Not All Heroes Are Guiltless

Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Aela’s POV

Ethan shakes hands with another rebel leader. He’s been gaining support ever since we secured the port. We have now pushed Hou Ndour to just a few spots close to the ruins of the capital.

Hou Ndour hasn’t been able to get supplies or even reinforcements for their men on land, so a few rebel groups stated they didn’t even have to fight for control it was left unattended.

Benlow’s merchant ships have been making a few stops, but they say the fighting is worse in the sea. Their new Bellarn king has assaulted hard and hasn’t given them a chance to retaliate. Stories say he’s everything the Bellarn wanted: a warrior king.

Bellar was never on good terms with Redland, and he is obviously more focused on Hou Ndour. Hopefully, he will work with Turmac, and we can find some form of peace after we reestablish our country.

My heart falters when I realize Turmac may not be able to keep their peaceful attempts. The Lions have been fighting amongst themselves over who they should support. The nobles who have been in their court for centuries and the rebels who have control all their trade.

Ethan closes his agreements with the latest groups, and then he gets asked by several members, “What’s the next task?”

“The last fortification they have is the port at the old capital. We take that, and they all should be running.” Ethan smiles back at me. The men all cheer and clap at the information. It means we have nearly done it. One more good victory, and we will be back to ruling Redland ourselves.

The men all celebrate the good news and the new members of our organization. I keep myself on watch for any possible traitors or spies. But with the pressure of Bellar controlling the waters, the fear has declined severely. More and more people are joining our cause with very little initiative to deceive us.

Ethan has been glorified as the big hero, and I’m glad. He overcame much to get all the rebels to join forces. As soon as the Hou Ndours are gone, the Lords who have helped maintain and secure the positions will more than likely create a council to help rule. Many want Ethan to lead the rebuilding, but he’s been talking about how he wants to return to his sisters. I encourage him when the war is over. He will have the ability to return to his home.

The night party lasts into the early morning hours, and Ethan grabs a bottle and walks to the outer edge of the camp where I am perched. He looks up in the tree, finding me and laughing heartily, “I’m starting to think you are a bird, not a wolf.”

“Maybe one day I’ll fly.” I joke as I jump down. He pulls out two mugs and pours the bottle into each one. He offers me one and then sets the bottle down at the roots of the tree.

Ethan lifts his cup up, “To Redland. May we be true to the people who believe and trust in us. And whop those pirates to their distance shores.”

“Bellar seems to be doing the whopping.” I say, looking at him narrowly.

Ethan downs his drink in one gulp, “Silence, don’t fret. We will deal with one thing at a time. First, kick the Hou Ndour out of our lands. Second, establish a council to reestablish trade and order. Third, find a way to return the missing nobles and the Queen captives. Everything will fall into place; I promise I will make sure you aren’t by yourself. We’ve done well with the members already in position.”

I sip on the mug, and I still have an intuition. “Its been too easy. I keep feeling like something will go wrong when we reach the ruins.”

Ethan looks thoughtfully, “Then we prepare. I will never doubt your gut or your instincts. With this being the last fortification, that means anyone they were going to send to reinforce their foothold would be centered there. We have the support of a few nobles, but everyone who had the power to help a large assault has been captured. You are the only one we have who can defend against a magical assault. We haven’t had to fight a battle with ancients because Hou Ndours have always been weak blood. They have been concentrating their ancient bloodlines against Bellar and left us with the inexperienced and elderly soldiers. Doesn’t mean they won’t send someone who can defend.”

I nod my head, “You are thinking the same as me.”

Ethan hugs me close, “Like I said. Don’t fret. I’m sure with you by our side, we can plan out all contingencies.”

Since I told Ethan he wasn’t my mate, he has been friendly towards me, but all since of lust, I saw in that dungeon is gone. Sometimes, I can see a lingering need, but he dismisses it, and I’m grateful.

When the sun sets, I finally allow myself to get some rest. I close my eyes and bring myself back to the top of my snow filled mountain. The chilly air reminds me of the memories traveling through the white forest, and I can almost smell my mate nearby.

Fur wraps around me, and I reach my arms around the white fur neck next to me. I haven’t heard my wolf speak to me since a month or so after we left my mate but I can feel her presence so I hope it means my reserve is correcting the fragment that drifted us apart. My memories are still tight, but I have better knowledge and stronger senses when I know she is within me.

My dream, though, is the only place we have been able to exist in our wolf form. I’ve been working almost nonstop since I rescued Ethan from the Hou Ndours, and he made his pledge to me. I don’t have much time to run and hunt as a wolf. Whenever I feel the itch, it’s easier to just bring myself to my mountain and exist without fear.