Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 345: Throne of vangua (1)

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THE CONFLICT

The whole reason of the oncoming war stems from a promise made by King Edward the Saint to Arial the Dragon in 1020AF. 

This promised is considered binding by Arial and his vassal and primarily his wife, mostly his wife, who has made it her life mission to make her husband a king, to claim her rightful place as Queen of Vangua as her lineage so advantageously has given her but the promise which Edward the Saint promises to the dragon in the North is construed differently by others, especially Lord Harald Alan of House Orleans. 

If we are talking about Althea or before as they are known as Zephyr, their lineage that stretches back to the formation of the Kingdom of Vangua and some distant past relations with the Four Families of Principality of Freya, their claim is not that farfetched and can be accepted by all the other noble lords, so does the Orleans who has most of the control of the south of Vangua, who intermarriages with many of the nobles that have relations with the noble families of the royalty of Vangua.

But to say about Lord Harald Alan and Lord Arial Vermont, these two great men of their times…. their claim is dubious at best.

But these two potential candidates both have distant claim to the throne of one of the most prosperous area in the human continent. 

But for all their rivalry and enmity both of them have quite the same situation. 

Lord Harald claim to the throne is because of his relation with Orleans while Lord Arial claim is through his wife side of the family. 

For the Orleans their marriage was a political marriage uniting two of the eldest nobility line while Lord Arial and Lady Helia marriage unite one of the most celebrated lineages of Vangua and Aetherland into one of the strongest family militarily in the entire Human Continent.

In Vangua there seemed a general acceptance that Lord Harald should be king. 

Many must have had reservations, but few were prepared to oppose him, and the majority probably thought him the least of the various evils, which included rule by foreign and unknown Lord Arial, or by a King boy, the new King of Zettel, the younger brother of Lady Marilyn Roth, wife of King Adrian Alan which means they will be marginalized by the Caelum lords, who would find it difficult if not impossible to fight off the rivals. 

For men in south of Vangua, Lord Harald is their obvious lord; for nobles in the north, he is at least the devil they knew and perhaps respected. 

Events in any case moved so fast that it is difficult to see any other immediate choice. On the day of King Edward's burial, Lord Harald is proclaimed king, and crowned in the new church after the burial concluded. 

The Arrandians would later claim he had acted with indecent haste, but they could hardly deny that Vangua had accepted him. 

Those nobles, who were in the south, no doubt anticipating the old king's death, favored Lord Harald. 

He had achieved some recognition of a special position in the kingdom, being referred to as General of Vangua, Harald the Vanquisher and a staunch opponent for foreign influence in the land of Vangua. 

Harald took the crown 'as the king had granted it to him, and as he had been chosen'.

So the curtain is open on one of the bloody battle for the most coveted throne at that era, as two of these rivals will finally face each other in one of the greatest battle not because of the scale of it but the importance of the battle to the world on the whole scheme of things ever recorded in the history of Human Continent.

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THE FOREST

The scent of the morning in the forest is fresher and more rejuvenating than that of his own castle. 

The huge and tall trees sheltered anyone from the sun, making it sometimes look like a dark wood but as the sun showed its face the light that shine through the leaves is so beautiful that one had to dispel such notions. 

The sound of birds humming, the butterfly flying in the scenery and some creatures could be seen dashing around the forest finding food for the early morning.

Arial went hunting in the morning after his refreshing morning. He first visited her sister as his parent advised and asks her of her wellbeing. 

Arial is surprised of the sheer brilliance of her sister, the way she devoted herself on her studies, proficient in many areas. 

She also has this silent strength that Arial could see, one that Arial believe that even Adrianna herself does not yet realize. 

They talk about many things…. mostly about his adventure. 

Adrianna seem to be interested in the story of Arial journey, of the dark lands, story of the Holy Cities of Aralam, the Heaven Mountain at the Xenos desert, the culture of the other races. 

Her enthusiasm is so infectious that Arial have lent her key to his own private library. Her passion even amused Arial to a point of disbelief.

Every member of the family has their own private library but Arial probably have the largest collection of books from magic to martial arts theory on his library. 

Aries on the other hand does have library but that is mostly for appearance. Unlike his wife and son, Aries rarely reads.

Arial does not let people enter his library easily not only because that is where he keeps his secret but also because of the many forbidden books by the church is kept in there, sealed and never revealed to the church. 

After all the church version of the story is not the only version that has survived the church persecution and not everybody worship the Light as their God. 

It is because of his conversation with her sister is so titillating that Arial lent her the key to his own private library with a generosity unbecoming of him in the matter of his secret and Adrianna seem to be happy with the gift and the trust that Arial has shown her. 

Arial is still admiring the brilliance of her mind even while hunting. To think that Adrianna, his own little sister, that quiet little girl has such intellect. 

From what Arial heard Helia put great emphasis on her study, recruiting the best teacher from all over the world. 

Arial is pleased of her sister achievement. Women are not treated with dignity in these times but that only applies to common folk. 

For a lady of such houses, especially House Vermont, she might even dictate in political game in the future. 

Of course Arial would like it if she could enjoy her youth now. When she grows up a harsh world is waiting her but Arial swore to protect her from any harm. 

Such is the protectiveness of a brother. 

Arial is not so naïve to protect her from hurt and pain of her own devising because that is the only way she could grow and become stronger but Arial will be there in her darkest moment to give hope….to give light when darkness seems to prevail, to be the shoulder she could lean on when time gets tough. 

The world does not care whether you are suffering or happy….so like it or not change is inevitable. 

And Arial knows her sister is acutely aware of this. If Arial sharpened his sword for war, Adriana sharpens her mind for the future. Arial could not be prouder.