As Ashton's carriage emerged from the gate, it wasn't Darian Albert or his houses knights that greeted him, it was Titus.
He leapt Infront of the horses, forcing the coachmen to pull back on their reigns and swerve to avoid him.
"Master Ashton! I did as you commanded, these knights heard your name and curled away like it was the plague."
Titus's enthusiasm, his complete disregard for decorum, made the Blood Eagle Knights of house Albert bite down on their jaws.
[This little fool...] Ashton was at his tipping point, he found himself more foolish than Titus to even assume he could have trusted him. He was readying to discipline him.
But as he stepped out from the carriage, Darian Albert's laughter further cut through the tension of the situation.
"Brother Ashton, this little "Knight" you found his quite something. Haha!"
'Darian Albert
Age:15
Stamina:19
Mana:2
Strength:18
Intelligence:76'
"Little brother. You still rather joke than read magical theory I see."
As the two best friends each put their own personality into their hellos, they walked towards each other and embraced in a quick hug.
"I have read about your trial brother, I hate the fact that I had to miss it."
"Yeah, about that. Why couldn't you make it? We didn't receive word from you or the count, is everything alright?"
Darian stepped back and his facial expression dropped, "I thought you were more observant than that brother. Look around, it is a ghost town here."
[It certainly is odd... Alberta City is a commerce hot spot..] "Don't tell me..."
Darian nodded "A faction from within our vassal's have rose against us. Something about how they should only have to bend their knee to the Imperial Crown."
"Why is Count Albert allowing the warp gates to remain open then? And how have I not heard anything about this..." Ashton wasn't just confused, he was almost panicked. He wanted to enlist support but came to find out his friend was struggling.
Someone he considers a brother. Someone he must protect.
"Well, my father hadn't wanted the news to leak out. He is trying to negotiate with our vassals. As such me and my men are stationed here, to turn away any visitors and keep our people home."
"A peaceful solution should be the priority, but at a certain point rebels must pay an iron price. How long has this been going on?"
Darian noticed the heat in Ashtons eyes, he remarked to himself how they were almost unhuman. His words were brutal as they carried a truth, and Darian frowned as the person Infront of him didn't seem like the boy he used to cause mayhem with. He felt like he was face to face with a superior, a politician or a beast that could swallow him whole.
"Brother, I think it best we speak more about this with my father."
Darian ordered his knights to shut the warp gate down completely, but they reported that they were receiving a signal from the east. It was unwelcomed news to Ashton, but Darian decided to receive the call for appearances sake.
As the gates between Alberta and the duchy stabilized, it wasn't the duke's emblems that flooded out from them. It was a helmet and sword snitched into a green flag, carried by multiple knights that came through.
The advanced party of Aaron's knightage, sent to announce his arrival.
"My name is Carlos. Lieutenant of the 5th Division Knightage, under Lord Aaron Raine."
As Carlos announced himself, and made the space surrounding the warp gate ready for his Lords entrance, Titus jumped out from behind Ashtons carriage.
"Master Ashton, Master Ashton! That is the knight that almost killed me! That guy with the black eye and bruised chin."
"Titus Magnus, go wait in the carriage and do not say another word."
As Ashton sent Titus away, Aaron's carriage ran out from the magical shower of the warp gate. [Whey banners?] He noticed, [Have they beaten me to them?]
Aaron's driver parked the carriage next to Ashton's and his knights climbed off of their horses as he exited his cabin.
"Young Master Albert, I wasn't expecting such a welcome."
"Lord Raine, I wasn't expecting your presence."
As the two shook hands, Ashton became sick. [You call him lord little brother... how disappointing.]
Aaron turned his eyes to Ashton and nodded "Whey."
Ashton hadn't responded, he only gazed into Aaron's eyes. It was a quiet, intense moment, but Aaron didn't shrink. He met Ashton's gaze with equal intensity.
"Wow you two, that's enough of that." Darian stepped between them, with his back to Ashton, he continued. "Lord Raine, may I ask what the purpose of your visit is?"
Aaron chuckled, the air about him was confident, tempting as if he wanted Ashton to try and test him again. "My father had heard of your territories... situation. And it saddened him. So, as I was leaving home, he sent me to see if there was any way I could help."
Darian was taken aback, he thought him and his father had kept a tight lid on the situation. "I uh, don't know what you mean."
[There is no point in playing coy now, Duke Raine knows this empire like the back of his hand... if he makes a move it is with certainty.] Ashton thought
"A vassal uprising is hard to hide, Darian. You did well to keep the warp gate open, but the stationed knights and empty streets will start rumors." Aaron broke his subtly and put the stakes out into the air.
Darian didn't know what to say, he wasn't a politician, he preferred swords to pens and froze for a moment. Ashton picked up on his mind turning and trying to figure out how to maneuver, so he interceded.
"I find my fathers-in-law's concern quite endearing, however your help is unneeded in this matter. Unwanted."
Ashton put his hand on Darian's shoulders and stepped infront of him.
"I don't think that is your decision to make, Whey." Aaron stepped forward, looking down at Ashton as they are now face to face.
"It most certainly is. My younger brother may be too polite to say it, but you're not welcome here. As his senior, I'll gladly take out the trash."
"Ha." Aaron backed away and walked back to his carriage. "I came here to speak with this lands leader, not two kids that finish each other's sentences."
As his knight mounted their horses and he climbed into his cabin, he looked back and said his final taunt. "I will see you two at the manor."
While Aaron and his men rode off through the city, Ashton turned to dust off Darian's shoulders. "You alright little brother?" He asked.
"Yeah, yeah. I guess my home is a narrow path for enemies to meet."
Ashton's eyes widened, he wanted to ask how Darian knew about the silent war he was fighting.
"Why that look, brother? Everyone's heard how you made Aaron Raine kneel at your trial."
"Uh huh. That was only fleeting little brother. Let's go meet your father before that fool does."
Ashton was relieved that his war was still within the shadows. After inviting Darian into his cabin, the Blood Eagle Knights shut down the warp gate and followed as they headed for Count Albert's manor.