Age of Heroes

Arial

1014 AF Fallmonth

Roaring Dragon Castle

The messenger is waiting for his response after giving the news.

Arial pondered as the messenger informed him that West Palais had answered his summons. Good, very good, he thought. Let's hope this dealing has a peaceful conclusion.

He nodded and then another messenger came and reported to him

"He has arrived, my lord," said the messenger, jolting Arial from his deep contemplation.

"Let him wait in the grand hall," Arial ordered.

"As you wish, my lord." The messenger nodded and quickly relayed Arial's orders to the other servants.

Arial got up from his chair and went to the sink to wash his face.

Staring at the mirror, examining his tired face, he recalled all the events that had happened since the ball: Kyle and Lisa had begun training a new recruit while Helia had met with a few nobles in order to gain their continued support; and the most important event, one that had filled Arial with anxiety, was Alderam's refusal to accept the truce, which forced Arial with no other choice but to face him in battle.

The joy of the ball seems to be wiped out by Alderam stubbornness.

What a fool, Arial had thought while reading Alderam's letter.

The king's older brother was a poisonous leader who harmed everyone who came into contact with him.

A true leader set a trail for others to follow. A poisonous leader, only leaves his follower in a more horrible state than they were in before.

There are many styles in leadership.

The forceful leadership, centralized power in one entity, whether it is a King or a great lord.

Then there is the participative leader, actively seeking approval from the other influential families, but that is highly ineffective in times of war.

It boosts supports and decrease malcontent but sacrifice power in doing so.

And then there is the free rein style mostly applies in the Principality of Freya.

They allowed much freedom to their subordinates but it also diminishes their power, eroded their unity and slow to response in times of great urgency.

In Arial past life, Principality of Freya was the fastest to fall compared to the other Kingdoms. They are free, and freedom doomed them. They are divided. Unity is not their strong suit.

And Alderam? He belongs in the poisonous style of leadership. Leaving his follower in a worse off condition than other type of leadership.

He did not know that his actions would spell doom for the entire Kingdom.

Making matters worse was that he had declared himself King of Alan, making the same move as Adrian, but this time without the Church's support, at least not in Cori, for the Church there did not respond to his advances.

But another Church did, proving once again, the Old Empire means to meddle with the internal matters of an independent realm is still pretty much existent.

Vern Church gives him the authority to claim the throne of Alan.

Arial had assured his army that the war would be won, and swiftly at that. He was certain, especially now that the Lords in the East had promised to lend their assistance.

The West has almost been pacified but they have been in battle for long so Arial asked them to fortify their defenses.

The East will take the sole control for the invasion to the North.

From the beginning of the war, Arial forces did not deploy that many troops relying on other lords that swear fealty toward Adrian and his personal army to conquer and persuade the other houses to submit.

But now, his troops are well rested and they are trained in great detail, on the geography of the North, their fighting styles, the terrain, their weakness, and they can finally be deployed.

Now, the only thing that is left to do is to fight. He looks his face once again in the mirror and staring him back was his eyes full of determination to fight.

He smiles. Every step of his life from the moment he come out the womb of his mother is a fight

Arial got dressed and made his way to the hall.

"Announcing the Count of Acro, Regent of Arrandy," said the doorkeeper as he opened the door.

After his father return, his father should have assumed back his control of his dukedom.

But after seeing him so accomplished in ruling the duchy, he then decided to designate him as Regent while his father and mother would take care of Adriana.

Arial have no complaint with it since he already almost controls everything in the Dukedom.

And while his father is no shrewd politician or a cunning noble, he does know that it would do no good to change the leadership in the military matters, not when Aria have the full seaport of the House military on his back

Arial is a talented commander and the whole Dukedom knows it. He has never lost a battle and had won the East and the South.

And everyone knows that the relationship between the father and son of the Vermont have always been good.

Aries Vermont is not like any other lords that wanted to keep power and envious of his own offspring like any other nobles.

Many nobles fearing losing power even to their own sons. Clearly that kind of problem did not exist in the Vermont family.

It even almost seems like Aries Vermont is not that interested in the title of Duke.

Such relationship between father and son is enviable. The father is generous and the son is capable.

And Arial always wanted his father to live happily. Well, it is true what people say.

Once you lost the one you love, that visceral pain that sears your heart, like being branded by pain, you will never want to experience that pain again.

And he has lost his father once. Never again. At least not that way.

Arial understand that all people will die, but at least for his family, he didn't want them to die such a tragic death.

And now that he has a sister, Arial desire to let his family live happily becomes more intense. Their happiness is as important to him as his life.

Arial have lived in a world without them, and what he found out was this. Living in such a world was a hell in itself.

Their death changed him. That is the one thing he wouldn't deny. It leaves a hole in his heart, where no companion or wine, or dreams could ever fill.

he doesn't want them to leave him, at least not that soon.

he wants his father and mother to live a long life, fulfilled and happy, leaving this world with a content smile, leaving the world a better place than when he is born.

That is what he wishes for his parents. Then the he takes a step into the grand hall

Arial was immediately greeted by West Palais. "My lord," said West, kneeling.

This scene could evoke inspiration to painter if they see it. An honorable young knight, kneeling, offering his loyalty to a great lord.

Both men were powerful. Both men were charismatic. One has a long white hair, unrestrained and giving an air of a King, while another was blonde, his hair looks like he is kissed by the wind, his face is a blessing by Light, charming to look at, and his honor is unblemished.

In the hall there is only him and West and the crier. The crier looks at this scene with awe.

Arial turned to the crier, who was the only one present in the room except them, and ordered him to leave.

"My lord," said West. "What is the reason for asking me to come meet you?"

"Cut it out," said Arial, visibly irritated. "We are the only ones here. Call me like you used to when we trained together at the Academy."

"Propriety must be maintained," answered West. "I have sworn fealty."

"To the king, not to me," said Arial.

"True, but you are of a higher station."

Arial chuckled. "You are still the same man. A stickler for rules. That is the only thing I did not like about you."

"I'm sorry to hear that, my lord."

For a moment there is a brief silence between them, gauging each other. Then Arial put his arm around West and motioned him to walk with him.

'Walk with me, West' Arial said

"As you wish, my lord"

And he followed. West is behind him, walking slowly as not to pass him. Arial then ask him, without turning his face to him

"What are your intentions?" Arial continued, his tone inquisitive.

West stopped in his tracks, feeling as if the sudden tension was holding him back. "I do not understand, my lord."

Arial smirked and then said

"Do not insult my intelligence, West. Do you expect me to believe that you swore fealty towards King Adrian without any ulterior motives?"

Hesitating, West answered: "I believe in the King."

"You hesitated." Arial said

"Because the question is shocking."

"Is it?"

"It is!"

Arial turned around and looked into West's eyes, staring fixedly to see any signs of lying.

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Part two is tomorrow. Anyway, this is the meeting between two young lord. Hope you like it and leave some commenst and please leave soem reviews. Hopefully it is aflattering review