Age of Heroes

ARIAL SIDE

The delegation returned with dejected expression. Arial is sitting inside his war tent with his commanders and captains and can be seen leisurely drinking wine.

Arial spotted the delegation coming to the camp and quickly the delegation hastens their ride to relay the news of Harald rejection.

Arial heard the news with almost an eerie calmness his hand still sipping the wine glass, and this disposition of his, calm and unaffected by the news even unnerve some of his commander.

'Humm' he said and he sighed. 

He doesn't look happy but he doesn't look angry either. It doesn't seem that Arial is discouraged by the rejection.

'My lord, are you fine?'

'I am fine Lord West. This is just the first attempt. It would have been better if we could solve this without killing so many people.' 

He said this and he looked behind his tent. 

Thousands of tents can be seen, soldiers sharpening their swords, some cavalrymen are training, archers inspecting their bows and arrows, and thousands more of soldiers.

Arial could only imagine the bloodshed and carnage that will happen if Harald did not agree to diplomacy. 

His soldier is too enthusiastic to kill Anglais Raxons soldiers.

'Will you send another embassage to Harald camp, Lord Arial?' this time Kyle asks.

Arial nodded.

'Maybe I should offer some more lenient terms.' 

'But the King said he will no-'

'Harald is not stupid' Arial said. 

Arial knows the King must have been incensed by his earlier attempt in negotiations. Go big first and then lower the price. 

He learned this during his merchant days following his father selling wares and product during their rise to power.

'Even he knows that my superiority lies in my army. Maybe they will come more men from the other county but that doesn't mean we do not hold advantage. With our discipline, even his army surpasses us it does not guarantee Harald victory. War is not won with numbers' He said as he takes another sip.

This time Arial send another proposal to Harald. 

And once again the delegation rides to Harald camp bearing a new arrangement that might spare the lives of the soldiers, another proposition of peace.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

HARALD SIDE

From the distance some soldiers could see a rushing cavalrymen is rushing to their war tent but they hold no weapons and the banner of the dragon is proudly being hold by one of the people in that company

This alone invites hostility and attention.

'Your Highness, look!' as one of the Knights in Harald camp pointed his finger to the oncoming delegation.

'Them again?' Harald said confused. He just sends them away a few moments ago. The delegation is allowed to enter the camp.

And like the previous time, this time the delegation once again relays Arial intention to make peace.

At first Harald wanted to rid them out from his camp but he thinks that he also had to listen as it is his responsibilities as the King of the realm and he has his own proposals.

'Tell me of the Duke proposition honored Bishop.' Harald commanded

'Lord Arial, Duke of Arrandy has asked us to relay his proposition for peace as intended. It is, that if Harald would consent to acknowledge Arial as King of Vangua, Lord Arial would assign the whole territory to him and to his cousin in law Girth, to your wife noble families to hold as provinces, under Lord Arial general sway. Under this arrangement Lord Arial would himself return to Arrandy, making the city of Acro, which is his capital there, the capital of the whole united realm.' 

And the delegation waited for Harald reply with bating breaths.

It takes some time as there is some silence after the delegation tell Harald of Arial proposition. Then the King decided.

'I could not, on any terms, give up my rights as sovereign of Vangua. I decline Lord Arial proposals.'

The delegation is about to return to their ride and tell this rejection to their lord, fearing the duke reaction.

'However I have a counter offer for the Duke' Harald voice ring out and the retreating delegation stopped their feet.

'I am willing, he said, to compromise the dispute, so far as it could be done by the payment of gold.' 

'Gold, Your Highness?'

'Yes, gold. If the Duke would abandon his invasion and return to his domain, giving up his claims to the Vangua crown, I would pay him any sum of money that he would name. That is my counter offer to the Duke of Arrandy.' 

Saying this he sends off the delegations as the delegation ride fast to the duke camp.

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ARIAL SIDE

Arial this time is training arms with some of the captains when the delegation returned. 

Cleaning himself from the dirt he welcomed his delegation and asks the delegation of his offer. The delegation then tells the duke of the King rejection and his counter offer.

'Gold? Gold? He said gold?' Arial snorted.

'Hah! Does he think I don't have gold! I have gold more than I can count!' Arial is clearly incensed. 

Not only Harald show him no face, no overture of any proposal of peace is entertained. Blood will be shed Arial mused. 

It seems war between them could not be avoided. They are both steadfast in their desire and ambition.

'Does King Harald do not understand anything about negotiation? I have given him the best offer I could have given, ensuring his safety and his men, his family and his wife family, his cousin and his cousin family, and even going as so far to give him the land as I rule them from Arrandy.'

Arial ranted as he tightens his grip on one of the practice lance.

"What more could he want when I have been this generous? Tell him I could not accept his counter offer. Tell him! That they will be blood!' 

The delegation just nodded fearing the duke would scold them. The expression on the duke face is not pleasant to look at, at this moment.

He is angered. And no one like to be in the presence of their superior when they are angry

Arial could not accept this proposal that Harald had proposed. 

How could he? He is the true and rightful heir to the throne of Vangua, and there is a point of honor involved, as well as a dictate of ambition to be obeyed, in insisting on the claim. 

But the other reason was that he knew if he let Harald maintain his rule and become powerful enough, sooner or later that power would become his bane. Vangua rise could not be stopped.

When that moment comes, a new Empire might arise. And Aetherland and Arrandy would be that kingdom that will be trampled under the changing of times. That is why Arial had to become the sovereign of Vangua and no Harald.

If Harald could put down the crown and give it to him, Arial did not have to kill them. As long a she could maintain power over Harald.

He was displeased and know that this matter would not end until one of them die.

And the delegation relays this news to Harald camp and the King nodded in understanding as the day began to pass.

It was a fruitless negotiation. Night is beckoning.