Three days after the attack on the Northern Island, reports of casualties, and missing people were still coming in. Guards patrolled outside of every door in the Central City Palace. No member of the royal family was to go unattended. News of the raid had spread like wildfire throughout the OZ. Despite the work to keep it quiet. Protester marched outside the palace daily, demanding war against the Longcoats. But that was far from what others wanted.
DG sat with the rest of her family and councilors at the war table. The protesters complaints had reached its limit with everyone. Today was the day that they would decide what to do. She looked across the table at Cain, who was looking back at her. His attention shifted back to the councilor presenting the war side. DG looked back down at the table, praying this was all a bad dream.
"The Longcoats have been goading us since the end of the witch. They've raided supply shipments to needing towns, ransacked unprotected villages, and now they call for the royal house. Their abuse must come to an end." He explained.
"Councilor Freeman," Azkadellia said. She sat at the far end of the table from DG. "It is true, the things which you speak of. Many of which we, ourselves, were present for. I cannot deny the fact that the Longcoats are testing our abilities. However, I cannot agree with the fact that violence is our only option to bring peace against them."
"Of course not, Highness. After all, you trained them yourself." He sneered.
DG's eyes snapped up. Fury boiled in her blood. She caught Cain's warning before she did anything drastic. It was then she noticed his hand had slipped under the table, probably to his holstered gun.
"Councilor Freeman restrain your tongue!" Lavender ordered.
Freeman recoiled at the Queens sudden outburst. He recomposed himself, "Forgive me your majesty, but I speak truth. If it had not been for the witch we would not-"
"Councilor, should you make one more notion against my eldest daughter, you shall find yourself a refugee from the Northern Court." Lavender threatened.
DG resisted the smile that was creeping on her face. Freeman had always been one of the more difficult councilors they had to deal with. She watched Freeman restrain his next comment.
"Continuing on, Majesty, if we let the Longcoats push us any further, we shall lose all that had been gained back." he said.
Lavender pondered his comment. "Anything from the opposing view?"
Now it was DG's turn. She stood slowly. "What is there to say beyond this. We're not voting on sending ourselves out there to fight the Longcoats. We're voting to send others out there. Husbands, sons, workers. Could vote for war if you knew you were sending your son, or your husband off to fight. Sending them, when there is a chance they might not come back. Keep that in mind when casualty reports come in with the number of men who won't come home to their families if we vote for war."
DG took her seat, leaving the councilors speechless. Not a bad sign, but not a good sign either. She looked across the table at Cain, who seemed to be pained by her words. In that instant, DG new the councilors would vote for war. And her words had fallen on deaf ears.
"Thank you, DG. We have heard from both sides of this dilemma. Councilor's, the time has come to put this to a vote. Please keep in mind that those who do not wish to vote for war or delegation, you have nothing to fear." Lavender explained. "Those councilors in favor of War?"
DG's heart broke when over half the councilor's raised their hands. She lowered her head in defeat. There was no point in asking those in favor of delegation.
"Majority rules. Councilor Freeman, I expect to see the document on my desk by this evening. Along with the names of men who volunteer to lead in this battle." Lavender said.
Cain cleared his throat. Lavender turned her attention to Cain, "Yes, General?"
"Will all do respect, you Highness, half of the regiment are still missing, including the Colonel." Cain said. DG winced. Jeb and his squadron were still missing after the raid.
"Yes, General, I understand that. We have not given up searching for them." Lavender said.
Cain nodded, "In a situation as this, all Generals and Colonels would be present here and would hold some part in this decision. Since half of them are missing, I feel that I should make this decision solely. As for finding men to lead regiments, I plan on adding my name to the list first."
DG's eyes shot up form the table. She kept calm on the outside, but inside she was far from it. He said what?
"Very well General. This meeting is now adjourned." Lavender said. Everyone stood from their chairs.
DG stood with their pace. Without speaking or making eye contact with anyone, Dg stormed out of the room. Too many emotions were fighting to take over. Now was not the time, nor the place to lose it. She weaved her way through the workers and court members. Thankfully none of them noticed her pass by.
DG raced up the stair toward her room, fully aware that she wouldn't be alone in there for long. She walked briskly through the hallway and stopped at her room. The push had enough force to knock it off the wall. She slammed it shut, letting her anger echo through the halls.
For a moment, DG leaned against the door. Her breathing came in shallow gasps as her emotions peeked. Slowly, she slid down the door onto the floor. Her knees came up to her chest and her arms wrapped around them. A small sense of security filled DG. Finally, the tears fell from her eyes. One by one, they fell from her eyes to her cheeks, and from her cheeks onto her skirt. DG lowered her head to her knees and cried her heart out.
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and this is where things get odd. i own nothing