The Great Gardens of the God of Worlds - 13

We have been walking for many minutes now, leaving the city behind us. I have trouble following Lijdel, who is moving forward at full speed and has not said a word since our exchange in town.
Unable to do so, I ask for a break, arguing that we have not eaten anything since very early this morning. Visibly reluctantly, she nervously agrees to stop, and, still without a word, stands looking away, while I eat a piece of ham.

"Lijdel, sit down for two minutes, though! »
No answer.
"What's going on ? Is it that bad, this betrayal ?
She finally turns to me, and her eyes become sad and tired. Slowly, I see her shoulders bowing like a weight, and she sits down with weariness.
"Yeah, it's pretty serious. It is again a hope that flies away.
_ A hope ?
_ The hope of bringing my country together with a few others to fight against two immense empires.
_ Fight ?
_ These empires are extremely powerful, and my country and the few others, we are stuck right in between. And since these two empires are in opposition and constantly defying each other, they use us as a shield, or as bait, or even as future ground for conquest. As time passes, the situation between these two empires becomes more tense, and it becomes clear that sooner or later their war will be fought into our own kingdoms. So the solution we are trying to implement is to try to rally the small kingdoms in between and form a coalition, in order to be powerful enough to challenge them and keep them away.
_ And ? It doesn't work ?
_ One would think that being directly in danger would encourage everyone to get together to fight together. But it is without counting the pressures and promises that each of the empires, playing on the low interests of each, or on their cowardice. There is only one other kingdom that really wants to join us right now. The contact I spoke to this morning, it was precisely to discuss the first alliance arrangements with a third kingdom, before becoming more official. But now they're rejecting everything all of a sudden. And I know what that means. Basst put pressure on them, or bought them. They were faster than us.
_ "Basst" ?
_ One of the two empires. The other is called Enthielam.
_ And what are you going to do about it ?
_ I don't know.... This is becoming more and more difficult. Before I go home, I would just like to consult someone I know, a former adviser and warrior of my king, to get his opinion. He lives on my way home, this is a chance. But... I fear very dark days to come..."