Sebastian wasn't sure if he should follow… but after one of the small chicks used a wing to wave at them, he jogged to his already prepared horse. Grabbing an apple that fell from the sky, Sebastian looked up to see several fruits falling into the hands of all who were following.
Jaxon held Monroe I his lap, keeping them as steady as he could. Unlike the giant snake gliding over fallen trees, past streams, or around boulders, the following horses struggled. The terrain was hard, yes, but the horses kept shying away from the giant beast.
Lucian gritted his teeth as he forced his destrier to follow the snake. Despite its seemingly casual pace, they were barely able to keep up. He'd have thought all the birds would have left after the constant beast battles, but they flew overhead. Screeching their alarms as they circled.
Devlin wasn't used to being on horseback, but the idea of flying overhead was… far from ideal. Actually, following a giant snake into a forest didn't seem like an ideal plan at all. Not just because he didn't like snakes, there was… an ominous presence the further they went.
Charmaine had forgone her side saddle to ride astride, keeping Natasha in front of her. She'd asked Lucian to take Serafin, but he'd brushed past her without answer. Jaxon was busy with Monroe, Devlin could barely keep himself from falling… consort Lasvill was carrying prince Wyatt.
"Hiyah!" Charmaine called forcing her mare to leap over yet another half crushed, half fallen tree. She almost landed on concubine Ofelia's horse who was carrying princess Samara in a chest wrap.
Ofelia jerked her mare out of the way, bowing her head as she let the empress pass. Even if the slight had been intentional… she knew better than to confront Empress Charmaine. Especially in her easily riled state.
Her father pulled up beside her, a priest not far behind. "Let's fall back to Duke Carlos's side." He watched the empress leap over a small stream rather than let her mare trot through it.
"Yes father," Ofelia responded also watching the empress.
"Lady Ofelia, please keep these herbs close to her highness, there is… unholy mana. We should prepare for… anything." The young priest whispered handing over three pouches. Children were the most susceptible to outside influence.
Ofelia hung one pouch around her neck, one in Samara's swaddle, the last one around her wrist. Even she could feel the oppressive silence that had fallen over the forest. The only sounds of ravens and vultures calling out overhead. She held Samara closer as she trotted closer to Duke Carlos's entourage. Thankfully, as they rounded another bend, the giant snake had coiled itself near a lake.
Caius recognized the lake, the waterfall came directly from the mountain the goblins had taken over. Glancing around, he could see the pollution had traveled downstream, infecting everything it came into contact with. The trees still looked healthy, but the leaves were starting to wither.
Caius looked past the physical, the roots were rotting, smaller insects like beetles and worms had already died in the surrounding earth. Caius felt his fur raise… everything in the cave had been incinerated… this corruption was all already in the water before they'd arrived. For the damage to be so severe after only a few days… no doubt that bitch had leant a helping hand.
Sebastian brought his skittish horse to a stop. Lord Reece and his Beloved were squatting near the water's edge, holding a stick as they drew in the softened earth.
"It has to be grand, it has to be special, a welcoming song, a beat to in revel." Beloved whispered as she drew her big snake with a large smile. It was hard to add feathers to her big snake… but that wasn't the focus!
"The grandest is then marvel, do we sing a cover, or original?" Ashton asked using his stick to make very sad looking trees.
"Our great conundrum, to woo this big snake, an original to entice, to explain past pain." Beloved added as she lowered her voice.
Sebastian pursed his lips… if he could hear their whispers from several dozen feet, no doubt the Beast God could as well. Still… he glanced around. "Tether the horses to the trees. Prepare for anything."
Beloved clapped drawing everyone's attention. "We must be impressive, we must draw them close, show them to fight, would end only in loss. But they are so limited, they cannot see… we need something pretty… it's bait that we need."
Kokono hopped forward with a request of her own. Having been tasked to keep eyes on one of the dukes, she had grown… attached. Today was an important day for the duke. She would be sad if his story ended here. Surely a helping hand wouldn't be too much to ask.
Ashton turned to look around the clearing, "More than just bait, more than speed, what we need, for more than just mortals to see." With a small nod, Ashton agreed to help the duke. It would indeed be a pity if the most interesting one died.
Beloved titled her head, then fell through a ring of fire. She landed on the strongest of the dragonkin, "This one is sturdy, sure to survive, but to protect, I'd rather he die." Beloved announced leaping off his shoulder to the horse of the dragonkin's mate.
Ashton caught his Beloved, standing on the back of the Empress's nervous horse. "That one is ungrateful, not worth the fight, we need a softer touch, a more submissive light."
Beloved pushed herself up on Nix's shoulders to look around. First at the offspring… "Those are no good, their taint is too great, how hard is it to find good, tempting bait?" She asked with a pout.
"There is a daughter, loved and blessed thrice, to be our little bait, we could offer a price." Ashton reminded turning his gaze on Concubine Ofelia.
Beloved leaned over looking at the group, then smiled wide, "Oh what a pretty light, what a good bait, I will entice them, you share the sight."
Ashton tossed her up, she landed beside Ofelia, now… to share the sight.
Concubine Ofelia hesitated, then went down on one knee as she held her daughter, "Lady Beloved, you have only to speak your will." She promised trying to not clutch her daughter too tightly… they would protect her. She knew that…
Beloved stood on the horse's back as she looked over the trembling female, "Am I so scary, did you then see? What makes you so scared, dare not even look at little ol me?" Beloved asked squatting down as she cupped her face in her hands. This female was smart, a good one to breed.
Sebastian went down on a knee as well, "We respect you and Lord Reece Lady Beloved, if there is anything we can do, please, speak." Soon most of the group was down on a knee, heads bowed.
Beloved leapt off the horse to land on Sebastian's back, when he didn't move she smiled wide, then leapt over most of those kneeling as she sang, "A favor a favor, of the light I do ask, of course we'll protect, but just in case! For you, the loyal, a task."
Sebastian didn't raise his head. "I swear to obey."
"Oh I do like you, wish you were mine, but that is for later, when we do have time. We'll copy the light, the darkness that's hiding we'll need to entice. You need only stay close, a hand of slight. Your fire will distract, from the true, to keep from sight." Beloved explained as she finished jumping from those who were bowing. She landed directly in front of her favored human.
"As you wish Lady Beloved," Sebastian acknowledged without hesitation. Sebastian forced himself to not tense as she leaned over, her breath tickling his ear.
"This favor not free, for of you we do seek, protect the light, and your leg I'll more than heal." Beloved promised. When her favored human met her eyes, she let her gaze linger on the crippled dragonkin who'd offered his oath.
Sebastian felt his eyes go wide, but masked the expression. "With my life on the line Lady Beloved."
Beloved clapped happily turning to the good mother. "A moment I'll hold, a copy of soul, then in the arms of the favored, his heart I trust won't waver."
Ofelia offered her daughter up, head bowed. Still, she felt her heart clench as she swallowed down all her concerns. She didn't know Lady Beloved well, but… she trusted Duke Carlos. Trusted that Lord Reece would not let any harm come to her daughter.
Beloved cuddled the baby close, humming as she poked its cheeks and nose. She wove a facsimile, the only visible difference, is that the fake's skin gave the faintest glow.
Sebastian accepted princess Samara, "Get me a chest wrap, and my sword." He ordered under his breath. He was only slightly surprised when Concubine Ofelia rushed with her own wrap. He lowered himself so she could secure the princess to his chest. Calix a moment later handed him his sword.
Calix stifled his gasp as a tiny bird landed on the edge of his grandfather's sword. It chirped softly, then nestled itself between the princess and his grandfather.
"Return my sword to the horse, everyone gather close, but ensure you can see both Lord Reece and Lady Beloved." Sebastian ordered watching the small bird make a nest out of the princess's swaddling. He smiled when the princess freed her hand to grab the bird. It chirped, but didn't otherwise express its displeasure. Not even when a feather was yanked free.
Ashton landed so he sat on the fox's shoulder. "A favor a favor, from the fox who does wager. To share your sight once again, with those who offend. A favor to me, big fox will you agree?"
Caius wrapped his arm around his Little Snack, making sure he didn't fall from his precarious perch. "Take all that you need."
Ashton grinned as he gently pecked the big fox's forehead. He closed his eyes to listen… still… mourning for a peach. Ashton leaned back as he smiled. The brief moment of contact had been enough for Ashton to take control.
Lucian gripped his sword handle, but didn't draw his blade. He'd been watching Ashton and the female, not to mention the giant snake that had managed to hide half its body in the forest.
Devlin watched as a tiny silver flame fell from Caius's forehead. Something told him he wasn't going to like whatever Ashton wanted them to see. He didn't even dare blink as the flame bobbed for a moment before flattening into a ring. That ring then expanded so fast it was like a flash fire, hitting them all before continuing farther than the eye could see.
Devlin shivered as the world took on a muted look. The color dulling into shades of grey. Instead of the early light of dawn dancing in the lake, now the forest had taken on an eerie, hollow feeling.
Amin glanced around, focusing on the movement in the tree. He wasn't just seeing past the physical shells of items… he could see the water flowing, the leaves turning sunlight into food, ants… Amin shuddered… the ants had fallen in piles around the trees. Amin followed the trail of carcasses, in the ground… hundreds of shriveled corpses were decomposing. Beetles, ants, moles, insects he didn't even know the names of.
Ofelia was almost standing on Duke Carlos's feet she was so close, but the gasp from their priest drew her attention. She pulled her gaze from her glowing child to follow her horrified eyes to the lake. At the bottom were hundreds, maybe thousands of dead fish. It seemed as if half the lake's inhabitances had simply… perished. Fish, birds, rabbits, foxes, goblins… all manner of dead could be seen settling in the mud.
Amin returned his gaze to the largest tree. Inside he could see black… specks flowing through the water. Causing the leaves to shrivel, branches to wither. Where the water flowed, corruption, taint had taken hold. Amin searched the forest… any plant that had roots drawing water from the lake had taken in the taint. Flowers, grass, weeds had all withered away. Bushes were starting to brown.
Ofelia gasped as she looked at her Majesty… in the pit of the empress's stomach was… a darkness. Not exactly like the taint all around them. The empress looked like she had taken in a concentrated amount of taint, but it was being dispersed slowly. Ofelia glanced to the emperor who had dim glow so muted if she hadn't been looking at the darkened empress she may not have even noticed. Serafin and Natasha looked washed out… but no masses of darkness could be seen.
She turned her gaze back to her child. Even through the cloth she could see bits of light escaping.
Sebastian ensured the princess was hidden against his chest as he assessed his surroundings. If one needed bait, they were hoping to catch something. Sebastian had seen the imperial family, the empress was a problem, but… something about prince Wyatt… seemed so… unnatural. He was slightly muted like Crown Prince Serafin… but… it seemed off. Like someone had added grey film around him, while the rest had the colors washed out.
Whatever was going on with Wyatt and concubine Lasvill, he needed to protect the princess.