Neolani's heart lurched, for the first time… she couldn't feel anything from Ash's heart. "Ash…"
"Agapi, I'm hungry." Ashton wasn't upset… but it would be good to analyze his own state before he continued the conversation.
Agapi let out a loud screech flaring her wings. A moment later an answering lions roar echoed from the Eastern palace. Soon Darvic and another were both carrying prey, they landed practically on top of the nest.
Ashton didn't comment when Neolani broke eye contact and stepped out of the way. He reached for the fresh boar, he didn't bother to season it as he did a flash cook with his silver fire, then started ripping chunks off to eat.
Monroe watched in horror, that boar had to weigh 600 pounds… and Ashton had just ripped the leg off with one arm. In less than fifteen minnets the bones were mostly bare, the organs had been burnt to ash so he could just keep eating… would Ashton… really eat him?
Jaxon paled the more Ashton ate, he'd kept his quick pace of eating well into the second boar before Agapi had ordered the gryphons to bring another serving.
Alexei shook his head, "Hard to believe you survived on just a few biscuits a day before we arrived. I'm surprised you haven't eaten any of them yet… you've been ravenous."
Ash glanced over Alexei shrugging, "I am still growing."
Zane watched the interaction… he understood both sides and of course he was biased against Smyrna so any damage to them was a boon. Then again, if Young Song went out of control… they'd probably all die. The fact that Young Song so readily acquiesced to Neolani's judgement was rather alarming though… Neolani clearly had much more power over the beast than he'd believed.
Ashton went over his actions in chronological order assessing his reasonings. While he didn't want to dismiss Neolani's concerns… all of his actions were logical… in his head.
First, to have another beast come right up to Smyrna's capital gate could be seen as challenge for not only the dragon's territory, but his own. If he were territorial, since he wasn't, visiting beasts were of little concern. That didn't mean such blatant challenges should be ignored. This beast was at least a legendary beast of sin, and since Ash was weak it could be seeing just how weak he really was. The strong regularly prayed on the weak, an appearance of strength was often enough of a deterrent.
To threaten to curse Smyrnaean nobles if he didn't accept the challenge would be admitting he was too weak to defend not only his "territory", but his marked, and possibly himself.
Second, the beast was using both Leonard and Levi as unknowing eyes, watching his reactions. If he'd failed to notice the ring wasn't dragon blessed, or that both were cursed would show his inattentiveness. That could make another beast bold enough to challenge him.
Third, Lucian's challenge had been witnessed, while he was secure enough to ignore such petty taunts… ignoring them could also be seen as him conceding. By showing his control over his fire to only burn inanimate objects like the gate, buildings, roads, and estates while leaving the grass, trees, people, and animals unharmed proved his prowess.
While the garden had suffered, that had just been the heat from his body, and another form of punishing the nobles for what Ashton considered arrogance. He'd also held his ground, refusing to budge until Lucian had been humbled.
Fourth, the flames had been a clear boundary of what Ashton could be considered his territory. This acknowledged that Ashton was aware the other beast had arrived, but hadn't crossed the line. Yet.
Ashton's fire would also reveal exactly how the Smyrnaeans had kept the dragon's blessings after its passing. Knowing the capital had been protected for 700 years by the greed dragon, was one thing, knowing how would be a fitting punishment. This would also be an unspoken threat that Ashton could simply banish the enchantments, releasing the full force of the dragon's blessing upon anyone within the dragon's territory.
Fifth, Ash's promise to not harm the imperial family, or harm them politically did not mean he couldn't hurt them in other ways. Jaxon was a politically active duke, Damian the next Marquis and already making connections. Monroe was not in line to inherit a political title, and only a relative so he was fair game. Ash's benevolence had a limit. Monroe would be the sacrificial pawn should the Smyrnaeans refuse to show the proper respect.
Sixth, this showed both the beast, and the royals who could and could not be touched without his permission. Ash had deliberately shown all the marked to the beast not only through Levi and Leonard, but by accepting the rings. By allowing the beast to search through his mana while Ash enjoyed the enhanced emotions. Ash had also proven he could remove the beast's influence on others, as well as on himself if the need arose.
Seventh, Ash using Monroe as the prize challenged the invading beast. If the beast was able to kill Monroe it proved Ash couldn't protect his own prizes, this would also defeat the purpose of Ash's little game; but if the beast went after any other targets, it would be an indirect win for Ashton. The other beast was also aware the humans would be searching for clues so it would be forced to decide to either boldly present itself or cover its tracks.
Eighth, Ashton needed a reason to reveal the bones of the damned in nearly every building in the capital. Once the bones were revealed, questions about how 600 year old bones stayed… fresh would arise. Which would leed… to the pride understanding why as much as Ashton wanted to… he could not remain in the pride for any real length of time. Let alone long enough to await for a possible mate to present themselves. At least, not unless he had a way to bleed off the excess.
Ashton went over the events in his head again as he started eating the third boar. Luckily the worst of his hunger was sated, unfortunately his body wasn't currently able to hold the amount of food he needed to actually be full. Not yet at least.
Alexei glanced between Neolani and Ashton. While they didn't look upset… Ash's voracious appetite didn't invite chats. Not to mention… all around them was mass chaos, reports from guards coming in, mages healing, priests healing. Nobles finally returning to start repair efforts, record custodians bringing in all beast references, records keepers writing down in exacting detail what had happened to all involved, then organizing that information so they could start sifting through clues.
Zane stood up slowly drawing almost all eyes, "Since the imperial family is not up to entertaining their guests, I believe I return to our accommodations. Mayhap this evening we can share a cup of tea Young Song," Zane added with a bao. He wasn't surprised when the rest of the nobles made similar comments about departing together.
Ashton stopped eating long enough to narrow his eyes at Zane and Rommel, then nodded with an unperturbed smile. If Zane thought the pride, or even Ember was his weakness, or his leash… Ash would correct such a misconception.
Zane tensed for only a moment, then gave a deeper bao as he left. Zane's heart had raced seeing Young Song's almost amused smile, while he hadn't planned anything nefarious… better to forget the idea entirely.
Rommel followed behind the rest stiffly, while Young Song hadn't explicitly stated anything… Rommel was pretty sure he'd known they had sent a message to the beast when they first arrived. Young Song's comment about being guilty by association was echoing louder in his head the more he saw how much damage had been done in just a few minnets.
As soon as Rommel entered the room, Zane had all their mages put up sound wards, and anti-scrying enchantments. A battle mage also created a sound dispersing enchantment so their voices wouldn't just be trapped but destroyed.
Lucera sat down and took a deep breath, "Well, that was enlightening." She stated tersely.
Noelle also took a seat and shivered, "It was something alright, that much damage in less than 15 minnets."
"I don't think that show of force was just for Smyrna," Tania commented glancing to Rommel who shared a look with Zane. From now on, she would bring at least a dagger with her.
Jantje also glanced between the two Adarians as she raised a brow, "Should we prepare reparations?"
Zane hesitated, "I'm not sure, but probably would not hurt. We should also be… respectful even in private."
Rommel wiped his face, "I don't know of any birds who can remove the influence of other beasts." They'd been speculating… but he wasn't sure even that was safe anymore.
"There are so many species and variations… I know we originally dismissed Young Song being a hybrid… but perhaps we look into combinations again?" Rowena asked uncertainly.
"For now, any inquiries should be discreet. Any speculations are made here in this room, nor are they discussed anywhere else. Princess Hazel, do you have any suggestions?" Zane asked directing his gaze at her.
Hazel nearly jumped out of her skin, "Umm, no…"
Zane watched her closely, she ducked her head so her hair hid her eyes. Maybe she was so timid that Young Song just found her amusing… but then again…