Sagan #3
“Grains do not only feed us, but livestock and animals. We are looking at a quarter of our normal intake this season.” I nodded when several of the reporters flinched.
“Yes, a seventy-five percent loss is massive.
And while I understand the past few months have been beyond challenging, not everything can be blamed on the deaths of my parents and my taking over.
“I cannot fix problems people don’t tell me about.
More importantly, I can’t fix the problems people won’t let me.
” I snorted. “Actually, I don’t need anyone to let me.
I’m queen. People are allowed to handle problems because I let them.
I will say this as many times as needed, but I am queen ruler, not just a figurehead. ”
I did smirk then and I wanted people to see it.
“Given the leaders of those areas—and others—couldn’t come to an agreement on how to handle the situation, I performed my job as queen and did.”
People glanced at each other and one man got bold in the silence, doing exactly what I wanted. “Did what, Your Majesty?”
I smiled at him. “Handle it. All of it. In a few days no less.” I nodded when mouths fell open again. “In an act of diplomacy I’m not sure has ever been done—definitely not so quickly given technology—over a dozen deals were struck. Ones within my authority and without touching government funds.
“Deals with…. What did many of you call them? My little royal friends? I believe that’s what some of you serious journalists refer to current and future rulers as.
Or their family members. That’s who I called.
That’s who I have such close relationships with that they were all too willing to work with me.
The Heir of Bodach and I spent two days putting this together.
“And while some of the deals will never be disclosed as they’re personal favors, I used personal favors for the benefit of my people because I am a dragon and a citizen of Thovudin. I’m not an outsider or alien. I was sent away to learn and do what the elders should have been doing all these years.
“The corruption was so thick and so many working against my parents, they sent their young daughter to do the job twenty-five men couldn’t because they were corrupted by greed.
And so many of you put your faith in them.
Why?” I stared at all of them. “What have they done for you or to prove that they deserved that faith?
“I never saw anything.” I gave them a moment with that.
“Let this now show you that I am willing to prove that I will do what I should for Thovudin—more than, even.” Again I paused.
“Most of the deals will be announced and thanks given to our allies that the elders poisoned you against once the ink dries on the terms.
“Normally, I wouldn’t announce this prematurely, but two of the deals—Fiete and Idunn are having raging forest fires unlike ever before.
I’m asking any water dragon of age who is willing to help Thovudin by helping our allies who are coming to our aid to please call the number that will be provided.
While you are too powerful to help crops, you can save them now.
“I promise you will be given time off from your jobs and we will help make any arrangements needed to keep your lives on track.
This is a crisis and I know one we would want to help with even if we received nothing.
Unfortunately, we have our own issues and the leaders of Fiete and Idunn understand that.
“Part of what’s at risk is their agriculture, not just their forests.
So please, I need your support to make this happen and make sure our people are fed—our animals are fed so we have meat next season.
Dragons cannot live on fish alone and we will do damage to our waters if we are flippant now and focus only on fishing.
Not to mention the loss to our ranchers.
“Hopefully, our farmers and ranchers understand this more than anyone and those of you who are water dragons will be the first to volunteer. Their leaders were concerned about you. I hope you are concerned for their people.” I glanced around and some of my annoyance subsided when I saw people accepted that.
“What else can you tell us, Your Majesty?” someone called out from behind others in the back so I couldn’t bust them.
Another reason for the briefing room.
“That many of the royal families offered aid without a deal, but I knew too many in Thovudin wouldn’t trust that given the way the elders poisoned our citizens against other countries.
” I glanced around at the reporters. “The elders kept us isolated and too ignorant to the world beyond Thovudin.
Hear me that I will fix that and show you the truth.
“All you have to do is give me the chance and be open—put your pride aside to see we were wrong. I have been too. About a lot. It hurts to admit that, but I will never grow unless I do. None of us will, and if we don’t grow, we will never thrive.
That’s what I ask. Hate my policies or even me, but be honest about it all. It’s really not too much to ask.”
And with that, I ended the press conference, basically having my mic drop moment… Before another in the morning.
Sometimes being the boss was fun.