Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 136: Banners of war (1)

ARAKATH

THRONE ROOM

As he finishes his morning meeting, Azrael was about to rest on his throne. He was just about to take a nap for a while before the next meeting.

He was slowly closing before suddenly he heard a commotion outside his throne room.

The guard doesn't seem to be in time to stop a person to enter the throne room. The one barging inside the throne room is a raged man.

Azrael eyes widened. This is one of his spies.

This spy is sent to monitor the lords of Arakath. In normal days, they would not show themselves and usually hides in the shadow.

Azrael got up from the throne. He knew whatever the case was, this must be something that is big.

'Be calm' Azrael said.

Then he gestures with his hand to his guard. His guard already encircle the man with their spear pointed toward the man.

'You are all dismissed' Azrael said.

The guards look at each other and then after looking at their King, they nodded.

They knew they have stumble into some secret of the royalty so they do not dare to ask too much or be in this situation any longer than they have to.

They immediately went out of the room as the spy slowly clams himself down. Sweat are still trickling down from his forehead.

'Now, speak' Azrael said.

The spy then said with his chest heaving up and down.

'Your Grace I have a disturbing new to report to you' He is still taking his breath. Clearly, this news shocked him the most

'Yes? Tell me' There is a hint of impatience in Azrael voice.

Gulping, his spy said cautiously

'Lord Mila Devonhurst has raises his banner and summoning the other lords, and begun marching to the Human Continent'

Azrael could not hide his shock at this time. His entire face seems to be flushed with blood. Lord Mila is not a normal lord.

He is also Azrael father in law, the father of Arianna, his beloved

'What!' he exclaims his surprise. He looks at his spy with a chilling glare. It is clear, that if the spay is feeding him a false report, that his head would be on a pike by the end of this day

Father in law? Why? He asked himself.

'Why?' He asks the spy. His father in law would not raises his banner without any cause. And why the Human Continent?

The spy clams himself down and reported to Azrael

'Lord Mila believes that something has happened to her daughter in the Human Continent. He had long lost contact with her and some people have been whispering dark thought towards the lord'

'What dark thought?' Azrael asked and his spy continued

'Many of the other Lords and even the Orc King persuaded Lord Mila that his daughter might be killed, and the human is responsible for it.'

Azrael had already slumped back into his throne chair. He closes his eyes trying to calm his heart but it could not be calmed.

'Argh!' Azrael smashed his palm onto the handle of the throne as the entire throne tremble.

'Doesn't he knows he is risking war with the human continent?' He said it to himself.

Arakath could not afford to engage in war or even the appearance that they are preparing a war against the humans.

If Lord Mila is continuing this line of action, the Ge'laer faction in the court might pressure him to aid his father in law and also marches the Demon army to the Human Continent.

Even though he is sure that his father in law is only intending to search for his daughter, he knows that the factions will use this to their advantages

This matter will undoubtedly be exploited by Ge'laer faction, and the Old Traditions.

It will probably not have received in such warm feeling from the humans who still, even after a thousand years treats us like they are the personification of evil

Azrael will not deny that what the Demon Lords did in the past was not honorable and the cruelty is beyond human understanding, but it has been a long and arduous journey

Since then, Arakath have changed. And for the better.

Even his father did try a reconciliation path with the humans.

But human's immediate reactions when they encounter a demon race in their land, is that they will immediately killed them, no trials, no question.

Is it fears that governs them or their long held prejudice? Azrael sighed as he bit the edge of his lip.

He is thinking of ways to minimize this incident and maybe prevent it from growing bigger than it needs to be.

This needs to be handled with great forbearance. He looks toward his spy and gesture him to dismiss himself. After the spy is gone, Azrael shouted

'Elkar'

Elkar who is in the next chamber heard the summon and rushed.

'Your Grace!' His voice is urgent no doubt he felt the feeling in the throne room.

And he might even be listening to his conversation before which is why he is also adopting such a grim expression.

Azrael made his decision and then he said to Elkar

'Send a royal decree. Dispatch General Balefor and tell him to lead a one thousand armored cavalries to stop the advance of Lord Mila before he reaches the Blessed Lands. Tell him the fate of the Kingdom depends on it. Tell him, if he failed to do what I asked, he will be demoted, his property seized'

'I will get right to it, Your Grace' Elkar could feel the tension in the royal palace as he immediately set off and rushed to the General Balefor residence

Azrael desire to take a nap is all but forgotten right now. He is trying to calm himself down in his throne room. He is now left alone in the throne room.

And he could not help but sigh deeply. His head is throbbing with pain.

Not even a yearlong in his rule and there is already potential of war. War, it seems excites every male blood, and it was like they desire it.

They know nothing about the human race other than what they learn from the book.

Azrael think that it should be a general rule that before you kill and wage a war against a population, you have to see them, up close and personal and get to know the people you are about to war against.

The burden of the crown is heavy. And war is not a burden he wants to carry on his shoulders. He would not let his name be indignified, muddy in history as a King who started a new Great War.

And at this kind of time, in times of uncertainty and doubts he remember of Ariana and her sweet playing, divine playing of the lyre and harp.

And her beauty, and her kindness

Is it true? Suddenly a question echoes in his mind. A tugging sensation gripped his heart. Did something really happen at her on the human Continent?

He felt nervous all of a sudden. 'Calm yourself' He said to himself.

Whatever it is, he need to have a discussion with Lord Mila first before they really march to the Human Continent.

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The dark storms are gatheirng closer to the Human Continent. Hope you like the storya nd like always leave some comments and love for the story. You could also help me later by subsrcibing to my youtube channel. Had to try everything that could put food on my table. Will be away for a while in February to in a vacation. Only a few days and it is domestic. Ok, I think this is TMI.

See you all tomorrow.