Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 99: Crossing path (1)

1014 AF FALLMONTH

Arial waved at the seamen as the ship docked. Merchants and traders scurried about, muscling each other for position.

He looked as the sail is thrown off and the sailor beginning to sail from the Port. Arial waved at them. He could see their large and many cargos. he inspected them himself yesterday.

There is a lot of trade product that the Vermont family are trading. 

The merchants and trader all howling orders, while some ship just came from other lands came and brought out their wares from their ship.

Food, salted fish, silk and so many others. While the traders would bring many exotic stuff from worlds away.

Today Arial got a little bit excited

His parents will return today with his little sister. He got the letter last night. They also said that they will bring a surprise guest.

He now has just return from the port after checking the ships and the traders. The moment he returns he got reports from his people about the situation of the war.

From the report, battle does not happen that frequently like in the beginning but there are still some battles that happen along the border of the north.

Mostly between the nobles that support Alderam rather than Adrian claim.

Sporadic battle around the west also happens every few days but in the south most lords have already sworn fealty while the people in the East is still in relative peace.

Right now he is waiting for both Alderam and the King replies. Alderam on the matter of the truce, the King on the matters of West.

If Alderam persist to continue with his foolishness, knowing that he would be easily crushed, and still refuse to bend the knee, then Arial knows that he will need to march to the North with all the troops he can muster and give him a slap back to reality

The King on the other hand, it is his test of him. Would he believe his loyal subjects? Or would he believe rumors and false words?

Arial was informed by some people in the Royal Court that there are some sinister forces in court that tried to sour their relation. He will not have that.

But if the King decided to not trust, Arial have to make preparation for the worst case scenario.

There are also the matters of an agreement with Vern, as Arial Spymaster informs him, that Alderam is persuading some lords in Vern to aid him.

He of course does not want to be involved in military conflict with other nation not when the Dukedom are already so occupied with this war.

Other than that he also planned to bestow Duchy of Derion to Althea house after the war is over.

It would also help him to have a duchy that loyalty is not questioned, loyal to his territory. If anything happen he can quickly raise their banner without scruples.

The South yesterday defeated another lordly house by the Blacktons and the Three Brothers.

While some of the noble house of Manderly to meet another one of his allies, the Blacktons son, the oldest one of them was sent to contain them from ever reaching the other part of the South and gained control.

They clashed and at first the young lord of the Blacktons was in bad shape they even retreat at the evening, but then in the morning with newfound resolve he retaliated.

But then in the nick of battle, the rivers lords arrived where he drew support from his banner men, who have extensive battle experience, especially after also pacifying the rest of the region.

While the Manderly has little soldier, almost little to none experience, an augmented army by slaves clearly bought in Freya.

That is a wrong act, a dishonorable act to use slave to do a free man bidding and not to mention owning slaves itself is abhorred, despised, and damnable offense by the Church.

They fought in a terrain that has three valleys, cutting through the limestone escarpment whose dip slope roses gently from the north of the Soutshire plain, a beautiful place, fill with green grass, as Arial himself once pass by that place in his Academy days.

The superior force of Blacktons and their experience helps in defeating the Manderly, especially because of the congestion caused by the Blacktons with their archers, followed by an infantry charge, the Manderly line broke where many of them were taken prisoners.

Arial have already sent a letter to the Blacktons to handle the prisoner as he saw fit.

By now surely the South has heard the Manderly defeat and surely now, they will see reason.

Then there is the matter of West Palais. West on the other hand is another matter. Son of Henry, and he wished to know West true intention.

Does he have an alternative intention or is his heart true? If he is true, then Arial hoped him to be mediator.

If not, then he would be a hostage in his castle.

He is a friend but in the war Arial need to aim for a quick and swift victory, before this war gets any longer.

Then a horsed messenger came and informs him that his parents are already at the city gate waiting for him to come.

The castle is busy today. You could see they are all rushing around the courtyard, even the guards are fidgety.

The preparation is being set up to receive his parents. And his little sister. His little sister. He found it weird to say it like it is not rea;

Her name seems to be Adriana, as a sign of respect for King Adrian. It would be good if she would be betrothed to the King, but he will not force such decision on her.

It would deepen their relation with the royal family and may ease King Adrian heart

"May I take your coat?" Arial's aide asked.

"No, I do not want to catch a cold."

"As you wish."

The aide looked around; the people around him were one big blur.

"I believe they are here," said the aide. A caravan had appeared and the crowds had begun to kneel. Arial looked around and saw his father waving at him as he emerged from the convoy.

"Son!" his father yelled.

"Lord father!" Arial said, kneeling.

"Come here and let me hug you."

Arial got up and hugged him.

It had been so long since he had last seen his father.

Arial hugged him tightly and noticed that his father felt stockier. The life of luxury has aided his health, he mused.

Suddenly, his mother stepped forth to greet him.

"Mother!" Arial hugged her tightly as well.

"My dear little boy," she said, patting his back. "We've brought a friend."

His mother stepped aside and there appeared Kyle, holding Arial's little sister, Adriana, who had been named in honor of King Adrian.

'Thank you Kyle' Arial mother said

Then his mother hugged him again

'How is my little boy?'

'I'm no longer a little boy mother' Arial said

'You're always going to be my little boy,' his father hearing this conversation between his son and his wife laugh

Then Arial hug Kyle

'It has been hard on you dear friend'

'More you than me' 

They looked at each other and laugh

'You must join me tonight at the tavern," Kyle said. "We have to catch up."

'Me, no.'

'Why? Won't it make such a scene if we both play in the tavern, seducing some maid' he said

'Like old times' he nodded pleading Arial with his eyes

'Firstly, I never did go to tavern to find a maid. And I never seduce anyone'

'Yet, all the girl always fawns on you.'

'Then consider it a favor to you that I will not attend the occasion' And Arial chuckles

'Hahahaha.' He laughed 'maybe I should consider it a favor. But my friend, I, tonight will go to the tavern and as surely as the sun will rises in the morning, I will bed some girls that night'

'What did I hear you say young man?' Arial heard a shrill behind them

'Countess Alissa!' Arial said slightly flustered and then look at Kyle who is paling on the face right now.

'What did my son just said?' She looks at Arial and at Kyle

Kyle looked at Arial gesturing him to cover up for him

'Kyle was saying he has an appointment tonight. '

'Really?' Count Alissa snorted, her expression shows that she is not falling for such obvious lie.

'And this talk about bedding?'

'He said that then he would go to bed immediately' Arial offered. Aries hearing this laughed out loud.

'Let them Alissa. Young boys.'

'I do not approve such games' Count Lethe suddenly appeared and stand beside his wife, looking sternly at his son.

'Father, mother, wouldn't this conversation be better served in the privacy of the castle?' Kyle said. Arial took that as a signal and he whistle and Fire Bringer cantering slowly to the caravans.

'Let me lead the caravan'

Kyle rides beside Arial.

'Where is Lisa?" Arial replied, changing the subject.

"She is with a surprise guest."

"Who is it?" Arial asked curiously.

"Someone you know."

"Some lord?"

"Some lady," Kyle replied.

"A lady?"

"Yes."

"Blue hair?"

"No."

Arial heaved a sigh of relief.

"Do you know any blue-haired lady?" Kyle asked.

Arial remember his fight and he also fears that the woman would ask him to honor the marriage finding match.

He reply

"No. Anyway, who is this surprise guest?"

"Some lord's daughter. I'm sure you will be surprised when you see her." Kyle said, though if Arial look more closely he could see Kyle is smiling bitterly.

"I would look forward to that then."

Arial and the entire convoy were led to the castle as trumpets blew and bards and minstrels played their songs in celebration of the Vermont family's return to Acro.

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Part two will be posted ina few minutes. Hope you like it and leave some comments