Jakub gave an awkward bow, "If…" Jakub still wasn't exactly sure how to address the beast, "you recommend so, then we will set off for the beast immediately." Jakub hadn't thought he would be given such a meaty bone, but he would not ignore such a favor. Usually only talentless mages would make potions, not because they weren't useful, but because the price of ingredients often eclipsed the worth of any potion.
Ashton glanced up, "If the beast is captured alive, I will give each participating member a feather." Ashton knew the mercenaries would be no match for the beast, or more correctly, the beasts.
Jakub glanced at the Seibel delegation… more people, more feathers, but… "You want me to go with them? I've caught stronger beasts alone." Jakub watched as the young beast continued to eat… he didn't seem to be forcing the issue… but… when the beast only half shrugged, half nodded something felt amiss.
Terrence took a deep breath, "We would be honored to learn from you Mage Jakub, and if the beast is captured, we will give you half the feathers from our party." Catching a beast was harder than killing it, if the beast thought a mind reeding potion would be useful… Terrence glanced at his brother, yes, a mind reeding potion was much more effective than a truth enchantment.
Jakub continued to watch the young beast, but that wasn't why he was swayed. A very small fox behind the beasts started waving its tail in an exaggerated motion as an owl flared its wings. Their message was clear, follow the Seibel's. "Yes… I'm sure we can learn something from each other…" Jakub conceded. The small fox leapt up climbing up the owls back to settle on the owl's… shoulder?
Littlest waved his tail in triumph, then nodded to the humans. Papa bird clearly wanted the ugly monkey for something. Monkeys smelled… but if papa bird wanted a smelly monkey, and the humans to go together, well clearly only he, Littlest, smartest of the kin, could accomplish such a mission.
The owl kept still as her fox found a perch, having slept from midday to midnight, she was still adjusting to being out with the sun. If her small fox wanted to follow the humans, better to watch him closely. The fox's short legs would take all day to find the hairy humans, while she didn't share immediate territory with the hairy humans, the males did sometimes wander.
Terrence had seen the small fox and owl getting Jakub's attention, better safe than sorry yes? Terrence glanced to see Gregorio give a tense nod from where he was waiting with the other mages and guards. Curtis was preparing their horses and speaking with the mercenaries.
Zane was almost tempted to change plans, but Rahm was staring at him unblinkingly. Just as Zane started to open his mouth Rahm's nose wrinkled, his ears went back, the sight quashed the idea of joining the Seibel delegation. A secret mission for the necromancer and Seibel kingdom then.
"Second Prince Zane of Adar," Ashton called as the prince was glancing between the necromancer and Seibel crown prince.
"Yes, Young Song?" Zane jolted to attention, he wasn't sure Young Song had ever addressed him so… formally. Zane noticed out of the corner of his eye that most of his table had also been startled by the call.
Ashton met Zane's eyes, "Bring the captives to me alive."
Zane felt… something, it wasn't a command, but he knew if he didn't obey bad things would happen.
Rommel hesitated, Young Song's… request wasn't exactly fitting. This was no different from the Smyrnaean emperor giving them an order, it was overstepping the bounds of propriety. Not to mention downright rude.
Ashton turned his gaze to Rommel, "For every captive brought back alive, I will give a feather, for every one that dies, the Adar delegation will lose my protection for a day." Ashton was well aware that typically any women captured by goblins were killed as a mercy.
Everyone stilled at the table, glancing between the prince and the young beast. Women who survived the abuse goblins wrought were rarely intact mentally or physically. Goblins would often mutilate the women in horrific way so they couldn't escape. Most women were immediately blinded or had their legs broken, if they continued to resist then sometimes legs or arms were cut off. If they were caught trying to commit suicide or aborting the fetus… their teeth removed, but rarely the tongue.
Beyond the physical scars, were the emotional ones. Some survived years down in the caves, forced to bear dozens of offspring for their captures, completely in the dark. Then, when one of the women died… knowing the body would often be turned into food for either the goblin captors… or themselves.
Death truly was a mercy in almost all cases, even the ones who were rescued and their family had them healed as much as possible prosthetics made… would often commit suicide. No matter how closely they were watched, how much support they received, love they were showered with. Some pieces were too broken to come out of those caves.
Ashton turned his gaze back to Zane and waited. Ashton did understand why most mercenaries would use a mixture of knock out drugs and smoke bombs to clear the caves out. He even agreed that just killing the women was usually the best of the worst options. But not today.
Zane gritted his teeth, "I hear and obey Young Song." Maybe, maybe this was a test, there had been women who had been saved, led almost normal lives. If… if nothing could be done once they returned, Zane would make the decision to forgo Young Song's protection and kill them as painlessly as possible.
The air slowly eased, but the subtle tension was far from gone. Just put aside until there was some kind of resolution… or at least explanation.
"Princess Hazel, your plans for the day?" Neolani asked shifting the topic, what the empire and Seibel conspired was none of her concern so long as Ashton was the one pulling the strings. Neolani had also… thought she'd seen something moving in the princess's skirt and… two lights flashed for just a moment.
Hazel jolted as she glanced up, she had been lost in thought, "Oh, umm, just, just finding more tea… and staying close…" Hazel trailed off as she hunched into herself under all the scrutinizing stares. Hazel didn't miss the Regina's glance over her dress, Hazel discretely clutched her skirt pocket closed.
Neolani didn't linger as she turned disinterested eyes on Jaxon, then glanced over the other nobles, "And, the rest of you?" Before any of them could answer, the answer came from an unexpected direction.
"They will be going up that mountain to find a three-legged cat, to get a riddle." Caius informed lifting his head to glance over the empire people. Caius had gestured to the easternmost mountain still in range of the hunting grounds.
Lucian watched Caius, the malicious delight did not bode well, nor had they intended to go so far east. "Will We be attempting to capture this three-legged cat?" Even if this was a wild goose chase, better to chase a goose and entertain the beast, rather than pull its tail and get eaten.
Caius narrowed his eyes, he'd half expected them to try refusing, "So long as you get the riddle, what do I care?" Caius was not their beast, what did he care what they did or did not do? Aiya, it's not like they would feed him or his Little Snack if they did or didn't get the riddle.
Leonard glanced to the most eastern mountain; it would take at least three hours on horseback to reach… then to search the whole mountain? Was there even a cat to begin with? "Lord Caius, will this cat be staying on the eastern most mountain? In case we don't find it today?"
Caius's ears perked up as he titled his head, "How would I know? You ask me, I ask who?" Caius then glanced around bewildered, "I don't even like cats, anyway, it's not like I'm the one who decided what you were doing." Caius added with a toothy smile.
Leonard didn't lose his smile but wanted to curse, no, he had to remain calm, make the best of the situation, look for clues, even in the most unlikely of places. Like a riddle from a three legged cat… "Of course, we will endeavor to capture the beast, if only for your entertainment my Lord."
Caius lost his smile, "Make another patronizing comment like that little man, and I will eat you."
Leonard paled, the statement was so… devoid of anything human. He wasn't angry or snarky, his usual playfulness and teasing were gone like an illusion. For the first time, Leonard really felt like he was speaking to a sentient beast. Leonard had seen Ashton wield enough power to destroy the capital… but he'd never been this… scared? Helpless? Caius… might eat him just to prove a point.
Jaxon glanced up, "Lord Caius, will Monroe and I be traveling with his majesty?" Jaxon hadn't planned to go far, not with Monroe still so raw from his… injuries. Jaxon was just grateful Monroe hadn't balked at the idea of leaving the hunting palace for the day.
Caius shifted his gaze as he looked over the small dragonkin with a toothy smile, "Hmm, while the cat might resonate with the little dragonkin more, I doubt he is up for such activities. Aiya, little snack, what do you think?" Since his Little Snack was so lacking in toys… a dragonkin would be a sturdy toy.
Ashton glanced up, Jaxon's expression hadn't wavered, and Monroe was in a drugged stupor, "Perhaps a day of picking flowers and leaves for tea would enrich the mind. Little Flower, would you accept two dragonkin helpers?" While there was little that could threaten the Gippsi delegation, many were just as ignorant as he had been.
Hazel did have to pretend to be startled as she jerked her head up bewildered, then glanced between the crippled duke's brother, then back up at Ashton. "Um, of course," If Ashton thought it was a good idea, Hazel didn't really have an opinion one way or the other.
Jaxon released a slow breath, picking flowers and leaves. Not the worst way to spend the day by far. Hopefully it wouldn't strain Monroe if they stayed in the area. "We will be in your care Princess Hazel. If you prefer we can leave our escort behind… of course we can speak after breakfast." Jaxon added as Ashton refilled his tea. No, not Ashton, Lord Reece…
Sebastian was surprised with how quickly Jaxon accepted the counsel, though Monroe's condition would beat down even the strongest of men for at least a time. Sebastian glanced over his grandchildren, all of them were so quiet these days.
Calix had been trying to keep his eyes off Monroe, while they'd never gotten along… to be so… mutilated… it was hard to know of, but even harder not to look. Calix caught himself and looked down at his plate, his appetite had been rather lacking since yesterday. Calix glanced around, many of his cousins were also eating very little this morning.
Melrose and Cynthia shared a glance as they tried to not look at Monroe, as much as they'd complained about how arrogant and rude he'd been… this was a very harsh lesson. Melrose tugged on Cynthia's skirt, debating if they should go say something…
Cynthia took a deep breath, usually she would harden her heart and say he deserved it. Monroe was the duke's brother, he would get prosthetics, have servants, never have to get a job. Even as a cripple there were lesser nobles who would jump at the chance to be married into the duchy. But even knowing all of that… right now, looking at him, he was so pitiful.
Josephine glared at the twins, Monroe brought this on himself. Attacking Lord Reece's person right in front of him? Monroe was lucky he wasn't worse off. Every pitiful person had a hateful side, so don't just go sympathizing with the underdog just because they were being kicked while they were down.
Calix watched the eye communication from his sister to the twins… then hardened his heart as he straightened his shoulders. As long as he, and his family acted like the nobles they were raised to be, there was no reason to help Monroe, but no reason to kick him while he was down.
Breakfast continued with light chatter, then everyone prepared to set out.