With a lot of the settings explained, now I can tell a bit more about Ikerina and the collective story we developed for this world full of junk.
Ikerina is her community's leader, a position she inherited from her father, and was raised to keep and eye/control over the commerce going on in the Cuau market as well as being part of a small council (made up by the family leaders of the original founders). One responsibility she takes by heart is being able to help and talk honestly with other community members, so rather than giving orders, she likes to help around and oversee how things are going for everyone. However, she is also able to hear things like gossip and rumors, while they're usually harmless or community related this time she began hearing about a self proclaimed "Unifier", who was traveling around visiting small towns and communities to ask them to join his cause: A unified government like the old times, so every area had a fair chance at development and resources.
The problem with this Unifier was that he was known for having a military force and those who preferred to remain independent were... persuaded otherwise.
With this information, the council of Cuau gather to discuss what is the best solution, as they've heard they are the next target. Being the biggest and most important market for bartering and commerce, they had a lot to lose...
They finally decide to meet the Unifier in a "friendly" manner just outside of Cuau and attempt to peacefully decline the offer, or if possible arrange a union between him and Inkerina...