RETCONNED

[s][b]Laona, Capital of the Antian Dominion[/b]

[i]Thunk.[/i]
 
The slam of the heavy wooden door silenced the boom of conversation from below as it called attention from a chaotic sea of senators from all corners of the nation and the few governors from the major cities. Tetan Serin, king of the Dominion and supposed highest power in the land walked in, his drab purple robe proving stark contrast to the lauded title. Of course it wasn't that he was without power, but it would be criminal to say he even came close to the [i]highest[/i] power.  Making his way toward the copper and gold emblazoned throne at the center of the podium he couldn't help but notice that the ancient council chambers made for an imposing sight.  Indeed with their enormous domed ceilings and vast stained windows letting in a burning red and yellow glare the crowd looked aflame, he mused it would be better that way too.  In truth he hadn't been here in years beyond counting, his role had been far away and out of sight, just as the council liked it 
 
Of course those years looking out at the plague lands, commissioning expeditions, touring docks, they had won him many things the council would not have liked.  Allies, friends, and a new found respect for simplicity and subtlety.  Though he had to admit his purpose here now was anything but; the council needed a clear reminder he existed.  Truth be told so did the people, many a man had forgotten their king.  That would change today.
 
Seated in the ceremonial position he remained impassive to the world, the council waiting to hear what their damned king had come before them to do; he could let them wait a moment longer. As the council continued talking among themselves, a voice overwhelmed them all. The speaker Sharod Kepaghe had arose from a separate bench close to the kings ceremonial position. "Quiet! Quiet I say!" he yelled. His words caused the senate to turn towards the king. They became fixed on a figure they hadn't seen in a long time, save the images from paintings. "On behalf of the throne, I present his majesty, King Tetan Serin. Please, be seated." With that, Sharod turned to the king. "The council is assembled, the floor is yours"

Compliantly Tetan sat erect and spoke so that all could hear, as much a necessity as proof he would have none to dismiss his presence, “And you will.  Of course you are all aware I do not often come before you, truthfully I spend most of my time abroad, tending to the matters that concern me.  It is in this then that I come to you, to speak of matters that concern us both.  As you all know the Plague, after ending our bloody conflict all those years ago has not proved easy to defeat, indeed we bide our time behind our walls even as our own citizens become disheartened and flee from lands so much as close to the boundary.  It is perhaps strange then that I suggest action away from the plague, perhaps strange that I suggest an end to whatever remains of the Somnus to the south."

Upon hearing those words.. suggest an end. These words caused many in the council to begin whispering to themselves. It was becoming obvious at this point that the senate was going to give the king trouble. Nothing new though, Tetan would know that the people did elect these men and women. Though, their inability to make quick decisions on their behalf could be quite annoying. After a moment, the king spoke more causing the senate itself to quiet down.
 
“But it is not so odd as you think, rather it is the only path open to us.  The plague is immune to weapons, we could hack at it for centuries and never make progress, in fact that is just what we have done.  In this our citizens have come to doubt our ability, come to see the military as impotent against the closing threat.  It is of this affliction, of doubt, that I wish to cure them.  We must stand courageous and prideful, and to do this we must set an example, an example that lays in the Somnus.  They are weak now, broken, we would be able to win such a war against their tattered remnants without effort and by doing so we would secure the faith of the public.  For the Somnus held us at bay for ages beyond counting, and no matter how weak now their defeat would have immediate effect.  Indeed at last we would quash the whispers that nothing can be done about the plague and we would gain ourselves land with which anything can be done.  
“I call upon this council today one thing, that we end the last of the Somnus and in doing so recover the reputation we have lost and gain the hope of the people that as I have seen on my travels we now so sorely lack.”

When he finished, the council began an uproar. Their words were mixed love and hate, help the king! halt his warmongering plans.. all could be heard and it flooded the chamber. Even the royal guards outside could hear the commotion. So far away, these people had no real clue as to how the plague really worked, no report that was more than gruesome numbers. and this was fitting seeing as these people were elected by people who were equally ignorant to the reality of the situation. The plague, that was all people could think about. 

A young senator rose from the crowd and motioned for others to settle down and then addressed the king, "My lord, the war with the Somnus Imperium is over. They were destroyed by Yuwans grace." He was interrupted by an older male. "Sit down you fool."
With that, the majority of the council laughed, including Sharod but that older male stood up and had some similar thoughts. "He is right though, the war has ended decades ago. The true issue is the plague. Would a king be so foolish as to use a terrible blight to muster armies to fight another foe?" He began walking towards the front of the forum, to the point the king could see his face very clearly.

"There is no need to take our already fatigued armies from the front lines of the plague.. to of all things, march in to the Imperium controlled lands." He turned to the senate, "And more so, what happens if we do beat the Imperium, do we occupy their lands? or do we rape and pillage then come home. What would you actually think to accomplish." He turned towards the king eagerly awaiting an answer. Behind him, many more senators now silently stared at the king, waiting to judge any words he might say.


"What would I think to accomplish?  Ask those here who border the plague lands.  You act as if this pestilence, this disease will yield to a sword; it will not.  The plague cannot be marched on.  However the Somnus can.  The purpose of this war would not be one of conquest, but one of exhibition where all that is needed is momentary victory, not total conquest.  Near the walls our public has fled inwards, sure that our military cannot enforce quarantine, sure that we will fail.  What forces we march to the Somnus are no more than currently sit idle, doing little but counting days as they patrol peaceful streets.  Nothing is lost from this, but perhaps the hope that has left so many near the precipice may return; the hope in the military, the hope in this council and the hope in myself.  If nothing is done the refugees will pile inland, they will grow discontent and in time we will be split with rebellion.”

“The people need an example… That is my intention and that is what can be accomplished.”

The old man took a step back and then faced the council. "You have heard it. A war for pride." The crowd began talking again, mostly about the pros and cons of actually committing to a war. "These forces that 'sit idle'.. they are the ones defending our border from the plague. why not let the Somnus be a buffer while we figure out the plague?" And once more, the Senators turned to their king. The entire room was filling with frustration at this point.

Tetan sighed; this was going nowhere, “Perhaps if we didn’t already border it?  Plagues care not for direction, the Somnus will be no buffer.  And perhaps you could enlighten me as to how you mean to figure it out?  Years have passed and we are no closer to a solution, and in these years I have seen the anger grow, the malcontents blame the council for the plague itself.  Tell me then, would you fight a war that would prevent rebellion or would you sit idle until it happens?”

The senator chuckled, "My king, new elections were held no more than two years ago. If they did not trust us to do our jobs," He rose his hands and then extended his arms as if to show off the room. "This senate wouldn't be here today." Sharod stood up and rose his hand. "That's enough Grakus. your point has been made. Is there any others who wish to speak?" Another one stood up, a woman. 

"My lord, if you look at the maps, our borders already touch the plague. why should we divert precious resources away from that endeavor, and furthermore, if those resources start to dwindle, isn't it wise to keep reserves?" She took a breath then looked around. "I've read many books regarding combat. I myself am a newer senator but have served in the army during the war twenty years ago." She paused once more. "I say we give the king a token force... and we send a senate approved oversight to get the information we need to really decide to make a move."

The room had erupted in to talk again, some agreed, some thought her a military sympathizer. Sharod turned to the king and shrugged his shoulders then rose his hand again. "All quiet. we will take a vote. We will give the king one last time to plea his case before we vote.. and this vote will be to commit a token force for a first strike against a northern, safer area that will not draw major forces from our current border with the plague lands." he took a breath, "This token force will have a senate approved representative to monitor the situation." The room turned to the king once more.


"I agree with the proposed arrangement, a small force to scout is enough.  Think on your vote now, for the future of this Dominion rests upon it.”  Tetan turned an eye toward he old senator and continued, “It is an astonishing ting how much can change in a few short years, I hope whatever we do here today will lead to good change, and not one for the worse.”

The old man cracked a sarcastic smile, "And what will change in a few years.. let us hope our dominion doesn't fall due to warlike expansionists.." Sharod rose his hand again, "petty insults gets us nowhere." With that, the old senator gave a bow and an apology but not before stating he still believes it to be a bad idea. Sharod moved forward and gave a bundle of sticks, some red, some blue and had them passed around the room until each senator had one of each. 

"Our vote will consist of these stipulations, all must be considered for a proper vote." He took a deep breath as being absolutely clear was imperative to any plan from here on. "Firstly, No more than 500 soldiers allowed. Secondly, The force is only to be used with senatorial oversight. Thirdly, The representative is allowed to go through any documents, any plans and not be impeded in any way. And lastly, and most importantly.This is not a declaration of war, merely a foray and look in to the situation." The room became dead silent, save the occasional throat clearing. This was important, even the king had to understand that every choice they made can potentially consign people from theire represented r egions to death. 

There were some that only ran to have the job but in all reality, most of the senators were honest, especially the loud ones. ones that actually cared about their country. And then it began.. Blue and Red sticks rose while Sharod counted section by section. Two scribes did a count as well, to be sure there was no bias. "And... My king, we have a tie." The room lit up once more, men and women trying to convince one another to switch before of all people, the old senator stood up. His risen stick clearly red. "Silence!.." he proclaimed. The people looked to him with some awe as he approached the king.

And it would be a shock to see him raise his blue stick, breaking the stalemate. When he did this though, he pointed the stick at the king. "If you lead us wrong, know that it will not be the plague... or the Somnus who have long since been defeated... who will cause a civil war. It will be your actions... and yours alone." He turned away. "I pray that this will not be the beginning of the end for our nation." Sharod rose his hand once again and everyone sat down. "By one vote.. You have a token force, On behalf of the men and women of this nation. please use them well." 

The change of heart was not expected, and as Tetan thought on it entirely politically motivated.  The higher road so to speak, well no matter he had been given what he wanted, "I see, I thank you for your rationality in this matter and will proceed with my duties carefully.  Let this only be the beginning of a renewed Dominion and a renewed people."  With that Tetan stood up and gave a reserved bow to the council before making his way out of the room, leaving them to their bickering as was customary.[/s]