Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 78: Plans (1)

ARIAL

1014 AF LIGHTMONTH

The trees surrounded his castle like great armies defending their fortress. The towers stand majestically. The banners of his family waved in the wind.

The turrets guarded the walls. The arrow lops can also be seen. Some were big, some were small.

Arial rode Firebringer through the trees to Roaring Dragon castle. The east was relatively peaceful thanks to the protection of the Vermont's, and the citizens of Danoba were busily hurrying through the markets as usual.

It almost seems like there is nothing happening outside the city.

Like the air of blood and war of the outside world could not taint this part of the Kingdom.

Arial stroked his horse's fiery mane as they approached the castle, surrounded by vigilant guards.

He look up and he smiles.

The guards of his household silently walked on the walls and keeping the peace, watching for dangers.

All the towers have a steeply spiral staircase, making it awkward for invaders, if they ever decide to invade to fight upwards, the steps uneven giving the defender some advantage

Trebuchets stood mightily on the towers ready at any moment notice to unleash an attack.

And in the castle he knew what inside it.

There is a great hall for feasting, with artwork from Vangua and Vern adorned the walls, tapestries of events that is laid on the glass stained windows, and rich tapestries of red hung on the walls of the other rooms, suits of armor standing guard to induce fear to those who wish us harm, a central huge open air courtyard and the dungeons and many more rooms all house their own secret.

There are also the baileys. There is the west, north, east and south bailey and there are many more in the castle.

It was then one of the guards recognize him

"My lord!" a guard yelled down from the top of a wall as he saw Arial pass by. "Congratulations on your victory!"

"Thank you," Arial called back, and nodded at the men who bowed their heads.

Arial could see the Dragon Keep when he looks in the distance. He once goes inside the Keep. It is a complex structure and larger than any Keep in the Kingdom.

It is also the last line of defense during siege or attack. The horseshoes shake the ground and Arial turn back behind him and smile.

All in horseback. All looked intimidating and armed to the teeth

With five thousand troops he returned back home. 

Word quickly spread of Arial's return, and before long he was surrounded by people celebrating his victory.

He had united many parts of the Kingdom under the Crown.

He led his men into the castle, sending Firebringer to rest in the stables. Once inside, one of his vassals approached him.

"My lord, should I assemble the council?" the man asked. Arial look around him and then he shakes his head

"Not yet," said Arial, and his man nodded and backed away.

The pressure of his mission in the south and his journey home had exhausted him, and he had to rest.

It is thankful that he could finish early in the South and return back

During the ride back, he had been thinking about the war chest. Gold did not just fall from the sky, and if the war continued it would surely leave them in financial pain.

After all there is nothing more consuming to the Treasury than a war.

He had to try to reach a settlement with Alderam, before it was too late. But he also acknowledges that it is hard.

To negotiate peace between the brothers might even be impossible. He sighed

His attack at the feast was unforgivable, but if they continued to battle their economy would shatter whether they won or not.

Fathers get stabbed by sword and the children get ripped apart by taxes. War does these to its people.

Arial did not want to see the old scene of parent selling their child or the desolation of hope in the hearts of peasants anymore.

Because he used to be one of those peasants.

With the real threat from beyond the sea creeping closer each day, Arial could not afford to waste all their gold on this war.

For the time being Arial would let Alderam stay in the north, while he secured his base in the west and the south.

The east had always been under his family's control, so he needn't worry about that.

There is a lot of profitable cities there and he intend to keep it that way. He did not want to divert to much gold and wreck the budding economy there.

Also, the King was still at Rockstill with his most trusted men, holding court in the castle that used to belong to the late Arwin Rodan.

He walk forward and then a man come to him.

"My lord," said another of Arial's men, who had been left to watch the city while Arial was away. The man kneeled, and Arial gestured for him to rise.

"How is the city?" Arial asked.

"Your city is doing fine, my lord. The traders and markets are functioning normally. Trade with our northern neighbor Vern has been blocked, but other than that things are still running smoothly," said the man, his face twitching slightly.

"Estimated loss?" asked Arial as he raised an eyebrow. The man paused. "give me the number!" Arial asked again, his voice stronger.

"About five million gold, my lord."

Arial sighed.

If the route to Vern was blocked their caravans could not reach them. Five million was a noticeable loss.

It might not be big for a large Kingdom but for such a small kingdom it is quite a loss. He need to open back the trade route.

Only with more gold could he secure more allies and weapon.

He decided that he will send letters to some of the Northron lords to open back the trade route maybe even share it with the Southron lords.

But Arial would still need Alderam's permission to open the route again and continue their trade.

"We will discuss it when the council has assembled," said Arial, and the man nodded silently as he went back into the city.

Arial take a sigh, his eyes burning with determination as he enters the castle.

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