Ava suddenly realized the root of the problem: the refugees from Soaring Bird City did not yet see themselves as part of the Stoneheart Horde.
In their eyes, they were little more than slaves—conscripts forced into hard labor. They believed they were building a city for a foreign conqueror, receiving nothing in return.
As the realization took hold, Ava's expression darkened. The more she thought about it, the more her anger simmered.
"It is a game of management and balance," said Sylvana, the fox-girl administrator, without looking up from her paperwork. Her tone was mild, but the implication was sharp. "You had best be iron-handed."
Sylvana and Ava had served as Lilith's right and left hands for some time now. Their relationship had deepened through long hours of shared governance; this was Sylvana offering a quiet strategy.
"Thank you for the reminder," Ava said with a bitter smile. "I will make sure they catch up on the schedule."
