Sarpedon Syriakos rises from his seat.

Aye, barbarians are forming in the north, but the main threat is, as it ever has been since Megas Alexandros' death, Ptolemaios in the south with his Aigyptian hordes. If we are to keep our mighty empire for ourselves, we need to act against them quickly, and with force. I second Andromachos' proposal to make for Sardis, and propose that this should be the task given to the 1st Syrian Army, and whomever may get the honour to command it.

But lets not forget that Ptolemaios and the barbarians to the north aren't the only threats to us. Pontos is growing ever stronger, and though they don't threaten us yet, only a fool would stand idling by. However, I do not propose that we should move against them yet, but are not Pamphyria and Kilikia still under Ptolemaic control? It is for that reason that I, Sarpedon Syriakos, propose that I should be given control over the 1st Lydian Army, and with it take control over these territories in the Great Basileus' name. It would not do to risk having two fronts in Mikro Asia alone, especially not when we already face that problem with Ptolemaios and the barbarians to the north.

Sarpedon sits down while Hilarion, who had been sitting next to him during his speech, whispers something in his ear.