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Chapter 155 - A Song long lost

Lucian rubbed his face, Jaxon, Leonard, Sebastian, Charles, Kathrine and Devlin all silent as mice. "How strong was that beast?" Since beasts of any real power avoided the empire, most of his knowledge was theoretical at best.

Kathrine stood, "That was a Pegasus, half bird, half horse, since it had a blue core it was guardian grade." Before tensions could run too high, she pulled out another sheet of paper, "While a higher class than land dragons, they aren't resistant to mana, nor are they as durable. A land dragon could easily kill a Pegasus, with a lucky hit. The problem is… Pegasi are known for their speed."

Devlin nodded, "Yes, and Lord Reece is even faster. I heard that a few years ago the Adarians used Pegasi as mounts to kill the leviathan. So they aren't particularly strong, but they can attack from above. Hitting them is problem."

Leonard sighed, "Still, it can't have been an easy feat to rip its core out. I'm more concerned with how the Adarian's and Alaina will respond. Rumor has it… that Pegasus was Alaina's biological offspring."

Jaxon was more concerned with Monroe, he'd been extremely tired since Grelck's little visit. The entire time, he'd only woken once to sip on soup but fell asleep before finishing a third of the bowl.

Charles shrugged, "This may help our cause." When he had everyone's attention he continued, "Think about it, if Adar and Lord Reece are at odds, that puts him at odds with most kingdoms, only a handful don't have some kind of formal allegiance to Alaina."

Leonard frowned, on paper yes… most nations followed Alaina as a spiritual leader. That didn't mean the enemy of our enemy is our friend. Lord Reece clearly had the potential to be a spiritual leader that rivaled Alaina… or at least a new leader of sentient beasts. There were already humans willing to flock to his banner like the Inago and Dolquist tribes. No doubt the smaller nations would do the same.

Devlin frowned as well, "That still puts us at a disadvantage, we need Lord Reece, he doesn't need us. If everything is true… taking over the empire is more trouble than its worth. Not to mention, how long would it take to convert from Lindorm to… whatever Lord Reece's faith would be? Even now… faithful are claiming that the priests are being frame."

Jaxon snorted, "Yes, even after seeing catacombs of bones throughout the entire capital." Jaxon thought about his mother… carrier would probably be a better word. The more he thought back, the more her attitude made sense. It didn't meant it didn't hurt, or made him feel any better. But at least knowing he and Monroe were failed experiments had hardened his resolve.

Lucian sighed, "How long until Aaron returns? Did We receive any other news?" Had it only been a day? He felt as if weeks had passed.

Devlin gave a shiver out of nowhere as goosebumps erupted all over his body. Without warning he activated four separate barriers around the already secured room.

Lucian drew his sword as he saw Devlin jump into action. Then… waited. Nothing was happening. He stared in the same direction Devlin had turned to face, eyes quickly darting around the room for the threat… but nothing.

Leonard activated a barrier around himself and Charles as Jaxon had also drawn a sword and prepared mana for a short cast. They all held their breath, watching Devlin for some signal or an attack. After moments turned into minutes… Devlin still didn't relax.

"Something is watching us. I don't know how, or what… but it's locked onto my mana signature." Devlin informed through gritted teeth. He tried disrupting his outflow of mana, he could feel it… but he couldn't figure out where it was. Like knowing part of your garment was wet, but because you're standing outside in cold windy weather, you can't tell exactly what part is wet.

Lucian tightened his grip, "Can it hear Us?"

Devlin hesitated, "No… its only watching my mana…"

"Can you tell how close they are? Few feet, yards, hundreds of miles?" Leonard asked seeing the visible frustration as Devlin focused on… probably trying to disengage from the spy.

Devlin hesitated, "I know it's not in the camp… but I can't tell any more than that."

Leonard nodded, "Aaron should be arriving by midday tomorrow Your Majesty, perhaps whatever it is… is with Aaron's group."

Lucian sheathed his sword, "There are to be ten guards on Mage Devlin at all times, until this threat has passed. Mages and soldiers. Dismissed." If Devlin was compromised, even if it couldn't hear them, best not to take chances. Lucian left for his room to check on the children. They were still groggy from the bear's visit… Natasha was still unable to walk down the hall unassisted, though Serafin was at least able to pretend he was better.

 

Calix was watching the Gippsi princess, who was watching the plant? Beast? The entire Gippsi delegation had withdrawn to the far side of the nest. The separation was effective because not one person had tried to approach them for answers. Now just whispers how their freighted façade was just that, an act that had fooled everyone.

The twins sat beside Calix, also trying to inconspicuously watch the now confident princess. Her bangs no longer hid her face, hair drawn back in a loose ponytail. Her shoulders no longer hunched, dress gone in place of leather pants and armor. "Did not see that coming… at all. If she's a flower, she's clearly got thorns." Melrose announced behind her fan.

Cynthia nodded, "Sharp thorns. I was saying that Lord Reece liked them strong." Cynthia teased.

Calix rolled his eyes, "Alright, alright, you were right. There was more to her than met the eye. Now, lets focus on befriending her yes?"

Melrose gave Calix a disappointed look, "Cousin… you are daft?"

Calix tensed, "What?"

Cynthia looked at the sky as if she were praying for patience, "Cousin, Princess Hazel was bullied, if not outright ignored until now. Even before she would escape if anyone approached. Do you really think she's going to open up now? When everyone is going to be trying to get close to her now?"

"Exactly, and before… think about how the empire treated the Gippsi delegations? Now everyone is going to be sucking up because of Lady Glimmora. I mean… just think about it… another beast of Virtue… people will be flocking to Gippsi." Melrose added in a sigh. Such a good opportunity wasted… trampled thanks to their country's behavior.

Calix sighed… beasts of virtue were traditionally more favored than sin beasts. No doubt Gippsi's standing within the ten strongest nations would rise. Given all that was happening in the empire… Gippsi might be a nice place to visit… permanently. With the entire duchy.

Rommel overheard the conversation and bit his lip. It was unheard of for a virtue beast to not pay a visit to Adar. Specifically to Alaina to pay allegiance. To his knowledge, allegiance was symbolic as she'd never called on anyone, but she would then protect them. It was not uncommon for newly ascended sin beasts to slay sin or virtue beasts in attempts to increase their strength.

Alaina had personally dispatched no less than a dozen beasts whose minds had broken from the ascension… for such a weak virtue to have hidden away… either the beast was young, fearing the journey, or possible the Gippsi's had hidden her away. Either way, for it to have ventured to see a beast of sin rather than Alaina… was troubling.

Lucera watched Princess Hazel with narrowed eyes, "Cousin… are you sure Lord Caius swore allegiance to Lady Alaina?" Judging from what she had seen today… Lord Caius was hostile toward Lady Alaina, but he'd ascended in her territory 400 years ago… what had changed? Or was Bradan's accusations about Lord Caius being an ingrate true? She wasn't a fool, nor did she think Lord Caius was. For Lord Caius to turn against the unspoken leader of beasts, spiritual leader of more than a dozen nations… there had to be a very compelling reason.

Rommel tensed, "If you had asked me that yesterday, I would have sworn on my sword. I'm also curious about Lord Bradan's insults of Young Song, and suddenly suspicious as to why the fae have never been friendly with Lady Alaina." At first, he believed that the fae only cared for the druids and their mother tree. But looking back… they had been eager for Young Song's approval… To send their crown prince and a druid who spoke for the mother tree… if Young Song called upon them… would they answer a war call?

Lucera shivered, "He looks so… harmless… hardly capable enough to challenge Lady Alaina… but I'm starting to overthink."

Rommel frowned, "We should see if we can see what he did in the past to make Lord Bradan so confrontational, even if a virtue beast didn't join Lady Alaina, his reaction to try and kill her was strange at best." Lord Bradan wasn't an offensive type beast… but he'd attacked anyway. Had one of Alaina's other children, like Lord Mishi, been the one to come, Rommel would have expected a bloodbath.

Lucera shared a glance with Rommel, "Lord Bradan was always… outspoken… but not antagonistic… I would have expected such insults from Lord Mishi… since he's a sin beast of war." Alaina kept him on a tight leash, rarely letting him out of her direct influence. Suddenly every fox turned to bare their teeth at her. Lucera stumbled back into Rommel who caught her shoulder.

"Lets talk inside." If Lord Mishi had offended Lord Caius… that would actually make sense. That also meant… someone had probably died. Rommel saw the increasing hostility, most likely… many someones. Lord Mishi was known far and wide to leave a trail of bodies.

Caius didn't open his eyes as his fur bristled at the name. Not yet, it wasn't time yet. His Little Snack had yet to be wooed. His Little Snack may have killed Bradan… but that didn't mean they were truly allied against that bitch… Bradan had always been disposable. Only supplemented by that bitch's power otherwise he'd have been picked off long ago. Mishi had become her poisoned dagger, she'd give him up for her sword or shield… but he wasn't to be taken lightly.

Calix didn't miss the sudden tension, nor did his cousins. They retreated inside to give the news to grandfather.

 

Caius jolted when his Little Snack leapt from his tails to stand on the edge of the nest. Caius glanced around, his Little Snack facing toward the sun that had not yet risen.

Ashton closed his eyes to breathe in the damp morning air. "Good morning Ru, hello to the sun, today I reunite, me and Beloved." As if to answer in the affirmative, the sun rose over the horizon, blindly bright. Ashton grinned as he felt the first caress of warmth. Without opening his eyes Ashton's voice turned a touch cooler, "Keep them all close, don't let them hide, they remain in the sun, or they'll be swept in the tide."

Caius tensed but didn't hesitate to call out to his kin. They may not have woken for his Little Snack, but they leapt into action at his harsh barks. There it was again, that… distance… his Little Snack's heart was suddenly closed off.

Ashton felt Ru's warmth leave like a passing cloud as he opened his eyes. His Ember had woken, staring at him from the opening of her tent. "Today many come, today a few die, today be a lesson, a reminder of I. So gather your cherished, keep them so close, a moment of inattention, and you'll mourn over a corpse."

Alexei caught the tail end of what Ash sang… and it made his heart run cold.

"Gather everyone together, no one is to leave the sunlight! No shade at all! I want head counts every hour and everyone to move in groups of four! Send word back for everyone to do the same!" Neolani ordered waking everyone with her voice. She glanced back at Alexei, "Gather all the imperials and nobles as well. Use force if they resist."

Alexei nodded as he dawned his war armor. If something was coming that could challenge Ash… well. They'd fight beside him to the death.

Sebastian did not appreciate the rude awakening, but seeing chief warrior Alexei's grim expression, he only nodded as he dawned his own armor. A quick glance out his window confirmed that all the Inago looked to be preparing for war. Sebastian gathered up his remaining grandchildren, ordering everyone to pre-cast spells into anything that could hold one.

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