Ashton sat at the table full of food while Neolani and Alexei quietly watched him eat, with a sigh Ashton paused. "I guess I should explain how I died?"
Neolani held Ashton's hand, "Only if you're ready."
Alexei rolled his eyes, "I would like to know if Seibel had anything to do with it, especially that prick Theodore or that that fiancé of yours."
Ashton was impressed Alexei could make fiancé sound like whore. Ashton just sighed, "Yes, Queen Bethany suspected I would become a beast, and wanted my beast core. She convinced Rosaline to poison me with a mana disrupting flower I thought was extinct, and Theodore stabbed me."
Neolani tried to stay calm seeing how nonchalant Ashton was being about his death... "But I had your heart."
Ashton gave a sly grin, "My human heart was all she found, she was hoping that if she gave my core to Theodore he'd inherit all my power, or at least be able to use it like Smyrna did with the dragon heart. They do have my journal, but prior to my death I removed all mentions of meeting you both, and the day you drew my power to hide the mana fruit tree."
Alexei added the dates up, then grinned. "What an interesting date to be blank... what are your plans?"
Ashton just stared at them, "None... they have nothing to do with me anymore."
Neolani gave a blank stare back, "They killed you."
Ashton tilted his head, "Yes."
Alexei gritted his teeth, "We have to kill them."
Ashton turned to Alexei, "You've never crossed paths... there's no benefit in killing them?"
Neolani gripped Ashton's face, "They. Killed. You." She reiterated sternly.
Ashton sighed, then placed his hands over Neolani's, "My Ember, they destroyed only what I was willing to sacrifice. I don't need revenge; they mean nothing to me."
Neolani stared into Ashton's serene eyes, "They should suffer for that they did, they have to be punished." She stated firmly.
Ashton sighed as he removed her hands and placed them in her lap as he kept hold of them. "I will support you, protect you, kill for you. But Ember, don't lose yourself in revenge. The road is not short, and it would take a lifetime to track down every involved person and meet out justice."
"Why is it different? You'll punish Smyrna but not Seibel? Because they were your family?" Neolani demanded angrily.
"The difference is Smyrna took more than I was willing to give. Seibel was always a prison; I knew by the time I was 5 years old I would die if I stayed there. If I had not given my heart to you, I would have destroyed it." Ashton explained patiently.
"We could destroy all of Seibel, kill at least the queen, that ungrateful wretch of a brother, and that whore." Alexei persisted.
Ashton leaned back, withdrawing his hands. "If you wish."
Neolani stared at how... disinterested Ashton was. "I don't understand..." she whispered.
Ashton looked into Neolani's eyes, tears threatening to spill. "I do not want to live in hate or revenge. I want to enjoy my newfound freedom."
"Not even to take back what you gave them?" Neolani demanded, she would not cry.
Ashton shrugged, "I am at peace with how things ended. They couldn't take what I refused to give. If you want revenge, I will not stop you. For now, let us eat and sleep on the matter." Ashton stated as he returned to eating.
Alexei watched Ashton eat, half of their reason for gathering so many warriors was to wipe out whoever had killed Alphonse... now... he wasn't sure what to do with his own personal pent-up anger.
Ashton glanced up, "Perhaps a night with the children would be better," Ashton offered seeing their raging emotions. They were both conflicted, angry... but Ashton wasn't even angry with Lucian, frustrated, disgusted even, but nothing so powerful as anger.
Alexei heard the dismissal, he stood and rested his hand on Neolani, "Come love, we should talk."
Ashton didn't look up as they left. When the room was empty, he sighed and leaned back. Neolani's emotions were bombarding him in waves, but he let them wash away. While emotions were usually nice, Ashton didn't want to fall into a never-ending pit. When he finished eating, Ashton signaled for the children to come in.
Melia bounced in happily, "Ash! We will make you proud tomorrow! Just you wait!" she promised grinning.
Azarius grinned and shoved his way forward, "I practiced really hard, I'll show them!"
Ashton gathered one in each arm as he walked to the nest, "Oh? I will raise my expectations little ones. Now, will you also make me proud when we go to the hunting grounds?"
Azarius wrapped his arms around Ash's neck and groaned, "Yes, Zamora wouldn't even let me out until I could tell all the different beast classes! Look at my hands." He complained showing where the stick marks were still raised an angry red.
Ashton nuzzled Azarius, "Pain is often a powerful motivator. Come, tell me what you learned today." Ashton laid out in the nest as they settled in.
"Animals, beasts, cored beasts, bosses, leaders, elites, lords, guardians, legendary, mythological, divine or Sin beasts. Each class has its own core color. And lastly gods class beasts. Each class had four tiers except the gods. Also, beasts of virtue and sin are separated into minor classes, like you're a mythological beast of sin; so your core is Violet and silver." Azarius parroted off using his fingers to keep track.
"Oh? Anything else?" Ashton asked as a gryphon came in with a blanket. After a few moments for them all to settle in against the gryphon Azarius continued.
"Yeah, only a few beasts can jump classes, like dragons have dozens of types. Also, beasts usually can't take human form unless they are legendary class or higher. And... hmm... something else." Azarius mumbled curling his toes as he tried to remember.
Melia grinned as she snuggled close, "Oaths..." she trailed off with a yawn.
"Right, most beasts can't break oaths without dying or losing a full class rank." Azarius added quickly.
Ashton covered Azarius's eyes, "Very good, now sleep little one. Tomorrow will come all too soon."
Ashton lay away as he mulled over Neolani's and Alexei's emotions. He'd, naïvely as it may have been, hoped they would not bother with Seibel. When Smyrna started pulling on the threads of Alphonse's death they would probably go to war. Of course, Seibel would put up a fight, thus weakening Smyrna. The other nations were waiting for such a chance to reclaim their lost territories so Smyrna would at least fall to second or third place power.
Queen Bethany had too many ties to lindorm priests, which would have led to Smyrna discovering the rebels, and another purge. Or the discovery of the rebels first would have led to Bethany's involvement.
At that point, the truth behind the dragon's heart curse would leave Smyrna with two choices... continue with human and beast sacrifice or Smyrna breaking the curse, falling even more, which would lead to pulling through or perishing.
Either way... there was no need for the pride to sacrifice people when Seibel would no doubt be wiped from the map in less than a decade. Smyrna was no longer to remain the primary power even if they did nothing since Ashton wouldn't let another beast be sacrificed to empower the dragon heart. Ashton was also placing his own territorial markers in the palace which weakened the seals keeping the imperial family safe.
Soon... there would only be bad... and worse choices for both Seibel and Smyrna. All of their own making now was just a question of how tenaciously Lucian would chase down the truth and damn both countries.
Regardless of the rise or fall of either country, Ashton had no reason to help or hurt. Of course... Smyrna would no doubt blame him for much anyway, and since the Fae were getting involved the probability of Smyrna also being wiped from the map increased sixfold.
Ashton sighed... so many innocuous incidents... all woven together in a horrific tapestry of fate. The moment he stepped into the capital... so many deaths were written in stone.
Ashton pulled the smaller bodies closer as he closed his eyes, tomorrow would be here soon enough.
Ashton pulled Neolani and Alexei aside and explained his how he saw the futures of both countries, hoping that might settle any rash thoughts, but they seemed even more riled up.
"Waiting for karma doesn't always pay off Ash. The empire might not even take a blow, or Seibel could deny everything." Neolani reminded.
Ashton sighed, "Ember, I laid the pieces out prior to Alphonse's death, if they decide to not pursue the truth, I can't make them. I can, however, ensure nothing and no one I protect will be adversely affected. But I will not dwell on choices that are not mine to make." Ashton reiterated for the third time.
Alexei had remained mostly silent; with a deep breath he placed his hand on Neolani's before she could start the cycle all over again. "We understand, logically. It's just hard for us to accept emotionally. Let us eat, then go face the world." Alexei consoled before Neolani could get heated enough for all of them.
Ashton gave a wry smile, "I like that plan, food is always good." The boar that had been roasting all night was placed on the table and Ashton ate more than four-fifths of it. Along with a dozen fruits, pastries of all sorts, and three large glasses of warmed milk.
Alexei's lips twitched, "Where do you put it all? I mean... how is your stomach actually able to hold all of that in one sitting?"
Ashton wiped his mouth, "I compress the food, after I absorb the mana and nutrients, I can burn waste away immediately."
Alexei scowled, "Well, that's just cheating. Come on, before you decide you want another boar." As they were headed to the garden with Agapi since Darvic was leading half the lions and gryphons out to hunt.
Zane had just seen his and the rest of the scouts off when the parade of warriors carrying the nest settled in for the morning. Today's tables were curved to stretch around the back of the nest, while Agapi settled on the left side.
"Morning Young Song, did you sleep well?" Rommel asked half teasing.
"I did, how was your rest? Considering your mages were finally able to settle in." Ashton asked as half a dozen warriors lowered his nest between the tables.
Rommel smiled as plates of food were set down, "It was nice not to be disturbed by late night spells and communications. We've already sent off the scouts, but we did come across several rumors of unusual beast movements in the area."
Ashton raised a brow, he had both arms crossed over the lip of the nest as they chatted, "Oh? Such as?"
Zane sat down with a sigh, "There's a mass exodus of boss class beasts and below from the Cerulean Forest, reports were flooding in as early as midday yesterday."
"Ahh, yes. With the Smyrnaean enchantments removed, the higher-class beasts were finding easy meals." Ashton commented nonchalantly.
Zane stilled, then slowly looked up, "That's right, though I'm surprised it happened so fast."
Ashton grinned, "On the bright side, beast cores will be more abundant."
Zane forced a smile, even with the Smyrnaean enchantments gone... most established beasts would not have left their territories, certainly not for an easy meal. Something big must have moved in to displace so many beasts all at once.
Rommel caught on, "Any beasts come to mind?" He asked placing a few small pastries and scrambled eggs on his plate.
Ashton only smiled as the children climbed into the nest.
"Hopefully after today, we don't have to be awake before dawn," Rowena remarked with a yawn as she also placed a few slices of fruit on her plate as a maid brought drinks.
Murmured agreements echoed around the table, as the group settled in Calix eventually arrived with news of a dark green leader class python having been spotted more than a weeks past the capital. It had attacked a small town and been gravely injured by mercenaries who were requesting aid to kill it off.
At first light the last two delegations were ready at the capital gates.
Seibel had the 7th strongest military for a single nation, at least they did 15 years ago. If something didn't change they might not even stay in the top ten. Surprisingly, the delegation consisted of the now 16-year-old Crown prince Terrance, Theodore who was now 31, and Theodore's ten-year-old son Alphonse. All three had blond hair, but only Theodore had pale green eyes while the other two had blue eyes.
The resemblance left no questions as to their lineage, King Sherman's genes were present though to varying degrees. The entire delegation of nearly 30 men grew tenser the closer to the palace.
The Gippsi delegation was trailing behind, making a concerted effort to keep a clear distance. Princess Hazel Vermette was born of an unfavored palace maid, so she was not titled of Gippsi. Their entire delegation was only 7 people, including the guards.
Crown prince Terrence led the entourage onto the carpet, while he only briefly hesitated. He still made his way to the large nest encircled by the other princes and princesses. Terrence gave a practiced bao, "Seibel gives it's formal greetings to the ascending beast of Pride. May you live long and prosper."
Two guards hefted a large chest forward and opened it, inside was refined meteorite.
"Ten years ago, three meteors fell into Seibel territory, this was the purest and largest of the three. I personally added a third-tier enchantment so it never rusts, and so when it's forged it will be stronger than lord class dragon scales." Terrence added waving to the chest.
Ashton examined his youngest brother. Well, sort of anyway, "I accept the offering in the manner intended," as two warriors collected the chest Ashton reached and pulled out three large dragon scales. "May these scales provide protection and strength in the years to come."
The same two guards stepped forward to take the scales as Theodore and Alphonse stepped forward.
Theodore examined the youth... even through the mask the striking blue eyes were eerily similar to his memories, though the emotion was far gentler. "While this might be rude, before any of us proceed I have a question for the new beast... and Smyrna." Theodore stated matter of fact.
Ashton let all the emotion fade as he tilted his head. Ten warriors also drew their weapons as Alexei and Neolani went from impassive, to ready to start taking heads. "Proceed with caution Theodore Burton Blake Vi Britannia of Seibel, not even your father would dare such a tone."
Theodore clenched his fist, but bowed, "Please excuse my rashness, the matter is near and dear to my heart."
Ashton let his eyes turn silver, "Do not insult me with your lies."
Terrence glared at his older brother; Theodore had been making problems since he was denounced as crown prince. Was it too much to ask for Theodore not to anger a beast of pride, or the strongest nation on a diplomatic mission? Of course, the Queen had insisted both Theodore and Alphonse come along so there wasn't much he could do.
Theodore took a deep breath to compose himself. "My sincere apologies Great beast, I was wondering what this missive meant." Theodore pulled out the unsealed letter and offered it up with both hands.
Ashton recognized the letter as one of the five he sent out, Alexei accepted the letter and passed it along after a brief inspection. Ashton didn't bother to open it, "I thought my message was clear, Alphonse's heart is in Smyrna."
Everyone tensed, the Inago included as they all turned to look between Lucian, Ashton, and Theodore.
Theodore counted to ten before he spoke, "How is that possible? ... Alphonse was murdered over ten years ago."
Ashton only smiled, "Present your offering Theodore, if I'm pleased... I might deign to barter with you."
Theodore looked up into the glowing silver eyes, that condescending smile as if he were a cat playing with a crippled mouse. Theodore opened a box with a tear drop necklace inside, "This necklace was a personal gift from my brother Alphonse to my wife, Rosaline. It's enchanted to warn the wearer of any toxins or poisons."
Ashton tilted his head back and forth, Theodore was certainly proud of the item, "Accepted," Ashton announced as he pulled out one of the smallest dragon scales, taken from around the dragon's eye. "May the dragon scale open your eyes."
Theodore accepted the scale, heart bleeding. They had hoped the necklace would get a much more useful return gift. The scale was only the size of his palm... while Terrence's scales had all been larger than his chest.
"Next." Alexei ordered glaring down at Theodore. Alexei smirked when Theodore clutched the scale so tightly blood could be seen dripping through his fingers.
Alphonse did his best to keep a straight face as he stepped forward alone with a small box clutched tightly. He gave a formal bow, then held the box up with both hands, "Alphonse of Seibel o-offers a second-tier mana stone I per-sonally charged." Alphonse gulped when his voice faltered.
Ashton plucked the mana stone out of Alphonse's hands, "How interesting," Ashton murmured as he pulled a red down feather out and let it land in Alphonse's still outstretched hands. "May my blessing help you learn more truths in the days to come."
Alphonse jolted when the feather sank into his skin and a warmth spread throughout his body. "Many thanks for the blessing," Alphonse quickly moved to the side as the large man on the side continued to glare at them.
Alexei nodded to the priests, "Next."
While Seibel didn't have a guardian beast, they typically followed Alaina like Adraian's. The priests were wearing light blue robes as they each presented mana stones. The mages also presented mana stones and cores. Each of the guards presented hastily picked fruit, but all were perfectly ripe to eat now.
Ashton rested his elbow on the edge of the nest as he looked over the delegation, "Hmm... since only four of the Seibel entourage don't have malicious intentions, I will not be extending protection."
Terrence stared up at the youth, only two others from Seibel were his own people... and he'd come with the mission to entice the beast to their territory.
Ashton gave a teasing smile, "I suggest you act with caution... and probably at least one witness."
Terrence nodded as he led the delegation to the side for the Gippsi's to have their turn. Terrence clenched his fist, not only did he have to convince a beast of pride to come to Seibel to stabilize their political standing and military power. Now he knew Theodore was up to something... it would have been better if his brother Alphonse had lived and Theordore had died... and preferably the queen.
Theodore was still holding the dragon scale... and he hadn't gotten his answers yet. Patience, I have to be patient. Theodore kept pretending to hide his distress, while also looking startled smile as they waited.
Terrence signaled his mage with a single look to start monitoring all of Theodore's correspondence, especially with the queen.