Not All Heroes Are Guiltless

Chapter 79

Chapter 79

Aela’s POV

The next day, we spent traveling to Nevar as swiftly as we could. Ethan’s men were camped next to an outpost, and there was a rush a relief when they saw us. They briefed us on what they had learned. I was strongly concerned when I heard the general villagers would only offer one-word answers in their investigations. Ethan, though, nudged and said they might be more open to me. So, we retired for a good night’s rest, and the next morning, I will start my investigation.

Nevar isn’t that big of a place. An area where people gather and trade but only really large enough for maybe sixty people at most. I watch the people and notice many are in long sleeves rolled up even in the summer sun. To many seem like they only have one shirt available to them. They are living poorly, and it rips into me. They are all working hard and should be the richest in the country. Still, I admire their resourcefulness as I realize the case. Maybe they just don’t get the supplies they need for more luxury living.

Ethan brings me to a small hovel with the leader of their merchant guild. He’s lanky man you his skin stretches across his bones. He looks pale and sickly. Most merchantmen I know are often round and plump from their exuberant travels. This man hasn’t eaten a full meal in over a year, it appears.

“Captain, how can I help you today? Is this your wife?” He smiles and bows.

“No, this is my commander, Princess AmAela.” The man straightens out and bows again towards me. He’s truly a respectful man. First impression always matters, but I will forgive the wife comment.

“I hope you might be able to indulge in the reason Dobson is unable to fill orders at this time. They are dependent on trade with Nevar.” I say, and he looks at me with some concern. I cross my arms to show my irritation.

He opens and shuts his mouth several times and then shifts his glance between me and Ethan. He’s obviously planning out how to proceed, but I’m not enjoying the idea he probably won’t lie to me, but he definitely will not give us all the information we need.

“I’m sorry. Dobson hasn’t spoken to us about missing shipments.” He says, dropping his eyes down to the table.

“Because there haven’t been any shipments. Are you not trading with Dobson?” I say accusingly.

“Princess, Dobson merchants were not willing to trade goods fairly. They demanded we give all we had to them, and we refused. We haven’t done business with them since.” He says quickly.

“If you had a problem in negotiations, why not go to the magistrate?” I asked accusingly. If he had any intention of being lazy and not using the hierarchy we designed, then we could easily dismiss him on his incompetence.

“The magistrate followed the Queen’s orders and demanded all materials be donated to the reconstruction effort. They wouldn’t even trade us for food.” He says, and now I see Ethan’s fear about Bellar stealing our resources out from under us is not far from truth. We aren’t protecting them and only hurting them. He took the opportunity to gain a benefit by offering our people in desperate need.

“So, who are you selling too?” I growl, and I’m a little shocked. I know who they are selling to, but I couldn’t control myself from accusing them. I quickly focus on my reserve and can feel the pull and strain. The spell is still strapped around me tightly. Time and distance have not given me any slack, and I still can’t see it’s invisible strands. The merchant breaks my focus on his response.

“A ship arrives every two weeks in Port Gillian. They bring grain, preserved meat, and other supplies. We give what we can. A few months ago, some pirates tried to attack the cargo. The ship offered its mercenaries to travel home with us. We haven’t had issues with bandits or pirates since.”

He’s nervous, but he’s honest. I can forgive him. Whatever spell I have been under, though, makes my body jolt. In a compulsion, I grit through my teeth seething, “You are aiding and abetting an enemy nation. Do you understand that is treason?”

“Yes, my lady. We had no choice. We didn’t have food for our miners or even our children.” He pleads. His eyes begin to water, and I’m instantly feel my heart is torn by his plight.

“Of course, you had a choice.” I snivel. I never treat anyone like this, and I want to recoil my words. I rest my hands on my hips. “You are to cancel the contract with the Port Gillian. Your next shipment must go to Dobson. I will ensure you are compensated. If a shipment isn’t made within a week. We will return to execute traitors of Redland.” My stomach turns and feels sick, but I have no control over my body. It doesn’t even let me release the bile building up.

Returning to Ethan’s camp, I am having the hardest time regaining control for the spell. I try my hardest to see the spell I am still tangled within. It still can affect me from this far from, and I shudder internally. I have to find a way out of this.

“Silence?” The voice disrupts my focus, and I turn to look at him. I can feel myself moving into a more stoic expression. Ethan’s eyes are so downcasted. I know I have disappointed him. He whispers one word, “Anything?”

I huffed angrily and then turned away from him. I don’t have anything to say. We break camp and start to head back toward Dobson to wait for the decision there.