Ashton walked a bit slower than usual silently grateful glad Sebastian didn't say anything. As they arrived guards were already escorting all the personal away. Ashton walked past the scurrying servants, without a word he led Sebastian to his personal chambers. Ashton laid out so he could relax all his muscles on a lounger waving for Sebastian to pick any of the available seats. After a moment, Ashton elevated his left leg on a pillow, "You're worried about the duchy yes?" Ashton asked as Sebastian watched.
Sebastian watched as Ashton laid out like a limp noodle looking at the ceiling, "I am, but... are you okay?" he asked with genuine concern. For just a moment... Sebastian thought he saw sweat trickle beneath the mask.
Ashton sighed, he liked Sebastian, he really did. "I'll be back to normal by tomorrow, it's been a while since I've exercised so much." Ashton deflected. Hopefully by tomorrow the phantom pains would have receded enough for daily activities.
Sebastian heard the deflection but wasn't offended, at best they were business partners. "Yes, will the duchy end, or I guess I should ask. Is the empire without hope?"
Ashton sighed, "The empire will endure, though the reign of blood will be rather substantial." Ashton admitted, then turned his head to look at Sebastian. "The signs have been growing for at least the last four years, you had to know this was coming."
Sebastian couldn't meet Ashton's eyes as he looked down, "I hoped the first purge would be enough. I also... let myself be blind." Sebastian admitted. Honestly, the last decade had aged him considerably between Lucian's successful insurrection, purging of the church, and killing off nearly all the older imperial line... he'd seen enough blood for ten lifetimes.
Ashton looked at Sebastian with a small bit of pity and understanding. For a desperate man, salt water was worse than no water. "In three days, I will give you a list, the more you accomplish in the next three or four months, the safer your house and the less they'll be implicated. How you handle matters is up to you. Just pay the corresponding mana stones or gems." It would be a pity if the empire lost such a man. Sebastian was a likeable human, most of his line were rather likable all things considered.
Sebastian was startled at the generous offer, "Thank you." Was all he could really say, while it wasn't a guarantee, it was at least a lifeline. Sebastian stood giving a formal bow.
Ashton stared at the ceiling, "I don't like most nobles, I don't like palace life, and Alphonse's death doesn't matter to me. But I like you Sebastian, you're a good noble. A strong leader. Naïve and too forgiving sometimes, but for the most part you have been consistent and fair. As long as we remain cordial I'll help the duchy's honor and line remain intact; so get a good night's sleep." Ashton understood how hard Sebastian had been trying to honor his family teachings, adapt to an incompetent emperor, and keep his people safe. Sebastian had protected his own well.
Sebastian had to take a deep breath to steady himself. His eyes burned with the promise of those words. Sebastian understood and appreciated the oath the youth had just given. If such words had come from anyone else, even his majesty, Sebastian would have considered them little more than empty promises... Sebastian gave a bow as if Ashton were his emperor. "May I continue to be worthy of such praise, please rest well my lord." Sebastian added as Ashton closed his eyes. Sebastian didn't say anything else as he left.
When Sebastian returned home it was almost dark. Submitting his reports had taken most of the day, and while he was more than ready for the day to end, he still had things to do. Sebastian used his personal mage relay to summon his children, grandchildren, his younger brother, and their most trusted vassals to the capital villa with all due haste.
For just a moment... Sebastian thought of sending word to his sister Beverly, ... but as he sat over the blank parchment and his feathered quill. Sebastian took a deep breath returning his black feathered quill to its holder...
On the hour two golems stood at the entrance of the Eastern Palace, the building was now as silent as death as maids and servants scurried around but gave the building a wide berth. Ashton had one of the golems carry him to his room for another boiling hot bath, then they tucked him in so he could sleep without worry.
While Ashton attended court as usual, he ignored the comments regarding his place in the empire, as well as the concern of having none of his majesty's guards guarding the Eastern palace. The lords were apprehensive about how strictly the current guards would be enforcing their orders. For instance, if a wandering child were to approach by mistake.
Lucian had hoped Ashton would answer some of the more legitimate concerns; but he remained silent as he sipped on tea. After Court Ashton simply left after the nobles without so much as a nod. Lucian looked around the room, today they would focus on at least assigning people to the task force even if there wouldn't be any significant rush.
Devlin assigned one of his proteges and two third tier mages to the task force, after today they would start focusing on the tribute banquet. Devlin had other priorities, like making sure Lucian didn't break the contract.
On the third day Ashton stayed but was clearly dismissive of their attempts to apologize.
Ashton gave a sardonic smile, "Until the rumors and expectations stop, our meetings remain business only. Should you continue pushing, even our business will end." Ashton informed coolly.
Lucian tightened his fist around the white feather quill, there were over a hundred questions on more than five sheets of paper they had thought of, but they had agreed on focusing on the charm. It would have been nice if they could get a charm from Ashton, but that seemed highly unlikely, "Then let us begin," Lucian announced handing over the two mana stones.
Leonard had written down the exact phrasing needed for Devlin's questions regarding the ward in question. While they had been trying to crush the rumors, only more were starting every day. There was even a group nobles and commoners alike outside the palace gates wishing to praise the Hero of the Empire.
"Will you provide an example of the tracing ward for Alphonse's?" Lucian red directly from the paper. Resonance wasn't unique... but resonance without at least one fresh sample was. There was also no guarantee that two wards or enchantments would resonate... they were basically trying to recreate an avocado, but were only given mangos as reference. Then written information about the avocado without pictures. Talk about maddening.
"No." Ashton dismissed without hesitation. Ashton watched as the quill drew lines through at least a dozen other questions. Before Lucian could look back up Ashton glanced around nonchalantly.
"Will the, or one of the murders bring the journal personally to the tribute banquet?" Lucian then asked.
"No." Ashton then stood up, "I'll be off," He informed glancing to Sebastian, "A cup of tea your grace?" he asked politely. Ashton tried to recall when the quills had all been replaced... and why with those specific feathers...
"I would be honored Lord Reece." Sebastian agreed as he also stood, while the others' attitude toward him had been ambiguous, his expectations of Lucian and the others were slowly, but surely dwindling. Sebastian just wanted to keep his small piece of the world as safe as he could.
Ashton led Sebastian into the practically abandoned Eastern Palace, Ashton couldn't help the smile when Sebastian nearly jumped out of his skin seeing the toddler sized golem rise from the ground with a tray of tea, "My apologies, Tou didn't mean to startle you." Ashton apologized while sitting down.
Sebastian was glad he was sitting when the creature popped out of the floor, "Ah, no, please forgive my rudeness, especially you lord Tou," Sebastian hastily denied taking the cup of tea. Sebastian gave a quick nod as he tried to calm his racing heart... best to be aware the... helpers were capable of such even with items in hand.
Tou gave a small head nod then waddled over to give Ashton his cup of tea, then disappeared into the floor again.
"They don't like wasting time using doors, I will ask them to do so while around company." Ashton added still smiling as he pulled out a thick sealed letter. "The papers are warded so only you and your direct bloodline can see the writing, it can be destroyed from any distance if you speak the word Nix so if it's stolen that will be the last safeguard." Ashton added as Sebastian took the envelope and slid it into his inner coat pocket.
Sebastian also provided the next two months' worth of mana stones in a storage bag, Ashton opened the bag without ceremony then returned half the fifth-tier mana stones. Sebastian hesitated but didn't argue. "I feel so inarticulate, but again. Thank you."
"Before you go, I was wondering where the new quills came from... it seems rather strange to have nearly every quill changed out so... abruptly." Ashton asked taking a sip of his tea as he watched Sebastian's reaction.
Sebastian hesitated, then pulled out his own newly furnished quill, "Ahh, I'm not sure about the rest, but I believe the priests blessed the quills and are now handing them out. They provide a small relief when writing for extensive periods of time. My granddaughter procured one for me." Sebastian admitted offering the quill over.
Ashton accepted the quill, the feather... was familiar. Pure white, yes with a mild healing and restorative ability... but the enchantment provided neither boon. Ashton narrowed his eyes as the slightest twinge of something vibrated throughout his soul... they dared...
Sebastian watched a flicker of... discontent flash behind the mask, before the usual polite smile returned.
Ashton met Sebastian's gaze, "I would not recommend such stationaries... it could be hazardous to your health for other reasons." Ashton held the duke's gaze and let the implication sink in. Ahh, truly, the moment he left they broke the spirit of their oath... well. Since they wanted to break faith... let it be shattered beyond all repair.
Sebastian straightened his shoulders, "Of course My Lord, should I... procure them on your behalf or destroy what we currently have?" Sebastian didn't glance at the quill, as soothing as it had been when writing page after page of reports and analysis... it was a clear afront to the youth before him.
Ashton thought about burning the feather and the enchantment... but that would not help the situation. "Neither, where there is demand, there is supply. Perhaps you can... reduce their demand. If not, it is of no concern." Ashton placed the quill on the table. Let this be the flag for which they stood, and a flag could only represent a single entity.
Sebastian bowed his head, "So shall it be, should I recommend the same to... the others my Lord?" It would seem there was a breaking point for the youth. What the feather meant may never be fully understood, but an afront to Lord Reece, was an afront to the Carlos Duchy.
Ashton tilted his head, "No need to force the issue, I will get payment one way or another." Ashton remarked, then settled back into the cushion. The adrenaline and displeasure had made Ashton ignore his current plight, he would hardly be intimidating if he were such a mess. It would appear one of his letters would require a new destination.
Sebastian nodded as he raised his head. Clearly Lord Reece had other plans for the quills, so that would not be his priority. Sebastian glanced at the list... how daunting the tasks ahead would be.
Ashton gave a wry smile, "It will be a rough time, may you get all you wish accomplished." The Carlos duchy was heavily influenced by the other nobles, and the other nobles were highly vested in the duchy. Breaking relations on short notice would be no easy task, even if they were willing to make enemies of the empire... Sebastian would have to be careful to not be seen planning an insurrection or planning to escape.