On Whose Side?

Elias could not sleep at all. Even after having a grand dinner or feeling of luxury of finest silk and soft matters, the nightmares of the past did not leave him behind. The moment he closed his eyes, Cladria's fake smile, baron's harsh beating and his time in the prison burned his soul and peace.

He left in the middle of the night. He could not waste time in resting when he had goals to achieve. The only sound on the barren roads were the hooves of his horse. Soon, he stood at the edge of the makeshift settlement at the land he had purchased earlier in the morning.

 his boots sinking slightly into the soft earth and watched as the smoke curled from a simple fire where pots hung, boiling meager stews. Children's laughter rang across the clearing even at night. They were not worried about the beats but their smiles were pure, free, untouched by politics or fear. But the moment their eyes met his, the laughter died.

Silence spread like a stain. mothers pulled their child behind her. An old man took a step back, shaking his head in dread. Several men moved subtly, gripping crude tools of whatever they could find in their home. knives, sticks, rusted metal and stood in front of him like a human wall. Their eyes gleaming with suspicion and silent threats.

When Elias did not move but kept staring at them, the tension in the air rose. A woman could not bear it anymore, she took a step forward and kneeled in front of him,

"Please, my lord," She called out in a trembling voice, "we mean no harm, we are just trying to survive."

Elias said nothing to her. His gaze swept over the huts patched with cloth and timber and the baskets filled with herbs. the drying fruits laid out carefully on mats. These people had made something out of nothing, and now that nothing trembled before him.

A man stepped forward, younger than the rest but he had the courage to face a noble. He walked with his jaw clenched. "We don't want trouble. But if you are here to destroy what little we have, we will fight." His grip tightened on the short blade in his hand.

A few behind him murmured in agreement. Others lowered their heads, accepting defeat before a battle even began. Elias still did not speak. The wind rustled the trees behind him.

Then came the sound of hooves and clinking armor.A group of mounted traders appeared, flanked by guards. Dust rose in their wake like a stormcloud. The moment they arrived, the guards jumped down with an aggressive look on their face. Their actions were swift and they caught the armed commoners before they could react. One was forced to his knees; another's arm was twisted behind his back.

"Such uncivilized scum," spat one of the traders, dismounting with a heavy grunt. He was a round man with a bejeweled collar and a greedy glint in his eyes. "They dare lift weapons in front of a noble? If I were you, Lord Crestford, I would make an example out of them."

Another chimed in with a sneering laugh, "These vermin need to learn who owns this land now. You can't tame rats with kindness."

Elias' eyes moved slowly to the guards, then to the trembling commoners. The young man who had stepped forward was bleeding from the mouth, but he didn't cry out. He just stared at Elias with hatred burning in his eyes. It reminded him of the past where he was strong but helpless at the same time.

The traders continued with oily smiles as they watched Elias burning with anger. 

"We are here to help, of course. These kinds of people need discipline. My lord, you have never faced these kinds of situations. You need protection from these pests. You never know what they are hiding in those little huts. Or worse they contain plagues in their bodies. Let us clear the land, my lord. We will make it safe for construction."

Elias took a deep breath. When the traders smirked looking at his face getting darker, they were sure they had convinced him enough. But they were stunned when he finally said, "Let him go."

The traders paused and exchanged confused looks. "I.. pardon?"

"I said, release him," Elias said again with his eyes fixed on the guard gripping the youth's arm.

The guard hesitated, glancing at the trader, who nodded slightly, swallowing his protest. The youth was shoved back and stumbled, but he remained standing with pride burning in his bruised face.

"I gave no order for anyone to be touched," Elias said in a loud voice. "Do you presume to act in my name?"

One trader stepped forward, trying to salvage the situation. "We thought you would be overwhelmed. we only meant to assist. These people are dangerous. If you show weakness, they will take its benefit and harm you, my lord."

"They are not dangerous," Elias cut in. "They are desperate and desperation is not a crime in my land."

The traders were stunned. They looked at each other confused. Elias walked forward then and slowly approached the young man who had been seized. The crowd parted in wary confusion.

He stopped before him. "What is your name?"

The man looked unsure, but then raised his head. "Tomas."

Elias nodded once. "You have built lives here, haven't you?"

Tomas nodded slowly with his ragged breath ragged. "We don't ask for charity. We earn what we can from the forest. This had been our land from the start. Recently a noble discovered it and now they claim it belongs to the crown." 

"The whole land belongs to the crown." the trader spat with rage. He could not understand Elias's actions. "And lord Crestford had brought it paying a hefty sum so it belongs to him now." 

"You will continue to live here for now," Elias said, turning slightly to address the entire gathering. He completely ignored the trader who had taken his side, "I came to see if the land is suitable for building, not to raze it down from you. I will return soon with an offer. And I will speak to all of you then. I am sure we can come to terms if we discuss it well."

Everyone looked at Elias as if they were looking at a deity they did not recognize. There was confusion and worry on their faces of the deceit that might follow but the man still nodded earnestly, for he felt sincerity in Elias's voice.

Elias turned back toward the traders, his gaze now sharp with threat. "You speak of protection, but I find your presence more of a menace than a service. If I see you or your guards lay a single finger on any commoner again without my command, I will have your tongues nailed to your trade carts. Is that clear?"

The round trader's smile twisted into a stiff, terrified grimace. He nodded quickly. "O-of course, Lord Crestford. We will do as you say."

Without another word, Elias turned and walked back toward his horse, dust rising behind his heels. The moment he rode away, the air seemed to breathe again by the traders, they came closer to each other and asked,

"What would we do now?"