Chapter 31.2

Eirwen took her time comparing prices and product quality, occasionally buying something small to make it look like she actually was interested and not doing market research. What she found, she found lacking. She carefully communicated with Red, always when they were next to each other, to ensure nobody could catch on.

Over half the mountain silk is lesser quality and some have forged certificates of authenticity. The swords look fine but many have been quenched poorly and range from fragile to brittle. And don't get me started on those shields where they used dye to cover up the damage.

"Indeed. It's cheaper, but it's an utter scam. The good stuff is mostly gone too so if I had to guess, the local supply has been bought up. On that note, you received a lot of reports about the state of the other territories. Is it possible the nobles that fled here didn't bring everything they could have, to better the defences of what they left behind?"

Eirwen blinked at that. Of course, that explained it all. They had taken their riches with them, but had left the armouries relatively untouched. As a result, the border stood strong but they were short on things themselves. Hence immediately devouring what was available in the mountains, causing a temporary shortage of good stock.

Sounds ironic. Because they cared so much about the territories they left behind, they harmed the twelfth territory's economy. No matter, it's but temporary. Or do you still have concerns?

"You ask me that because you have too, right? Yes, I do feel like we're missing something here. Let's keep our eyes and ears open, just in case."

They continued to explore the markets with their entourage, splitting off into smaller groups, each focusing on required supplies. Oath looking into medicinal needs, Light checking in on food and drink, Red showing Eirwen and Taran, Forge, where clothing and tools were properly for sale. They had brought a decent stock of everything, but replenishing it was always something they needed to do. Best to gather it up slowly, rather than risk a shortage at a crucial point.

And they all reached the same conclusion. Something felt off. Weapons, armour, tools, that all was explainable by the new presence of several noble households. But the rest shouldn't be as hard to come by as it was. After subtle probing and not buying much, they came together for a quiet meeting over a bite to eat.

Oath started the subject with care. "There are more injuries from attacks and mishaps. Which means less people daring to venture forth to gather medicine, thus compounding the issue. It's hard to tell for sure, but it feels like despite the newcomers also travelling forth, there's actually more danger now."

"I have to agree there," Forge chimed in. "They're worried more about the mines, to the point that they're now hiring people to scout the area before they transport anything. Which also drives up the prices. So it's harder to get by things, while there's more people around."

Red idly tapped the table, his mind wandering through something as the others looked his way. When he caught on, he looked a bit embarrassed before covering it up. "I have another theory, but that requires a more private setting to discuss. And more evidence. We may find some once we venture on."

That worried look was familiar. He had shown it earlier when they were checking clothing supplies. Not the expensive mountain silk, but a normal tailor shop. As Eirwen thought that through, the conclusion worried her. This involved the normal people. That was a problem, because normally they didn't get involved. If something was harming them, then it meant there was an escalation.

Originally, Eirwen had meant to explore the mountains just to get the lay of the land, then figure out what was needed to help stabilise the situation. But if there was something actively threatening the peace, then she'd need to prepare a more rigorous campaign. She'd need to discuss options once they were in a place with less potential onlisteners. Given the amount of talented people around, that meant once they were on the road again.

"Well, on the subject of supplies, did anyone manage to find any decent herbs and spices? I'm glad salt is so easily available here, but I would like a bit more flavour at hand once we're on the road again." They all knew she was deliberately changing the subject, so went along with it, discussing various options.

As they chatted about various sights they had seen, they all still kept their senses about. The less subtle did it just on their direct surroundings, so that the warden's militia wouldn't take offence. But as for Eirwen, Red, and Light, they all scouted the place with precision. Identifying every individual of note, with Red mentally communicating with the two of them to indicate who he actually recognised. Ah, Eirwen had been right. Vicomte Dorcha had taken up seat here, with several of his knights and even his son walking the streets of Bealach na Caisteal.

One of those knights came near them, and when he did, they sensed his emotional state tense. Eirwen looked at him carefully, her senses observing physically while making sure not to give away her surveillance. Now it was her turn to grow tense, as she realised he was looking their way. She indicated it to the others, with Red subtly looking in the man's direction.

Ah. That had been a mistake. The knight's eyes grew wide in recognition and his body began to move. At once, Red sent a murderous command his way. The man paled and his knees buckled, but he remained standing. Though it still drew attention from people all around.

Eirwen spoke with a chuckle. "Red, behave. There is no reason to threaten someone just because he looks at me a bit too long." She reached out to his head and pulled him closer, giving him a kiss on his cheek. "Be nice. Jealousy doesn't suit you."

Taking the hint, the knight quickly turned away and moved at a brisk pace, while several suspicious gazes trailed him. As for Red, he blushed a bit at Eirwen. "Yes, miss Snow. Apologies." But his mind was sharp as a knife, mentally asking Eirwen for permission to carefully trail the man. She approved. Her senses were better, but he was better at hiding his surveillance. And there were plenty of people who would take offence to someone snooping around.

Fang found them soon after, escorting them to the inn they would be staying at tonight. Less luxurious and without separate bedrooms for Eirwen and Red, but still offering enough privacy so that their group didn't have to share their rooms with strangers. All the while, Red kept tracking the knight and mentally sharing his findings with Eirwen.

The man took a few detours but eventually arrived at a large house with a fence around it. Right now, there were over two dozen people present, including staff. The knight quickly made it to the study where several people were present, including someone Red easily identified as former Vicomte Cormac Dorcha.

At this point, Red subtly eavesdropped, while sharing it all with Eirwen. The knight knelt and spoke with haste. "Lord Blacktree, the Duke is in town. He realised I recognised him and warned me just as I was about to kneel, that if I got on my knees, he'd cut them off."

Eirwen would have liked to see their faces, but Red only observed sound and mana. That did let her sense Dorcha's suppressed dismay. "You met Aodhán? And he threatened you in public?"

"Yes, milord, though with his mind. But then a lady interrupted him and said out loud he shouldn't act jealous. She gave him a kiss and called him Red, milord."

Dorcha froze at that. Ah, he knew then. Confirming Eirwen's conclusion, he asked with care. "She called him Red? You're sure of that?"

"He is."

All present froze as Red's addressed them. Eirwen knew he had used mental commands to great effect in the war. No doubt they realised who was addressing them.

"Make sure your people don't kneel for me, Cormac. I don't want the attention that's getting me. We are here incognito. I need you all to stay out of our way."

They actually saluted as the man responded. "As you command, your Grace!" A mental roar answered them, furious enough that even Eirwen did a step back in shock.

"Do not call me that! None of you get to ever call me that again! I am not your Duke, Cormac. The only chance you had to treat me as such, was at the funeral that Eirwen granted me! Aoife knelt with hatred in her eyes because she thought me dead, but she knelt all the same. Darragh, whose life I had bargained for with my own, requested and was granted permission to protect the territory you had abandoned. They got to say their goodbyes, greet me as their liege with tears in their eyes. But you weren't there, because you had fled. So you lost that chance forever."

The man stammered at that. "That hardly is fair! You gave us the choice, and we still left the territory behind protected. No cowardice motivated my actions!"

"I ordered you to mourn me, Cormac. Yet here we are and you and yours call me by name and wish to kneel before me, rather than for their rightful leader. Make no mistake. The man you served is gone. My name died the same day that my father did, and its remnants burned alongside his corpse. There are no Flamehearts left in this world. Call me Red, hound, weapon master, a nameless bastard for all I care. But do not ever address me by a name or rank that Eirwen did not bestow upon me. I will not stand for such treachery."

Eirwen could tell they were shocked, swallowing hard at Red's warning. But the man was no fool. "The woman that kissed you. I take it that was Duchess Verglas?"

"Yes. And right now that's all you need to know. Good day, Cormac."

As he withdrew his senses, Eirwen looked in his eyes. To her surprise, the fury was still there. So it hadn't been performative. He actually raged at the suggestion that anyone still saw him, not her, as their ruler. 

She wasn't sure how to feel about that. It wasn't his madness talking, it was his own resolve. Which meant that the man had better get in line. Eirwen would hate for Red to have to kill him. She knew he would.