Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 121: The day before the battle

1015 SEEDMONTH

ARIAL

He looked at the large castle in the distance, his eyes coldly surveying the land.

His forces have finally arrived near Dented Shield to replenish the fallen soldiers. And they have begun sieging the castle from a week ago. The sieging has begun showing progress.

Sooner or later Alderam will have to open his castle gate and rush out with his army and then the battle will be decided.

Arial also read a new message from Lord Paris

Lord Paris will also be arriving in about two more days. Letters has been given to him telling of his glorious victory in Penrose.

He was marching almost afterwards which prompted Arial to sent a letter to tell him not to rush and recuperate his soldiers so that when he arrived he will come with a strong and rested soldier.

Lord Henry Summersill has also managed to help the Northcour family and win the battle but they could not leave the region yet, because there are still some remnants of Shield forces there.

Lord Henry argued that if he were to leave right now, Shield forces may come back and reclaim the region, so he would stay there while they have to attack here.josei

It is understandable.

If the Shield Forces is able to take back the area that the Northcour and Henry Summersill have pacified when they are rushing it might lead to other changes in the plan.

Arial think that this is alright

He believes that with their might, they can conquer the castle and peace can finally come on Alan soil, their efforts rewarded and they can finally move to more important task.

Arial heart is full of anticipation. And he is also anxious.

Helia is sent to patrol with her father to the South now that Lord Paris will join him in the battle.

Many advise him against the move, arguing that with Lord Helve forces, it is without a doubt that their forces could destroy the Alderam forces

But Arial could not let the South left undefended and the Three Brothers that guarded the ancestral home of Althea must also return.

He fears that other forces might use this moment to strike at the southern part of the kingdom. He read the report about Vangua internal problem.

He himself is not sure whether that story is true or not, or maybe it is a ruse.

He knows that not all kingdom is happy if the Dukedom is really united under one banner. Some people no longer refer the land of Alan as a Dukedom anymore since King Adrian crown himself.

Vangua is a powerful nation and there are on the South. Maybe the news is just a ruse and they are planning for the southern border of the kingdom.

Either way, Arial could not be at ease, if he didn't have any measure of defense there right now. And while all of this is happening, he also got to know an interesting news

When he sent his love to Helia yesterday he heard the most interesting news from her. It seems West is trying to court Lisa.

Whether that is true or not, he doesn't know since Lisa didn't say anything.

So does West.

But then he realizes something after Helia told him.

He did remember that West always direct his gaze to Lisa when she is not looking. Thinking about it again, it should have been obvious.

'What a dishonest man!' He thought to himself as he chuckles despite of himself. Then he thought back to another matter

Vangua. In the end, he could not just ignore the presence of Vangua even while he is occupied with the North expedition.

That is one of the reason he sent Helia and her father to the South is because he heard that Vangua is short of a King right now.

The noble King, Edward Merovich has been rumored to disappear from his kingdom.

Some say that it's because he is hiding from assassins but it can also be that their King is planning an attack on Alan soil, taking advantage now that we are engaged in a civil matter between ourselves.

He has no proof but better exercise caution then to regret later.

He has also received news from his spymaster who he sent to inquire about what is happening in Renasia and the Dark Lands.

Azrael the crown Prince of the Dark Lands, have become King in the Dark Lands with his father abdication.

That is not odd considering that in his original timeline, he did take the throne after her father abdication but what odd is what is happening in Renasia.

The reason he sent his spymaster to Renasia is because he knows that Renasia will be the last standing Kingdom in the Human Continent, and so he has a vested interest in that Kingdom.

But something odd happened in Renasia.

The young Princess was offered the throne, the crown, the orb and sceptre, the symbol of Queenship by his father and the nobles all agreed to her coronation.

That event is the same like in his timeline. But what different in this timeline, is that she rejected the throne. That did not happen before.

Before, in his original timeline, if his memory serves him right, she jumped at the opportunity of becoming Queen and led a massive reform on the military.

From what he heard from his spymaster, the princess wants to learn many more things before she is ready to take on the throne and rule her people.

The motivation for this sudden change of character is unknown.

Though Arial spymaster heard a rumor among the inner circle of nobles of Renasia that she was lost for a few months before her father offers her the crown.

Maybe, during that time, she learns something profound and becomes even more mature.

History is slightly changing. Arial thought when he read the report.

Whether it is bad or it is good, he is still not quite certain

He sighed as he looks at the mirror in his war tent. He no longer stands outside looking at that large wall in the distance.

'I must end this tomorrow. This war has taken so many lives already'

Tomorrow Arial think that Alderam will surely bring out his army to fight them in the open field so tonight he instructed the soldiers to construct a stage for him to give a speech before they ride into battle tomorrow.

He is preparing himself right now. As he adjusts the collar on his neck, someone voice could be heard from the outside of the tent

'My lord, this is Ser West. May I enter?'

West voice announcing his arrival.

'Enter' He opens the curtain and kneeled

'My lord'

'Is the stage ready?' Arial asked. West nodded

'Yes my lord. You may address the troops now.' Arial looked at him. He has a sullen face. Arial sighed looking at him

'Ser West?'

'Yes, my lord'

'Why so gaunt?' West only shakes his head and said

'Oh, I'm sorry my lord. I've been thinking about a lot of things.'

'What things?'

He smiles a bitter smile

'Matters of the heart, my lord' Arial smiles a bit

'Ah, is that so?'

'Yes, my lord.'

'Then pardon me for touching on such matters'

'It is fine my lord considering you are-' and he said something under his breath. A whisper

'What?'

'Oh, nothing my lord. Please my lord, they are waiting outside'

'Ah, yes.'

With one last look at the mirror he opens the curtain of the tent and stepped out.

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It is only a chapter of Arial introspection. Because there will be a speech tomorrow. It is a long chapter than today. Anyway, maybe I woudl post it today thought it depends. Hmm. See you later