Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 151: The story written in blood (1)

The stage is still there waiting for him as he exited his tent. But he is not intending to use the stage today.

Lord Summersill hurrily approached him. He scans him and look at him again, his face shows his worries.

Arial nodded

'I am fine. Do not worry too much or you would affect the soldier's morale.' Lord Summersill nodded understanding of how this is important. He just nodded and then inform Arial.

'My lord, all is ready to hear you' he gestured him to the podium.

'Not from the podium' Arial said. Then he yelled to the stable master,

'Bring me my horse!' The stable master was shocked but quickly rushed to the sable. Lord Summersill was shocked at this sudden change of plans and Lord Paris was also alarmed. He quickly approach Arial.

'My lord,' Lord Paris come and it is clear he could guess what he is trying to do.

'You have just woken up. There is no need to strain yourself. Please do the speech at the podium'

As he was talking, the stable master has fetch Arial his horse.  Arial smiles as he rubs the head of his horse and his horse neighed happily.

'It has been a long time, Firebringer. I hope you are not too lonely in the stables' and his horse neighs again.

Arial need to do this kind of thing to convince his troops that he is still capable of riding into battle.

What is more impactful than seeing their young lord who were reported to have suffered grievous injury to give his speech on top of his famous steed?

He needs to show his troops that he is fine and alright. That his injury is exaggerated by the enemies

That their lord is still the invincible commander in the battlefield. Reputation means something.

Arial ignored Lord Paris pleading as he jumped onto the back of Firebringer. His horse nearly leaps away but Arial hold down the reins.

'Sssh, Firebringer' He whispers to the ears of his horse as he strokes his faithful horse. The horse that shared many of his adventure.

He then rides the horse, sauntering into the open field where they gather. The moment they saw the red mane horse; they immediately know that their lord has returned.

They are only one person that could ride the red haired horse, Firebringer and that is their young lord, Lord Arial Vermont.

The troops realize he was riding the horse and their face turns to joy and elation. They cheered loudly as Arial take his time to ride around the gathering, displaying to them no discomfort.

'Our lord, is alright' they cheered.

'Our lord is fine' they cheered.

Then after a full round Arial stopped and jump down from his horse. The cheering doesn't stop, as Arial smiles looking at his troop.

To the eyes of the troops it seems that their young lord did not suffer any grievous injury like they heard before.

And they cheered even louder. Arial laughed and then he held his hand up and like that hand is the whip they all return to their disciplined self and quieted down.

'MY TROOPS!' He shouted as his voice echoes to the entire area and it echoes endlessly

They listen and do not speak. They have known from the stern face of their young lord that tomorrow they will battle again. And this time it will truly be a decisive battle.

Arial will not be trapped in the same trap. he will put his guard up tomorrow. And he doubts Alderam will delay any more time.

Then he shouted with a blatant disregard of death

'I WOKE UP!' He yelled to them and they cheered

'HAHAHA' He laughed

Then once again he makes a calming gesture to the crowd.

'As I woke, my Knights and my lords, my troops even the messenger wish me to rest, and get well. And I am moved beyond words.' He confesses to the troops.

'Why!' one of the soldiers yelled from the crowd. Arial looked at the crowds and convey his gratitude.

Arial differences with other lords is that he never looks down on the soldiers. It is also the reason why the soldiers are loyal to him.

Arial spend time with them and at times even eat together with them and trained together with them disregarding their ranks and pedigree.

He is close to his troops and his troops are close with him. He answers the soldier question

'No human being could fail to be deeply moved by such words of kindness and expression of concern. It fills me with an emotion I could not express.'

The soldiers nodded. Then Arial decided this is the time to ease their hearts for the battle tomorrow.

'You all have known I suppose, that tomorrow we will once again take to battle?'

They all nodded. Arial then did something no nobles ever did to their troops. He bowed his head slightly to the troops.

'MY LORD!' Some of the noble's screamed to him of shock

'My lord!' Even the troops gasped and looked in disbelief. Surely it is hard for them to see a great noble bowing heads to them.

But Arial thought no such thing he did not find it humiliating for him to bow his head to commoners. After all, they are his people.

It is the least of expression of humility he can show them, for the friends they have lost in the battle, of their personal suffering that they endure and for everything else that might be inflicted in them.

Arial then looked straight back at them again.

'You all have served me with unyielding loyalty, and the people that I love and respect is none other than you all. Every one of my troops is a personality of honor, everyone serving a great moral code, even those who are not a Knight, I offered my bow to you for all the hardship that you had endured on my behalf.'

And Arial could see some of them have tears on their eyes when they realize the meaning of his words. They must have.... suffered and they must have suffered terribly

Then Arial stopped bowing as he raises his head. There is a solemn expression on his face as he looked at his men.

Then he pointed to his men

>>>>>>>

Part one of the speech.