Leonard had insisted each group of mages have no less than three, and none could be from the same house, or be related. Leonard was hoping that any spies think twice before submitting any false information since there wasn't enough time or manpower to have groups double check.
Serafin was exhausted, they had been making rounds well past midnight, and didn't even return until just before first light. He'd personally seen some of the bones… to see even the smallest enchantments still have well over a dozen bones each…
Charmaine half hugged Serafin who was dazed as he stared at the floor, "Don't think about it, go find your cousins and take a rest." She pushed him gently so he stumbled forward.
Jaxon and Monroe also returned around the same time. Jaxon had insisted Monroe stay with him, and… he didn't want them present when the guesses were submitted. "Monroe, you go rest as well. Keep Amin close."
Monroe nodded, barely able to walk in a straight line he was so tired. He and Serafin ate a quick meal, then both slept while Emma and Emmett were just starting their day.
Amin ordered the room to be surrounded by guards, before he too, turned in for a few hours of sleep.
Jaxon slouched into a cushioned chair wiping his face, "What were the guesses? And who made them?"
Lucian patted Jaxon's shoulder as he stood over his cousin. "Leonard took the guesses to the eastern palace just before midnight."
Jaxon nodded, Leonard hadn't returned yet, he'd left the latest since they had been waiting for the first batch of mages to arrive. Jaxon also admitted… Leonard was the best suited to make, then take the guesses… he wasn't sure he'd be able to look Monroe in the face if he guessed incorrectly.
"Bring tea and breakfast." Lucian ordered clenching Jaxon's should in understanding, then returning to his seat. There were reports on everything Bodin and the others had said or done since being imprisoned… they mostly meditated. They were stubborn, rarely answered anything even during torture.
Jaxon accepted the near boiling tea, as well as handed in his report. More than 3,000 buildings had burned. So far, only nine structures were found without enchantments. All nine were built after the church purge. Another 400 buildings were partially damaged, including his own villa which so far had uncovered a dozen different enchantments.
Leonard was escorted in just after Jaxon was finishing up his report on the supplies needed to start reconstruction. So much damage in just a few minnets… "Majesties, your grace." Leonard greeted.
Jaxon nodded as Leonard accepted a cup of tea, "We are expecting at least four years to see a complete reconstruction… and that's only if we are willing to build over the enchantments. So far, removing them is not possible while they are active. Which is probably why they weren't damaged, Amin, courtesy of Marquis Silas, explained the enchantment powering the secondary enchantments will repair any damage."
"The mage group I personally oversaw came to the same conclusion, though the debate of a third interlocking enchantment was theorized. Priest Katherine also agreed, that previously most holy wards and enchantments were in sets of three, seven, or twenty-four. Since it's an ancient enchantment… there is most likely at least a third part; but from the magnitude… there could be twenty-four. If any are destroyed the chain could break and the souls would no longer be restricted." Leonard informed after a scalding sip of tea.
"Have the main enchantments been found yet?" Lucian asked glancing between the two.
Leonard shook his head, "Perhaps Duke Hammer, or Maquis Luthiger might find a clue inspecting the … where the gate was. I was only able to spend about three hours in the main cathedral but… none of the cooperating priests know or are admitting to anything."
Charmaine sighed, "We should move to the hunting grounds, if any other delegations see us lacking a gate…"
Lucian drummed his fingers on the table, "As soon as the duchy and maquis mages arrive we will set out."
Jaxon hesitated, while he knew logically that was the best choice… Monroe. Jaxon turned when Leonard gave a short cough, and an apologetic nod.
"Perhaps we send a partial group to the hunting grounds. Lord Reece… insisted that from now on Duke Darnings present the guesses, along with his own. Lord Reece also insists Monroe be present. While there wasn't an ultimatum…" Leonard trailed off not meeting Jaxon's gaze.
Lucian took a deep breath, "Send 200 servants to prepare the hunting grounds, also send 100 guards. The rest are to maintain order in the capital. Inform the delegations they are to depart for the hunting grounds in four days."
Jaxon hesitated, "I can offer 500 gold to employ mercenaries and servants to assist in preparations."
Lucian only nodded, "Inform the delegations they are to depart as soon as preparations are complete."
Leonard let out a breath of relief, "I can offer another fifty servants, fortunately the Silas residence was untouched, I will also send in 300 gold for mercenaries. Until we know the extent of the damages… and cost of repairs… I dare not offer more." Leonard added in explanation. While their capital residence was untouched… four of their businesses and more than a dozen personal properties related to the Silas house were destroyed or damaged.
"I understand, and appreciate the assistance… who guessed what?" Jaxon finally asked looking into his empty teacup. There was a pause, before Leonard ruffled around to produce a small stack of papers.
"First, most of our guesses were rejected… we must name the beast… and the sin. So, Alaina the hippocampus is the beast of diligence. Unfortunately… we only know of three other sin beasts; there is the Moon bear of Sloth, Grelck; the Fox of Lust, Caius; and the harpy of Envy, Elvira. If there are other beasts of sin… we could not think of them." Leonard explained placing three pictures on the table for Jaxon to see.
"So we can't even guess other beasts since we don't know names and kind." Jaxon inwardly cursed; half their guesses had been random. "And he confirmed it wasn't a beast of virtue?"
"… No, but yesterday he did say beast of sin." Leonard reminded glancing at the pictures, "Only one is female, and is a… half bird so of the ten guesses, seven were related to Elvira, two for Caius, and one for Grelck." Leonard then placed the ten corresponding pages beneath the three pictures.
Jaxon looked over the clues, all ten pages included the rings and most had at least five reasonings. "Elvira and Caius are nomadic… Grelck is reported to have never left his island… if he's left that should be easy to confirm." A moment later Leonard also placed eleven more stacks of pages, each stack the item or person Ashton had pointed to and the possible clues.
"I've already posted a request in the assassins, mercenary, and merchant guilds regarding all three. As well as any information to other sin beasts that may not be as well known. The head of the assassin's guild is also here, as one of their locations was burned… they are rather upset." Leonard added, upset… was an understatement.
Jaxon looked over the eleven pages, beneath both Levi and Leonard's portraits were two separate stacks, Leonard's fake memory and what he believed was the real memory. "What do we know about Elvira?"
Leonard sighed as he pulled another stack of papers, "Not much, she's never been to the empire, but none of them have, until now. She's at least six hundred years old, most agree she's either higher tier guardian, or lower tier legendary who uses wind, will randomly attack, kill and steal. She can be easily bribed with bobbles. Her last reported sighting was two years ago crossing the Maricar border."
"Caius was ruled out because the illusions on you were sloppy… but the ring enchantment almost fooled Ashton…" Jaxon stated rather than asked.
"Yes, personally I believe she acquired the rings and used us as an opportunity. Or… she requested them made and used us to sneak them in." Leonard explained adjusting the ring clues.
"But that still doesn't explain why send three when only one is for Ashton." Jaxon refuted, since only the image of the ruby ring had several pages. The plain gold band pages were mostly blank. "Ashton stated each ring was a separate clue."
Leonard sighed, "I know, but we haven't had enough time to explore them… and we don't have them in hand to inspect."
Charmaine hesitated, "What if the bigger ring isn't for a man… but because she can't transform into a full human yet? Maybe it's a claw ring?"
Jaxon jolted, then compared the rings again. "That… would make a lot of sense… especially since Ashton's ring is enchanted to size itself."
"That's brilliant…" Leonard agreed immediately pulling two fresh pages out to jot the possible clues down under Elvira.
Lucian stared at the rings, "I heard Caius could transform between male… and female forms…" Everyone halted as Leonard stopped to stare.
"That's… true." Leonard agreed after a brief pause, then he continued to write. When he finished, he placed the pages aside so the ink could dry. Leonard then pulled out another two pages, marked them for Caius, writing the clues.
Jaxon wiped his face, "Is there any reason a bear would send a larger and smaller ring for itself?"
"I don't think we should rule Grelck out, just yet. He's older than Alaina. Better safe than sorry until we can narrow down what the clues mean." Leonard reminded as he tried to hide a yawn.
Jaxon took a deep breath, "Why would Grelck want a male mate? And a nomadic bird? He's practically a myth who only wakes up once a year, people throw food at him so he goes back to sleep."
Leonard wanted to protest, but it wasn't his brother or son being used as bait. "Okay, but I will still gather information and see if any of the clues could be related."
Jaxon gave a stiff nod.
Lucian wiped his face, all of them had bloodshot eyes. Exhaustion was an understatement at this point. "A four-hour recess, we will reconvene during lunch and see what more has been discovered in that time." Lucian announced as he stood up.
Leonard snapped to attention, "Your majesty, Novak is still waiting…"
Lucian narrowed his eyes, "Is he just here to complain?"
Leonard wasn't tired anymore, "No your majesty, he said he had information you would want… but refused to elaborate…" having been ignored for nearly two months Novak was no longer willing to give the information in return for payment.
Lucian sat back down, "Make it quick."
Leonard nodded then motioned for someone to escort the assassin in. Behind the guard was an unassuming gentleman of about fifty, his brown hair and eyes, slightly shorter, slender build made him easy to forget. Unfortunately, as soon as the guard left, his wide smile disappeared, his eyes narrowed and he sat at the table without invitation.
"Next time I will simply leave, your majesty." Novak informed glancing over the room, without warning he flung half a dozen pebbles. Choked gasps were heard as two mages, and four hidden guards were revealed.
Jaxon glared, "Presumptuous!"
Novak narrowed his eyes nearly into slits, "I see Duke Darnings is still cleaning up your messes and being your champion. One day, your majesty, you should grow up. At your age, you should at least pretend you know what you're doing."
Lucian glared, "Don't forget your place."
Novak didn't bother to respond, "We have records about the enchantments, someone has been investigating them for over thirty years, along with the church. You want answers, so do I." Novak addressed Maquis Silas, he was the brains of the operation.
Leonard gripped his teacup. "Cooperation then?"
Novak sneered, "If the imperials were any more incompetent, even this leed would be lost. We've been hiding him away for over twenty years, and since Lucian the reckless had one of his grandchildren killed in the purge, he won't meet with any of you."
Leonard took a deep breath, "Then what does he want?"
Novak gave a tight-lipped smile, "The beast who set the capital on fire, we want a meeting. We won't discuss anything until that's arranged." Novak then stood, "You have until night falls to send word."
Leonard jumped up, "That's hardly reasonable!"
Novak only waved over his shoulder, "Being reasonable with you people is pointless." Novak put on his congenial smile and started to leave the palace. Surprisingly, one of the Inago was waiting at the gate examining everyone who entered and left. Novak thought about avoiding him… but no need to rouse suspicion.
Alexei watched as most scurried past him, but when the inconspicuous older man was about to do the same, Alexei rested his hand on the man's shoulder. "A little birdie said you'd be making an appearance."
Novak stopped, then narrowed his eyes into slits as he really examined the giant male warrior. "Oh, and did this… little birdie say anything else?"
Alexei grinned, "I enjoy stories, have any to share? Were his exact words, maybe we'll see you after lunch." Alexei then dropped a small wooden token into the man's breast pocket.
Novak watched with a frown as the warrior sauntered off, maybe… he could skip past the imperials entirely. Novak made his way to a tavern, while it wasn't something most nobles would know of, there were the occasional visits. He walked to the second floor, tapped on the second to last door on the left twice, then entered when the door opened.
A barmaid stood off to the side as Novak walked past to bed, with a light kick on the wall the bed slid aside. Novak descended the dark stairwell. Even if he didn't know this path by heart, he feared no darkness.
Soon Novak was underground, this passage was only about ten years old and connected to catacombs that were hundreds of years old. Novak had personally counted each bone that lined the walls, ceiling, and floor of the pathway from the tavern to the nearly deranged mage who had made a small room in a larger pathway. 206,000 bones, this one passageway had exactly 1,000 complete skeletons. All the other passages they had found were made of a single bone type, which is partially the reason why the mage had set up camp here.
All too soon, or maybe not soon enough, Novak saw the silhouette of the nearly 70-year-old mage. He had three blue orbs of light anchored to the ceiling. This intersection was made of skulls, all looked to be of children, with three other pathways. The intersection had a small table with the mage's recreation of the enchantment, on the… floor were piled books, scattered papers, the area was organized chaos. There was also a single grey tattered blanket.
"What did they say?" Jakub rasped hearing the assassin's footsteps. His wards would let no others in. He didn't bother looking up from the corner he was inspecting… the enchantments were separate but connected… if he could just learn where to input his adjusted enchantment… he could break off this singular tunnel from the whole.
Novak took a seat on the floor beside this crazed old man, his beard already reached his chest, he clearly hadn't bathed in weeks again… "Jakub, look at me old friend."
Jakub took a moment, Novak had only called him friend once… when he'd brought news of his grandson being executed in his cell instead of the promised time. Novak and four others had risked their lyves to try and break the foolish boy out. Images of the decapitated body he'd wept over flashed through his mind.
Novak didn't rush the mage. Jakub was a necromancer of the fifth tier, his other spells were no joke either. "Friend, I bring good news."
Jakub slowly turned his haunted green eyes to Novak, even surrounded by bones and darkness… Novak looked like a random passerby merely offering a hand. But his eyes were so serious today. "Wha-at?"
"The beast said he wants to hear your story friend." Novak pulled out a tiny mana crystal he'd used to record his every moment in the palace, then slowly pulled Jakub's hand up, wrapping the bony fingers around the glowing gem.
Jakub absorbed the recording, then laughed. "The gods have answered me! Hahahaha, hahaha. We leave now!" Jakub jumped up gathering up his belongings into his spacial ring, when Novak didn't move Jakub faced the assassin.
Novak waited until the mage calmed down, "This could be a trap…"
Jakub glared, "Then why tell me?" He demanded throwing the mana infused ink on the ground.
"Jakub, you've always been cautious, what did you see that I didn't?" Novak asked calmly. Novak had ensured every feeling, image, sound, and wave of mana had been recorded, even if he himself could not see it.
Jakub paced back and forth, pulling at his hair and beard, "The warrior, he had it! He had it!"
Novak frowned, "I didn't feel anything unusual… or see anything, what did he have?"
"It! Power! No, not power… something more, but it was there! I know it! With it, I can find her!" Jakub rambled excitedly, then stopped as he faced Novak. "It doesn't matter… I have to go. Take me." The last bit was almost a plea as he stumbled to Novak.
Novak closed his eyes, "Let's get you cleaned up first, you need to make a good impression."
"Yes, yes of course. And an offering… a beast of pride… yes…" Jakub mumbled as he started gathering up everything then… slowly, carefully he folded the ragged blanket.
Novak had killed innocents, children, women… but watching this powerful but frail old man lovingly stroke what was little more than a rag… it was pitiful. That blanket was stored away in his spacial earing, there were less than a dozen items inside… and anyone who'd touched them in the last thirty years had yet to end their suffering.
Jakub followed behind Novak with a wide, near crazed smile. He was so close… so very, very close. In just over an hour he'd been bathed, perfumed, dressed, hair and beard trimmed. For the first time in decades… he didn't hide his power as he dawned a black robe with green panels that covered him from head to toe. While few would even be able to see past the enchantments, if they did they would tremble at his power.
Novak along with his three best assassins boldly appeared at the palace gates. Before the guards could stop them a giant white gryphon landed with a screech. The gryphon leaned down to look them eye to eye, then settled its gaze on Jakub.
"Come little ones, the youngling awaits." Agapi informed standing up then slowly leeding the way. She watched as the five followed.
Jakub eagerly followed behind the gryphon, "You're a guardian grade beast, how do you have a legendary mana core?"
Agapi allowed the little man to start walking beside her, "A gift from the previous leeder little one."
"The youngling, is he also a gryphon? How did he know about the gates? Can he see them?" Jakub asked having to trot to keep up.
Agapi kept her pace steady, "Peace little one, while I do not know why the youngling wishes to meet, I believe you will not be disappointed."
Jakub didn't let his anticipation waver, "I'm sure, yes, he has to know."
Novak shared a glance with the others… he'd sent dozens of assassins to learn about the beast… but the best was what they could confirm from the palace gossip… They were all wearing wards and enchantments to prevent manipulation or from being tracked… Despite all their precautions, Novak felt as if they were walking into the lions den.
Alexei grinned seeing the man back, this time he was in a black cloak rather than court finery. "Perfect timing, our little birdie joke woke from his nap. Join us for lunch."
Novak didn't miss that it wasn't a request, but didn't protest as they were led… to the private garden of the imperial family. To his surprise, the children from the delegations were all present as another gryphon laid off to the side with a dozen giant lions. They were all happily chatting. Only after spotting their group did the delegations fall silent.
Rommel stood up, "Chief warrior Alexei, who are our mysterious guests?" He felt the thrum of power from the one walking beside Agapi… and the power was… eerie…
Ashton sat up, "Rommel, you have opinions on my guests?"
Rommel tensed, "Of course not, I'm just curious. I've… never felt this kind of power before and was hasty." Rommel sat down as he continued to watch the hooded strangers.
Ashton turned his gaze to the five with a light smile, a separate table was set up and they all sat, "Now, I am rather interested in your story. While I've heard some of it from another… she only knows so much."
Jakub's eyes lit up, the eerie green light glowed just enough to be seen as he raised his head, "I knew it, I know, you can see them." Jakub cackled as he chugged the tea then burst into laughter. "Hahaha, where should I start?"
Ashton settled on the edge of his nest, "Where all good stories should start, the beginning."
"Of course! Of course!!! Well then…" Jakub started from when he was five, his father died at war like so many others. As he showed promise as a mage even as a child he was trained, went to war, married. Then, when their son died at war they mourned, oh how they mourned. That was the first time he started looking into the darker manas, his son? Already a third-tier mage? Died without a corpse?
The priests and palace had wanted her to become a mage, but she refused. She'd only been twelve to her brother's twenty and had seen how his death affected them. She learned a few basic spells but nothing more. But when his daughter went missing after giving birth to twins, he grew suspicious. For three years he poured his heart and sacrificed his soul to raise her corpse… it wasn't her. His condemnation for the faith had him jailed in the cathedral to repent. Friends he'd saved during his own time at war helped get him released… but not before he felt people dying unnatural deaths… deaths that … weren't deaths.
He sent his wife, their only remaining child, and grandchildren into hiding. He caused another ruckus to be jailed again, lamenting his daughter and son's unfair murders. Yet now, as a fourth-tier mage, he was prepared, he waited weeks, ensuring his continued imprisonment until it was happening.
He snuck out of his cell, descended into the depths of the prison and saw it… Three priests taking an injured man into a secret room, he used the corpse of a mouse to watch as they used the man's own blood to draw ancient symbols over his chest, no… over his heart. Then with a dragon tooth dagger, they cut the man's heart out and one priest took it away. The other two remained, waiting. Watching as slowly the blood, flesh, muscles, tendons, organs were all burned away leaving only a clean skeleton.
The bones were all separated, stored, then taken away. It had taken years, but eventually the assassin's guild had heard rumors. They had taken him in after they found a cavern of bones. They had hoped a necromancer would be able to summon their souls or raise them enough to learn but… all the souls were bound and could not be summoned, the bones were alive so could not be raised. Thirty years passed, and he'd learned much.
He'd seen several different ritualistic killings, some took skeletons, some took hearts, some bones were crushed into powder, some priests drank blood before being sacrificed. Dozens of rituals, all that he saw. All carried under the holy banner of the church.
He'd learned that the enchantments weren't just separated into main and secondaries. There were dozens of layers in the hierarchy, they were all cogs connected, if one stopped, all the lower ones would as well. However… worse was yet to be learned… if the cog was broken… all the bound souls would be bound to this plain to relive their deaths for all eternity.
First the cog had to be separated from the whole, then all the bones had to be gathered, then the souls could be freed and the cog destroyed. Unless, the main power source, the dragon heart was conquered. Then all the souls would be able to pass on. But if the heart was destroyed, the souls would be freed to seek revenge on the living.
Ashton listened attentively, he was already aware of all this, and more. Since the damned were constantly wailing he knew exactly where the hearts were taken, what the true purpose of the souls was… and why the beasts didn't dare enter the capital.
Leonard was horrified hearing the hour-long tale… Lucian, Jaxon, Sebastian, Charles, and Charmaine had also arrived quickly after the story began.
Jakub had been pacing constantly while he told his truths to the masked beast, "You see them, you see my children!" Jakub finally announced approaching the nest and ignoring the others.
Ashton tilted his head, he'd been leaning his head on his arms while he listened, he pushed himself up, "Yes, Madeline was sacrificed." Ashton plucked a prepared quartz, tossing it to the near crazed mage.
Jakub fumbled to catch a tiny, marble? A moment later he saw his bloodied daughter. She was sitting in a ring of silver flames. Jakub leapt to hold her, but felt nothing as his arms passed through her shaded silhouette, "Maddy! Maddy! Look at me!" Jakub also realized that while he was in the circle of flames… he saw the others clawing, trying to get in.
Ashton gave a sympathetic glanced, "Those flames aren't trapping her, they are keeping the others away." Ashton informed as he settled back down.
Jakub pet the silhouette's hair as it looked up at him, "I want her soul, and Glen's soul." Jakub announced even though he couldn't feel them.
Ashton shook his head, "Glen isn't among them, fortunately. But, to free Madeline I'd have to free them all."
Jakub looked up, his arms wrapped around nothing, "She has to know where the dragon heart is… you can conquer it… you have conquered this part of the capital, rested it from its control."
Ashton let out a sigh, "Your story was satisfactory as an offering; but you still don't know what the souls are being used for. You're looking at the cogs but not understanding that the clock needs every piece so it can tell time."
Novak watched the youth, he seemed… physically weak… but to get past the others. "Then what are the souls being used for?" He deliberately drew attention to himself.
"Tisk tisk Novak, leader of the crow's assassin guild, having your three subordinates try and kidnap me?" Ashton asked amused.
Novak assessed the beast anew, none of them had even moved yet. Though… he'd heard about what happened when someone lied, "You didn't answer the question."
Ashton smiled, "Nor did I have any plans to."
Novak watched as Jakub continued to hug… nothing… Novak also didn't see any flames.
Jakub removed his hood and let his necromancy feel around them… nothing… but while he sat in the flames his eyes could see… but whatever mana was binding the souls hid them away as well.
Rommel didn't miss the eerie light in the mage's eyes, nor did anyone else. The mage was moving his head awkwardly back and forth… clearly there was some kind of barrier for him to see… the souls.
Novak wasn't sure what Jakub was seeing… but clearly nothing pleasant, "What would we need to do to free them all?"
Ashton let out a sigh, "Well, you won't like these answers, but do you want the method with the least deaths, or is more realistic?"