The Threat -POW

The entreaty when out to all the neighboring kingdoms: the children must eat. So to the sound of drums beating, the soldiers marched forward, determined not to be defeated in their quest. As each hoofbeat took them further from their homes, their hearts beat more strongly for their cause. This was no small feat they had undertaken. Many had signed up with the caveat that they would be gone for months. But the need was truly great. To the people's credit not a single able bodied man required browbeating in order to volunteer for service in this matter.

But, many were required to stay behind due to a counter threat from one of the neighboring kingdoms. Earlier that year, the people had been cheated out of a large portion of their food reserves by that very kingdom. And now, in a greatly weakened condition, it appeared as though the maltreatment would continue. The King became concerned that seeking the aid of the other kingdoms would not be enough to save them, not come soon enough.

Now the people had a threat of their own with which to defeat the threatening kingdom. However, they were loath to repeat the mistakes of their past. As the King considered his options, he could hear the bleating of the sheep in the pasture below. In order to provide for the growing needs of the people, the King had had to escheat much of their lands. This had caused him great pain. He looked out over the meager buckwheat and wheat crops as they swayed in the breeze and knew what he must do.

To a backbeat of wailing women, the King released the Great Threat. His world suddenly overheated. He should feel upbeat, knowing that the mistreatment at the hands of the cheating kingdom would soon be at an end. However, he felt only great personal defeat at having to resort to such an extreme action. The King called the soldiers home. He knew the cheating king would soon be unseated, the threat to their kingdom would be over, and the people would eat again. He retreated to his chambers in a cold sweat.