Chapter 350: Silent war (1)
WHITEMONTH 1022
It is a calm morning in Arrandy and in the castle of the Vermont''s. It is cold as the winds of winter ising slowly to Arrandy.
The Vermont''s is spending their time doing their usual routine.
In the morning Arial would apany his wife to the gardens ying with their daughter and then return back near the noon but as thend be colder, they began ying in the castle walls.
Arial would apany her on her morning strolls across the gardens and thekes sometime ying with her daughter everyday, like he was making up for lost times
This moment of bliss passed slowly.
In the noon, Arial would then visit Adriana in her mansion, conversing in the matters of knowledge and spection of history past, in the evening Arial would visit his parents, fulfilling his duty as their son.
Still, the tension is visible in the young lord behavior. He is waiting the letter to arrive in Vangua and with every passing day, his anxiety grew.
Then a few weeks after he sends his letter, his council got a reply from Vangua.
Quickly they informed their lord, and Arial with haste, get up from his bed one morning and rushed to the council chambers.
The letter from Vangua arrived and the news spread all around the castle wall of the Vermont''s. Tension is visible in every person in the castle.
From it the emissaries send the letters to the council so that they could ry the reply to Arial of Lord Harald decision.
Lord Oliver first read the content and then ry it to the people present in the chamber; his clear voice reverberates in thatrge hall.
Lord Harald is not interested in the offer of marriage, and as for Arial im to the throne of Vangua the answer is the same as always.
King Edward had named Harald his sessor on his deathbed, this had been ratified by a representative assembly of the entire nobility of Vangua and only this Council of Lords had the legitimate power to make kings as thews of Vangua dictated.
The council informed their lord as Oliver read the content of the letter to the member of this council of war.
Arial is now at his Council chamber, and still even though the reply of the letter is unfavorable, Arial is not angry or displeased, it was like he has predicted.
Lord Harald had rejected his offer and his reason for rejecting is all within Arial estimates. So it is hardly surprising for Arial.
''So, my lords as this happen exactly like you predicted what should we do now?'' Lord Oliver ask, once again in admiration in his lord astute political sense.
''Arm church'' Arial reply without any exnation, like the word itself will reveal its meaning to the people in the chamber.
Ss looks at Arial and is shocked with a hint of admiration.
''You are cunning my lord. Truly cunning. Was this the n all along? Hahto think I miss the subtle hints you were dropping'' Ss said.
Arial just grins.
''What do you mean my lord?'' Lord Massey said clearly not understanding.
''s it seems only Lord Ss understand my cunningness.'' Arial saidughing heartily. Ss just chuckle.
''Lord Massey do you not understand what our lord is implying?'' He said in a mocking tone clearly liking the fact that Massey is one step behind him.or maybe ten steps behind him in terms of intrigues.
''Our lord is trying to appeal to the Supreme Papnoticon of Arm, in the cities of Holies. Now I understand why our lord asks me to investigate the Arm Church of Light when I was there thest time. To think our lord has been thinking of this for a long while, and to n it with such great attention and details, I am fill with admiration'' Ss said.
Arial just nodded, clearly pleased with Sspliments.
Arial on the other hand believes that the Supreme Papnoticon would hear his case with care as his family is known to be very pious at least ording to the churches standard.
Arial realizes that the nuances of Vanguaw and custom were unknown at the Arm, the office of the truly High Authorities of the Church, and, by presenting a case couched in the kind of the Davarus continental terms the pontiff would understand, he could easily make a weak case appear a strong, and even unassable, one.
''Then who will be the envoy?'' Oliver asked.
''I am willing to volunteer myself for this task'' Oliver said.
''If not, Leander, my son could do this as his penance for thatst mista-''
''Send me my lord'' Lord Massey cut Lord Oliver words while Lord Oliver res at him.
''I know some of Bishops and Priest that has owe me some favors. I will sway the general opinion of the church to our noble cause.'' He said confidently.
Arial on the other hand is looking at Ss.
''Will you not volunteer Lord Ss?'' Ss is looking outside the windows, looking at a bird in the ledges with great attention.
''I will not, my lord.''
''Is it hard for you, this task?'' Ss shakes his head.
''On the contrary, my lord. I hardly think this is a hard task for me topleteparing it with all the task you have saddled me with over these years.''
''Then why not volunteer for the task. Surely you know I reward those who is capable?'' Arial said, his tone is clearly persuading Ss to go.
There is no other candidate that is most suitable for this task, Arial had decided.
With Ss knowledge of the inner conflict in the Office of the Holies, he is the perfect candidateparing him with the others on the council.
''It is a bother to leave my family again. And the Dark Lands, though I have to admit have some beautiful ces and scenery, the Holy Cities is truly a forlorn ces to be.''
''So, you do not volunteer merely because you find the work to be unrewarding and the ce dull?''
Ss smiles a bit and he heard the reproaching tone in Arial words
''It is reward itself to serve for you, my lord..but dull is what dull is. The ce is full with people who have no humor and they are so easily swayed that it is hardly a challenge to persuade them.''
Arialughed hard.
Ss and his weird quirks. Yet, Arial could not muster in his heart to scold him. It could be said even though Ss is seen to be slightly rude, Arial had to admit it was Ss charm.
''Then ept this as your punishment then.'' Arial order, showing a grinning face.
Ss looked at his lord, Arial and sighed. He knows his lord is trying to force the job on him. It''s not like his lord make his intention subtle.
He had to admit out of all the people in this room he has the most experience with the Office of the Church and thus making him the most perfect candidate for the task but the reason Ss rejected the first time is not only because the leave he has to take from his family but also to curb the jealousy that the other courtier has for him owing to his good rtionship with the young lord.
Ss could already see the ugly expression on Lord Oliver and Lord Massey faces. They are clearly displeased by the favoritism shown by the lord to him.
''My lord there is no need to send Lord Ss. I could-''
Arial then res at Lord Massey and Lord Massey shuts his mouth. Lord Oliver knowing that his lord has decided. So he knew best when to speak and not to speak
Just watch the appointment! He silently scolded Lord Massey in his heart
Ss look at Arial and then he said
''This Ss is a loyal vassal of the Vermont''s. As such I will not refuse. I will go and be an envoy for the Vermont and I will win the Church sympathies and make our cause, their cause.''
Arial nodded with satisfaction.
''I will wait the good news from you Lord Ss.'' Ss nodded.
Arial then turn his gaze to Lord Massey and Lord Oliver.
''Lord Oliver, go and make sure the intention of the other lords. Will they be with me or do they have some plots that will endanger my venture. This will be your task. I expect your news in a few weeks.''
''Yes, my lord.''
''Lord Massey, your job is here. Train the army and let them prepare for the war toe. Things are calm now, but it will be brief. I am keeping in contact with some people that will surely tip the scale of the war in our favor. It is your duty to make sure that our army is prepare to fight when the storm ising.''
Lord Massey nodded.
''Yes, my lord'' he replied with an enthusiasm that Arial has always admired.
''The council is dismissed.''
***********************************************************************