Ashton turned just enough to look at Lucian, "The Ruby Tear."
Lucian's heart nearly stopped, "How do you know about that…"
"Your choice Lucian, lest I change my mind." Ashton stated turning back to Jaxon.
Jaxon paled… the Ruby Tear was the ruby Alphonse had gifted Lucian when he became crown prince… less than ten people were aware of its existence, its ability to detoxify nearly any poison or abnormal status made it invaluable… "No." He whispered closing his eyes.
Lucian stared at Jaxon, if he refused Jaxon might never forgive him.
Ashton straightened, "I see, then I'll be off."
"Wait… can you… regrow his left arm?" Lucian asked as Ashton turned to leave.
Ashton narrowed his eyes, "If I was so inclined, yes."
"Everything, his left arm, right shoulder, heal it all, and I'll give it to you." Lucian agreed not looking at Jaxon. Monroe was his cousin… and Jax's only remaining direct kin.
"Lucian, no. Monroe… Monroe is suffering the consequences of his actions. I mean it, no." Jaxon had to choke it out, but he was firm. That ruby had saved them several times… and there might be other ways to heal Monroe.
Ashton tilted his head, "I would not bother healing his left arm. I would just be taking it soon anyway. I just didn't want the stress and fear to sour the meat."
Everyone in the room but Ashton paled as they stared at the golden-haired youth… that's right… he was planning to… eat Monroe… and had threatened to do so before the next dawn.
Jaxon stared at Ashton, then clutched Monroe close, "There has to be something… something…"
Ashton only raised a brow, "He had his chance, but a bit of advice… because I'm impressed with your resolution to keep the Ruby Tear, when Lucian dies… so will the enchantment on the ruby."
Jaxon and Lucian jolted… the ruby wasn't directly tied to Lucian… so how would the enchantment end when he died… usually enchantments would either fade as the mana was spent… or when broken.
Ashton half smiled, "Well then, I'm returning to my nest."
Even after Ashton had left, they remained silent, until a guard returned with another mage healer.
"We will have Devlin look for such restrictions, for now focus on Monroe." Lucian ordered refocusing their attention.
Sebastian hadn't followed Jaxon or Lucian in, he couldn't help and… Marquis Cologne had been following him most of the morning. With a sigh Sebastian nodded for them to approach.
"I know this this highly irregular your Grace, but… might we speak privately?" Frances requested as he glanced at his daughter and granddaughter.
"Follow me." Sebastian led them to his room where his several of his grandchildren were talking solemnly, "Please excuse us for a bit." They all shuffled out, no doubt to Calix's room. Sebastian motioned for Frances and the imperial concubine to sit.
"Your Grace… we can't go on like this, the empire-" Before he could finish Duke Carlos raised a hand.
"I understand your concerns, but to speak more could be considered treason. Speak with caution Marquis Cologne." Sebastian warned with a deliberate glance around.
Frances swallowed, "Please forgive my rashness. I am merely concerned for the Emperor and imperial children. So much has been happening…"
Sebastian glanced at Concubine Ofelia who was holding princess Samara, "I know, and agree. Unfortunately, his Majesty does not favor me. Any news, or concerns should be directly reported to his majesty."
Ofelia met Duke Carlos's gaze, "His majesty would not see us, we already submitted a written report about father's former territory. Had father still not owned the city just north of Palmer, we may not have learned of the skirmish, or disappearance at all."
Sebastian nodded, at least they weren't conspiring, if they had already attempted to inform his majesty… but were ignored he would have done the same reporting to Ashton directly and openly. "Was there, any other news?"
Frances nodded, "While beast attacks always start back up in the spring… the attacks we've had in our territories in the last two weeks are more than triple what we had all of last spring. More than half were reptiles, none from avian beasts, and the beasts are congregating around leader class beasts."
Sebastian nodded, his own territories had been unusually calm except for more reptile beasts in the last two weeks, but he'd seen reports from other territories, Duke Hammer and Darnings estates had also had more than double the normal attacks.
Ofelia glanced at her father, "We also have an unconfirmed report… that ten priests took the small village of Cobe in the south and fled after a rather nasty attack, the problem is none of the villagers have been seen since. The only survivor seems to be a family who had taken their chances in the forest to seek out family in Hansen which is less than half a day's journey from where the 170 went missing. The request for aid came shortly after we arrived."
Sebastian rubbed his face, if the priests were involved it could be related to the rebels… but with the capital gates gone, soul binding enchantments, a necromancer… beast gods above they could not catch a break. "The family that made it to Hansen, make sure they are protected and brought to the capital with all haste. They could be important witnesses. Send a mage group to inspect Cobe, as well as the surrounding villages. Do not do anything other than gather information."
"Yes, your grace." Frances vowed, but he didn't stand to leave.
"Is there more?" Sebastian asked with a deep sigh, calamities did not come alone after all.
"We, no. I had a bold assumption after hearing something earlier." Ofelia admitted bouncing Samara lightly on her lap.
Sebastian met the Concubine's steady gaze, "I will hear this assumption, but verify the information before I do anything." Ofelia gave an almost relieved nod which Sebastian had not been expecting.
"Almost three years ago, Lord Silas requested Palmer village. We also had reports he sent a merchant to visit at least twice a season. Then two years ago… Duke Darnings acted as a… mediator to acquire the village and surrounding territory in exchange for war horses." Ofelia slowly explained, when Sebastian showed no reaction, she glanced at her father.
"Around the same time, a message after the landslide in Florence went to a villager of mine. In Palmer town. The father of the boy sent a missive explaining the situation and asked I act as champion should another such letter arrive at their doorstep." Frances added pulling out the letter and handing it to the duke. "I had a mage send an exact copy over the mage relay, directly from my personal office."
Sebastian took the letter and started reeding, but stopped in the first paragraph.
Lord Frances Cologne,
Please excuse this informal letter. I am a farmer in Palmer town and two weeks ago a merchant named Westly and his mage showed up with a letter from Marquis Silas for my son, Ashton. We have told them several times we had no interest, but they keep showing up.
My son suggested I write to you, first so you didn't think we were spys, and second so you could be our champion if they came back.
We are simple folk with a bit of learning, just enough to write and reed. We just don't know what to do. I hope, even if you don't take this seriously, that you don't think we have any bad plans. We have made Palmer village our home and hope to stay for years to come.
With respect,
Thomas Black
Sebastian stared, heart sinking. "Is Thomas Black still alive?"
"Yes, or at least… he was two months ago. A merchant who visits Kodiak city agreed to pass through and confirmed both parents were still in Palmer. There were also rumors… that a high-ranking noble took a liking to their only son back in early winter. The boy, Ashton Black hasn't been seen since November." Frances reported nervously.
Sebastian stared Frances and Ofelia down, "So you've known his identity for at least two months, what did you want to do with this information?"
"I asked father to look into Palmer village after I was sent an anonymous letter after her majesty's birthday banquet." Ofelia admitted, "I burned the letter because of… the implications. But it stated his majesty had kidnapped a young man from the south and he was being forced into the capital. The report also stated his majesty… had unsavory desires for the youth. The sender mentioned they would have held their tongue if the youth hadn't been placed in the eastern palace."
Sebastian closed his eyes and took a deep breath, "How many know of this? And… do you know who sent the anonymous report?"
"So far, me, my wife, my personal butler, personal mage, and now you are aware. I suspect… a guard from the Kodiak territory sent the letter, the one that replaced Lord David halfway to Marquis Silas's territory." Frances explained seriously.
"Kodiak… that belongs to Viscount Harlow." Sebastian stated as pieces started to fall into place, no wonder Ashton was amenable to barter with the viscount. "Is there anything else before I go confirm this information?"
"… I have suspicions regarding Concubine Lasvill, twice she's… disappeared with prince Wyatt. There was also a man seen repeatedly, maids even stated they saw him leaving her quarters, but Concubine Lasvill was elsewhere." Ofelia informed meeting Sebastian's eyes while her heart raced.
"Have a portrait made, along with any defining features. How long as this man been moving about the palace?" Sebastian asked losing heart, while he could investigate the possible identity of Ashton. Conspiring nobles and palace gossip was much less likely to have any leads unless the man was captured.
"Shortly after Bodin and the others were imprisoned was the earliest sighting of the man… that we are aware of. I will have the portrait made with all haste and gather any clues, I will also see if any of the servants can be bribed." Ofelia promised as she stood.
"Thank you for your time your grace, we will send regular reports." Frances promised as he also stood up to leave.
"Did either of you two leave the hunting grounds after we arrived?" Sebastian asked tapping his cane on the ground, their sudden arrival was… unexpected in many ways. There was also too much information for them to have just been… hoarding it.
Frances halted, "No your grace, I assure you both of us remained in the palace after our arrival. We have also not spent more than five minutes without at least one other person with us."
Ofelia glanced back as she continued to bounce the babbling Samara, "We've made sure to have witnesses constantly…" Duke Carlos moved his gaze between her and her father, but finally nodded.
"I will send word soon with what I'm able to confirm." Sebastian dismissed them, when the door shut he heaved a great sigh. He repeatedly thought over all the information as he organized it away in his head, along with other pieces of information that suddenly seemed related.
The public punishment of several guards, Marquis Silas random acquirement of land, the reason why guards could have gone missing, Ashton's antagonistic relationship with his majesty, why the Inago went south instead of back West.
Unfortunately, Viscount Harlow was not at the hunting grounds, he'd remained in the capital along with the counts to maintain order. Sebastian sent word to have his brother question the viscount and to use a recording stone. As Sebastian was leaving his grandson's room, he saw Ashton walking out the palace doors.
Ashton glanced up, shrugged, then continued back to his nest.