Ashton was also aware that there had been several uninvited guests over the last month who were being forcibly removed even as late as yesterday. Of course, 30,000 acres was a lot to monitor even with mages and regular patrols. The hunting grounds were also rumored to be inhabited by elves, of course since they were mysterious and elusive he'd only seen them once as Alphonse so he doubted they would make contact. Besides... while the elves weren't cruel... their meeting had been far from pleasant; which to be fair, had been mostly his fault.
Ashton decided to get some more information about the imperial hunting grounds that took up only a fraction of the Cerulean Forest that totaled over 250,000 acres. Most of the forest was still unexplored except a few trails, but leaving the trails usually ended up with travelers never being seen again. Ashton asked about rumors and what the most common reason for injuries during past hunts.
While most of the guards answered his questions, a few pretended to not notice or found other places to be. Ashton took note of their reactions, most of the nobles who had arrived were titled in the last three years after Lucian's purge, they also tended to be younger.
Ashton continued to smile even after several nobles invited him to enter the forest to point out the more regular paths and markers in case he lost his way. Ashton made plans to go out with a larger group tomorrow before Lucian arrived in the evening. Harvey Crawford, Sebastian's nephew had also made several inquiries about Ashton's plans.
"For now I plan to... see what the empire has to offer before I make any real plans." Ashton offered as Harvey and his cronies continued to escort him. Ashton had deliberately set his camp up closer to the entrance since he'd noticed four altered summoning circles, and about half a dozen altered protection wards that separated the forest from the campgrounds.
"Of course, of course, evaluating who is sincere from their everyday actions takes time. Though I've heard this is the first time you've left the palace in over a month." Harvey added waving toward the hunting grounds. "Hopefully this will show the nobles prowess and ability, but just in case here." He added holding out a blue topaz gemstone.
Ashton raised a brow as he accepted and inspected the topaz, the ward was on a different wavelength from the established imperial wards. "A private protection ward?" Ashton asked showing mild interest.
"While the imperial wards are certainly effective, they are... outdated to say the least. Before the wards were updated at least once a year, now they haven't been updated in over four years. A little insurance never hurt." Harvey explained showing his disdain for the obviously worn gemstones decorating the fences.
Ashton examined the area, yes, the gems were hardly new but still much stronger than the ones Harvey was using. This particular enchantment made the ward stronger the closer it was to the power source, "A pity these portable wards are only effective here in the campgrounds, unless there are other power hubs throughout the forest?" Ashton inquired holding the gem up to inspect the enchantment closer.
Harvey was only startled for a moment, "Only in the campground, no mana enhancements are allowed outside the campgrounds. While Mages can use spells to kill and capture prey, all enchantments under the fourth tier are severely weakened, if not outright disabled. Thats why so many people go missing outside of the official hunting grounds."
Ashton nodded, "Yes, I was informed why the markers were so prominent, it must take a lot of manpower and mana to keep the 30,000 acres of hunting grounds safe even if only for the biannual cerulean hunts. The closer to the edge the darker yes? I will have to see them for myself tomorrow."
Harvey smiled, "Yes, while the markers can temporarily let mages use direct mana within the perimeter, the further from the camp grounds the harder it is. That's why many nobles don't bother with mages unless they are fourth tier and above, otherwise just entering the forest is like walking through deeper and deeper water. Or so they say. Personally, I barely notice the difference."
Ashton continued to smile, Harvey was barely a mage at all, only able to sense mana and charge his pitiful mana into existing mana stones or enchantments. "Do you know if Mage Devlin will be taking part?"
Harvey glanced at Ashton raising a brow, "I suppose so, though last year he only stayed within the five closest ring markers."
Ashton nodded, "There are fifteen rings yes? Roughly one ring every 2000 acres from the center, or the campgrounds at least. Each ring having more dangerous prey if I heard correctly." Ashton confirmed glancing around. The campgrounds were in the center of the available hunting grounds, for reasons no one could explain, mana and enchantments only worked on the one path from the capital to the camping area.
Any mage who dared enter had to be confident in their abilities, or trust their companions to keep them safe, truly this was the best place for a surprise attack on the imperial family... yet not once in four years had they changed their wards.
Ashton sighed as he reevaluated the rebels, their information, and resources. To have altered so many crucial wards in such a short period... their determination and ability to act quickly was the best move they could make without knowing where the information leaked.
Ashton made sure not to draw too much attention to himself until the imperial procession arrived with most of the higher nobility that would be attending. Ashton decided to greet the imperial family, while not mandatory staying on civil terms would be nice.
Lucian was surprised and smiled as Ashton was waiting for them, "How has your stay been?" Lucian asked as Ashton fell into step with them.
"As good as can be expected, you've all arrived earlier than planned, good weather?" Ashton asked glancing at the unusually clear skies for mid-winter. Devlin along with several other mages were breaking off to get settled. Charmaine was being assisted inside their personal quarters, only the imperial family and dukes had permanent standing buildings in the campground, usually occupied by the mages maintaining the wards. While technically the church building was still standing, it was given just enough maintenance to keep it from breaking down from neglect.
Compared to the palace, the imperial cabin felt rather lacking even if it was only used two or so weeks a year. The wards were the only ones still intact, if there was an emergency the two-story building might be able to hold half the attendees.
Lucian hesitated, "You are more than welcome to stay with Us in the cabin, there are three unused rooms." Lucian offered watching Ashton's reaction, he seemed to be examining the cabin with appreciation. Lucian glanced over the structures, the once holy building for blessings before the hunt. Now instead of a place for healing, it was now little better than a storage area for supplies, or sometimes fresh kills. A few people had even stacked the pews against the walls so they could sleep on the floors.
Ashton gave a polite smile, "No thank you, I was just admiring the warding and enchantments, Devlin and the others must have spent a lot of effort to create them." Ashton explained, the wards were as intricate as the ones at the palace protecting the Empress's own rooms.
Lucian raised a brow, while he could feel the thrum of power, he couldn't see the enchantments himself, usually they were only visible during activation... Ashton admitting he could see them while they were in a passive state was... unusual. "You can read the enchantments?"
Ashton gave a less distant smile, "Yes." Ashton would extend this single olive branch, perhaps... Lucian would accept it.
Lucian nodded as he glanced back at Charmaine who hadn't fared well on the carriage, Serafin was trailing behind but not really paying attention. Lucian had hoped Ashton's initiative toward the children would bridge the tension... but then again perhaps not.
As they reached the cabin Ashton gave a bao then excused himself, he didn't want to show too much favoritism for the imperial side. There would be plenty of time to watch Lucian in the upcoming days, Lucian and all the nobles plotting away in the empire.
Lucian didn't say anything as Ashton left, thought he did watch until Ashton entered his own tent. Only the dukes and their legitimate children would be allowed to stay in the cabin that also acted as the mage tower to oversee the forest.
Jaxon, Leonard, and Aaron had been pleasantly surprised by Ashton's initiative. Lucian also explained their last two interactions, the three shared a glance.
"Did anyone suggest those ideas to you your majesty?" Bert asked when the others hesitated, he'd been spending the last several weeks making sure all of the guards and staff were all on the same page.
Lucian had to restrain his glare, "No." They continued to doubt his every action, positive or otherwise. They forget who their emperor is, but Lucian couldn't lash out... he had to control himself. He'd noticed his rising irritation over the last few weeks as the mages continued to keep the Ruby Teer for experiments...
Leonard gave a small clap to draw attention, "They were excellent interactions, Lord Reece must have been pleasantly surprised, respecting his boundaries and asking his opinions have greatly softened his stance. We should continue this in the future, and the knowledge Lord Reece can read passive wards is a huge step in the right direction, we can see if anyone else has ever been able to do the same."
Jaxon nodded, "Do we know if Alphonse was able to read passive enchantments?" He asked glancing to Devlin. As the textbook example, any mage worth his salt should have studied the only seventh tier mage like a bible of the beast gods.
Devlin hesitated scratching his chin, "I mean, if the enchantment is shabby, I can pick them out and know what they are for, but I don't usually go for complicated spells. I can blast through most wards by sheer force, even these, someone else guided my power to create." Devlin admitted.
Jaxon couldn't hide the twitch of his lips, "So... any mage could be capable of reading wards if they are strong enough? Surely such information would be well known."
Devlin shrugged, "Most mages train to hide their spells, I can feel wards and enchantments but in the heat of battle I don't have time to stop and read anything other than the basic element and intent. The nuanced information could take days to write down. Reading mana flows would be like trying to read a language someone made up, where you only understand the core part of some words. Most mages throw misdirection elements in. Remember, there are more than twenty spells that all give basic fireball... they only get more complicated which is why it's hard to trace mana attacks unless you recognize the patterns."
Leonard sighed, "But surely being able to read passive enchantments is a little different?" He tried to refocus Devlin's attention.
"If it's passive, usually you can't even see it. Imagine trying to read a book that's concentrated onto a single page and the book is closed. When the mana is active the cover opens and the pages separate into legible segments. If someone is sloppy, the cover may be half open so I can peek inside and get a general idea by really concentrating. If Ashton can open a book and read it without it needing to be separated... well he'd have to be a genius or a monster." Devlin shrugged doing his best to explain.
Leonard nodded, that did make it easier to understand, "Did Lord Reece say how he could see the wards?" he asked turning to Lucian.
"No, nor did We ask." Lucian added after a moment.
Jaxon sighed, but nodded, "That's probably for the best, let him drop hints for now and we'll just take note. We should ask if Alphonse was able to do the same though. Do we know who will be attending the tribute banquet from Seibel?"
Lucian shook his head, "Not officially, but We were expecting the youngest princess to attend again."
Jaxon glanced around then asked, "Is the finding enchantment ready?"
Devlin's face cramped... "Not until we have something to tie the enchantment too... and it won't be as intricate as Ashton specified."
Leonard coughed, "Please refer to him as Lord Reece."
Now Devlin's lips twitched, "Right, as Lord Reece specified." He corrected.
"For now, we should focus on the hunt, there was an unusual amount of mercenaries in the area, even for winter hunts to keep the population of cored beasts down. We've also had reports of more lightning clad wolves and snow fox attacks." Jaxon reminded, usually the week prior to the hunt most mercenaries would clear out... but the increased beast numbers had encouraged more hunting thus more injuries and casualties than the last three years.
Bert glanced around, "Do we think the rebels are going to make any moves? Also... do we plan to ask another question tomorrow morning before we start the weeklong hunt?"
Jaxon thought for a moment, "We should just in case, I also plan to see if I can start a barter with Lord Reece depending on our answers tomorrow, his softening may give us more leeway in future negotiations."
Leonard hesitated, "Perhaps we should wait to start any further negations until after the hunt, I think we should ask if there is anything Lord Reece would want to trade for. Mana stones are scarce, but better to spend a mana stone rather than a life."
Lucian gritted his teeth, "Fine, though if the coordinator is still in the capital, it would be weird if they didn't make a move during the hunt. Even We are not so foolish to let Our guard down, recheck the wards around the camp."
Devlin took the other mages to reexamine the wards while the rest departed. Lucian continued to think about his interactions with Ashton, something... still seemed off. The more he recalled the more he thought... Ashton had been expecting something from him.