On the final night Ashton was once again missing, Lucian scanned the crowd then turned to Charmaine, "Did he tell you his plan this time?" Lucian asked.
Charmaine was already seated as most of the nobles had long since given their greetings and gifts for the final night. "No your majesty, so hopefully it won't be quite so... surprising this time. Or he may just be running late after such a long court session this morning." Charmaine added sipping on juice colored to look like wine. She'd had a rather nasty headache this morning so she would not be partaking in alcohol. The nattering's of the noblewomen earlier at her tea party had left her exhausted. Honestly, there had been so many inquires related to Master Ashton it was becoming annoying.
Almost as if Ashton had been waiting for them to ask, the lights started to dim. Pulses of green and red along the ceiling created an illusion of grass on the left, fire on the right.
Ashton was now wearing only a half mask to cover his nose and eyes, still silver but it had red stitching. There were two smaller feathers, and the ruby teer was a darker red.
What did you see
We are but mysteries
Take a look, you don't know me
This isn't the first time
Ashton slowly walked between the pulses of color each step causing one side to become clearer before fading away as he descended.
We live our lives
Burning like fireflies
All truths are left behind
All puppets, moved by a mastermind
You think this, you feel that
Can you trust in my facts?
Or will the truth still hide
With a sudden drop Ashton upside down and face to face with Lucian. Even as he righted himself then started moving further away the division between the grass and flames started to shrink.
My secrets, worth keeping
Give me something to believe in
My truth, your fiction
Yet no reason to believe in
Who will cross that line
Only a sliver separated the fire from the grass, then suddenly burnt buildings seemed to appear in the background of the fire as they crumbled away. Ashton looked over his shoulder as he continued to walk away waving at the rubble.
Lets take a look
What we've accomplished
Can you meet my eyes?
Don't make excuses
Don't move the finish line
Are you proud this time
Slowly the fire spread into the grass.
I meant it, don't shrink it
Is this to believe in
Or just another pick up line?
Ashton turned and waved to the fire as it slowly surrounded and ate away at the remaining green.
This is my life
Burning up my time
Your truth is not mine
Not a puppet to your mastermind
Think this, feel that
Your truth is not my fact
So my truth I'll hide
My secrets, worth keeping
To you I can't believe in
Your truth, my fiction
You've no choice to believe in
I will not cross this line
Ashton was suddenly surrounded by a ring of real fire that spread out to engulf then snuff out the first fire.
This is your life
Burnt like a fire
To your truth you are blind
A mere puppet to a mastermind
I think this, I feel that
I cannot trust in your fact
From the truth you hide
Now there was only a small bit of green around Ashton as he waved around to the empty area with only a few embers still pulsing.
Your secrets, no keeping
You leave nothing to believe in
Your truth, a fiction
No belief to explain your reason
You can't even see the line
Ashton Original
Then with a flash of illusionary fire everything was gone, including Ashton.
Ashton stood at the foot of the throne with another courtly bow, "May the wisdom of the dragons lead the Empire for another 500 years. Long Live."
The entire hall was silent as death as Ashton stood up, he then tilted his head with a toothy smile, "Perhaps this will help clear your vision your Majesty." Then with a burst of flames Ashton disappeared from the banquet hall. He stood on one of the public balconies. With this the last of his tasks were taken care of, he hopped over the balcony to walk back to the eastern palace.
Lucian was gripping his arm rest, the first dance had already started as Leonard and Jaxon stood stiff by his side, "That was a deliberate insult and provocation. If We do not answer the nobles will see Us as weak." He ground out pretending to watch Serafin dancing with another young lady.
Jaxon steeled himself, "Ashton was hinting to the rebel forces we've been ignoring, especially during the major landslide. Also... that tribe in the background was familiar your Majesty," he had been with Lucian during that particularly brutal campaign. They had left no survivors.
Leonard hesitated, "From where?" He asked, if Ashton was aware of their battles from over a decade ago, that left many implications.
Jaxon waited until Lucian nodded, "The second tribe we took, we left no survivors making sure it was burned to the ground and even salted the earth." Jaxon explained in a low whisper. Leonard understood the implication. Ashton was aware of events that only his closest people should know, even he had needed a prompt to remember.
Leonard took a deep breath, "We need to focus on our priorities, we'll make a note and keep an eye out but we won't investigate yet." Leonard attempted to redirect Lucian's focus to the matters at hand.
"Why pick that battle?" Lucian demanded looking to Jaxon, Lucian had to be missing something, he'd fought in dozens of battles, why pick one so early in his campaign?
Jaxon met Lucian's eye, "I don't know for certain, but... that was the battle that officially started our war with the Dolquist tribes your majesty. They accused our men of kidnapping women and children." Jaxon reminded, there had been a few minor skirmishes but... war was not declared until several months after, the brutality of that battle had been the primary reason.
"The thoroughness of your army is also a leading contention and justification of several minor rebel camps your Majesty." Leonard added deliberately looking out into the crowd. While the rebels were annoying, they were too disjointed and independent to be any real threat.
Lucian drummed his fingers along the arm rest, "Investigate that battle, I want the truth behind if our men really kidnapped their people." Lucian ordered thinking back, his memories were vague at best, it had been nearly sixteen years ago, one of the first real battles in his life.
While the banquet ended on a somewhat somber note for those who recognized the area, it was an overall success. This also only left a week until her Majesty's birthday Banquet, many changes were quickly implemented. Despite the celebrations, several investigation units also started making their way to the North and East territories.
Ashton decided to wait and see how his targets reacted, he didn't bother to impede any of the nobles who were leaving the common populace alone. Lucian had to step up as an emperor and leader, dissension in the ranks couldn't always be snuffed out with military power.
Ashton listened to the court in the official throne room, he yawned dramatically while he snacked on pastries. Ashton had once again ordered a lounger to be brought in off to the side. Ashton took note of more suspicious activity in the north and east, apparently the south also had questionable robberies on some of the smaller merchant caravans.
Ashton dipped his crème puff into the tea then quickly stuffed it in his face, drawing the ire of two nobles in particular. Sebastian was sending glares periodically when he noticed a viscount was doing the same. Ashton sent both a beaming smile.
As soon as court ended Sebastian stood up as fast as his aged body could managed. Without hesitation he over to Lord Reece who was handing an attendant his empty tea cup, "A word lord Reece," Sebastian asked leaning on his cane. He'd been up the last two nights with almost no rest after receiving two very suspicious reports.
Ashton looked up with a beaming smile, then held out his hand. He watched as Sebastian seemed to hold back a choked curse before he pulled two larger than his palm sized rubies. Ashton looked them over, then pocketed them, "How can I be of service Your Grace?"
Sebastian glared, "Perhaps we might have a more private chat."
Ashton stood up nodding to the others who were watching, "Ah yes, please follow me. Hopefully the Eastern Palace will be an acceptable arrangement." Ashton offered leading the way. Viscount Harlow hesitated then stepped forward.
"Perhaps we might speak together Lord Reece?" Kristopher Harlow asked after a great mental debate, honestly he would rather just get rid of all the evidence. Unfortunately, if Lord Reece was already aware that would be a nigh impossible task.
Ashton glanced at Viscount Harlow, they have not yet formally spoken so Ashton was a little surprised how quickly the man had received the information about his daughter's fiancé. "Your Grace?" Ashton asked leaving the matter up to Sebastian, Ashton wasn't eager to expand his association with any of the other nobles.
Sebastian hesitated, "If the matters are related," Sebastian wasn't a fool, Viscount Harlow as an upright man who usually kept secrets close to the chest.
Ashton nodded, "You are welcome to join us, Viscount Harlow." Harlow would at least be a good chess piece for Sebastian in the coming months.
Sebastian didn't miss the wording, a Viscount was welcome. So... This Lord Reece was extending a grace upon the noble, rather than like with himself who had been sought out.
Ashton hummed as they walked, his plans would have to change a small bit if Harlow was going to get involved, he didn't want to hand them the rebel leaders head on a silver platter after all. Ashton examined the gentleman in his mid-forties, light brown hair, pale green eyes, not slim exactly but not overweight.
Ashton had the attendants serve tea along with small sandwiches before dismissing them, "Ah, well I wasn't really expecting Viscount to notice for a few weeks, I did underestimate your information network my lord." Ashton admitted stirring a teaspoon of honey into his tea.
"It was more instinctive when I heard my daughters speaking. It struck me as odd that they were talking about fabric shortages in Justin's territory, so yes, I investigated it and was quite alarmed by a few implications." Kristopher admitted accepting his tea. He glanced at Sebastian, while they weren't enemies they rarely conversed. Survivors of the purge who were not imperialists, were more often than were considered neutral, or more accurately, isolated. Duke Sebastian by choice, Kristopher out of necessity.
"I was informed through the mage relay, someone suspecting to be my adjutant, was running an auction for some very controlled enchanted items. The question is how you knew of this lord Reece." Sebastian demanded not touching his tea.
Ashton waved the idea away, "I am merely making observations, though I don't really intend to help the empire, it would be... awkward if there was a rebellion of any serious magnitude during my stay. At best I'll drop a few hints so the noble factions can keep them under wraps until I depart." Ashton explained as he picked up a sandwich.
"You said we would strike a deal, what would I have to offer for the rebellion leaders name and location?" Sebastian asked tapping his cane on the floor.
Ashton smiled, "Tisk Tisk Your Grace, even if I traded you the information I could be seen as an imperial sympathizer. While I have struck a deal with his majesty it is more... of a personal capacity. Unless I decided to forsake the empire in its entirety, I will at least try to maintain its balance."
"Then what exactly did you want to deal?" Sebastian asked wanting to just get to the point.
"I have... an acquaintance who will be staying the capital soon. I would like four war horses. In return I'll give you the location of three such similar auction dens, and the location of the man pretending to be your aid." Ashton explained with a smile.
Sebastian narrowed his eyes, if he moved fast enough he might catch the imposter on his own, then he would know any other locations. It was a gamble and a race against time. "If I refuse?"
Ashton let his smile drop, "I rarely make offers twice."
Sebastian thought about his options, even if he caught the imposter this time, there was no guarantee there wouldn't be information in the future he did need, "And if I were to make an offer in the future?" he asked easing his tone.
Ashton tilted his head back and force, "It will entirely depend on my mood, and I will demand payment upfront. Though I don't really intend to make many deals so... it will be a gamble either way."
Sebastian thought about the offer again, "I will have a dozen horses for you to pick from tomorrow after court." Better to take the extended offer now than regret it later.
Ashton placed a small quartz on the table, "When you are in a secure location, break the quartz. The enchantment will last a month. Beast gods speed your Grace."
Sebastian heard the dismissal, he gave a nod then started to depart, until Kristopher spoke up.
"If I wanted information about the smuggling dealer in my future son in law's territory, what would I have to pay?" Kristopher asked jumping in now that the Duke's conversation was over.
Ashton sipped his tea, the smuggler was rather crucial to the rebel operations since he was a noble. Ashton tilted his head back and forth for a few moments, "Hmm, I'll offer a hint once a month. He's a rather big fish I wasn't really planning to give away until closer to my departure, but if you manage to catch him early... well then maybe I should reevaluate the empire." Ashton decided aloud.
Sebastian raised a brow deciding to see what the bargain would be, if the topics were related, it seemed only prudent.
"You own a sapphire mine correct lord Harlow? I would like two sapphires the size of my palm for our first dealing, then a single sapphire for any other hints. You are more than welcome to skip a month, but if you go three months without, I will assume you no longer wish to continue your business with me." Ashton added offering his hand. Kristopher hesitated, but then shook hands with the younger man.
"I will need about a week to get the sapphires; I don't have any that size with me at the moment." Kristopher informed glancing at the quartz hidden in Sebastian's pocket.
"I am in no rush, see you both tomorrow, I'm sure." Ashton waved the concern away. Both men left. Ashton would have to carefully debate what exactly each hint would be... perhaps a more important trade item the Viscount could keep an eye out for.
Ashton spent the week listening to understand the Empire more thoroughly. So much information that none of them were connecting... the empire was more of a warring nation than he'd thought. He also made the trade for the sapphires hinting that there were an unusual amount of crop tools being made and delivered in the last few months.
Ashton also debated preforming a new song for the Empress birthday... or giving her a physical gift. It had not escaped his notice that Charles was sporting a new quartz cufflink from the week previous... decisions decisions...