It was midafternoon before Ashton stretched and sat up, the female warrior helped straighten his hair as he glanced around nonchalantly. She cupped her hands then stepped out of the nest to take position with the rest.
Not five minutes later an announcement from the city gate that the Fae delegations had arrived. Zane glanced at Ashton who was being handed a warm drink.
Both delegations walked straight to the nest ignoring the Smyrnaean nobles. The Dryad was alone, she looked as if she were made from tree roots, leaves for hair and clothes. The Elves had six, three familiar, three new.
The three new Elves all wore shimmering robes, two with silver leaf crowns the third with golden. The tallest had golden eyes and silver hair reaching his waist, the only female had green hair and eyes along with a tree tattoo that crept up both arms. The last male had silver hair pulled back into a ponytail, and purple eyes. All six were ethereally beautiful, and while not as broad, they were as tall as the Inago.
Ashton leapt out of the nest to greet the Fae, he'd decided to leave the feather cape behind... it was nice but... not in line with his personal aesthetics.
The female Dryad stepped forward first giving a half bow, "Acacia of the Forest Heart, welcomes the new song. Acacia offers the young song a fruit of the mother tree." She offered a fruit.
Ashton accepted the iridescent blue, purple, silver shining fruit shaped like a fig. "May our songs be harmonious for all time. I gift a companion for the mother tree, may Acacia accept." A new golem made of silver stepped out of the ground, it took a shape similar to the dryad.
"Acacia accepts the companion of song." She bowed as the creature of nearly pure mana moved to her side. It only reached her knee but was a guardian class creation.
This golem was unique in that Ashton had not imparted a small piece of his essence, its intelligence was on par with Hito, knowledge on par with the teachings of his days as crown prince, but the golem was soulless. Ashton tucked the fruit into the rift so he could eat it later.
The dryad bowed then stepped back, the golem following.
Ashton gave a wry smile, "High Elf Elwen, it has been long since we met. May your health stay as strong as the mother tree." Ashton greeted with a half bow to the purple eyed elf.
Elwen looked down at the youth, "May your song ring loud and clear for the Pride." He gave a formal bow as he cupped his hands. "Hopefully we did not interrupt your rest." Elwen added in the human common tongue.
Ashton nodded as he led them to an empty table large enough for a dozen people, "I have not felt so rested in months, your consideration is appreciated." Ashton thanked taking a seat at the round table.
Elwen sat with the others, "As we have met, allow me to introduce Alba, our blessed priestess of the mother tree. Also, Idril, our... crown prince equivalent."
Ashton nodded to both; Alba's pure mana was almost as pure as Acacia's who was a seed of the mother tree. Idril was also radiating enough power to be mistaken for a guardian or even legendary level beast like Agapi. The three familiar faces Sawein, Bahr, and Grau from the semiannual hunt were also seated.
Ashton took a deep breath, "Lord Elwen, I owe you an apology." Then Ashton gave an apologetic wry smile, "Please let me start over."
Elwen was genuinely surprised. He nodded as he waited. Alphonse, Ashton, the youth stood up with a formal fae bow.
"Lord Elwen, I was rude, dismissive, and unwilling to accept your counsel when we last met. I am ashamed how poorly I acted. I am sorry for the discourtesy I showed you, I now appreciate your patience and understanding." Ashton apologized.
Elwen nodded, "Thank you, I accept your apology. Also, how should we address you?" While he had never begrudged the young one, he had been frustrated. Especially after hearing about Alphonse's untimely death.
Ashton sat down, "Ash, Ashton, Reece, or any title the Fae decide is alright, I am not particularly concerned. Truth be told, I did expect you Lord Elwen, but your companions are... very unexpected." Ashton admitted with a politely interested smile.
"We had, of course, learned how your conversation with Elwen ended on a less than pleasant note. We hoped this time calmer persuasion would ease the tensions." Alba explained with a kind smile.
Ashton let out a wry smile, "I was rather... dismissive." Ashton agreed as he retook his seat.
Idril leaned forward, "We were more concerned with your health Young Song." Idril deliberately ignored the human emperor and others as they shamelessly came closer.
"I did take that into consideration before I stepped into the capital." Ashton admitted neutrally.
Idril examined the youth, he wasn't as brash and unreasonable as Elwen described, nor as pleasant and agreeable as the trio claimed. "Your choice surprises me, even if they do nothing else to harm you. Your body will perish by next spring."
"I have accepted that outcome." Ashton agreed politely. Ashton didn't break eye contact even when the entire garden was suddenly silent.
Idril continued to meet Ash's eyes. "If we kill the human imperials and his ilk, would your oath still stand?"
Ashton leaned back, "My only oath in regards to their lives, is to ensure the current crown prince, and official imperial princess survive until I leave."
Idril also leaned back, "But your oath to the descendent of greed would remain, even if it died?"
Ashton thought about his answer for a moment, "If the current Smyrnaean emperor dies, the oath would no longer stand. But my pride would not allow its death. Regardless of how poor they have treated me." Ashton admitted, almost reluctantly.
Idril mulled over the information, "I admit you are only the second beast of Pride I have met, and even un-ascended far more powerful. I do not understand why you stay with them. With humans at all." Idril was far more attune to the natural flows of mana. Young Song was so powerful, even the influence of the greed dragon bent around his claimed territory, small as it was. If he did not know better... he might believe this youth was the avatar of a greater being.
Ashton nodded, "Logically and reasonably, I should have cut my losses the first time. But Idril, I have lived as a human for decades."
Idril eyed Ash, "But you are not human. You have never been human."
Ashton looked over the elves, the other five had tensed. "No, I am not human." Ashton agreed with a deep breath.
"Why suffer in a decaying, damaged shell that is beyond saving?" Idril wasn't blind, all the Fae could see how Ash had sealed off the damaged body and mana channels. The pain was clearly crippling. Most humans would cut off rotting pieces of flesh, or frostbitten flesh in this case.
Ashton interlocked his fingers, "Because it's mine."
Idril narrowed his eyes, "You are being stubborn."
"I will eventually discard this body, but having it taken is another matter." Ashton informed.
"The result is the same." Idril didn't back down.
"The ends do not justify the means." Ashton denied curtly. Idril jolted as if he had been slapped, Alba placed her hand on Idril's.
"That is not what we meant Young Song. We do not understand why you choose to suffer needlessly. The Empire has not seen to your needs, comfort, or safety." Alba explained.
"Then I should curb my pride, and stoop to their level?" Ashton inquired with a trace of disdain. The three stared at him before Elwen gave a deep sigh.
"Young Song, what pride is there in staying to be abused?" Elwen asked exasperated. Clearly the young one's temper had not yet cooled.
Ashton raised a brow, "I am proving that for all the Empire's supposed strength, with but a touch I could crumble it to ash. When I leave, they will regret taking from me."
Jaxon clenched his fist. Their face was being used to wipe the floor. Worst of all, they couldn't even do anything about it.
Idril deliberately glanced over the crowd. "Because you regret?"
Ashton relaxed tilting his head with a smile, "I regret nothing." Clearly his answer surprised not only the elves, but even the humans.
Elwen frowned, "If you do not regret, why make them regret?"
Ashton let out an almost predatory smile, "Mere descendants of greed... dare to covet what is mine? Dare to take more than I give? So I will take until they regret, they don't yet realize how much I can take but they will."
Idril looked at the table, "Is revenge more important than your comfort?"
Ashton relaxed as he leaned forward, "I am not seeking revenge, but they are naughty children who need to learn restraint. Not all deities and beasts will be as merciful as I. Either they will learn, or they will perish."
Sebastian jolted... while it sounded like a threat... he looked at the fuming Lucian and glaring Randal. Then he looked around, heart sinking. Ashton would not need to lift a finger... the Empire would not survive anymore internal strife.
Idril looked up, "You are indeed magnanimous. I admit I am still considering sparing future troubles and ordering most of them simply executed now."
Ashton tilted his head, "That would put us at odds."
Idril raised a brow, "I am within my rights to demand compensation for their disrespect and damage to our home."
Ashton grinned then shrugged, "If you use international relations then I will not interfere. So long as the two younglings are left unharmed, of course."
Idril accepted the information, "You will not interfere politically?" His disinterested gaze wandered over a few people of note. Idril stood up, before any of the humans could react he was directly over the human emperor.
Ashton shrugged, "I do not stand with, or for the empire." Ashton turned in his seat enough to watch, as fast as Idril had been, Neolani and Alexei had only been a heartbeat behind as they stood behind the two children.
Idril's sword was pointed at the human's throat, but he locked gazes with the Young Song, "Lucian Bellis Gustafson of Smyrna, I Idril Nelaros Amara Celeborn deem your transgression in the Cerulean Forest as an act of war. Should your answer be unsatisfactory come twilight we march on the capital." Idril announced in a voice loud enough for the entire garden to hear.
Lucian glared into the ice-cold golden eyes, before he could speak Sebastian fell to a knee drawing the elf's attention.
"Crown Prince Idril, please give us a chance to make amends. The fae and empire have coexisted peacefully for 700 years. What reparations would the Fae deem appropriate for us to part in peace?" Sebastian asked before Lucian's temper could damn them all.
Idril eyed the human, "Dare you speak on behalf of a beast of greed?" Idril asked assessing the human, he had noticed the dragon cane with the Young Song's mana signature.
If Jaxon could hear the naked contempt in the elf's voice, he had no doubt Lucian could as well, "We only wish to part ways in peace, surely war would not benefit the Fae your Highness." Jaxon explained gripping Lucian's arm as he stepped up.
Idril ignored the second human, "Speak human acknowledged by the Young Song, do you speak on behalf of your emperor."
Sebastian didn't look up, "I am in not in such a position, but I do hope he will take heed of my counsel." Sebastian acquiesced still kneeling. Sebastian saw out of the corner of his eye Duke Darnings stepping angrily forward. Before he could even blink, Jaxon had been sent flying.
When the third human opened his mouth Idril slapped him hard enough to send him flying. Despite Young Song's nonchalance... Idril decided against killing the humans outright. At least for now. Idril finally looked at the human emperor, "Speak, atonement or annihilation."
Lucian glared, his blood boiling. He had not been so humiliated since he vowed revenge on the Lindorm. But he wasn't a fool, the capital wasn't prepared for war with a nation they knew nothing of. With a deep breath he stepped back giving a formal bow. "What recompense does the fae demand?" Lucian asked trying to keep the seething rage out of his voice.
Idril snapped his fingers and two arrows of light pierced the humans legs so he was forced to kneel. "First, the lives of three dryads, seven lesser spirits, two elementals, and one elf perished. Second more than 70 acres of land were irrecoverably damaged. Third, we learned the empire had tortured the Young Song, who is equivalent to a human three-year-old toddler in terms of age." Idril announced. His accusation did more than just cut the veneer of peace, they sliced at the human emperor.
Jaxon forced himself up, he spat out a tooth along with a mouthful of blood, at least two ribs were broken, and he was dazed. But even with all his injuries he heard the accusations. He barely managed to lift his head in time to see the raw power cause several lacerations on Lucian.
Neolani cast a simple mana barrier to keep her and the two royal children safe, though her disgust was apparent for all to see.
"While the Fae cannot claim reparations on behalf of the Young Song, we will not forget this grievance. Now, how many lives will you sacrifice to make amends?" Idril demanded still pointing his sword.
Lucian struggled to breathe under the weight of such raw mana. He glared as he tried to pull the arrow out, but his hand started to sizzle. Blood was dripping into his left eye, not to mention he looked a mess with his clothes ripped in several places.
Idril's eyes narrowed, "If you do not speak now, there will not be a second chance." Suddenly the Young Song was squatting in front of the human. Idril didn't flinch, but he did step back with a bow as he sheathed his sword. Not even by appearance did he want to mistakenly point a blade at the youth.
Ashton's gaze was disinterested as he looked Lucian over, he rested his elbows on his knees, one hand holding his face as he tilted his head.
Lucian met the silver eyes behind the mask, and his stomach lurched. Lucian gulped, his whole body stilled under that gaze, he wasn't even trying to remove the arrows anymore.
"Beg." Ashton stated letting a grin spread across his face.
Lucian felt his heart drop into his stomach as he looked into the dispassionate eyes.
Sebastian jolted as he looked up enough to see Ashton's emotionless eyes, but almost inhumanly wide grin. No human's mouth could stretch that far... it was unsettling.
"Beg Lucian, like I begged to keep my humanity." Ashton reminded compassionately.
Sebastian didn't realize his heart could freeze further. Clearly the elves had not known of such a humiliation either because all six of them were now glaring as if they would rip Lucian to pieces.