Ice, Snow & Steel (Jelsa adventure) [Discontinued]

Chapter 2: The council

The long wooden room to one side was lined with bookshelves that covered the entire wall. On the other were large ornate windows, enhancing the vastness of the cathedral ceiling. In the centre was a congregation of a dozen agitated officials standing around a long table covered in maps and open letters.

Elsa, silent, stood at the end and waited patiently for her councillors to stop arguing with one another.

"We need to act now!"

"We can't afford to fight another war, we'll ruin the country!"

"Engaging first will make things worse!"

"Sweden has crossed the line!"

"If we lose, Norway will be abandoned by Denmark!"

The queen had heard enough. She coughed slightly to get their attention, making the councillors cut short their conversations. They all turned to her and seeing her passive expression they sat down feeling like they'd been scolded by their mothers.

"Thank you," she said. "I have called this meeting so that we may discuss what measures we should take in order to deal with our neighbouring country, Sweden. As you all know, this morning I was informed of the intercepted assassination attempt targeting me. The culprits are being interrogated at this time to find out if they have any association with the Swedish crown or if they acted alone. If they were indeed sent by king Charles XIII, then I'm afraid we will need to react firmly with an opposition."

"You Majesty, with all due respect, Norway can't afford another war," said one of the seated men. "We're already using so much from our treasury to fund our troops allied with France."

"Besides, most of our soldiers are over seas, fighting," said another. "We're defenceless against Sweden!"

Elsa countered their arguments. "Indeed, but don't forget they are also fighting this war. I doubt they would jeopardize their allegiance with England by sending fewer troops than us."

Admiral Solheim stood. "Queen Elsa, I must add that we have information from an insider," said he, displaying the letter to the assembly. "He states that the demographics of Sweden show that they have a population that more than doubles our own, and 20,000 more soldiers than us that are not overseas. As these statistics show, we are vastly outnumbered and I must concur with what has been said: We cannot afford another war unless we wish to be guillotined by our people or the enemy."

He let his words sink in as the councillors stirred in discomfort. The admiral then took his seat as Colonel Haugland spoke up with a slight panic in his voice.

"You see? We don't stand a chance against Sweden! Even if the king did send those men and decides to send more, we'll have stay silent about it because we'll get crushed like ants if we act. Denmark couldn't care less about what happens to us, they won't help us in any way. It's obvious Sweden want to start a war between so we might as well surrender now!" Nods were exchanged and words of agreement circulated.

Elsa couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her councillors, all brave military strategists were willing to accept defeat even when the battle wasn't yet in sight.

"So you are all willing to give up so soon, even if we aren't sure if king Charles wants to feud with us?" She asked, trying to hide the pain her eyes couldn't help showing.

The men around the table looked ashamed and looked anywhere but at the queen. She was hurt by their mistrust, and only Colonel Sorensen dared break the awkward silence.

"Magesty... We must face the facts. We can only hope that these criminals acted alone, but if not... We don't stand a chance."