Alyson briefly shaking his head and turned towards Irzen, "Well what is it?"