Shumi didn't answer immediately, seemingly hesitating on whether to reveal whatever she knew or not. Alex tried to figure out anything he could, based on her expressions, but it wasn't so simple. She didn't let much show on her face.
In the end, she answered herself.
"Our seers have long since divined about the upcoming wars. They are preparing for it right this second," she said. "But the future isn't defined just yet, and divinations can always turn out to be wrong as well."
"Still," Alex said, "they are preparing for the upcoming war, so they must think there is a need to prepare."
"No," Shumi said. "They aren't preparing for the coming war. They are preparing for a war should it come. There is a difference, I believe."
Alex nodded thoughtfully. "How do you feel about it?"
