The absence of Marcus and his crew could not be avoided forever. There were other captains who were beginning to speak. And Aidan knew that if he didn't answer their concerns, they would begin to mutiny.
He had also confirmed that this was not an accident. They were ambushed and blown apart by what appeared to be the act of barbarians.
No… That wasn't right… Their methods were cruel, and their disregard for brutality was certain. But to pull off what they did, it required a degree of professionalism that Aidan and his men had not come across.
This is what haunted Aidan during the night, looming over his dreams, preventing him from getting proper sleep.
Until now, he and his men had acted largely with impunity…. Nobody existed in the region that could challenge them, they were too many and too aggressive. Mobility had been their greatest advantage, and most people would rather surrender and pay tribute than fight.
