In 500... (or less)

The Swan

His mind had been set toward this action, it could not be pressed upon to change course.

The siege had lasted several months, and threatened to drag on indefinitely. Our general thought it wise to attempt to break the impasse with an ill-advised action, to present a gift to the defenders of the city.

"We shall present it as a token of our respect for the valiant defense of their city," he explained. "And when they have taken it in their midst, it will explode. Our armies will rush in at that moment."

"I believe this plan was used many centuries ago in Troy," said one of the subordinates. "Do you think it should work again?"

The commander chuckled derisively. "Of course it will." He would hear no further objections.

He summoned artisans from far and near to our camp, to build a spectacular offering to the enemy. The enemy had a professed fondness for glass. Our commander wanted a beautiful glass swan made from the finest glass. It would be packed full of gunpowder with a slow-burning wick. The explosion would cause the shards of glass to strike down the enemy.

"Perhaps we should consider a different material," offered Calbrund, one of the young commanders in our camp. The general would hear nothing of it.

"The glass will shatter and the deadly shards will pierce our enemies," the general said.

"But sir," Calbrund protested. "Would the enemy not see the gunpowder packed within and not accept the gift?"

"It will be a beautiful glass swan, Calbrund!" the general blustered. Calbrund was cashiered and sent home.

The general soon found he lacked the funds to pay the artisans and the army. We were asked to defer our pay while the work continued. The unrest in the ranks grew, but none dared to speak again the general's plan. A plea was sent to his majesty for more funds.

The swan was exceedingly beautiful, the work was some of the finest ever made. We marveled at it as it glistened in the bright sun.

"It seems a shame to destroy it," the general said. "But it must serve its purpose. Pack in the powder!"

He did not stay to supervise, he said he would return when the work was done. The soldiers looked at each other with doubt as they filled the cavity within the swan with powder. The cap was carefully fitted back into place. The black heart of the swan was readily evident to all, many of us expressed to each other the dubious chance at success for the general's plan. He was summoned to inspect the gift before it was to be wheeled up to the enemy's gates.

"What's this!?" he bellowed, looking at the weapon. He squinted at it and glowered before putting his hands over his face.

"I can see the line where the cap was put on! Take it off and reset it! The enemy would surely find out our ruse with such careless workmanship!"