"Make no mistake, Aaron Raine is here with heart full of his father's lessons. Every word he says and every gesture he makes is calculated. He is not here to offer aide to your house, he is here to lay root a hostile presence in your court. He is a foreign operative, and you allowed yourself to hang your head and show weakness."
"Brother... I understand that. But I am not like you, I don't have the courage to challenge a man like Aaron Raine."
[Of course...] Ashton thought as he leaned back into his bench. [The duchy is a sandcastle, but the political trenches dug a around their eroding foundations is too big a canyon for most. Their strength isn't permeance, but their long and tight reach. Even for those willing to jump the canyon, victory will only bring retaliation.]
As Ashton's carriage turned behind the sprint of his horses, the rhythm of his cabins sway gave motion to his thoughts. He could only thank how lucky of a situation he was in. His talent, his unapologetic prowess of mana manipulation, had granted him a safety net others would do anything to lay in. It was a luxury that would bore boldness into even the most timid of men. The backing of the Pheonix Magic Tower ensured safety in defeat or a win without recompense.
He knew that if his family wins this war like he envisions, he can secure concessions that ensure the duchy cannot retaliate. And on the opposite hand, should they lose, the tower would exert their power for conditions in his family's favor.
It was the foremost reason he had acted with such certainty, not because there was safety in losing, but because a win would be concrete. A win would cement his legitimacy.
In inter-noble wars, it was uncommon for nobleman to die even if they suffered defeat. Defeat meant that they would be chained, gold, manpower, even loyalty would be siphoned off from the losing side and into the hands of the winners.
But Ashton was playing a zero-sum game. He desired a victory so decisive that the other side would beg for him to only take their gold.
With his carriage coming to halt at the entrance gates of Darians home, he finally spoke out and gave a final piece of advice.
"Darian..." He was speaking to his brother, but his eyes were fixed on Titus. "Remember to keep your head held high. Know that confident silence is far more becoming than a searching voice."
Ashton was the first to climb out the cabin, he noticed the horses unattached to Aaron Raine's carriage but that his knights were in a formation guarding what's strapped to it.
The sight sparked his imagination.
Darian and Titus followed him outside of the carriage, but instead of heading inside the manor in company, he paused.
"Brother Darian, you go inside first and warm my arrival. I will take breath here first before heading inside."
His words caused a shock inside of Darian, Ashton didn't look nervous instead he looked focused, like a bard thumbing a violins string to test its tension. Darian couldn't gauge the look in his eyes, and voiced his doubt.
"For what brother? The air out here is the same inside... And Aaron Raine is probably already meeting my father. Shouldn't we hurry?"
"Little brother, if politics progressed so quickly, we would all have perished by now. Just remember what I said, keep your head held high and remain on your feet."
Darian sighed as he walked away, he wished Ashton would have made it clear why he was withholding his presence, but he couldn't argue.
Ashton watched as he walked away and when the door of the mansion closed behind Darian, he turned to give Titus an order.
He told Titus to go and speak with knights at the sides of Aaron's carriage, to taunt and test their mentalities.
Titus found the order odd, it was unbecoming of a knight to taunt and throw insult when not in battle. He believed the act would damage his image of being the radiant knight, but the virtue of all knights was carrying out their lords desire.
Titus only nodded before turning and approaching the carriage. The sound of his footsteps, turn the heads of the guarding knights but they remained in a relaxed posture.
It wasn't until Titus called out, "Hey buddy. How does your chin feel?" Which caused them to place their hands on their swords.
The sight caught Titus, reminiscent of when he stepped through the warp gate, but this time he didn't hesitate. He was confident, his lord was behind him this time.
But as he turned around, Ashton was gone.
Titus looked around but couldn't find him [Maybe he forgot something inside of the carriage] He thought.
"Back away from the carriage!" Carlos shouted, he remembered Titus and his mood soured.
"I know you remember..." Titus responded while still approaching the knights. "You remember how Sir Fynn knocked you off your horse then I knocked you out! Haha!"
Carlos drew his sword but didn't aim it, his furry was only restrained by the fact he knew Ashton was around somewhere "All I remember from that night is me nearly taking your head. Now back away from the carriage!"
[Good job Titus Magnus] Ashton thought, lurking with his invisibility active along with silent step, he was able to walk directly up to Aaron Raines carriage. He wanted to know what the knights were protecting.
[It couldn't just be food and clothes. There would be no need for such security...]
Titus and Carlos confrontation caused every man around the carriage to form a line Infront of the chests at the back of the carriage. Nobody had eyes on the crates, which allowed Ashton to rummage through them.
Clothes, camping supplies, food, even a crate with small weapons like bows and daggers. He looked through all the crates at the top of the stack, and it was disappointing. He knew there was something more but couldn't get to them quietly.
(Master. Allow me.)
[Judah what do you mean? How can you help... do you even know my purpose?]
(Yes. Master. With your permission.)
[Go ahead then Judah.]
Ashton didn't know why he trusted Judah or how his summon could feel his objective without any communication. All he could feel was his heart tug as he connected him with Judah, as his eyes witnessed his shadow rise like the jaws of a beast and swallow the cargo at the top of the stack.
Titus had witnessed the cargos disappearance, and it was frightening. There was nobody around, but the cargo vanished inside of the mouth of darkness. He did his best to control his reaction but his beating eyes alarmed Carlos.
The knights had also noticed Titus' shift in demeanor, they all were about to turn and look at the cargo hold but Titus knew this was Ashton at work. To prevent their attention from turning to the carriage, he shouted a challenge at Carlos.
"If that is truly all you remember, then I believe I must give you memory anew..."
"What did you just-" The veins in Carlos forearms nearly burst from his grip on his sword, he couldn't believe the audacity of Titus.
"You heard me, Sir Sleepy Head." Titus's eyes sharpened as they narrowed, his tone was firm and lost of boyish personality, the aura about him had switched gears. "Answer the call or forever be dishonored."
Ashton had heard Titus's issuance of a duel but was too focused on the opened crates infront of him.
Three chests filled to their brim in gold.
He nearly laughed aloud from the sight. [Buying a seat the table, are we?] He thought while keeping his composure. He ordered Judah to leave only a single coin in each crate, then put the rest of the cargo back in place.
"This little green peon..." Carlos was grinding his teeth. He wanted nothing more than to swing his sword, he believed that was all it would require to reap Titus's life.
But as he noticed Ashton approaching, he forced himself into balance. "I am the sword of Lord Aaron Raine. I fight only when he wills it."
"I can appreciate a knights honor Sir Carlos. I can also appreciate their pride, and my knight wishes for this duel to happen. So, I will propose such to your master." Ashton words, put the nail in the confrontation. Titus smirked in anticipation, he was wholly confident that he was the superior swordsman despite his magical disadvantages.
"Hmph. I appreciate that Lord Ashton, I am looking forward to your knight's dismemberment. Heh! Back into position men."
The 5th division fell back into defensive formation, while Ashton and Titus made for the manor.
"Carlos is a firstclass knight. I respect your... vigor, but are you confident you can meet him?" Ashton asked.
"Master Ashton, I am not only confident, but I owe a debt."
"Haha! Alright Titus Magnus. If you owe a debt, then you must repay it twofold so the world knows you sincere." Ashton felt the aura from Titus. He looked like a hardened veteran, somebodies who mind was already at battle.