Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 270: Returning to his old life

1018 WHITEMONTH

Arial has returned home in the cold winter of the year. Snow had already shows sign of falling and his return was quickly announced to the people of the city of Acro

And the city rejoices at the return of their lord, and celebrated it by holding a feast for a week.

By now, his tale of bravery and valor has already been spread among the people of his region and they could not help but be proud of their city protector.

'LORD ARIAL HAS RETURNED SAFELY' the announcer cried and the people would then sing of praise as they look at the castle of their lord, that huge and beautiful castle of the dragon.

It looks like a mountain that would not budge no matter how powerful the force that would come.

The dragon banner fluttered proudly and the people look toward that castle with reverence and awe

Arial also tries to revel himself with the celebration but it is clear that his experience in the Dark Lands had made a mark in his heart

Even though, there are feast and celebration in welcoming him home, he never looks to happy, nor does he look overjoyed, his smile is subdued and there seem to be something on his mind that bothers him terribly. 

Arial of course, as the lord, showing such behavior, bother his council terribly, fearing that their lord is in some kind of problem that they could not help

He himself knew he could not keep this behavior as it might invite discord inside the court so Arial assure to his council and his people, that such estimation of him, is an error of perspective and so the matter is concluded. 

Arial is a flesh blooded man as such he has family and friend, and as such his peculiarity is noted

Kyle is his friend, notices that his friend is lying, that truly there is something that bother his friend mind but he dares not pursue it, for in his absence Kyle has done something terrible. 

And seeing his friend and lord returned, like being washed by a cold water he was awakened.

He is feeling terribly ashamed and guilty. 

He did not show it and Arial didn't notice it. His mind was preoccupied with that Elven woman. 

Her scent still lingers and he could still smell it when he woke up from his sleep

But just because he is like that, things still had to progress. The matter of politics and the administration of the region once again fill his hands

The Council quickly returns their power back to their lord.

Arial praise Helia on her efforts when he was gone. Helia has kept Arrandy safe from threats, from the South Vangua conflict and also manage to remain in an amiable relationship with Southern Tai and Northern Chu. 

Helia had also quickly step aside for his husband whose renown is already a tale among the human continent royalty. 

The story they heard from the royalty of Arakath and the many stories originated from his many adventure in the Dark Lands elevated his status among the common folk and nobility alike.

Helia heard the story from one of the traders when a caravan arrived from Arakath sign with her husband name. josei

Then when she inquires of her husband whereabouts, she is then told by King Azrael of how his husband is engaged in a war involving the Orcs and the whole region prays for their lord in churches and temples until they heard the military success of the duke in the land of Orcs that only increase Arrandy and its lord already famous renown. 

There are also many quests that Arial seem to have completed in helping the Orcs before the war, such as hunting monster and the such.

In Arrandy, the absence of the lord was minimal as he had settled everything before he began his journey.

Arrandy is in a development of great pace, economically, and politically owing to the peace and prosperity that is dawning in Arrandy.

The trade in the region flourished like never before, with variety of spices being sell and bought, better arms being traded, jewels and diamonds from dwarven lands flood the markets, and contracts of trade post and trading center in the capital of Arakath opened and operated. 

Guilds is everywhere, blooming like a mushroom after the rain, and the Vermont family who especially dabble in the trades quickly grew in wealth again.

While Arial is away, a lot has happened. 

Lord Daniel Lethe passed away in his home, attended by his loving families in 90 Whitemonth 1017 and Kyle as the first born son took the position of Count and rules the area of Bernien and Farn Village. 

Arial of course is not there at the time, so he sent his deepest apologies for not being there in the last moment of Lord Daniel and he even as to go so far to visit the Countess, Lady Alissa to deliver his apology for not returning early.

By now, Kyle is twenty years and yet he has not taken a wife. 

His vassal seems to bother him a lot in that respect as Arial once used to be bothered by his courtiers of his marriage. 

Lord Helve Althea has also passed away so the area of the South is now controlled jointly by Arial and Helia. 

And this matter had invited jealousy and envy from the royal family of Aetherland, mostly there are fears that Lord Arial will separate from the Kingdom

And that is not all

Vangua in the South is also in a state of alert because now the dragon troops are guarding the border because the Althea region is now being controlled by the Vermont's.

Arial did not have time to rest after he returned. He had to do so many thing and he had learned so many unfortunate things that had happened when he was gone. 

He was not there when Kyle father had leave this life and he was also not there when his father in law take his last breath.

It affected his mood even more.

Arial express his regret for not being able to be present at the funeral and order that his father in- law must be honored. 

But at least Lord Helve has the opportunity to meet Arial daughter. 

In that, Arial is thankful and grateful because according to many accounts, it seems Lord Helve really like his granddaughter and even has opportunity to dote on his granddaughter. 

She still doesn't have a name since Helia insist to wait for Arial return. Arial promises to name her.

This is also something that shocked Arial. He had a daughter. He almost didn't believe it

Soon as Arial left for his journey to the Dark Lands, a few weeks after that, Helia began showing signs of pregnancies. 

There is also happy news that is so unexpected Arial spurted his wine on the Council table when he heard the news.

The House of Palais and Lethe is now united in marriage. 

West Palais and Lisa Lethe get married in 1 Seedmonth 1018, an auspicious date chosen by Henry Palais. 

Lisa had gotten herself married. Arial after hearing the news, smile and laughed and think he should lower a bit of burden for his most favorite Knight.

Handling Lisa would not be easy.

Many news shocked Arial. In a year that he is gone many have change.

The moment Arial return he hugged his beloved wife, and even though he is shocked by the sudden announcement of the birth of his daughter, he quickly regained his composure and embraces her with the most heartfelt gratitude towards God and his wife.

Their domestic harmony, the brilliance of Helia in the matter of the state, the reputation of Arial as a formidable foe and rival, and a burgeoning thriving family dynasty made them a formidable partnership. 

And with the birth of a daughter Arial is happier than ever. 

He holds a feast that week to once again celebrate his daughter being borne. No expense is too much. 

He sends alms to the poor, donated to the church and sponsor bard and minstrels to sing songs, painters and sculptors to capture the moment, making his feast one of the greatest ever thrown in Aetherland

He even goes as far to commission a church in the city in which he named it St Felicity for the Saint of Daughters.

The church is not just overjoyed but praises his action. And the feasts, the great feast of the Vermont start without any complication of any sorts.

And it succeeded. 

The great city of Acro who is used to holding many festivals and fairs quickly offer themselves to be the city where the young prince would hold the celebration for his beloved daughter and the prince who have a lot of history in the city readily agreed. 

With the trades with the Dark Lands, Arrandy power is reflected in a marked cultural and economic development. 

The towns of Beouen, Eraen, and Ayeux thrive on the profits of merchants and artisans, while to the south, a prosperous wine trade brought wealth to the duchy from neighboring Althea region and Vangua.

And with that wealth the Vermont built many castle and palaces for their family to rest themselves in times of summers or winters. 

Many are still in construction but with Orcs trading in Arrandy and their willingness to work with human, construction in Arrandy is always fast in finishing.

And in the feast for his two-year-old daughter, every man of great importance is present to send gift and offer some words of congratulations. 

His broken heart is soothed by Helia kind demeanor and the birth of his daughter. The feast is remembered as one of the most lavish feast ever thrown off in the continent.

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Will not say too much. See you tomorrw. Tomorrow will have avery long chapter and probbaly the most controversial one.

Ciao and stay safe everyone.