Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 352: Subterfuge (1)

'Acro is the city of lights, of commerce and knowledge' many would exclaim. 

All of these statements is true and become a source of pride for Arrandians and envy for others.

It is acknowledged that the great city of Acro is the center of culture, trade and knowledge in the human continent, a city ruled by the powerful family of Vermont who bear the crest of the dragon and of whom their offspring all have white hair, a family regarded by some as royalty itself, with influence reaching to the whole continent with its trade empire.

The gold of their family is reputedly is even more than any other Kings in the continent, which is why they could afford lavish feast and banquet and can hire anyone they want.

And as the famed family grew in power, so does the city they ruled forming a city that is both strong militarily and economically. 

The city is filled with hundreds of thousands of people every day from all walks of life. 

But today the air of the city in one particular part of the city is constricting, fill with ominous silence and people only hear whispers and guarded conversations.

Usually the city would be packed with people; every street will be filled with chatter, gossips and conversation. 

Traders and merchants selling their wares, whalers and scholars could be seen striking up conversation however today a few weeks before the end of the year, the streets of Acro near the Administration quarters, something odd is happening.

There is no chattering, no merchants or traders as today the great lords and great houses from all of Arrandy is congregated there coming with their vassals lords and retainers.

Why this host of great men all over Arrandy is congregated here with all their might their house possesses come here? 

What could possibly, who could possibly summon them all?

There is only one man in the entire region of Aetherland that has this much authority to summon all this noble houses. 

Lord Arial the Central Celestial and the Prince of Arrandy, and it's great Duke.

Arial exploits at the martial arts tournament has spread among the noble lords who has ties with the martial art world community and as such they are all became more intimidated at the young lord summoning them.

Their objective? 

The question of the Vangua matter. The Invasion that the Duke of Arrandy has proposed. Whether they will follow the Duke to battle or sit this one out.

However seeing this somber mood, Arial who is sitting on the large wooden chair with its entire splendor, he instantly recognized there is far less enthusiasm for the invasion of Vangua than at the original conclave of Arial inner circle. 

But Arial believe in the loyalty or at least their sense of benefit of what they can get by joining the war. 

And if they do not agree….and this time he smiles…he has already formed a plan.

Then he question with his voice booming in the large hall. 

'Today we are gathered here with one purpose in mind. A great venture to the south of our border, to an enemy that does not back down, who regarded our pride as inconsequential, a thorn in Aetherland legitimacy, a pretender of some sort. And I have summoned you all of you here with one specific task in mind.' 

Arial look at the faces of his vassal lords, lords that have an alliance with his family and those who have bend their knee to the Vermont during the last war. 

The Blacktons, one of Arial most loyal bannermen is not here, guarding the southern border with House of Ormont and the Three Brothers.

Arial continue.

'Tell me who will contribute to my venture of Invasion' Arial said arrogantly and then he sits himself down waiting for the response of the noble lords.

However the noble lords look at Arial with complicated expression and one could sense that these meeting did not exactly happened like Arial had expected. 

The whisper rises with volume, as the chattering in secrets become more and more loud, and shouting began, like a concerted effort, a pre-planned objection to the young lord proposition.

There is some unspoken agreement between these lords, a plot Arial had expected but never this much of concerted effort to undermine him.

There is uproar among the crowd with each voicing their dissatisfaction to the young lord with great objection.

'My lord, just because you wanted to invade Vangua and settle your personal score with Lord Harald why should we be the one enduring it? This is your great war, your great battle.'

Some of the noble lord protested.josei

'True, my lord. It is our armies that will bleed, and it is we that need to burden their loss. What about our lands? Our farms? Who will man it? Who will farm when we go to war? Your land is bountiful and trades is in abundance but what about ours? Our land is small and as such we need to constantly guard it from internal and external enemies, my lord.'

They all said and voice their opinion seeing that the other lord speaks. 

'Please consider our plight.' Some of them try a different approach by begging. And some others straight up scolded Arial

'This is too arrogant of you Duke Arial. You had simply assumed you had our support and then question us? You may be the lord of Arrandy but we are lords too. Your might is great but do you think our might is inferior?'

Vociferous opposition was expressed.

Then Lord Robert expresses his opinion loudly and confidently.

'This enterprise is impossible, Duke Arial.' He began his statement.

'Vangua is strong and now with its land doubled their drafted army is logically bigger than before. The necessary manpower that will be needed to fight such a large force could not be raised in Arrandy alone, and not only that, what about us? You might have the means to acquire supplies for your army but how about us who have little land for themselves, with little more army then yourselves? We lacked the resources to finance such a massive endeavor. We might even starve before we see Vangua soil, die under the winter cold. As the representative that oppose this plan of yours, the rest of us asked for more time to deliberate on this important matter'

Arial was silent but his face says it all. He was furious. Then he stand up and pointed his fingers to these lords and shouted

'YOU! HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN YOUR OATH!' Arial was about to hurl his insult when Silas stayed his lord hands. 

'Patience, my lord. There is nothing to be gain by losing your temper here. We have a plan remember?' he whispers to his lord ears.

Arial recognized the wisdom in Silas words and calm down his boiling hearts.

Arial sit back down at his chair and look and glare murderously at the noble lord and they all avert their gaze from that intense glaring.