TO GIVE IN OR TO GIVE OUT

Early the following day, the very last of the soldiers that had been gathered in Scoln barricaded themselves in the city of Sedonia.

They were few in number and the majority awaited the arrival of reinforcements from the capital.

They stationed themselves behind barricades of sand filled sacks.

In a distance from where they were, they caught sight of the Skartian soldiers drawing near.

"Stand your ground." The Commander of the Scoln warriors ordered.

They emerged from every direction with heavy guns and artillery and then took places behind the barricades.

They had their guns facing their attackers who moved nearer and nearer with canons closing the distance between both parties.

The canons came to stop about eight hundred metres away from the city walls.

"This is it." The Skartian general commanded.

Before he had given an order, the Scolns fired knowing what was laid ahead for them.

The Skartian soldiers who bore metallic shields brought them in front of the canons and the rest of their troops and slowly, they held back the Scoln bullets.

The canons were readied and the Skartians fired towards the Scolns in retaliation.

The Scoln army started to fall back as the surrounding buildings were torn down.

Explosives and smoke jointly erupted from Sedonia as the people that had occupied it cried out loud.

The Cries of bullets and explosions blending with the yells of the injured soldiers.

All surrounding towns and smaller villagers could hear them loud and clear and the battle was wound up.

The Skartians were victorious and emerged further from the South towards the North.

The vanquished were murdered and a handful of soldiers managed to take refuge in other towns and cities.

The Scoln generals had succeeded in making an example of the Scolns.

Alexander was seated in the waiting room when the Prime Minister walked in.

"Your Majesty." The Prime Minister said as he took the King's hand and then placed it on his head.

"Mr. Prime Minister." Alexander said.

"It is a pity." The Prime Minister said.

"What happened, I need confirmation to all the rumors that I am hearing about.

It has been about time that news circulated throughout the Kingdom without me receiving it first." Alexander said.

"Our remaining soldiers in the South beyond the hills and mountains were ambushed." The Prime Minister said.

"By the Skartian troops." Alexander said.

"They fired first and the Skartians responded out of retaliation.

Apparently, they had intended it already and now, thousands of our soldiers were wiped out.

Those who remained had very great injuries and were murdered and some fled Northwards." The Prime Minister said.

Alexander touched his head out of disappointment.

He nearly started to shed tears.

"They are doing a great job settling within the South, if we lose this time, we won't win." Alexander said.

"Your Majesty, we must find a solution." The Prime Minister said.

"You think I do not know that?" Alexander yelled out loud everyone in the hallway outside heard.

"Forgive me your Majesty." The Prime minister said.

"I can't really stand all this, they are advancing and getting closer and closer to the capital." Alexander said.

"The troops need to be led right now, by someone capable and strong enough.

Someone who can take on the Skartians or we could lose our land for good." The Prime Minister said

"No." Alexander said.

The Prime Minister was surprised.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?" The Prime Minister asked.

"How can I be especially at a time like this?" Alexander said.

"Please, do reconsider whatever you are thinking your Majesty, a no?" The Prime Minister said.

"May be we do not have to end this war in bloodshed." Alexander said.

"I have never heard a King say this, you are not possibly considering it." The Prime Minister said.

"Yes." Alexander said.

"May be I should rather give the South and safeguard the rest of the Kingdom from invasion." Alexander said.

"Please do not your Majesty, for the sake of the prestige of this Crown.

For years we have been re knowned as a very strong power on the continent, what you are doing is endangering us." The Prime Minister said.

"I am not asking, I am saying this." Alexander said.

"For the sake of our people, I am begging you your Majesty not as your Prime Minister but a Scoln citizen.

A man with a family of children and grandchildren whose future is at stake." The Prime Minister said.

"I have made my decision right now for the welfare of every one else.

I have finally come to a peaceful way of settling this war and it is for our own good." Alexander said.

"Your Majesty, please." The Prime Minister said.

"It is necessary that I make this sacrifice." Alexander said.

"Then I won't stop you your Majesty, you have the final say but if I must at this very hour.

If this is your last resort than I will be more than glad to offer my resignation and step down from the position of Prime Minister." The Prime Minister said.

"Leave now." Alexander angrily pointed towards the door.

"Yes your Majesty." The Prime Minister replied as he bowed his head and then got a hold of his order.

He placed it on the table and turned around to make an exit of the waiting room.

He was no more to come in front of the King's presence as his Prime Minister but rather a common Scoln.

*****************************

"I have to do this." Alexander said.

"No." Valerian replied.

"You can not refuse me from doing it you know." Alexander said.

"And I have no right, I can not question or try to reason.

You won't listen and you blindly think that these men are going to just let go." Valerian said.

"I am doing this to protect you, to protect my family." Alexander said.

"I didn't ask you to protect me this way by betraying the trust of the people." Valerian said.

"I know what is best for this family." Alexander said.

"And if we go ahead and do this what difference will it make.

The Skartians might spare us today but another country or Kingdom might rise against us tomorrow.

How certain can we be that if we invite them in, they will not turn on us all?" Valerian asked.

"We have already lost twice and lives have been taken.

How am I supposed to face the world and tell them that I couldn't protect them from the Invaders?" Alexander said.

"One or two losses does not mean that it is the end of everything.

There is always a chance and we can still defend, not surrender." Valerian replied.

"You don't understand." Alexander said.

"What you are doing is going to result into more lives being lost once again." Valerian protested.

"I am protect the majority, it is what a King should do." Alexander said.

"By selling your people into Skartian slavery, on your own soil.

What good is being a King or a Scoln when you are a prisoner in your own country?" Valerian asked.

"In the name of peace." Alexander said.

"In the name of cowardice." Valerian replied.

"Unfortunately this is not for you to decide." Alexander said.

"Then tell me who is the man I married, where is the husband I want to fight for me?" Valerian asked.

There was silence.

"Haven't you had enough?" Valerian asked and Alexander was silent once again.

"If the past Scoln Kings were here would they have been proud,

Seeing you running away from a situation like this rather than embracing it head on?" Valerian asked.

"I am unlike the Kings that came on before me." Alexander said.

"In a crisis such as this, people want leaders that can stand up for them.

How can you convince the Scolns to defend themselves when you yourself you can't trust in them.

Rather than fighting alongside your people you choose to connive and collaborate with the enemy." Valerian said.

"It is the last resort and the only thing that I can do.

And it rests with me now or never." Alexander said.

"What you are doing is vile.

It is something that you are going to regret." Valerian said.

"I have already made up my mind and if giving a certain fraction of Scoln land is all it takes to acquire peace.

The I shall do it comfortably, without thinking twice, we already have enough casualties, I am not looking for more." Alexander said.

"You have said enough." Valerian said as he stepped away and sat down on his bed immersed in silence.

"We have all made sacrifices and suppressed who we are, it is not our choice to make, it is our duty." Alexander said.

He took in possession the Quill on the nearby table and dipped it in ink.

Slowly he put his signature on the Scroll that had been sent by the Skartians.

"I shall have this delivered early in the morning." Alexander said.