“We now call to order the Great Council and proceed with the reading of today’s agenda.” The commanding voice boomed through the stone room. Each one of the thirteen gathered people at the table sat at rigid attention. No shuffling nor sniffling broke the quiet that followed the authoritative voice.

“Yes, sir.” A meek voice to the man’s left replied. Though small, the voice didn’t stutter as it began to list the agenda items. “Firstly, the acknowledgement of the missing members of the council. Secondly, a review of the new orders put in place last week. And finally, we need to come to a decision regarding the traitors captured last night.”

“As we have no missing council members,” the leader’s voice declared, “let us proceed and skip directly to article three of today’s agenda.” This statement garnered uneasy whispering across the long table. “Silence! While it is an unpleasant topic, it is one we must consider.”

A woman at the far end of the table stood up, straightening her deep emerald gown. “Sir, I think we need to proceed with the greatest limitations allotted to us as the Great Council. I say we remove their eyes, tongues, hands and feet and lay them out for the animals to consume.” Greater comments across the table, some stating that her punishment was too harsh while others declared it didn’t go far enough.

“We accept the Lady Sylish’s proposal, and we present our own.” Two slight men with beak-like noses stood up while the lady resumed her seat. “We could cut them in twain tall-like while they are still alive.”

“Too easy!” A large man whose voice and body nearly filled the room grunted as he rose to his feet. His upper body was bare, exposing scars hidden amongst the forest of his hairy body. “Let’s take them north. Take their clothing and let them walk naked like a babe, following horse and sled. Let the frost and snow eat at their toes and fingers and peckers. Send a message to all other would-be traitors.”

“Send a message?” The woman speaking was dressed in an elaborate gown of black velvet and lace. “Taking them to the unpopulated north is the opposite of sending a message. Shunting them off to a place where people rarely _choose_ to live would only inspire more acts of rebellion.”

“Then what do you propose, Lady Macallin?” The tempered voice of their leader cutting through, drawing all eyes to him.

“Put them on display. In the centre of town. The stocks would hold them perfectly. Strip them naked and allow nature (human and animal) to take their toll on the traitors. After a set sentence – say, a week? – remove their heads and set them on pikes in the square. Allow them to rot before they are finally removed.”

Silence followed her suggestion. No one could refute or rebut her idea; objections died on tongues before they formed.

“A vote for the lady’s idea. All those in favour, say ‘aye’. All those opposed, ‘nay’.”

The cacophony of thirteen voices voting ‘aye’ rang through the small room.