Lucian jolted… looking at Amin closer… "What does that mean?" To his surprise, it was the Head priest who answered.
"As is well known, when a beast of power is in the area, they bring blessings, and sometimes curses simply by existing. The ones who have the dragon heart did this, having bound souls to the heart to absorb the worst of the greed, wrath, hatred, the dragon of greed's negative effects. In each wound is the physical manifestation of the curse. In small amounts one would only see changes in the human psyche. Someone eats more, indulges in carnal desire more often, starts hoarding precious items." The priest explained with his head still bowed.
"As more cursed influence is released, the changes become more pronounced, killing for riches, erratic states of mind. Too much of any blessing eventually becomes a poison, but not of the body, of the mind. Unfortunately, the keepers of the dragon heart are using the bound souls to absorb that poison, which they have used to attack this mage." The High Priest explained.
Aaron shuddered at the information, weaponizing cursed souls… "Then we need someone who can heal souls… which are typically priests. High Priest, why can't any of our priests heal him?" If not priests, necromancers could also summon and control souls, perhaps Novak could summon the soul out of Amin.
The high priest gave a sarcastic smile under his mask, "The damned soul is merging with the mage's. You need a being that can separate souls yes, but no human priest can truly heal a soul. Without healing, the soul the mage will be little more than a deranged monster. He will feast on human flesh in a warped attempt to fill the pieces missing. The longer the damaged soul remains in the body, the more warped it will become."
Leonard's eyes were bloodshot as he restrained himself from demanding they get to the point. "What do you want to heal him?" He repeated through gritted teeth.
Beloved shared a look with Nix, "What is worth the effort? What is he worth to you? You must tempt me, or I shall not move." Beloved stated raising her head.
Leonard closed his eyes, otherwise he'd glare at the pheasant. "All the riches of my domain are yours, enough mana stones to fill a palace, please save him."
Beloved tilted her head at the male, "I've no need for riches, mana stones only weigh me down, I desire it not, not to swim in the darkness that he now drowns."
Ashton tilted his head, tapping on the edge of the cot as he drew everyone's attention. "Give the teer I cried, in return I'll save his life." The room had stilled, the Ophion priests had even stopped breathing as tensions rapidly rose.
Beloved turned, hopping into Nix's lap, "The Ruby they covet? The one you once gave? Is it worth the effort, for the life to save?" Nix started grooming her feathers as he glanced around the room.
"Not so much the ruby, not so much the teer, but the answers behind, should remain yet unclear." Ashton answered as he met Lucian's eyes. What he'd hoped for was for Lucian to use the ruby throughout the palace to free more minds of the brainwashing, but he'd kept it hidden away. Using it as a crutch to continue hiding, rather than face the darkness.
Beloved glanced around the room, "Oh! Twas meant to light the way, twas gifted so they could see… but they wrapped it behind wards, hidden behind walls so deep!" Beloved raised a wing to hide her face as she continued to speak, "No wonder you say dragons are so silly, the find something they like, they hide it away, don't they know to use when the time is right?"
Ashton also covered his mouth as he answers, "Silly with greed, ignore what they need, though trauma is fierce, the veil only dragons can pierce."
Beloved sighed with a nod, "Recover the teer, a piece of your heart, return what is wanted, recover the lost." Beloved turned to the masked men, snakes waiting in the grass for the right time to strike. She was a bird! They'd have better luck waiting in trees, rather than on knees.
Ashton held his hand out, "Return what I've cried, for this man's life."
Lucian gritted his teeth, if they lost the ruby… all their clues about clearing their mind of the churches influence might disappear…
Leonard paled seeing his Majesty's indecision… If Ashton was truly the creator of the Ruby, that was more of a lead than the ruby itself could ever be. How could the product be more important than the source material?
Lucian closed his eyes, then nodded. "Return the Ruby Teer." Lucian felt like he was losing a piece of himself… that ruby had been more important than his life on occasion… it had represented hope for their future…
Aaron breathed a sigh of relief, it was clear that one way or another… the ruby would be returned. At least this way, Amin's life was secured.
Katherine stepped forward, gingerly going through the mage's clothes to find said ruby. To be honest, she'd been expecting some giant gem, perhaps surrounded by dozens or wards, enchanted beyond all comprehension… but the gem was only the size of her nail. Shaped like a teer drop yes, but… she only felt one enchantment…
Leonard wasn't surprised by Katherine's subtle disappointment. Given all the secrecy around the gem, one would imagine something larger than life. But now wasn't the time, each of Amin's labored breaths were like punches to his gut.
Katherine offered the slightly bloodied gem to the youth. Lord Ashton merely glanced it over…
Ashton glanced over the gem with little interest, it had served its purpose… but if he didn't publicly destroy it their empire would no doubt attempt to reclaim it. Hmm, he met his Beloved's eyes, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
Beloved pretended to get a better look at the gem, then swiftly gobbled it up into her stomach! The audible gulp was immediately followed by several gasps of horror.
Ashton held back his grin as his Beloved hopped off his lap, then strutted with all her beauty up the cot to Amin's chest. The priests did not look up even once.
Beloved didn't mind the blood on her claws as she found purchase on the male's injured stomach. This wouldn't take much effort so no need for a full song, a simple hymn would do. Nix hummed in tandem as white flames fell like feathers onto the male's body.
Ashton bypassed the priests to stand at the head of the cot. While his Beloved purified the taint, he would burn it away. After they would heal Amin's wounds.
Katherine had to step back, not only were the flashes of white light blinding, but the heat had risen as well. Using her hand to try blocking the worst of the light, she peeked through her fingers to watch the healing.
The head priest didn't raise his head, but through his mask he could see the white feathers absorbing the curse like a rag absorbing spilled milk, then bursting into flame. Truly a remarkable ability… if only…
Ashton could feel their eyes on his Beloved, it was good they kept their wondering thoughts buried deep. Ashton returned his attention to his Beloved, she sat on Amin's very injured bare stomach.
Beloved had to concentrate the way one would concentrate on breaking eggs over a hot pan. Too much force and she would splatter the egg on the side, not enough and chunks of shell may fall into the pan. Leaving behind any of her mana wouldn't harm the male, but biting into unexpected shell might harm the mouth despite the added calcium. Besides… she had no reason to give the male any additional benefits! This male likened her Nix to a skittish cat! Rude!
Ashton hummed along as a smile played along his lips. Beloved had been going through his memories, her emotional state fluctuated like a pleasant orchestra of delight. Even her mild rancor was a pleasant low note among many high ones.
Beloved shook her feathers so they brushed over Nix's face, she was upset! Fine! Cats were cautious, but a skittish cat! Her Nix was too brave for such an insulting description! Nix was indifferent at worst! But those bad dragon kin had been mean first! Yet expected her Nix to just keep giving into their bad ways! Humph!
Ashton burst into laughter as she voiced her admonishments in the now vexed tune with the occasional chirps as she pointed her wings at Amin's unconscious face.
Leonard jolted as the gentle hymn took on a rapidly different tune, then flinched as the white bird wing started to point at Amin's face, then as if offended at being ignored, she started to smack him! "My Lady!" Leonard burst out as he leapt forward, then was bounced back by the head priest's arm. Leonard hadn't even seen him get up! Let alone cross the table to stand between the cot, and himself.
The high priest glanced over his shoulder to the still upset female, but she had not stopped healing him. "Your man insulted the beast king, be grateful this is all the reprimand she demands." Had any of the dragon kin insulted their god, there would be more than such light taps.
Leonard paled, "Amin would never, it must be a misunderstanding."
Ashton raised a brow, "Did Mage Amin not liken me to a wounded, skittish kitten on our travels? Warn his Majesty to stand still, wait for me to walk with less ware?"
Lucian stilled, that conversation had been in his private, warded carriage… Lucian's gaze flickered over the white pheasant, then back to Ashton… if he had not spoken of it… how did she know and who else knew?
Ashton hopped to sit on the edge of the cot, "Take care of your words, take more care with your thoughts, if they see the light of day, who knows who could find faults?" Then Ashton turned his attention to the priest, "You heard the song, you understood, your displeasure for dragons, you think them no good."
The high priest bowed his head to the deceptively docile beast, "We have a vague understanding of all the wind touches."
Ashton clapped in understanding, "Ahh! That is how Gods be, that does make sense, but, why are you here, why bribe me?" Ashton asked tilting his head as his Beloved hopped into his lap. Now Amin need only awaken, weakened but whole.
The high priest knelt once again, "I am aware our gods are in conflict, not because of grudges, but because… racial incompatibility. We brought the mage to see if you would heal him, and if you did, to ask if you would hide our God's… soon to be wife."
Ashton kicked his feet as he groomed his Beloved's still ruffled feathers. Periodically she would use her tail feathers to smack Amin, or any of the Imperial's who ventured too close… Katherine had been smacked twice while checking on Amin.
"Us? Hide the bride? She accepted his gifts, relished in luxury she did not shy. She accepted the courtship of one with great power, we've no reason to hide now that she cowers." Beloved denied holding her head high.