Enemy at the gates

BELATEDLY and rather reluctantly, the elders of the fortress decided there was a need to make ready for a siege.

Many citizens’ lives had been lost to the unseen enemy before the drawbridge was fully raised and the portcullis lowered, though access to and fro was never completely prevented, allowing the enemy to sneak in and cause chaos.

From then, most people endured severe hardships with restrictions on their activities and movement in an attempt to make the fortress more secure.

A few didn’t abide by the instructions and some travelled outside the fortress, encouraging the enemy to break the defences.

Still, the hardships and suffering patiently undergone by the many slowly paid off and the enemy was kept mainly under control and outside the walls.

An important annual festival was to occur during which the citizens would celebrate, make merry with song and dance and feasting, visiting each other and bearing gifts.

The elders decided that the festival should take place, but for one day only. The portcullis would be raised and the drawbridge lowered. People took the opportunity to celebrate, travelling far and wide to visit friends and relatives, some unknowingly taking the enemy with them.

Seeing the gates had been left unguarded, the enemy took advantage and spread throughout the population.

Weeks later, there was great concern that so many of the people of the fortress were suffering or had died at the hands of the enemy.

BRIAN HORSFIELD, Chester.