A Messenger Burst into the room with haste and, although his manner was professional, it did little to hide the panic in his eyes.

"Milords, the Persyan Army has been spotted marching for the oceanic pass, They'll reach the city in three days at the latest!"

The already tense mood in the room plummeted, becoming positively icy. At once, several members spoke.

"Our food stores are already weakened from the drought!"

"...Few remaining warriors not plagues by the weakening..."

"...Couldn't fight a band of peasants, much less the mightiest empire..."

"ENOUGH!" 

The lord spoke with a regal air only gained from years of practice, and he bade his senators: "We are the rulers of this city. We are here to consider our options, not to despair at the vicissitudes of life."

The men in the room regained their composure and began to consider. Several moments passed, and a murmuring of conversation started, then tapered off. One man stepped forward,

"Milord, After consideration, we have come up with three major options. Firstly, We can offer a complete surrender to the Persyans, but the history between our two kingdoms leaves little hope for a good outcome there, and that is without considering their reputation for being... less than generous to their defeated foes."

"Secondly, an all out offensive is a potential option, but with the strange weakening that has been plaguing our people for the past months, It is extremely undesirable to commit to such a battle."

"Finally, our third option is to prepare our people for a siege. This defensive action will hopefully give time for our allies to rally and assist in driving out the Persyans. However, with this action, the recent drought will be all the more severe, and we've no hope of lasting more than two weeks, especially if the enemy brings the new siege technology that has been rumored recently."

The lord of the city considered the options, and made the decision that would seal the fate of his people.

"It is my decree that we shall prepare for a siege. The people shall bring every available food source inside the walls, even if some buildings must be demolished to make room. Additionally, a strict rationing program will begin immediately, with emphasis on allowing the weakened the necessary energy to fight for recovery, slim as that hope may be. Thirdly, our fastest runners shall be sent to the three nearest allied cities, allowing them time to prepare for this invasion. Finally, We will send three hundred of our remaining forces to hold the ocean pass. The treacherous terrain will allow them to hold against the numerically superior force."

"It will be done, Milord!" the various senators filed out of the room with haste, carrying out the commands and preparing as much as they were able for the siege.

As the people left, it was as if each breath added a mountain of weight to the lords shoulders.

"No options, no way out, no hope." The Lord muttered. So intense was his despair that he failed to notice the milky white film which stretched out of nothing in front of him. He failed to notice when a man stepped forth from the portal. He even failed to notice when the portal closed with a small pop. 

He did not, however, miss when the man announced himself.

"Lord Cillas, I have come to speak with you."

"What?! Who are you! Guards, Guards!" yelled Our lord, jumping from his seat and brandishing his weapon.

The man kept his professional manner, but mirth was visible in his eyes as he responded," A wise response, but I would advise you to take in the area with new eyes; None will enter or leave this room until our discussion comes to an end, and if you choose to decline, you will not recall the event."

Regaining his composure, Lord Cillas Observed the room closely, quickly noting the milky white locks on each door, the slight film on the windows, and, most surprisingly, a bird frozen mid flight outside the window. 

So great was the shock of such mystery that he fell back into his seat.

"Might I take a moment to gather my wits Mr...?" "You may call me Selvok, and please, take all the time you need." " Many thanks, Sir Selvok."

The Lord Cillar gathered himself, and considered. obviously this... man in front of him was beyond his understanding in power, and had no obviously nefarious intentions, so it was best simply to consider his words carefully. 

"Are you a god, Sir Selvok?"

Finally releasing a small chuckle, Selvok replied, "No, I am merely a being from the Planes."

Surprised, but deciding that it ultimately made no difference, Cillas strode forward with his intentions. "Very well then, shall we address this offer you've come to make?"

"City lord Cillas, I shall explain an offer as well as it's conditions, and you may ask any questions you like, although I may not answer them to your satisfaction."

"Firstly, Everything inside the city walls will be transported to the Plane, a place where the only limits on personal are effort and will.There will be a five year period wherein you will be protected from other residents of the plane, and your people will have a slight boost to learning skills relating to the new world's rules. Secondly, This world will remember you as The Vanishing City, those who disappeared without a trace on the eve of battle. Some will applaud your genius, and others will condemn your cowardice; regardless, you will be remembered forevermore. Additionally, your couriers will still reach your allied cities and warn them of the incoming enemy. Thirdly, you, City Lord Cillas, will become solely responsible for the success or failure of your people as a city-state. Individuals have their place, but there must always be someone to lead the way."

The lord Cillas was a wise man, and he could imagine that this man in front of him had more than enough power to achieve any goal he could think of with ease. A man is still a man, however, and so he knew that Selvok would surely not be doing such a thing as an act of charity.

"So then, Sir Selvok. I imagine this is not an act of charity, and you will have some gain of your own, and maybe even a catch for me."

With a smile gracing his features, Selvok was quick to defuse the Lord Cillas' worries. "I do have things to gain, but it is not something that you'll be effected by, for better or for worse. As you suspected, there will be some conditions on your part. Simply put, you will be magically bound to be unable to speak of the details of this meeting. You will have no method of spreading the knowledge of what happened, although you will still recall, which you will not if you choose to decline."

Lord Cillas was able to make his decision strikingly fast, considering he had no options to begin with, even some far fetched nonsense seemed a better deal than the utter annihilation of his people.

"Very Well then, How shall we proceed if I were to agree?"

"Like this", The Mysterious man Selvok Snapped, and before the lord could even register, time had begun it's solemn march, and the man was gone, as if never there. Yet, Lord Cillas had a strange sense like he had been marked somehow, like ink spilled on fine silks. He knew that that bizarre man had spoken the truth, and that his people would indeed be transferred to this place known as The Plane, for better or for worse.