"Your Majesty." He began. "The outer provinces are not responding to capital authority," Jorel reported, standing straight despite the tremor in his legs. "Not because the roads are blocked. Because they've been told not to."
He walked to the map, pointing to each region with a shaking hand.
"The Northern Reaches: the border has been abandoned, and the northern clans are raiding without resistance. The Agricultural Heartland: the grain stores have been locked by 'Imperial' decree, and riots are starting in the streets. The Silver Shores: trade has been suspended, and foreign ships are being turned away under threat of fire. The Frostspine: the mines have 'collapsed,' but weapons are miraculously appearing in civilian hands. And the Border Territories... civilians are being told that Imperial soldiers are coming to execute them. They are arming themselves against us."
