Estria's War

Chapter 5: The Meeting

Rebecca had called a meeting with all the dukes and duchesses under her temporary rule. They met the next day in the counsel room at promptly at noon.

"Well your highness, if I read the invitation you wanted to speak about taxes?" The duke of Asrith asked.

"Yes, you did read correctly. I wanted to speak to you about taxes because,though I hope it won't, this war may last for a long time and we haven't the income to fund it long term,and so to give us flexibility I wanted to ask if you'd all raise taxes by one percent.
I have had budgets written out and you can follow along my reasoning and the math behind it." Rebecca said quiet eloquently.

The meeting room was silent as all the nobility read Rebecca's report.

"It's very well thought out and written princess, but what about protection? I see you have it written down on your budget and I'd like to know, as I'm sure the people would what that portion is going to do to protect the towns?" The duchess of Tinas Makil asked politely.
"Well that's also what I wanted to talk to you about, you see I am unfamiliar with all of your cities and the surrounding terrain, I've seen them on a map and learned them all by name,but Gibbs rule number three, "never believe what you're told double check."
So I called on you not only because of taxes,but because I want to know where your cities and towns need protection and what protection you think is best for your towns and cities." Rebecca replied.
The Dukes and duchesses were impressed by the young princess and immediately sent for their admirals to give counsel to the young girl. Three hours later after Rebecca met with all the admirals and did the proper formalities toward the nobles she finally went back to her room and rested.
"That went well...I think."  Rebecca was dubious, but also confident it went well.