Not All Heroes Are Guiltless

Chapter 92

Chapter 92

Dungan’s POV

Redland’s negotiators are morons.

It has been four days, and I have given all the evidence over to the Lions and his court for review, and they still try to play the victim. Lucas has been irritated, and even his father is starting to become short and exasperated with the redundance.

Yet, finding a resolution that would keep peace on the continent does not pose as viable without Redland returning to their Queen and creating conflict with the Lions.

I almost secretly hope they would because then my mother would have to come out of hiding a bit, and maybe then more will see is not the Holy Mage Protector that everyone around her refers to about.

She just lost her crowned Princess, which I am positive she had plans for in the future. Why else would she have cursed her to manipulate her so intricately for her own benefits.

Now, she is left with that arrogant asshole, Marquis Andrew, and a bunch of nobles who only use her for their own personal benefit. Yet, that is how she always wanted to surround herself.

“King Dungan!” Lucas half-whispers behind me as I was starting back to my ship from the dinner with the Lion. I turn to him, and he is standing in one of the secret passage ways of this beach palace. He beckons me and holds the door open for me.

Cautiously, I walk into the dim, lit narrow way, which seems to double as a storm drain. Thankfully, the smell of runoff rainwater from the nearby streets is the only overpowering odors. Lucas closes the door, and he moves closer to me and speaks low, “I was told someone who can attest to your claims has just arrived. Do you want to watch me as I interrogate him?”

“Alright.” I say, almost confused. Because Redland has been so prominent only spreading fabrications and deceptions, they have questioned everything I have tried to prove. They have been about to create a good testimony, which has completely placed me on the side of having to defend the integrity of my own evidence. I do not know anyone who would be willing to attest to agreeing with my side. Only a member of Redland would be able to attain the fraud Redland has created.

Farther into the storm drain, we reach a group of offices well hidden from anyone able to pass by. I am still skeptical about who could be my saving grace in this negotiation. The door opens, and I am greeted by the unkept appearance of the youth my Nadar followed so long ago when we separated.

The man stands up and he’s wearing tattered clothing and his beard has grown out much but the eyes are still the same. He looks directly at Lucas and bows his head down swiftly, “Crowned Prince Lucas, thank you for granting me an audience.”

Lucas nods his head, “I almost didn’t recognize you. Weren’t you the Princess AmAela’s personal guard?”

He says softly, “Only for the time period you were within Redland. I was a captain of the Redland army. I protected the villages and trade routes in Northern Redland Territories. The quell between Redland and Bellar was my jurisdiction.”

Lucas crosses his arms, “You were the one which started the fights then?”

“No.” The man shakes his head and lowers his eyes. “When I heard rumors and saw evidence, I went directly to the Princess with the information. I did not want to bring in the magistrate or the Queen because I feared they wouldn’t have the compassion needed. It backfired, though. The princess ended up being angered at the traitorous attack and stroked heartlessly at the entire area. She was mad and enraged. No one wanted to get in her way in fear she would strike out against them.”

Lucas nods his head and seems thoughtful, “Not really the personality I would have gathered from the Princess. But then again, a lot of information we are gathering does not seem rational.”

The man sighs, “She hadn’t attacked the same since she was married to that f*****g bastard. I think she even used the excuse of conflict in the northern territories as a way to run away from him.”

“Why?” Lucas says quickly, “I do not understand why you are condemning your own country on this account? If anyone knew you were here speaking so poorly of your Princess and your superior officer they would hang you for treason.”

“I was sent away when she planned to attack the Port of Gillan with Andrew. When I arrived the morning after before the retaliation of Bellar on our troops, I went in search for the Princess to question some of the irrational and maddening decisions she had mad. I had only then found out she had jumped from a cliff into sharp rocks below Andrew. He was so distraught that when the Bellarns attacked their camp he did not even protect his men. He ran from Bellar all the way back to the Queen’s Protective Barriers. He abandoned us and the villages leaving Bellar to be able to choose how far inland they wanted to invade. They only went as far as the border to the people they have an agreement with and have not tried to push any further. I can respect that. I just hope Andrew doesn’t do anything stupid and push King Dungan to retaliate. I abandoned my post when the Princess died.”

Listening to his story the connection was made quickly. Ethan. She often talked about how she missed his friendship and how close she was to him. I almost pity him a bit for how much he seemed to care and was depressed about knowing she was dead.

Lucas crossed his arms and turned to me. “I though I would need your assistance. Seems like this was easier than I thought. Everything he said was the truth even the accounts about the Princess being mad.”

I nod my head in agreement. Lucas wipes his face but I know I need to point out the obvious. “You can not use him as a witness.”

Lucas almost seems aghast, “Why not? Clean him up a bit and I have several members able to verify his role in Redland. His story would be accepted.”

“Because she would be offended when Redland’s darkness takes him.” I say with a casualness to him. “Send him to the colony and do not tell anyone he is protected by you.”

Lucas mouth drops before he utters, “Shadow, he would be a key witness and you would gain more favor from my father.”

Ethan’s eyes darted to me. “Shadow?”

I ignore the man and keep my attention on Lucas. “She would never forgive me if I used her friend when I should protect him.”

Ethan eyes widen and gasps, “Silence? You have her? She’s alive?”

Lucas rolls his eyes at me and then positions himself between me and Ethan. “Easy. He hasn’t even let me see her. He goes back to his ship every recess and night to take care of her. He said she was severely injured and if you assessed her completely before she jumped to her death. She may not be in her right mind.”

Ethan visually swallows. His Adam’s apple jaunts up and down as he leans to the side to look directly at me, “You are protecting her? Just like you have done with all the others?”

She wrote about him as one of her closest friends and he seemed so confused so she never told him about me, “Not like the others. I plan to keep my mate close to me and never let her leave me again.”

Ethan’s face relaxes until he furrows his eyebrows forward, “You are her mate?”

He turns away and it almost is like he is talking to himself but he nods and looks back up at me and then to Lucas, “You knew they were mates? That is why you knew to go to her to get a message to him. Then you trust him that much. I am glad she is with you. She deserves to be happy and with you and not in reach of that bastard.”

Lucas claps him on the back. “And this is why all the information you have given me can not be used against Redland. He wants to protect you to make sure that bastard does not hang you for treason. I’m sure when she is fully recovered, he will let her travel. The colony could use your talents now that I’m busy.”

Traveling back to the ship I start to feel restless. I do not know if I will ever be ready to let her go to my hidden colony. But at least I know Ethan is not under the influence of my mother.

When I reach my cabin the putrid scent of stomach acid makes my nose burn. I had thought it may have been seasickness on one of the other ships but as I got closer it was more potent. I quickly open and close my cabin.

I rush to the bedside and find my Nadar passed out. She’s covered in vomit and her arms and legs are red under the shackles.

Fuck.