Chapter 18
Night market in Fountain Grove, State: Percival, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat Year: 2040, Planet: Grimoire
The night market had been one adventure after another that positively exhausted Anara. She'd enjoyed it though despite having to cut it short after roughly two hours because fatigue built up rapidly. Anara wasn't used to such large bustling areas, much less crowds of that size. As they all sat and chatted in the area set aside for the group, she began relaxing enough to enjoy the scrumptious food before her.
Several topics swirled around the table, not the least of which was the academy she, Sherpa and Harper were to attend. However, Anara soon realized that no one held a good opinion of the academy at all. Come to think of it, not even she'd wanted to attend it. Huh, maybe now would be a good idea to introduce an alternative. It would still be in the same general location, but her suggestion would loosen the restrictions placed upon them considerably. At least Anara hoped that would be the case.
It wouldn't hurt to at least make the suggestion. "I've heard of another academy that has a more neutral stance." She watched her siblings and the guards carefully. "It accepts anyone who wishes to study, provided they can hunt monsters and utilize magic for practical purposes aside from combat and defense." Anara mentioned casually when a pause in the conversations occurred. That's when they all turned to regard her with mild curiosity since she'd finally broken her silence. Granted it was about something none of them considered important. However, that might change with time.
*
Throughout the meal there were various topics discussed that needed to be dealt with before their journey occurred. However, it dawned on Harper that they were all in unstated agreement, none of them wanted to attend the academy their mother had chosen in Three Pronged Forks plains. There weren't many alternatives and clearly their mother must've had a reason for going along with Amos Denbigh's suggestion of that place.
Maybe there was more than met the eye in regard to that place. None of them were truly sure that it was still worthwhile to follow their mother's desired choice of learning institute. It just didn't make sense to them why they should go to one with a horrible reputation.
That's when the conversation took a sudden turn, and at Anara's initiative that shocked everyone. She was the most empathic of them all. Her willingness to speak out indicated her weariness with them hedging around the obstacle that no one wanted to hurdle right now.
At first Harper was startled when Anara spoke out of the blue. However, when she continued speaking, though not naming the alternative, Harper knew which one she referred to. "Err, are you referring to Fang Cliff's Academy that is also in Three Pronged Forks plains?" He'd looked into that one more favorably but when their mother had objected, they hadn't gone against her refusal.
At his willingness to discuss the topic now, Anara inclined her head. "I am. I also double checked to see why mother was so against it." A sigh escaped her, and Anara spread her hands in frustration. "Evidently she had some history with a few of the...employees there and not a good one."
Somehow that didn't surprise Harper in the least. Davina must've been a real handful when younger. He didn't think she'd change in the least even when it meant living out from under the Matriarch's iron fist. Something truly awful must've happened. Whether it was their mother's doing or something the Matriarch meddled in was yet to be determined. Harper wanted to know all the factors first.
Anara seemed to understand where he was coming from. "Mother had attended Fang's Cliff academy for approximately four years and did managed to graduate though evidently it was barely passing even for her." She glanced at Hermina with some guilt. "She was an alumni there," Anara exhaled. "Which probably explains why she knew whether or not it was suitable for us."
That didn't make sense to him. Harper frowned. He exchanged glances with the other siblings. The fact that none of them had known their mother went to that place...Clearly Davina had more secrets than the typical mother. Harper grunted when he realized there must be more to the situation than met the eye. "Hmm," He rubbed his jaw. "Could you shed some light on this subject, Ms. Marten?" It wasn't that he didn't trust his sisters. Harper knew that they were really good at digging up information.
In this case if they could get the nitty-gritty on the circumstances from someone who'd attended the academy. Other than their mother's clear prejudice against the institute. It might be helpful for them in making an informed choice in selecting a reasonable alternative.
*
Hermina reflected that this entire day had been one fascinating event and adventure after another. It gave her another reason to enjoy the company of Davina's highly intelligent children. She saw that all the temporary guards were rather impressed with them even if they weren't showing it outright.
The fact that Sherpa made a point of giving the guards the option of joining a party voluntarily rather than being forced into it as a favor owed hadn't even occurred to Hermina. The fact that he thought it was a possibility of happening made her wince. She might've gone down that route if none of the siblings vetoed it from the start before, she'd thought of it.
As for learning about the Fang's Cliff Academy's true nature from an alumni with high graduation status, Hermina hadn't even thought of that place in decades. She frowned after sipping from her tea. Huh, smart choice to inquire from her since she'd also been alumni from that place.
Hermina shrugged. Well, it was a deceptive area to attend for education. She might as well give them the lowdown, so they weren't shocked when discovering a harsher reality than what the brochures and testimonies provided.
She didn't agree with the deceptive advertising that floated around Fang's Cliff Academy. Since they asked, she would respond and hoped they wouldn't regret choosing it anyway. Whether or not they made a good choice was theirs now. After all, the man who'd made the arrangements for the other academy was dead, so it didn't matter any longer if they were nullified.
Undisturbed with her conscience at ease, Hermina shrugged. "I was also an alumni, though I had graduated a decade earlier than your mother." She shook her head wearily. "Despite its deceptively loose requirements to get into it. It is extremely harsh on those students that attend." This was beginning to remind her of her own past now. Ugh what a nightmare that had been, Hermina grimaced. "I think that even though Davina managed to graduate, she did so with severe trauma." Her mouth tightened. "Not only that, it is where she met a relatively decent young man whom she'd fallen in love with." That had turned into a tragedy of epic proportions. The only good thing was that it hadn't spread outside of the academy walls.
*
Well, that was shocking news to all of them. Harper was bewildered when he heard that information. His mother, in love? How could that have happened? "Did she have any children before us if that was the case?" It wouldn't surprise Harper if that was the case.
Hermina shook her head. "No, they kept their relationship platonic." Her gaze turned troubled when she reflected on what she recalled. "At the time, I thought it was a pity," Harper agreed with the sentiment, though he was further puzzled at her continuing statements.
Hermina met all their gazes. "However, now I understand why." She shrugged because it was clearly something practical and legal that Davina had her reasons. "At the time, your mother wasn't of adult age and therefore could've gotten into severe trouble in breaking many laws of the republic."
Oh, well now, that was somewhat disappointing, but Harper now completely understood. He was stumped though. It seemed as if his mother had found a decent man. "So, what was the other reason?"
Hermina's shoulders flinched. "The matriarch had him murdered." She said flatly. "She didn't want any man interfering with her plans for Davina." Hermina shook her head. "Davina was so devastated at his loss that she wound up marrying his younger brother, Paxton Aryx rather than the man the matriarch chose for her."
Paxton Aryx, yes, Harper knew that name. He grimaced and shuddered. "She didn't remain with him all that long, did she?"
"No," Hermina shook her head. "He turned out to be one abusive jerk because he couldn't stand the fact that she'd been his older brother's choice for a bride."
That hadn't gone over well at all, Harper grimaced. "Then she met my father and later, the quintuplets' father, eh?" He saw a pattern emerging. "I suppose the newest birth came from a random person, Amos Denbigh, as well?"
Hermina shook her head. "No, he was originally only supposed to be a business partner for the Inn," She rolled her eyes. "He went a different route instead and was also murdered after impregnating Davina."
Harper grunted in disgust. He should've known that was the cause. Bah, how predictable was that situation? He rolled his eyes as did his siblings. That was how they'd all come to be conceived.