Age of Heroes

'Has he found a girl?'

'A woman' Arial corrected.

'Ah, of course. A girl could hardly move my brother heart. Do I know her? One of our peers perhaps or maybe some of the noble girls Kyle used to flirt before? Maybe the gullible daughters of Lord Osbert or the bodacious ladies of Lord Guilaurme?'

'None of them. You met her at the ball. The Empress handmaiden. The fair Isabelle'

'Lady Isabelle?'

'Yes.' Then Arial looks at Lisa and notices that Lisa has an uncomfortable expression.

'Why? Do you not approve?'

'Isn't she a bit cold to my brother? I watch her most carefully during the ball and while my brother has certain fondness of her, she does not look pleased with the attention. She looks indifferent.'

'I have the same thoughts but your brother seems really fond of her. I do not know what to say to him other than to encourage and give him support on the matter. Let see where that relationship goes before we judge.'

Lisa nodded.

'It's true. He can make his own decision without our help. Why should we meddle?'

'You meddle because you love your brother. It is understandable and allowed.'

'You and your words, Arial.' Arial smiles a bit, forced and bitter but he smiles and then he looks back outside.

'Why come to the Palace today? Since your husband went to Aetherland why not join him to meet your father in law?'

'You know how my relationship with my mother in law. I got along well with my father in law but….'and Lisa see the expression in Arial face and she said…

'She is difficult.' Lisa said cutting of her own sentence.

'Why stop?' Arial asked

'She is still West mother. I could not mock her.'

'Consideration for your husband? You have become considerate. How surprising!' Arial said in a teasing tone.

'I have become considerate. I have become loving. I have change, this I do not deny. But I don't regret it. Love changes people don't you think?' Arial look at Lisa and nodded.

'Yes…love changes people for better or worse. I guess you got the better part of the deal.' 

Lisa nodded and she recognizes that look on Arial face, the expression like he is carrying the whole world weight on his shoulders, all the grief and sadness. 

It was…an expression of sorrow. And it is an expression that is too common on the face of Arial

Then Arial change the subject.

'Where is William? My godson?'

'Hmm, Will would be happy to know his godfather cares about him. But unfortunately he follows his father to meet his grandparents.'

'Instead of me? I would bring him hunting with me on the Imperial Park, killing boars and its kind, teach him tactics of war, and he could follow me to watch plays in one of my hall. If I am in a good mood maybe, I will even teach him my sword techniques.'

Lisa chuckles

'Maybe that is why West would not let him went to you. You spoil him too much and sometimes you made him do dangerous thing'

'I was testing his limit' Arial reply 

'By giving him a sword when he was five?'

'It was educational.' Arial said nonchalantly

'What if he hurt himself?' Lisa ask

'Then that would be a priceless lesson, don't you think?' Arial smirked and Lisa just shakes her head.

'Sometimes I wonder why I made you his godfather. There are times when I wish you would not dote on him that much'

'West is too protective. I remember West when he was a teenager. He was fierce. And strong. He likes hunting but he won't allow his son to hunt? Remember when he takes that quest hunting a golden lion? He was all fired up about it and even prepares a year worth of supplies to hunt the beast' Arial said recollecting his memories of the past

Lisa chuckles.

'I remember! I remember! How could I forget? I could not forget the disappointment on his face when he found out it was a prank by the Poster of Quest.'

'Yes, me too.' And Arial laughed a bit. 

Then they talk about variety of topic, about Silas, about Venicia, about West, development in the Empire, about family. And then Lisa asks Arial.

'I heard…. about Ariadne. Is she…still in the tower refusing to step outside?' Arial nodded, as he smiles bitterly. 

'She is' He sighed and then said

'But what I'm most angry about is not her refusal but the reason for her refusal.' 

'And that is?' Lisa asked

'I don't know and that is what angers me. I…don't know. I'm afraid of doing the same mistake as I did with Helia. I understand nothing about my daughter.'

'Is that so?' Lisa said also looking at the blue sky. Then she turns his hazel eyes to Arial and said

'Though the only words I can offer is meager ones, I'll say that you are not alone, Arial. You have us. You have your friends. And a word of advice. Embrace today, love tomorrow. Let go of your past. You have mourned her enough. It's time to move on'

'How can I do that?' Arial said shaking her head.

'You can't can you? Because you're stuck in time. In a cage you built for yourself. A prison. And what is more inexorable then a prison you built for yourself'

'You and Kyle…. really like to lecture me. Are you here on his behalf or my mother?' Lisa chuckled and smiles at Arial.

'I hear the Empress is charming. And seeing her on the Ball, I guess her beauty does really match the poems poets sing for her. Beauty that shames the Yellow Sun was it?'

Arial just reply

'Charming…and dangerous. Such woman has thorns'

'Isn't that a perfect combination for you? Dangerous and charming. High estimation you have for her, Arial.'

'You jest with me.' Lisa sighed, seeing her friend unrelenting stubbornness.

'I will not lecture you heavily. Just remember…. you still have me. I know you will find the Light. I think you are destined to do something more than just moping around in the castle, lamenting to the open sky.'

He chuckles and ask

'What makes you think I'm destined to do anything?'

Lisa smiles and for a while the sun shines in the just right direction and it struck a halo like effect to Arial, almost like Arial was glowing with light, creating an almost holy like scene.

'Just a hunch, I guess. And maybe because of Helia'

'What does Helia have to do with this?' Arial said his expression turned hard.

'You remember when you were away, journeying the Dark Lands?' Arial nodded.