Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 369: The winter cold (1)

The wind blows and Helia took the blanket near her and snuggle around it. She is laying on her bed room while Ariadne is being accompanied with Liselle to the park. 

Ariadne has been happy these few months since she could see her father.

From her birth to her early childhood, her father is rarely there so it could be understandable her happiness when her father spends some time with her. 

But since a few weeks ago, Ariadne begins sulking again since her father has left her again. Ariadne knew that her father always like to spoil her and when her father left, Ariadne once again sulking and sometimes getting angry at the maid.

Helia on the other hand is burdened with the responsibilities with managing the household. 

Lady Julia and Lord Aries on the other hand is peacefully resting on the villa near Dagur Hill with all the luxuries that could be afforded to them. 

Helia knows she must not disappoint Arial hope for her. 

Arial has spent a whole year in warlike preparations, using lavish expenditure to keep his own knights and armies in readiness and to attract those of others.

How many golds have been used, how many words have been spoken to convince the people to aid him? Helia knew all this, her husband efforts.

At first Arial did all this for Helia but now Helia suspected that Arial is also doing it to ensure war will never reach Arrandy.

'Prepare for war, if you want peace' Arial once said to her in private during they discuss the matter of Vangua.

Thankfully many heed Arial call.

The prospect of sharing in the riches of one of the most prosperous kingdoms in Human Continent draws supporters from far and wide. 

'Men' Helia sighed.

Men with a lust for war flocked to her husband cause and made ready their weapons for the fray, no doubt panting for the spoils of Vangua and they will gladly throw themselves into the perils that awaited them. 

Such is the power of temptation that the land of Vangua has on men, nobles and warriors alike.

Helia also has accepted her responsibilities and since Arial have decided not to blame her for events turning out this way, Helia is also eager to add the crown of Vangua to the family.

His husband asked of her to pray for him in the upcoming days before the Invasion. And Helia is full with enthusiasm to grant it.

The Church of Diana was built as a show of grace during her marriage with Arial, a gift to the common people for them to pray and give service to God, and it is not completed but it can be said it is nearing completion.

It is commissioned in Acro, a few hundred meters from the Church of St Assisi, but Helia has already sent word to the other ecclesiastical order that she would like to dedicate the church to her husband safety and luck in the war.

Then suddenly the wind blows again and Helia shivered again. 

'This will not do' Helia said. She got up from her bed and order the servants to bring her a thicker blanket.

After Arial departed for Arouen, Helia came down with the Mild Winter cold and has been unwell for the past few days. 

Still she forces herself to attend the council meeting to supervise the preparations.

She has been given herbs by the healer and her cold is slightly better but she still feels the cold in her body. 

Even though she uses her internal energy to dispel the cold, the cold still persisted. She didn't have enough strength, if she has to admit it herself.

After receiving the blanket, she keeps laying on the bed, sniffling and coughing. But still her mind wanders.

The ceremony she was thinking. She has sent the invite right? Yes, she did as she remembered.

Nobles from every kingdom were invited, senior churchmen, Prince Articon of other churches, and the head of almost every monastery that the Vermont families have as its patron.

The reason why Helia did all this is not only because of her religious belief, but also because Helia decided to lend her husband campaign religious legitimacy, or rather strengthening the story that they have created.

Helia once floated the idea to offer their daughter to the church as a novice of the church but Arial was very opposed to the idea and threatened to even burn every church in Arrandy if Helia go through with it. josei

Of course Helia was also angry to think her husband could say such blasphemous words but Helia knew of her husband affection for their daughter.

But Helia still think it is a good idea. Many stories in the book of Light echoed such stories and tales. 

Stories of people making the ultimate sacrifice to God, offering their children, animals, or precious possessions as a sacrifice. 

If Arial had agreed, the fact that Arial and her should choose to do so at such a time is profoundly significant. 

They are in the eyes of the church effectively striking a bargain with God: they had given Him their daughter, now He should give them the Kingdom.

Given the pious nature of Helia, it is not surprising she could think such thoughts. 

'Uhuk, Uhuk' she coughed. 

Commission for the statue she remembered. And she smiles. Arial would be surprised if he sees it.

'For today, I might have to cancel my schedule rounds' she said as she calls her servant and order her to inform everyone she will not be attending today to attend to her health. 

And then she sleeps. Yet her body feel like floated like she is falling as her body and senses failed her.

It was in the evening when she is woken up by a very enticing aroma. She smells ginger. And her nose twitches.

And then she opens her eyes. And she looks on the face in front of her, smiling and relieved seeing her. 

That blue eyes stare Helia hazel eyes and they stay like that for a moment.

'Kyle' she said a little shocked and the moment broke as she looks at the blue eyes of Kyle staring at her, sitting on her bed just a few feet from her and he distance himself from her.

Behind her is Kyle sister, Lisa Palais and her husband West Palais.

'Have you regained your strength, Helia?' Lisa asks, her voice is full with her concerns. Then she shakes her head.

'Helia you have forced yourselves too much. This is the problem with you. You should have taken more care of your body. You know Arial would complain if he knows of this' Lisa said as Helia began regaining his strength. 

The blanket is being smothered to her by Kyle. 

'Keep that on.' He said his voice is comforting Helia as he pushes it to Helia and Helia, smiling and happy for the concern, took it with open hearts. 

'You must stay warm.'

'You don't have to worry this much. I was only sleeping.'

'No, you fainted' Kyle reply, and there is a hint of anger in his voice. 

'The servants try to rouse you from your slumber but you did not reply to any of their pleas so some servants went inside and confirms that you have fainted.' Lisa supported.

'How could you not think of your own health!' Kyle said almost screaming. 

'Arial would have...worried. I…. I would have worried. They are people worried about you' he said as he begins to fluster at his own words.

'Are you sure? I think I was just sleeping. I did have some cold and some sniffles but I don't think that I would fainted'

Lisa rolled her eyes.

'The healers have diagnosed you to be very tired. Certainly you have overworked yourselves busy with the invasion preparation.' Lisa said.

'This is true my lady' West said. Helia just bowed slightly towards West. West might be Lisa husband but Helia is not well acquainted with the Count too much. 

There is the matter of her once rejecting the Count offer of marriage before.

'It is rare seeing you here in the castle Lord West. It is a delight to see you here. I thought you would have stay at Valais since your wife is expecting.'

'My wife long to see her old friends. Her whim is my command' as West look at his wife and Lisa just blushed.

'Dear' she said.

Quickly West change the topic.