Divided Nation

The Siege Part 2

"They've been just camping outside of our walls," Karol started, "It's unlike any siege we have ever experienced. They haven't made any attempt to storm our walls. Yet."

     The tension in the room was heavy. The generals and various commanders were arranged in a semi-circle around the stone throne, which Karol stayed at the foot of. Jordan, the King himself was perched on the throne, still suffering badly from the Blood Fever.

      "Let me propose," A large man, a Titan I assumed, stepped forwards, "I have a plan to save this castle."

       "Speak, Denver," Karol admitted.

      "The true enemy is not the ones that are camped outside of our walls. It's the one that's already made their way into the castle," He said ominously, "The Blood Fever would kill us hundreds of times quicker than the Golden Sword can."

       "I propose that we take action now," He continued, "The Blood Fever have only affected a quarter of our troops now. If we take aggressive action now, we can contain the spread."

      Karol frowned, "What kind of action are we talking about here?"

      "We quarantine everyone," Denver said, "Take them inside the a large building, the barracks would do. We then seal the building. We burn corpses, then shovel their ashes into our sewers. Everyone stays a certain distance away from the infected and let them slowly die out. That way, we guarantee the survival of this kingdom."

      The room was stifling silent. Soldiers and guards alike exchanged uncertain glances with each other. Denver stayed at the center of the room, keeping his eyes on Karol. What he suggested went against everything the Yellow Kingdom had stood for. 

     Tradition stated that when a Yellow Kingdom soldier was killed, the soldier and the surrounding family and friends would have to attend a seven day funeral, with honouring and mourning before the body was buried in a holy site. And locking away a quarter of the garrison? It was aggressive, for sure, maybe even insane, but I could see it working. As I looked around the room once more, I saw people shaking their heads and murmuring. I had to say something.

      "This can work," I stated, stepping forwards next to Denver, "It can be done. Do it now, Karol, or we'll regret it much later." 

       Karol's eyes flicked up to meet mine as I finished my statement. He sighed heavily. He had been put in charge ever since Jordan had been affected by the disease. What a heavy burden it must have been. Karol hadn't even hit his twenties yet. And now he had to defend one of the most important castles in Gala against an army a hundred times its size.

      "No," He finally finished, "Even though this is a siege, I can't allow us to be dehumanized. It would be chaos. My answer is no."

      "But, my lord," Denver protested, "Think about it for a moment. It is only a couple hundred lives to save the Kingdom. If this castle falls, that will be the end for the Yellow Kingdom. But if the siege fails, we can reclaim this kingdom. But to do that, we need to have the Blood Fever under control."

      "My answer is no," Karol repeated, "What you suggest is madness. I will not sacrifice and let my people die. Suggest this idea one more time and it'll be considered treason."

      If it was possible, the tension in the room went even higher. I saw many hands reach towards their swords, but we had to leave that at the door. The only one with a  weapon was Karo, who held the sacred sword of the Yellow Kingdom.

       "Please reconsider, my lord," Denver tried again, but Karol stood up abruptly.

       "I tried to warn you," He seethed, "This is treason. Your ideas are madness and I will not have that type of behaviour during the siege."