Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 146: The aftermath (2)

Not the first question one should ask after just waking from a near death experience, but as their leader and those who led them here, it is his responsibility to bear

Arial knows that they are worried about him but he needs to know what happen to the battle. He could lose the battle but he could not lose the war.

Have they retreated? Or did any significant victory have been achieved? Worries fill him but not about what is happening out of this tent and his troops.

Kyle looked at him like he couldn't believe what he is saying.

'THE BATTLE! You almost lost your life, dear friend!'

Arial just ignore him. He knows Kyle spoke like this because he is worried about him, of his concern over his health, but his priority is towards the people that sacrifice their lives for him.

Kyle for all of his virtue, does not understand the burden of leadership.

Arial could never forgive himself if after he collapsed, his soldiers died in his place or decimated because of him.

Kyle intention is noble, but Arial could not make him understand his position of a lord and the commander of the army.

'The battle' he said more forcefully and this time he turned to the other lord. Lord Summersill once again look back at his lord and smiles bitterly.

Kyle doesn't like being ignored. Lisa grabbed Arial hand and looked at him with worry.

'Rest, Arial! Please just rest, Arial!' She said looking at him with her red eyes, pleading sincerely, with eyes on verge of tears.

Arial smile a faint smile and shake his head.

'I don't think I can. There is much to be done' She cast her glance downwards as a sign of resignation of his stubbornness. He feels a little sorry but duty must come first in this matter.

'Lord Paris, give me a report' Arial said gesturing to the lord since he can see him. He hesitated to speak but he did his duty

'We are still fighting my lord, but for this past few days it has turned into a stalemate, our troops low on its morale while the enemies are still waiting reinforcement from the Verman, a noble family from Vern. It has been reported that they are now engaged in battle at Shanhai Pass in Vern. So right now we have the advantage of numbers.  The castle seems like it will have succumbed to our sieging in any moment but the lack of morale and fighting spirit among the troops will prove to be difficult. Praise the Light that you have woken up my lord. Surely the troops will regain back their fighting spirit.'

Arial nodded

'Are they outside waiting to hear whether I die or live?' he said noticing the clamour outside, hearing them reciting some prayers from the Book of Light

'I. yes, my lord. They were waiting. And surely their morale will soar when they hear that you are alive and well, my lord' he said with joy in his tone

He nodded. His face shows none of the pain he is experiencing right now. He can feel the pain in his heart that is slowly eroding his ability to withstand the pain.

The pain is tormenting to say the least but he shows none of the signs to the lords that have assembled themselves in his tent.

He thinks he knew what had afflicted him so badly. He knew this kind of pain that rendered him so helpless

At this moment he thinks he knew what Alderam did to him. This pain that felt like it is slowly eating around his lung and heart

He winced a little.

It is like his heart is beating in a tight cage made of steel thorns, scratching his heart and every time it beats, his heart feels like it being cut up, scratched with thorns and bleeding profusely.

'Did he really use that?' Arial asked himself.

Arial can feel his fingers trembling of the realization of what happens to him and what Alderam have inflicted him with.

He takes a deep breath and steeled himself. He shall show no weakness.

He need to shelf his worries and handle what he can right now. He looks at Lord Paris and said

'This evening I will do some round around the barracks. Tell the other lords to inform the troops. I will not forgive lack of discipline.' He is intending to give one last rallying cry and restore their morale.

'But my lord, this could not do. Not in your condition' Arial glared at him and the lord silence himself.

Lisa agree whole heartedly with Lord Paris

'Arial! You just woke up, literally from death. I felt your pulse when you were thrown off your house and I can't feel your pulse. You were dead for a few second. Please listen to Lord Paris'

Arial shakes his head and said

'And now I'm back to the world of the living. And, dear Lisa, I want to keep it that way. Is there no healer here?' he gestured to Lord Paris again

Lord Paris quickly reply.

'Some were called from the nearby cities my lord and one has heed the summon. By the evening he will come here, after all I sent some of our best men to fetch the healer.'

Arial nodded, the pain is still spreading in his body.

But his face is stoic.

None of the people in the tent could ever imagine that their lord is now withstanding such pain that it could made any of them beat their chest and smash their won head to the wall to relieve themselves of that pain

Arial looked at his bare chest now scarred but bandaged by poultice, and it seems it stopped the bleeding and helped with the healing.

'Who did this then?' he gestured to the herb poultice and the bandage around his heart. Whoever it is, it seems he has a basic understanding of medicine

'Ser West did.' Lisa said, her eyes glanced to West, an expression of gratitude. West, looking at Lisa, his face turns to red and just nodded his head.

'Knowledgeable' Arial compliment.

'Survival, my lord. Knight Agnaris teach me that.'

'Ah yes, Agnaris' Arial said with a little smile on his face, recalling the teacher in the Knight Academy who is very peculiar and who always keep an eye on him when he was there.

Arial never understand his obsession with him.

'You will be rewarded'

'I seek no reward' West replies and Arial only shakes his head. Then he said

'Tomorrow I will lead the battle myself.' he declared to everyone assembled. The lords were about to object but Arial one glare shut them all up.

'No longer' he said and his tone is laced with determination

'I will take that castle tomorrow.' he said and the lords knowing that they would not be able to change their lords mind only nodded.

'Tell them to rest today, for tomorrow they will be led to victory. Now go do your duty' he ordered.

**********************************************************************

Arial will having a great speech tomorrow so wait patitently.

Hmm, the more I read the news the more it seems there is less hope. i guess it is a matter of perspective. If you focus on the bad, then that is all you could see. Anyway hope you enjoy the chapter.

Dont forget to leave some comments and please vote for the story so more people could know about this story.

My dreams is to at least reach fifty in ranking. Only in the earlier days I could have reach that rank. And that is because there is not that many story at that time.

Huu. Or maybe I am not that good of writer. I really do have to work on my grammar but it kinda drian me when I have to check some grmaamr after finishing the chapter and having to keep writing. I really hope one day I coudl afford hiring some editor.

And this is the end of the mass release for today. Don't forget to leave some comments and give some gifts if you do not mind...hehehe