2 Finding Wolves in Sheep Skin

The men have all arrived, and stand around my fathers' desk, anticipating his arrival. I hide in the private room adjacent, waiting for everyone to arrive.

"My lady, I have called everyone. They are waiting for you."

"Thank you Marcus." I smile at him, my one ally, before I walk into the pack of wolves.

They quiet when they hear the door opens and turn, expecting to find my father. Once they realize that he isn't behind me a low murmur of unease fills the room. I ignore it, going directly to my father's seat behind the desk. I clutch the note he left me in my hand, ready to use it if I need to.

Once I am seated, I look at each man in the eyes gauging them. I let the unnerving silence fill the room as I do so. I keep my eyes wide, and a slight frown on my face, trying to appear afraid.

Finally, the senior officer speaks. "What is the meaning of this?" I resist the urge to pull a corner of my lip up in a sneer.

"I am sure everyone has noticed the absence of Duke Jean-Claude." I am blunt, but don't explain further maintaining the high ground. But I try to continue to appear afraid, using that as a reason for my lack of words. "Who else is missing?" I ask as if I have no idea who should be here. I scan the faces for anyone that isn't surprised by the absence of my father or his right-hand man. I am relieved that everyone appears to be confused or in shock. Anyone that knows my father's plan will be loyal to him, and my enemy.

"General Theo." One young man hesitantly volunteered.

I smile at him and nod. "Oh, I forgot to explain, I am just too nervous. Last night Duke Jean-Claude, Duchess Antoinette, their children, General Theo and his family escaped, leaving the Dukedom of Villefranche in my hands." There was a murmur among them as they heard my declaration.

"I know it is shocking. Right now, my priority is the safety of our people. I am inexperienced and need to hear your ideas." I try to appear as a little girl, appealing to their desire to manipulate. I need to find my problematic counselors.

The senior officer pipes up. "We have enough supplies we can easily wait out the Varzy." I decide to test him.

"How long can we wait?"

"We can wait indefinitely with the farms in our walls supplying the people." He will be a problem. He sees me as below him and has blatantly lied to my face. He is searching for control and planning on undermining me by making me appear heartless to the people.

"Thank you Sir…"

"Maxime."

Before I can continue a young councilor stops me. "Lady Pierrette-Danielle I hate to disagree, but you said that your priority is the people and I think we are limited to 7 months if we give them sufficient rations." Several men nod in agreement with this man's words.

"7 months would bring us passed the harvest. Couldn't we survive off that?" I furrow my eyebrows as if I am confused.

"7 months includes the harvest. We don't have enough land to support the people. Already their rations are the minimum." I rest my chin on my hand covering my mouth. This is going well. Now I can find all the wolves in sheep's clothing.

"What is your name and position?"

"My name is Antione and I work in city planning."

"It appears some of you agree with Antione. I will need everyone's guidance. Marcus be my scribe."

"What do you need me to write?"

"Create a chart. One side for those of the opinion that we can live indefinitely in the city, and the other for those that find a limit. Can we go in a round where everyone introduces themselves and their position, then cast their vote? If you vote for limited could you tell me how long you think we can last?" I look around as if I don't know if this solution will be appropriate.

"Of course, my lady." He leans down next to me and the scribbles on the paper as each member casts their votes. I find a divide that the military and highest councilors are with Maxime, while those I can trust are the intellectuals, those that are from humbler backgrounds. The length of supply ranges from 6-10 months.

"Thank you all for your help. I will reflect on this, but it seems I have sometime before anything will affect the people. I have a more pressing worry." I pull a puzzled face, as if I don't have any idea what to do. In truth this whole meeting is a farce to find friend and foe. "Prince Clement-Victor is in charge of this siege." The men stiffen as the Prince's name sends a chill through the room. He is known for being able to destroy anything that stands against him. Nothing fails to fall.