Alexei had not been expecting such a harsh conversation so early in the morning, though it had always gone unspoken since not once had Ashton addressed anyone by their name except him and the children. Though, it was probably good to clear the air and see the lines in the sand.
Ashton didn't look as the fox tensed around him, "While there are many forms of pride, many decent members of your tribe, some might even be arguably more worthy than My Ember. The fact stands I have no connection to them, nor reason to protect them." Ashton made sure they heard the conviction in his voice.
Ashton had granted the Inago much leeway in the use of his name, his power, and his soul. But the day his Ember died, no others would be marked as his and he would leave the pride. Ashton met and held Neolani's gaze, then gave a soft smile, "You are mine, and I will protect those you cherish so long as you liv. But my grace ends when the last you cherish perish."
Caius curled his tails as he tapped his claws on the soft earth seat. The little one wasn't just speaking to the humans… this was a warning, and possibly a promise. It would appear his Little Snack was not one for sweet words, though his bias was far reaching. Aiya, it was not always good to be so smart… smart men were petty, and petty men did not care to be taken advantage of. Caius looked over the tribes… though perhaps smart birds were magnanimous… time would tell.
Ashton felt the fox tense and relax repeatedly, but he kept looking at the people around the table, "Now, let us eat, and then I will see you off." Ashton announced taking the first bite of his acquired apple. The fox must have still been thinking since he remained still except for his long nails poking holes into the armrest.
Neolani and the rest had light banter; she did care for Neveu but she was closer to Nerium due to their years of both being the leaders of their tribes. Neveu was still young, and… saving him had caused a lot of backlash for Nerium as Chief. Hundreds of parents had to watch as only two were able to be carried in their desperate flight. The young girl who had also survived, her whole family had joined the Inago four years after the tribe went into hiding.
Neolani understood both sides, many were too caught up in their own loss to appreciate even two survivors, but Nerium had still led their escape. Most of the elderly had also been lost, still… blaming one's own incompetence for being unable to carry and save your own child or worse, children was hard to admit. Seeing Neveu start to take over as chief was heartwarming but his reign would not be easy, and she'd already heard many of the tribe believed Nerium had begged the Great Tree.
Alexei held Neolani's hand under the table, this had always been a long shot, unlike the Inago, the Dolquist had almost never faced hardship. To have been almost wiped out, then so many changes had left many dissatisfied. They would help as they could… but the Inago would not sacrifice unnecessarily, not even for Nerium.
Nerium knew this would be a great blow to the tribe, to be considered property would not go over well. Worst yet… Neveu would take the brunt of the blame, and still have to convince everyone. His journey to becoming a chief in more than just name was still long. Still, she was here and do her best in her final days. Nerium could feel her life ebbing away, perhaps another year before she would return to the earth… perhaps less but not more.
Ashton pulled out a mana fruit and was able to finish the whole fruit by himself, still the fox was thinking. Ashton glanced at the grilled meat… perhaps… he did not eat cooked meat at all? "Fox, do you not eat cooked meat?"
Caius jolted from his thoughts, then glanced over the charred meats… he could eat cooked meat. Caius often even enjoyed cooked meats but… this was all… thoroughly cooked… he was sure the texture would be akin to leather. "I do… though rarely. I am also picky about it." Caius informed dryly, besides he had fresh meat.
Ashton leaned back now that he was sated, "Hmm, I will take that into consideration… should we keep livestock available?" While Ashton needed, his physical body still required nutrients and his soul required mana. But, after his ascension, food would be more of a hobby so long as he had sufficient mana supplies.
Caius grinned as he raised his knees to bring the little one closer, "Aiya, is this little bird looking to feed me? How generous." Clearly his Little Snack had a sour mouth and tofu heart… tofu… Talvi liked tofu, perhaps she would share some.
Ashton was being scrunched into a ball as a chin started rubbing his hair, "It would be a pity if you went hungry," Ashton commented noncommittally as the six were just finishing up with their own meals.
Nerium hesitated to stand, while the Great Tree was their spiritual leader… there wasn't really an etiquette for anything than their annual flower blooming ceremony. Not to mention… there were two beasts of sin.
Ashton tapped on the fox's leg, then hopped down to stand, "Let's send them back with style yes? It would be a pity if someone didn't take my protection seriously." Ashton added stretching his shoulders and hips.
Caius hugged a knee to his chest, then rested his chin on his knee with a smile. If his Little Snack wanted to be taken seriously, well that would need quite a show of force. Anyone who saw his baby feathers would be hard pressed to do anything but see him as adorable. Really, even human children with exceptional power or potential were still treated as children…
Ashton glanced over his should with a sly smile, "Fox, will you not enjoy the show?" While they were about equal in tier and class, it didn't stop the fox from coddling him like a delicate jade that would break at the lightest touch.
Caius flattened his ears, "Aiya, who would dare miss such grandeur?" Caius stood up and followed the little bird out, the six humans shared a glance then joined the train. Caius debated changing form… but he could wait to eat until after the show. Caius waved a tail so a large chair sprouted, a second tail had leaves layer themselves as cushions, he then languidly collapsed into the throne of earth and leaves.
Ashton walked out, the delegations were all eating together quietly as mice. A dozen nearly naked men were kneeling off to the side, some praying, some crying, and two were stoic. Seeing such men would put most in a dower mood, Ashton glanced at the smiling fox and shook his head. What a petty fox.
Caius pretended to be bewildered by the unsolicited disapproval, "Aiya, I didn't do it! Little Snack, I was with you the whole time. To catch a thief, you have to find the jewels." Caius wrapped himself up in his tails so only his eyes were visible to the little one.
Neolani ignored the men, while their deaths were cruel… she had no doubt that they deserved it. The Smyrnaeans were ruthless, raiding, pillaging, kidnapping, raping. The last five years did not make up for the last 700.
Neveu had steeled himself to ignore the captured men, every pitiful person had a hateful side. Neveu remembered the slaughter as if it were yesterday. The panic, confusion, smoke, and the blood. Smyrna was paying for its sins, and Neveu was not above kicking them while they were down.
Ashton glanced around, the imperials were noticeably absent. "If someone does not wish to see, I have no problem ensuring their eyes goes to those who do." Ashton informed coolly, a Smyrnaean guard took off running into the hunting palace. By the time the twelve Dolquist members arrived with the Great Tree all the Smyrnaeans were slowly walking over.
Leonard had been taken aback by Ashton's naked threat… but he didn't dare delay as he and Levi left the banquet hall to follow the rest out. The sun was just starting to hit the clearing as everyone gathered around.
Jaxon was pushing Monroe in his new wheelchair. The empty pant leg, and no hands had made it hard for Monroe to sit steadily so he also had a waist strap to keep him still. Jaxon and Monroe had been sitting in Jaxon's room, talks of slowly adjusting. Of moving to the duchy manor to try and lighten the mood.
Unfortunately, Monroe's constant pain made it hard for him to concentrate, but the sleeping wards and enchantments weren't ideal. Monroe was being fed a poppy porridge, but his strong resistance to mana and drugs had the youth breaking out into sobs periodically.
Lucian had not even bothered to speak as he stood up from his breakfast to witness whatever madness would start the day. Lucian had stood outside Jaxon's room for a full hour just listening… the future was covered by stormy clouds.
Charmaine had wanted to protest, but with a single glance from Lucian three guards had assisted her and both children from their seats. After that, everyone silently followed Lucian out. Charmaine had shaken the guard off walking out with her head held high as she held Natasha's hand. Serafin was leading the rest of the noble children out.
She, an empress, mother of the nation, was being treated like some unreasonable shrew for trying to keep her children from harm's way. Her husband and emperor was rolling over like a dead dog… for the first time Charmaine regretted supporting Lucian to the throne… If Lucian was too weak to protect their children, she would take them. She had no problem leaving.
Charles was already subtly reaching out to his contacts to find a way out. If Lucian bowed to these beasts and let them take over Smyrna, the Luthiger's would take the imperial bloodline to escape. They could come back after the children had grown. In time reclaim their birthright, but bowing to beasts.
Beasts that had just come in beheaded their nobles, eating their people, taunting, toying with them all without consequence. Charles was not so greedy for life that he would risk his children and grandchildren trying to please animals.
Ashton was sitting on the edge of the Great Tree's pot, one knee hugged to his chest. Ashton thought about making a cutting remark, then just shrugged, shows of force had never really been his style.
Neveu tried really hard not to glance around, they were all packed up, standing around the Great Tree with half a dozen familiar gryphons waiting. They were all… waiting.
"Consider this a gift to the new Chief," Ashton stated jumping down. As he walked forward as faint flames started rising from his skin. Ashton concentrated as he looked at the empty clearing with the sun at his back.
Neveu wasn't sure when, but his jaw had gone slack. Rings of alternating red and silver fire moved forward. Stopping about twenty feet in front of them. Which was impressive, twelve separate spells at the same time was unheard of. But they increased in size until the largest was probably, 50 feet around? Then the rest slowly merged becoming one large red ring, with silver flames licking at the sides.
As the last silver ring merged into the rest, a shock of power jolted everyone. Almost as if a sudden vacuum behind the rings appeared as everyone had to shift to keep their balance. Caius had sat up straight, greed and wonder slowly etching itself onto his face.
Inside the ring wasn't the other side of the clearing, but what looked like a tribe… not just any tribe. The Dolquist tribe members had stopped their morning chores to stare back open mouthed.
Ashton tilted his head as he drew a triangle in the air, the ring started shifting into an arch. "Well, at least its functional." Ashton murmured just loud enough to be heard. Another shock of power shook the trees as Ashton anchored the spell in place.
Neveu almost fell to his knees in awe, but he couldn't even move as the young beast turned back to face them with a raised brow.
"I will carry your Great Tree, come along before someone becomes too tempted." Ashton informed walking past the young chief toward the potted tree. Ashton had to make this look easy. This had to look effortless, there were too many eyes. Better they know now that he could already make use of his racial abilities. His abilities weren't why they hesitated, this was just a reminder.
Nerium almost collapsed when the Great Tree suddenly rose up, three pillars of stone had lifted the Great Tree… and there had been no spell circle… Nerium watched in almost horror as the young beast walked under the pot, then lifted the Great Tree up as if it were a basket of clothing he would take to wash.