Age Of Heroes

30 Seedmonth 1007 AF

Spring had arrived, and the land was filled with new life and fresh hopes. The flowers bloom and the birds sings as the farmers began sowing their seed on their land

Rodes had pulled itself back onto its feet; the city had begun opening its shops once more, peddlers were selling their wares, and citizens' doors and windows were flung wide open.

Spring is here and it is time for a rebirth

The feast had taken a week to prepare, during which time the four friends had been welcomed into the mayor's residence.

Every night they were served the sweetest wines and most succulent meat, though none of them had much of an appetite.

The battle had affected them, and they all had their own demons to face. That night still stayed in their dreams.

It was the first time Kyle, Lisa and Helia had seen the gruesome reality of battle, and their dreams were haunted by blood and skin.

Arial could not shake the image of the girl spread across the floor, devoured by maggots. He knew blaming himself would accomplish nothing, the dead would remain dead, and he had saved so many more lives, but the girl had had parents, friends… Arial shook himself.

He had to learn from the experience, not dwell on it. There is a great undertaking he need to do and he could not crumble just by this.

He strengthens his determination instead of faltering

On the day of the feast, the city was filled with decorations and on high spirits. By noon, the mayor's house was swarming with life.

Parents bowed and shook Arial's hand with heartfelt gratitude, thanking him sincerely for saving their children.

Others sadly expressed how grateful they were that their children's murderers had been disposed of. Not one person blamed them for the losses.

The feast began, mounds of dishes were served and glasses were filled with fine wines. Friends and neighbors sat beside strangers, swapping stories of their children, laughing and weeping, consoling and congratulating.

Helia pulled up a chair next to Arial, a glass of red wine in her hand.

"Are you all right?" she asked, watching him closely.

"Yes," he replied without meeting her gaze.

"Don't blame yourself, Arial. You did so well. You saved all those girls."

"I'm trying not to…"

"You know," Helia sighed, "you and Lisa are just the same."

"How so?"

"She blames herself too."

"For what?" Arial finally looked at Helia.

"She blames herself for freezing during the battle. She wanted to kill those monsters, she really did, but she couldn't stop trembling."

"I didn't blame her," Arial said adamantly.

"I know. She blames herself."

Silence fell between them.

A few feet away, a group of jugglers performed while the neighborhood children looked on in amazement. Helia took a sip of wine.

"We can improve,. There is a lot to be learned from here" said Arial.

"Yes, and we will," Helia nodded.

Eventually they joined Kyle and Lisa across the room, and the four friends tried to laugh, enjoying the feast and making conversation with the citizens.

They dance and they smile while bearing that feeling and they knew that they need to keep moving forward no matter what.

Tomorrow they would begin their journey back to the Academy. But for the moment the air was filled with elation and gratitude, there is song, great wine and they celebrated…...life

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31 Seedmonth 1007 AF

The next morning, Arial and his friends rode out from the mayor's residence.

The mayor offered fifty gold, a lot for this city because the bandits have left many of their raid treasures in that mine.

Arial and his friend decided not to take it. Instead they give it to the family of the grieving parents hoping it could at least lessen the pain somehow.

People knew that when Order of Alan Knights completed a quest they will not get any money from the Academy, so the people that is plaque by the problem is supposed to compensate them.

And to give that back shows great generosity and virtue

Arial sat proudly on his red demon horse on the outside of the city. He looks at the tall walls, smiles bitterly and then nodded at his friends as they began departing from the city of Rodes.

His horse galloped fast and hard through the wind.

This time, they only stopped to eat and sleep. Their supplies had been provided by the mayor, so they didn't need to cut through any cities.

When night covered them, they opened their tents and rested until the sun gently woke them at dawn and they rode again.

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38 Seedmonth 1007 AF

The tents had been pitched in the forest and the campfire was blazing. Dagur Hill is near so they would probably reach the Academy tomorrow

The friends had eaten a sluggishly prepared meal together and were resting their aching bodies beneath the thick trees surrounding their camp.

Lisa and Helia were engrossed in a heated game of Chatur, while Kyle watched intently. The match was even.

It is incredible for Lisa who seems to possess a keen mind in the positioning of soldiers and adept in tactics.

Then after settling in for a draw they stopped playing and also began sitting at the big tree.

"What do you think they'll ask in the history trials next month?" Kyle said suddenly. Arial pondered just for a few second before answering

"The emperors, maybe? Or the history of Alan?" said Arial. He could guess and he didn't think his guess is too far off the mark

"Ask me a question," Kyle said eagerly, sitting up straight like an attentive student. Arial chuckles but he played along

"How did the Second Emperor Justinian die?"

"He was stabbed in his bedroom by his son, Darius the Cruel," Kyle replied immediately, pleased with himself.

"How long was his reign?" Helia asked. Kyle's face fell.

"That I don't know."

"Thirty-seven years," Arial said. "From 88 AF to 125 AF."

"That's correct," said Helia.

"My turn," said Kyle. "Arial, who is the longest-reigning emperor of Vern Empire?"

Arial smiled to himself. He had read the whole genealogy of the Imperial family at the Vern Empire; he had had a lot of time to kill.

"Emperor George the Wise. He reigned for a hundred years. His was a time of peace and prosperity, ending wars and reforming laws, creating the Common Tongue and abolishing slavery. He reigned from 355 AF to 455 AF."

Helia and Lisa applauded whilst Kyle looked rather defeated.

They asked each other questions well into the night until drowsiness overpowered them and they walked sleepily into their tents.

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