Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

1013 AF Fallmonth

Day 56

Roaring Dragon Castle

News of the massacre had spread across the Dukedom, and the common folk were restless. They knew war was coming.

The nobles began plotting and enemies are eyeing the right moment to take advantage of this matter.

Arial took the old Palais castle as his own, and turned it into the Dragon Fort.

They would need all the security they could attain as the forces of Alderam would surely tried to assassinate him

He also consolidated his family power in absorbing Rockstill that belong to the House of Rodan

House of Zephyr pledge their allegiance and Helia is in Seaworth through the letters he got from her

Her family now closely allied with the Vermont is also assembling an army to help Adrian claim back the Duchy.

Helia on the other hand remained with her father, who had changed their family name from Zephyr to Althea.

Which means now he is known as Helve Althea and his daughter Helia is known as Helia Althea.

Since his forefathers had pledged allegiance to the House of Palais, he no longer felt it appropriate to use their name.

This practice is common in the old days.

It also helps that Arial parents have betrothed them and they will get married when he reaches eighteen of age.

It is also probably why Helve did not hesitate to cast their lot with his family

Arial had written to his parents insisting that they stay safely in Seren.

His mother was nearing the time for childbirth, and the last thing he wanted was for her to get caught up in battle. He would make sure they were protected this time.

Rumors reached Arial's ears that Henry Palais had sided with Alderam and returned to the Dukedom.

Alderam must have promised to restore the title that was stripped from Henry at his exile—Arial could think of no other reason he would return.

The three brothers that lives near the Three Branches still didn't respond to Arial letters. They seem to be stubborn and Arial knows that he had to prove himself first in the field of battle for anyone to take him seriously

War is beginning and sides are chosen. Still they remain silent.

Alderam and his followers were occupying Dented Shield. It seemed Alderam had claimed the title of Duke for himself. Calling himself the Duke of Arouen

That night of the massacre he sent the people that were loyal to him instead of his brother to assassinate all that come into the funeral feast.

One thing Arial could praise him in is that he does know how to eliminate his enemies.

His vast army patrolled the city streets, and noble families who had shown loyalty to Adrian were executed, their heads displayed on spears to serve as a threat to others.

Alderam had led five thousand of the men he had acquired from Palais and House of Ancona on a march towards Dented Shield from the Flat Mountains where he remained hidden.

If Arial had known, he could have intercepted them in Pontder or bypassed Alan Moor and put an end to it before they had had chance to strike.

Alderam used the funeral as a distraction.

Now his army occupied the city and they have begun setting more defensive barricade in front of the city.

Those noble families that lived in the city, who show loyalty to Adrian or someone who is seen by Alderam as someone like that were executed.

That dreadful night, fifty-six of Arial's men had died, the rest were wounded or crippled.

The time they now had, must be used wisely if they had any hope of defeating Alderam.

Adrian still rested in his bed, the shock of the massacre had overwhelmed him.

Although he knew Alderam had been desperate for power, he hadn't expected his brother to attempt to assassinate him.

Arial need to pressure the Alderam forces to their claim of the duchy.

But all the other nobles that knew about the letter have been killed. Except him and some other that luckily managed to return here.

It was time for him to act

Arial decided that the next day, in Arrandy, he would declare that Adrian was the true heir.

He would declare that Adrian is the true heir of the Duchy, no Kingdom.

Arial meant to crown a King.

He meant to do something that was frowned upon by the lords, but since all the lords on his side were dead and those that did not die intent on the death of Adrian, there was no one to contend him.

He need to consolidate power. In the name of a Duke he cannot take other nobles lands.

But if a King?

Now that is different. After all, in his timeline, Alderam also did the same thing when he attained the Dukedom.

Fearing that the other lords will rebel at him, he confiscates all their land killing so many during the process.

If Adrian was King, with Arial as the Regent of the Duchy of Arrandy, nobody could object. Those that would object only came from Alderam forces.

It would give him legitimate claim to annex the other nobles such as the Three Brothers, Lord Tuchet, Lord Paris Sutton, Lord Will Dudley and Lord Henry.

With a war brewing, and the threat still approaching from the Dark Lands, there was only one more thing Arial could do.

He closed his eyes. May the Light shine my way against the darkness that is gathering.

He prays and then he opens his eyes and his determination is still as strong as the day he came back from his death.

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