The Enemy Within

Chapter 12

Grisell was not interested in sitting in, on the hearing of Iona. All she wanted was for the Board to make their final decision. The outcome the she wanted. Grisell was incensed. She felt Iona's unsolicited betrayal deep in her soul. She'd wanted a woman handling the purse strings of the tribe. She's wanted to hand that important function to one of her own. To show the womenfolk that she trusted them, to manage a function that was previously the ' select' purview of the male members.

Grisell was astounded by what was found in Gadd's quarters, two boxes filled with bundles of pound notes and one box of gold coins! Just how long had Gadd been stealing from his own tribe? She was actually elated at the amount of money he had. Now, she could pay for the reclamation project, and her father would witness it before his passing. Grisell clutched her heart and sighed joyously. She could not wait to get started. She studied the map found in Gadd's quarters. She was riveted by the circled points on the map. She suspected it was where Gadd conducted his clandestine business. She was about to instruct one of the guards to call Alfie to her, when she found one of the Board Members at her door. For one second, just one second, her heart stilled, at the fate awaiting Iona. Her face was devoid of any expression, when she nodded at the person.

' We are ___ undecided Chief. We don't have full consensus. The ladies are not in agreement of the sentence we___'

Grisell left him still talking and marched purposefully to their Board Room. She stormed in, her face filled with her evident fury. Everybody stood to acknowledge her, she ignored them and spoke decisively.

'You listen to me,' she ordered. 'Listen very attentively!' I will not have thieves in my clan,' her voice grew an octave. She leaned forward. 'I will not tolerate dissension, larceny and fraud. I won't stand for it,' she slammed the table. 'I have the power to make any executive decision,' she reminded them, but I deferred it to you to enable you the Board, to become inclusive! Now if collectively, you do not have the courage to make the bold decisions, then you have no place here! I will not have weak, spineless, fearful representation on this Board.
Here,' her palm motioned at the board room, 'you rule with an iron fist. That is your mandate! Even if I, your Chief ___ betrayed this clan,' (silently she shuddered at their interpretation of the definition of betrayal); I expect you to pronounce my death sentence! Now here is my order to every one of you,' her eyes deliberately and forcefully held the attention of both the female Board Members. 'You don't get to leave here, until this Board is in full agreement. Whether you spend the rest of today, or the next twenty four hours here; you do not leave! I want a decision. If you're spineless and want to be replaced, stand up!' she raised her voice higher. There was complete silence. Some looked down. Some shuffled papers. 'Now, can I entrust this hearing to you or not?' She demanded, her eyes meeting each one's individually. Each one nodded acquiescence. Grisell nodded. 'I leave you to it,' she began walking out.

'Chief! ' Iona called out in a sob. '

Grisell stilled, but did not turn around.

'Chief __ please. It was Gadd. He made me___.'

Then, Grisell swung around and her eyes were fiery, blazing angrily. 'You're an adult Iona! You had the choice. You chose to be deceptive. You chose to be disloyal and steal from your own tribe! '

Iona cringed and her face filled with fear. She was regretting her allegiance with Gadd , too little too late.

'I called you to two meetings to discuss our finances,' Grisell reminded her. 'You blatantly lied to me, to me, your Chief! You are insolent, dishonest and showed no remorse, for your wrongdoings. You plead now; not because you care about the wrong you've done to your tribe; but only for your life. I feel no compassion for you! None!' Grisell walked out, infuriated and disgusted.