Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 276: The beginning of the conflict (1)

THAT NIGHT

It is known in the continent that Arrandy region has one of the most disciplined soldiers in the entire continent and that night in Weover such statement was proven through its steel 

Before Leander began his attack, the resident of Weover have already began to attack Leander troops, but Leander with his five hundred brave troops treated those resident like they were children. 

Nothing could stand in their way as they rampage around the city and with their disciplined formation managed to hold back the attackers and even counterattacking them even when they are outnumbered three to one. 

Leander plan of action was not as cruel as one would have thought. He thought of only forcing the residents to give him food but then the matter turns into a small scale battle in the city. josei

The Weoverians seem to be supplied with weapons and Leander charged through the battle and cut down those that resist. 

However, five hundred men fighting an entire city, that is of course not possible unless Leander is someone who knows martial arts or a genius general. 

In a formidable armed pose, the citizen's rise up and expelled Leander as they had to retreat. Both factions suffer heavy casualties.

When Leander retreat at least thousands of the citizens of the city lay dead, and an unknown number of wounded. 

In the background, the city was full of smokes and flames ravaged the city squares. 

The sound of building crumbling under its weight as flames ravages through it illuminated the night 

Blood fill the crevices of the road tiles and bodies strewn around the walls and the edges of the city

'Where will we go, Lord Leander?' the captains asked as they retreated. Leander look hard at the city behind him, a few wounds and scratches on his body, his armor is badly fractured.

His eyes narrowed.

Then he decided. He couldn't return home like this, bringing disgrace to his family name and more importantly to his lord name. 

He must one way or another punish the people of this city, only then can he return to Arrandy with his head held up high.

'We will go back to Caen and report this grievous insult by the people of Weover to King Edward.' 

'Will the King listen?' Leander scoffed and ball his fist, his eye red and his face is bloodied. He looks at the city with hatred and then he reply

'The King has to. We are his guest and I doubt this is the will of Weover. Someone is behind this' Leander said confidently and that night with his Knights starving and wounded they retreat back to Caen no doubt wanting to account this insult and avenge their fallen compatriots.

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EDWARD MEROVICH

THRONE ROOM

The entourage of around two hundred people arrived at the castle and the castle guards quickly open the castle gate and urge them in. 

This matter is relayed to Edward in his bed chamber, just as he was about to get some sleep. 

He was shocked and at the same time anxious of this sudden attack toward his own Majesty.

Quickly he orders them to be brought in front of him in the throne room while the others that are injured heavily can receive treatment by his healer.

He conducts a special meeting that night, quickly summon his courtiers and grant his audience to Lord Leander who is weary, tired, exhausted and infinitely furious.

In front of him, the noble lord began explaining what has befallen him and his companion, of how they were treated terribly and with no amount of civility on the part of the city, even so much as to provoke him and his men, by refusing to serve them, to aid them in their journey home.

'Is this true, my lord? Is your word the truth?'

'Yes, your majesty' Leander said humbly, showing his wound and injury to Edward. Edward looks at his injury and then nodded.

In his head many possibilities arise. One of those things was the reaction of Arrandy.

What if Arial come here avenging his own vassal? That would be a disastrous to the alliance he so carefully built all this year. 

And he is not the only one thinking like that. his minister is thinking it too. Everyone knew the reputation of the young prince. 

He always protects the people under him and then Leander tells the King of his suspicion that somebody is supplying weapon to the Weoverians. 

'Is that so? Who do you believe responsible, Lord Leander?'

'Lord Harald, Your Highness' and the entire court gasped.

'This is a dire accusation, my lord' Edward said, but in his mind he is smiling. Killing two birds with one stone.

He could see how this matter would be beneficial for him

'Will my people not be avenged Your Majesty? If not, then I will return and tell my lord of the treatment we have received here in Vangua' and Lord Leander already began walking away from the throne room. 

'Do not be impatient my lord. The people of Weover is to blame in this matter. I will order Lord Harald to punish these miscreants for they are under him.'

Then Edward called his messenger and tells him to deliver a message to Lord Harald in Arleans to punish the city.

'Now that I have sent my order, this matter will surely be resolved, Lord Leander. As apology, please stay in the castle until this matter is sorted out.' 

Leander satisfied with the King answer nodded and is being escorted by the attendants to his residence. Edward minister is dismissed and exited the throne room. 

In the throne room, Edward rose from his throne and there is a smile on his face. Then he laughed. 

'Finally, I have something to leverage against you Harald. HAHAHAHA' he laughed contently.

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ARLEANS

GREAT HALL, THRONE ROOM

They all look down at the ground like there is something very interesting etched on the stone pavement under their feet.

All his minister is afraid of their lord now, after looking at their lord expression after reading the letter.

'I refuse' he said yelling while throwing his cup of wine to the ground and his minister all shuddered.

'Dear!' Alarm is evident in the tone of Emilia

His hand tremble with anger and his eye red with dissatisfaction, feeling wrongly accused.

Edward is plain obvious, seeking pretexts for a showdown. This is too much. Is this really that Edward? He has grown courageous. He thought to himself

'Is he really the King of Vangua? The King of the people of this proud nation? Saint? I called him a duplicitous liar, a fox that hides in the bushes, eyeing his opportunity for supreme power, ignoring the noble's family that have held up this kingdom all this time.' 

Harald shouted, his breathing is uneven, angry with a white hot fury

'On the mere accusation of the stranger, this King condemned his own subjects without a hearing.'

'This will not do Dear' Emilia said offering a calm proposition.

'My lord, counter the King proposal. Surely he would have to give us some face.' Emilia said offering her opinion. 

'Seek a legal trial for the people of Weover in which the full fact of the event that transpired can be heard by the Noble Circle.'

'That is a wise decision that we could follow. Surely the King will not harshly without provocation, to treat his people so carelessly' one of his minister chimed in.

Harald is perplexed on how this event came to be. 

He knows that he ordered the people of Weover to stop their service to the entourage but he did not order the people to provoke the entourage. 

He even orders that if the entourage is displeased and began showing aggressive action not to retaliate and sells them services. 

After all, he did not want to create such chaos. 

Harald just want to teach Arial entourage a lesson, that Vangua land is his and the Dragon forces can't just stroll around here without paying proper respect to him. 

But now? Now everything is wrong. This is not what he planned. Of course he doesn't know that Edward has his own plans. 

If Harald have spies in Edward palace, doesn't that also means Edward also have spies to spy on one of his most hated enemies.

'Then send the counter proposal to the King' Harald said and the ministers nodded and began making preparation

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