Breakfast

Alexei let two warriors lead the way back, they had moved all the furniture out of one of the larger rooms placing a nest large enough for Agapi to rest in. Alexei carefully leapt up then when Neolani and one of the smaller gryphons were settled Alexei passed over the already sleeping Alphonse.

Alexei took the kids to start syncing their mana to the mana stones they had set up. Even the smallest of the dozen crystals was twice Alexei's size. These would theoretically help store the excess mana Alphonse was emitting as he ascended. As the pride started learning how to tap into Alphonse's mana, they would also help bleed off the excess, refine it, then Alphonse should be able to take it when needed.

The wards and enchantments would also keep the empire from getting any underserved blessings when Alphonse was unable to control himself. Alexei kept the warriors working until it was dark, then he went inside to hear what had happened for Alphonse to end up in a new body. Learning how might be nice too...

When Alexei was done he went inside to see his two children, a gryphon, and his wife all sleeping in a pile with Alphonse... with a shrug he leapt over the edge of the nest to also settled in for the night.

Lucian was gritting his teeth through the pangs that were still running up his legs. Mage healing wasn't as complete but he didn't even want to see a priest let alone let one touch him. Jaxon was still pale but sitting upright as they sat in his personal study to speak.

Jaxon was leaning gingerly in his seat while dozens of books, scrolls, notes, and other scripts were all brought regarding fae blood oaths. His own body was suffering the after affects of priest healing. The damage had been too severe for just mage healing. Jaxon shuddered as his insides felt too sensitive to be wrapped up in his skin.

Usually, healing was just a little too warm, as if he was cold holding a warm stone against his skin, but after a few moments the warmth was too much. By the time the heat had penetrated through his skin it was akin to drinking freshly boiled sugar water, not hot enough to cause burns, but scalded all the way down. Now every part of him that had been healed was overly sensitive, just breathing felt like his organs were rubbing up against sandpaper bones.

Sebastian was sighing, several of his own records had been delivered to the palace but honestly... instead of focusing on how to circumvent the oath... better to find the rebels and prepare reparations.

All counts and above were present to look over the records, most records were hastily recalled bard songs of caution.

Count Eunice Leonhardi's frail figure was hunched over from all the excitement, his eldest son Murdock Leonhardi was doing most of the work on his behalf. Murdock glanced at his father, even though he was 46, he was exhausted. Hunched over reeding all manner of scrawls, some barely legible so he was rewriting on fresh parchment.

"I believe our focus should be on placating Lord Reece, even if he can't help us find the culprits, his word clearly has great sway over the Elves." Charles stated putting down the latest song lyrics.

Sebastian didn't even look up, "Or we could find the rebels in good faith. We have more than enough leads to start following."

"Perhaps if we were all so favored by Lord Reece, we would be more inclined on following such leads." Charles quipped back with a glare.

"Perhaps if everyone had been so respectful, Lord Reece would not have drawn so fine a line." Sebastian responded lightly. The room was as silent as death. Sebastian looked up and let his gaze fall across everyone, but his disappointment and scorn was solely focused on Lucian.

Lucian gritted his teeth, "There is no use complaining now." Lucian growled.

Sebastian wasn't sure how much lower his expectations could fall, "Your Majesty... do you not understand the gravity of the situation? The Fae are not declaring war... they are declaring annihilation of the empire. Let us pretend we have even a sliver of a chance. The Cerulean Forest is less than half a days journey from the capital.

"In 500 years only our predecessor was able to occupy roughly 20,000 acres, it took another 200 years to put footholds in the next 10,000 acres. None of the fae have ever contested the land. UNTIL today. They made it quite clear they could move the mana and spell restriction outside the forest. A single slap almost killed one of our best generals." Sebastian pointed out tersely, then he leaned back to continue.

"Now, we were given two options. First, play by their rules to find the rebels, our common enemy. Second, to try and weasel our way out of consequences by sucking up to a child we have been abusing. Now your Majesty, what is your decision? Divide or focus our resources?" Sebastian demanded resolutely.

Jaxon pounded his fist on the table, "It is not your place to question your Emperor, Duke Carlos."

Sebastian didn't break eye contact, "Your Majesty, our time, resources, and options are limited. Mistakes now might mean the end of Smyrna. What are your orders?"

A moment later, Lucian's answer had Sebastian slumping in his chair. There was much to do in the coming days.

Ashton opened one eye, there were bodies all around him. As he stretched the bodies started to move, "Morning." Ashton yawned, he was soon plucked out of the nest by Agapi and sat at a table nearly overflowing with food.

"Eat little one, the days is long." Agapi informed as the other humans and smaller gryphons started waking up. "I will take half to feed. The rest are to stay with you." Agapi informed sternly.

"Yes Auntie," Ashton promised as he started eating the mixture of fruits, vegetables, and lastly the fish. After nearly an hour Ashton had eaten his weight in food, not to mention each item was also infused with mana.

Agapi waited until Ashton was finished eating to take half the gryphons and lions out to feed, the other half tomorrow, since they didn't need to eat every day.

Darvic, Agapi's second in command led the pride as they followed Ashton out to the garden. Darvic's coloring was more traditional, but his tail consisted of long eagle feathers instead of a lion tail. His crown feathers also had black tips.

Alexei sighed, there hadn't been much time to catch up, but Ashton had reminded them to call him either by a title or by his new name. Of course, considering Ash's injuries the fact that he was awake at all was a testament to his willpower.

Zane and Rommel had been waiting for the Pride to arrive, they had also made contact with the Melum and Maricar delegations. Both had asked to borrow mages, so Zane's entourage was a bit lacking.

Ashton noticed Zane looking over hesitantly, so he nodded for Zane to approach, "Morning Prince," Ashton greeting leaning over the side of his nest.

Zane nodded in greeting, the Inago had already moved a table and chairs closer to the nest so they could be at eye level as Zane and Rommel sat down, "I hope you rested well Young Song?"

Ashton felt his lip twitch, then he covered his mouth as Alexei choked trying not to snort.

Zane saw the interaction, "Was the title not appropriate?" He asked hesitantly, the two didn't seem upset...

Alexei leaned against the nest, "It's just... Ash is older than you... and me." Alexei added when Ashton raised a brow to him.

Rommel looked about the same age as Alexei, "How old are you Alexei, if you don't mind me asking?"

Alexei rolled his eyes, "35." Alexei groused, he was only a couple of months younger.

Zane eyed the youth, even with the mask he looked about 17... "So you age... half as fast as humans?"

Ashton let a grin out, "This isn't my first... body." Ashton offered, "I age according to whatever body I am in... so far at least."

Zane and Rommel shared a glanced, that was very unusual... even for an ascending beast. Zane had never heard of any ascending using more than one body... usually the human or beast body was recycled during the ascension like a caterpillar into a butterfly.

Ashton gave a wry smile, "I will not be ascending with this body either, it will... crumble away." Ashton added with a sigh.

Alexei glanced down and ruffled Ash's hair, "Anyway, you can call him Young Song, we just thought it was funny. For the Fae, it seemed more appropriate since they are all older."

Zane mulled over the information, "Do you have a preferred name or title?"

Ashton raised a brow, "Not one I will state while in the empire. I am really not so petty; you are welcome to call me Young Song. I did also sleep much better than I have in months."

Zane bowed, "Perhaps we might break our fast together then, Young Song." When three large baskets fit to burst were placed on the table Zane almost choked.

"Tea and milk will be served shortly, or if you prefer something else?" Ashton offered reaching into the basket to select some fruit. Melia immediately set to cutting peach into bite sized pieces.

Zane watched as a heaping platter of assorted pastries and cheese was also set down. "Tea would be perfect." Zane agreed accepting a muffin.

"Now, what were you hoping for Prince?" Ashton asked accepting the first plate of sliced peaches.

"Just Zane is fine. To be honest... I have never met a beast or deity before they ascended, so I am fascinated. You also are unique in many ways, so I hope I do not offend." Zane explained as hulking warriors brought over dainty teacups and milk.

"I am not usually so easy to offend, of course... these have been an arduous few months. No need to be so cautious." Ashton promised accepting the mug of chilled milk. The wooden mug was larger than his head...

"Is your innate trait also fire?" Zane asked taking a bite of the muffin. He jolted from surprise as he made eye contact with Young Song who only smiled. A muffin infused with mana was no easy feat.

"Hmm, well I am a song bird, though my source is fire." Ashton explained popping a bite sized pastry in his mouth.

Rommel also noticed all the food was infused with mana so he only took a single pastry. How embarrassing would it be to be knocked out from mana overload due to food. Rommel also noted how quickly the young lady was cutting fruits for Young Song.

"May I ask what manner of bird? There are many types of song birds... though I don't know exactly what that means." Zane added as he took small, paced bites.

Ashton glanced up with a smile but didn't answer.

Rommel stirred his tea, even a single bite was a bit overwhelming. "Are you... perhaps looking for a mate among the pride?" Rommel asked trying to be nonchalant.

Ashton choked on the milk he'd been drinking, luckily he didn't spit any out as he stared at the now embarrassed Rommel, "... I'm not in the market for a mate."

Alexei was stifling his laugh so hard he was trembling, but he kept a straight face.

Rommel hesitated, "Because... you are young?"

Ashton rolled his eyes, "That... and matter of preferences. I cannot say I've ever been... attracted to the human form. Personality and souls yes, of course the most attractive humans often have a flock of pursuers. I recall a certain young warrior who challenged me more than once..." Ashton added giving Alexei the side eye.

Alexei gave a predatory grin, "I would do so all over again."

Ashton rolled his eyes, "I concede you make my Ember a fine mate."

Alexei eyed Ashton, "Package deal now, we even brought you the next generation."

Ashton rolled over and scooped Melia so she was sitting on his stomach. She had quickly adjusted so none of the fruit, or the knife fell. Ashton gave a dramatic sigh, "I will reluctantly ensure you can continue to keep my Ember happy. What say you little spark?"

Melia grinned, "I would feel very blessed if my father could continue to keep mother happy." She giggled setting the plate on Ash's chest and continuing to cut fruit. A moment later she fed him a piece.

Ashton let Melia place the fruit slice in his mouth. Ashton sighed hard enough Melia was visibly raised, "So says the Spark, I vow, so long as I draw breath, Alexei Puana of the Pride cannot be permanently harmed."

Rommel and Zane looked on enviously, to receive such an all-encompassing oath... in over 900 years of Adar less than 10 had received such an honor. Without exception, all nine were oath bound.

"Are you oath bound?" Rommel inquired eyeing the flame brand.

Alexei needed a moment to recover from the sudden rush of mana. While he'd been able to reach out and gather Ash's mana before... now it was constantly circulating through his entire body. "No, not yet."

Neolani let her unimpressed gaze wash over everyone, "The Young Song has not bound even a single member of the pride by oath." She proclaimed.

Zane looked over shocked, "I can feel all of them channel your mana though!" To have unrestricted access to a soon to be beast's mana source...

Ashton leaned back so his head was hanging over the edge of the nest, "I am as magnanimous as I am protective."

Zane paled at the implication, "Adar would never dare, any who do will personally deliver them to you without question."

Ashton let his eyes narrow, "It would be a shame... if any Adarians were implicated by association." Ashton let his gaze drift over where Zane's mages should have been.

Zane forced a smile, "We will be careful." Zane signaled for his personal attendant to start investigating.

Ashton nodded then opened his mouth as Melia offered him another fruit. Ashton grinned as he started to lift Melia up, but she dug her heels in.

"I would make a good mate," Melia informed with a wide smile as she offered another slice of fruit.

Ashton burst into laughter, "Precocious little spark aren't you?" Ashton flicked her nose, "I do not pick unripe fruit." Ashton added, Melia gave an exaggerated pout but finally sat beside him again.

Melia let a dispassionate glance fall over the Adar delegation. Then she started to hum as she continued to cut fruits with a sweet smile. There was time to change Ash's mind.

Zane didn't miss the girl's warning. It appears the Inago were hoping to have one of their own mate with Young Song, even if it took a few generations.

Ashton flipped back over letting his gaze wander toward the city gate, "Hmm, how unsightly..." He murmured. A moment later an attendant announced two more delegations had just arrived at the gate.

Neolani and Alexei both fell to a knee and bowed their heads, "Your will is our action." Neolani promised as the rest of the warriors also fell to their knees.

Ashton pushed himself up on his arms and cracked his neck from side to side, "Hmmm, they know I am here... yet still brought such a disgusting cur." Ashton sneered letting his gaze move to Zane.

Rommel stood up but didn't make any threatening moves. When Young Song's gaze stopped on his chest he felt his heart tighten... but it soon passed.

"I will forgive your ignorance this once, though I do suggest you stand clear." Ashton informed, "None of the vermin will escape, not even their souls." Ashton announced.

"For the pride." All of the Inago agreed as they spread out.

Ashton let his head roll enough to make eye contact with Lucian, "You are about to see what happens when my warnings go unheeded. Do take note."