The Stick

After Ashton entered Albert Mansion, the older servants and warriors within its halls all crowded around him. They were the ones that served him in his visits throughout the years, mages that parted small advice on him in his duels with Darian, and knights that guarded his body. They were people that knew Ashton on a personal level, not mentors or friends, but people that cared for him. 

"It is good to see you everyone, a shame it is under such circumstances however."

The calm air about Ashton, commanding attention without overbearing presence. The formal yet distant tone in his speech, signature of matured nobles, along with the light footsteps of his stride.

The crowd around him realized he truly wasn't the mischievous boy that used run about their lord's mansion, but the man foretold in the newspapers. 

"I guess I can't call you little Ash anymore." Stepping through the crowd and patting Ashton on the back. "I must call you a lord now huh?"

"Captain Koalt." Ashton's constant flow of mana let him feel the shift in wind behind Koalt's slap. He adjusted instinctively, enhancing his back just in time to meet the blow with stone-like resistance.

As his hand reverberated off of Ashton's back, it felt like he had slapped the armor of a knight, which confirmed Ashton had the skill of a first-class knight. "I remember when you used to treat these grounds as your own, but now you seem like a cautious diplomat. Don't tell me... you have forgotten you are at home here."

"I naturally haven't forgotten my welcome. How could I with such a crowd?" Ashton threw his hands up and smiled as he scanned the crowd.

"Haha! There is the charisma that we all know and love." Koalt noticed the artificial Ashton was wearing, it was an art that leaders mastered to endear themselves on their populace. Koalt was a fallen nobleman himself, he was such a leader, so he also noticed the meaning in Ashton's words.

"Everybody let's get back to work." Koalt waved the crowd away, he took the unpleasantness upon himself so Ashton wouldn't have to.

"Lord Warren is already in meeting with another guest, but I assume you want to see him right away..."

Ashton nodded and told Titus to go prepare himself, that he was going to set the stage for him and that he better be ready. 

Koalt asked what stage they were referring to and Titus announced that he was to duel one of Aaron Raine's knights. It was funny to Koalt, he could see the green in Titus but knew that Ashton wouldn't sanction his own personnel's execution.

He ordered his men to prepare the square and show Titus to a private training room for his preparation.

While Titus departed with the Albert knights, Ashton walked with Koalt to the counts office. The entire hallway was stationed with first and second-class knights. They were still, on guard, a show of the territory's mindset with rebellion approaching.

Koalt demanded for the knights at the office doors to make way for their entrance. The knights hesitated and stated that they had direct orders to keep it sealed, but Ashton presence and Koalt's reasoning made them step aside.

"I won't be going in with you, Lord Ashton. This matter is now beyond me." Koalt had urgency in his voice, his body was vibrating. He knew that Aaron was here as an opportunist and wanted to do more but his station wouldn't tolerate it.

Ashton felt the nerves vibrating off of Koalt. It was the same nerves his father had, the weight piling on top of someone who is already drowning.

"Don't worry Koalt." Ashton said as he opened the office doors. His back was calming to Koalt, but his face was met with a mix of reactions.

Darian who was standing beside his father like a statue let out a sigh of relief. 

[Don't blink now little brother...] Ashton thought as he walked up to the counts desk.

"Lord Albert, I assume you were expecting me?"

"No, I in fact was not. I am sure I told my men to keep my doors sealed." Count Albert leaned forward in his chair and looked up to the smirk on Ashton's face.

[You have always been a no nonsense kind of lord... I am sure Koalt will be getting an earful later.]

"Father..." Darian interrupted, the first time he had spoken since he arrived. "I was the one who invited brother Ashton to meet with us. He has something he wanted to say..."

Ashton and Darian smiled at each other. 

To Darian it felt like old times, he was reminiscing all the times they had caused trouble for their fathers.

But Ashton wasn't so sentimental, he could only thank Darian for giving him a footing to stand on in the meeting.

"What is this Count Albert?" Aaron stood from the couch he was lounging in. "You had told me this meeting would be private."

"Sit down Aaron Raine." The count demanded with tone that sounded fatherly to Aaron. "And Ashton. I am busy, show yourself out."

Aaron huffed and took his seat, but Ashton didn't move. He looked the count in the eyes. No words were said but his position was clear.

"I may treat you like nephew as you are family Ashton. But you do not want me to treat you like equal. You will not like that." Count Albert was angered. The rebellion brewing within his borders, Aaron Raine wearing the coat of a sheep, and now Ashton defying his authority within his own home. 

"Why not?" Ashton responded. "You treat those who are less with policy despite them holding a sword to your back. I would love to be your equal, imagine how nicely you must treat such people."

The color drained from Darian's face, Ashton's mockery made him freeze, and Aaron Raine couldn't help but laugh. 

[I thought we were both here to lay our own influence. But this kid is only here for fun...] Aaron thought while wiping a tear from his eye.

Count Albert stood from his chair, "Aaron Raine, you should excuse us. I have a family matter that has just came to my attention." His eyes were fixated on Ashton, his fists were bawled, and sweat was running down his cheeks. 

"I understand Lord Albert." Aaron rose from his seat and walked towards Ashton, "Good job Whey. HAHA!" 

As the doors opened for his exit, Ashton called out to him. "Aaron. Your knights are quite cold. They were mocking my escort very harshly, and as such my knight had thrown down his glove."

"What? That little golden bug challenged my men, and you sanctioned it?"

"I approve of my men battling to prove their pride. It makes me look good..." As Ashton approached Aaron he continued "All the better if they dishonor you and your people..."