"We can help with tents and warm-weather gear," says Cecil in response to Geno's asking about supplies, "but understand that we can't offer you any food. Though,<span style="font-style: italic">really</span>Geno--" he gestures at the dragonfolk's bulge with a grin, "--I don't think you'll be starving any time soon."<br/><br/>An elderly female mousefolk in an apron scolds Cecil for being stingy, and he rolls his eyes. "Ok, ok. You can take a few bear steaks. Sheesh."<br/><br/>He then grows serious again and looks at Sashi. "We have no idea what Jejuna looks like right now, only that it's a complete mess." he says darkly. "None of the previous teams sent to investigate have returned alive."<br/><br/>"As for how many...well," he thinks out loud, "about a thousand families in the surrounding township--maybe a third were carnivores--and most of them were involved in the revolt--so that's<span style="font-style: italic">at least</span>500 Pact breakers right there."<br/><br/>"But I think there's more going on here than just civic unrest. As you know, Orev has several rich mineral seams that are all close to the surface, making this very desirable land. There are shadowy powers out there who're just itching to own it for themselves. Think about it, the only reason they haven't taken it yet is because the Pact Nation has such a strong military. Without it, we'd have been taken over long ago."<br/><br/>The mousefolk's face darkens at the thought of an invading army sweeping in and conquering Boryg--like a predator devouring a tiny prey. "...but what if, instead of facing our army directly, one of those dark powers is somehow going right to the people? Tempting them with evil power...sowing distrust and turning them against other...and stoking their hunger until they can no longer resist, defeating the Nation from the inside out?"<br/><br/>"Maybe I'm being paranoid, and this is just a riot caused by the famine and not some conspiracy. I hope that's all that's going on. Then you'll only have to subdue some rowdy outlaws." Cecil thinks back to his fight with the flaming feline, and rubs the blistered second-degree burn on his arm. "But all these sightings of demons have me worried...this winter is making their job very easy; I wouldn't be surprised if they're somehow causing it."<br/><br/>He then turns and sniffs the air. Was that...cat? He calls over a subcommander and orders him to increase patrols, particularly in the darkest areas of the district.