-November 1st of 1312

The citadel is filled with the scent of smoke and dried metallic scent of blood as the sound of wailing children and weeping widows fills the air. Lena hardens her heart against the painful wails as she stands at the open window.

Dolly quietly approaches from behind and says, “General Bartholomew, we have finished gathering the people in the square and setup up the magic broadcast system to showcase your speech throughout the kingdom. The truth stone is also in place in the plaza.”

Lena doesn’t react other than heading to the citadel balcony to speak to the people down in the plaza bellow. As she strides down the hallway, through the windows she sees their dead gently placed at the funeral pyre with the fallen figure of Lieutenant Jones. Sadly, Lieutenant Jones was struck down by enemy forces and perished in the encounter.

As for the enemy, Lena ordered that they be extended the same curtsy. Her soldiers were somewhat reluctant to do so but wordlessly obeyed the command. Perhaps, this appeased the citizens as they had yet to openly revolt as of yet.

Lena takes a deep breath, before stepping forth and facing the people of the Kingdom of Cypress. The people don’t shout or yell as they glare up at her.

Lena loudly says, “People of Cypress, I truly lament that we were forced to meet under the banner of war and not under the flag of peacetime.

I cannot ask for forgiveness, but I will ask for understanding. Please I beg of ye, open your ears, hearts and minds, before you judge me. And if you find that my words do not offer solace nor swift answer to fill that void, then I beg you judge my men not.

Because tis I who is guilty and not those that willingly followed me. I beg you lay all thy hate and blame at my feet for I will bear the responsibility.”

Lena pauses for a breath, before continuing, “We came united against thee, because a house divided against itself cannot stand. I am horrified to say, that among our kingdoms there were vile conspirators to destroying the efforts of our kingdoms to maintain peace and harmony. Not only did your King Edward plot to kill his own brother under the guise of war, but took the lives of our crown prince and his loyal men.”

At Lena’s words the square is full with indignation and shouts. Lena speaks over the over the clamor, “Please call yourself denizens of Cypress as much as it pains me to say these words they hold truth. I will present the culprits to speak for themselves and testify before you.”

Captain Darrell and Chief Officer Gauthier escorts the prisoners in chains, General Percy Byron, his son and daughter, Cassius and Marigold. And last but not least the pale faced King Edward Ⅲ.

The people gape at the four figures in chains as Lena takes advantage of the stunned silence to continue, “I will announce their crimes and then have them speak for themselves. And let us see if in the face of the denizens of Cypress they still dare deny their crimes.”

Lena turns towards the four-prisoner and coldly declares, “I, General Bartholomew of Alyssum find General Byron with his son and daughter guilty of treason and murder.”

Not only did they betray their vows and country, but sought to dethrone his majesty and instigate open rebellion. But not before committing a most vile treacherous act, the atrocious murder of the crown prince with the aid of thine king,” Lena matter-of-factly stated as she overlooked the stunned crowd.

“No child should ever covet their father’s wealth nor power, yet this unfilial son coveted all that which did not belong to him. Had this greedy man waited, given time all that which he sought would have been his. But no, this vile creature coveted the throne and committed a forgivable act, patricide.

But not satisfied with taking the life of he who gave him life-. This wretched man arose and took a blade to those that trusted him the most. I am sad to say, that we arrived far too late to save the Queen mother and thy princes and princesses. Their lives were taken by that man, who calls yourself King.

I ask you, is such a man worthy to be thy King? Not only when he so selfishly took the lives our soldiers for gain? Or perhaps, when he took the lives of his Father? Or when he took the lives that loved and trusted him? I ask you, will you still follow such a being, that does not deserve to be called a man?

But if you do not wish to believe, then do not. But I ask you, do my words ring false to your ears?” Lean roared as the crowd seemed to have the urge to faint.

Several soldiers unveil a giant glowing crystal in the middle of the plaza. The truth stone only darkens when lies are spoken.

Chief Officer Gauthier removes the gag from King Edward’s Ⅲ mouth and pushes him forward to face the crowd. King Edward Ⅲ, coldly looks at his people as a brave soul yells out, “Is it true your majesty? Surely it is not? Your majesty?”

The people more confidently shout for him to speak and so forth. King Edward Ⅲ finally emotionlessly retorts, “And what if it is?”

The people become silent in astonishment as betrayal streaks across their faces. “You need not concern yourselves with the affairs of thine rightful ruler. After all, livestock has no need to concern itself with matters beyond its weak-minded comprehension,” King Edward Ⅲ truthfully stated.

A young woman with disbelief stammers, “Your majesty, surely you are lying! Is that truly what you think of us as live stock?”

“Livestock need not concern itself with the actions of those superior from birth.

But yes, I coveted the throne and made certain that my rival died by my enemies’ hand. As for my father, he was easy to persuade and manipulate as I wished until he became a burden. And as for my mother and siblings, well, I am responsible for their deaths,” King Edward Ⅲ, dispassionately said.

The crowd is in a frenzy as they yell and shout at the King. Lena gestures for the crowd to be silent as they somewhat reluctantly do so. With anger, they listen to the other three confess their crimes as the truth stone never fails to darken. With the last confession, several soldiers cover the truth stone and remove it from the plaza.

The crowd weeps, gashes their teeth with anger and despair. But they remain still waiting for the woman to speak.

“I did not wish to burden you with the truth. But sometimes there is no alternative.

People of Cypress, you cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. I stand before you and I will give you two choices. I will let theses traitors go and allow them to fall to your judgement or I bring them to the Empires tribunals to be trialed. The choice is yours.”

The people are quiet for a moment as the unanimous voice becomes louder. “Justice!” “Hang them.” “See the traitors hanged!”

“The people have spoken and so it shall be done. Captain Darrell, hang the traitors,” Lena calmly stated.

In the square, just by coincidence the hanging post happens to hold four nooses ready. General Byron and his children struggle, but their efforts are futile as the soldiers carry them through the spitting and angry crowd. As for King Edward Ⅲ, he stoically stares at the crowd as if they are of no concern to him.

Captain Darrell orders the soldiers to place the noose around the necks of the traitors. General Bryon glares hatefully at Lena as tears stream down the fearful faces of his children. With a nod from Lena, Captain Darrell commands the soldiers to release the lever as the bodies fall.

Lena receives no sense of satisfaction at the sight of the twitching bodies as they kick in the air until their struggles cease. The guards stand guard to protect the bodies, lest the mob destroy the corpses. The emotional crowd turns to face Lena as she bows to them to their great astonishment.

“I am sorry that his one was not strong enough to protect thy and my people from harm. I beg forgiveness for my actions,” Lena firmly said as tears stream down the people’s face.

The air is still until Lena raises herself upright and says, “I am the woman who destroyed so many of your sons, brothers, and husbands in war. For I am the woman who took the lives of those that you hold dear.

And to my dismay, though I regret the lost lives, I regret not my action. Far better it is to dare mighty things-, than to rank with those poor spirits, who did not dare to take a stand.

Should I have turned away and allowed those vile men to continue to trample the memories of those who fought so valiantly for a noble cause? Or should I have turned a blind eye and allowed for their farce to continue until another dared to take another criminal stance?

How could I possibly stand before the gods at my deathbed and face those that had gone ahead in my charge? I could not and neither can ye. After all, we stand on holy grounds sanctified by, oh so noble blood that was spilled thereon.”

At Lena’s words the people look at their surrounding with surprise and new eyes. Lena declares, “We stand here on these holy grounds that be a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that this nation might live.

The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated this ground with their very lives. Time and history may forget this battle as a trivial passing event, but it can never forget what they did here. They fought and they died nobly. For a coward can die a hundred times, but a valiant man only dies once.

It is for livening that they fought so valiantly and perished so brightly. But these brave souls are gone and can no more return.

As the living, how can we falter before those that gave their very lives? How can we have any less devotion than them? I nor ye cannot permit their lives to be in vain for the cause which they gave their all.”

Lena pauses as she gazes at their silent weeping faces. “And that is why even though thy mourning clothes are scarcely worn I must speak. Time comes soon when we the soldiers of Alyssum will depart on the morrow and return to our homes. But for thy own home the battle has merely begun to be waged.

Many will come to plunder and rob thine borders to claim thy lands. There will be many that shall cause many an uprising. And it is not they who will suffer but you, who were left behind by the dead. It is you the people that will suffer and not they,” Lena softly said.

The people stare at Lena with troubled eyes now filling with panic and fear.

After a moment, a lone man steps forward and says, “Take responsibly, General Bartholomew.” At his words the plaza is full with similar words.

“What would you have me do? I cannot become your ruler nor do would ye be satisfied to be ruled by another kingdom’s sovereign.

But instead, would the denizens be willing to give one of the royal house one last chance? I have heard rumors that his majesty had a child live among the people. I believe the council members of the council can confirm my words as well. And if so, would ye be willing to follow him?

In exchange, the Kingdom of Alyssum, will aid thy kingdom should thy borders be attacked and by doing so we shall no more be enemies, but sworn brothers,” Lena persuasively suggested.

The plaza is full of murmurs as the man formally known as Private Eithan steps out into the crowd and stands before them along with the surviving members of the council. An elderly council coughs and in a raspingly says, “What General Bartholomew speaks is the truth. Behold I present to you, the last member of the royal family, Eithan Fulbright.”

Private Eithan takes a step forward, before kneeling to the crowd’s horror and dismay of the council members. The people murmur amongst each other as Private Eithan remains kneeling in silence. After some time, Private Eithan at last lifts his head as sorrowful tears of regret stream down his face.

“People of Cypress, I am ashamed to call you my people. What has my family wrought amongst you but tragedy and pain? I hold no authority to call myself your sovereign. All which grants me that title or power is merely my birth,” Private Eithan softly said as emotional tears continue to stream own his face.

“I cannot atone for that which has already transpired. I am not a good man and though I strive to be one, I am still weak as any. I fear that lest we repeat the same mistake of our past, it will be a folly to crown me King,” Private Eithan honestly said as the people’s faces softened at his words.

“But if the people wish and allow me, I will work all the days of my life alongside to protect and if need give my very life for this countries freedom. If you allow me to declare, from this day forth, there will no longer be a royal family, but a senate and council chosen by the people for the people!

We will follow the example of the nations of the Silver Compromise and others that are similar. What say ye, people of Cypress will ye agree with my words?” Private Eithan said with absolute conviction.

The plaza is silent for a moment and then is filled with loud voices that say, “Yes, we will agree. But Prince Eithan, your majesty abandons us not, remain as our king. Let us live such as the people of Corral, who have their council and their ruler.”

Private Eithan bows once more and at the sight the crowd wildly cheers as they cry for him to rise. After another moment, Private Eithan rises one more to his feet and with sincerity says, “Thank you for your kindness. I will not fail the faith thou have so generously placed in me.”

Lena allows the plaza to be filled with cheers and words for several minutes. Sometime later the plaza quiets down as Private Eithan turns to face Lena expectantly as does the crowd. Lena solemnly begins to speak, “I fear I must cut short thy merriment with my solemn words.

If I may, I shall speak for our honored dead as we light the pyres and pay our respects.”

The crowd becomes still as they turn their heads towards the large pyres at the sides. Lena watches as Captain Darrell and Master Sergeant Robertson each take a burning torch and reverently light the funeral pyres. The pyres swiftly begin to burn as Lena deferentially says a eulogy for the fallen,

“Full of courage and valor they went to battle,

Staunch and firm against fearful odds-

Uncounted for,

Glistening blades that tumbled to darkened earth,

Yet though sheen fades to ash and dust,

There they stand, still- firm.

Oh fallen, what more can I or another ask for?

Or even dare for more?

Lest we tempt the Gods to rain terrible wrath-

And deserving might upon us.

They are at rest and,

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the rising of new day’s dawn or the dying dusk,

We will remember them.”

The multitude of people are not the only ones to weep as Lena’s men turn and hide their faces away from the sight of the bright pyre. Lena remains dry eyed and stoic in the face of so much sorrow and grief. It is not that she did not feel pain nor loss, but rather she would mourn her losses in private and away from prying eyes.