Not All Heroes Are Guiltless

Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Aela’s POV

“Together we can drive the Hou Ndours out. We might be fewer in number, but with my team and your men, we can push hard, and more people will support us.” Ethan had been debating with the leaders of a rebel group which had been successful for nearly six months in holding old Redford fort and its surrounding farms.

Astonishingly, the son of the former lord of the land near here was their leader. He’s ancient with some affinity to rock and earth. Nothing too extravagant, but you shouldn’t upset him if you want your tea not to fall off the table in violent ground shudders.

His men are all locals who probably worked their lives for the noble family. They all have a look of adoration for their leader, meaning even his father was a good man of the people. The son reclaiming the fort is just one way they are trying to gain prosperity for the region and not be demoralized by Hou Ndour.

“We aren’t leaving. We have no reason to seek any glory. When our men aren’t protecting the farms, they are in the fields working them. I have no men to use for your foolish scheme. Hou Ndour are able to attack at any time, and if they do, I will not have my land powerless.” The noble crosses his arms. The men surrounding us all voice their agreement.

Ethan has been building his force over the last few months. He’s had enough to suffice a small army while protecting a good chunk of the villages. We still haven’t been able to reclaim a port because the Hou Ndour forte is the sea, and we don’t have the resources to combat their dedicated combat vessels.

The men he’s recruited whisper rumors about me. The several from when I broke them out has described my appearance as enticing and seductress. One man almost believed he could strong arm me into his tent, and I held no mercy for him. Many accused my killing of him was treasonous, but many believed I had every right, and now no one except Ethan approaches me.

Ethan spends almost every available moment now training with me secretly. He takes the lessons I teach him and incorporates them into his training for the men. Just a few more men, and we should be prepared to take on a port.

“If we could rescue the port at Igmorund, would you consider helping?” Ethan says, and I almost curse to myself. He’s not literally going to offer us attacking a secured port with just our men.

“I wouldn’t give my men to a foolish task such as that!” The noble yells out.

Ethan chuckles, “Your men can wait for the sign to enter when we control the port. We will take command for you and present it for assisting in retaking the country.”

The noble crosses his arms, “If you fail, you will bring their wrath down on top of us. No, we have kept our keep by protecting the land we have, and we don’t need annoying little twit, causing us more trouble. Especially if his main goal is to restore the country. Why? The queen has been tucked away for no one to find. She failed at protecting the capital during the attack, and now her protection won’t just reappear. Even after you reestablish your country, you have no one to protect from the next powerful bloodline to secure your handiwork from themselves.”

“We have Silence. That will ensure that they can have them abandon the port and not return.” Ethan says with a large grin. “Trust me. Silence will ensure your safety.”

“Your female hooded shadow?” The noble rumbles with anger. “I wouldn’t put my hopes in a poser. Not unless she was a well-trained, if not better than AmStar.”

Ethans eyes look at me in almost a plead. I nod my head because he’s kept my lineage hiddn. But this was one of the noble families who worked closely with the queen. He was invited to every ball, and his father would often have appointments to discuss important matters pertaining his jurisdiction. I wish we could do this privately, but reaching him had been tricky due to him being intelligent and not trusting anyone outright.

I pull my hood back to show my face. The men break out in hoots, hollers, and whispers. I keep my eye on the noble, and his mouth opens and closes. He motions for his men to stay calm. “Princess AmAela, you abandoned your post and allowed Hou Ndours to invade.”

“I did no such thing. I was too young to have an officer role in the army and wasn’t even on duty when the giants attacked. I did what I could, and it was barely anything. I was given a chance to retreat. So, I could return and regain my country.” I say loudly, and the men around me murmured.

“You mean you ran away and licked your wounds. Like a coward.” The noble sneered, and his men laughed.

Ethan face was red, but I would take it as a slight, “No, I saw her. She tried to lead the giants away from innocent children and was rescued by Delmar the Cruel. She was still traveling with him when I saw them again and offered for her to join my band.”

The noble laughs loudly, “Now why would Delmar the Cruel care about the safety of our precious craven princess.”

Ethan swallowed and lowered his head. He walked himself into a trap. “Because he came to warn us about the attack. Although his tactic may not have been the most reasonable. He feared for the safety of the innocents. He’s not the man to truly fear. His reasonings for most things are his own, but he is my father’s adoptive brother.”

The noble crossed his arms, “Delmar was your father’s adoptive brother? I have heard rumors about your father. Even when very few fear to speak his name. Fine. You secure the port for me, and then I will see what support I can assist you to help push the pirates out fully.”

“Grand!” Ethan yells enthusiastically. “We will send a sign when everything is ready for you and your men. Be prepared.”