I think you're right that there could have been more story build up there, especially something that gives your warden the choice to voice an objection or something. It really is sort of the game railroading your character down a liner path. And there probably should have been a few more lines of dialogue along the lines of Duncan trying to reason with this guy - if for no other reason, that this guy is a recruit and therefore a potential resource, so you'd think the last option Duncan would want to take is needlessly killing someone who could be fighting in the upcoming battle. But then again, it could be argued that the battle is just hours away and they probably don't have the time for this, I guess. And Duncan, well, he's a guy who has been making hard choices like this for a long time and maybe that makes him more jaded and quick to act than he should be.

I do like Jory, actually. I get why he balks and freaks out (honestly, I think I'd flip shit myself in that circumstance). It's not a noble, heroic response, but a very realistic, human and ultimately sympathetic one. He's just a guy who wants to do right by his family and has totally gotten in over his head. So what happens when the understandable needs of one guy clashes with what needs to be done for the greater good is pretty tragic, I think.