Devlin and Aaron paled, elves were not only elusive, they were also very protective of children of all races. Elves especially took great pride in protecting their own children, the tales of what happened to child abusers were brutally horrific warnings passed down through generations.
"Lord Reece is not a child, he has reached maturity for humans." Aaron refuted passionately, while there were only three elves... it would take three hours at full gallop to fully leave the forest.
Sawein's face was scrunched as if Aaron and the rest were worse than horse feces, "Young spirit, they do not honor you, at least until you mature stay with us. We would ensure your safety and provide you with mana from the mother tree. Surely any contract made can be broken, or we would fulfill it on your behalf." Sawein added, but the youth only gave a wry smile.
"While I could negate the contracts without harm, my pride would not allow it." Ashton gently consoled, the three looked devastated.
"Young spirit, they clearly have no honor." Bahr couldn't help but interject as he clutched one of the small creatures, "You are injured! Have been injured grievously, but there is not a single healer at your side!" All three of them could see the fragmented mana flow, to have been injured so badly would be fatal to even the strongest of fae. When the flow of mana was interrupted, the body started to fall apart. The worse the disruption, the more rapid the disintegration. If the damage was minimal, over prolonged periods the soul would start to distort.
The young spirit's mana flow wasn't just damaged, the body was declining at a visible rate. Even the clearly healing wound would still be fatal to any of them, yet this child was still alive. If the young one was healing himself, the original wound have slain even their king. For any of them, healing wouldn't be considered... being put of their misery to prevent further damage to the soul would be the only choice... anything else would be crueler than any torture.
Lucian and the others tensed, all of them eyeing Ashton who was still wearing a wry smile. "When were you injured?" Lucian demanded examining Ashton but saw nothing unusual.
Ashton held out a hand to the elves, Sawein stood up taking his hand, then the grief had him stumbling, "I will survive, and heal. As weak as I am, they are not able to kill me even if they wanted to." Ashton promised as Sawein clutched his hand as if that would heal Ashton's wounds. Or the fresh damage from cracking open the seal. Soul wounds... were not so easily mended, even for him.
Bahr felt the small creatures patting him in comfort, "Only humans would be so cruel. Young spirit, they will drain you dry and never appreciate your sacrifice. They are not worthy." Bahr pleaded.
Grau nodded, "Young spirit, there is more to life than surviving. Please come with us, at least until you heal. Surely even humans know there is little benefit in having you so weak."
Ashton withdrew his hand, "Even injured we managed to defeat a lesser dragon, surely I am not yet so fragile." While he appreciated their concern, it would be best if they didn't underestimate his abilities.
Sawein heard the finality in the young spirit's tone. Sawein stood straight, "There will always be a place for you to rest with us young spirit. Please accept this offering." Sawein offered pulling out a bracelet shaped like leaves but made of clear crystal, "Should you have need, any fae within a day's journey will hear the call." It was an ancient enchantment created from the roots of the first elven mother tree. When their branch had left with the seed of their current mother tree, this artifact had saved them from almost complete annihilation... unfortunately none of them were strong enough to charge it again. Now it was only capable of minor protection and calling for help.
Ashton accepted the bracelet and put it on his left wrist without hesitation, "I gratefully accept your offering in the spirit it was given, please, allow me to share one with each of you as well. Your weapon of choice." Sawein didn't hesitate to pull the long bow off his back presenting it with both hands.
Ashton had three of the golems place a hand on the center of the bow, the already enchanted bow's carvings started to glow and subtly shift. Sawein felt the noticeable difference, while previously he could use mana arrows now their effect would either be three-fold, or the same mana amount of consumption would be able to make five arrows.
Bahr gingerly stood up with the mana creatures still clinging to him as he also presented his bow. The three golems hopped off him and placed their hands on the bow this time, but the result was the same. Bahr's eyes were glowing with amazement as they offered it back to him.
Grau hesitated as he pulled out a long and short sword. Two golems placed their hands on the longsword blade while the third he'd been cuddling to his face took the short sword. The longsword enchantments decreased weight but increased speed, the effects were doubled. The short sword had not had an enchantment before but now it had lightning and immobilizing effects on contact. Grau scooped up the three creatures.
"Such amazing little creatures, ugh, I wish I could take you with me." Grau lamented looking to Ashton hopefully.
"You can try." Ashton teased, while the lost mana was unfortunate, he still had a dragon corpse he could siphon.
As if on cue all the golems retreated to the center of the table, the largest in front crossing his arms over his chest in clear refusal. Grau looked so heartbroken, that a stiff wind might blow him to bits.
"Aiya little one, I promise to feed you lots of mana cores, and take you hunting, I also have a small deer you can have as a mount." Grau cajoled temptingly as he waved the pouch of mana cores around. While all their eyes followed the bag longingly, none of them moved.
"We cannot be bribed!" The leader announced stanchly even as his eyes followed the pouch.
Grau wanted to hold his heart, their little voices were so adorable. He couldn't resist their eyes so placed the nearly full pouch on the table. They all looked down at the pouch, then up at him, "A gift to my new friends," Grau offered.
The leader slowly approached the pouch, scooped it up and darted back. The pouch was three times his size, but he looked as if he were trying to hide the pouch behind himself. All the golems then leapt on the bag as if Grau could no longer see it.
Bahr coughed as his pouch went flying into the group, Sawein pretended to stumble as his pouch also slid across the table. Soon the little creatures were all laying out as if it were perfectly natural. Nothing to see here, move along. There are no pouches of mana cores here, best to look elsewhere, we are about to take a nap.
Sawein covered his mouth to hide his grin, he really wished they could convince one to follow them back... alas, they appeared to be determined little creatures.
Lucian watched the interaction, while it was enlightening in many aspects, it also showed the sharp contrast in treatment. "You are more than welcome to accompany Lord Reece back to the capital." Lucian offered, while he didn't mind watching the interactions of the elves and Ashton, Lucian did feel the need to make his presence known. Sawein glanced over the group, but before he could say anything Ashton spoke up.
"Perhaps trade with the fae will be possible in the future?" Ashton asked as the golems were slowly shifting so they all laid out on the pouches, but their feet touched the table. Slowly, using their tiny feet to scoot themselves, and the three pouches further from the elves, all the while pretending to be laying down. Without direct instructions they really were rather entertaining.
Sawein hesitated, "Is there something you desire young spirit?" Sawein kept a straight face, deliberately not looking at the table. His sole focus on the young, injured spirit.
Ashton gave a lazy grin, "In a few weeks the Smyrna Empire will be having its annual tribute banquet, dozens of countries will also set up in their capital market for trade. I do imagine envoys of the Fae would be treated with the highest respect."
Leonard, Jaxon, Aaron and Devlin paled, Ashton had basically called the entire empire out for letting rebels summon a lord class land dragon in Fae territory. While the Smyrnaean empire claimed to own the forest, everyone was aware there had never been a contestant. If the Fae used this as a pretext, the temporary backlash might cause a new emperor to take over negotiations.
Sebastian shared a look with Charles, apparently Ashton was displeased with them far more than he'd let on thus far. Charles saw Charmaine slowly understanding the implications, evidence by her paling as well.
Sawein understood what the great spirit meant, but hesitated. Even if the Fae were insulted, opening trade didn't seem like a worthwhile solution, "Please enlighten us young spirit."
Ashton gave Sawein a genuine smile, "I intend to scope out the countries that offer tribute, surely there will be one... more accommodating to one such as myself."
Sawein and the others immediately beamed, "Of course! Eventually the Smyrnaean's will break faith, of course you must find a home more suitable for your ascension. I will personally inform the council of Fae."
"Is there anything we can bring to make your stay in Smyrna better?" Bahr added pretending not to notice one of the pouches falling into the spirit's lap. The little ones had put great effort into moving such a distance while sleeping.
"I am in no particular need at the moment, but perhaps there will be more little friends. Mayhap one might even decide to find greener pastures." Ashton hinted glancing down at the golems, who all froze.
Grau beamed, "We would always welcome such friends, even for a temporary visit."
All the golems turned over so they were face down, ticking their behinds toward the elves, Ashton picked up the golem who could only absorb mana, "So silly, I am not driving you away." Ashton sighed, the limp golem looked up, even through the mask he could tell they was pouting at him. Eventually, all birds left the nest.
"Of course, Smyrna would offer our best to such a delegation, even outside of trade negotiations we have always wished friendship and peace with the Fae courts." Jaxon added drawing Lucian's attention. Jaxon then gave a quick glance from the elves to Ashton.
"Perhaps if We knew the type of injury, We could provide an adequate healer, or if anyone was willing to stay in the Smyrnaean empire to heal young Lord Reece We could make the appropriate recompence." Lucian offered taking the hint.
Sawein hid all his expressions away, "Such information is not ours to give. Nor can I make any promises on behalf of the Council. Should such a delegation be decided, official correspondence will be made."
The three elves bowed in the general direction of the humans, then turned a more traditional gesture of farewell to Ashton before departing. They had to report to the fae council, not just the elves would be hoping for such a guardian to grace their lands.