Then we start driving the Demon Riders back and establishing larger and larger defensible
boundaries.”
“And how long before we’d be rid of the barbarians?”
“We’re already training private guard forces around Forge. The majority of our farms could be much better defended within a year.”
“The majority, you say. But the barbarians would still plague our people.”
“If you have a counter proposal,” said Malikel, his voice tight with impatience, “let’s hear it.”
Willem straightened and slowly swept his eyes across the Council. “As Head Councilman, I’m not usually involved in directly planning the city defense, but in trying times, when
demands outweigh what our Defense Minister is able to handle, I’m forced to take a more direct approach. I propose a systematic sweep of the forest with our soldiers.”
Tristam frowned. That was a horrible idea. Willem should have known better.
“That’s preposterous,” said Malikel, rising to his feet. “We do not have nearly enough men to do this. It would be sending them to their deaths, one battalion at a
time.”
“You’re right, Malikel, that as it stands we do not have enough troops to mount such an attack. But the laws of Forge give the Council authority to expand our defense forces from
within the city during times of need.”
Tristam’s head snapped up at these words. Willem couldn’t possibly mean…
“Are you suggesting conscripting soldiers from the city population?” said Malikel.
“Indeed, I am,” said Willem. “Circumstances are dire enough.”
“Dire enough to send untrained citizens to their deaths? Willem, the current raids are alarming, but even with the uptick in attacks, we still count the weekly casualties with one hand. If
we take your strategy and go on an offensive with untrained and underarmed peasants, we could lose hundreds, if not more.”
“What kind of city are we?” Willem’s voice rang through the hall. “Did Forge become the great city it is by shrinking into the corner at the first sign of an enemy? By
hiding like a mouse? Last month, our Defense Minister assured us the Demon Riders were a diminishing threat. Last night, we were called out of our beds by reports of not one, not two, but three
attacks. What will next month bring? The only way to protect ourselves is to remove the threat now. Our neighboring cities have already taken steps to fight the barbarians. Edlan’s people do
not suffer the shame of sitting by while their farms are ravaged. Do we of Forge continue to be meek, or do we step up and show our strength?”
Kyra shifted uncomfortably. Tristam gave her hand a quick squeeze and received a grateful smile in response. Kyra hated the farm raids as much as anyone, but it was hard for her to hear people
talk of Demon Riders as monsters and barbarians, to be reminded what kind of reaction she’d get if her secret was revealed.
Back on the platform, Willem raised his voice. “Answer me one question, Malikel. If we sweep the forest with the numbers I propose, given what you know about these clans, will we succeed
in driving them out?”
There was a long silence as all eyes settled on Malikel. The Defense Minister stood with one hand on his table, staring down at it as if he meant to crush it by thought alone. “We have a
reasonable chance at success,” he said slowly. “But our casualties will be many times theirs, and the citizens of Forge would be bearing a burden that should rightly fall to the
military.”
“Let the Council decide where the burden should fall,” said Willem. “I call for a vote.”
Tristam leaned forward, his eyes fixated on the Council as Willem called each Councilman in turn to speak his vote. As the numbers fell evenly on each side, the air in the room became
increasingly tense. When the last Council member gave his choice, Willem nodded. “The final tally is eleven for, eight against, and one abstain,” he said. “The measure is
boundaries.”
“And how long before we’d be rid of the barbarians?”
“We’re already training private guard forces around Forge. The majority of our farms could be much better defended within a year.”
“The majority, you say. But the barbarians would still plague our people.”
“If you have a counter proposal,” said Malikel, his voice tight with impatience, “let’s hear it.”
Willem straightened and slowly swept his eyes across the Council. “As Head Councilman, I’m not usually involved in directly planning the city defense, but in trying times, when
demands outweigh what our Defense Minister is able to handle, I’m forced to take a more direct approach. I propose a systematic sweep of the forest with our soldiers.”
Tristam frowned. That was a horrible idea. Willem should have known better.
“That’s preposterous,” said Malikel, rising to his feet. “We do not have nearly enough men to do this. It would be sending them to their deaths, one battalion at a
time.”
“You’re right, Malikel, that as it stands we do not have enough troops to mount such an attack. But the laws of Forge give the Council authority to expand our defense forces from
within the city during times of need.”
Tristam’s head snapped up at these words. Willem couldn’t possibly mean…
“Are you suggesting conscripting soldiers from the city population?” said Malikel.
“Indeed, I am,” said Willem. “Circumstances are dire enough.”
“Dire enough to send untrained citizens to their deaths? Willem, the current raids are alarming, but even with the uptick in attacks, we still count the weekly casualties with one hand. If
we take your strategy and go on an offensive with untrained and underarmed peasants, we could lose hundreds, if not more.”
“What kind of city are we?” Willem’s voice rang through the hall. “Did Forge become the great city it is by shrinking into the corner at the first sign of an enemy? By
hiding like a mouse? Last month, our Defense Minister assured us the Demon Riders were a diminishing threat. Last night, we were called out of our beds by reports of not one, not two, but three
attacks. What will next month bring? The only way to protect ourselves is to remove the threat now. Our neighboring cities have already taken steps to fight the barbarians. Edlan’s people do
not suffer the shame of sitting by while their farms are ravaged. Do we of Forge continue to be meek, or do we step up and show our strength?”
Kyra shifted uncomfortably. Tristam gave her hand a quick squeeze and received a grateful smile in response. Kyra hated the farm raids as much as anyone, but it was hard for her to hear people
talk of Demon Riders as monsters and barbarians, to be reminded what kind of reaction she’d get if her secret was revealed.
Back on the platform, Willem raised his voice. “Answer me one question, Malikel. If we sweep the forest with the numbers I propose, given what you know about these clans, will we succeed
in driving them out?”
There was a long silence as all eyes settled on Malikel. The Defense Minister stood with one hand on his table, staring down at it as if he meant to crush it by thought alone. “We have a
reasonable chance at success,” he said slowly. “But our casualties will be many times theirs, and the citizens of Forge would be bearing a burden that should rightly fall to the
military.”
“Let the Council decide where the burden should fall,” said Willem. “I call for a vote.”
Tristam leaned forward, his eyes fixated on the Council as Willem called each Councilman in turn to speak his vote. As the numbers fell evenly on each side, the air in the room became
increasingly tense. When the last Council member gave his choice, Willem nodded. “The final tally is eleven for, eight against, and one abstain,” he said. “The measure is
Similar Books
