The Enemy Within

Chapter 2

Grisell needed some air to clear her head and regroup her thoughts after her provocative session with her unreasonable parent. He really tested her patience.
Four years ago, the Board had decreed she was now ruler, leader and reigning Chief of the Dalmahoy. But did her interfering father allow her to reign and rule? No.

He had to be a meddlesome, vindictive despot, even in his frail bed-ridden state. She wondered sometimes, should she hand over the reins to her very able, capable and trustworthy uncle. Gadd knew how to deal with her father. Gadd knew how to exact obedience from the menfolk in the tribe. Though none had openly challenged her authority, she instinctively sensed some reluctant to take orders from a woman.
A woman who had not the war credentials that most of the older men in her tribe had. To them, she was a mere child. A girl, who did not have the mettle, intelligence or gallantry to lead their clan.

Slicing away angrily with her sword at the offending branches slapping at her face, Grisell walked aimlessly into the woodlands, mindful that she had not alerted her bodyguards of her movements. Sometimes she just yearned for her own company and solace. It felt gratifying, not to have guards hovering around her like intrusive bees.

She sat down on a log and mentally crafted her strategic ploy against the imminent Macedon invaders. It was suicidal, to even attempt to take on the pirates. She just did not have sufficient men to protect their land and her people. Why hadn't she waited for one ship to return, before despatching the other? Now they were like sitting ducks, exposed to danger. She did not want any harm to come to her tribe, especially to the women and children. She could not bear to face their families and loved ones, if she lost any lives. Neither did she want any of the children growing up, losing either or both of their parents.

It had been harrowing enough for her with her regularly absent father and inattentive mother, who had always been too busy, or who constantly pleaded a headache. How she'd longed for her mother to put her arms around her, or read her a story, or just affirmation for all the times she tried so hard to please her mother and the harder she'd tried, the more angrier her mother became.

"Not now Grisell, I have a headache. Not now Grisell, can't you see I'm busy? Can't you be like the other children and make yourself invisible?"
Busy meant entertaining all manner of men, when her father was out at sea.
"Grisell, go to bed".
Even when it was an hour or two before her allotted bedtime.

Just once, she wanted her mother to look at her with adoration, or smile endearingly at her, but it had never happened and sadly in her sixth year, she had lost her maternal parent. When she'd enquired from her guardians, as to when her mother was coming back, they had informed her that her mother had died from some strange illness, but Grisell had heard the brash murmurings and as she had grown older, revelation had dawned on her on the true fate of her mother, though none had dared voice it to her.

As she had grown up, Gadd had become her mentor, and constant source of support. She had often tried to pry about her mother from her Uncle Gadd, but all he would say was her mother had loved her and would be very pleased with the current leader of the Dalmahoy.

'Lady Chief come! Come quick.'

Grisell had drawn her sword and was ready to strike when she'd heard a branch get disturbed by movement. Her right hand was poised above her head now, ready to attack.

'What's happening?' She began sprinting back to base.

"It's Mrs Teasag. It's time,' the boy barely managed to keep up with her.

'Breathe Teasag, breathe,' Grisell smiled, pushing the hair away from the woman's sweaty face.

'I'm sorry ___ to have called ___ you Chief.' The woman blew out a breath and cringed in pain. 'You ___ said ___ if I need ___'