The Enemy Within

Chapter 8

'Go away! I need to have my meeting with my daughter.'

'Sir. You need to finish your breakfast. You have to take your medication,' his nurse was assertive.

Just then Grisell entered her father's quarters, followed by two helpers from the kitchen, bringing the Chief's breakfast for her to enjoy with her parent. Grisell heard the argument between patient and nurse.

'Father. Good morning.'

'Send her away, so we can have our meeting!'

'Look Father. I am taking my breakfast as well. So, we can have our meeting as we breakfast. I'll ask Nurse to leave, on condition you eat.'

'Okay,' he grumbled, directing a glacial scowl at his poor nurse.

Grisell nodded at Nurse, and she left the room. She served some fruit on a plate, cut them to edible pieces and offered the plate to her parent. It was some of his favourite fruit, so she was delighted when he did justice to the fruit. Grisell drew her makeshift table closer to his bed, so they could talk. She enjoyed the juicy home-grown fruit as she conversed with Udny.

'Some oats Father?' She put a little in a bowl for him.

'Okay,' he nodded again. 'Tell me about our purse? Do we have sufficient money for the new ship?'

'Oh yes Father,' Grisell smiled happily. 'Our trading ship returned with plenty of surplus funds. I have even allocated generously for new building projects. We are in a very comfortable financial position Father.'

'When will the ship be delivered?' He asked, slowly finishing his porridge?

'We should receive delivery in twelve months. If our trade ship does three more trips, like the last one, we will pay in full, upon delivery.'

'Well done child,' he smiled one of his rare smiles. 'I incorrectly thought you would focus only on domestic matters like attending to the needs of our women and children; but I am observing that you have delegated that effectively and you are focusing on the most strategic matters a successful leader gives his attention to.'

'Or her attention,' she corrected.'

'Yes. Yes. Lady Chief. I hear you are replenishing our supply of arms and vigorously mending our border walls.'
(And thank our benevolent neighbour for mediation of the ammunition purchase)

'Now who is spying on me?' She served herself some eggs and sausages.

'The nurse,' he deflected.

Grisell laughed. The nurse would hardly know the first thing of what Grisell was doing as leader. 'Father you are too harsh with Nurse. I want you to get stronger, so please be kind to her.'

'Fine...fine,' he mumbled, handing her his empty porridge bowl.

'Anything else from the hot meal tray?' Grisell pointed to the cooked food. She was quite happy with the breakfast he'd consumed.

'Maybe at lunch time,' he tapped his stomach. 'I can't hold much down.'

Just then Nurse, returned and eyed the empty plates of her patient and smiled delightedly.

'You can return at supper time,' he grumbled to his nurse.

'Father!'

He slid lower under his blankets and held his hands out for his medication.

'I will see you later Father,' she kissed his cheek.

'On my command, you ten, to my right,' Grisell pointed. 'Uncle Gadd, your twenty, descend from the left,' she quietly ordered. 'The rest, follow me.' She unsheathed her sword and led her soldiers, advancing towards the hundred or so of Macedon pirates who have come to seek retribution for Grisell blowing up one of their ships. It was two in the morning. She had been awakened by guards, informing her they were under attack. Intelligence relayed to her that about a hundred or more Macedon pirates were approaching, climbing up to their camp site. They had not disembarked at their port directly by ship, but clearly, they had covertly positioned themselves near enough and was about to lead an offensive against the Dalmahoy in the dark of night.