Council Meeting

As Suthrath closed the distance and approached the platform, the whispers which had been going in the crowd quietened.

He could also spot the faces of the councillors- they had expressions of anxiety and uncertainty. They had beads of sweats formed on their forehead and their palms were sweaty as they looked towards him warily.

Only Lander and one another councillor standing next to him seemed normal. Councillor Lander had been particularly close to Suthrath's father and now that he had risked his life for Suthrath's sake, his status, undoubtedly was about to alleviate.

Suthrath soon closed the distance and arrived near the stairs leading to the platform. The councillors bowed towards him in greeting.

Suthrath gave a curt nod in response as he climbed the stairs and reached the top of the platform. The councillors followed behind him.

On the platform, 9 wooden chairs had been placed in a circle. One among them was different from the rest- it was slightly large which was for the leader.

Suthrath took his seat on the larger chair and Lander sat on his immediate right and then rest all followed suit.

One of the seats, which was directly opposite Suthrath remained empty. This was the seat of Equro but now he had been killed after all and so were his sons.

The crowd had also move and had completely surrounded the platform and stood close to it so that they can hear whatever was about to be discussed.

Suthrath sat in silence for few minutes which produced a sense of unease in the members of the council.

It was Lander who gathered his courage and stood up to speak, "My lord."

It was an indication to the new leader to start the proceedings.

"Councillor Lander," Suthrath said. "Begin with a detailed report of the events which had transpired in the past 4 days."

It was his intention to make all the events clear, not only to himself but also to the people who were surrounding the platform.

Lander nodded and his expression turned serious.

"It all began 4 days earlier," he said. "The man who had been on the watchtower towards the side of the lake spotted a horde of people approaching towards us."

"The army consisted of around 300 men on foot and around 100 men on horses. The raid caught us off guard and the previous leader made a hasty preparation as to confront the incoming army," said Lander.

"By the time we were able to reach the walls, the army of the eastern settlement had already arrived and battle was eminent."

"But that day the main aim of the army of eastern settlement was not to confront us in a full blown battle but they had wanted to inflict maximum damage on us."

"And they were successful in their aims. They specifically targeted our leader and endless pursuits were made towards him. Ultimately, by the factor that the men of the eastern settlement were better trained and had better equipment, they were able to kill our previous leader."

Lander sighed visibly in grief, "Not only they managed to kill our leader but they were also successful in destroying a large part of our defensive wall."

"Probably, this was what they had wanted to achieve that day because as soon as the leader was killed, they made a sudden retreat."

"It was a smart choice. Though, the number and preparation were on their side if they had entered inside the settlement, they would have suffered massive damages."

Lander continued, "But this was not the end of it. It was the beginning of their strategic plans."

"One day later, when we had still been recovering from the losses, they made another attack," he added. "Though, this time we were prepared but our losses in the first attack had made us weak."

"Like the previous time, they employed the same tactic. A constant pursuit of our leader and to deal damage to our defensive wall."

"They again succeeded in their plans… they managed to strike an arrow on our leader," Lander added with his eyes towards Suthrath. "And another segment of our defensive wall was destroyed."

"Lord," he said. "I fear, we have another attack imminent on us. And this time they will probably engage in full blown confrontation."

"A large portion of wall have been destroyed. If the damage was somewhat smaller, their forces would have narrowed as they would have tried to invade the settlement but now, they would not face this problem."

Suthrath gave a nod and Lander took back his seat.

"Is there anything anyone wants to add?" He questioned. "Or maybe provide a solution to our predicament."

The councillors exchanged uneasy glances among them and finally a man stood up.

The man was middle aged. He had bulging stomach, chubby face and his looks resembled one of those evil and greedy traders. After all, he was one such fellow. He was Magrun.

"My lord," Magrun said. "I believe that before we deal with this exterior threat, we must solve our interior crisis."

Suthrath raised an eyebrow at this wondering what internal crisis was the man talking?

Magrun continued with a flattering grin, "Equro made a traitorous attempt on your position. And though he and two of his sons have been dealt with, three members of his family still live."

"My lord," Magrun bowed. "I would have already presented you their heads but councillor Lander prevented me saying that only you would make such a decision."

"I implore you to say the word and my men will immediately bring their head," he concluded with an evil smirk.

Oh! How low the man was willing to fall just to flatter me.

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