Not All Heroes Are Guiltless

Chapter 74(Part2)

Chapter 74

Aela’s POV

My heart pains me as I think back over last night. I rub the amulet, and that’s when I see a slight luminescent glow from behind a portrait. I rush over and move the frame and see a light with the same symbol embedded into the wall. I reach out touch it, and its warmth is comforting and soothing. I study its pattern carefully and then get an idea. I rush to the desk and grab one of the small daggers. I pierce the tip of my index finger, bringing a bead of blood, and then press my finger into the symbol on the wall. I hear a creak and a muffled shuffle of stones, and a secret door opens before me.

Walking through the entry, the door automatically closes behind me. I’m startled and jump when it returns back to a wall. I scan around me, and it’s just a small room with a desk and a chair. But every inch is covered in books and loose paper. I walk to the desk and see a journal with a leather binding.

I touched it and noticed the quill was dropped in midsentence on the last page, which is unfinished. The handwriting is so unique I’d recognize it anywhere. It’s my mothers.

I trace down the page and see something haunting.

My dearest Aela,

I’m sorry I’ve had to leave you so young. It’s entirely my fault. They say I’m mad and crazed, but you must know we are being lied to. She is killing me because I’m too strong for her to control and not strong enough to kill her. I can’t believe I chose her over my own mate. Your father tried to tell me Delmar is a good man who tried to save Toloda. He’s been trying to save the lupines from her g******e. He was framed. We’ve hunted Delmar for years and never were able to trace him. Before your father died, he told me Delmar would often visit him to warn him about Lana. I still don’t know what her motivation is or why she needs control over our blood. If I can’t leave, I need you to investigate Toloda. There has to be

Toloda? I’ve never heard of it. I look around on the desk and see a map written in Lupine. Toloda is deep in the forests of the outlands in the north part of Redland. The area is uninhabited, and very few traverse through that part of the forest.

I tip my head to the side and deliberate. I have to find a way to Toloda, and I can’t let Andrew or Lana know what I am doing. While having a spell wrapped around me, which wants to dictate how I act and even hinder my real emotions and obscuring any potential on alerting anyone, I need help.

Then it occurred to me. Ethan said he needed help within that area, and Andrew promised me I could go to investigate and assist if it’s called for. I’m sure I could take a detour on the way there. I will have to just cross my fingers and hope my plan works.

I continue searching and find the books about the histories of our gods and the lupines. Details about aspects about our lineage I’ve never heard before. Obviously, only studies and research are found because this is a private study hidden by a spell where only blood could open the door.

The Vault!

The place Delia took me to find the crystals for the swords. She said the place existed in our plane. It must have been created by similar magic. Now I have to see if I can find the location of the secret vault.

I found a book with the family tree of both the “Del” Lupine clan and the “Am” Lupine clan. I searched its line, and I had always assumed Lana had two parents, but only her mother was listed. I am instantly lured to a circle and question mark on the side of Lana, highlighting the added noted name Redolla Manticora. I guess Lana having a child out of wedlock wasn’t abnormal because she was a child out of a mystery herself.

I look up and wonder what time it is because the sun hadn’t been up when I awoke, and this room has no windows. I grabbed the leather journal and the map. I’m scared to bring anything else out of this room at this time because I’m not sure if Lana has access to some of these books or not. I never saw anything about the vault either, so it must be even more of kept secret.

My mother probably told me about this room, and I even saw evidence I may have even joined her during her research when I was a young child with a few childlike scribbles in the margins.

Pressing on the wall where the door had appeared I’m able to push through to the other side of the wall. It’s still dark outside, so I rush out of the palace and ride back to my home.

Time is on the essence. Andrew promised me I could go with Ethan, but that was a with him trying to manipulate me into that situation of last night. My internal monologue trails off. I can’t even bring myself to remember last night events. I still haven’t felt anything of my wolf, and my senses are still dull. I send for Ethan as soon as I walk in and begin to clean my desk for a few days’ vacation from work.

The sun is nearly rising when Ethan knocks on my office door. “You asked for me?”

I look up at him and keep a stern business pose. “What were you wanting my help on?”

Ethan seems worried and apprehensive, but he smirks and whispers something about me being silent to himself, “The Frontmors Pass has been an area I’ve constantly been killing bandits. There is a mine in the small village of Nevar who needs that pass available to send their minerals to Dobson’s crafters. A year has gone by, and we haven’t heard of any more incidents in the Pass. Now, the guild in Dobson tells me they have run out of materials. I went to Nevar, and the mine is fully operational, but they aren’t sending supplies through the pass. It’s all going to Gillian’s Port.”

“The independent port? Dobson hasn’t made a shipment in two weeks. They told me they had unavoidable delays.” I look at him, and he nods in understanding that we are dealing with the same issue.

Ethan purses his lips, “Silence, I think Bellar is stealing our resources from under us.”

“Ethan, if that’s true, we aren’t ready to go to war with them.” I say under my breath. Rumors of King Dungans ruthlessness has been going around, and it scares me to think about the conflict between our two countries. No one in our army would have the morale to deal with motivating them to attack Bellar at this moment.

Ethan shakes his head, “They are delaying your reconstruction. I think they may have been working with the mine and the village to hide their betrayal.”

“When are you leaving?” I ask calmly.

“Now.” Ethan stands up with decisive manuever.

“Good. The sooner we can clear the matters, the better for everyone. Ethan, I need to go with you.” I look him dead in the eye to have him finally glimpse my need to escape.

Ethan looks skeptical and then says, “Alright, Silence. I’ll go fetch you a horse.”

I dismiss him and finish the last few things I need before I can leave for a few days. I’ve been able to change into more appropriate attire for a long days ride, and I’m startled when Andrew bursts into my room without knocking.

“Where are you going?” Andrew huffs lowly as his eyes scan my outfit.

“Nevar, to find if they have shifted their trade to Bellar.” I say in my general tone and try to intimidate my lesser.

“No. You can’t go.” Andrew’s fury and irritation radiates off him, and his command is rolling over me, and its effect doesn’t hold me to his bidding like yesterday.

“I outrank you. Ethan isn’t able to negotiate with them if someone like Bellar is buying them off. I need to go.” I keep my head up and eyes posed. I will not falter from this decision.

Andrew wraps his arms around me, and I tremble in fear, “I wish you didn’t shudder when I touch you. We are married.”

“Against my will. You hurt me for your own enjoyment. Now let go.” I growl at him and still feel overwhelming loss, which I swallow down to show I’m stronger than he estimated.

He steps away from me, and I can see him gulp hard. His jaw twitches, and he asks, “When are you coming back?”

“It’s two days to travel to get there. So maybe seven days in total.” I say, preparing my saddlebag.

Andrew eyes never waver off of mine. “If you aren’t here on the fourth day, I am going to find you.”

“That’s fine. Start in Nevar.” I say sarcastically and leave him scowling in my bedroom as I walk to the stables and see Ethan and his troop standing in a briefing. I walk and stand behind him as he finishes and releases his men and turns and jumps in shock. “Princess, I didn’t hear you. Do we need to wait for your entourage?”

“No, we should leave before he thinks of doing that.” I smile while looking back at the lodge.

“Alright, then we are ready.” He yells out. He walks with me to the horse, and we mount. We make it out of town without a scene.