Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 280: Unexpected guest (2)

'What is the commotion outside?' Harald asked and then he got a shocking answer.

'My lord, there is a man outside claiming he is from the Arrandy, here on order of Lord Arial Vermont.'

And this shakes Harald to the core. An Arrandian!

'Bring him here' his tone is fill with a hint of urgency and curiosity

And so the man is presented in front of him. He has a noble disposition, probably one that came from one of the great houses of Arrandy. 

He has grace, a tall man with clear blue eyes that scanned his surrounding like he is thinking of ways to escape, his feet move with purpose but the way he smiles make someone believe he is hiding terrible secret.

'Lady Emilia, Lord Harald, please let me introduce myself. My name is Silas of House Perigord' he bowed slightly with a little grin in his mouth

'The snake' Emilia hissed.

'Indeed, I am the snake. Some people call me that as an endearing term. I didn't know the Duchess would also know such nickname' He said admitting gleefully

Emilia scoffed. What endearing term! she thought to herself

Harald on the other hand is baffled with Silas coming here.

'Why are you here?' Harald said and he shows no respect or fear. There is a trace of uncertainty in his voice. 

Harald knows that the King always listen to the poisonous words of this Arrandians but coming here? 

What could he possibly gain? He could order his men to kill this diplomat of Arrandy but then surely Arial will come bearing his might upon him from the north. 

And that is just an idiotic move.

'The Prince sent me here to aid you, my lord'

'Aid me? Arial did?'

'Lord Arial. And yes, my lord. I am sent here to aid you in this terrible matter between you and the King'

Harald eyes narrowed

'For what reason would your lord help me and send his aid?'

'You are his vassal.' Silas responds curtly

And suddenly Harald remembered the oath he makes during the coronation of Edward. What could Arial mean by extending his help to him when Edward is known as Arial great friend?

And finally Harald realize it. 

Many of the lords of the continent believe the oath is void because of the drunken behavior of the King at the time, which render the fealty void. 

But if he accepts this help, then in a way, he acknowledges the fealty, receiving help from his higher lord.

This whole situation that is unfolding right now is eminently characteristic of Arial. 

Arial would be honestly indignant at Edwards's base treatment of Harald, and he would feel it his part as Harald overlord to redress the wrong. 

But Arial would also be alive to the advantage of getting his rival into his power on so honorable a pretext. 

Simply to establish a claim to gratitude on the part of Harald would be something. Of course Harald also understand this. 

But did he have a choice? Should he accept?

'My lord?' Silas asked and Harald is contemplating the matter 

Should he reject? But to reject would be to harm his family because of his own stubbornness, and when Arial has sent one of the King trusted men, surely the King will reconsider his unreasonable demands. 

Surely Silas can mediate the situation. But then he will owe Arial a debt of life. Is it worth it?

There is an impasse between him and the King and his family safety is at personal danger. He looked at the worried face of Emilia and he made his decision.

'I accept' Harald said and Silas smile wide.

'Then wait for the happy news my lord as I cross the river and persuade the King to listen to you'

When Silas arrived on the north bank, accompanied with Harald men, the King seem happy, who is drinking with his minister all but convinced he has won. josei

'Silas, you're here' Edward said. Silas take his seat near the King as the King said

'I thought you return home.' 

'I did.' 

'So why did you come here? Did you want to join the festivities?' Silas was silent for a while before he said

'No, I came here to speak on behalf of the Orleans and Harald.' 

'What!' the King said putting down his glass and his minister also senses the anger that is coming from the King.

But they did not dare interfere

Silas then begins by saying

'I passed from you what I heard from both Duke Harald Alan and Duchess Emilia Orleans that her family had no part in the murder of your father. I implore you to grant their family the King's peace' 

Edward nearly flipped out

Edward then replied that he is not interested in Orleans's spurious attempts at purging; he would grant him the king's peace only when Orleans restored his father to him, alive, together with all the men killed in that event, and also all the land and possessions the Orleans had acquired since that time. 

With this Silas face contorted to rage. But then he laughed

'HAHAHAHA' he laughed and suddenly every minister in the court sense a shift of environment.

'That is impossible. Your majesty. Are you so drunk with power and fervent with joy, that you have gone crazy and retarded?'

'You dare- ' 

'OH! I DARE!' he yelled back at the King.

'You have become pure blind fanatic and I'm here to remind you of reason. Rescind your orders, let the Orleans return, accept your win and then rule wisely. There is no need to do such thing to the Orleans. There is no need to be this overbearing'

'I thought you are on my side Silas.' The King said, his voice is quivering with rage

'That just shows how little you know about me, Your Majesty. I am on nobody sides. Take back your order, pardon him, and let him return home.'

'OR WHAT!' The King yelled defiantly. Silas come near Edward ears and he whispers

'Or the Dragon will come and he will burn you alive. Arrandy had long not fight a mighty foe. They would surely welcome such invitation. As easy it was for him to ally with you, he could also ally with Harald. Do not forget what I know about you Edward. Surely you would not want your strongest friend in the North leave you?'

And then Silas leaned away and said 

'Your Majesty. What are you waiting for? Write the pardon letter already.' 

Edward gradually calmed the boiling tumult of his mind.

He then knew that Silas was right.

And threatened by Silas, Edward who are sure of his win a moment ago, suddenly in a somber mood, write the letter and the crisis in Vangua for now is resolved with the King gaining Harald vassal and Harald is confined to the northern borders.

The vacant county of the south which used to belong to Orleans is distributed to some Arrandian born noble who stay in Vangua, relatives and those who have familial ties with Lady Helia Vermont.

Edward really wanted the alliance with Aetherland and Arrandy and he knows the system of alliance in the continent, is remarkably fluid and mutable and it is never beyond the bounds of possibility to reverse the pattern of allies altogether. 

But for now, he needs to secure his southern border so he needs the alliance of the northern lord which is Aetherland. 

(Remember Aetherland and Arrandy is on the north side of Vangua while Vern is the northern side of Aetherland)

Harald and Emilia, this couple of husband and wife are known never to have been happy with the main currents of Edward's foreign policy which favors the northern alliance: 

The couple wanted friendship with Freya with thousands of slave soldiers and with Renasia, the two nations that Edward regarded as his deadliest foes.

But nonetheless, this time Edward had win but Silas threat is not to be taken lightly. 

If Arial knows what happen in Weover, surely the young prince would find other ways to disrupt him and with the prince abilities there is no doubt that he can show his will and enforces it on a weak Vangua.

The civil war is averted in Vangua after long subterfuge and intrigues.

Calm has descended once gain upon the prosperous land of Vangua

*************************************************************************