Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 171: His story (2)

BATTLEFIELD

What happens to Arial is something no one could have expected. It was shocking, unexpected and unprecedented.

To his allies, Arial the Dragon had always appeared invincible and so the impact of what happening now is something no one have ever imagined.

No one thought he would be attacked in such a sneak attack. They were just about to celebrate pushing through the enemy formation and then this happened suddenly.

By Light!' West could see it from afar as Arial slid down from his horse and fall into the muddy ground

In the ground, Arial is holding and removing the spear from his chest, blood spurting out like it was a hot spring just erupted from the ground.

The sound of him falling from his horse, Firebringer almost halted the entire battle. The soldiers stopped and look at his falling bodies, their heart thumping and fear crept into their hearts.

Arial the Dragon!

'My lord!' Someone shouted.

The pillar of the invasion army, the great commander of the Northern expedition. If he falls in battle, the morale will plummet almost immediately

Even though West just defeated the enemy's lords the joy is short-lived after the attack to Arial. Losing him is a terrible blow to their army

The troops that saw the event gasped in shock. Some was so distracted that they forgot to push the attacks.

Seeing their young lord fall reduce the morale of the troops greatly. As high as the reputation that Arial the Dragon have, so does the fall of such figure impact the troops.

"FETCH HIM, WEST!' Kyle yelled from the other side of the battle. He nodded.

He rushes through the battlefield as hard as he could, urging his horse to go faster.

Behind him, his knight protected him form any other attack, while those that are faster rush in front of him to help him rush forward inside this chaotic battlefield

West arrived almost immediately, his armor is soaked in the enemy blood. He quickly without words, hold up Arial in front of him

He then brought him back to their area. It sounds easy to describe but on his journey back to the friendly area, the enemy troops all tried to kill him and Lord Arial

Many of them believe that if Lord Arial died in this battle, King Adrian ambition to retake the North would also crumble with him

And in all honesty, that would probably be true.

The death of Lord Arial Vermont would not only shake the confidence of the lords towards the crown, it would also probably trigger a civil war in the region controlled by the Vermont family.

The Vermont's have no other male heir other than Arial.

If he dies, Aries would take back the Duchy controls. But. everyone knows while Lord Aries is generous and kind, he is just not like his son.

Killing Arial could create years of delay for King Adrian and the land might fragment even more if the lords of Arrandy decided not to heed the King orders

The only one that have maintained and unify all these lords is Lord Arial. Losing him is the worst case scenario.

After losing a few dozen men, West finally arrived back at friendly area

Kyle and the other lords held back the enemies' troops. The troops open a path for his soldiers and him to safely transport the lord. At that time, he could hear Arial is whispering, mumbling things

'Pain' he whispered, his face contorted into the most indescribable torment.

West could see from afar that Lisa face is worried, a face that she surely would not have shown if it was him that is inflicted with such fate.

Using some of the knowledge he has he quickly apply some medicine to Arial wound. West pouch has some herbs, thanks to Agnaris training in Survival lesson.

Always brought healing herbs and powdered moonstone enchanted by Archmage' he once remembered Agnaris lecture the student when he taught about survival in the battlefield.

Though that powdered moonstone is hard to get, but West come from a noble family and one of the most influential noble family

He had that when he was twelve.

West also had the chance to see the wound. Arial blood that flowed out from the wound is pure black. And it wouldn't stop bleeding.

he has some suspicion of what ails Arialbut he prays he was wrong.

He also tries a different kind of treatment.

He tries to channel his internal energy to Arial but his internal energy is blocked somehow from entering Arial body.

Quickly he rubbed the powdered moonstone to the wound but Arial screeched in pain the moment that power fell on his wound

At least the bleeding slowed down.

'Hang in there, Arial' he whispered. West is not a healer or anything, but it is clear to him that Arial is poisoned

But what kinds of poison that have such an effect like this? He has never seen a poison like this. But whatever poison it is, it seems Arial is in a terrible pain enduring it so it must be some potent poison

There is no other way of saying it. And West look toward the castle of Alderam and he spits to the ground

This is unhonorable conduct to attack someone sneakily like this.

That unhonourable Alderam. That coward! Hiding behind his castle walls as he returned to his hiding after finishing his deeds.

He glances at the castle wall and West did not even see that man shadow as their troops cheered.

'The dragon has fallen' they yelled. Not only he attacks his opponent in such a despicable manner but also even using poison.

Then a few moments later, Lisa went to them while his troops formed encirclement around the area to deter any attackers from coming here.  

In the way of her coming she slashes anyone on her way. She knows what happen. But she could not be sure. And she is coming to make sure.

This he knows.

Lisa came and she jumped from her horse and quickly rushed to Arial side and felt his pulse. Her face turned pale white.

West heard her whisper

'No,No,Nodon't leave me'

'He has no pulse' Lisa said stricken with worried and she hugged Arial, her eyes filled with tears, her cheeks which are red because of the blood that cover her face is washed away as she cried there, right in the battlefield.

It reminds me of a painting of Leliana grieving over the death of her lover.

'No, no, no' she cried and her expression is bewildered. For some reason, the more Lisa acted like this, the more heartbroken West feel.

he separates Arial body from Lisa. Then for confirmation he felt Arial pulse and he feel it. It is faint but it is there. he turned his attention to Lisa who is frozen there.

'Calm down. His pulse is erratic but he is still alive' he said

'Really?' She said and her eyes finally become clear and her color returned and hearing that Arial is alive thankfully, that calms her down. West ordered Lisa to open a path for us as the soldiers are retreating

'Open a path for us to return to Headquarters.' Lisa nodded.

'Take care of him, West' she ask, and there is a pleading tone in her voice. He nodded

With a last glance she led her banner man to open a path as he jumped to his horse with Arial on the back and sprinted to safety.

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ARIAL TENT

'How is he?' Lisa barges into the tent. Her armour is red with blood and her eyes are red. Bloodshot and swollen.

She had cry. Horribly, if he were to hazard a guess. West looked at Arial. She cried for him. She smiles for him. She worried about him.

She. loves him. West look at Arial and for some reason this one thought popped in his mind

How lucky to be him? For one moment, he felt envy towards Arial. he has never felt envious of Arial.

Arial has his fame, and he have his. Arial has his wealth, and he have his. But this? Seeing that she cried for him, it made West envious for the first time.

Speared and terminally ill, but to gain her love. West did not mind to suffer the same fate, if she could only look at him, the way she looks at Arial

Though he doubts Arial knows about Lisa feeling toward him. He is after all very single minded. West look at Lisa again. This is tragedy waiting to happen. Lisa can't have him unless she could be the bad girl

And that is just not her. And deep down, he thinks she knows.

'What are you looking at me for West? How is he?' she said raising her voice. She is worried sick for him and he is worried sick for her.

He is looking at how swollen her eyes is and how extremely exhausted she seems.

'He isfine, for now. You know, you should take better care of yours-' before West could finish his words, someone suddenly push open the curtains so West could not finish his word.

It was Kyle. The moment he enters, he looks around

'Where is he?' Then he saw Arial in the bed.

He rushed to Arial bed.

'BROTHER!' He yelled

'Wake up! You arrogant prick! I said I will ride beside you, didn't I! I said not to engage alone. I said-' And he got choked up as he tries to contain his tear.

'Brother' Lisa said in a low tone, trying to console Kyle

The other lord also began pouring into Arial tent. There is silence as Kyle suddenly looks left and right then he looked back at the bandage

'Who did this?' Kyle said looking at the bandage

'I did, Ser Kyle' West said. Kyle looked at him suspiciously.

'Did you check the wound?'

'Not in detail. I just apply some bandage and some herbs to slow the bleeding before a healer could come.'

Kyle ripped the bandage

'WHAT ARE YOU DOING, BROTHER!' Lisa yelled.

'Can't you feel it little sister. The energy in this tent. Arial is using his internal energy unconsciously. His body is oozing internal energy. Keep this up and he will die.'

Kyle checked the wound. Lisa comes closer as she looks at her brother searching, looking intently at the wound.

'What are you looking for brother?'

'Something. Anything' he said and then his eyes caught something.

'There it is! Bring me hot water.'

Lord Paris orders the troops outside to bring hot water.

The basin is then brought before Kyle and he washes his hand and then on the tiny hole that is formed around Arial heart he scratched with his finger until something fell from the wound and Arial face which is contorted in pain before relaxes.

'What is that?' Lisa said as he and the other lords approached the bed and looked at the object that fell from Arial wounds.

'A shard.'

Then what happen before them is something miraculous he never thought could happen.

The wound almost like magic, started healing itself, the profuse bleeding a moment ago stopped like it was being plugged and Arial breathing becomes a lot smoother.

'Can you do the bandages again West?' Kyle asked sounding calmer than before.

he nodded.

'Lisa, help him' Kyle ordered and he rushed out from the tent.

And West could hear Kyle words from outside the tent informing the current situation of Arial health to the other lords that is waiting outside the tent.

Lord Paris also rushed out and he could hear the conversation between Kyle and Lord Paris

'My lords' Lord Paris said 'we need to fortify our defenses and tomorrow we need to sally an assault.'

'What do you think about that plan lord Paris?' Kyle ask.

Lord Paris is the regent if somehow Arial fall in battle. It was decided before in the military meetings.

Lord Paris nodded.

'I agree. For now, the safety of our lord need to be protected.'

That night West and Lisa are in the tent helping Arial. Lisa is trying to transfer her internal energy to Arial but it didn't work.

'Why do you think that is?' he asked her.

'His body is rejecting it or maybe the poison is. Maybe after the healer came we will be clearer on what poison that Alderam put on his spear.' She said.

he could see her eyes are baggy and her face is pale. She is exhausted and West know that transferring internal energy without stopping is not easy.

'Go rest' he asked Lisa. She shakes her head.

'No, it is fine.'

'You will get sick Lisa. Let me take care of him.'

'I SAID I'M FINE AREN'T I!' she yelled.

Then she went out from the tent again and brought some fresh towel to wipe off Arial sweat. She traces her hand around the bandages wearing an expression only a mourning lover would wear.

Then suddenly she stopped.

And then she looks at Arial with an unreadable expression and she hold her heart and her face turns sorrowful and tears streamed down her cheeks.

Her breathing becomes uneven.

'A..ri..al' she cried stuttering as her throat become parched, choked with indescribable pain. True pain West mused.

This is what she felt.

True pain. he hates to admit it but such pain can only exist if there is....and this is where it gets hard for him.... only if there is love.

Seeing Arial like thishurts her more than she could expect. And seeing her like that pains him more than he could endure.

'Arial! Arial! Arial. Arial! What do I do?' she asks as she cried her heart out.

'I couldn't lose you. I promise!' She cried.

'I promise Helia. I promise Uncle and Aunty that I will protect you. That you will return home. That we will return home together'

West know why she is worried. Arial is...inflicted with something no one knows. Whatever the poison is, it is rare. And coupled with his injury, not many people could survive such injury

West moved to her side and hugged her.

'Let me go' she cried.

he gripped tighter.

'Stop it Lisa. He is going to be fine.'

'IS HE?' She yelled but also at the same time, West could feel that she is asking for reassurance. She wanted a little bit of hope.

'Because he doesn't look fine. He is pale and the energy that is emanating from his body is unnatural. What if he die-'

'He will not. But you can't cry like this. I understand' he said.

'YOU DON'T!' And she wanted to release herself. So he gripped her tighter and force her to look at him. He then said, with sincere words, hoping for her, to stop torturing herself.

'It hurts doesn't it? I know why you cry. Believe me, I know. Maybe not the same way in what you are feeling now but I know. Because no matter how hard you try to change something or how bad you want to escapes from what is happening now, you can't. That frustration, that knowledge that whatever you can do will be futile, that pain just stays in one place. In there!' he said as he pointed at her heart

Then he sighed and his hand is on his cheek.

'Then one small tear escape from those eyes that water constantly. That tears are a means of escape. It is the heaviest thing in the world. But it doesn't change anything. Those tears don't change anything. So stop. Stop it. Because I couldn't bear seeing you like this. Because seeing you like this is breaking my heart. So pleasestop. And I hate it'

'Why do you hate it?' she asks, trying to stifle her own tears. West look at her. Once again at her beautiful eyes.

And he said

'The fact you are crying for him. I hate it. I hate it when you cry for another man in front of me' and that shut her up.

It takes her a while before she calms down herself.

'It will be alright.' He suddenly said and it broke the awkward feeling in the tent. He looked at her and she have calmed down.

'I'm sorry' she said

'It's fine.'

'No, it's not.' West then said

'I know what you feel for him. I understand that.'

'But even so-'

'It is alright.'

'Thank you' she said, lowering her head a bit. West don't know what she is thinking about.

'Go outside. Go to your tent and sleep. Let me take care of Arial'

'But- '

'No, but.'

'Go.' And then she nodded. She exited the tent and West look at Arial.

He is lucky. And he doesn't even know it

Arial are a lot of things. Formidable warrior, a smart strategist and very capable lord but he is dense.

West still remember the time in the Academy together. Many girls drop a lot of hint to him but he never got it.

Maybe because he is always outside solving quest and dedicated to his quest. But how could he not have realized Lisa loves him?

Even Kyle who was as dense as him realized it when Lisa is crying and screaming for the enemy's blood after Arial fall in battle.

And as the night turns to dawn a new day welcomed them.

He helps in the following days changing Arial bandages and sip water to his mouth. The energy in the tent is weird.

Unnatural. Sometimes it is extreme cold, sometimes it is extreme heat. In the morning of the fourth day, he could feel Lisa is beside him.

'Up all night?' she asked when West open his eyes. By God, she looks beautiful, illuminated by the morning sunlight.

That was his thoughts when he opens his eyes that morning.

'Did you sleep?' She asked again

'A little before dawn' he said.  And then she looked at him and their eyes met and she blushed and then she said.

'I. never thank you for what you did for Arial'

He smile

'Now could be a good time' he said. She smiles a little. It is beautiful. She rarely smiles for him. How he wished her smile is his.

'Thenthank you Ser West. I will repay you someday.'

Lisa then approached the bed and looked at Arial again. She leaned to touch him and he stopped her.

'You want to transfer your energy again?' She nodded.

'That is enough don't you think? You, yourself said it didn't work.'

'Maybe.... But maybe today is different.'

She releases herself from his grip. He just shakes his head

Then Lisa tries to channel her energy and she felt it once again. She quickly removed her hand as she looked at Arial movement.

'He has return.' And her face turns to joy

West realized what she means.

'I will call the other lords here.' he said as he I rushed outside and called and assembly to Arial tent.

The troops also heard the news and waited outside the tent to pray for Arial joining those who were already her the first day of Arial fall.

They all waited until slowly Arial open his eyes, still weak from what I see but he clearly knows where he is.

'My lord you are awake' some exclaimed. Lisa moved away from the bed and went outside to call her brother.

'Praise the Light.' Lord Summersill said. Lord Summersill is summoned yesterday by Lord Paris with the news that Lord Arial is hurt in battle. He quickly rushed last night to come.

'Lord Arial' he said bowing while he could see Lisa rushed towards Arial bed and hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her eyes.

He felt a little jealous

'Why did you let me worry! I thought you were dead!' She said while looking at his chest with apprehension.

It was like at this moment; she has forgotten there are other lords in this tent. Lord Summersill avert his gaze away while he remains bowing to Arial

But he could see Lisa there, still hugging Arial.

She did not notice the mood in the tent as she traced her fingers around the wound and looked at Arial. Her eyes told West everything he needed to know.

'Did it hurt?' she asks as she realized she touched his chest at the point of injury

'It is fine, Lisa.'

Then someone else entered the tent. It was Kyle. The moment he enters he looks in confusion before he saw Arial.

'YOU SCARED ME TO DEATH!' Kyle shouted. Arial smiles and look at him with appreciation.

West could see from the corner of his eyes of how Lisa distance herself from Arial.

There is a slight blush on her face maybe realizing the action she just did. She sometimes glances at his direction and she look at him guiltily.

Kyle on the other hand approach Arial and ask him

'You smile?' He asks incredulous

'How could I not?' Arial answer. Kyle shakes his head looking at his odd behaviour.

'How is the battle?' Arial immediately asks.

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

'The battle' he said more forcefully and this time he turned to the other lord.

It seems Arial ignored Kyle and this only makes Kyle fumed with anger. Arial is Kyle lord but he is also friends with him, an unusual relationship to say the least.

Lisa grabbed Arial hand and looked at him with worried all plastered on her face. West envy that look she gives him.

A look of love.

And once again, West is amazed at the dense Arial. Even with such look, can he not see?

'Rest, Arial! Please just rest, Arial!' She pleaded looking at him with her red eyes.

'I don't think I can' Arial said while smiling a faint smile. She cast her glance downwards as a sign of resignation of Arial stubbornness.

'Lord Paris, give me the report' He said and quickly Lord Paris startled quickly give him the report

'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.'

'Are they outside waiting to hear whether I die or live?'

'I. yes, my lord. They were waiting. And surely their morale will soar when they hear that you are alive and well, my lord'

'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.'

'But my lord, this could not do. Not in your condition'

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'

'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.

West sigh silently

Healers are in scarcity in the North. After they called the healer in the first day of Arial incident, they got a report that many have moved to the South so the riders were ordered to go and fetch some of them.

After Battle of Berth, many fear that the battle in Dented Shield wills involve many more loss of lives so all of them chose to migrate to the other part of the Kingdom.

West could see that Arial looked at his bare chest now scarred but bandage 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.

'Ser West did.' Lisa answered, her eyes glanced to West, with 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

'You will be rewarded' he said and West just smile politely.

'I seek no reward' he replies and Arial only shakes his head. Then he said to all the lords in the tent

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

'No longer' he said 'I will take that castle tomorrow.' 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.

'Do you all doubt my words?'

'But my lord. wouldn't it be better to rest?' some lord's advices him

Lisa nodded. So does Kyle and West.

'I will rest when this war is over. But enough of your words. Go. Eat. Sing. Be merry. Because tomorrow some people will not be here anymore. Tell them, for some of them, tomorrow will be their last days and tell them that they will be remembered. Tell them that. Give them comfort. Give them assurance, that they will return home. Go. Tell them. And tonight if you still do not tell them of such thing, I will tell them'

The noble lord knowing of their young lord personality to be headstrong and stubborn had no choice but to only nod

The rest went out but Kyle and Lisa is still there inside the tent.

Waiting to talk with him. They are not a lord, but a Knight but none of the other lord dare reprimand them because they all know their relationship with him.

West sigh as he went outside the tent. He took a long look at Arial tent and return to his tent.

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This is one long chapter. I decided not to cut this chapter since it will delayed the other POV. I know many of you wanted to see Arial. Don't worry. You will see him soon.

Anyway, Is this the end of West love story? or is it just a new beginning between West and Lisa? Give me your thoughts and leave some comments,votes and gifts