Alexei hadn't been watching the beasts fight or play, he'd been watching the Adarians. If rumors were true… that Pegasus was one of Alaina's children. Now, how or what a horse fish, mated with to produce a horse bird… not his concern. But if the Adarian's worshiped Alaina… and Ash just killed her son… that might just cause some issues. Going off reactions alone… Prince Zane had probably known this Pegasus personally.
Neolani shared a glance with Alexei, Zane looked positively devastated. He was staring at the foxes in horror. The Pegasus had kicked and struggled at first, now he wasn't even twitching as the foxes ripped him apart. Now Zane looked as if he'd be sick.
Rommel shuddered as Bradan's body was eaten. Ha, eaten was too light a word for what he was watching. Torn to bits, eviscerated, mauled… it had barely been five minutes but there was little left of the once proud beast. Scattered feathers, gnawed bones, and blood… seeing the foxes sharing the viscera almost had Rommel double over.
Lucera paled as two smaller foxes playfully fought over one of Bradan's rib bones… Rahm was being cleaned by a few of the foxes as he ate Bradan's liver. Beast gods above… Young Song… had really killed him. Bradan may not have been very likable… but no one had dared confront him because of Alaina… this was basically a declaration of war. She stared as Young Song wiped off the flower bud's saliva from Bradan's core… then toss it through a ring of silver fire.
Jantje reached to hold Lucera's hand, "Control yourself," This was no less brutal than witnessing Edgar burn to death. At least Bradan's soul was left intact.
Lucera stared into Jantje's demanding eyes, she swallowed down her emotions. They were public supporters of Alaina and her reign over most beasts of power. If Young Song decided to use them as hostages… it could be all out war. She gave a firm nod, then glanced at the shell shocked Zane.
Rommel gripped Zane's shoulder, hard. "Get a hold of yourself highness." They couldn't look guilty or upset. They were in Young Song's territory. Any other beast would have slain them for insubordination. The fact that Young Song had barely glanced them over was testament to his generosity… or a scheme. Either way, they had to be prepared… Or at least live long enough to report back.
Zane could hear the words, he even vaguely agreed. But… Bradan… Bradan had helped them defeat the leviathan. They'd fought and bled together. Now he was dead… because he scared Princess Hazel? It was clear now that he hadn't been trying to hurt her… There was another beast hiding in Young Song's territory… but scaring Hazel was a death sentence? Why? Why? Why? It seemed so… arbitrary.
"Prince Zane, you appear dissatisfied with my judgement." Ashton called drawing their attention. The foxes had certainly made quick work of the corpse. Ashton gave the Adarians a placid smile as he walked toward them. He wasn't surprised when the bulb broke free from the little Flower and wrapped itself around his shoulders. Thankfully it shrank its size so it was no larger than hummingbird as it settled down.
Zane stared mutely at Young Song… he tried to swallow but the action made his stomach roll. Fortunately, he didn't lose his composure entirely. "Why?" was all he could croak out.
Ashton tilted his head, "Frighten the flower, brave the beast. I know you reported my warning word for word. Did you believe I jested?" To Ashton's amusement, the small bud was shaking a vine at Zane as if it were a fist. Clearly it was speaking in vehement agreement of his statement.
Zane shifted his gaze to the tiny flower that was opening and closing its petals as if also mocking him. It gesticulated wildly as if wronged. Then it turned, fawningly, asking Young Song for justice. "Why is that beast okay… but not Lord Bradan? He was honorable… He was a good beast…"
Ashton shrugged, "Our definitions of honor must be different. Regardless of how he treated you and yours, he frightened the flower. That was reason enough." The memory of falling feathers… and teers. His beloved crying as everything burned away… If the flower ran away or was harmed… it might wilt. Flowers in full bloom were always prettiest.
Zane closed his eyes, choking back his frustration… beasts were different from humans. Alaina and Berfin would have simply killed him for questioning them. The fact that Young Song had given a reason, arbitrary as it was, was more than he should have expected. But… he felt betrayed… Young Song was always so reasonable… why… Hazel wasn't even hurt… Bradan could have been let go with a warning. "Thank you." Zane meant it, he was grateful for the explanation, his sense of betrayal wasn't any less, but it was something.
Ashton tilted his head, "You're a good human Prince Zane of Adar. I will remind you again, careful of the company you keep."
Zane nodded twice, he couldn't find the words to express the range of emotions he was feeling. Zane covered his face, pushing his palms into his eyes. He would not show any more weakness.
Rommel gripped Prince Zane's shoulder, "Come on Highness, we should report back…" No point it keeping it secret since Young Song announced he knew they were reporting his words and actions word for word. Zane just nodded allowing Rommel lead him away.
Ashton walked to rest his chin on the now clean nose of the tails wagging fox. "No longer so hangry big fox?" Ashton smiled, though it didn't entirely reach his eyes. This would be a good offering and opportunity, if the fox came clean perhaps, he might entertain more… if not…
Caius licked his Little Snack from belly to face happily, "Me? Hangry? Aiya! I just don't like horses! So snooty! But oh so delicious!" Caius dragged out the last bit provocatively, ignoring the tiny flower and vines. Aiya, enticing his Little snack was far more important!
Ashton was lifted off the ground as the big fox lifted his head, "That is good information for the future." The small bud had tightened its vines around his neck. Soon he was quickly wrapped up in the large tails again, even without the core, the mana in the Pegasus's blood would stimulate the foxes. Ashton was mildly curious how they would react.
Littlest waved is tail in triumph as he shared the horse leg with his owl. He would not mention that his owl was the one who tore the leg off. Or that she was the one who carried him and it into a tree to eat in peace. I mean he would, but that was besides the point! They were sharing a gift from papa bird to father Caius. Spoils of war had never been so filling!
Caius curled up around his Little Snack, ignoring the irritating plant. Aiya! If his Little Snack ignored it so could he! Soon, his kin were gathering around to absorb the benefits of their spoils. Of course, he also watched the Adarians, no longer being sneaky little rats. Caius smiled toothily, aiya, that bitch must be feeling a fraction of what he felt. Then again… she did not care for kin as he did. Treating them as pawns to sacrifice as needed.
Talvi curled up just out of reach from father Caius, he was remembering… She'd been off roaming when it happened. Many of her kin used to leave after they matured… but father Caius had been so devastated they all returned. None of them had left his side in over 50 years. Nor had he taken a mate since then. The only reason Littlest survived is because father Caius didn't want him to disturb his mother.
Talvi vaguely remembered the female fox, they'd met once when father Caius announced he would take her as a heart mate. She had given birth to four kits… three obedient quiet little tufts of fluff. Littlest had been the runt in size, but already crawling after just a few days. Twenty of their kin had been following father Caius, staying back to help the new mother as Father Caius took Littlest off to hunt.
Rahm closed his eyes after sharing a look with Talvi, none of them had spoken of that day but they had seen father Caius cuddling Littlest to his chest, teers pouring down his face. Surrounded by half eaten bodies. Father Caius hadn't been able to bring himself to bury or burn the bodies. He and Talvi had lain their kin to their final rest. Rahm watched as Littlest happily gnawed on the horse hoof. It may not have been the Pegasus to have eaten their kin, but baby steps for vengeance were steps nonetheless.
Ashton stared up at the sky from the nest of tails, no need to rush. There was still time, for this body, the fox, the bulb, the fish. Ashton closed his eyes, half smiling. Sometimes vengeance was exactly what the healer ordered.