"They need you, Ava. You could give them hope," Aelion continued. "Let them see you standing beside them, and let them know they have someone powerful in their corner. Let them hope."
For a while, Aveline had been half-listening, more irritated by the persistence in his tone than by the words themselves. He had been pressing at her for some time now, trying to drag her toward some purpose he clearly believed was waiting for her, and she was beginning to feel worn down by it.
"What do you want me to do?" she asked at last, letting out a tired breath. "You have been nagging at me for ages."
Aelion did not seem offended by that, which only made him more frustrating.
"A noble is hoarding cotton," he said. "Almost half of what is needed. We have a plan. I need you with us on the raid."
Aveline stopped walking and turned to look at him properly.
"A raid?" she repeated.
