Chapter 57 - Chapter 57: The Council’s Verdict

The siege weighed heavily on Ardentvale's council chamber, where the city's leaders gathered to confront harsh realities. Food and water supplies were dwindling; morale was fragile, and the enemy's persistent assault had wrought damage that no single wall could fully withstand. The pressing question was no longer if the city could hold, but how long—and at what cost.Lucien opened the meeting, his voice steady but urgent. "Our strength falters, but so does theirs. We must weigh the cost of endurance against the price of surrender. Our people demand hope and survival."Rhea spoke next, advocating cautious resilience. "With supplies managed carefully, and fortifications reinforced, we can endure. But if morale breaks, collapse follows swiftly. I urge the council to unify behind renewed defense and prepare all for sacrifice."Lysara, her power waning yet voice resolute, reminded the council of the magical wards' toll. "Our protections diminish with each day. We must find reprieve before they fail us utterly."Voices rose in heated debate as council members balanced honor, hope, and pragmatism. Some pushed for negotiation, wary of needless bloodshed; others, fueled by conviction and ancient codes, vowed to fight to the last stone.Aline's quiet plea touched the chamber: "Remember the civilians—hungry, fearful—but their spirit can endure. Our duty is to them as much as to walls."Drawing on medieval siege decision-making traditions, the council employed deliberative consensus, weighing military counsel, citizen welfare, and spiritual guidance. The final verdict was a rallying cry: Ardentvale would hold. A plan emerged to tighten resource rationing, bolster morale through public rituals, and strengthen outer defenses with patrols and new enchantments.As the council adjourned, Lucien and Rhea shared a glance—aware that the city's fate now balanced on razor-thin hope and iron will.Outside, the walls stood battered but unbowed—a city ready to endure or fall on its own terms.