Punishment for Prisoners

Under Lander's lead, the soldiers were brought to an empty space of land around 500 metres away from the damaged section of the wall.

And the soldiers were confused at the spot of the land. Few large utensils were placed at the empty space of land.

"From now, you all will be staying here," Suthrath's voiced echoed from behind who had followed Lander and the soldiers.

Suthrath's purpose was to create a system of barrack among his men and though one day of this system was not going to make any difference in the upcoming battle, Suthrath realised that implementing this system now in the moment of crisis was an easy task.

If he became victorious in the upcoming battle, which he hoped to be, he would have more power in his hands and would then make improvements to his system.

"You will cook food here… make up temporary tents to sleep," Suthrath said. "I want you all to know and mingle with the comrades along whom you will be fighting the coming war."

"And as I said previously, I want full discipline among you all," Suthrath concluded and the soldiers nodded.

These large utensils were the property of the settlement and were generally used during occasions when community feast would be required.

And though, the people of western settlement were a settled a society and not a nomadic one, setting up a temporary camp was something they all were versed in.

.

.

.

In Suthrath's absence, Lander's elder soon took up the role of overseeing and managing the soldiers.

Lander's elder son-Rakbul was a burly man and was older in age than Suthrath. Although, Rakbul lacked the political acumen of his father, Rakbul was fierce warrior and a man of great strength. And since the western settlement had barely seen wars other than small skirmishes, it was impossible to comment on the military strategy of any of its residents.

Suthrath, on the other hand had arrived to meet the men of Equro. These prisoners numbered 27 in total.

As per his instructions, these prisoners had been brought to the easter side of the place only. They all had their hands tied with a thick rope and their legs had also been tied which gave enough mobility to take small strides.

Naturally, the other councillors also followed Suthrath out of curiosity.

When Suthrath stood facing these men, almost every prisoner had an expression of guilt on his face. They had got the news of Suthrath's miraculous hearing the vow he had made and then they had heard the speech he had made to the assembled army.

And they only felt guilt… repentance and they wished how they could correct their mistakes? How could they have been among those men and had shouted to fight for their land… for the revenge of their fallen brothers and for their land?

And Suthrath wanted nothing more than this. He was not a fool to slaughter men when every fighting arm was going to make a difference in this war.

He stood wearing a disappointed expression on his face.

"You know," he said. "There is one crime which even gods would not be willing to forgive."

"Betrayal… Treachery," Suthrath boomed and the head of every prisoner fell further in shame. "And no, I am not talking about betrayal against me."

"I am a mere human like you all," Suthrath said and the soldiers looked at him in confusion. "I am talking about the betrayal to the land."

"You did not simple betray me…" he continued. "When you choose to go against me in a time of crisis, you betrayed this land."

"You betrayed this piece of land which we worship," he boomed. "You betrayed the gods to whom we pray."

"And for what?" He said and the soldiers felt killing themselves. "To seat a person on a chair which is a bit larger than the others."

Suthrath was talking about the wooden chair of the leader in the council hall which was a bit of larger size than the councillors.

Suthrath gave a nod to Lander who nodded towards another person and 3 men holding swords in their hands approached the prisoners.

The councillors thought that the men were about to be executed and so did the prisoners. Even so, they did not have an iota of wish to resist. They would more than willing to die for the crime, they felt, they had committed.

 "You all deserve too be executed," Suthrath said and everyone waited for his final order of the execution.

"But what does your death accomplish?" He boomed after moments of silence. "Nothing."

"There is a greater purpose which you all can fulfil…" continued Suthrath shocking everyone. "Purpose which is greater than death."

"I will say fight for this land again… fight for your brothers… fight to erase your sin," boomed Suthrath and every prisoner had their eyes widened in shock and heat burned through their bodies.

"Lay your life… but not in this slaughter… but for this sacred land," Suthrath boomed. "If you are willing to follow me in this war… in this pursuit of revenge and justice pick up that sword and free yourself."

On Suthrath's another nod, the three men fixed the swords in the ground for the prisoners to choose.

"Pick up the sword and free yourself if you are willing to fight for this land," Suthrath repeated and the men were brought out of their daze.

They could not believe they were not being killed… that they were being provided an opportunity to wash away their sins.

Their face hardened and resolve took over them as one of them picked up the sword and freed himself and then others followed suit.

Within moments, all of them were free from their restraints.

One man among them, who was probably a leader of sorts in that group stepped froward and kneeled on one his knee.

"Lord," he said. Tears were brimming down his face. "Words cannot describe our feelings on this chance of redemption of you have given us."

"And I will not say anything more," he continued. "But I vow in name of all the gods, we will the arm that will bring death to your enemies."

"We have no value in our life other than service for this land and we are going to be the death whom the enemy will fear."

Suthrath gave a nod with a small smile tugging his lips. One more obstacle resolved and he could feel the war inching.

.

.

.

[Please add the book to your collection and send the power stones. Also, comment your opinions and leave a review.]