Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 239: Dragons, dragons (1)

The sun rises up and sound of people walking could be heard across the dry and hot Lands of the Dragons.

Today begin the group expedition to find a dragon lair. Everyone is in high spirits at the morning.

Arial nodded to himself as he walked with his mercenaries.

'This is going to be a little hard' he thought to himself. He knows his quest would never be easy. It has never been attempted before since the Purge.

Dragons are rare nowadays so it is hard to find them in many places and a wide land like this.

And that is not the only problems they had.  their supplies of horsemeat are dwindling. It is not like there is some tavern in this land of dragons.

Thankfully Arial and his group encountered many monster and they do not have to worry about meat supplies.

The elves are usually being in charge of the water and logistic, while the Kobold is in charge for frontline battles while the Orc is use to guard and patrol the area of camping.

It greatly increases the speed and safety of the expedition.

Arial have never expected that, his greatest enemies in the Land of the Dragons is not the dragons but the monster that roamed the land.

And the monsters that Arial have seen is many.

Fierce animals, weird animals he never seen before and sometimes even the nature is going against him

There is storms in every few hours as he goes deeper into the Land of Dragons. Sandstorms, lightning storms, rainstorm, all kind of the worse varieties were thrown at him and his group

Nature also seems determined to thwart Arial quest.

The land of the dragons is not to be underestimated.' He thought to himself

He once saw a snake that is as long as a house and a bull as big as a building. The snake he saw inside a tall and large forest. The bull he encounters inside a swampy area.

This is some of the monsters they have encountered in their journey. But thankfully Arial learn another thing.

The Dark Elves and the Orcs is used to these monster and they easily killed them

Dark Elves and Orc use the monster hide to craft and made clothes, their bones crafted into armours.

And soon enough they have enough armors and hide for everyone. Since the battle at the passage no one else died anymore.

They sometimes rest in caves, big rocks with big holes and sometimes in the thick forest. When they have low supplies of meat, they hunt in teams.

Arial follow them sometimes as he honed his fighting abilities. He did not want to be dull in his sword technique when he had to face a dragon later.

Sometimes he looks at the map that Mikael have made, denoting the place they have explored and Mikael excitedly spouts off some interesting information about the monster they encounter of the place they pass by.

If they explore together, Arial would become the leader in charge, if he is not then the Orcs will lead.

After all, with Arial skills and strength, it is only reasonable that he is in the forefront of battle.

And he himself as the employer of these mercenaries did not mind.

They are hard at work exploring miles for each day, as Mikael mapped the area. Rarely people came toward the Land of the Dragons because of its reputation of being deadly.

It was a ripe opportunity for Mikael to map the area. As Arial think about the last few days, they decided to take some rest at night.

Just like that another day ended. He sleeps and morning came again. In the morning he went out and meet the other mercenaries and orders some thing

He then took a nap. A few hours later he opens his eyes. He took a nap in the afternoon and sent some of his mercenaries on a hunt.

Mikael is on the ground of the cave, mapping again. Arial could also see Velamina on the other side of the cave who he has never spoken to since her sudden kiss

Though Arial had to admit, her abilities as a combatant is real. He has seen her fight Giant Boar and flame deer.

And she massacred them easily with her sword and her hidden dagger. It is not only her beauty, but her agility is also top notch.

'I guess beauty isn't the only thing she possess.' He thought to himself before shaking his head from that thought

Arial sighed as he got up and quickly went outside the cave and look at the sun. It was already near sundown

'Not long now. Night is coming.'

So he went out from the cave and gathered fire woods to make a campfire inside the large and spacious cave and he also orders the other troops to do the same.

They are sleeping in two caves; both the caves are near each other. It was a fortunate moment when they found this area.

They gathered some woods and started a fire.

Inside the cave, the wood in the fire is burning, spreading a warm atmosphere. The moon emerged from the darkness of the night and the party got back bringing some meat.

Traveling in the night is like committing suicide. Things come out in the dark. Dark things. Dark creatures.

And no one forgotten this fact. Arial went out to get some fresh breath and he stand on a large rock, admiring the view.

'Avoiding me?' the word registered to Arial ears. He turned around and looks at Velamina. He did not know what kind of facial expression he should wear when talking with this Elven woman.

'Not really.' He tries to reply as casually as possible. She shakes her head

'No, you're avoiding me. You have all the characteristic of avoiding someone. Is it because of the kiss?' she asks

Arial took a moment. Like that night, tonight wind is really soothing.

'Yes' He finally admitted

'I said that I need to ki-' Arial snickered and then he said

'I have asked the other elves. You just have to touch the person face not kiss them.'

'Oh! So you're curious about me now?' And she giggled. Arial sighed as she keeps smiling and then she said

'My abilities worked a little differently'

'Is that so?' Arial asked suspiciously. It shows that he does not believe Velamina half-baked excuses.

'Yes.' She said confidently, the smile is still on her face. How could she be so annoying but also beautiful all at the same time

Then another brief silence between them. The wind blows again and they both enjoyed it. Inside the cave it was warm, and outside it was cool.

'Looking at the stars again?' she asks the same question again

'Yes.' He answer

'Why?' she asks

'Can't I?' he replied

'Of course you can my lord. Who would dare stop you?' Arial finally ask her a question

'Why are you out here?' He asked

'Marveling the stars. Like you do.' And she smiles again, tugging at Arial heartstring. Another brief silence.

The moonlight is shining brilliantly tonight. Arial then ask her

'What is your star?' Arial asked. She smiles, eager to share.

'It used to be that one' she pointed to one of the stars shining up in the sky

'And what is its name?' Arial ask, curios.

'A secret.' She answers

'A secret, huh.'

'Yes. A woman need to have their secrets, don't you reckon my lord?'

'Maybe.' Then they both looked at the stars again.

'I heard you're married.' She said suddenly. Arial did not know why the question went this way but he answered

'Yes. Who told you?'

'Mikael. Is that why the kiss bothers you that much?' she asks

'Of course.' He replies. Velamina shows an incomprehensible smile. And then she asked

'Is she beautiful? And tell me the truth.'

'Yes' and he hesitated for a while before adding 'but not as beautiful as you.' Velamina chuckles and then she asked

'Are you flirting with me, my lord?'

'No. I'm saying it is not her beauty that captivates me. It is her gentleness, her calmness that attracts me so.'

'You, then are a loyal husband then?'

'I hope so.' He said

'I hope you're not' she said her eyes glint with mischievousness. Arial expression turned hard and he said to her

'You are playing a dangerous game, Starseer.'

'WellI'm dangerous' she said.

Arial once again took a look at her under the moonlight and she look mysterious and full of charms.

But she is not his wife and as such he will not do such a thing even though it is regarded common for a lord to take some secret mistresses.

But he was born in a household that revere love. And while his heart stirred for her, he knows it is not love.

It is affection, an appreciation for rare beauty that attaches him to this Elven woman. Not love. And without love, what is the meaning?

'I would excuse myself Starseer.' He said

'Then go. But do not avoid me again.' She suddenly said

Arial smile and nodded.

He then entered the cave and has a conversation with Mikael, the information about the region he is heading.

He learned where the monsters are, and the paths that is not safe for their group to cross.

'Arial' Mikael is about to report to him of some news and Arial nodded, indicating that he is listening while he is examining the maps.

'Yes.'

'We have found a lair thanks to the scout's division. But we do not know yet if there is a dragon in it'

'Where?' he rushed to Mikael. Mikael pointed at a direction on the map.

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Part tow tomorrow. Hope you enjoy the story. leave some commenst and good reviews if you can