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 ___'

'I'm here Teasag,' Grisell clutched her hand, hoping to impart some strength, and take away the pain. 'Don't push. Not yet,' Grisell instructed.

'I can't hold ___ please take it out,' the woman sobbed.

Grisell indicated to the young assistant, Senga to stand behind Tesag and support her.

'Almost there,' Grisell smiled encouragingly. I can feel the head,' she prepared the cloths and drew the bowl of water closer.

'When I say push, Teasag I want you try your hardest okay?'

She nodded, blowing out a huff of breath. Grisell dabbed at her forehead and wiped down her face.

Now Teasag! Push. I have the head. Push!'

The woman screamed from the excruciating pain. The assistant held Teasag by the shoulders, gripping her arms as she screamed and pushed and cursed her husband.

'It's a boy!' Grisell laughed delightedly. She held the lad by the ankles, slapped his bum and a rip-roaring cry left the new-born's lips. 'He has a healthy set of lungs,' Grisell cackled, as she placed the little one on Teasag's bosom. 'Say hello to mama, young man,' she cooed softly.

'Thank you Chief. Thank you so much for being with me,' she cradled her baby lovingly.

'It's my pleasure Teasag,' she smiled above the baby's scream. 'I think he's hungry already. I'm going outside to give the father the good news. In the meantime, Senga will assist you and clean baby up.'

'Grisell we are ready to depart,' Gadd announced. 'Are your men ready?'

'Yes. Be careful,' she placed her hand on his shoulder.

'You be careful,' he ordered. 'I want six men in front of you.'

'I'll be fine. Go on,' she nodded.

Gadd walked to her twenty odd men standing to attention. 'You bring Chief Dalmahoy back without a single scratch on her,' he instructed, pointing his index finger at them. 'Or every one of you will be executed,' he threatened.

'Uncle Gadd ___!'

'Your life, and our future is in their hands. They must know it.'

'Go,' she nodded, sending him off with a wave.

Grisell had ridden for more than four hours. She had three of the most experienced war generals riding along side with her. She chose not to follow her uncle's advice, of six warriors preceding her. She was no coward. She led from the front.

'What have we heard?' she asked, as they took a short rest break on a grassy patch of land.

'They have us in sight Chief,' General Blyth indicated.

'Are we certain? I don't want assumptions.'

'Chief,' Blyth spoke. 'Intel informs us they have maps plotting access through our south border.

No___. 

That is where Uncle Gadd is.

Grisell's face whitened with sudden alarm. She could not allow him to come to any harm. And trigger happy as Gadd was, he would provoke an attack.

She stood up, paced about. 'Are we sure?' She repeated. 'What if they have civilians aboard?

'They have about one hundred and eight men ... their men,' General Mow added.

Grisell nodded slowly. 'How accurate is our intel?'

'First hand,' Blyth offered.

Grisell swallowed. 'You have somebody on board there?'

'Had. He came offshore to give us the info.'

'What if he's one of them?' She questioned.

'Blyth shook his head. 'He's with a covert agency. He said if we are unable to 'contain' that vessel, it will be dealt with before it reaches the next port of entry.'

But at what price to Dalmahoy, would it be apprehended further on? How many causalities will I need to account for? How much innocent blood on my hand?

'Okay,' she inhaled heavily. 'It's time to bring out Seawolf.'

'You going in?' Mow smiled approvingly.

'How much time would you need to have her ready?' She asked.

'About an hour,' Blyth quickly answered.

'Get started. I will be back within the hour,' she hopped onto her horse and sped away.

'Are you asking for my help then, Lady Dalmahoy?'

She hated being called by her clan name. He knew that. But he did everything to rile her, including, sitting there so smugly on his stallion, so handsome and irresistible like the pirate that he was... almost.

His eye roved over the white silk sash, of her tribe across her left shoulder, then fell to the crest badge of her clan name, alongside the symbol of the blue eagle boldly emblazoned just above her small but shapely cleavage.

He was bloody infuriating! How easy it would be if Eskine Aird was a pirate, she would delightfully draw her sword, plunge it into his body and without hesitation rip his bowels out. But she wouldn't do that to him, for more reasons than she cared to admit. Not that this invincible warrior will allow her that luxury without a fight. He was a giant amongst giants. In every sense of the word. Inimitable, powerful, bulging muscles, fearless; ruthless, brave, undefeated, revered, yet feared ruler of the DeMartino clan. Rumour had it that he could go three days without sleep and when he slept, he only needed an hour's shut eye each night, if he so desired. It belied the stealth and lightning speed he could move with, which she had seen first-hand on a different occasion ...
some time ago.

One would be a fool to mistake his calm demeanour, relaxed arms across his chest, him perched on his horse, as he tolerantly waited for her to reply to his question.

She lowered her eyes, kept them hooded. 'What makes you think I am in trouble or that I would come to you if I need help?'

He smiled that sexy smile, making her knees weak. Her fingers tightened on the reins. He relaxed his shoulders, resting his hands behind him on the bulky hump of his horse. Again she was not fooled. This man's athleticism and speed, could give gymnasts a run for their money.

'Your clan then?' He probed.

She laughed nervously. 'You know they would perish and die than come to you for help, Chief DeMartino.'

'Yet here you are Grisell,' he murmured her name seductively, 'risking death yourself, by being in my company.'

She inhaled heavily, nervously looked over her shoulder at the secret path she had cautiously ridden to seek him out, knowing, he would find her. It was true she risked her life.

She was the leader of her clan. But leader or not, the DeMartino clan was the enemy of the Dalmahoy tribe and cavorting with the enemy was swiftly punishable by death.

'I was just riding ___ and ended up here,' she breathed tensely.

'And you register no surprise at my appearance before you.'

Of course, she knew he'd find her. Of course, she wanted him to find her. She could hardly summon him with a horn.

'It is your land,' she mumbled awkwardly.

And before she had the time to blink or prepare any defence, he was off his horse, and hauling her of hers.

'What are you doing? You can be killed for daring to man handle the Chief of the Dalmahoy!'

He laughed arrogantly, throwing his head back. 'You are alone, without your body guards Lady Dalmahoy. I know you're pretty adept with your sword, but today I will not die by your hand,' his eyes glinted teasingly.

She held her breath, subconsciously remembering her fingers were still gently clinging to the shoulders she had held onto when he'd ungraciously lifted her of her horse. The corded muscled bunched under her finger tips. The nerves tingled at the end of her fingers. She wanted to relax her hands, ease the tension, smooth her fingers over his flesh, instead she dropped her hands.

'Grisell,' his finger so gentle, touched her chin lifting her storm grey expressive eyes up to his. She was a striking beauty, thanks to her aristocratic Nordic hereditary. Soft, shiny, ash blond hair, porcelain skin, classic cheek bones. She could make any man weak at the knees, but not him. Many didn't think he was human. But his blood, blue like hers, ran hot and fiery just like hers. And his mouth could easily get lost against her luscious, inviting rosy red lips, but an instinct that kept him alive to this day, cautioned him, to stay focused, stay alert.

'You ___ you have heard the Macedon pirates are close to this side of the Atlantic,' she stammered.

His eyes narrowed for only a second. 'And three of your ships are still out at sea with almost all your men,' he spoke quietly.

She gasped, surprised that he knew her affairs so accurately. She shouldn't really be that surprised.

'Word out is, they have about one hundred men on the Macedon vessel,' he added.

She swallowed sharply. Her intel placed that figure a little higher, still she was not adequately protected, if Eskine was correct. Her land wasn't. Her clan was open to attack and as leader, she was with insufficient resources. If she could not lead and protect her people against any attack, there were many eager men waiting hungrily in the fray to take her place.

If her father did not personally behead her for her failure to live up to the notorious Dalmahoy name; then the unsympathetic blood hungry men of her tribe will take pleasure in ripping her fair and youthful body apart, limb by limb and electing their own new leader.

'I have deployed all my resources,' she stated. 'We should be fine,' she added defiantly.

His eyes searched hers. He admired her brave and courageous stand. At twenty-two, she was fearless and proud and already battle scarred. She'd been leader and protector since the age of eighteen.
But he knew the scarce resources she boasted would not hold against a sustained attack from the feared Macedon pirates. He'd lost many brave men to the Macedon, but he has never lost a battle to them___ yet. Knowing the proud Dalmahoy clan would never ask the DeMartino tribe for help, and their Lady Chief was so unlike the hot-headed men in her tribe; perhaps Chief Grisell Blane needed help and he would accede to her unvoiced concern.

'I have already dispatched eight of my ships to patrol our border,' he spoke casually. 'But if you have come to caution me of imminent danger Lady Dalmahoy,' he grinned wickedly. 'I thank you for the neighbourly gesture and will triple my resources at our shared port of entry,' he strategically advised and caught the infinitesimal drop of her shoulders.

'Like I said, I have it adequately covered. And stay away from the south border. We aim to retaliate with ___ fire power' she replied roughly, turning away towards her horse.

'Be seeing you,' he grinned, raising his hand to his forehead in a mock salute.

Grisell released a deep sigh, silently thanked the gods as she watched him hop onto his horse and race away at lightning speed.

'All set?' Grisell questioned her generals.

'Yes,' they nodded in unison. Mow handed her a remote device. 'You only have a sixty second window,' he cautioned. "So ride like hell, after you press the button.'

She nodded, clipped the goggles over her eyes, oxygen tank over her shoulder and adjusted her weight on the Seawolf. It was a state-of-the-art stealth vessel. Shaped like a two-wheeled speed boat, it had the speed of a light aircraft and like a submarine, moved silently under water. Its greatest feature was its size, so small, that it was undetectable by radar. She looked at her men, ready to fulfil her role as leader.

'Sixty seconds,' Mow reminded her.

She gave them the thumbs up and sped away. There was some distance she needed to cover. That vessel was still very, very far away, but she wanted it stopped before it got closer. Grisell unhitched her backpack that carried enough explosives to destroy an entire city. She rode closer and positioned herself.

Unhitching the backpack from her shoulder, she found a secure hook mounted on the stern and strapped the backpack onto it. She made sure the speed boat was ready to move. She waited three seconds, inhaled, then hit the remote. Head down, she pumped on the accelerator, giving it all she got and sixty seconds later, the pirate vessel blew up like a fourth of July event. Grisell kept her foot hard on the accelerator, debris from the explosion could harm her, if she couldn't get away quick enough.
Some forty minutes later, she was received with ceremonial and thunderous applause from some eighty odd of her approving soldiers.

'What the hell was that?' Eskine questioned Macrae, his second in command.

'The Dalmahoy Chief just blew up the pirate's ship,' he answered wide-eyed.

'But the ship was standing in international waters!'

'I am not going to tell anyone, the Chief of Dalmahoy breached customary international law. Are you?'

'And it was Lady Dalmahoy herself!' Eskine questioned.

'Yes sir.'

'Are you sure?'

'None of her men have long blonde hair,' Macrae grinned admiringly.

'I'll be damned,' Eskine scratched at the stubble on his cheek...
So she didn't need my help after all.

                                                                        -end chapter two-