As Dr. Sherman mingled in the crowd awaiting the meeting, he listened to the murmurs of the people.
"How tragic.."
"I can't believe..."
"Did you hear..."
"Five! Five killed and several wounded..."
"How can it be?"
"... get to the wolves' master and take revenge"
"Unnatural, is what it is."
The unsettled chatter dulled as the ceremony of the guards began, signaling the Council meeting was soon to begin. The crowd waited for its conclusion before somberly filing into the Hall. The five Council member sat waiting at their crescent-moon table with dark expressions.
No one lined up to make reports, and there were no petitions. Anyone who was considering it was discouraged by the discontent of the crowd. Dr. Sherman was mildly surprised that no brazen sword bearer had stepped up to make a reckless petition like asking for a declaration of war or the court martialing of any officers who had been over the slain recruits.
Everyone silently awaited the words of the Council. The Judge began it, in a neutral but serious tone.
"By now, many will have heard of the tragedy of the fallen soldiers. This Council meeting will take a different form than its normal proceedings. First, The General will make a report to you, the citizens of Klain. It is his duty to you to protect the city and defend it from threats, and to keep all of us informed of the things we ought to know.
"After this is complete, one member of each family who lost a son will be welcome to address the Council, if they so wish. It is our duty to honor you, the families of the fallen, by hearing your words and grieving with you. If a family is unrepresented today, they will be welcome tomorrow to provide a statement if they wish." With that, The Judge gestured to the General, who stood to make his report. His face looked gaunt and tired beneath his beard.
"Sword-bearers of Klain," He addressed the gathered crowd, "today we mourn five brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our City. As you are aware, increasing reports of vicious wolves commanded by enemy soldiers have come from the countryside, beginning at the borders of our lands and creeping steadily closer. In addition to the experienced bands of soldiers patrolling the outlying areas, I made the decision to dispatch the recruits from their training camp to support the patrols in hunting the elusive wolves.
"Previous reports had indicated between a half dozen and a dozen wolves moving as a pack, attacking and retreating without doing more damage than occasionally injuring a person. The groups of ten to fifteen soldiers were capable of combatting them successfully, even if not killing them. This attack was different.
"A pack of more than twenty wolves descended on the recruits. With some form of inhuman intelligence and strategy, they noiselessly rendered scouts guarding the perimeter of the camp unconscious, and thus took the main area by surprise. Our soldiers battled valiantly and were able to kill 6 wolves and seriously injure several more before the creatures retreated.
"Multiple factors lead me to believe this threat is not born of the animals themselves, which I will not fully detail here. Suffice to say the evidence of human control of these animals is ample and has convinced me that our land is under methodical attack by an enemy hiding behind these vicious, trained animals. While we mourn our fallen, I think we must prepare our hearts for coming war and the opportunity to take our vengeance on those who would take our sons, daughters, and countrymen from us."
The General stared across the crowd with an unreadable face that subtly conveyed resolution and strength. Dr. Sherman hoped it would be enough to keep the people from panic or rage. As the General sat down in his chair, three men stepped forward from the crowd, alongside the doctor, as representatives of the families of the fallen.
The man to the far left spoke first, his voice wavering slightly. "My son was my greatest joy. I'm told he died a hero defending others, but I would rather he stayed with us longer. Still, I am proud of his courage. I wish to volunteer myself for the front lines in the fight against this enemy." He lowered his eyes and stepped back as the crowd murmured in sympathy and support.
The next man spoke loudly, in sharp contrast to the first's gentle voice. "Hayden signed up for his service the day after he turned sixteen. He was eager to prove himself and learn from the best soldiers. I am outraged that they let him down. Klain is supposed to be imminently and thoroughly prepared for warfare! We are taught from a young age that nothing could successfully defeat our fair city as long as we keep up the vigilance we have kept for hundreds of years! So what was the cause of this? A superbly strong enemy that overwhelmed our troops? Or a laxity in training our youngest soldiers? How did this happen??"
Though the demands were loud and brash, the way he turned to the crowd as he spoke made them rhetorical. The General sat perfectly still and accepted the criticism without comment or reaction. The chatter in the crowd subtly changed to match the speaker's tone. Some agreed with his harsh takedown of their military's competence, others retorted in vehement defense of the soldiers. Still others remained silent, absorbing perhaps the first words they had ever heard accusing their military of being less than what it ought to be.
The next man shook his head, "I have nothing to say in support or criticism. I merely want Samuel's name remembered." The crowd hushed, giving a moment of silent remembrance to the young man. It was now Dr. Sherman's turn.
"Roland is--was," He swallowed and squelched the little spark of hope still in his heart. He was determined to speak of Roland in the past tense, at least for the duration of this meeting. Those around him softened as they watched him come to terms with his loss, "He was brave and noble. He helped the helpless and saved lives while forfeiting his own. To honor his memory, I call on the people of Klain to unify under the cause of beating back the darkness falling across the land. Let us protect those we love to honor those we have lost. Let us prepare for war."
He did not know what to expect from the crowd. There had been no great emotion in his stoic voice, just firm resolution and steady confidence that it was the right course of action. He blinked moisture out of his eyes and stepped back in silence.
The Judge examined the crowd, "Is there no one from the fifth family?"
A guard from the door spoke, "Your Honor, the fifth man had only his mother, a widow, for family. Since she is not a sword-bearer and was not accompanied by one, she waits outside."
The Judge's brow knit in anger even as he realized the guards were only following the rules. "Let her in. I will be the one accompanying her."
The crowd parted as a woman dressed in clean, but poor clothes entered. She looked timid and grief-stricken. Dr. Sherman did not recognize her, and could not predict what she would say. As she reached the front of the crowd facing the Council, she took two more steps forward and paused, staring at the ground as if gathering her strength.
"He was my everything, so now I'm left with nothing. In small recompense, I want the head of the one responsible." She lifted her eyes and pointed to the General. The crowd gasped in horror, and two guards stepped forward on the off chance that the small woman might somehow be able to threaten the General's safety.
"Bring it to me, or give me your own as a replacement. Whoever this enemy is, slaughter them to the last. Leave them as nothing, as I now have nothing." She let her hand fall, and then collapsed to the floor, weeping. Dr. Sherman came forward to grasp her by the shoulders and help her up.
The Judge cleared his throat, "Let the Council adjourn for the day in mourning of the lost. We will reconvene tomorrow." The others nodded, clearly affected by the weeping woman before them.
Strangers would see their unflappable military leader standing and leaving the room with no reaction to the meeting. Anyone who knew the General well could see how deeply he was affected by the display. His eyes were not wet, but a deep and unnamed emotion swam within them: a whirling mix of righteous anger and intense mourning combined with the knowledge that many more lives would be lost before the end of things.
He felt the five deaths as if they were already the five hundred or five thousand that could result from the coming onslaught. A lingering glance at the widow was the only indication to outsiders that The General felt anything at all.
"Come, let me help you," Dr. Sherman spoke softly to the woman. "What is your name?"
"Gladys," She spoke through her tears.
"Would you like to come with me, Gladys? My family is mourning our Roland. It is not a cheerful place at the moment, but it may be one of some mutual comfort."
She looked a bit startled at his kindness, but nodded slowly. "Thank you." She was wary of this 'mutual comfort' he spoke of, but surely he would not leverage the death of her son into something inappropriate. Her face darkened as she considered this possibility.
"My wife makes excellent biscuits, and right now she has three marvelous helpers who have been trying their hands at various flavors of cakes," He said as he escorted her out. She remained silent as they walked to his home, wondering what kind of man could be so kind to a stranger. His words of his wife calmed her anxiety somewhat. Other than her son, no man had ever been particularly kind to her, and the unfamiliarity of the sensation was off-putting. It made sense that a kind man, if they existed, would have a wife to care for him.
Thankfully, Mrs. Sherman dispelled any awkwardness or anxiety almost immediately. When her husband explained who the woman was and that she was also enduring loss, Gladys was immediately wrapped in a warm, tight hug, and both women wept together. Sensing that his presence might get in the way, the doctor excused himself to make his medical rounds and check on some patients. He hoped the time together would do both the women some good.