Not All Heroes Are Guiltless

Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Aela’s POV

The Bellarns were able to gain reinforcements, and now they are camped in a clearing running patrol into Nevar. We retreated to a small farmers village between Nevar and Dobson to regroup. It’s taken almost three days, and men are still arriving from the fight. Many more are probably lost from the onslaught.

Everyone is angry about not gaining any ground and being completely outplayed. I’m not even shocked. Dungan definitely has numerous lifetimes of experience under his belt while everyone in our core isn’t even forty years old yet. So, we need to do something risky because we played it safe with the first attack and failed. We should do something unexpected. Something completely against my nature.

Dungan was my own trainer. He knows my strengths, and he’s always had the upper hand on me. I’ve never once been able to overpower him. His fighting skills are beyond me, and his tactics are foreign. He must be overseeing the armies training because their skills with a sword are nearly comparable to mine. I could be overpowered so easily. It’s shameful.

Even with our scouts reports stating he wasn’t present; he was standing in the middle of Nevar fighting the attackers firsthand. Ethan said Andrew saw him and ran with his tail behind his legs. Andrew’s been blaming Ethan for not having the scouts do accurate information when he was the one organizing the scouts. But then again, Dungan doesn’t need an officer’s tent with all the amenities, which Andrew drills are appropriate for a general.

I stare blankly. Ignoring everyone in the room and can only imagine one method, but for it to work, we have to be precise and quick. I know Ethan will not agree to my plan so I can have him assist with the injured men. Andrew has been in the tent with me and just watching me with a neutral face, “What are you thinking?”

“We take your initial idea. Sneak a squad up to Gillian through the outlands. Now that their force is mostly inland, we close to port for business.” I say, and Andrew smiles widens deviously. His eyes light up with adoration, as I explained. “We send Ethan and our wounded to Dobson. You have a squad of twenty to destroy and burn the docks. I’ll take the rest of the force to retake the city post and start to fortify. When Ethan gets to Dobson, we will send a messenger for him to return, and we can ambush the Bellarns from both sides.”

“Damn, merciless? I think I need a drink. Do you need one?” Andrew says with an ecstatic smile. He floats almost like a dream to the cabinet with bottles nestled for easy access.

I look at him suspiciously, and he seems neutral, “We are out of wine, but I do have some good mead in my flagon.”

We share a toast, and I swallow down my nerves. My job is to maintain our borders. I have to show we won’t shy away from our enemies. Andrew smiles and pats me on the back in support. I was wary he would slip something in my drink because I still haven’t figured out how I was trapped in the spell originally. I feel, though, I can trust Andrew again.

The following day, we started traveling through the dense forest. Ethan left ahead of us so he wouldn’t suspect our intentions until he wasn’t there to protest at us. He seemed reluctant to have me stay with Andrew and now after a good night of sleep after my weeks for useless restless dreams. I’m worried that it was Ethan who sabotaged our original plan.

We make it to the port with plenty of time to rest a few hours while our scouts survey the area. We have a hundred men in total, and Andrew handpicked the men for his job. We wait for nightfall to move into places.

Hiding in the shadows around the guard posts, we wait for the smoke on the water to alert the guards. The plan is that when they strike the alarm, we ambush them on their way to the docks.

Everything is going according to plan. I am able to stop even the stragglers who try to escape. All the port guards are outposts and are now occupied by my forces. I start moving closer to the center of town to meet up with Andrew and his men. Andrew smirks as he walks closer to me. I'm obviously excited for how well the battle went. He goes to speak when I can hear whistles from the houses around us.

Andrew pushes me behind me and doesn’t even give me a chance to defend myself. He shields me and yells out commands. The warriors around us are now rushing into the houses and pulling out everyone into the center in front of me.

I watch nervously as more and more people are brought out of their homes. Cursing and spitting at us. Merchants and laborers are nothing compared to trained warriors, and even if they tried to attack, they can’t muster anything more than bruises. After a good hour, Andrew walks up to me and reports all is awaiting judgment.

I clear my voice and speak so all can hear me, “For assisting an enemy and fighting against their protector. Scalp them. Let their scars prove their worthlessness.”

I internally screamed when I realized I’m not in control of my own body anymore. I would never bring on that cruel and unreasonable judgment. These people were only trying to survive, and we abandoned them. A judgment so vicious from me would destroy the relationships I have in the region and does nothing to help with building them. We weren’t adequately protecting them because they needed Bellar to survive. I stare off the corner of my eye and see Andrew commanding the warriors to complete my punishment. He’s not even unnerved by how I addressed them.

I don’t want to hurt them for trying to find ways to survive. My horror increases when I see boys brought to Andrew no older than eight years old. Andrew waves at them to include them. No one will be spared from the princess’ judgment.

Oh, no. What have I done?