Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 383: Some justice (3)

ON DIEGO SIDE

'Why did they stop Freyan?' Barael asked perplexed at this situation. Of course how could he understand negotiation? Diego mused. 

'I don't know.' Diego know that if Harald attack them now, it would be like cutting defenseless men, as they have no way to retaliate.

Yet he did not move and seem to be arguing something with his officer.

'What do you reckon he is planning?' The Anjouian King asked again, anxiety is reflected on his trembling voice. Even the Anjouian King knows his odd in breaking through those mounted cavalry is slim.

'I don't know.' Diego reply. Then he heard the shout.

'DIEGO. I COME WITH A PROPOSITION!'

Then advancing from king Harald side a squadron of ten horsemen, splendidly armed, and bearing a flag of truce. 

'He is suing for peace? What is this?' Diego said not understanding this luck. The squadron approached to within a short distance of the Anjouian lines, when an envoy who is among them called out aloud for Diego.

'Lord Diego' the envoy called.

'I will see what terms that the King has prepared.' The Anjouian King just nodded.josei

Diego came forward in answer to the summons. 

'The King has decided these terms for peace.'

'State the terms' Diego command. The envoy just nodded.

'The King did not wish to contend with Lord Diego, but desired, on the contrary, that Lord Diego would rule Venicia in his stead and that lord Diego and the king live together in harmony. The king would offer you peace if you would lay down your arms, and the King promised to restore you of your former possessions and honors.'

Diego listening to this is secretly happy. And he is very much inclined to receive this proposition favorably. 

However, the King spoke nothing of his allies. Diego might not like the Anjouian King and his way but still, the Anjouian King has helped him and has become his allies.

He paused and hesitated. Then he asks

'What terms King Harald would make with my friend and ally, the Anjouian King Barael?' The envoy replied that the King has not spoken of such terms for his allies. Diego then commanded the envoy to ask the King about the terms for his allies.

'Then wait here as I return to my King and ask him of these matters.' The envoy returned and then while Diego is waiting with anxiety, the envoy returns.

'Did you ask the King?'

'Yes, I have.'

'And his terms for my allies?'

"He shall have," replied the envoy, "seven feet of Vanguan ground for a grave. The Anjouian King Barael shall have a little more than that, for he is taller than common men. This is the only terms I could offer for such barbarian race. This is non-negotiable. Such brutality towards my people must be repaid. Blood by blood."

'Is this the King words?' Diego said shocked by such a strict term.

'Word by word, my lord'

Diego looked at his allies and then at the army of Harald.

"Then," replied Diego, "Tell the King to prepare for battle. It shall never be said that Diego of Botticelli abandoned and betrayed his ally and friend." It is impossible for Diego to leave the Anjouian. 

Not only because of honor but also because the Anjouian is known for their abilities to hold a grudge. 

If he left the Anjouian King and he survived, then the consequences would be dire. 

If not that, even if Barael died, one day wouldn't his tribe hear that I have abandoned my own allies? Won't they then search for me? But most of all, his honor. 

He may be a merchant prince but he is still a noble. 

Honor is instilled in him since he was a child. How could he show his face to his people if he could not even keep an oath?

Thinking of all this matter he decided.

'Is this your decision my lord? The King has offered a very gre- '

'Enough, messenger. Deliver my message.' Diego said hardening his resolution. He has made his decision and he will not take back his words.

The messenger nodded.

'As you wish my lord'

The messenger then returned to Harald with Diego answer.

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ON HARALD SIDE

'So, this is his decision. Fool. He could have the city but he chose honor to a barbarian race.' Ser Roland said.

Harald on the other hand looks at the area of Diego. 

'It is unfortunate'

'What is, my King?' Roland asked as he sees the face of regret in Harald.

'Such honorable man, if he is under me.' 

'He is your enemy your Highness.' 

'True. True, he is my enemy. Yet I could not help but admire his reckless bravery and honor. Such traits must be appreciated and admired.' Harald said.

'You are peculiar, Your Highness. You are mourning for the enemies.'

'Is it not mournful when I have to slay such an honorable man, Roland? If only we meet in different circumstances, then I might even persuade him to join me. However, I could not let the killing and sacking of so many cities goes unpunished.' 

Roland nodded seeing once again the fire in his King eyes. Then Harald look to the Anjouian army and orders Roland.

'Tell the men to charge.'

Hearing the answer of Diego, the King has decided swiftly on his course of action, the battle almost immediately begins. 

Of course the most eager and inveterate hostility of the Vanguan army would be directed against the Anjouian and their king, whom they considered as foreign intruders, without any excuse or pretext for their aggression. 

Diego might be understandable considering his family position but Anjouian? By what justification they dare to set their foot to Vanguan lands other than to pillage, raze and rape the people of the prosperous Vangua?

So of course this hatred must be satisfied.

���SURROUND THEIR FLANKS!' Roland said as he rushed to the front line while ordering his Knights to attack the left flank of the enemies. 

Considering their cavalry unit is very highly armed, the battle is more of a slaughter then a battle. 

Of course there are some flying axes that hit the Vanguan army but for each one the Anjouian kill, the Vanguan kill three.

Even Harald suffer some injuries but he persisted and keep the battle organized.

Some is trampled to their death, their skull crushed under the weight of the warhorses while the guards and the common folk cheered and pray for the victory of the King. 

Some of the common folk ran away from the area of the battle fearing to get involved in such gore business.

Harald also fight in the front line while his Knight protected his left and right flank with such ferocity that not even one Anjouian could break it.

'FORWARD!' Harald yelled as he broke the defensive lines of the Anjouian. One Anjouian jump and threw his axe to Harald. 

Harald quickly dodge while on top of the horse and the axe flew to one of his Knight. 

'You dare!' Harald yelled as he maneuvers his horse to the Anjouian and slash his face and his jaw is slice very terribly, like his face was slice to two. 

The Anjouian whimpered and screamed as the blood flow from his cut jaw and then he falls to his death, maybe because of the shock, or maybe because of the loss of blood.

Then in the chaos Harald see the Anjouian King Barael from a distance.

'Lord Jason, protect my flank!' Harald ordered. 

'Yes Your Highness.' Lord Jason quickly change his direction and return to Harald left flank as he begins fending of the other threats near herald.

Harald brought out his bow from his back. 

Harald then aim and with a deep breath he releases his arrow as the arrow slices through the air and then a loud scream can be heard.

'Y…O. U BAST...A.R!' And then that large and tall man fell in the battlefield as the other Knights hardened their attacks.

Barael the Anjouian King, fell, an arrow lodged on his throats, his hand is still seen clutching the arrows, his eyes white in disbelief. 

'Retreat!' Diego yelled as he saw what happened.

'LET US CATCH THEM! LEAVE NO ONE ALIVE' Roland ordered, his eye is battle frenzy. 

The other Knights seeing the Anjouian King corpse, all trample the King corpse with their horses and every bones in the King pitiful corpse can be heard breaking as the Knights of Harald men laugh.

Blood seeps from the ears, liquid spurted out from the King buttocks, gooey black and brown liquid soil the ground and one of the Knight stomp on the corpse stomach causing it to burst like a blown up spring fountain, emitting a foul odor.

They wanted to provoke the other Anjouian to enter battle yet once again. The Anjouian wanted to enter but Diego quickly order them to return to prevent many more casualties.

'ENOUGH! HALT AND STOP YOUR CHARGE!' Harald orders on his side.

The pursuing knights stopped in their tracks. 

'Your Highness we- '

'ENOUGH! Heed my words.' 

They all bowed slightly and obey. Roland brought his horse to the King. 

'Your Highness, are you thinking of negotiating again?'

'Yes' Harald reply. 

'This much generosity is enough Your Highness. We can end them now.' Harald hold up his hand and Roland shuts his mouth.

'Forgive me Your Highness.'

Harald then make camp as he once again sends envoy to Diego who is forced making camp outside the city while the army of the King follows behind and they both make camp close to each other.

All the while Arial in the north has begun to move to the northern frontier and has already conquered a few cities.

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