The Flint war room had been active since dawn, though the newest maps no longer supported confidence.
A border commander read the first blockade summary while the Patriarch listened without moving behind the long table.
Flint patrols had turned several merchant caravans back, but the next report carried a crest those patrols could not safely threaten.
"A coach under the Seliza banner crossed five days ago," the commander said, eyes dropping toward the wood.
"It returned only after her trade offices began pushing merchant traffic down another southern lane."
"The Serpent intends to break our blockade open," the Patriarch replied while one finger traced the route.
"Our pressure starves nobody while her purse feeds Hajin's little capital."
The Flint heir sat across from their father with calculations spread through a black ledger.
"We cannot outspend Seliza while also funding a military campaign," he said, marking the weekly cost with two fingers.
