Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 16: First meeting between lovers

ANVALI

ARAKATH

Anvali is the seat of power of the Dark Lands.

And Azrael was the Crown Prince of Anvali, which everyone in the Human Continent referred to as the Dark Lands.

Anvali was home to many different races: there were the elves, the dwarves, the orcs, the faeries, kobolds, trolls and goblins, and far into the east lived the giants.

The giants have only a few of them left. But while they are a small community they are strong

There were even a few dragons left, although their numbers were low and were hard to come by.

Originally, there were many in the Human Continent, but after the Subjugation by Levitia, and the Purge two hundred years later, it was said that the dragons in the Human Continent were already extinct.

Each race had their king, and each king pledged allegiance to the Demon Lord that ruled in Arakath, the descendant of Azazel Mournstar.

It was a joyous day for Azrael and his family.

His father, Iriel Mournstar, the current King of Arakath and ruler of Anvali, had arranged for Azrael to be betrothed to the Devonhurst family since he was two years old.

Devonhurst was one of the four Heavenly Noble Protectors of Anvali, and one of the oldest families in the land.

"Arianna Devonhurst," Azrael muttered.

Heralded as one of the great beauties of Anvali, her fame was widespread. Azrael glanced at his attendant. "Do I look dashing, Elkar?"

"Yes, Crown Prince," Elkar replied. Azrael smiled, and posed in front of the mirror.

In three years, at the age of twenty, Azrael would be crowned King.

Most of the ministers were pro-war towards humans, but Azrael was a peaceful boy.

Charitable and compassionate, the Prince had always disliked war, as did his father Iriel. For almost eight hundred years there had been no major wars against the humans.

The ministers wanted to reclaim the Lost Land, but they remained loyal. If not probably they have already raised their banner and march to the Blessed Lands and retake back their Lost Lands.

And there are still many ministers that wished for peace. And Elkar is worried that Azrael will be influenced by the minister.

His peaceful nature is one thing Elkar does not like about the Crown Prince.

Azrael eyed his reflection.

He did indeed look dashing in his crimson robes.

With his coal-black hair and sea-green eyes, he was the image of the perfect prince. His clothes were adorned with an intricate dragon design, the symbol of royalty in Anvali.

After Elkar had convinced Azrael of his perfection, he escorted the Prince to the rendezvous point, the Moon Pavilion.

The time had come for the two prospective marriage partners to meet.

Every prospective marriage partner need to see each other accompany by their attendants or matchmaker

Azrael's nerves fluttered as he pushed the door and stepped inside.

From her seat, Arianna flashed him with her clear blue eyes, and Azrael's mouth fell open involuntarily.

Her skin was pale white, like untouched snow, her hair a deep abyss of black. She had the most beautiful pair of eyes that Azrael has ever seen.

Her eyes were blue that remind of the clear summer sky. Her skin was white like snow, and her black hair in contrast to her complexion give her this air of mystery.

And as he looked at her, she also looked at him and blushed.

It was love at first sight for both of them. The man is dashing, the woman is beautiful, a match made in heaven

"Crown Prince, please be seated," Elkar said, snapping Azrael out of his daze. Azrael silently scolded himself for being so foolish, and took a seat facing Arianna.

"Wine?" Elkar offered them both.

Azrael nodded.

Anvali produced many kinds of superb wines, from the sour red of the orcs, to the clear white of the faeries.

There are also the wines from Ranoa Republic which tastes sweet, the sour red from the Orchish Lands, white clear wine from the fabled fairies, and three casks of Dwarven ale.

To ease his nervous heart, Azrael chose a strong wine marked as his father's private stock.

He filled his goblet to the brim and quickly chugged it down his throat.

The taste was like nothing he had ever felt, heady and powerful, a red-black color. Azrael shuddered.

Arianna giggled, and the atmosphere grew brighter. He himself unconsciously smiles

"Are you alone, Prince? Am I not here? Where is my wine?" Arianna said with a teasing smile. Azrael grinned.

"I have no goblet for you. We will have to share."

As Azrael moved to pour her wine, Arianna gripped his hand.

"Prince, look at me," she said.

Azrael paused.

He hadn't truly looked at her yet, his nerves hadn't allowed him.

Taking a breath, he let his eyes fall to her, and she in turn looked through his eyes into his spirit.

This will be my wife, Azrael thought, my beautiful wife, my princess, my queen.

Their conversation flowed freely, and they learned much about each other.

Azrael talked of his love for painting and playing the lyre, and discovered Arianna had a beautiful singing voice.

From then on, their days were spent in the gardens, creating melodic music together.

Azrael and Arianna became the most beautiful and perfect couple that had ever been known in Anvali.

They were adored by their people, and they, in return, exuded love across the land. Happiness and peace seems to be everlasting in Arakath.

But dark forces are swirling under the surface in the Capital of Anvali, a dark force that threaten the peace between humans and Arakath.

And there is a shadow that watch upon this young couple and waits for the opportune moment, casting its gaze to beyond the Dark Sea.

Yet, no one knows of this threat

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