Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)
Chapter 282: The faces of clouds in the sky (1)

Arial of course knew this, a man as prideful as Harald would surely not bow his head to his rival but he might accept the aid under the guise of saving his family.

Harald is different than Alderam. And as such, the way to handle them both had to be changed.

But Harald also knows that he could not openly support Arial.

After all, Harald influence lay in him being the embodiment of the national feeling; for him to appear as the supporter of Arial, an Arrandian would have been to lose the crown for himself.

And homage itself is no degradation, even in the highest; a man often did homage to any one from whom he had received any great benefit, and Harald had received a very great benefit from Arial.

Harald family is now safe, their position restored even though weaker, at least they got to keep their heads.

Homage to a new lord does not imply treason to the old one.

Harald, delivered by Arial from King Edward devious machination, would be eager to settle this debt and Silas know his lord always collect.

Men took the obligation of homage upon themselves very easily.The homage would be little more than binding himself in the strongest form so to do.

The relation of homage could be made to mean anything or nothing, as might be convenient.

The man might often understand it in one sense and the lord in another.

If Harald really become the man of Arial, he would look on the act as little more than an expression of good will and gratitude towards his benefactor, a hint of gratitude to the measure Arial have went for him in securing the safety of his new family.

Harald of course, would not look on it as forbidding him to accept the Vanguan crown if it is offered to him.

Harald, the man of Prince Arial, might become a king, if he could, just as Arial, the man of King Adrian, might become a king, if he could.

As things went, both the homage and the promise of marriage is capable of being looked on very lightly.

But Arial is a talented politician adept in state matters that the mere obligation of homage would, in the skillful hands of Arial, be quite enough to work on men's minds, as Arial wished to work on them.

After all, in his youth it is Arial that return back their family to power from the exile, and it was Arial that persuade the Church to make a Kingdom for the Dukedom, asking the permission of the Emperor in the North.

But Silas understand how vexing this situation would be for Harald. Silas sighed. He knows himself to be a shrewd politician but his lord is also shrewd at times.

Though Arial is not excessively cruel but in the matter of his enemy there is no doubt he would kill all of them rather than letting them go, unless there is a benefit for the region or for his family.

And his lord also has another plan, after all Arial might be leaving for a few months to go to Zettel. Arial intention is to foster suspicion.

Now that the King has shown Harald how powerful he could become and Harald has shown how formidable he can be, both of this people will enter in relationship of deceit and minimal trust.

Sooner or later, that will erupt into a conflict.

This gesture of aid is nothing more than a ploy for Arial, if he ever seriously thinks to pursue the Vanguan throne.

Silas had heard what happens after he leaves.

Orleans is allowed to declare her and her family's innocence of all charges brought against them.

The assembly voted for Harald and Emilia restitution by spontaneous acclamation.

Edward, doubtless fuming secretly, gave Orleans and Harald the king's peace, condoned all alleged offences and restored them both to the royal favor and to their estates.

Harald himself show himself a great forbearance, remarkably free of vindictive spirit, once the King relented, which make him famous among the common people.

He contented himself with restoring his family fortunes. In a way, it seems Harald is playing for time.

The policy, an ill-starred policy he reminded himself, of exiling those who displeased him is not a viable and effective method, Silas thought.

An enemy in the making Arial once said.

His lord, Lord Arial Vermont, once said, if there is such enemy in his land, he would kill them without hesitation since they might one day struck his family.

Not killing them only put him and his family in danger.

'Dear, tea' the word startled Silas. He could see his wife approaching him to give him the tea.

'Ah, yes.' Silas said his hand took the cup and take a sip of the tea. It is very clean and clear, just the way he likes it.

Tea is a very expensive product and Silas would have never had such opportunity to drink it if not for his position and wealth.

It comes from a distance land, a land where its people worship thousands of gods

In Arrandy, if you have knowledge, you could reach immeasurable heights since Lord Arial did not discriminate in gathering talented people.

If not how could he rise in such a world?

A son of a pig farmer, is now one of the most fearsome politician in the Human Continent. He scoffed at himself

'What are you thinking about, dear?'

Silas looked at the clouds.

'The shifting of the clouds, my love' he said

'Then why your eyebrow creased like you are solving a difficult problem, dear? Surely, that is not because of the clouds?' Joana asked, playing along with her husband

'Because the clouds are so mysterious that is why' he chuckled

'You tease me, my lord.'

'Can't I tease you?'

This time his wife chuckled.

'Yes you can, my lord.'

Then she sits beside him, pouring him tea and joins him in his conversation.

'I heard the news in Acro, dear'

'What news?'

'The news that our lord is travelling. I even heard he had a huge fight with the Duchess, leaving again after just a short time here in the region.'

'Yes, he is' Silas nodded, putting the teacup on the table.

'Where? Is it the Dark Lands again?' Silas shook his head and then he sighed.

'No. To the Martial Art Meet.'

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the chapter tomorrw is a beginning of the new Arc, the Martial Arts Meet. See you tomorrw and stay safe everyone.