Chapter 13
Fountain Grove, State: Percival, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat Year: 2040, Planet: Grimoire
Subdued chatter rose above the clinking of utensils, glasses being refilled, and plates or bowls getting refilled constantly. This was one hungry group of people who joined the regulars this evening. Shiloh was bemused at the hunger displayed by the eight teens. Had they been starved most of their lives? She was worried but then recalled what else happened that day and sighed.
Well, that wasn't out of the bounds of possibility when she reflected from where they came. Especially if the children had received multiple shocks and only now were they regaining their appetites and extremely healthy ones at that. Shiloh tapped her fingers on the table as she swirled water in her glass.
The items served for this meal were something unusual for the good folks of the Gramchester Boardinghouse. The newcomers had hunted wild beasts that were nuisances on the outskirts. It was their contribution to prevent a strain on the stored items already purchased through the markets. It was a favor that Shiloh appreciated when she realized they were keenly aware of the inconvenience their sudden arrival pushed upon her and the other occupants.
The headmistress Shiloh Gram wasn't sure if this was good or bad to have such a large amount of individuals descending upon this edifice all at once. However, she'd agreed to house the adults and teens for at least a week. Shiloh was doubtful of whether she could handle all the newborn infants though. It seemed rather dubious about how everything happened.
No matter, she would uphold her word and prove to these kiddos that not all of Fountain Grove was as rotten as Cleft Highgate. That reminded Shiloh she needed to find out whether those thugs were hired by that creepy old hag or from another source. She would do that once everyone settled in for the night.
"All right, time for the announcements for the evening," Shiloh called everyone to attention. She wasn't going to neglect the evening routine even for a group of newcomers. This was also her way of testing whether they could be patient enough to sit through something like this for longer than a week if that's what happened.
Everyone immediately halted their chattering and turned their attention to Shiloh. She nodded with satisfaction. Good so far, she wouldn't have to scold anyone this evening.
"I shall begin with introductions of the newest arrivals since they will reside here for roughly a week or more depending on future arrangements." Shiloh indicated the teenagers. "These are Harper, Anara, and Sherpa Frost. They are headed for Tremont Vocational Academy in Three-Prong Forks plains, of Shantu Republic."
A few envious murmurs followed Shiloh's announcement. She continued with the introductions. "Their younger siblings: Daryl, Holly, Ambrose, Jennifer, and Sapphire Payne will be here for roughly three years attending a local school until they're of age to decide their next activities." She surveyed the occupants who looked upon the younger ones with curiosity and a tad warily. Shiloh decided to nip any possibility of favoritism accusations right then and there.
There might have been some conflicts arising if Shiloh hadn't been careful about how she handled this situation. Therefore it behooved her to make another announcement. "They already agreed to do chores around the boardinghouse." She saw several of the younger occupants relaxing when she added. "Additionally they will occasionally attend extra lessons in the school attached to this house to avoid falling behind before the newest semester begins."
When the fifteen-year-olds nodded politely in acknowledgment of her announcement, Shiloh was relieved. ordinarily, she would've saved that information for the morning but felt it was necessary to smooth over potentially ruffled feathers since the eighteen-year-olds wouldn't be in view very often this coming week. If anything, she knew that they would be preparing to make their journey a successful one to the new school.
*
While the announcements took place, Daryl noticed Sapphire monitoring the room's atmosphere. There could only be one reason for it. Someone or something radiated negativity that wasn't too obvious at first glance. He whispered. "Who do you think is causing discomfort in the vicinity?"
Sapphire blinked. "I don't know yet. There are too many variables." She shivered. "All I know is that I don't entirely feel safe in the rooms assigned to us."
Daryl nodded in agreement. "I'm finding it a bit hard to get used to having such a large space to myself as well." He was enjoying it because it felt very comfortable to have some privacy after all this time. Daryl knew better than to get used to it though.
If he wasn't mistaken this was only temporary and they would be assigned to some group suites once their futures were settled for the next three years.
Daryl sighed uncomfortably. Well, it was something new that they each had separate rooms assigned. Before, in the abode, all the boys slept in one room and the girls slept in another. Only their mother had a room to herself. Therefore it was taking some time for all of them to adjust.
Sapphire yawned. "I'm getting sleepy," She spoke softly. "I don't know if it is just the adrenaline wearing off or something else happening."
"maybe a bit of both." Daryl was feeling sleepy as well.
The owner of the establishment, Headmistress Shiloh Gram chose to wrap up her speech for everyone to hear. "Well, now that the evening announcements have concluded the children on cleanup duty can remain behind," She waved her hands in deliberate gestures. "while the rest of you are free to prowl around until 10 p.m. when the tower clock strikes." Then she paused and addressed all of them firmly. "Then you must head for your beds. there will be no exceptions even for the newcomers."
A curfew eh? Well, that didn't sound too unreasonable. Daryl nodded in acknowledgment of what the woman indicated with her words. He was rather inclined to explore a bit. However, he forbore from doing so, when catching the eye of his older siblings. When Harper beckoned, Daryl sighed. Hmm, so they would have a small conference first before retiring for the night it seemed. "Come, Harper is signaling for us to join him."
"Oh, okay," Sapphire sounded relieved when she heard that.
Had she notified the others through telepathic transmission of what she noticed earlier?
No, she hadn't, but it wouldn't surprise Daryl any if Anara had caught the same negativity in the air as Sapphire had. the two girls were the strongest empaths in the family.
*
While sitting amid everything happening all at once, Sapphire was rather tired. Not only that but she was having difficulty maintaining her shields against emotional and mental bombardment from everyone. Some of the emotions she picked up were distinctly negative and hostile in nature. That was to be expected, however, what she found more unnerving were the emotions of curiosity and malicious intent that were primarily focused on her, Jennifer, and the other girls. Someone evidently had designs on their bodies and planned to pluck them like ripe fruits. Sapphire found that type of appraisal was very disgusting indeed. She wasn't about to tell Daryl though. If she did, all hell would break loose and she didn't want that happening right now.
So when they received a signal from Harper to join the other siblings, Sapphire was more than willing to oblige. She didn't want those lewd individuals coming into contact with her or the others. There was no telling what might happen if they did.
Much to Sapphire's bemusement, after joining Harper and company, she learned that plans had altered somewhat. She sensed his reluctance when informing them of the changes. At least Sapphire began understanding why there might be an attack in the offing.
Once Harper was sure that everyone was gathered he told them the news he'd just received. "It seems that all eight of us will be attending the new academy, rather than just me, Anara, and Sherpa," Harper informed them. "I'm not sure how the change came to occur, but I'm thinking it might be a good thing."
Since none of them were equipped to handle the newborns, Sapphire nodded thoughtfully. "I'm wondering if all of them were mothers." She referred to the newborns.
Harper shook his head. "No, from my understanding it was only the eight that we named first." He shrugged. "Though there might have been more."
Sapphire was struck with an epiphany. "The last three?" That would make sense.
Harper shrugged. "I don't know. I only know that we must be prepared to leave early in the morning to register for our identification cards and then begin picking supplies and other items we'll need for the journey." He hesitated. "It seems that we're going to not travel just by teleport nodules."
Sapphire tilted her head in confusion. "I did expect that, but just how many days will it take in that case?" Well since it was a new location that none of them had ever visited, it made sense to Sapphire.
Harper frowned. "It'll take another two and a half weeks if we don't run into any issues." He shook his head wearily. "evidently there had been other arrangements but some of them fell through because Mother passed away so suddenly." His shoulders slumped. "From what I'm hearing, some of the arrangements were only valid if mother remained alive to oversee them." Harper glanced around. "I guess not even Miss Marten was prepared to hear about the cancellation."
Ah, well now things were beginning to make sense. Sapphire grunted in resignation. "Well, I guess we'll have to figure out some alternatives if the original plans aren't valid any longer." What a bummer. This was indeed quite the problem they faced.
Sapphire studied Harper's glum expression with some pity. It also made sense as to why her brother wasn't as keen on it any longer. Though why he seemed frustrated rather than upset was more of a surprise than anything else. What was his problem anyway? On second thought, it would be better to wait until they were somewhere less crowded to ask him anything. "So what else have we to worry about encountering on the way?" Other than the obvious monsters.
Harper seemed relieved that she wasn't focused on the main issue. "Yes, there will be monsters, but also bandits and annoying rogues."
Sapphire's eyebrows rose. "I see." Bandits and other rogues that had been abandoned by society and turned into outcasts that roamed those unexplored parts of the republic? Oh my, this might become quite the epic tale in the future. "Well, I guess we should take care not to get careless or caught while making preparations."
Harper inclined his head. "Yes, well, we shall begin tomorrow and see what else can be done in this following week."
For now, they should get some well-earned rest. Otherwise, no one would feel up to working on all projects related to travel diligently.