Editing Battle of Breaking Iron (section)

==Intelligence Directorate Briefing #16952, Appendix==

Yushoto Albia thanked the participants, then rose and excused herself as she moved to her next meeting.  Amilar Vondy, bowed to her courteously as she left, then turned to his fellow dragonblooded and said, "Well, all that wind and we haven't left the harbor.  What do we really plan to do about these anathema, practically in our midst?"

Yushoto Tarkim sniffed.  "Isn't it obvious?  They're building a powerbase, antagonizing the Mask of Winters, and drawing us into a war we're not yet certain we can win.  This little battle was just the beginning of their mischief.  Assassination is the only real solution."

Karal shook her head.  "But what if we don't kill them?  What if we can't?  It's too risky.  Besides, they're not our enemies."

Amilar laughed, his weathered face drawing into a tight smirk.  "Well, should we embrace them then, and nest with the vipers?"

The taizei smashed a fist against the stone table.  "I've had it with your insinuations, you pompous prick.  No one knows where this deathlord came from, or why these foolish young exalts have decided to set themselves against him, but they're both tactical realities in the field.  We should stay our hand and let the intelligence directorate do its work.  We don't know who they are yet... that's the one thing the general assembly will be sure to take from this briefing."

Yushoto moved to the door and turned.  "Correct.  There are still a few missing pieces... who is this mysterious wretched?  Who trained their sorcerer-architect?  Can they be killed efficiently... or could they, possibly, stand up to the Mask of Winters?  If they can or if they can't, either way one threat to our security is eliminated, but even so... on what terms do we want to deal with the victor?"

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[[Heaven's Mandate]]