A messenger, a young crane, arrived in to the room during the the Burrklau parliament meeting.
"Message from... A-Arestoska," she announced as she handed Jovri the letter.
Jovri quickly read through the letter. "Okay," he muttered as he read.
He smiled at the messenger and bowed his head politely. "Thank you."
The messenger bowed with cheer as well and left the room.
"Wait, Arestoska?" One of the officials remarked.
"What does it say?" Adari asked.
Jovri hesitated for a moment. "Err, the leader calls for a meeting about the... assassination attempt in Steelburg. He wants me and the other leaders to meet in Lutz soon..."
Some of the officials sighed and groaned, slumping back in their chairs.
"Are you kidding?" said one, a mountain mapol bear. "They think we're going to trust you going off in what is likely another trap?"
"Exactly," said another, a fiery-colored lizard. "Have you not heard the tales of Arestoska? It's basically a massive prison!"
Adari shook her head. "We shouldn't go, Jovri. It's too much of a risk. Even if it were safe, we might not be able to make it in time."
Jovri stared at the letter and sighed. "I know... but I still think we should try."
"Sweet Kingada, tell us you're joking, Sigikel," the lizard cried.
Jovri closed his eyes and took a breath before raising his head to look at his officials.
"... No. This is our chance to make alliances with the peaceful nations. As you all know, Burrklau will not stand a chance if we are invaded."
His voice grew more confident as he spoke.
"We have been strong by ourselves for a long time, but these threats are far more terrifying compared to what we once dealt with. We will be... wiped off the map if we don't get help... so I will take this risk."
"I agree," a mouse spoke up. "Despite the rumors, Arestoska might be honest about this. We need to go, for the safety of Burrklau as a whole."
"Ai," the crane guard agreed. "As for the travel, I hear the aircraft project is completed. A couple more test runs and it should be safe to fly.
Jovri grinned. "Awesome. So we can make it."
He turned back to his parliament and got a little nervous again. "Uh, so..."
He cleared his throat and raised his hand. "As Sigikel of Burrklau, I wish to join with fellow leaders in Arestoska. Ai or Iga."
The mouse raised her hand immediately, as did several others "Ai.". The lizard and Adari hesitantly raised their hands. The mountain mapol bear went to knock his knuckle against the table for Iga, but hesitated and paused to think for a moment before raising his hand, "Ai..."