Age of Heroes

A few years later finally he is stationed in the very same unit with Lisa. And his love blooms again, like it never before and this time it's different.

He no longer has to worry about his heart for he is no longer betrothed and his House is not the one that would care for background right now.

He no longer has the chains that bind him before…and he will not let it chain him again. But still his own shyness is hard to overcome. But he knows something must change, now that he is given this chance.

Today is the war council after the battle helping Lord Summersill.

The war council convened.

"My lord," said Ser Hugh displeased. "It is not well for a girl to meddle in the work of a man."

Lisa looked at him and chuckled. "Do you have something else to say or should we take it outside and see who the real girl is? I am a Knight Sister of the Order of Alan and of a higher rank than you!"

Some lords shook their heads in disgust. Sir Hugh looked as if Lisa's words had struck a nerve.

West understood the point that Lisa was trying to make. But lashing out like this was not the way to gain any recognition.

He had learned that in his father's court. Sometimes, beautifully crafted words were more persuasive than words coming from an angry heart.

"My lady, I did not wish to insult you," Ser Hugh said, trying to calm her. West look at Ser Hugh and while other people couldn't see it, he could see it. This Ser Hugh is interested in Lisa.

"Shut up!" Lisa shouted, her eyes feral like she wanted to kill the knight.

West smile looking at her. That fire in her eyes. She is still the same. And to meet her again, is a God given chance.

Another lord raised the same concern.

West could not interfere because he was not part of the main army, though Arial had promised him, after the next battle, if he distinguishes himself, he would be promoted.

Then Helia tries to defend Lisa

"Enough!" Arial yelled, and the bickering stopped. "Do you doubt my choice?"

The lords sat silent. Then Lord Paris spoke.

"My lord, we did not wish to anger you," Lord Paris replied, "only to advise you. But to bring a lady of questionable birth to join our expedition is a little, you know…"

"Oh, what should I know?" Arial replied. "Are you also insulting my family, Lord Paris?"

"No, no, no. I meant no such thing." Hesitated Lord Paris, trying to cover his faux pas.

"Then it is better to keep your mouth shut, isn't it?"

Lord Paris nodded vigorously.

"I will hear no more of this." Arial said in a booming and clear voice. "All I care is whether you can fight in battle. I care not if you are a woman or a man. If Lisa proves to be useless in battle, I will remove her from the battlefield; however, the same rule applies to any man. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, my lord"

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The battle of North Fort was long and arduous, but the Dragon forces came out victorious.

It was during that battle that West understood why Lisa had rejected all the wedding proposals she received before.

It was because she was in love with someone.

West could not help but notice how worried Lisa was about Lord Arial's well-being.

During battle, her eyes were always on Lord Arial, watching him with the same expression West had when he looked at her.

In all probability she likes him.

He could see it clearly during the attack.

While his eyes darted at her, her eyes only watch Lord Arial back, watching it with the same face and expression he has when he longed for her.

A person in a one sided love could spot the same kind of people like them.

And then when he looks at her seeing Arial like that he wished that she could look at him the same way

And greed filled his heart, to be loved like that and for the first time he sees a chance.

So, she doesn't like him…That's alright. That is because she doesn't know him yet. Smiling, he could not help but be excited.

He can pursue her now. The him right now can pursue her and not worry about anything. He can stay true to his heart desire without soiling his family name, his honor intact

One day, West entered Lisa's tent. He observed her drinking water from a goblet, water dripping from the edge of her mouth. She turned around and looked.

"Hello West," she said.

Seeing her, and for the first time in a long time, having the courage to do something about his feeling, make him smile all of a sudden.

Though he knows what he is about to do is not quite honorable he still will do it.

The winter wind passes by him. Yet, he doesn't even feel the cold, his heart beating as fast as a warhorse running in the prairie.

He almost forgets the words he wanted to say. The winds of winter feels like the wind of spring. She looks like her mind is wandering.

And even in that moment she looked beautiful. What is she thinking about? Arial? He thought to himself.

"Dreaming again?" West asked.

"Maybe. Why did you come here?"

"Just checking up on you." He replied with a smile. With that dreamy look in her eyes, he was pretty sure that she was just thinking about Lord Arial.

"Alright, now tell me the real reason you came here. I know it's not because we're best friends. Even at the Academy we were not that close. More like enemies. The Four Greats and the Four Lions."

West was in shock. He had never considered her an enemy.

"What makes you think that?" he asked. "During our time at the Academy, I never treated you like an enemy. My lady, I am hurt to be accused in such manner."

"I'm no lady and I don't think you are hurt."

"Yes, you are a lady, and true, I am not hurt. More like pricked, really. To have such an opinion of me proves your friendship was not true." He lied while holding back the deep pain in his chest

"Fine. Will you tell me what you're doing here, Sir West?" Lisa said with a sigh.

West sat down on a chair. "Can I ask you one thing?"

"Go ahead." She curiously answered.

He grinned, "You like Arial, correct?"

"Pardon?" She looked so shocked that he immediately understood that he was right.

"You like him. A one-sided love from the looks of it. With all your heart. A one-sided love with your friend's betrothed." He said to himself. Only when he heard the noise of the broken glass did he understood that he had spoken aloud.

"That is enough." He pressed again before she could say anything back to him, "Your livid expression just answered my question."

West got up with a satisfied look on his face and left the tent.

At least now he can meet her under the pretext of her secret.

Cowardly?

Yes, but not many people can be brave when faced with love. Death is undoubtedly easier. Love on the other hand is more, if not, more terrifying than death

"What? Hey! Wait!"

West continued walking as if he had not heard her, whistling a tune.

✽✽✽

"What do you want again?" Lisa asked as she entered his tent.

"Help me find a map," he said pointing at some boxes. "I seem to have misplaced it."

"You still remember our deal, right?"

"You're not searching…"

Lisa grumbled and complained as she searched for the map. West thought she looked cute when she was angry.

He also heard the rumors around the camp that he is trying to court her. Well, they are not wrong.

"Here it is!" Lisa yelled, showing West the map.

"Bring it here."

Lisa handed West the map and he laid it on the table to study it. Seeing that he was in deep contemplation, she almost turned around to leave.

"Read that book on the table while you wait."

Lisa looked at the book on the table.

"Fine!" she replied. West could hear the anger in her voice but didn't care.

Lisa opened the book and began reading intently.

West stared at her and chuckled.

Before and even now, the most mesmerizing thing about her, is this. How does she look this beautiful even when she's angry?

I didn't know that someone could look sensual reading a book, he thought. She looked back at him and he quickly lowered his gaze. I hope she didn't catch me staring at her.

It's not that he wants her to be his maid. It's more like he wants her to be close to him. Every day, even in this time of war, his heart blooms with happiness.

He knew the opposition of some nobles about her presence in the camp. And he hoped that by reading this, she would learn the art of persuasion and compromising.

She opens the book and read intently.

He chuckled a bit.

In the beginning she hates it but this time she looks more accepting towards the idea. Even her behavior is more graceful these days.

He couldn't help but stare at her, the way her hair falls from her shoulders, or the way her lips puckered up when she encountered some difficult words.

West continued studying the map.

He noticed a weak spot on their formations that the Lords had certainly missed and decided to immediately report to Lord Henry.

"It's alright now," he said. "You can go as I have to meet someone."

"Why so suddenly?" Lisa asked.

"I must go," he said and hurried outside.

"AAHHHHH," for some reason he could hear a yell from his tent. He chuckled to myself. She must be feeling a little frustrated, he thought with a smile.

When West returned a few hours later, he noticed that his diary was missing.

"Oh God! The poem!" he said to himself blushing furiously. In the missing diary was a poem he had written and dedicated to his love for Lisa.

He searched the tent furiously but could not find it. Lisa has it, he thought.

✽✽✽

HELIA'S TENT

"May I come in my Lady?" West said, bowing.

"Who is it?" Helia yelled.

"It's West Palais, my lady."

"Come in, West!" Helia answered, inviting him to come inside. "I will be right back."

She left the tent, leaving West alone with Lisa.

"Did you see my notes?" Lisa interjected.

"Did you take my book?" West asked, his heart was beating furiously.

"What book?"

"A book is something that you either write in or read." He couldn't tell her that it was a diary, nor what was in it.

"I know what a book is."

"Then why ask?"

"Are you saying that you came here, angry as hell, because of a book? Your priorities are skewed."

"To me it's important." He was having a lot of trouble holding back his anger.

West scanned the tent and his eyes narrowed in on a knapsack.

"You are suspecting me of thievery?" she said angrily.

She took the knapsack and dumped all its contents on the ground.

West picked up the book. "What do we have here, my Lady?"

"That… how… why… is that here?" Lisa said stuttering.

They stared at each other silently. West was relieved. It didn't seem that she took his diary voluntarily, so he was sure she hadn't read it. It was just an accident.

"Wait, I'll explain it to you," she said with a sigh. "Wait outside while I clean this mess."

While she cleaned the mess, West wondered if it would be better if they met the next day. He left her a note and walked away.

✽✽✽

In the Nearby City—North Plate

Restaurant

"When will this be over?" Lisa asked.

"You do know that you have to pay for this meal, right?" West said gesturing to the plate, he was getting an expensive steak as an apology for her taking his dairy.

Lisa rolled her eyes.

Lisa rolled her eyes. "May I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Why do you do this? Is it because of our rivalry when we were at school or is it something else? Do you hate me because I'm a woman in the troops? Is that it?"

West laughed and thought to himself: Well it seems that it's time to come clean.

He proceeded and told Lisa how he felt about her. He laid it all down for her while maintaining his facade of confidence.

Speaking clearly and unambiguously in a way to prevent any misunderstanding. And she didn't believe him…

"You jest, West, just like you always do." She said to him. Was his love such an incongruity? Then what about her love for Arial?

"Why do you like Lord Arial?" he asked her curiously.

A momentary silence fell between them while Lisa pondered his question. Finally, she answered.

"I do not know why you want to know or why I even have to explain it," she said. "Actually, Ser West, I've never actually know why I fell in love with him. It is a mystery to me too. But if I have to give a reason, maybe it's because I am familiar with him. Maybe it was because he has these qualities about him or maybe I like the way I am when I'm with him. The feeling I'm a part of something important. Since he was little, and I saw this myself, Ser West, he has vision himself as someone important, marked himself, I daresay, and since that day, I could not help but want to follow him, and maybe that is why. Or maybe…none of that. And since I know that I love him, each time I met him, my love increases and increases and so does the pain but maybe I'm addicted to the pain by now. Now, even if I don't see him in the morning, I will dream of him in the night."

And what an answer he got.

West sighed. Such passionate love, but like me she lacks courage, he thought.

She dreams of great love but she's too afraid. Like him. Eerily similar like him

Then he needs to give an advice.

West took a deep breath and said, "Then it seems you have a difficult decision to make. Either you bury your feelings, find someone else, or betray your friend by pursuing her betrothed."

"Ser West, my love is my affair to settle. It matches my attitude and I'm used to it." She replied defiantly.

"Even though it's painful?" he already knew the answer to that question

She is stubborn. One of the qualities that make him fall in love with her.

"It is a pain that I have learned to live with." And added, "Everyone says you are an honorable man. Please keep this secret for me."

Stubborn, he smiled. One of her best qualities.

He looked at her and by Light, she looks heavenly. He can say it now…. he pumps himself up. And he looks at her again but the words did not come out.

He smiles bitterly. Like her…. he too is lacking in his courage.

West fell in deep contemplation.

Someday, someday, when I conquer my fear, I will tell you all this again, but not now. Now, I need to tend my pain.

It's not easy to sit and listen calmly when the woman you love reveals her love for another man.

The pain is unbearable and almost suffocates him. She doesn't like me? That is what he thought and then there is this panic rising up in his heart

What do I do? He asks himself.

How can I make her fall in love with me? 

And this is his second question. Because he knows if he let go of her just because of this, he knows he would regret it all of his life.

"Thanks for the wine and the steak," he said as he rose from his chair and left.

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This one is a little long than usual. Next chapter we will be going to Dostov to see what happen there. Arial did worry about Dostov entering the war of the sucession if you notice what he was been saying before