Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 200: Harald oath (2)

ARIAL VERMONT

VANGUA, NEAR ARLEANS

OUTSIDE THE CITY OF VERGEL

They arrived at the city of Vergel at sunset. One could see that the birds in the horizon flying back home to their nest

The sun lowers beyond the horizon as he sighed. It has been a long journey since the day of departure from Arrandy.

It has taken a few weeks to reach Arleans.

Thankfully they have not encountered any difficulties during their journey. Arial look at the scenery and he could see that the sky is orange with red hues.

The clouds appear back lit with the vibrant colors. The hills look like a silhouette of a giant.

'The fading warmth of daylight will bring darkness. And darkness beckons' he suddenly recites some words from Scripture.

The sound of the vigilark birds is slowly disappearing, only the sound of the leaves rustling around the campsite could be heard when the wind blows.

Arial have finally arrived outside of Arleans, pass Darc, the former region of the king.

The coronation will be held at Arleans and right now they have camped outside the city of Vergel. 

'I need to check how he is doing' Arial thought to himself. He then walks toward Edward tent.

After announcing himself he enters the tent. They started with a few meaningless conversation and beating around the bush.

The reason why they are outside the city is because they are waiting for the Orleans to invite them into the city

Then after finishing with the small talk, they look at each other. Arial is sitting on a chair in front of Edward. There is a table that separates them as they look at each other.

Arial smiles and Edward sighed. Since they have finished with their small talk it is time to say the serious stuff.

'Ask away' Arial said and Edward then ask

'Will it be long now, Arial?' Edward ask as his eyes look toward the direction of his tent. Arial knows what Edward is worried about. He is worried that the Orleans is thinking of double crossing him.

It is a reasonable worry.

But Arial had prepared his own army to escort them to safety if that ever happens.

And it is not that Orleans would directly attack.

As long as the Orleans did not attack him with their full army, they could survive. Even if they wanted to tack him with their full army, his spies would have noticed such moving of supplies.

But that doesn't mean he is not cautious. Caution and vigilance is of utmost importance.

Arial then answers Edward question

'It will not be long now, Edward but.' And he hesitated to say this but when Edward gesture with his finger to continue, Arial continue by saying

'I fear for your throne stability and in that sense, as your friend I would like to urge you caution even when they put the crown at your head. Always be vigilant" Arial advise.

He would never find such ally again in Vangua. Thus it is very important for Arrandy and Aetherland that King Edward maintain his throne.

'Why are you worried?' Arial then sighed and said

'The state of preparedness that Harald has prepared his armies shows how much he wanted your throne.'

'What made you say that?' he said more inquisitive than shock. Edward is no idiot. Of course he knows Harald is eyeing his throne.

Arial then spoke of his thoughts

'I believe Harald has formed some elaborate plan to take the throne if he had not been pressured by the church. That is of course, only my assumption but the way he carried himself during your absence only strengthen my belief of his unwise ambition.'

He might even have poisoned or assassinate the King if he has perfected his plan. Arial thought to himself but did not express this last bit.

He believes Edward himself could think of this matter

'Any basis for that assumption if I may ask, Arial?'

Arial then said

'Like you already know, I have spies here in Vangua. And they have informed me of some alarming information'

'And would you mind sharing it?' Edward said, smiling.  Arial is also smiling but none of them are smiling because they are happy.

Arial replies

'My spies here in Vangua have informed me of some mysterious meeting that Harald has scheduled for himself after your disappearance and the death of Lord Jean. After he were named Lord of Arleans, Lord Harald made a tour on the Kingdom, reaching as far as Cori but also including Freya and Southern Cori respectively. He made arrangements for receiving help from certain foreign powers if he should need it at any time. This strikes me as a pre-emptive attack, an open declaration, though a subtle one, hinting that he wants your throne. To me, he looks like he wants to usurp your position.'

'Hmm' Edward said contemplating. Then Edward said.

'If that is true then Harald may have tried to find allies who would hamper the movement of his rivals to the throne. And he might even plan for my assassination after his plan in place. He may have changed the nature of Vangua throne if only you did not help me' Edward said like he is talking about someone else. Arial juts nodded and Edward laugh a bit. One could trace the bitterness in his laugh.

Arial had always believed that Edward is not an idiot. He might have misshapen face and a bent back but he is wise and smart

This is a man who had endured a lot of things in his life, who did not mind momentary humiliation for eternal glory

He is no idiot. Arial couldn't quite grasp the meaning of one of his words meaning. Change the nature of Vangua throne? And this time it was Arial that is puzzled

'What do you mean when you said changing the nature of the throne?'

'Elective' he declares

It seems Edward is not entirely ignorant of what happens in his kingdom. He then continued

'Of course such way of governing has its limit but Harald is trying to revive an ancient council when I disappear. The Council of Nobles'

He said and he chuckles a bit. Then he continues

'The Council of Nobles was once practiced in the Vangua Kingdom but abolished when it gives too much power to the nobles and even created some shadowy alliance of nobles creating a puppet King. Of course even so, they are limits of power of the council, the process involves in the act of election and the body which exercises the elective right. A king should always be chosen from a Kingly stock and this idea is far older than any sentiment of patriotic love. It is more of recognition then an election when all nobles recognise the man as King."

Arial nodded in understanding. An elective monarchy Arial thought.

Ridiculous.

'Rest for a while Edward while we wait. My troops will guard you'

Arial said as traces of tiredness began to set in. he got up from his chair and was about to go patrolling the woods with Kyle and West but Edward yelled wait.

He stopped

'Yes, Edward' and then Edward looks at him and then coming closer he hugs Arial in a brotherly hug. He hugs him

Arial is of course flustered for a second before hugging him back. Then they separated from each other and Arial could see the gratitude in Edward eyes. The eyes are the window to a human soul. That is one of the words of wisdom of the sages of the pats.

And looking at Edward eyes, he could understand what the sages of the past meant by that.

Then Edward said to Arial

'I have never met any man braver than you are my lord. Your help has been a huge boon for me and your treatment of me has filled my heart with great awe and gratitude.'

Arial also felt the same kinship from Edward. They are like brothers. Not to mention their blood.

Blood of Caelum.

'I deserve no such words Edward.'

'No' he said determined.

'You deserve something more than this' he said. And he nodded to himself 'and I got the perfect way to express it to you.'

Arial just smiles and shakes his head as he went out from the tent. Edward look at Arial back and nodded to himself

'I am a man who knows how to repay gratitude and enmity. You have helped me in my times of need and as such I will reward you' he muttered under his breath

Of course Arial could not have known that Edward thought would have an impact on his life and changes the history of the world

The sound of a raven cawing could be heard as a raven who was perched near the fence of the tent flies into the forest.

It flies and flies until it reached a lake inside the forest. It is a small lake but the water is clear.

The ravens caw again and then it dives into the water as the lake dried up and disappeared, leaving only the sound of an echo of the raven voice.

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Fifth part of the mass release. Hope you like it and leave some comments