I Am Not Cinderella

Chapter 54

Barrie had spent months hiding from her father.  His spies had been rife in Beau's kingdom.  They had forced her to hide in unorthodox places.  At the moment, Barrie had her army camped in several abandoned graveyards on the very far reaches of her brother's kingdom. 

"How much longer do you plan on hiding?"

Barrie looked up to see Grekken standing in front of her.  She smiled when Barrie looked up and walked over carrying a bowl of soup.  Barrie sat back as Grekken sat the bowl down in front of her.  She accepted the spoon Grekken held out to her.

Barrie shrugged as she took a bite of soup.  "I have a meeting planned for later this evening.  I believe that I am strong enough now to face my father."

"You must be careful."  Grekken's voice was filled with earnest concern as she sat down beside Barrie.  "Do not underestimate your father."

Barrie paused in eating her soup to speak.  "I know mother.  I grew up watching him take his anger out on others.  I know how he is.  I won't  underestimate him.  I promise you."

Grekken remained quiet as Barrie resumed eating.  Barrie ate her soup as she studied the missives that Beau's spies had sent him.  Several had even sent along detailed maps of her fathers army positions.  From all of the reports, her father was still searching for her in the forested areas. 

"My plan is to move my army slowly to Death's Peak.  The valley that sits at the bottom of it is a perfect area for a confrontation.  We will move under cover of night.  My father won't even know that we're on the move till we arrive to our destination.  Once there, I will send him a proposition that he won't dare refuse."

Grekken nodded as she looked down at her hands.  "You are going to play on Johann's pride."

Barrie nodded.  "My stepmother is also prideful.  She will push my father to meet me for battle even if he doesn't plan too."

"How do you feel about fighting your father."

Barrie shrugged her shoulders half halfheartedly.  "I don't want to mother.  He's my father after all and I know that he loves me, but what can I do.  I love him, but I also love my people.  I won't stand by and watch him destroy all that I love."

"My suggestion daughter, would be to give him a way out.  You don't have to kill him.  All you have to do is defeat him.  Ask him to yield once you have him beat.  If he accepts, then offer him a position by your side as an adviser."

Barrie was quiet as she thought about that.  A soldier stepped into her tent.  Barrie looked up and nodded when she saw him.  The soldier withdrew as Barrie stood up.  Barrie handed her empty bowl to Grekken and offered her a smile.  "I will think about it mother.  I'm not sure if father would step aside so easily."

Grekken stood and touched Barrie's face affectionately.  "Give him a chance.  He wasn't always like this.  He's gotten worse over the years.  Things changed once your father took his wife as an adviser.  Take her out of the picture and you might have a chance at avoiding an all out war."

Barrie nodded and leaned forward to kiss her mother's cheek.  "Thank you mother.  Stay awake tonight please.  I want to talk with you about what the meeting was about.  I want your take on everything."

"Of course sweetie."

Barrie gave Grekken a smile before she moved out from behind her makeshift desk and left the tent.  She motioned for the soldier who was waiting for her to lead the way.  He bowed his head with a fist over his heart before he turned and led the way through camp.  Barrie smiled and nodded to those who greeted her. 

Beau looked up as she stepped into his tent.  He motioned her over to where he stood with several of his trusted advisers.  Barrie stepped up next to him and looked down at the map.  Beau nodded to one of the men who stood there.

"We're ready whenever you are Captain.  What news do you have?"

The captain cleared his throat and pointed at the map.  "I have good news and bad news.  The bad news is...."