An official-looking document had been nailed to the board, bearing the imperial seal, no longer the full Valerian crest but a modified version with Varius's personal emblem incorporated.
Ash felt a fresh surge of anger at the appropriation of his family's symbols, but kept his expression neutral as he read the notice.
"IMPERIAL DECREE," it proclaimed in bold letters. "By order of Lord Protector Varius, all settlements within the empire are required to provide the following in support of border defense efforts:
1. A tax of 20% on all harvests and goods produced
2. One able-bodied man from every ten households for military service
3. Quartering for imperial troops as needed during their transit
4. Immediate reporting of any suspicious persons or activities, particularly those who may be connected to royalist sympathizers
5. Compliance is mandatory. Resistance will be considered treason against the empire."
Murmurs of discontent rippled through the gathered villagers.
"Twenty percent? On top of regular taxes?" one farmer protested. "That'll leave barely enough to feed our families through winter."
"And conscription," added another, his face grim. "Taking our sons and brothers to fight a war that wasn't ours to begin with."
An older man spat on the ground. "Emperor Tiberius never demanded such things, even during the Northern Conflicts. This new 'Lord Protector' protects nothing but his own ambitions."
Ash listened silently, a complex mixture of emotions churning within him. Validation that his father had been a better ruler than Varius. Guilt that he had survived while his family perished. Anger at the burdens being placed on innocent people like these villagers.
The sword fragment responded to his emotional state, warming against his heart. For a moment, Ash thought he glimpsed the constellation of broken pieces in his mind's eye, one fragment glowing more brightly than the others.
"When do the collections begin?" someone asked the village official who had posted the notice.
"Imperial representatives will arrive within the month," the man replied, his expression suggesting he liked the news no better than his neighbors. "They'll assess our production and calculate the exact contribution required."
"And the conscription?"
"They'll take the men when they come. Ten households, one man. We have approximately two hundred households in Riverend and surrounding farms, so..."
"Twenty men," finished a woman, her voice breaking. "Twenty sons and husbands and fathers."
The crowd's mood darkened further. Ash noticed Kalen watching the villagers carefully, his experienced eyes assessing the potential for trouble.
"We should move on," the older man murmured. "Nothing to be gained by lingering here."
As they turned to leave, a new voice called out from the crowd. "What about the prince?"
The question froze Ash mid-step. Beside him, Kalen tensed almost imperceptibly.
"What prince?" someone else asked.
"The one they say survived. The Emperor's youngest son." The speaker was a young man, barely out of his teens. "Trader who passed through last week said there are rumors in the capital. That he escaped the night of the coup and might be gathering support."
Ash forced himself to breathe normally, to maintain his casual posture despite the hammering of his heart. The sword fragment pulsed once, sharply, in response to his spike of fear.
"Foolish talk," declared an older villager. "The entire royal family died. Official proclamation said so."
"And you believe everything in official proclamations?" the young man challenged. "Why else would they be so desperate to find 'suspicious persons' if not because someone important escaped?"
The village official who had posted the notice intervened. "That's enough, Tomas. Speculation like that is dangerous for everyone. The Valerian line ended that night, and we all need to accept the new reality."
"For now," Tomas muttered, though loudly enough to be heard.
The crowd began to disperse, conversations continuing in lower tones as people returned to their daily tasks. Ash and Kalen moved away with deliberate casualness, though Ash could feel the older man's urgency in the pace he set.
"That complicates things," Kalen said quietly once they were alone near the river's edge.
"The rumors are spreading," Ash agreed, keeping his voice low. "And growing more specific."
"Which means Varius will intensify his search." Kalen's expression was grim. "These new decrees: the conscription, the reporting of suspicious persons. They're not just about border defense. He's creating a network to find you."
The realization settled heavily on Ash. People across the empire would suffer increased hardship because of Varius's determination to eliminate any threat to his power, a threat that currently consisted of one half-recovered prince hiding in a forest cabin.
"Perhaps I should leave," Ash suggested. "Go further from the capital, cross the border into one of the neutral territories."
Kalen shook his head. "Not yet. You're still recovering, and whatever's happening with that fragment in your chest remains unpredictable. Better to stay where you have some protection until we understand it better."
He glanced around to ensure they weren't overheard. "Besides, the borders will be the most heavily watched. Varius knows a surviving prince would try to flee."
They continued walking along the riverbank, following a well-worn path that curved away from the village center. The water flowed peacefully beside them, offering no hint that it had nearly claimed Ash's life weeks earlier.
"There's Elder Thorne's cottage," Kalen said, nodding toward a small but well-maintained dwelling set slightly apart from the others. Unlike most village homes, it was surrounded by a carefully tended garden of herbs and flowering plants. "If you still want to speak with her."
Ash considered the risk. The Elder had shown unusual perception during their brief meeting, seeming to sense something about the sword fragment despite its concealment. That perception could represent danger or potentially valuable insight.
"I think I should," he decided. "She offered help with my 'recovery.' Perhaps she knows something about what's happening to me."
Kalen nodded, though his expression remained cautious. "I'll wait outside. Better for you to speak with her alone, she may be more forthcoming that way."
They approached the cottage, and Kalen knocked on the simple wooden door. After a moment, Elder Thorne appeared, her white hair braided as before, her keen eyes showing no surprise at their presence.
"I wondered when you would come," she said, her gaze fixed on Ash. "The young man with the fragment in his heart."
The direct reference to his hidden wound confirmed Ash's suspicions about her perceptive abilities. Beside him, Kalen stiffened slightly.
"I'll wait by the river," the former soldier said after a moment. "Take your time."
Elder Thorne stepped aside, gesturing for Ash to enter. "Come in, child. We have much to discuss."