I stand as the current Regent with an army and two city-states under Theocratic rule, and so I issue this declaration under public record, from the victorious Dragon of the North upon the lands of the conquered:

An Empire subjugated has no ability to rule over territories, and so we will claim them for our own to repurpose as we see fit.

An Empire conquered has no need for its own troops, and so we will continue to deprive you of your ability to build them.

By simple fact, an Empire is not one at all when it is incapable of maintaining its own sovereignty, much less their imperial control over its subordinate peripheries.

The proud hoplites of Spinesreach will retain its blockades against caravans and citizenry alike at the entrances to the Sanguine Fist, until such a time its Tyrant enters into and concludes negotiations appropriate to its current status.

Serve as the negotiator for your own city, Maeve, and I will do the same. If you deign not to bother yourself with the inconvenience that it poses nor acknowledge the reality of the position you hold coming into the discussions, then Spinesreach is content to continue enacting suppressive measures until this happens, or your city crumbles. It makes no difference to the North; all things will serve their place eventually.

I am,
Regent Elene Arcan-Tetzauh

Transcribed by my scribe on Falsday, the 21st of Celes, in the year 6 AC.