Upon his majesty's return Sebastian and Randal were summoned to discuss what they had learned, as well as go over the recordings.
Rebels, necromancers, ancient holy summoning arrays, and foreign enchantments.
Sebastian raised a brow to learn the imperial family had a way to use wards and enchantments in the cerulean forest... perhaps Lord Reece had used a similar method. While the imperial family had not disclosed the method... it was obvious the rebels had learned how, and possibly Lord Reece.
Their primary focus was sniffing out the rebel forces. More than thirty rebel bodies were acquired, only 12 identified including that of Winston Darnings. 7 were believed to have already died in the purge, the remaining four were underlings associated with the prior Duke Darnings, Jaxon's grandfather. While many questioned Jaxon's involvement, his staunch support of Lucian and how often he fought his grandfather, the previous Duke who supported another laid most speculation to mere whispers.
There had been no information found on the dozen dead used to power the circle, but the missing limbs had not been recent... that would hopefully make finding out their identities easier. There could not be many young mages missing limbs. Nor had the 600, well 578, remaining bodies been found. The connection had been lost after traveling away from the stone platform, but the bodies were not in the forest.
Stacie explained the tracer was leading to the capital so she would try again after leaving the forest. "This ward node was also directly under Winston's body, when we brought it back to the campgrounds it had a reaction with imperial wards. More specifically, it was syphoning the mana from the imperial wards through relay nodes."
"We need to investigate all the mages; the tampering of the wards turned our protection into their power source. Also, theses temporary wards are extremely suspicious, we should investigate anyone who has one." Bert reported placing three stones taken from Harvey Crawford.
Sebastian nodded, "That boy has always been a fool, I wouldn't even be surprised if he was used as an infiltration point." Sebastian sighed thinking of his sister's only son. Harvey had been coddled his whole life, which is why Sebastian refused to allow him to step foot in the duchy, or help him in any way since he'd turned 21. Sebastian had hoped over the last ten years the boy grow a brain... Despite his strained relationship with his sister, he loved her. Sebastian closed his eyes, if the spoiled brat was executed as a rebel... his sister would never forgive him.
Bert nodded then instructed two guards to drag Harvey in, the wailing had been audible even from inside. All the screaming had kept Harvey warm, seeing his flushed indignant face as he tried to pull free for the guards and their half-frozen armor.
"I'm the dukes nephew! I want to talk to my uncle! I'm being framed! It's a conspiracy! Uncle!!" Harvey kept trying to pull himself free, but he was thrown at Bert's feet. Before he could recover from the throbbing pain, the chains were locked to the ground so he could only kneel, "Uncle! You must believe me! I'm being framed!" He cried trying to crawl to his uncles side as he pulled on the chains.
Sebastian didn't bother to look down, "What did you find?" It was already well after midnight, yet the camp was still as lively as midday. Sebastian wasn't in the mood to listen to his brat of a nephew pass the blame, Sebastian needed the facts so he could see what could be done.
"While the protection wards do make a barrier, it's rather subpar. They are primarily beacons, so the creator would be able to trace them, the real problem is that it's using the forest wards that create our rings of safety to power itself. If we damage their wards it will take mana from ours to repair itself. We will need a specialist to come out and separate them before we can do anything." Bert explained with half a dozen reports in his hand.
"How many people had one of these beacons?" Sebastian asked taping his cane on the ground. Sebastian wasn't surprised none of the others spoke up. As Harvey was his nephew, Sebastian's attitude would determine how the imperial family and higher nobility would view the Carlos house.
"So far we've found seven, we also found four that were abandoned outside the campgrounds." Bert reported side eyeing the sniveling, dirty, excuse for a noble. Bert didn't show it, but he didn't particularly care for Duke Carlos, or Duke Hammer. Both duchies were too influential to be ignored blatantly, but hopefully this would be a blow to Duke Carlos's prestige and power.
"Who had them Harvey, cooperate and I might be able to convince his majesty to let you liv." Sebastian ordered finally sparing Harvey a glance. Sebastian did not glance around the room as he made the statement, but he could feel the tension. Even now, they would tear at him like rabid dogs rather than work together.
Harvey looked at his uncle in disbelief... "Uncle, I'm being framed... Uncle..."
Sebastian sighed, "Your trinkets that you've been bragging about for days helped almost murder the crown prince, the legitimate princess, and over a dozen other nobles. As of now, at least ten casualties as a result of being burned or crushed to death by the land dragon. Ten nobles are dead, their families are on their way demanding answers. Though we all know rather than answers, they would prefer blood. Tell us everything you know and I may yet be able to convince the others you're better to us alive."
Harvey paled as he sank down, "Uncle I swear, I really didn't know..." he pleaded as teers ran down his face. Harvey wasn't entirely blind to what had happened, but none of that had been his fault. He was clearly a victim... being used as a scapegoat. Harvey looked around the room, his majesty looked ready to draw his sword and cut off his head, regardless of the real culprit.
Sebastian looked his nephew in the eye, "I believe you Harvey, but ten possibly innocent men are dead. This is your only chance to admit to everything. You are afforded this only because I am your uncle. Your three friends are already imprisoned awaiting their trial when we return to the capital. Now, start writing names, dates, anything you know." Sebastian ordered as paper, quill, and ink were set down.
Harvey looked at the blank papers as his chains were unlocked from the ground, but his wrists still linked. He was helped to sit in the chair across from his uncle... then he started writing anything and everything he could remember. One sheet for names of anyone he knew had the wards, names of everyone he spoke to about his unhappiness with the empire. Harvey hesitated, but also added the unsavory comments about the emperor along with what he remembered talking about. When he had finally exhausted all his brain power, more than half a dozen pages were drying before him.
Sebastian slightly relaxed as the emperor and others were called away by the arrival of Devlin's other apprentices. While Bert would no doubt report everything they said or did, the combined pressure from his majesty and other nobles had lessened enough for Harvey to calm down as he wrote. Unfortunately, Sebastian almost wished Harvey had remained too scattered to write the next name. Harvey had spoken to Lord Reece, visited the hunting grounds, and even given him one of the enchanted stones.
Bert saw Ashton's name, Sebastian either didn't notice, or pretended not to notice. Two hours later Harvey stopped writing.
"I, I can't think of anything else right now." Harvey explained as the newest papers continued to dry. Harvey glanced to the door the others had left through... that meant they believed him right? That they wouldn't kill an innocent man.
"One by one bring them in, starting those who have had the least contact. But assign everyone at least two guards so none try leaving." Sebastian ordered, originally he intended to have everyone brought in, isolated, then question them one by one... but he didn't want Lord Reece subject to such an indignity.
Bert hesitated, but after a quick glare bowed and left with two dozen guards to start keeping an eye on everyone. Ashton was asked to spare some time.
Ashton glanced over Harvey before giving a polite smile, "Your Grace, how might I be of service?" Ashton didn't mention the time, torches had been lit all night, and everyone was gossiping about even the slightest whisper of news. Especially as the bodies were brought in, three of the younger lords had died, luckily... no children under the age of 12 had died... at least none that they had found.
Sebastian sighed, "Please accept my genuine apologies Lord Reece, we are investigating the wards Harvey passed around and were informed you had been given one." Sebastian bowed his head to the standing Ashton.
Ashton tilted his head to the side, only a handful of guards were in the room, Harvey, Sebastian, and Bert. Ashton took a seat, "Then let us be frank, if I deny all involvement?" Ashton asked getting straight to the point.
Sebastian raised his head to meet Ashton's eyes, "Then I will believe you, ask for the ward to be turned in, report you were not involved, and not bring it up again." Sebastian admitted with a slight shrug.
Ashton raised a brow behind his mask as Harvey jolted from his stupor.
"Uncle!!" Harvey demanded staring at Ashton indignantly. His own uncle... his own uncle would believe this no name Reece who had only just arrived in the empire, rather than him... no wonder his mother had always called his uncle heartless...
"Hush boy!" Sebastian barked slamming his cane into the ground. Sebastian turned to meet Ashton's gaze, "Whatever you say, I am, at this time, willing to believe." Not just because Lord Reece had defeated the dragon, or save the imperial children, not just because of his clues about the rebels. Not even just because Lord Reece clearly shown more nobility in these last few weeks than nearly any noble or imperial Sebastian had seen in the last fifty years. But because Sebastian knew, deep down, from an instinct he trusted more than all the oaths in the world, that this young man, would not lie. Not that he couldn't lie, but that he wouldn't.
Ashton let his lips curve in a more genuine smile, "I find you quiet the conundrum your grace." Ashton admitted pulling the ward out of his pocket. "As you offer me your trust, a gift."
Sebastian stood before accepting the ward as if he were being granted a reward from the previous duke. While he didn't notice anything he didn't let the guards take this one. "Thank you." Sebastian then noticed a note underneath the gem, after a nod from Lord Reece, Sebastian opened the note so no one else could reed what it said.
Place that gem with any of the other wards and it will absorb their mana. This gem will also give hints about anyone else who still has the ward, and the person whose mana created the ward.
Happy hunting. N
The signature threw Sebastian for only a heartbeat. N... Perhaps the note was from the mage who had created the barrier enchantments, or part of the mysterious young Lord's true identity. Regardless, he would not share the note with the Emperor... only the information. Sebastian nodded, then took a deep breath, "Leave us." Even Harvey was dragged out. Sebastian didn't look up from the note. "Is there anything the Carlos Dukedom can provide that will aid you... even if only a small amount?" He asked a whisper. The empire had failed this young man, clearly in more ways than he could even understand. Yet the youth had not turned his back on them, had not stewed over justified grievances. No, despite the cruelty he had endured, he still silently assist them.
Ashton knew what Sebastian meant, "The damage is done, anything that would help with my situation would not be... beneficial to the imperial family. While I am not pleased, unless something intentionally egregious happens I will eventually leave in peace." Ashton promised.
Sebastian nodded, "If there is anything from the duchy that would be helpful, regardless of the consequences, please at least ask. We both know the duchy would be heading to its end if things had continued. I will not forget the kindness." Sebastian informed, then stood up, "Please Lord Reece, and thank you for your time."
Ashton did apricate Sebastian's resolve, "I will take my leave, also, be at ease. The rebels did not make any significant back up plans since the idea of failure after summoning the land dragon didn't occur to them. Take care of your health." Ashton added in a kinder tone as he left. The first offering from the empire, perhaps Ashton should see what else they were capable of.
Sebastian's relief was almost instantaneous, while it didn't mean nothing would happen, at least for now they could catch their breath. He leaned a little more heavily on his cane, he could now focus on trying to keep his stupid nephew alive.