The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the village square as the villagers gathered, murmuring amongst themselves. There had been a sense of unease in the air for days now, an unspoken dread that had only grown since word spread that Lord Aric's men were coming. The news had arrived in the form of a hurried message from a nearby village, warning of increased taxes and harsher demands as the kingdom's war dragged on.
Elara stood at the center of the square, her gaze fixed on the road leading into the village. The tension was palpable, her people whispering in anxious tones as they waited. She could feel their eyes on her, searching for reassurance she wasn't sure she could give. She knew this day would come, but knowing didn't make it any easier.
"They're coming!" a voice called out from the edge of the village, breaking through the nervous chatter.
All eyes turned toward the road as a small group of soldiers appeared on the horizon, their armor gleaming dully in the fading light. At their head was Captain Lucan, a man known for his ruthless efficiency and unwavering loyalty to Lord Aric. He rode with the confidence of someone who had never encountered resistance, his cold eyes scanning the village as he approached.
Elara's heart sank as she watched them draw closer. This wasn't just a routine visit. The presence of Captain Lucan himself meant that Lord Aric was taking no chances—he was here to ensure that the village complied, no matter the cost.
The soldiers dismounted and marched into the square, forming a line behind their captain. The villagers shrank back, fear evident in their expressions as they eyed the weapons at the soldiers' sides.
Captain Lucan stepped forward, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "By order of Lord Aric, the taxes on this village are hereby increased to support the ongoing war efforts. You are expected to deliver twice the usual amount of source crystals by the end of the month, along with additional supplies."
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Twice the usual amount? It was an impossible demand. The villagers had barely managed to meet the previous quotas, and that was before the war had drained their resources even further. The tension in the square thickened, fear turning to quiet despair as the reality of the demand settled over them.
Elara took a deep breath and stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "Captain Lucan, we can't meet those demands. The mines are running dry, and we've given all we can. If we try to extract more, we risk collapsing the tunnels and losing everything."
Captain Lucan's expression remained impassive, his eyes narrowing slightly. "That is not my concern, Elara. Lord Aric expects your village to meet these demands, and failure to do so will be seen as an act of defiance."
Elara's fists clenched at her sides, her mind racing as she tried to find the words to reason with him. "We're not refusing to contribute, Captain. But these demands are beyond our capacity. Please, we need more time, or a reduction in the quota."
A murmur of agreement rose from the villagers behind her, a few brave souls stepping forward to support their leader. Eamon was among them, his face set in a grim line as he nodded in agreement. "We're barely surviving as it is," he said, his voice tinged with frustration. "Pushing us harder will only drive us into the ground."
Captain Lucan's eyes flicked over to Eamon, his expression hardening. "Lord Aric is not interested in excuses. The kingdom is at war, and every village must contribute its share. If you cannot meet the demands, then perhaps you need to consider other means of support. Or perhaps a change in leadership is in order."
Elara felt a chill run down her spine at his words. The implication was clear: if they didn't comply, they would face more than just higher taxes. Lord Aric would take direct action to ensure their obedience, and that could mean anything from replacing her as leader to something far worse.
But she couldn't back down now. The survival of the village depended on it. She straightened her back, meeting Captain Lucan's gaze with steely determination. "We'll do what we can, but we cannot give what we don't have. Pushing us to the brink won't benefit anyone."
For a moment, the square was silent, the tension almost unbearable as Captain Lucan considered her words. His cold eyes scanned the faces of the villagers, lingering on those who looked the most fearful. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and menacing. "You have until the end of the month to deliver what is required. Failure to do so will result in severe consequences. I suggest you find a way."
With that, he turned on his heel, signaling his men to follow. The soldiers mounted their horses and rode out of the village, leaving a heavy silence in their wake.
Elara watched them go, her heart pounding in her chest. The villagers around her began to murmur anxiously, their fear bubbling over now that the immediate threat had passed.
"We can't meet those demands," Mara said, her voice trembling. "It's impossible. We're doomed."
"We're not doomed," Elara said, her voice firm despite the fear gnawing at her insides. "We'll find a way. We have to."
Eamon stepped closer, his expression as grim as ever. "We need to prepare for the worst, Elara. They won't just accept our excuses. If we can't deliver, they'll come back with force."
Elara nodded, knowing he was right. "We'll start preparing defenses. Jack has been working on some new tools that might help. We'll train with them, set up fortifications, and make sure everyone knows what to do if they return."
Eamon's gaze shifted to Jack, who had been standing quietly at the edge of the square, listening to the exchange. "These tools," he said, his tone skeptical. "Do you really think they'll be enough?"
Jack stepped forward, his expression serious. "They'll give us a fighting chance. But we need to be ready, and we need to act fast. If they come back, we have to be able to defend ourselves."
Elara turned to the gathered villagers, raising her voice so all could hear. "We've been pushed to our limits, but we're not helpless. We'll do what we can to meet their demands, but we won't sacrifice ourselves in the process. We'll prepare, we'll train, and if it comes to it, we'll fight. We stand together, or we fall together."
The villagers nodded, some still fearful but bolstered by Elara's resolve. They dispersed slowly, heading to their homes and tasks, knowing that the coming days would be critical.
As the crowd thinned, Elara remained in the square, her thoughts heavy. Jack approached her, his eyes filled with concern. "This isn't going to be easy," he said quietly.
"No," Elara agreed, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it's the only way. We can't let them break us."
"We won't," Jack said, determination hardening his voice. "We'll be ready."
Elara nodded, feeling the weight of leadership settle even more heavily on her shoulders. The next few days would be crucial. They had to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best, knowing that failure would mean the end of everything they had worked for.