Neolani nodded, "Make a separate perimeter, closer to the mountains. Alexei take a dozen men to start scouting the area, Melia take two dozen to make stone houses. Azarius take five men to check our supplies." Neolani started making preparations while the lions circled the nest and the gryphons flew off to follow Agapi.
Zane watched as Young Song lay there clearly exhausted, one lion peered into the nest and tried to nuzzle him but Alexei's sharp call had the lion retreating. Soon a male and female warrior leapt into the nest wiping his body down.
Rommel had already ordered their men to start their own campsite, though the rest were hesitating. "I didn't get a good look at whatever spell he used to cleanse but that fire wasn't normal."
"For now, we wait. I don't know why he wanted out of the capital, but I've never heard of any beasts with such a song… and never any beast that could command so many." Zane added as he pondered more… perhaps they should look into beasts that were unique.
Noelle walked past them and started for the nest, the lions all raised their heads but let her pass. She dropped into a formal curtsey, "Young Song, is there anything the tiger nations can do to assist you?"
Ashton opened one eye with a slight smile, "I am fine, the palace has been cleansed and marked. You should make camp, there is still much to do."
Noelle dropped even further, "We will do as you bid, please call for us if you have need."
Ashton grinned, "I suggest you take the west wings, further from the mountains the better."
Noelle gave a final curtsey then nodded for her cousins to follow her in, with her taking the lead the rest of the delegations and the imperial family finally entered the palace. The cowards.
Theodore saw the unmasked face of the youth and almost had a heart attack. If anyone continued to insist Ashton wasn't related to Alphonse he would demand they donate their eyes to those who would appreciate them.
Terrence had also noticed the striking resemblance to his brother Alphonse, glancing at his nephew he sighed. While it was a slim hope… if Ashton had any lingering attachments to Seibel, they might be able to capitalize on those sentiments to bring him home.
Neolani had been organizing the warriors and had already picked out the rotation groups to sneak back into the capital to continue preparations. When after several minutes only the Seibel delegation remained she clenched her teeth but walked over.
Terrence wasn't surprised when Neolani started walking over with a raised brow, "Please forgive our rudeness, I was wondering…"
"As you can see, our little bird is just about ready for a nap. I'm sure you also have to see to your own accommodations. Perhaps there will be time to chat later." Neolani interrupted glancing over the group.
Ashton had an arm resting over his eyes as he enjoyed the mid-morning sun, the capital was like an eternal winter morning with thick fog. While he'd managed to clear a small portion of the eastern palace garden, he could only see straight up. Going from being surrounded by fog, then having tunnel vision to this… was a nice change.
Terrence hesitated but finally looked past Neolani, "Lord Reece, would you like to share a cup of tea?"
Ashton opened his eyes but didn't remove his arm or sit up, "I am not Alphonse's son, nor are we blood related."
Terrence hesitated, then bowed, "Please excuse my brashness, I will send some valerian root tea. I hope you rest well." Terrence then started to walk away, but of course Theodore had to make himself known.
"Lord Reece, you're basically the spitting image of my brother… how could we possibly believe you aren't family to us?" Theodore asked almost pleadingly as he stepped past Terrence.
Ashton sighed, he wanted to just toss Theodore aside or order them to leave but that really would be an overreaction. If he ignored Theodore, the situation would only continue to escalate with petty tricks.
Neolani thrust her spear out so Theodore couldn't walk past her, "I pity any who consider you family."
Theodore ignored her as he continued to look at the nest, he was just tall enough to peek over the edge and see an arm slung over his face, "Please, surely a few minutes-"
"Seibel's audacity is starting to rival the empires." Ashton stated coolly, "If he refuses to walk away, the lions can have his legs."
Terrence paled then without hesitation he signaled the rest and started walking away. Whatever happened to Theodore wasn't his responsibility.
Theodore was dumbfounded, but when two lions stood up shaking their manes, and a lioness stretched he quickly decided to follow Terrence. He'd been hoping to get some information from the Inago guards, but they were all silent as the grave.
Ashton pulled out a fruit with higher mana concentration to snack on slowly as he fell asleep. The two warriors stayed in the nest but were making little physical contact.
Neolani watched the delegation walk inside like scurrying rats, she also side eyed the Adar delegation as they set up tents. Let them do as they like, there would be enough grief to go around soon enough.
Ashton woke up to the smell of cooking meat, the smell wasn't unpleasant… but it was strong. He sat up to see five boars all being spit roasted just on the edge of the forest less than twenty yards from his nest.
Neolani had been resting under the tree shade when she noticed Ash sit up and stretch, she stood up with a small stretch herself then trotted over. "Are you hungry? The meat won't be ready for another hour or so at this rate."
Ash rolled his shoulders as the two warriors left the nest, "Fruit and milk should be fine," Ashton trailed off eyeing the forest with a small frown, "Call back the warriors, they should remain close to camp."
Neolani tensed as she glanced out of the corner of her eye, they'd all noticed the forest had been unusually quiet… but after Ash's display they had chocked it up to everything being frightened off.
Zane and Rommel perked up at the command, then sent similar orders. Unlike the Inago they only had enough men for two groups of twelve and fifteen for tasks, so when the group of fifteen had to be recalled they sent Kira to scout for them with a message.
Rommel meandered closer to the nest, when none of the lions even looked up he put a little pep in his step. "Alexei, we were just discussing having afternoon tea in the shade, should we set up tables enough for the Inago?"
Alexei glanced at Ash, after the barest hint of a nod he responded, "I'm sure we'll have enough tables for all."
Rommel grinned, "Then we will bring some pastries, we requested a recipe from back home that will hopefully please Young Song."
Ashton leaned against the edge of the nest, so much had already happened… some of it unexpected but most predictable. He heaved a great sigh as he sat up, half crawling to the side where the tables would be set up. He lay so his arms were crossed underneath his head and his back could now enjoy some sun.
Neolani watched as the delegations, even Lucian led the imperials out, all the while the gryphons hadn't returned yet… hopefully there was just more land than they had anticipated.
Noelle accepted her tea as she looked over the tense Seibel delegation, from the corner of her eye she noticed the imperials walking up, "Young Song, I was wondering if anything specific prompted our quick departure."
Ashton narrowed his eyes with a tight smile as Jaxon and Monroe approached, "Duke Darnings offended me so greatly, I decided I would no longer protect the capital is all."
The entire table stilled as Lucian met Ashton's eyes, he then glanced at his cousin and nephew, "Thank you for your assistance this morning, Lord Reece."
Ashton raised a brow, then looked over the group and smirked, "Apparently in the short few hours of my nap, another has been influenced. Naughty naughty sneaking out."
The already tense group started to look at the others around suspiciously, Jaxon immediately pulled Monroe closer as he stepped away from the others.
"How could someone under your protection be influenced without you being aware?" Charles asked as politely as possible while also side eyeing the rest.
Ashton grinned, "The empire is not mine to protect, though I have claimed this plot of land, once you step outside it of your own free will… well that's hardly my concern."
"Who was influenced?" Jaxon asked keeping himself between Monroe and the others.
Ashton lost his smile, "Jaxon, I don't answer to you." The statement brought Jaxon to his knees, Ashton then glanced at the other imperials, "I will not be ignoring such slights anymore. And I now want 25 guesses before I've finished eating, otherwise I'll start taking those pieces."
Charles paled as he knees almost buckled, surprisingly Marquis Cologne stepped forward with a bao.
"Lord Reece, I am so sorry the empire has done you such great disservice, but I come with news." Frances informed as his daughter, holding his granddaughter curtseyed.
Ashton tilted his head, "Oh?" he asked mildly intrigued.
"The 200 Inago crossed into Palmer town and had a skirmish with imperial guards two days ago, I received a report this morning." Frances reported ignoring Lucian and the others. While this was highly improper… he had to ensure the safety of his daughter and granddaughter.
"I was aware, though it appears you have something to add." Ashton prompted raising a brow. France's visibly hesitated, then continued almost as if just the thought pained him.
"Though none were reportedly killed during the battle, roughly two hours later the entire company of 150 soldiers has gone missing, along with two small 10-man squads that had broken off." Frances reported still staring at the ground in front of the nest.
"You aren't accusing me, but you want something…" Ashton stated rather than asked.
Frances swallowed audibly, "Do you happen… to know what happened to the missing guards?"
Ashton smiled, "I was in the capital and only received word during the attack, perhaps they wandered too close to a beast's lair and suffered the consequences."
Lucian felt goosebumps rise along his skin… Palmer town was where they had traveled to pick Ashton up… if almost 200 guards went missing… when they weren't supposed to be there. Ashton also hadn't answered the question.
Leonard paled… he'd given strict orders for the Silas guards to maintain order, but no more than three dozen guards should even be close to Palmer… if the Inago were picking up Ashton's parents and 200 guards attempted to stop them… someone high enough in the courts was sending troops to one of his territories without him even being made aware.
Ashton turned to Lucian, "I happened to notice… a few missing guards in the last few weeks Lucian. Perhaps you should find out where they went… and with who's permission."
Leonard turned green at Ashton's pointed stare at the still kneeling Jaxon, he wouldn't have… he took a deep breath, "Are you willing to tell us who was influenced?" they had probably an hour to submit another 25 guesses instead of the 5 they had prepared.
Ashton kept staring Jaxon down, "Considering how little faith Jaxon has in me, no. Though I do suggest Monroe work quickly to prove his pride. That might be his only hope see tomorrow's dawn."
Leonard didn't miss that Ashton wasn't using Jaxon's title or using honorifics, "Is there anything we can do to make amends?" Leonard asked half exhausted from just the thought.
"No. Now my lunch is ready," Ashton dismissed as several platters of fruit and pastries were being carried over from the small stone buildings the Inago had temporarily made.
Leonard didn't know whether they should sit or if he should drag Jaxon back demanding answers about these 200 guards. When Maquis Frances took a seat without another word Leonard only sighed as the rest slowly took their seats at the two farthest tables.
Neolani used a quick spell to make a temporary earth table to place the platters within reach of the nest as Melia hopped into the nest. Without a word she started slicing fruits so Ash could feed himself.
Ashton selected pastries between his bites of fruit, it would be nice if at least one meal a day was peaceful… bringers of chaos all around him. Ashton sighed as he ate another pastry filled with nut paste, then drank a mug of chilled milk. The only way this would be better is if he were laying on the grass somewhere warmer.
Zane watched the contented grin Young Song wore as he ate enough for his entire delegation tables. The idea he might really eat Monroe was looking more and more possible. It also felt like his every move was being watched by something in the tree line… Hopefully he wasn't just imagining things or psyching himself out.
Rommel was watching as Young Song started eating a third platter of filled pastries… while he was only on his first muffin, some normal fruit slices and steak. Yep, if nothing else his appetite was threat enough… then again, if they left food out Young Song might really follow it to their capital.
Noelle wiped her mouth smiling up at Young Song, "Young Song, we were wondering if you would like to follow us to a waterfall, the water is always cool and many beasts visit it."
Ashton raised a brow, "Oh? About how far is this waterfall?"
Noelle glanced toward the mountains behind the palace, "I'd say about an hour more east than north on horseback, the trail was well kept last year. We usually picnic in the area a few times each year."
Ashton glanced from east to north, then lastly west. So many visitors, "When were you thinking of visiting?"
Noelle gauged his response, "Perhaps tomorrow or the morning after, today we planned to just settle in."
"That sounds like a pleasant outing, I think I will join you." Ashton agreed popping another bite sized pastry into his mouth.
Alexei gave a dramatic sigh, "Should we hike up the night before and start preparing your food? Not sure these pastries will survive the trip."
Ashton glanced at the platter, "I'm sure we could forage more than enough in the area and on the way."
Alexei's eye twitched, they would still have to stop, look, and gather up what they found. "The scenic route then I assume."
"The guards haven't even prepared the official hunting trails, so we'll have at least the next few days to explore." Ashton added as a breeze swirled leaves and had branches sway.
Neolani glanced up, with only Ashton and Melia in the sun it was like he was wearing a halo, and it made his blue eyes look like crystal pools of water. It really was painful how strikingly similar his new body was to Alphonse.
Ashton glanced at Neolani smiling, "Does my beauty entrance you my Ember?" Ashton teased with a brilliant smile.
Alexei rolled his eyes, "Who's a pretty birdie? Yes, yes you're a pretty birdie." Alexei stated so matter of factly that half the warriors and both his children burst into laughter.
Ashton pushed himself up on his arms preening, "Your eyes have improved since marrying my Ember."
Alexei rested his elbow on the table while he forked a bite of meat into his mouth, "One day I'll pluck those feathers…" Alexei grumbled eyeing Ashton with feigned rancor.
"I have never seen anything more beautiful in my life Ash," Neolani agreed as her eyes teered up from laughter.
Melia had teers at the corner of her eyes from laughing so hard. "Dad you're just asking for it!"
Alexei kept a straight face as he took another bite, "Just you wait and see, I'll pluck him like chicken and wear his feathers."
Ashton grinned as he cupped his face in his hands, propping his elbows on the edge of the nest, "You would look ridiculous, and your attempts will entertain me for years to come."
Neolani pinched Alexei who kept a straight face, "You would think as a married man with two half grown children, he would be less petty."
"A bird is fishing for my wife's compliments… how am I the petty one?" Alexei asked feigning hurt.
"So childish." Ashton teased with a dramatic sniff of disdain.
Alexei eyed Ashton, "Anyone else in the mood for beggars' chicken?"
Zane had to stifle his choking on his drink. His throat and nose burned but he refused to embarrass himself, after a short burst of stifled coughs he was able to look up with wet eyes, "Can you bake a bird made of fire?"
Alexei leaned back eyeing Ashton up and down, "Eh… worth a try yeah? Besides… the feather pillow and bed would always be warm."
Rommel shuddered, "I'm more a cotton many myself."