Departure

Lucian, Leonard, Charmaine, Charles, Sebastian, Jaxon, Randal, Devlin, Aaron, and Bert all had an emergency meetings.

Jaxon was still pale as he wrote down anything suspicious that came to mind, "I think it's safe to say... the church might be cooperating with the rebels."

Leonard was also writing down anything of note he could recall in the last twenty years concerning the church. He noted down 9 children prior to Lucian's purge. Roughly one every 18 months, some as young as five years old, the eldest only twelve. "Most imperial children learn at the cathedral when they turn five, which is when dragon mana starts to become active, or so they say."

Lucian gripped his armrest, "Yes." He'd been led to believe his father's disinterest had led to his harsh treatment and near death several times... His mother had been punished for asking to have him returned after seeing him just once.

Jaxon hesitated, then decided it would be better to ask about Lucian's personal experiences when there weren't so many people around, "Did they ever have you and the others perform a ritual with the ancestral items?"

Lucian thought about it, but most of his memories were fragmented at best. His last year he would spend weeks isolated in the dark. He was still beaten, the flesh stripped from his body, but the time alone. If it could be called that... even now when he spoke of the things he could recall in those final months... everyone told him he'd imagined it all. There were not hundreds of thousands people screaming at him, begging him for help. That it had been his own voice echoing all around him. Before that, the torture had only hardened him.

Most other memories were of whippings, brandings, drowning in holy water, and having his limbs cut so he could bleed on the dragon heart. Every time it didn't react, he'd be sent back to the dark room. His visceral hatred of holy mana and priest healings was because they could easily erase all the evidence with none the wiser.

"Their pattern seems to be something large every 15 to 25 years, and a child every 18 months 30 months." Leonard announced looking over the names, ages, and ballparking the month and years of death.

Sebastian took it a step further and started writing dates that temporary blessings were released, almost always a month after a death. "How has no one ever noticed this before?" Then he sighed and answered his own question, "Because it's so obvious we never questioned anything... truly blind to the forest for all the trees."

Randal was also looking over names and dates, he paled recalling a memory from right after the purge... his conversation with his now estranged sister. "We need to keep the priests from searching the imperial records any further... and get our hands on their records. If the empire has been practicing human sacrifice... for hundreds of years someone must have noticed before now."

Sebastian then glanced around the room, "We should also investigate any women who had one-night stands with anyone of imperial blood, or exiled bastards were sent."

Jaxon glanced around, "Typically the church escorts exiles outside the boarders."

"Exactly, there may be more sacrifices than we realize if adults... or unborn children can also be used." Sebastian explained glancing around. "Unfortunately, all this will have to wait for later since we have other delegations arriving."

Lucian's armrest cracked from the sheer force, "The imperial mausoleum, I want it exhumed and the bodies examined." Lucian ordered through gritted teeth.

Jaxon took a deep breath, "We will also check all the bodies of our deceased," usually anyone who hadn't reached majority would be sent to church for cremation, all things considered, there were less than five child bodies in the ducal mausoleum.

Sebastian sighed, for more than a century the Carlos dutchy had refused to give their dead to the church. Though they did allow the church to perform the rites under supervision of no less than four family members. Perhaps his ancestors had learned the truth during the last ascended dragon.

Randal paled, "We will also exhume our deceased. I will send word out to our branch families as well." He was afraid of what he'd find. Past actions were falling into place in ways that did not bode well for the Hammer Duchy.

Leonard gave a deep sigh, "We should send word out to start checking all the deceased, we won't be able to hide this after the very public declaration just now."

"Should we check the deceased that aren't of imperial decent?" Charles asked holding Charmaine's hand.

Sebastian raised a brow, "Of course, we need to find any leads available. I will ask my brother to get started now, especially since the biggest show should hopefully be over."

Charmaine paled at the insult. She had been so adamant about bridging the gap between the imperial family and church these last few days.

Charles glared at Sebastian, "You speak out of turn, your grace." Charles growled.

Sebastian stood up nonchalantly, "I only spoke of the wonderful gryphon and Pride performances, but I must ensure my kin are not caught so unaware. Especially since the entire empire is expecting the first official blessing in five years at noon."

Charles stood up, "Your Grace!" he shouted.

Sebastian gave a polite, yet distant smile, "I do not believe my council is worth much, as I am not as gracious as Lord Reece. I will now follow the imperial decrees but..." Sebastian trailed off glancing around the room, "My input has not been appreciated thus far."

Charmaine glared as Sebastian left the room. She had used her family name to promote the ceremony... but now...

Jaxon glared after Sebastian but also turned a worried gaze to Charmaine and Charles. They were still allied against external threats. "We should put a statement out immediately that until investigations prove the allegations true or false we will not be holding any Lindorm ceremonies."

Charles sat down exhausted, "Yes, I'll send my personal couriers out, I will excuse myself to start writing missives." He had also been pushing for the imperial powers and faith to reconcile. This would no doubt create a serious backlash.

Jaxon nodded, they still had to be ready for delegations to arrive. If at least the rest of the day went according to plan, the two fae groups, and the Adarian delegation should all arrive. Of course, travel over such distances sometimes ran into delays but typically the first week arrivals were on time.

As they returned to the garden, Ashton was still in his nest, but so was Neolani. Ashton was laying faceup as she massaged his head and scalp. Most of the warriors were sitting in circled layers around the nest either beating drums rhythmically or humming in tune.

Ashton had his eyes closed as his back rested along her knees, the more his body relaxed the more his mana eased alog his channels. Since Neolani was his Ember, she was the conduit taking his raw mana and sending it out to the rest of the pride.

The Pride was acting like much less efficient golems in terms of mana refinement, but their quantity and emotional serenity advantage soothed his emotional fluctuations. The happier his ember, the better the effect. Though, the overall quantity would dilute the best... it also diluted the worst.

Lucian glanced over the Inago, supposedly they had made a promise with Ashton 20 years ago... he'd already sent word out to find any connection the Inago may have had with Alphonse.

Glancing over the crowd most of the female nobles who had arrived early were whispering behind open fans as they looked over the half-dressed warriors. There were half men, half women. Only the women and a handful of men had their chests covered.

Almost the entire Carlos Duchy was gathered up watching between the third and fourth ring of Inago. Both groups were watching each other with obvious interest, especially the young ladies of the duchy.

While the beat was rhythmic, the more Sebastian listened, the more he thought it sounded like an echoing heartbeat. The longer they listened the slower the rhythm became. After another ten minutes the beat remained consistent, which must have been kind of signal.

Neolani focused on following Ashton's mana channels, even with Agapi helping direct her, it was like picking out rivers while being surrounded by the ocean. Soon she was able to follow along and start calming the worst of the rapids into still rivers, they at least didn't have waves crashing against the ocean.

Neolani sent a glance over to her daughter, Melia carefully stepped over the nest and knelt on Ashton's left side to be closer to his heart. "Take his hand and follow me." Neolani murmured as she closed her eyes again to focus.

Melia took a deep breath then took Ash's left hand between both of hers as she closed her eyes. She'd been practicing with her mother to eventually take over as the official priestess for the Pride. While there were older priests, none had met Ash, and none were able to evoke reactions from his heart. Without her mother's direct influence, only she was able to get the heart to react.

Melia's heart raced when she finally saw Ash's mana state. First, she'd never seen silver mana, holy mana yes but this was... much more intense. Second, she'd never seen so much of it before, usually the mana would only encompass a person's body, maybe a little overflow; this... surrounded the entire garden, maybe more.

The drumbeats started to pick up pace when Agapi brushed her wing over Melia, "Calm little one, take a deep breath." She soothed.

Melia let go of Ash's hand to regain her calm. A few moments later the beats had slowed again. This time she was ready as she stepped into Ash's sea of mana. After a few more minutes she was able to find a much smaller stream and start syphoning it.

Sebastian had to stifle a gasp when he saw Ashton open a single eye to look at the young girl. His iris wasn't just silver, it was glowing. There was also... just something... inhuman about his gaze. A moment later Ashton's eye closed.

Soon all the Inago closed their eyes, the brands that were only the size of a thumb all started glowing, the closer the ring was to Ashton the more silver, the farther out had more red.

Calix looked around as the other nobles and servants started to back away. Then he realized the air around the Pride was shimmering... he looked at his grandfather who had also noticed.

The twins gasped when silver flames started to dance along Ashton's skin, up to the hands of the two women. A moment later the brands also had tiny flames pulsing in time with the drums beating.

For less than ten minutes everyone watched in absolute silence as the temperature rose to uncomfortable highs, grass started to curl, and flowers wilted. Then the girl let go of Ashton's hand and the spell seemed broken as people drew in sharp breaths backing away.

Lucian had sweat running down his face and back as he looked around, flushed faces all around. Many looked ready to faint. The only ones unaffected appeared to be those of the Carlos Duchy. More than a dozen young ladies were helped to seats as servants were ordered to bring chilled drinks.

Alexei stood up to leave the ring walking to the nest, both Neolani and Melia were grinning as Ashton sat up. "The Empire has sorely neglected you, master."

Ashton stood up and waited for the rest of the Inago to face him, without him saying a word they all knelt on one knee with one fist on the ground, heads bowed. Even NeoLani, Alexei, Agapi, and the gryphons bowed.

"Here me now, any attempt to harm those I have marked and even your souls will burn." Ashton's voice wasn't loud, but it reverberated across far more than just the borders of the empire.

Ashton then turned his gaze on those kneeling, "Have 200 of your fastest escort them to the Pride Lands, then prepare for my ascension." The boon of his ascension was not something he wanted the empire to benefit from.

"SOAR FREE AND CLEAR, THE PRIDE KNOWS NO FEAR!" Was the deafening answer.

Ashton let the ghost of a smile curve his lips, "Your heart is my home, wherever I roam." Ashton then glanced over Lucian with a chilling gaze.

Neolani stood up raising her spear, "Set off immediately, kill any who get in the way." She ordered stamping her spear twice. Two hundred swords beat their shields as they turned away without a word. Ten groups of twenty strong, without having to discuss separated themselves from the rest, jogging without a glance back. Neolani's heart soared with pride.

Randal jumped from the seat he had just occupied, "That is an act of war!" Suddenly he felt like his insides were on fire as he fell to knees curling in on himself.

Ashton barely glanced over the writhing man before he returned to watching the warriors set out.