King Axel, hearing Era's words, cooled down a little. Yes, this war would be won by wise generals, not heedless soldiers. He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking about his next course of action. By now, his dragoncall had surely reached Pyralis, and the lords of the land, dragon and human alike, were surely giving their orders to their subjects to prepare for war. He would have to write up specific instructions to the various ministers, lords, and guild masters who would have the greatest impact on this war in its early stages. While he was thinking, the suave and bravado of Prince Hydrus manisfested properly.<br/><div><hr style="height:2px; width:100%; border:0; color: white;background:white;"/></div><br/>The Marquis of Chemarenth folded his cape so it once more sat properly over his shoulder.<span style="color: #00BFFF">"I don't know about the soldiers of Tora, but Cordelia has a long, strong martial tradition. Between the Marines of the Navy, the land forces of the great lords, and the Merfolk Amphibious Armies, Cordelia can offer at least sixty-five thousand battle-ready land troops. I don't think I need to elaborate of the available naval forces - Chemarenth alone can offer thirty ships of the line, as many brigs, and more than three hundred gunboats."</span>He looked to Axel, as if to get the numbers from him.<br/><div><hr style="height:2px; width:100%; border:0; color: white;background:white;"/></div><br/>King Axel knew his land well. He sighed, giving the numbers.<span style="color: #FF0000">"Twenty-seven thousand armoured cavalry, fifty thousand professional men-at-arms, and a further hundred thousand trained volunteers. And three hundred or so Dracoknights, battle-trained dragons. Enchanters and siege engineers from our universitites."</span>He turned his gaze lazily to Eira.<span style="color: #FF0000">"With Cordelian shipping vessels, I can also ensure you have enough high-quality stone to build solid fortifications. Gunpowder as well, though I'd leave the manufacturing of cannon to Cordelia, or maybe Tarren."</span>While the numbers seemed impressive, Axel knew that years of peace had led the countried of the world into complacancy. The armies of old were grand indeed. His father, brothers, and uncles had brought more than half a million armed men to bear. In total, Pyralis employed less than zero point six percent of its population as soliders, and Cordelia employed less - though including the sailors would bring the number up to one point one.