Ashton escorted his parents up to their room, there wasn't any point in being stubborn with a bull. The shop was already smashed, at least this way they would have little breathing room. He had little doubt the mage and guards would be spying on their every move, fortunately he had a contingency plan in place. Ash pulled three quartzes out of the wall handing one to Thomas while gesturing for them to stay silent.
He smeared a single drop of blood on the remaining two crystals, one started to create a hushed conversation about trivial concerns a farmer family would have, Samantha and Thomas looked shocked but kept silent.
Think at me, after tonight there won't be evidence. Ashton directed as he held a hand from each of them.
How did you get home so fast? Samantha asked, while he'd never come out and said anything, she and Thomas had been suspecting he could use mana shortly after he turned seven.
Ashton took a deep breath, telling them could put them in danger, but they would be suspected regardless. At least if they had something to give, they might be able to use it as bargaining power. I'm a mage, I have been since I was four. I can use 4th tier spells without mana crystals. If you're ever in danger use the diamonds, they can save you once then they will break. Also, if... if you're ever captured tell them everything you suspect. I can protect myself but if you come to the capital we're all better off dead. If you do use the diamonds, it will take you somewhere safe. It's best if you use them at the same time. Take what's there and just escape. There is money, a map, and a letter, take the letter and give it only to someone of the Inago tribe. They will keep you safe until I can come to you.
Thomas felt his heart beating louder than usual. A mage, and 4th tier was nothing to sneeze at, some people never reached such power even with a mountain of mana stones. What about you?
Ashton squeezed their hands briefly, I will do whatever it takes to stay alive. Even if we never meet after this, in my heart you two are family. So stay safe, no matter what.
Samantha had tears in her eyes and had to choke back a sob as she nodded. What if we run now?
Ashton gave a wry smile, The Emperor himself is here Ma, and a 5th tier battle mage. He may be incompetent at tracking, but those knights aren't. We would need tier 5 mana crystals and a month of preparation to even try it. We just need to play along, when I leave make sure to always have the diamond on you. Ashton hesitated, then continued, It might be better to make a small wound and put the diamond under your skin somewhere no one would usually look, like in the hairline, or stomach area.
Samantha and even Thomas paled slightly, but then they both nodded. When would be a good time? Thomas asked squeezing Samantha's hand in comfort. Clearly things were much more serious than even he'd thought.
Ashton sighed, it had to be inconspicuous but a new injury would stand out. Carry them with you and if you get injured naturally we'll try. It would be too obvious right now or shortly after I leave.
They all nodded then Ashton placed the quartz from their conversation in the wall and took out two new ones that were rougher in design. He then resonated the four used quartz until they disintegrated.
Lucian sat in the... cozy living room with more tea. While Ashton had submitted it wasn't genuine, they would stay the night so Devlin was examining everything he could see from the floor, to the quartz, and even the ceilings. He'd been sure he'd felt a surge of mana from the quartz Thomas had been wearing, but even a talented mage needed direction. No one accidentally learned to wield mana, either they walked around ignorantly, they died from suppressed mana, or they trained. Of course, he could have bought enchanted quartz, but even a simple enchantment cost no less than three gold.
Devlin continued to pick through each and every item, none of them resonated. There were two possibilities: either a master enchanter had carved... quartz in bulk, or there weren't any enchantments. Aaron had been nagging for over half an hour as he continued to look around, and the elite guards had all taken off to who knows where.
Damian politely sipped his tea mourning every life choice that brought him to this particular moment in time. When Lucian suddenly turned to face him, he nearly choked, "How may I serve you your Majesty?" he asked setting the tea down.
"What are your thoughts on Ashton Black?" Lucian wanted another opinion, and since Damian's father had been making the reports surely, they had discussed him prior.
"He's too well learned to have lived here all his life, while he was exceptionally stubborn about remaining aloof he's also quick to submit to circumstances. He was very much like my father described and analyzed but two things stood out, first I wasn't expecting him to recognize you your Majesty, second and more importantly he matched your aura when he refused to involve his parents. No farm boy does that, so whoever he really is... that answer I'm sure will explain everything." Damian analyzed.
Devlin leaned over the soft leather couch, "I did the blood test myself, the blood matched their individual auras and then as related. I can fake them not being related, but I've never heard of someone faking the opposite."
Aaron turned to Lucian, "Perhaps they're an offshoot of some noble family in hiding. It's not unheard of for an uncle or brother to run off with the legitimate heir and train them in secret."
"Who does he resemble?" Lucian asked eyeing all his retainers, he had his suspicions but it was almost too farfetched. Aaron and Devlin hesitated, then Devlin pushed Aaron forward.
Aaron glared at Devlin before he answered, "He bares a striking resemblance to former Crown Prince Alphonse, but Lady Rosaline didn't become pregnant until four years after his death, and our intelligence was never able to find a hidden lover."
Lucian pondered the thought and brought up the old memories. He'd been blamed for Alphonse's death for so long... if they knew anything just an answer would have been a miracle at this point. He'd actually admired the older man, his sword skills matched any elite guard and his power as a mage was unparalleled. If someone from his side had killed Alphonse, he had not been made aware of the plot, nor would he rest until they suffered 10,000 times the pain.
Honestly, sometimes he thought Alphonse had simply ascended past the mortal realm, but he's seen the body himself. "No harm comes to the Blacks, I want to know back 5 generations of their lineage and where every living family member is." Lucian ordered looking up at the ceiling.
There was a tentative truce, the family went out during the day to farm the land while Lucian and Damian stayed with two rotating guards, along with 2 hired servants. The rest were housed in the larger town inn recommended by Wesley so they could relay messages daily.
Lucian insisted they all sit down to dinner together; most dinners were in silence but it gave Lucian free reign to observe the family up close. Most interesting was that Ashton would set the mood, if he spoke they all chatted happily as if no one was around, as soon as he fell silent the parents would watch for cues. Two weeks had come and gone and now they spent most nights happily chatting. If Lucian simply observed, they tended to pretend he wasn't even there.
Lucian waited until dinner was ending, Ashton had been retelling a trivial event from town and how he would no longer be going to school. "We will be heading to market tomorrow, Ashton would you like to join us?" He was testing the waters. The trio were immediately focused on him.
Ashton weighed the invitation mentally, "As your majesty wishes."
Lucian let his disappointment show, "What if there were mana stones being auctioned tomorrow?" Lucian and Aaron had discussed that making any more orders would not make their relationship any easier.
"As your Majesty wishes." Ashton didn't waver, mana stones wouldn't do him any good right now nor could he afford any without beggaring his family. It would also be screaming for Lucian and company to be suspicious since the closest mage to train with was more than a week's journey from here.
Lucian didn't want to tip his hand just yet, so the matter ended. Lucian and Aaron went straight to the Inn, inside were several reports about the Black family. Lucian red though the summaries and glanced at a few reports to compare portraits. Theoretically, Ashton may have received all his features from Thomas and Samantha... but his mannerism were impossible, and even with three additional mages assisting Devlin no traces of another mage visiting Palmer could be found.
"Whoever is training him may also be a fifth-tier mage to hide so well... or maybe they don't communicate face to face. There are ways to enchant quartz for communication... but even that would be a stretch." Devlin explained, it was almost time for dinner, and they were no closer to an answer than they had been 3 weeks ago.
"Explain." Lucian ordered leaning back and wiping his face. Even with most being summarized there was still a lot to reed, not to mention he'd been comparing portrait facial features with Ashton's... the resemblance might be why he was with the Blacks.
Devlin pulled out a dozen quartz he'd made for this explanation, "I can resonate this quartz so that if I think something, you can hear it. But I leave a part of my aura behind, and the distance is only a few inches. Most of the time we must make physical contact. Only with a third-tier mana stone could I do this from the distance of a town, trying it with a fourth-tier mana stone would permanently alter the stone for that purpose. Not to mention... I would be able to find traces."
Lucian nodded, "What if Alphonse enchanted the mana stone?"
Devlin hesitated, "Maybe, but most active enchantments like this end when the mage passes... or shortly after. Mana is in a constant flow, increasing or decreasing. Once it's stagnant, it degrades rapidly."
They had seen the body, Devlin had personally confirmed it had been Alphonse since they had been trying to prove Lucian had nothing to do with his death.
"He was the only seventh-tier mage, he might be able to do this if he were alive... but it's been 12 years. He has no reason to still be in hiding." Aaron stated, Lucian looked down at Ashton's portrait.
"Even if it kept his son hidden? Wesley happened across him by sheer coincidence. They've also been quite insistent about not entering the capital. There may be an enchantment that hides his identity while he's here. In the capital with so many mages it would be nearly impossible." Devlin argued looking to Lucian for support.
"Alphonse would have only been around 18, and he was very devoted to Rosalina... perhaps.. a brother?" Damian offered thinking about the timeline. Lucian seemed to jolt at the idea.
That would actually make a lot more sense, Alphonse had always been fiercely protective of Prince Theodore and they were only half-brothers. Either way they couldn't test his blood again until they could free the sample of any outside influence.
"That's probably why Ashton doesn't want us to bring the Blacks, it would be a death sentence and we wouldn't be able to guarantee any samples that traveled by land." Devlin added, "But.. Ashton does have the Seibellian royal features, his mother was a performer who left before Alphonse turned ten. They would have to be full brothers for their features to be so close..."
"Let's wait until he's in the capital to redo the test. We have a sample from Alphonse we can test." Lucian announced, one way or another he would know.
Devlin jolted... there was a ruby that had been enchanted as a gift when Lucian had become crown prince, he'd rarely let anyone touch it before... and to test the resonance the enchantment might break. He shared a look with the others, if this was an elaborate trap to find that ruby...
The ruby had the ability to repeatedly detoxify any poison or curse under the eighth tier. It was one of a kind and had saved Lucian's life more than once.
They returned the next day after dinner to a welcome but unexpected sight. All three were laying in the freshly fallen snow looking at the sky while Ashton sang while playing the guitar.
I can't help, but stop and think
Of a world where I can be me
I work the field, I sing at night
The little things, I'll miss them most
Your stern words, lessons and strong shadow
Your mask of calm, your worried eyes
All the things you prove each day of my life.
Pops you're always there,
disappointed tired or weak
You don't care, failure matters not
You'll always be someone I rely on
The little things, I'll miss them most
Warm breakfast of warmed milk and toast
Your shining eyes, resown clothes
All the things that prove your love glows
Ma you are here, deep in my heart,
Always saving me from the dark
Doesn't matter what I fear
Your love catches every tear
This is my home, I love you both,
The little things, I'll miss them most
The corn and cows, even the dust
The love I have, can't be explained
I just love each and everyday
If there was only one place to go
Without a doubt, surely you know
I would spend everyday here,
With both of you, who I hold dear
This is my home, I love you both
Ashton had wanted to have a private moment, but of course Lucian and the others had returned. He didn't stop but internally he sighed. Fortunately, they had intended to go in after anyway, they brushed snow off each other then led their guests inside.
Lucian hesitated; he'd of course heard the boy liked to randomly break out into song but had thought he would be at the level of a traveling bard. As he followed the trio inside he began to reassess his thoughts about Ashton... what heir learned to sing?
Aaron was also wondering if a prince's son would learn to sing like a professional, and he was sorely disappointed he hadn't prepared a recording crystal... he would've liked to enjoy the song at home with his own family. Maybe he could convince Ashton to visit his capital villa...
Finally, the month was at an end, they were all staying the night in the Black house so they could immediately set off; the mood was dour due to the song the trio were taking turns to sing. Thomas and Samantha were at the level of a traveling bards, but with Ashton they could perform for the palace.
Ashton sat in the middle while Thomas reached his arm over and was also able to hold Samantha as they closed their eyes and sang.
After the song finished Samantha was crying while Thomas and Ashton hugged her on the large couch, both red eyed. Ashton had to force a laugh otherwise he might not just be red eyed, "Ma, you're adorable."
Thomas swatted him upside he head, "That's my wife boy, get your own." He joked then ruffled Ash's hair. This might really be the last time they see each other, and of course they felt as if they were being watched by very hungry hawks.
"Owwww, so violent," Ash complained then deliberately leaned into his mother's arms, "Ma, you should make him sleep outside when I'm gone." He whispered conspiratorially only to be swatted again.
"Boy, I brought you into this world." Thomas threatened pulling them closer. Samantha burst into laughter, suddenly Thomas pulled them up, so Ashton was in his lap and Samantha was sprawled on them.
"Ma! He's threatening me!" he hollered as Thomas put him in a loose choke hold, Samantha wrapped her arms around him tightly, and before Ashton could react, she started tickling him viciously. "MA!!! BETRAYED!" He screamed trying to wriggle away but Thomas had his neck and right arm trapped.
"That'll teach ya!" Thomas chuckled as he wrapped his leg around Ash's waist to keep him still. "Show the brat no mercy!" he egged on as tears started pouring down Ashton's face.
Ashton's body couldn't decide if he should be laughing or screaming he was doing both intermittently, "Ma! Mercy! I yield! Ma! Hahaha, Ma!" Ash could barely breathe he was laughing so hard, "Pops! Pops I'll die! Mercy!" Ash now had tears pouring down his face, he was laughing so hard. Without drawing any attention, tears fell on Samantha, then on Thomas. In less than a heartbeat, both were more invigorated as even old
All his struggles eventually had them roll off the couch and onto the carpet, Thomas took the brunt of the damage evidence of his grunt and just burst into laughter. Samantha had squealed as they fell but her human cushions left her without injury. As she lay sprawled she started to laugh, soon Ash had caught his breath enough to join in.
Lucian and Devlin watched the spectacle, if it was all an act it was played to perfection. Devlin had also wanted to record the song but Thomas had informed him this was a private moment that they could witness, but would not leave their home. While it was good the family was comfortable enough to make such boundaries, it was unfortunate they might never hear such a performance again.
Ashton decided to stay the night with his parents so they could chat through the night. Really they didn't talk about anything important, but it was comforting just to hear each other's voices. All too soon there was a knock on the door, Thomas and Samantha worked quickly to whip up a feast of eggs, bacon, ham, juice, fruit, and warmed butter for bread.
Ashton half laid on the table just watching in contented silence as they chatted. He'd thought he would be fine, but reality was always a little harder to swallow. They sat on either side of him and filled his plate to the brim with food, "You planning for me to be rolled all the way to the capital?" He laughed using a fork to pass back the ham and bacon onto their plates. Samantha quickly wiped her eyes.
"Of course not silly, now eat up. You won't be able to enjoy food like this for a long time." Samantha halfheartedly scolded.
Thomas ruffled his hair, "Eat now so you don't get hungry later, ungrateful brat." Thomas made sure his voice sounded gruffer than normal. They couldn't make this any harder than it already was.
Ashton stopped filling their plates then silently turned the mountain of food into three large to go sandwiches. One for breakfast, two for the road.
Thomas didn't miss that Ash had removed all the meat from his food again. How filling could a half empty sandwich really be?
When Lucian stood up with a nod to the trio then went to wait outside, the rest of the entourage followed suit.
Ashton watched as Samantha wrapped up the two sandwiches, then put a couple jars of preserved pears in as well. Ashton gave Thomas a bear hug and wiped his face on his father's chest. Soon Samantha hugged him from behind wordlessly, Ashton indulged their embrace for a few heartbeats. He slowly pulled away not embarrassed with them seeing his red eyes. "I love you both." Ashton said looking at them.
Samantha burst into tears and hugged him close again. Thomas took a deep breath holding back his tears, then shoved Ashton toward the door.
"Go on, get boy. Be safe." He added. They followed him out to wait until they couldn't see him anymore.