Became My Concern

Sebastian just watched, when Ashton had left Leonard came down the south hall looking worse for wear. "Marquis Leonard Silas, a word." Sebastian stated rather than asked. If Leonard had found Ashton… then brought him to Lucian's attention… Leonard could be held accountable.

Leonard jerked at Sebastian's hard tone, he glanced around uncertainly then met Sebastian's cold stare, "Of course Your grace, please lead the way."

Sebastian took Leonard to his room then shut the door loudly, "Why did you seek out Ashton Black?" Sebastian didn't even let Leonard sit before he started his barrage.

Leonard flinched as he started at Sebastian wide eyed for just a moment, then he put on his polite smile, "Ashton Black Your Grace?"

"Do not play me for a fool Silas. Ashton Black, from Palmer town, which you acquired in the last two years! Where almost 200 guards have gone missing! Why did you seek him out?!" Sebastian demanded as his voice raised with each sentence.

Leonard stepped back as the larger man approached, "What I do in my own territory is none of your concern, your grace."

Sebastian glared, "When you brought a Beast of Pride to his Majesty's attention, it became my concern. When you threatened him it became my concern. When you brought a BEAST OF PRIDE INTO OUR CAPITAL IT BECAME MY CONERN!!!" Sebastian finally roared stalking forward.

Leonard had never seen Sebastian so enraged before, as he backed away he stumbled and almost fell.

"Your actions brought a beast to the capital, had he come willingly that would have been fine. But Leonard Silas, you have damned us. I can only hope you live long enough to see the damage, now get out." Sebastian snarled pointing at his door.

Leonard wanted to retort, but Sebastian waved his cane angrily.

"Get out you cowardly fool!" Sebastian roared when Leonard started to compose himself.

Leonard bit his lip but marched out and headed to Jaxon's room. Monroe's screams made him hesitate yet he still pushed forward to enter. Lucian had clearly just rebroken Monroe's shoulder while four mage healers started their work.

Jaxon could only cradle Monroe, his body was starting to reject the mana. "You have to calm down Monkey, I know it hurts, deep breaths." Jaxon coaxed as the screams continued.

Lucian released Monroe so the healers could work… the break had not been clean but they would either have to push through with mana or he would have to break Monroe's shoulder into pieces.

Leonard knew there was never going to be a good time, so he closed the doors and walked up to Lucian to whisper in his ear, "Sebastian knows about the Blacks… and that Ashton wasn't willing when he came."

Lucian just nodded; it was hardly surprising after all this time. "We have bigger concerns, like finding a way to save Monroe before dawn."

Leonard nodded glancing at the struggling youth, while the imperial family was hardier than normal human… the drawbacks were growing with each passing generation without one ascending.

"Ashton said he could heal Monroe… but he wanted the Ruby Tear. He also said… the Ruby Tear would break when I die." Lucian informed clenching his fist.

Leonard jolted… the Ruby Tear was the only reason Lucian had survived his coup d'etat. The former emperor and several of the priests had used poisons that were lethal to dragonkin. Only because he was a staunch supporter was even aware of its existence, but not its location.

"Jaxon didn't want the trade… but… maybe we could trade it for Monroe's freedom." Lucian continued quietly not looking at Leonard.

"How does he know of the Ruby Tear? Not even Theodore knew of its abilities or name… unless it was in the journal… but then Theodore would know of it…" Leonard tried to put the pieces together… was Ashton poisoned? Was that why he was still weak and injured?

"Does it matter right now? We need to focus on saving Monroe!" Lucian barked glaring at Leonard.

Leonard jolted, "Of course, but if we know why Ashton needs it, we can negotiate. Otherwise, we are blind cats hoping to run into a dead mouse. Did he mention wanting anything else? Or why he wanted it?"

Lucian kept the glare for a moment longer, then shook his head. "No, he was only here a moment."

Leonard nodded trying to think of something, anything. "What did he say? Exactly?" Leonard pressed letting the barest sparks of hope ignite in his heart.

Lucian did his best to recall the conversation, "He said he would heal what was left of Monroe… so the pain and stress didn't sour his meat… but that he could heal all of him… he just didn't plan to."

Leonard's face turned green at the thought, but pushed the unhelpful information aside. "What… if we try to sour Monroe more… so he's unappealing as food?" Leonard ventured hesitantly. When Lucian only glared Leonard sighed… who knows if that was even possible.

They both turned when they heard lion roars… the delegations were back.

Ashton watched the groups return, the grounds had been cleaned and the smell but a distant memory… for most anyway. There were plenty of small catches, some even alive. Lamont was even leading a moose back, three of the group all smiles… while Tania looked as if someone had boxed her ears… repeatedly.

Neolani glanced around… the gryphons still hadn't returned but Ashton seemed unconcerned. All of the warriors were also going about their business.

Alexei brought the kids closer, Melia had killed a large buck, while Azarius had caught a coyote. Both had cores and were larger than a normal animal but little else was different. Several warriors had caught bucks, antelope, even a monkey half his size.

Zane was glancing around, they'd managed to kill three Dholes, they looked similar to coyotes though were bigger and browner. The pack leader had escaped but all three had cores so Zane was quite pleased with the catch. Their fur was still thick so they might be able to use the pelts.

Theodore was fuming, they'd accomplished nothing but managed to embarrass themselves plenty. Not only had the warriors refused to help, they deliberately made noise to scare off anything they came across, even squirrels! At least they weren't so pathetic to bring back a basket of flowers and fruits.

Neolani had the warriors take the catches into the tree line and start preparing them for roasting. She'd taken notice that Princess Hazel and the priest had filled two large baskets with all sorts of vegetation.

Alexei walked up to the nest, Ashton was awake, watching the ongoings, "Are you hungry little bird?"

Ashton glanced around at all the meat, "I could use a meal, but no rush."

Alexei glanced over Ashton raising a brow, "You okay?"

Ashton sighed, "My Ember is rather upset… and I have not yet found the words to convince her otherwise."

Alexei sighed as he turned so he could watch Neolani while leaning on the nest, "Women… so stubborn. Especially that one."

Ashton eyed Alexei, "Her stubbornness is usually in our favor. You must have some experience when she's upset…"

Alexei grimaced, "I'm usually wrong so have to grovel… even when I'm not wrong, she's still my Regina."

"There has to be some give in the relationship… she does not see you as a doormat." Ashton disagreed tilting his head as he glanced between them. Samantha and Thomas often had disagreements but… neither had truly been upset… they were equals with different responsibilities.

Alexei rubbed his freshly shaven head, "Of course not, but she will always be our Regina, then my wife, or a mother. Which isn't always easy for us to reconcile. You are our Bird of Pride, our guardian. You're not wrong, and neither is she."

Ashton sat up and crossed his arms and legs, "Then I don't understand why she is upset, the matter is over… we can now move on, learn, grow."

Alexei stared at Ashton, "There isn't always a reasonable explanation for someone being upset Ash."

Ashton wasn't naïve, nor was he a fool. Of course he'd seen hundreds, thousands of people upset with him. He'd explain himself, it wasn't usually enough; but unlike before he didn't want to redirect Neolani's emotions… he wanted them to come to an understanding.

Alexei sighed, "Let her cool off a bit, a lot has been happening and… she's trying to live up to your expectations."

Ashton watched Neolani, "There are none to meet." He murmured as she continued to organize the warriors.

Zane hesitated… he thought they would present their first hunts to Young Song… but the others looked just as hesitant as he was to make the first move. Then when Alexei started to have a serious look while watching Neolani… he couldn't really find a chance to interrupt.

"Umm… maybe… we don't offer up first kills?" Rommel ventured glancing at Zane and Lucera.

"I mean… the official hunt hasn't begun yet so… maybe then?" Lucera offered glancing at Jantje who had come back emptyhanded. Only an hour to hunt was hardly adequate, even with guards helping.

"If he really just wanted us to get fresh air while the imperials were cleaning up… that does make sense… so… do we want to give the dhole to the guards to skin and butcher?" Rommel added glancing at his own kill… there were plenty of chances to earn favor.

Lamont glanced around, the young moose had eventually given in after being captured so now was docilely letting him lead it around, "Do… we keep it?"

Noelle glanced around, "For now we'll leave it with the horses, maybe we train it as a mount."

Tania rubbed her smarting ears, Noelle and Rowena had taken turns pinching and twisting her ears. "Like I was saying, Young Song said get some fresh air, not hunt something. The capital is so stuffy, I'm sure Young Song is the one who wants some fresh air the most."

Rowena glared, "You were supposed to stay with us. Who knows what beasts are lurking around here?"

Tania shrugged, "Young Song gave us protection, we can't die, we should have some fun with it."

Noelle took a deep breath for strength, "You heard him, he can keep us alive, but we'll still feel the pain."

Tania gave them a droll stare, "We're tigers… in the forest. Of course, pain sucks, but pretty sure we'll get fixed up. Would it kill you guys to loosen up and enjoy life? Our greatest enemy is dying, a new beast is rising, let's celebrate." She added spinning in a circle with her arms toward the sky.

Rowena sighed, "Don't get complacent, at least not until the other beast or beasts reveal themselves. Monroe might be the only bait… but that doesn't mean we can't be attacked."

Lamont gripped the rope leash, "Better safe than sorry, we can always enjoy our forests back home."

Tania huffed, "Fine, fine. I'll stay with someone, at least until the other beasts show up."

Noelle shook her head as they started leading the moose toward their guards, wouldn't want anyone to kill their new mount.

Sebastian regretted his confrontation of Leonard… but only a just a bit. First things first, making sure the parents were alive and well. Unfortunately, with all that was happening, sending a trusted guard to confirm the information personally was out of the question. He also had to subtly inquire about the Southern palace without rousing suspicions.

Leonard wanted to approach Sebastian… but the older man wasn't even glancing at him as they awaited the final verdict on Monroe's healing.

Jaxon opened the door, blinking wearily at Sebastian, then just nodded his head from them to enter. The healing had been successful enough for Monroe to have basic use of his right arm and hand… but he'd never wield a sword again.

Lucian was sitting at a table while Monroe was finally allowed to rest. The boy would feel pain during even basic tasks like raising a fork… but Monroe's stress was activating the latent potential of his dragon blood… he'd be stronger… but what use was strength if he couldn't even lift his arm?

Katherine sighed as she gave them a general idea of Monroe's life after today, "It would be best… if we rebroke the entire shoulder… smash it more accurately, then use mana to weave them back into place. At least then he can liv without the worst of the pain. Unfortunately, the muscles and tendons are beyond our ability… maybe Promise or Bodin could get him healed enough to liv pain free."

Jaxon slumped into a chair beside Lucian, "Will any of that matter if we don't save him tonight?"

"I have a couple of proposals that might interest Ashton, the problem is convincing him to make the trade. We might… also be able to negotiate Monroe's healing of both shoulders…" Leonard explained placing three sheets of paper before the two.

Lucian picked up one of the sheets, the ink still wet. The Ruby Tear, dragonsbane herbs, the dragon bone sword taken from Wilbert, the dragon heart once they found it. The second sheet was an oath for the imperial family to vow one favor to Ashton, the writing was complicated and written in ancient Smyrnaean. The third page… was a blood contract that the imperial family would submit themselves to Ashton in all ways if he healed Monroe fully, and freed the souls without harming the empire.

Sebastian had to stifle a snort, even if all three were offered the real intention was for Leonard to convince Ashton to become their beast…

Leonard glanced at Sebastian who didn't bother to hide his sneer, but he kept silent.

Jaxon just stared at the papers, "This is a waste of time… we should try and smuggle Monroe out."

Lucian glanced them over, "Ashton will not agree to stay in the empire… the favor might sway his intensions for Monroe though…"

Jaxon was gripping the hair on both sides of his temples as his elbows rested on the table, "There has to be something, something that Monroe can prove his pride with…"

Sebastian just watched them silently… after an hour of them ranting back and forth with delusions of success Charmaine knocked on the door.

She watched them for a moment as Sebastian opened the door and let her in, "Is… has there been any success?"

Sebastian glanced at the trio, and the sleeping Monroe. The rest had left either to rest, eat, or simply to escape the escalating tension in the room.

Charmaine grimaced when Sebastian didn't answer, so she walked in to stand beside Lucian, "Your Majesty, the delegations are preparing for dinner…"

Lucian stared up at her, "Speak to the point." Lucian wasn't in the mood to play word games with her.

"This may be our last chance to save Monroe, we can't afford to skip this meal with Ashton. It could also be seen as weakness if your Majesty and Duke Darnings are not present for the first meal at the hunting grounds." Charmaine stated matter of factly with a quick glance at Monroe.

Jaxon glared at Charmaine, then ducked his head to hide his expression. If this was Serafin… no better not to even think it. "I will change and be ready soon, your majesty." Jaxon agreed calming himself.

Lucian watched Jaxon, then waved Charmaine away, "We will be out shortly."

Charmaine bowed then left, Serafin and Natasha had been beside themselves for hours but Lucian couldn't even be bothered to check on his own children. Lucian had always been cold hearted… but his brusque dismissal had her seething.