Jantje watched the playful banter, while most was said in jest… Young Song was objectively beautiful, though his strong resemblance to the Seibelian royal family was disconcerting. Theodore had also been constantly nagging that clearly Young Song had to be Alphonse's hidden son and he would find the proof.
Lucera shared a look with Jantje, they'd both been mildly uneasy since this morning… but couldn't place the feeling. Young Song was also acting… less observatory and being much more playful since leaving the capital.
Glances around the table confirmed many thought the same, but there was a strange undercurrent… something was just… off. Jantje glanced around the nearly 3,200 acres of open campgrounds, and the palace alone took up a third of the hunting grounds, if the lake behind it was included. Trees surrounded them on all sides and to the mountain's northwest all the way around north to east behind the palace, then tapered off into large hills to the southeast.
Jantje had seen the landscape several times already… but for the first time she felt trapped with only the way back to the capital as a way out.
"So many tense lordlings, my pride is almost pricked that you do not believe I can protect you." Ashton sighed dramatically as he slumped down so his head was resting on his crossed forearms.
Zane felt the tension down to his bones. Everyone was now watching the smiling Young Song with trepidation.
Ash raised a brow, "You would think I was a man-eating beast ready to devour all that I see."
Zane suppressed a shiver, "Of course not Young Song, I think we are still tense from the sudden rush out of the capital… and anxious as we await… your suitor?"
Ash glanced over the table with a light smile, "It would seem I am the least eager to see this suitor. Perhaps the beast in question will be tempted to… show itself sooner."
Ashton then glanced down the tables to look at Jaxon and Monroe, "Your guesses."
Leonard's eyes were bloodshot from his furious writing while everyone had been eating, they were still three pages short. Before Leonard could try stalling all the pages with guesses, most still had wet ink, flew up presenting themselves to Ashton.
Neolani did a quick count then smirked, "They are four short, this one is unfinished." She cast a slight heat wave spell to dry the ink before adding them to the previous bunch.
Jaxon was about to argue but Leonard and Charles gripped his arms from where they were sitting. He could see the grief in their eyes, but their resignation made his heart clench as he bowed his head.
Ashton wasn't smiling as he watched the interaction, but this was progress at least. Ashton glanced over the open grounds, guards and hired mercenaries were giving them a wide birth as they continued to clear the main trails. There were also several who came back with smaller beasts they had captured or killed already.
Zane noticed Young Song glancing over the cages where a few mercenaries were butchering meat, or skinning a few of the beasts with particularly nice fur. "Does… it displease you?" Zane asked hesitantly.
Ashton glanced at Zane, "That the weak are at the mercy of those stronger? Not particularly."
Zane watched Young Song for any hints of his feelings, "But you disagree with the Empire doing the same to other nations?"
Ashton sighed as he fell back so he could enjoy the sunshine, "I believe I disagree with the empire the way you would disagree with cannibalistic tribes. I find it more… disgusting than anything."
Zane's stomach clenched at the thought, "But you don't find it… wrong? I think I would try to wipe out such a tribe… especially if they were kidnapping and eating my people."
Ashton thought about it, "Even if the tribe was stronger than you? And any win would not be worth the sacrifice?"
Zane clenched his fist… they had submitted to the empire… maybe not directly but they had all collectively agreed to just try avoiding as much conflict as possible.
"But you're stronger than the empire, you have the ability to wipe them out." Rommel added meeting the glares of the angry imperials.
Ashton laced his fingers resting them on his stomach, "Alaina could have done the same in the last 700 years."
Zane deflated with a breath, "That is fair… are there… other factors to the beasts not wiping the empire out?"
Ashton half shrugged, "I cannot speak for every beast, perhaps if they were more aggressive or annoying a beast may have bothered about them. But so far, their sacrifices have been human, or weaker beasts without support."
Zane glanced at the table, "And the humans sacrificed have not been worth revenge?"
Ashton stared at Zane, "That is a question for your beast, had any human of mine been taken the empire would have been burned from the face of the earth."
Zane jolted as he looked up, Young Song's eyes flashed silver then returned to blue.
"Then again, it would be rather embarrassing if any of mine could even be captured against their will." Ashton added glancing over the pride with a raised brow.
"Not even in death!" All the warriors shouted with ruthless grins.
Monroe jolted up as he stared at the beast, "Is that true?"
Ashton grinned slyly at the youth, "It would be a real shame, if even the youngest, or weakest of mine could be captured, yes."
Monroe gulped as he clenched his fists in his lap, "Then… it would prove the pride of whoever could capture them." This might be a trap… but really, what did he have to lose at this point.
"You could certainly make the argument, and I would be hard pressed to refute it." Ashton agreed slowly all the while keeping his smile.
Monroe glanced over the pride, his eyes settled on both children…
"Azarius is not yet mine, though any of his guardians would be shamed if he were captured." Ashton informed glancing from Monroe to Alexei, Neolani, and Melia.
"But if I could defeat Melia in armed combat, that would prove my pride, and you'd stop the game to eat me." Monroe challenged meeting Ashton's gaze.
Ashton glanced over Monroe with deliberate disdain, "Of course, though it would be an unequal battle… perhaps you should bring Emmett and Serafin to bolster your chances."
The imperials all looked like they'd been both slapped and forced to swallow something fowl at the same time. Emmett stood up with a glare.
"Awww, perhaps I should reframe from any spells as well." Melia teased using her hand to cover her smile.
Serafin jumped up, "Fine, this prince will fight you! Draw your sword!" He roared slamming his hands on the table.
Melia rolled her eyes as she leapt out of the nest, "What a barbarian, hacking and slashing." She pulled at her necklace so a dangling metal feather detached.
Jaxon wanted to interfere but… surely a three on one battle could at least end on a tie. Or they could prove their pride through battle prowess. Dozens of warriors then rushed forward creating a circle, then several overlapping spells flattened the ground. Within moments a fresh arena was ready.
Melia didn't wear any armor, just her simple white toga dress, sandals that wrapped up to her knees, usekh necklace that had a single mana core in the center but a dozen dangling feathers, and her hair up in a ponytail. The feather then turned into a spear, "I won't use any spells, but… my spear can shorten and lengthen according to my will. Hopefully that's not too much of an advantage."
Jaxon had fitted all three with their personal swords and a chest plate each. This had happened so abruptly, with so little time to prepare… he was getting lightheaded as the three huddled up to make a plan.
Ashton stretched out in his nest and tilted it so he could continue to lay down but see everything, he had several small pouches of dried nuts and seeds to snack on. More than a dozen warriors sat around the edge with drums as the three walked in.
Melia didn't even flinch as Monroe and Emmett came charging at her as she started to sing.
… Cross my heart and hope to die
I don't need another guy
To fight my battles
To overshadow me
Using the butt of her spear she knocked it into Serafin's chest, then swung her spear around to deflect Monroe's sword so his momentum had him stumbling forward. Emmett wasn't far behind with an overhead slash, but Serafin's stumble had them knocking into each other.
… Don't you know I'm dangerous?
…
I'ma show you
… How to treat me like a queen
Monroe had recovered, turned and come with a side slash from behind. Melia caught the tip again and forced it down causing Monroe to a sudden stop. Now they were now face to face.
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Before Monroe could lift his sword again Milia twirled slamming the pole of her spear into his stomach dropping the winded boy to his knees.
Boy, you better bow down on your knees
Can I get a yes, your majesty?
As Emmett had steadied himself and Serafin, he immediately turned charging like a bull, Serafin right behind him. Melia ran to meet them head on, then leapt up, kicked off Emmett's shoulder so hard he faceplanted as his sword stabbed into the ground. Melia flipped to land behind Serafin and kicked his knees in.
Boy, you better bow down on your knees
Can I get a yes, your majesty?
Melia spun her spear over her head as she walked away so they could regroup.
… Eyes on me like I'm a prize
But you better recognize
I'm not your angel
'Cause I belong to me
All three had managed to gather themselves together, Serafin led the charge, his sword pointed straight. While the other two flanked to both sides.
… You can call me a princess all your life
'Cause you love to keep me helpless by your side
Melia slid forward on one knee just as Serafin was within reach, then kicked up and wacked him on the back of his head so he went down face first.
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Emmett came up fast on her left with another side swing as Monroe mirrored him on the right. Melia threw her spear butt first, so it hit Monroe in the abdomen as she ducked close to Emmett and upper cut him with her elbow.
Boy, you better bow down on your knees
Melia then kneed Emmett hard enough to dent his chest plate. He spit out a tooth as he dropped to his knees again. Emmett's sword clattered audibly as it skittered out of reach.
Monroe was gasping from the force of the spear hitting him… if that had been the sharp end… he'd be skewed. He stumbled back, but before he could recover Melia was face to face with him again.
Can I get a yes, your majesty?
Melia picked up her spear with a quick pivot and slammed the pole onto Monroe's left shoulder so he crumpled with a scream.
So treat me like a queen
Melia swayed her hips exaggeratedly as she walked to Serafin and used her toes to hook his chin.
Boy, you better bow down on your knees
Can I get a yes, your majesty?
Melia kicked Serafin in the chest hard enough that he slid to the edge of the arena.
… You can call me a princess all your life
'Cause you love to keep me helpless by your side
But it ain't what I want, I'ma show you
(You-you-you-you)
… How to treat me like a queen
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Emmett stood up half spitting, half coughing out a mouthful of blood. To his added horror, another tooth landed in the puddle. Blood was dripping down his chin as he glared at Melia. This time he just swung at her wildly, if the others came they came, if not it wasn't his problem.
Can I get a yes, your majesty?
So treat me like a queen
Melia ducked and dodged between slashes as Serafin wobbled up. When Serafin was starting his stumbling charge, Melia smiled at Emmett, twirled to his right after he overcompensated a slash and kicked his hip.
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Serafin barely had time to shift the angle of his sword so he didn't impale Emmett. To his horror he had cut a good gash on Emmett's outer left thigh.
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Emmett's left leg only felt the flash of heat before it buckled. He gasped as Serafin tried to catch him, the sudden intake of breath had him choking on his own blood.
Before Serafin could steady himself they both went down. Emmett was practically a blanket suffocating the breath out of him. He struggled frantically seeing the sandals and hearing the voice come closer.
Boy, you better bow down on your knees
Can I get a yes, your majesty?
Melia gave a curtsey to Ash as all three were still down, Monroe was crumpled on the ground holding his shoulder. Emmett was bleeding profusely, and Serafin was like a turtle on his back.
Queen: Songwriters: Bonnie Mckee, Ryan Rabin, Ryan Mcmahon, Ben Berger, Georgia Ku, Loren Gray.