Ashton would occasionally wander over when Amin was casting spells, he noticed Amin deliberately slowing his casting without a word. It was nice, he also noticed Devlin start to wander closer and closer as if no one would notice, Ashton rolled his eyes but didn't stop.
Amin wanted to laugh when he saw Ashton roll his eyes then Devlin boldly walk over. Devlin leaned over greedily watching everything Ashton drew.
Ashton was mildly annoyed with how close Devlin was so his smile faded as he finished up. Narrowing his eyes he walked around Devlin with a deliberate space.
Amin couldn't help the frown he directed to Devlin, who suddenly looked sheepish, "Perhaps it was not only rude guards who encouraged Young master Ashton's alienation." He observed coolly.
Devlin blanched, what was worse was the disapproval from the other Marquis guards who had slowly been warming up to Ashton. "I'll pay attention in the future." He agreed, as the empires leading battle mage it had been years since someone had so openly disapproved of anything he did.
After being snowed in for two days the weather calmed enough for them to continue, and while Ashton had looked at other spells he didn't really do much other than observe. Amin wasn't sure if this was because of Devlin, or if he was simply unfamiliar with the new spells.
Ashton glanced around, the small bird had not returned his they'd entered the Marquis estate. Ashton gave a wry smile, perhaps the bird had simply returned home. Home... the more Ashton thought of home the more he pictured two dancing birds flying. One gold, the other white... vastly different in size, shape... even breed... but their images brought a warmth not even Thomas or Samantha had shared. Ashton stored the thoughts away, more memories were coming, more than just from Alphonse... some memories had to be of times hundreds of years ago.
They were able to arrive at the capital without any other incidents. The imperial guards met them outside the city.
Ashton stood outside his carriage facing the capital as the imperial guards started to line up. While Ashton had subtly felt the pulse of power emanating from the capital as they approached, now it was almost tangible. Ashton was also aware... if he crossed the gates into the capital there would be no turning back in many ways. Ashton was willing to give up this body, this life, even his memories, but his emotions had never been so varied or rich. True, since meeting Lucian almost all his feelings were negative, but something was better than nothing.
Ashton took a deep breath... the moment he crossed the gates he would have to decide which he would sacrifice, and what he would protect. How sad that even now, Ashton had never managed to have his cake, let alone eat it. One day, one day Ashton would decide it was worth fighting for, but not today.
As Lucian approached Ashton he saw... mourning in Ashton's eyes as he looked at the capital. A moment later a polite smile masked anything Lucian had hoped to see. "We will soon depart." Lucian informed watching the youth.
"Descendant of the Dragon, I am not willing to enter the capital." Ashton intoned formally as he saw how deeply rooting the greed dragon's curse really was. The body had clearly died with many grievances for the curse to still be so noticeable over 600 years later. The soul of the dragon was curled around the capital... no, not curled... bound. It was little wonder the imperial nobles were so single minded in their actions, with all these desperate souls haunting them every moment of the day.
Lucian's heart jolted but he didn't say anything until the feeling passed. "Trying to run would be foolish."
Ashton let his polite smile turn to a resigned sneer, "Then know any consequences are yours to bear." Ashton then entered his carriage. Even if escape was possible, the shell was already damaged. Ashton took a deep breath as he swallowed half a dozen quartz, really, this body had only been a temporary form anyway. Rather than try and save something he would discard, better to focus on protecting his mana channels, his soul... and the sparks of emotions, of humanity he'd been coveting.
Ashton took a deep breath to steady himself, crossing the boundary would be... something. Best to prepare for the worst, like the dragon blessing, all the while hoping he would get lucky and nothing would happen.
Not long later the procession had fallen into formation and entered like a giant parade. From the city gates to the palace people were waving and cheering even in the blistering cold.
As soon as Ashton's body officially crossed into the capital his body lurched, he covered his mouth as he curled up. He felt like his skin had been ripped clean off. No, not his skin, the seal that kept his soul form bound by his flesh. Ashton gasped from the sudden onslaught, but the feeling quickly passed, after a few minutes he sat up and examined himself thoroughly. His mana channels were the same... but his time in this body was rapidly dwindling.
Deep in the cathedral the young silver haired man in plain robes opened his eyes from praying on his knees. The almost transparent dragon heart which had been still for decades flashed, for only a few moments a tiny flame danced. The tiny flame may have died out, but the dragon heart pulsed with a ripple of power. The transparent heart now had red specks that caught the light like embers.
The silver haired youth smiled as his eyes closed, it would seem hope was not yet lost.
Ashton took a deep breath as he calmed his heartbeat; he knew this had been a possibility. He had just been... hopeful the process wouldn't be forcibly started, but clearly, he hadn't been hopeful, he'd been naïve. Ashton peeked out his window sighing, seriously debating dissolving the contract and leaving... but it wouldn't make a difference now. Nix suppressed the rolling mana of three until he was one. If he left now... it would undermine his pride. Ashton, still had to help them make a way to find the journal... or maybe it would be easier to encourage Theo or Rosaline to bring it.
It was still fairly early when they arrived, so the Marquis and his guards broke off to stay at his Villa. Ashton's carriage was surrounded by new guards and escorted to the palace behind Lucian's entourage. Ashton watched the people, the commoners, even most of the merchants looked genuinely happy but the better dressed the person the less excited they looked.
Ashton watched a hooded figure, even through all damned souls obstructing his vision... the sheer concentration drew his attention, swirling around her, many dark figures even seemed to be trying to attack her. She stood in the crowd, watching Lucian's figure ride by, as a few drops of blood dripped from beneath the cloak. Ashton watched, there were several people being similarly assaulted by the others.
Ashton followed Lucian throughout the palace, easily the size of a small city. The closer to the main palace, the denser the others congregated. At the gates and into the capital the others, or the damned souls were sparce enough to be an annoying mist, but here. Here the sheer concentration was like smoke, not only hard to see through, but Ashton's eyes almost watered. But worse than seeing, was hearing them. Following Lucian, begging for him to see them, begging for death, to be saved, to stop the pain. Clawing at Lucian as he just kept walking.
A very desperate greed dragon indeed, to have kept so many souls alive was no easy feat. Ashton ignored the clawing, deranged souls to follow Lucian, his outline was the closest to being clear. Even with all the souls surrounding Lucian, he stood out like a beacon, well he was the last beacon for the souls.
Ashton hadn't been able to see it outside the capital, but now, Lucian's figure had the barest hint of a glow? A shimmer? It was so faint, that if Ashton wasn't plunged into this absolute darkness, he wouldn't have seen it. As if Lucian's flesh were a thick lamp cover over a dying ember.
The gardens were immaculate, enchantments kept water fountains running, soldiers and guards trained. Escaping would be a feat especially as he was practically blind. Even if Ashton weren't hampered by the souls, there were wards on every path, along with guards. Ashton also noticed a brand-new pavilion being decorated, the ground was still being flattened and a garden surrounding it being filled.
Ashton also glanced at how close the private quarters of the emperor where... the window would have a direct view. Ashton's eye twitched... talk about keeping your enemies closer...
Ashton was given an entire floor in his majesty's personal quarters, less than fifteen minutes' walk from his majesty's personally sleeping chamber... he could also take an hour to walk to his majesty's empress and two concubines... While he wasn't in the same building as Lucian, they were only separated by a walkway. In Seibel he had one building with two floors as crown prince. Lucian had four buildings, each building with four floors totaling over 12,000 square feet. Each building was just a bit larger than the size of Silas capital villa.
Ashton decided he'd have make some subtle announcements for the court. He was left to his own devices for the first two days while Lucian was updated about court and emergencies, so he wandered around to inspect his new cage. As most of the souls were concentrated around Lucian and a few specific figures, he could see his surroundings enough to gather information.
First things first, Ashton started setting up territorial markers. This way, the souls would be encouraged to stay out of his area. Purifying the blessing was out of the question, this deeply rooted would mean it was all or nothing. For now, just being able to see more than a few inches from his face would be acceptable.
Ashton took up residence on the second floor of the Eastern palace. As soon as he closed the doors to his personal quarters he covered his eyes. Ashton traced the room with one hand along the wall, setting up markers. As soon as Ashton made his way around the room back to the door he sealed the area expelling the souls.
Ashton bit the inside of his mouth and spat the bloody saliva into his palm. For now, a temporary ward against seeing the souls would have to do... and hearing them. As muffled as the screams were, they were like waves on the beach, consistently jarring his senses.