Ashton watched the growing tension in the nobles over the last three days. Lucian's inability to conceal his frustration was duly noted by several noble. There were only four days left until the hunt so Ashton waited patiently for most of the nobles to leave. Seeing the remaining few, Ashton stood to take a seat at the table for their little question and answer session.
Harlow hesitated to approach Ashton as the unrelated nobles filed out. Surprisingly Duke Hammer and Marquis Charles remained seated. Aaron, Devlin, Bert, Wesley, and Matthew were escorted in after a few moments in silence.
Randal raised a brow at Harlow, "Am I to be excluded from these secret meetings?" He asked pointedly as he looked around the room. Had Randal not been hoping to discuss something with his majesty, he wouldn't have even realized he was being excluded, again.
Jaxon sighed, "We planned to invite you after today, Duke Hammer, you are of course welcome to stay and provide assistance."
Sebastian took to explaining the current predicament, Randal stayed stoically calm as he sipped on his tea. Sebastian watched as Randal's doubts mounted, but he remained quiet until the explanation was over.
"While I acknowledge the gravity of the situation, how did young Lord Reece come by this information? He has not left the castle, nor had contact with anyone except a few servants sent by her Majesty. I just find it highly unusual everyone simply accepts his words as facts." Randal challenged looking to Ashton for explanation.
Ashton gave a polite smile, "What are you willing to pay for such information your Grace?"
Randal narrowed his eyes, "You are rather... defensive Lord Reece."
Ashton's smile didn't change, "Your Grace, why not ask how I came to be in the capital. I assure you I had no such plans to enter this dragon's den. In fact, my original plan was to never set foot in the empire again after my twentieth birthday." Ashton admitted turning a dispassionate smile to Lucian.
Everyone tensed as eyes darted around the room from those who did know, to those who didn't.
"Are you... not of the Empire Lord Reece?" Charles asked seeing the sudden tension.
Ashton tilted his head back and forth, "My parents were born and raised in the Empire, but I only considered the land home because of them, I had intended to convince them to move to... more accommodating lands. My... presence in the capital has only accelerated those plans."
Charles digested the information, "Then I assume... you were not willing to come, what forced your hand?"
Ashton gave a disdainful smile toward Lucian, "Perhaps someone might tell how they view our first meeting."
Lucian's eyes narrowed, but he didn't answer. Ashton was a person in his empire, his word was law.
"Nothing to say your majesty?" Ashton asked leaning back.
Sebastian forced himself to stay calm, this was not exactly how he planned the start of their meeting today, but clearly Ashton wanted to make it clear why he was so resistant to the emperor, "It would be helpful if everyone here was aware of the status quo before we proceeded. Your Majesty, please."
Aaron gave a cough then glanced around the room. "Your majesty, best to clear the air early, it will set expectations."
Lucian stared Ashton down as he spoke, "We told you, you would be following Us to the capital."
Sebastian was expecting as much, but that hardly explained why the youth had been sitting in on their council meetings, nor how he came about his information. "How did you get the title of Reece?"
Ashton gave a wry smile, "Part of the compensation, and contract made when I agreed to provide information regarding Alphonse's murder. They needed a justification to keep me in the capital, but let us not forget when Master Devlin attacked my father. Nor when armed guards harassed us, or when our house was occupied without our consent. No Lord Carlos, I did not get the title, my name and status was changed because of an obsession over a decade old." Ashton informed showing his obvious displeasure.
Randal was genuinely surprised as he looked around the room, they had basically invited a time bomb into the heart of the empire... "Then all the more reason to doubt any information he provides... he might help the rebels!" he blurted out.
Ashton rolled his eyes, "Unfortunately, I do intend to follow the contract. Nor am I so... distasteful in my dealings." He then stood up, "Of course, you could always bring a truth stone if you're so worried Duke Hammer," Ashton sat at the far end across from Lucian. Suddenly his whole aura changed from snarky captive to fellow noble.
"Now, why don't we begin our negotiations. I am rather short on time these days." Ashton stated resting his elbows on the table and interlocking his fingers as his chin rested on his hands. The feathers swayed as Ashton tilted his head, watching the imperials and nobles alike for their reactions.
Sebastian noticed how quick Lord Reece was to shift his mood, he was deliberately showing his displeasure before the negotiations no doubt to add weight to the price of his help. Sebastian was actually intrigued to find out who had trained Ashton to be so... composed. "We would like to start with your monthly hint for Viscount Harlow."
Jaxon also noticed how easily Ashton riled them all up before negotiations, being at a disadvantage right from the get-go would be hard to recover from. He shared a look with Leonard who seemed to be thinking about something else.
Ashton tilted his head back and forth, "The smuggler is increasing his blacksmith staffing, but only the lower-level workers and apprentice blacksmiths. Several famous blacksmiths have suddenly... passed on, but there are no bodies in their graves."
Kristopher placed both sapphires on a tray, which was then slid in front of Duke Carlos. The information was important, but only the tip of the ice burg. Everyone silently digested the information, after a few moments Sebastian started flipping through a stack of pages.
Ashton waited patiently as Devlin looked longingly at the third and fifth tier mana stones he'd just placed on the tray. While Ashton would only be storing the mana stones for now, he would not look a gift horse in the mouth.
"I would like clarification before Duke Carlos asks his question," Jaxon stalled as Sebastian continued to look over their possible questions and highlighted notes.
Ashton gave a small nod, "Of course, though I may not answer." Ashton's gazed pass over the silent emperor, taking a backseat to his own meetings like a sheep awaiting orders, or was he waiting to pounce like a lion? Regardless, hardly the demeanor a dragon should exhibit.
"If he were to ask if the coordinator is a Smyrnaean noble, would that be specific enough?" Jaxon asked, they had been debating how specific their questions could be but weren't sure if Ashton would clarify.
Ashton tilted his head back and forth again, "Too broad, Duke Carlos would have to name a specific person or location, and they have to be in regard to the coordinator." Ashton offered with a polite smile as the feathers stilled.
Jaxon sighed, more than half their hopeful questions were eliminated, "Can Duke Carlos ask if a specific person knows the coordinator's identity?"
Ashton's smile was a little more genuine, "I could be petty and say yes, but that would be unfair. A free hint is that only two living humans know the coordinator's whole identity."
Jaxon put a polite smile on, the phrasing was odd but two humans could be interpreted different ways, only two real partners, only the coordinator and Ashton were aware, maybe only the coordinator and Ashton's information source were aware, only the coordinator and another person... maybe this coordinator wasn't even aware of his true identity. If Ashton had said he would confirm, someone might have dealings with his real identity... but not be aware he was the coordinator or vice versa.
"Thank you, Lord Reece, the favor will not be forgotten." Jaxon acknowledged with a nod, "Could Sebastian ask if you, Lord Reece, know the coordinators true identity?" If Ashton knew the coordinators real identity many questions would be answered, and they would have to be far more wary of his abilities.
Ashton gave a beaming smile, "Sneaky sneaky your grace. Unfortunately, for you I would not answer." Ashton didn't miss Lucian's slight shift, only enough for a few strands of black hair to sway ever so slightly. So, at least the dragonkin was paying attention, but if this little bit startled him...
Jaxon looked for even the slightest hint, if Ashton knew the identity... either he was personally figuring out the information while still in the palace, or they were/had worked together, or someone was sneaking in to give him the information. At the very least they would be able to start narrowing down who was making the enchantments. "Can we ask if the coordinator is in the north?" Jaxon was trying to find out just how specific the question had to be.
"The name of the specific city, town, village can be confirmed or denied; or specific buildings, routes, directions," Ashton offered as Wesley started writing notes down.
"Can we ask if he is heading north?" Jaxon asked jumping on the idea.
"Yes, but the coordinator would have to be heading north at the time you asked, so if the coordinator was heading east but had to make their way around to a bridge, faced north, I would still say yes." Ashton informed tilting his head to the right so the feathers bounced, again Lucian's hair shifted but the body remained still. A predator then... at least in his own mind.
Jaxon nodded, "Can we ask if the coordinator is headed to the capital?"
Ashton continued to smile, "Yes, but if there were any stops at any cities or towns along the way, I would say no." If Lucian thought he would be prey, he would learn a humbling lesson.
Leonard leaned forward, "Could we ask if you have ever seen the coordinator in the flesh?"
"I would not answer, no need to try and see if I acquired the information myself, or if someone found out on my behalf. I will be keeping my secrets for the foreseeable future." Ashton informed lightly, "Perhaps I should start charging for clarification questions."
Jaxon and Leonard shared a glance, neither could tell if they had struck a cord... or if Ashton was just in need of mana stones.
"Would you care to enter a barter with me for mana stones? I can provide up to third tier." Jaxon offered, starting negotiation low to try recovering some initiative. Jaxon had a mine that produced mana crystals up to the third tier, but he was hesitant to bring them out just yet.
"Depends on what you want," Ashton nonchalantly offered, then glanced to Duke Hammer and Marquis Luthiger, "Not everyone has to deal with me so... publicly, though I am a picky seller." Ashton added, when the duke's eyes took on contemplative light Ashton gave a nod.
Randal glanced around the room, "Perhaps in a more private setting, though would you only accept mana stones?"
Ashton raised a brow, "Of course not, I have only one use for mana stones. Though the payment must be barterable in any civilized nation." Ashton was almost amused when everyone's brows furrowed. Really, the only use mana stones had for him right now was to help him keep his humanity while he healed himself. After he ascended he wouldn't need them, so best to use them to quickly get back to the seventh tier... an unpleasant task if there ever was one.
Randal pondered the thought, while gold from the empire was good everywhere, many had taken to bringing loan slips or checks for direct withdrawals. Rubies and sapphires were prized for their mana conductivity and overall value so were accepted in every nation. War horses were also very tradeable to even the nomadic tribes. Yet above all, mana crystals or stones were considered a universal currency... was it all really so coincidental?
"Now, Duke Carlos, please ask your question. I leave on the morrow for the hunting grounds so must finish last minute preparations." Ashton reminded glancing around the room as many tensed. Lucian would not leave for another two days.