Madaleine_Varraut

Pierrette is the oldest daughter of Duke Jean-Claude of Villefranche. How is she supposed to react when her father, with her step family, abandon the dukedom during a siege?
She is supposed to save her people of course.  The kind girl must use all her cunning and intelligence to protect those under her, even if it means she must sacrifice herself to the foreign army of Prince Clement-Victor of Varzy.

Saving My People

I stare at the letter from my father in disbelief. How could he abandon me, and our people? I reread the words; my heart accelerated with apprehension. What should I do? We have been under siege for less than a month and father has fled. I burry me face in my hand and think. Taking a deep breath, I lift my face and rest it on my hand. 


We have enough supplies in the city to remain in siege for months. We have wells for fresh water. And can use the river Roanne for emergencies. The Varzy army wouldn't dare poison it as it leads into their lands. 


That being said, if we don't break soon, we can't go to the fields out of the city to plant for spring. We have a decent number of farms within the walls, but it won't be enough to support us. We need to be able to reach all the villages within our Dukedom to support this large city. Also, we need to protect the people in those villages.


I sigh and stand, pacing the width of my fathers' study. I glance at the letter again, but I don't need to reread it anymore. I run through the words again.


I have just learned that the Varzy forces are led by Prince Clement-Victor. I am leaving with my family to seek the support of the king.


I leave the Dukedom to you. Protect our people until I return.


Four sentences. That is all he gives me to tell me he is abandoning me. I crush my desire to reflect on the emotional implications of his letter, to focus on the political. It is unwise for us to resist for too long. 


I have no loyalty to a dog like King Louis the umpteenth. He is the idiot that attacked a greater force than his own. Now I am paying for his stupidity. I have no care for who the Dukedom is under as long as the people are safe. 


My cowardice father claims that he is seeking reinforcements, but he left, with those he considers his family. He is more concerned with his own skin than his people. He thinks it is wise to leave the future of his dukedom in the hands of a 17 year old girl who was never formally taught politics and war strategy. He is dooming this Dukedom and seeking another from the king. 


Luckily for me, I love to read, and have read many books on war. I might be able to pull off saving my people, but it will come with a price. 


"Marcus," I call my knight. A squat round face peeks from behind the door at my command.


"Call an emergency meeting with all the chief officers and councilors my father left."


"Oh, and don't tell them what is going on. I need the element of surprise." He gives a short nod and vanishes. Thankfully I know I have one ally. I take a deep breath, preparing for battle.


Preparing For Battle