While the lordlings were chatting, Ashton stood up narrowing his eyes, "Keep the lordlings here, no one enters." Ashton ordered then shot up taking his soul form.
Alexei stood up giving a sharp whistle, warriors immediately stationed themselves on every perimeter with no more than a few feet between each other. "Well, let's see what surprises are in store today yeah?"
Neolani was watching after the streak of flames that were already out of sight. "Think our songbird's admirer came for a visit?"
Alexei followed her gaze, "Hopefully just a game of hide and seek."
Ashton had noticed a peculiar fluctuation, but it was so subtle if he hadn't been actively waiting for such disruptions he may have not noticed. His eyes narrowed seeing through the stealth spell hiding the Northern palace. Using his body as the center, he sent out three rings of silver flame that ate away at all enchantments.
Ashton narrowed his eyes seeing Lucian half dragged into a bush of red hydrangea, he landed quickly as he heard guards sound the alarm. Ashton tilted his head as he saw the blood from Lucian's head and the cracked chest plate. The indent was only the size of his palm but… the mana aura wasn't a familiar one.
Jaxon had felt the mana surge before he saw the rings of flames, he was already running. Every guard he passed started to follow. When he turned the corner he saw the bird of silver flames using one of its talons to step on Lucian.
Ashton was watching carefully as he slowly lifted Lucian out of the bush, when there was resistance Ashton set the bush ablaze and another ring of fire to trap whatever was holding onto Lucian.
Jaxon didn't bother with words as he ran toward the pair, but the sudden blaze forced him to stop just a few feet away. A moment later the blaze died down… revealing a giant hole where the bush had been.
Ashton was able to pull Lucian free and set him away from the hole. Then just out of curiosity he used his longer neck to peer into the depths… whatever had tried to take Lucian had escaped.
Jaxon fell to his knees and was cradling Lucian as he checked the back of his head, no lumps… just a bit of blood. Jaxon slashed through the straps on the chest plate ripping it off of Lucian, "Luc, can you hear me?" he whispered patting his face.
"Rejoice, there may be a beast willing to conquer the empire." Ashton stated as he sent a tiny flame down the tunnel almost as wide as his nest. The flame descended more than a hundred feet before the tunnel took a turn and could no longer be seen.
Jaxon stared up at Ashton, even as the flames faded off and the human figure was revealed he only looked… mildly interested, "What did they want with his majesty?"
"They? Just the one." Ashton corrected as he circled the tunnel, hmm an earth beast… but not a sin beast.
"That does it want with his Majesty?" Jaxon repeated with a bit of snap, but he regretted it when Ashton's head snapped to face him clearly unamused.
"Your arrogance could cost you much duke. I am no longer in the mood to linger." Ashton stated then started walking past the guards to return to his own garden.
Leonard and Devlin came rushing around the corner as the ground started to rumble.
Ashton glanced over his shoulder to see the tunnel filling with earth as if a well were being filled with water.
Jaxon half lifted, half dragged Lucian away as soon as the ground started shifting. It wasn't much, barely more than a passing whipser as the tunnel… disappeared… Had he not seen it for himself he wouldn't even know there had once been a bush or hole. While the pit was filled… the one in his stomach felt bottomless.
"Your grace… what happened?" Leonard asked panting at the ground… there was a bit of blood and one section of missing bushes but… nothing else seemed amiss anymore. Ashton had kept walking as if he hadn't seen them.
Jaxon sat down so he could check Lucian over again, "I don't know… I came just a moment before you arrived."
Devlin knelt down to look at the ground… even after three tracer spells nothing changed. "We should bring his majesty inside, get a healer. Head wounds are tricky."
A few minnets later Lucian was on a small bed with two mages checking him over. Katherine had also inspected the head wound, no serious damage but he would have a mild headache. They didn't want to do use unnecessary mana in his head in case there was damage they couldn't see and make it worse. Not to mention, he was highly resistant to foreign mana as dragonkin.
After the wound was healed Lucian slowly started to rouse. He sat up looking around, "What attacked Us?" He demanded seeing all the worried faces.
Jaxon stepped closer and handed over a glass of water, "We were hoping you could tell us, when I arrived with guards Ashton was stepping on your chest…"
Lucian glanced up, breathing was still painful but manageable, "Something attacked Us in the garden… then tried to drag Us off. It was small and fast, maybe the size of both my fists…" Lucian informed rubbing his chest.
"Did you see anything? Color or shape? Ashton mentioned a beast might be here to conquer the empire." Jaxon added a little hopeful.
Lucian thought back, "It was dark colored… but We only caught a glimpse through the bushes when it was trying to drag Us off, Our head was spinning so We can't recall anything else…"
Jaxon pensively though over the information, "Caius and Elvira have lighter colors… Do we have word back about Grelck yet?"
Leonard hesitated, "The report came in just as we rushed out, I didn't have time to reed it."
"Let us return to the conference room then," Lucian stated as he stood up. Jaxon helped steady him as they returned. Sebastian and Katherine were discussing something seriously as they walked in.
Sebastian had just been informed of what happened, "Majesty, there is a beast in the capital pretending to be Lord Reece, perhaps the same who attacked you."
Lucian furrowed his brows, "When did you learn this?"
"Lord Reece visited me this morning, he was not the beast in the prison yesterday. The beast assisted the necromancer's spell and took Promise away." Sebastian explained as concisely as possible, they needed to keep an eye out for any peculiar behaviors.
Jaxon paled, "But, that was the creature Ashton always uses…"
Sebastian shook his head, "It was similar, but it was taller and broader, the weapons were also a little different. Lord Reece's carry twin swords, not a broadsword. Clearly this beast has an informant."
"No one is to move alone, especially the children. Get ready to leave for the hunting grounds tonight." Lucian ordered as he pulled away from Jaxon to take his seat, his heart was starting to beat faster but… not in alarm.
"Should we ask… if Lord Reece is willing to see if you were influenced by the beast your majesty?" Sebastian asked hesitantly as Leonard started looking through stacks of papers.
Jaxon shut his eyes and wanted to slap himself, "I was not polite when I saw his Majesty."
Sebastian took a deep breath as he sat down, "I see." Of course, he was too late to stop them once again.
Leonard gave a short cough, "Grelck was seen on his island two days ago."
"Then we can rule him out unless we hear otherwise, your majesty… do you feel anything unusual?" Jaxon asked glossing over the information since Grelck hadn't really been a possibility anyway.
Lucian took a moment to really think about it, "Our heart has been racing since early this morning… just before the attack it was pounding faster and harder than We've ever experienced. We were also on edge and wanted to be alone… while Our heart is still faster than normal… its manageable."
Leonard had hoped Sebastian would offer to speak with Ashton, but he was now as silent as a statue, "Do you feel any different? Anxious? Worried? Envious?"
Lucian shook his head, "No, more… alert maybe. But not irritated anymore."
Leonard sighed, "If you feel unusually envious… or umm amorous, please let us know. That would be a good indicator of which beast is here."
"Excuse me, but… how do we find Promise if lord Reece doesn't have her?" Katherine prompted, the rumors weren't going to stop themselves.
Jaxon turned to Sebastian who looked… like he was just waiting for instructions. "Lord Carlos, do you happen to know… which beast took Cardinal Promise?"
"I do not." Sebastian stated dispassionately as he glanced over the mountains of reports.
Leonard watched Sebastian, "Do you have any guesses?"
"I do not."
Jaxon wanted to ignore Leonard's pointed stare, but Lucian was more important, "Do you have any recommendations for when I apologize to Lord Reece?"
Sebastian didn't even bother to raise his brow, "I dare not. Your majesty, your instructions?"
"If you were to apologize to Ashton, what would you do?" Lucian demanded losing what little patience he had.
Sebastian finally looked up, "I would be sincere, now your majesty. If you have orders, please inform me now. Otherwise, I will await them at my residence."
"What has gotten into you Lord Carlos?" Jaxon demanded glaring at the older man.
"Duke Darnings, I cannot save a ship you keep poking holes in. No, you keep setting the ship on fire. I am here to serve the country, so I will do as ordered to the best of my ability." Sebastian stated as he stood up, "Please send word when you have orders or need of me."
Jaxon took several deep breaths as Sebastian walked out, "Majesty…"
"Prepare the children, no one moves alone. That beast wanted Us alone. It have fled the moment Ashton arrived. Have Novak report he moment the priests can be questioned, We need answers." Lucian ordered, better to focus on what they could do.
Ashton walked back, for a beast to enter the capital… it was desperate… or confident. To have gotten Lucian alone and overpowered him so quickly didn't speak of desperation. It was also smart… unfortunately as a bird his sense of smell was little better than a humans.
Ashton shuddered at the thought of chasing it underground to confirm its identity… as he approached the eastern palace two warriors jogged out to meet him. "I am leaving for the hunting grounds within the hour, I suggest you join me." Ashton reminded.
"As you will." They both shouted then the smaller of the two darted back inside.
Neolani stood up to meet Ashton, he'd only been gone a few minnets. "Are you okay Ash?" She asked walking forward to look him over quickly.
"Yes, just confused. Either way, something wants me to chase it out of the capital so we're leaving within the hour." Ashton informed as a slow smile crept onto his face.
"Your suitor is impatient." Neolani half jeered.
"Not that one, another." Ashton informed as he walked up to the lordlings who were tensely pretending all was fine. He tilted his head back and forth… if he'd refused to check the situation out the beast may have really taken Lucian… but… it had waited for him to arrive and made its presence known but tugging on Lucian but not fighting for him.
Rommel hesitated, "Your thoughts Young Song?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but… a beast might be here to see if there are any easy meals. I suggest you follow along. Particularly descendants of any titled or mythological beasts." Ashton informed glancing at the ground.
Zane shuddered, "Did you see it?"
"No… but it wanted me to know it was here. Hopefully it was just here to tease a bit." Ashton added clapping his hands together.
Noelle stood, "Pack immediately, don't get separated and keep in groups of at least three. One mage per group who can send a signal for help." All of her cousins gave a sharp nod of understanding.
"If you'd like help packing take a few of the Inago with you." Ashton offered as his marks flashed bright red for just a moment, then looked as if nothing had happened. He'd reestablished his links checking for any influences… nothing.
"Any you can spare would be appreciated." Zane thanked with a formal bao. For a sin beast to approach the capital was strange… for another beast of any kind to also come into the palace… that was daring.
The groups set off, each taking ten warriors to help pack.
Sebastian had walked to the eastern palace just to watch for a bit when he saw the commotion, before he could approach the gate Alexei came out to meet him, "Chief warrior, did something happen?" Sebastian asked slightly alarmed.
Alexei hesitated, "Ashton ordered us ready to leave within the hour to the hunting grounds, and suggested the lordlings follow."
Sebastian paled as he gripped his cane, "I.."
"You're more than welcome to join us, any who can leave with us should meet us at the palace gates. We have more than enough supplies." Alexei offered, then lowered his voice, "I don't know if you're blood related to Lucian, but it's targeting beast bloodlines. Keep your mages close."
Sebastian nodded, then gritted his teeth, "The… imperials…" his face flushed from the shame but Alexei only sighed.
"Warn them, but we're not waiting. Beast God's speed to you Sebastian." Alexei agreed then trotted off. They were secretly leaving behind two dozen to keep charging the mana crystals, then would use a transfer spell to swap them out regularly but there was still a lot to do.
Sebastian walked quickly back to the conference room and just burst in, "Lord Reece and the delegations are leaving within the hour for the hunting grounds. I am preparing to follow them, please adjust your plans as needed."
Leonard's jaw nearly fell to the floor after Sebastian's announcement… then he left… the empire's royals and nobles had not planned to join Lord Reece until he left the eastern palace garden so they'd not been informed of anything.
"Lord Carlos, Lord Carlos!" Jaxon called jumping up following for more information just as several guards came jogging in.
"Report!" Lucian roared as soon as the men fell to a knee in greeting, he didn't have the time or patience for the formalities.
"The, the delegations are all packing up, each delegation has armed Inago with them. They are only saying they plan to leave immediately for the hunting grounds. We attempted to umm detain them but… uh three men were beheaded by the Inago…" The older guard reported as fast as he could while trembling.
Lucian took a deep breath, "Prepare to depart immediately, bring the essentials, have the rest brought tomorrow with armed guards, and battle mages. Have the war council take over operations, have them set up the secure communication relay." Lucian was already walking out as he kept barking orders left and right.
Jaxon halted, then turned to start preparations for the mage relays with Devlin. The war council was made up of elders who weren't fit to travel and were oath bound to the reigning emperor. Their authority was as if Lucian himself were speaking when orders were passed down, unfortunately… if Lucian died their oaths were not automatically passed to the heir so usually the heir would remain… but Serafin and all the imperial children were packed up within minnets to follow along.