That afternoon Ashton toured the banquet hall with the empress's attendant, it was large enough for over 1,000 people inside the main hall, three balcony floors with smaller rooms to look down, a private seating area for the imperial family. Ashton also confirmed the balcony for the priests was left mostly neglected.
Ashton decided to spend the next few days simply preparing for his debut into society.
Leonard and Jaxon had been tag teaming Lucian to keep him calm with Ashton's absence the last two days. Now the banquet was starting yet Ashton was still nowhere to be seen. Charmaine was also watching Lucian with narrowed eyes, her father had informed her of what had happened but... she was starting to suspect Lucian's intentions. If helping Ashton would put her in direct opposition to her emperor and husband... she may have to rethink her stance.
"Your majesty, Ashton will show up, he made ample preparations. Please let us move forward with the ball." Charmaine finally stated after Leonard once again sent two more guards to see if Ashton was arriving. While there was food along the far wall the actual banquet would not start until much later. For now the nobles mingled as higher nobility's entrances were formally announced. Charmaine was tempted to order the first dance despite Lucian's foul mood.
Lucian glared, but finally nodded. As they were announced Lucian held Charmaine's hand as they entered, Natasha escorted by Serafin after them. Lucian waved for everyone to stand as they sat down, the dukes and Marquises all came to formally pay respects before entering the crowd to mingle. He continued to scan the crowd as the guards signaled they had not yet found Ashton.
"Your Majesty, please relax. You look as if you plan to start a war in the hall." Charmaine whispered behind her fan, both Serafin and Natasha had picked up on his stress. Before Lucian could respond all the light vanished from the room, Charmaine wanted to shout for guards before a calming ripple washed over the room.
Even though no one could see, everyone looked to the center of the room following the soft, ethereal voice.
Hello darkness, my old friend
I've come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence
Suddenly there was light shining as a masked figure slowly descended as if he were walking down invisible steps. His voice took on a more worldly tone but was nonetheless captivating.
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
'Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
There were a few gasps as lights danced around the room, dancing through the crowd, along the walls in silent streaks only punctuated by the sound of a piano and drum. Charmaine noticed her former attendants playing instruments.
And touched the sound of silence
The voice suddenly took on a forceful, demanding echo as the hall now had a spotlight following the airborne figure.
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
Suddenly he started to draw out and became more forceful each line as he descended.
No one dared
Disturb the sound of silence
Ashton was now fully grounded walking toward Lucian. Each step left tiny flames. His voice wavered starting out forceful and demanding.
"Fools" said I, "You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Then Ashton sang in almost a pleading demand as he fell to one knee arms reaching out to Lucian.
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you"
Then as if Ashton had been sorely disappointed he fell to both knees, flames slowly encircling him, his voice tapering off.
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence
After his voice died out it was like someone jerked him back without warning, everything was plunged into darkness except what was left of the flickering flames where he'd been kneeling.
Now his voice was deep and powerful, punctuated with flashing lights that briefly gave glimpses of his silhouette.
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, "The words of the prophets
Are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sounds of silence"
Songwriters: Paul Simon
As his voice finally faded the lights came to life once again, Ashton bowing from the waist, one arm back, the other over his chest, "This humble bard Ashton Reece wishes, your Majesty's reign be led by the wisdom of the Ancestor Dragon," He congratulated his voice quietly penetrating throughout the hall as he stood straight his mask caught the light.
Charmaine started to clap, "Truly a stunning performance, though hopefully next time a little warning before the lights go out." She added in playful admonishment as she waved Ashton forward.
Ashton tilted his head to the side, "Ah fair Empress, you ask me to spoil my surprises so. I guess I can work around such a request in the future." As Ashton walked up several of the guards tensed, "Surely such an insignificant bard does not worry you so?" He asked teasingly.
Lucian stared at Ashton's shining blue eyes, Lucian hadn't felt even a hint of mana through out the performance. Not only had Ashton been flying around, walking on flames, paralyzed everyone in the banquet hall, plunged them into absolute darkness repeatedly, even flashing lights had not once set off a single alarm or ward.
Charmaine waved the guards away, "Our friend comes in peace, how did you like his performance your majesty? Truly worth the wait." She added drawing Lucian's attention to the present.
"Yes, amazing. How did you set up such a performance without informing the staff?" Lucian asked genuinely curious as he leaned forward.
Ashton produced a small quartz, "These harmless little stones were of great help, luckily acquiring any is quiet the journey as they are in short supply." Ashton explained tossing one to a guard.
The guard inspected the quartz then handed it to Lucian, but neither found anything, "We don't sense anything strange." Lucian stated as many nobles had gathered closer to see.
Ashton gave a dramatic bow, "Only the intended recipient can use the stones, I dare say even Battle Mage Devlin would not be able to activate the enchantment."
Devlin walked over, then accepted the quartz, he tried to run his power through the gem... but nothing. "If there is anything to begin with," He challenged.
Ashton boldly walked up to Devlin, then with a single finger touched the quartz, suddenly the enchantment was visible as a glowing blue dancing sphere around the quartz. "Can you see it now Mage Nielsen?"
Devlin used his decades of experience to keep a straight face, "An enchantment to levitate, and also to recycle any excess power so it does not stop working. This is a reusable enchantment... on a quartz the size of a marble." He announced, he'd never heard of anything less than a diamond or top tier gem being able to hold a reusable enchantment.
Ashton gave another bow, "Yes, though simple I do find them quite handy. The maker is an enchantment master of the 6th tier, perhaps one day you might compare notes." Ashton offered holding his hand out for the gem.
Devlin only hesitated a moment before returning the gem, "Surely you could compare notes with me at any time." Devlin asked raising a brow.
Ashton gave a soft chuckle, "You jest Mage Nielsen, if I was capable of such enchantments, I'd have to be a mage of the 6th tier or higher... then our meeting would have been under far different circumstances." Ashton added letting his gaze flicker over Lucian, "Though I must admit to knowing quiet a few... interesting beings."
Lucian's eyes narrowed, "And if We wanted to meet these... interesting beings?" He asked raising a brow. Not people, but beings? Were they not enchanted by men? Beasts did not use the same kind of mana as men...
Ashton gave another chuckle, "Ah, not even the emperor of this great nation can command a true Dragon your Majesty, though you might entice one such creature with a suitable... douceur." He added glancing over the hall.
Lucian hesitated... he didn't know what douceur meant, so he waved Ashton away. Jaxon and Leonard walked up and pointed out obvious hints from the song to his word choice, and while Ashton had been standing on the platform an alarm only Lucian could hear would notify him of any lies spoken. Not once had the alarm signaled him.