Azarius covered his head with a pout, then leapt out of the nest to stand beside Darvic who had mostly recovered. "Sis, I'm bored."
Zane perked up and waved to a servant, "Bring us two more chairs."
Melia smiled at the prince as she stood up. A dozen warriors who hadn't participated in Ash's mana sharing started loading the tables with finger foods and treats as they walked over, "For us your highness?"
Zane stood to help the young lady into a chair, when she sat he pushed the chair in. "Of course, I did order tea, hopefully it will suite your taste."
Melia bobbed a nod, "Many thanks Your Highness, hopefully our cooking will also be passable." Melia started filling her and Azarius's plates with small meat filled pastries, nuts, and fruits.
Rommel helped pushed Azarius's chair in, the boy was tall for his age, "How old are you Azarius?" He asked as he sat down.
"I'm eight and a half!" Azarius announced accepting the plate.
Zane kept a straight face when both children popped the bite sized pastries in their mouth. Zane and Rommel shared a look as they each took a small nibble. All the food was infused with mana again. "You're a giant for your age, about the size of most twelve-year-olds."
Azarius grinned while kicking his feet, "Thanks to Ash's blessing, I will be even bigger than my dad!"
Zane grinned, "You grew so much in just a few days? No way."
Azarius rolled his eyes as a cup of milk tea was placed in front of him, "No, Ash blessed mom years ago, way before we were born."
Zane grinned at the two children, "I didn't know blessing could be inherited." For them to be eating the food as if it were normal... they would be strong.
Melia gave a shy smile, "Well, mother is the keeper of Ash's heart. I imagine it's like having a constant blessing just following her around and watching over her."
Rommel kept his smile, but he examined Melia a little closer. That wasn't information someone usually just casually mentioned. "Neolani has always been a powerful mage, no wonder she was chosen." Rommel complimented.
Melia sipped her tea as she blushed, "Well, I'm sure Ash had other reasons, there were stronger mages." She let her gaze flicker over Devlin for just a moment.
Zane caught the disdainful glance, and the implication. "I have no doubt, how was your journey from the savannah?"
Melia grinned, "It feels like it lasted forever, and over in an instant all at the same time. Too bad making transfer gates for 500 would have drawn too much attention."
Azarius rolled his eyes, "I'm still sore from running nearly the whole way! When we get back, I'm getting my own lion!" Azarius complained pitifully as he laid his head on the table.
Melia ruffled his hair, "Not until your tenth birthday, besides... there might be other options soon."
Azarius glanced at the gryphons and huffed, "I like lions...ow!" Azarius whined when Melia pinched his cheek.
Melia gave Zane an apologetic smile, "He's still young, how was your journey your highness?"
"I imagine we were more relaxed, at least until we saw the gryphons flying over the capital." Zane admitted as he tucked the information away.
Melia grinned happily, "I heard you've been training falcons and eagles. Your Highness's is even big enough to carry a full-grown man."
"Yes, Kira is being housed in our villa. Maybe I'll be able to bring her out for you to see." Zane offered, but his gaze landed on a few youths hesitantly making their way over. One he recognized to be Duke Carlos's grandson.
Calix hesitated, but gave a courtly bow, "Prince Zane, priestess Melia, the Carlos Duchy hoped we might help see to your comfort and satisfaction during your stay. If you require a guide, please do not hesitate to send word."
Melia smiled, "Of course, please join us. Though I image we will need square tables so we may all fit comfortably."
Zane acquiesced to Melia, then nodded for the tables to be changed out. To his surprise two of the Inago cast simultaneous enchantments so the tables changed shape while the chairs moved in accommodation.
Calix smiled as he took a seat, after a round of introductions the chatter had cooled considerably as most eyes were on him, "Since so many of the delegations have arrived early, there are talks about moving to the spring hunting grounds early. Unless, there were other attractions anyone wished to participate in?"
Melia smiled, "Are there any you would recommend Lord Calix?"
Calix kept his polite smile, "Unfortunately, none we can participate in here in the capital. But there are more options when we move to the hunting grounds, unlike the Cerulean Forest hunt, there are full accommodations."
Zane returned the polite smile, "Of course, last year the top prize went to Duke Darnings, when he hunted leader class beast. Quite the feat."
Calix wasn't sure how to respond, very few delegations usually participated, and only once in almost ten years had a delegation placed first. "Yes, the wolf was only a first tier, but since it was a higher class than Melum's 4th tier boss class bear Duke Darnings took home with win."
Zane met the other royals eyes and smiles, "Perhaps this year, a new power might emerge victorious. Do you know what this year's prizes will be?"
Calix didn't miss Prince Zane's glance around the table, "I heard from my grandfather the prize for first place is 10,000 gold and a cape made from the fur of a third tier elite Lynx. It supposedly took more than 300 elite soldiers, his majesty himself, and more than two dozen fourth tier mages to track it down and kill it."
Rommel raised a brow, "Considering the land dragon that was just killed was a guardian class... an elite seems a bit lacking as a prize."
Calix paled briefly paled, but forced his smile, "A pity the empire wasn't the one to hunt it down."
Rommel continued to smile, "But not even lord class? No wonder no one ever tries to go all out."
Melia was glancing down at her tea, then she smile, "Perhaps we might wager then? A request from each loser to the one who brings the most impressive catch?"
Rommel crossed his arms, while Zane wasn't the crown prince... his favor was worth more than the favor from a young priestess. "We seem to be getting the short end of this wager."
Melia smiled, "What if the favor... was from the fourth-tier mage as well as priestess?"
Rommel stilled as he eyed the girl, to be a fourth tiered mage at 13... only one other came to mind for such prowess. "Then I will join the wager, but the catch or kill goes to whoever landed the final blow."
"That does sound interesting." Ashton had settled on the edge of his nest so he was overlooking the table. Everyone had turned in surprise.
Azarius pouted, "Well, if you compete, we might as well give up..."
Ashton raised a brow, "I won't be competing, just watching the entertainment."
Azarius grinned while rubbing his hands together, "Just the final blow? Then even I can play!"
Melia rolled her eyes, "I'm sure the warriors will be hunting offerings for Ash, so you'll have to find your own prey."
Zane raised a brow, "Seems only fair, we wouldn't anyone accusing the next chief warrior of cheating, would we?"
Azarius huffed as he crossed his arms, "Fine, but it's so boring here... isn't there anything fun to do while we wait?"
Melia gave a brilliant smile, "You could always look over your books so you can tell different beasts apart."
Azarius slumped in his seat, "So boring... besides... I know Ash is the strongest so do we really need to learn the rest?"
Melia slapped him upside the head with a glare, "Don't be rude. I think you should spend tomorrow with Zamora," Melia gave a short bow to the royals at the table, "We will correct his behavior, please excuse our disrespect."
Zane kept his smile, "He's young, and the young like to boast and show off."
Azarius bowed his head, "Sorry, I didn't mean it like it came out."
Ashton let out a sigh, "Don't mistake arrogance for pride, off with you Azarius." Ashton watched Azarius jump out of his seat, bow, then be escorted off.
Alexei watched as well, "He's too smart and strong for his own good, this will be a good lesson for him."
Ashton didn't comment on the matter as he glanced down at the silent table, "Well, how about we talk about the possible beasts young Calix? While I doubt there will be many lord or guardian class beasts, surely leader and elite class beasts will be present."
"Ah, yes, of course. While regular animals and beasts will be the most common, cored beasts and boss classes are already starting to roam the Holst mountains. There has also been reports of two leader class pythons being spotted, one green, one black but not confirmations since the first sightings." Calix launched himself into quick explanations.
Zane glanced over the table, "Perhaps we can send a few scouts to see what they can find."
Lucera smiled, "I agree, our own scouts will help bring peace of mind to potential... threats."
Noelle gave the barest hint of a nod that only her cousins noticed.
"I agree, they might even be able to find a few elite or lord class beasts we can take a crack at. Since we're safe and all, we should go all out." Rowena agreed with a broad smile.
Melia gave a slight nod, "Same, perhaps our scouts might travel together. On our way here we heard rumors of an lord black python making its way toward the capital as soon as spring began."
Zane took the information seriously, "Was it black or green?"
Melia shook her head, "There were four sightings along the path we took, three stated it was a dark green, the fourth was too late at night as it stole half a dozen cows before escaping without a fight. While the farmers thought it was black, they weren't sure."
Rommel glanced up at Alexei who shrugged, "Were there any other rumors?"
"Plenty, the last sighting was only a week's journey from the capital, but the rumors were in each town or village we passed. We deliberately sent scouts to inquire, but nothing was heard in any cities. It was smart, and if rumors are true. It ate over thirty cows, twenty sheep, and a second-tier leader class stag." Alexei informed seriously.
"No human casualties?" Jantje asked uncertainly.
Alexei rubbed his chin, "That's the concerning part. All sightings were as it was escaping, and all the towns were close to forests, rivers, or at least two days journey from any city. But no rumors after the last sighting."
"When did it kill the leader class stag?" Zane asked thinking over the eastern path the Inago must have taken from the Savannah to the capital.
"That was the first sighting, close to the eastern border. The ruckus from the rest of the herd caused the village to send hunters. They reported the python had been swallowing the stag, when they turned and fled." Alexei explained.
"Then I agree, we should send the scouts in groups. At least until we confirm if it's moved on, hopefully it was just passing through." Rowena stated, while the gryphons were elite and lord class, except Agapi who was a guardian class, best not to become an easy snack for an elite class beast.
"Peace, there are no lord class pythons in the hunting grounds." Ashton promised with a slight smile.
Zane glanced up at Young Song's comforting smile, "... then we have no cause for worry?" Zane asked before anyone could relax.
Ashton shook his head, "There are a few elite class beasts, and two lord class, but none are pythons. Scouts and groups would be wise, who knows what else will show up?" Ashton reminded meeting Zane's gaze pointedly.
Zane was confused for a moment, then blushed, then paled, "I understand, we will take caution."
Rommel took a moment before he heard the implication and also blushed... it seemed Zane's message had been received.
Everyone at the table was now looking curiously from Ashton's playful grin to Zane and Rommel's embarrassed faces.
Melia frowned, "Ash?" She asked hopefully.
Ashton only shook his head, "You'll know soon enough little spark. For now, take Mit and Yat when you scout."
Melia pouted but nodded, "Then, we'll send two warriors at first light,"
Zane nodded covering his blush by sipping his tea, "We'll also send two."
Calix hesitated, "I'll have the duchy inquire about any related rumors. We will also send a few guards and scouts."
The delegations all agreed to send two scouts at first light. After a few pleasantries everyone agreed to turn in for the night, tomorrow the last two main delegations should arrive.
Agapi used her talons to clutch the nest and return to the eastern palace. She did not follow them into the resting nest, there was a subtle tension between the two humans and Young Song. Best to let them settle things in privacy.