Damian and Leonard were reviewing their latest reports from Palmer Town, neither soft, hard, persistent, nor aloof approaches had shown progress after 3 months. Since it was their first year owning the new territory Leonard decided to send Damian for an inspection. This way he could physically lay eyes on these stubborn rocks. Damian planned his entire trip and entourage with the goal of poaching the young tactician, because even after 3 months of rebuffing every person they recruited none of them had anything negative to say of the trio. Since there was to be a war of wits, he negotiated the assistance of Aaron Wilt a shrewd diplomate they had been sending to the Kingdom of Seibel to negotiate their trade and truces.
The emperor had found the idea so amusing; he'd added Devlin Nielsen a 5th-tier battle mage who was just as well known for his battle prowess. In fact, after the death of Alphonse he was now considered the strongest mage alive.
By the time Damian finally reached Palmer Town it had started to snow. The caravan consisted of 4 of the emperor's elite trained guards, a battle mage, a diplomat, a former general, and himself, heir to the Marquis. Damian wanted to just admit defeat... everyone in his entourage was of higher standing than himself. He felt like a fox wearing several tiger skins... if one didn't work surely another would.
Usually, Damian would stay with the town head, or city lord but the stubborn farmers had the nicest house by far, so they boldly made their way to the only residence with a fence. Damian noticed no one was home... they had come unexpectedly... but they had made such a commotion half the towns children were trailing behind... surely at least the parents had been made aware by now.
Thomas wanted to curse; half a dozen children had found him in the fields to let him know of a noble's group showing up at his house. While he'd expected to be called on while the heir to the marquis was inspecting the territory, he wasn't expecting them to go to his house without warning. As he followed the children back, he inconspicuously tugged on a hidden necklace Ashton had given them several years ago.
Samantha met his eyes, then headed in the opposite direction while also tugging on her necklace.
Damian might be the lowest ranked man in the group, but he was still acting as the head. When he saw half a dozen children following and chattering as they herded a middle-aged man closer.
Thomas gave a formal bow from a commoner to a titled noble, Ashton had made them practice for such an occasion, "My lords, please excuse this commoner's ignorance and tardiness. I would have never dared have you wait outside and created such a spectacle." He greeted with practiced ease.
"Please excuse our rudeness, we arrived earlier than planned, we intended a letter be sent prior to our arrival but it seems we were faster than the hawk." Aaron stepped up to help the slightly young man up. At 40 he was the oldest of the group, and as the only one from humble origins so was the closest to a peer of a farmer.
Thomas gracefully stood but kept his head lowered deferentially as he moved to unlock the door. "Please excuse our humble dwellings, my wife and son should be home shortly." He added as he felt a single pulse from his necklace. Immediately someone was reaching for his chest, Thomas blinked as his shirt and necklace had been ripped away.
"What have we here friend?" Devlin asked as his golden eyes flashed as he inspected... a manaless pendant... He looked up and everyone was staring at him in shock, the farmer was gripping the tatters of his shirt clearly discomposed. As everyone stared at him they heard a gasp from behind.
Samantha ran up to Thomas, "Tom!" she gasped ignoring the nobles and barreling into his arms. Ashton was right behind her but stayed composed.
"Please forgive our disrespect, might I ask how my humble father offended your grace?" Ashton asked stonily eyeing the mage.
Devlin hesitated as he ran his power through the blue quartz, he still didn't feel anything. He started to return the stone when the boy's gaze narrowed on the roughly carved crystal. "My mistake, I thought I felt something." He added following the boys gaze only to see the quartz disintegrating in his hand... a moment later all that was left was the leather strap.
Ashton slowly looked from the crystal dust to the mage's golden eyes. "Unfortunately, our home is filled with such unlikeable carvings from my youth. We dare not entertain such esteemed company if my hand carved gifts are so offensive, especially since we were not informed prior so we could remove such mundane items." Ash informed letting out a controlled, but very audible anger slip into his voice.
Aaron was given a kick and jolted to the front, "Please excuse our poor manners, truly we are always lacking in etiquette when we meet. We will of course compensate the loss and make a formal apology." Aaron rushed to diffuse the tension.
"I dare not accept your lordship's apology, nor would I dare to imply you've been anything but the epitome of nobility during our several correspondences, formal or otherwise." Ashton apologized with a formal bow. "We are but humble farmers trying to make a living in this small town. We will of course pay for you to stay in the town's finest room at the Pony Inn. We will also send our humbly home-made jam and whiskey." Ashton added as if he truly regretted their humble abode.
Aaron wanted to curse as he was kicked again, truly only a general would dare kick a man of his standing and age. "I misspoke, we would be honored to stay in your treasured abode. The journey clearly addled my senses. I will also call for a tailor to repair as well as make a dozen new shirts. While we would never dare imagine a rarer gem could compensate for a hand-crafted gift from a child to a parent but please accept our tactlessness." Aaron apologized profusely as he felt daggers piercing his back.
Ashton stood at his full height, "As a mere commoner I dare not refuse, please accept our humble home. We will stay at the Pony in and send for servants from town to assist your stay, please send word if there is anything else your Majesty." Ashton added formally sweeping bow, right arm crossed over his heart, waist bent, and one leg back.
Everyone froze as their eyes narrowed on the young man, his majesty had acted no different from the other four guards, and it was elite guard Bert who had been inconspicuously kicking Aaron. The boy didn't move from his bowed state as he continued to wave them into the house.
Lucian stepped forward as the rest of the entourage bowed, "How did you recognize Us?" he asked in his low baritone. The boy didn't give the slightest hint of hearing him until Aaron gave a slight cough.
"His Majesty, Emperor Lucian Randal Bellis Gustafson of Smyrna gives you permission to speak," Aaron introduced formally taking the position of court announcer.
"Even a commoner could not mistake his Majesties regal aura. Please excuse our humble origins." Ashton replied still formally bowed. First, he didn't want his parents to mistakenly offend the emperor, second he didn't want them to use this as an excuse to corner him later, and third, to recognize but not address his Majesty was a crime punishable by death. He didn't want to chance anything.
"Rise." Lucian continued to size the boy up, while he bore trace resemblances to the couple, his mannerism clearly spoke of noble upbringing. Lucian analyzed every movement and gesture as Ashton moved from a formal bow to an at ease stance with his head still bowed. The light caught his golden hair almost blinding him. He narrowed his eyes, "Look at Us." He ordered stepping right into the boy's personal space.
Ashton dipped into a silent acknowledgement, then stood straight to look into the ice-cold black eyes of Emperor Lucian. His black hair was so dark it took on a blue highlight in the sun; he was a head taller than Ashton so just over six feet now. He had a single scar above his left eye leading to his hairline. Lucian was also now almost as broad as Thomas, but the muscles and aura weren't those of a farmer. Lucian was more akin to a panther in his dark armor and boots which contrasted with his silver accessories. Of course, who would want to be a panther, when they should be a dragon.
When he'd last seen Lucian, he'd just turned 14, had become the crown prince, and was fresh from the battlefields. If Ashton hadn't staunchly protected the Seibel Kingdom boarder from all invasions, they may have first met on the battlefield.
It was strange to see someone from his last life, especially someone who had been so small all those years ago, like a young wolf trying to establish dominance with someone as an equal. They were both known to be ruthless monsters on the battlefield, Alphonse leaving only complete destruction, Lucian for his sea of blood. Now Lucian was a fully grown emperor, while Ash was a half-grown commoner.