"Little trinket?" The Emperor began to chuckle at Rohaan, though from Ash's perspective, he didn't seem to be trying to mock the Shifter on any level. If anything, this was only an extension of a previously existing rapport that the two of them already shared. Ash already knew that the two of them definitely weren’t friendly at all - the only obvious reason that Rohaan was aiding the Emperor was whatever he was promised at the end of his service. She'd have to keep that in mind. Karl Valdemar proceeded to hold up his hand, once again showing to all that the ring that he had was essentially a perfect copy to the one that Ash was now wearing. It glowed just the same as hers, though it didn’t seem to be causing the Emperor any discomfort like it was to her. “What these rings are capable of is much more than a simple parlor trick. It was no easy feat for me to acquire these artifacts, let alone a complete set. Each ring on its own is no more useful than any other common piece of jewelry.”

“I did give away a priceless magical artifact to a known master thief, so do forgive me for keeping to myself what exactly I was giving you. I did expect that the ring would eventually find itself in the hands of my daughter. Yet, it has happened much sooner than I had predicted - I really must commend you for your expediency.” At that, the Emperor turned his gaze away from Rohaan and towards Ash. It was beginning to feel like a lion was staring down a mouse.

“These rings have many properties, most of which would completely shatter all your preconceptions of the world. I won’t bore you with those details.” The Emperor said this as he looked directly at Ash, and despite the distortion that the image had, she saw for the first time that their eyes were the same. That simple realization was slowly suffocating her. “Do you know why the ring reacted to you and not to the Vokurian?”

It was more than obvious that Ash didn’t. Why would she? Information was flying at her faster than she could even comprehend it, and that wasn’t even taking into account that the bloody Emperor of Man was speaking directly to her while being on the other side of the empire. She had never known that magic was capable of such impressive feats. What was even more bewildering was the fact that she had an audience with the Emperor at all, and that he was directly asking her a question. She had spent her entire life having to revere and practically worship this man, and now she had his full attention. “I… don’t know.” 

“It’s fine. I wouldn’t expect you to.” He glanced over to Rohaan before he continued. “Nothing much to worry about. The Vokurian doesn’t know either, and he’s the one I gave the ring to.”

“It reacted to you because it recognized that the person holding the other ring shared a blood connection with you.” The Emperor paused for a moment, as if he was waiting for Ash to fully digest his words. “Consider that as the lone condition for these rings to function. Thus, it is undeniable proof that you are my daughter.”

Ash really didn’t want to believe it. How could anyone come to terms that they were the child of the most powerful man in the entire known world? Any normal person would have cast it aside as nonsense, yet the very notion was being reinforced by the Emperor himself! She had known for years that she wasn’t the biological daughter of Lord Cassander of Durgan. The story had always gone that her parents had been killed by the Centauri during their invasion, and that Lord Cassander had taken her in after the death of his only other daughter. She had always known that there must have been more to the story than just that, but she had never gotten anywhere by prying for more information. It almost seemed far too much for her to process at once.

“It would be for the best if you collect your wits quickly, girl.” Karl Valdemar’s sharp words seemed to cut through all the confusion that was consuming Ash and brought her back to the present. Now wasn’t the time for her to freak out and forget what was happening around her. She’d have to deal with this later.

“I need the two of you to enter Durgan Fortress.” The Emperor said with a slight smile.