Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 132: Batlle of thea moor (1)

1015 SEEDMONTH

HARALD ALAN

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA

The sound of the seagulls rings through the air as the passes the ship. Harald sighed as he looks out from the deck of the ship. The waves move calmly as the wind pushes the sails.

The ship did not move that hard, the waves are clam and the sun is shining but that did not stop his grandmother from having her seasickness.

Her grandmother, old and frail could only puke in a bucket hold by their servants.

Harald sighed thinking about the circumstances of his family. Their passage to Alan is blocked, by the House of Althea so road travel is impossible.

So they could only choose the sea route to go to their family friends now that they are running for their lives, after the battle.

Harald sighed

'This is what my family have come to' he muttered under his breath

The House of Orleans, a great family friend is in Vangua awaiting them.

Their relations of the two noble houses is tight in part because Harald father, Lord Alderam have assisted the House of Orleans many times in the past

Harald lamented as he looks at the vast open sea in front of him

'Troubles and more troubles visit my family, like there is no end in sight of our calamity. Does the Light Above have no eyes!'

Harald could not help but despair in his current predicament but one day, he vowed to make himself a greater man, than his father and even Arial the Dragon.

He will reclaim back what is his one day. And he will rise.

Harald! They will cheer!

Harald! Will they fear!

Harald! Will they love!

His determination solidified after all the bitter experience he have experienced. There is nothing other than real life to help mature a person.

He looks at the opens seas for a while as the sight help him clam his cluttered thoughts. He then went back down to his cabin.

He saw his mother in his cabin looking at him worryingly. Harald sighed and there is a bitter smile on his face

He sat down on his bed and his mother got up and ask him

'Son, are you alright?' The worry in her tone is apparent and could not be hidden. Harald nodded and answer

'I am fine mother.'

In this ship, while it is not a large ship, it is enough for them.  There are some parts that is cramped a bit but it fits them and their family.

It is fortunate they could have escaped after what happens in Dostov. It is still a close call that they have managed to survive the tragedy

If not, their family would be sent to the gallows or the execution block.

His mother then nodded and then she nodded. Then she said

'I will look at your grandmother, son. She is still grieving.' his mother said and quickly she went to the other cabin to help his grandmother.

She is worried about Grandma, after what happen to grandfather. Harald closes his eyes and the sigh coming out from his breath is heavy and full of hopelessness.

Opening back his eyes he said to no one in particular

'The rise and fall of a family is always unexpected but through the ages the rising and falling of noble houses have always happens' He then opens up his drawer and brought out a small notebook.

He began writing of his eyewitness account in the diary, and his own perspectives describing what happen at the fateful day.

He started the content with the title Battle of Thea Moor

1014 WHITEMONTH

The battle has started. Or at least about to begin, one of the bloodiest, if not cruelest in Dostov. At long last, the decisive battle is here.

His grandfather is all but ready to prepare his march invigorated after his long rest and he is ready to march to the North and as it was his intention to proceed, escorted by the King Joseph, the Pretender of royal countenance, but what Harald could now see in hindsight, at least now, that he can see him in proper light after all that happens in the battle that follows, the King, The Pretender to the throne is impetuous and rash, which kind of reminded him of himself and his own desire to prove himself

His vassals, escorted then by their loyal banner man has arrived at the destination, some affording his grandfather army, which is the main army with the necessary supplies.

The weather had become favorable, not as Harald had predicted, and though still cold, the snow had disappeared, and a dry wind which had prevailed for some days had rendered the river Leep near the Thea Moor, the passage of which was considered the most formidable obstacle to his grandfather march, fordable. 

And this is taken to be a sign of great tidings and an omen of victory

His grandfather army move in motion, and after a short march, halted on the moor of Thea, about five or six miles from the river Leep. 

He then formed his army into three divisions, each about half a mile distant from the other, and in this order they advanced towards the Leep. 

Singing and dancing they all are, confident of an easy victory.

The left division, which was the largest, crossed the river while the other division followed, with great zeal to bring the Pretender to the throne and restore the line of the Original line of royalty and at the same time to establish a Lucellian Orthodox King.

In their passage across the river Leep, harsh and fast the currents, the men were up to their waists in the water, but, with the exception of the loss of a few of troops and knights, who were carried away by the stream, because of their heavy chainmail and equipment, no other terrible accident occurred.

At that time, Harald himself was in the back, preparing to guard and replace his grandfather, should he ever fall in battle. Of course, such outcome is undesirable for him

Harald make no conversation, not with his grandfather, nor the Pretender.

It is not his place to talk, and the other reason was because the cause of his grandfather, is not his cause. He did not believe what his grandfather believe.

Harald fight for the Pretender because his grandfather fights for the Pretender. Family. That is what it is about for him.

At that time, in the war room everyone was all solemn and fatigued. The stress of war is beginning to take its toll.

Fatigues and labors from the great campaign from the South, and the numerous inconveniences to which the soldiers had been subjected from the beginning, only their faith and honors, perseveres upon them, to march on this dreary path, walk the passage of rivers, and endure the cold and snow that surely will show itself to us, but the near prospect they now had of meeting the Terrisemites forces army upon their own soil, and of putting an end to the war by one bold and decisive blow, absorbed for a while all recollection of their past sufferings. 

'This is it' some of them will whispers.

This is where they are, they will sing in great hall and tavern after the battle, singing of glory and victory and great people they killed and capture.

That they were there, watching as they rise the old line of Kings to the throne and be revel in the pride of being there while other men seek hiding under their thatched roof, that they, the soldiers, were there risking their lives, fighting in great battles and emerge victorious, their song sang upon by bards and minstrel, while writers will write their story of valor which will in turn them not but a Knight but a man of immortal in the ink of writers and the song of bards.

The reason Harald grandfather went here is for the King benefits.

By drawing Terris Quinn to Thea Moor, who is known to lead his army here, it was generally supposed that the King could meet him on more equal terms than at other places, not to mention he have many more supporters here and inspire the other lords to join him if he appears to be courageous.

And the King suddenly halted his advance and shouted with a loud yell

'Drums the beat and the pipes as I march to victory' he yelled and the soldiers cheered, and the lords and the Knights.

They are underestimating the Quinn's forces too much.

Harald of course hope that the King wins but underestimating an enemy will prove to be disastrous for any King, Prince or commander.

Which is why he have an alternative planned already if the King loses today. He knows of such feelings.

Of underestimating an enemy only to beaten by such prejudice and notion. Arial, Lisa, Kyle, Heliaall prove of his own immature worldview.

>>>>>>

This si teh first chapter of the montyh. But huu...2020 did not get off in a good start. Australia is literally in fire, people drumming up for war, and then there is alos news of a plague. It was like we are reliving history of the past. Like Mikael said What use of studying history if all they do is forget it?

I am not going to rnat to much. I am scheduling thsi chapter and there is a mass release at the end of the month. If you see me asking whether I am not sure of releasing a mass release or not, ignore that. I schedule all that before making sure that I could do a mass release.

Anyway, hope next month we are all still living and not involved in some kind of a world war or something.