Chapter 32
Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2022, Planet: Grimoire
Within the time it took for the carriage to move, Doyle noticed that the babies were sound asleep. Not one of them budged when he slightly shifted the box so that he could maintain a secure hold on it. The last thing Doyle wanted was for something to happen to them while in his possession, literally.
Ten minutes passed and Grimes announced. "We've arrived and she's waiting for us on the portico." He seemed wryly amused. "I'm glad to say that she's remaining dry."
Both men shook their heads with amusement because Madam Murray used to have a bad habit of wading in the muck because she was so worried about patients. Now she was actually waiting and remaining dry in the process. Good this visit should take less time than others had in the past. Doyle reflected with relief. He hadn't wanted a case where he'd have to bring another medical personnel to tend to her because she'd contracted a fever through prolonged exposure to inclement weather conditions.
"That's an improvement over what she's done in the past." Well, at least she'd the common sense to not come out into the rain. Doyle was glad about that. "Thank you for letting me know that, Grimes." He descended from the carriage. As he did so, he glanced at the box, making sure that no part of it was exposed to the elements.
The four of them getting that badly sick was bad enough just from brief exposure. Doyle wanted no more of that occurring in his presence if he could help it. Not only that but he didn't want the good madam scolding him for anything else that might occur to her.
Madam Murray had emerald green hair, purple-gold faceted orbs for eyes, and a complexion composed of blue and gray scales. Unlike other dragonoid variants, she didn't possess horns. Thus, she was viewed as an abnormality, but because she possessed rare healing powers, she wasn't eliminated. "Welcome to my domain. What have you brought here on such a stormy night, Director Moline?"
Doyle bowed politely to her before stepping onto the covered portico. "I come bearing four newborn dragon hybrid humanoid infants." He gave a polite explanation of the events while holding the box for her to examine the infants. "Their parents were grossly massacred, and they nearly died from severe dehydration." Doyle shook his head wearily. "Right now, they're presently recovering from colds contracted through this rain." His mouth tightened. "Since Commander Darmono happened to arrive on the site, he was able to administer medication. He recommended that I bring them to you for a more thorough examination."
Madam Murray looked from the babies to him. "I see they aren't the only ones who require some testing."
Doyle winced. "Yes, I suddenly found myself caught in a small confines filled with pheromones and didn't react well at all." He admitted.
Her eyebrows rose. "You're still conscious after receiving a carriage full of pheromones from the Commander Darmono? He must've been thoroughly enraged at what he encountered on that site." The madam studied Doyle with a perceptive gaze. "Well, I shall administer a few tests to gauge what is going on with you and those infants."
Doyle inclined his head. "Please lead the way then." He could tell she'd made some changes to the inside of her domiciles. He refused to step foot inside before she entered. There was no telling what kind of traps she might've set up for unwary visitors.
"Oh, please tell Grimes that he can put the horses inside the stables." She led the way inside. "I think all of you will be staying for the night." She glanced at him. "Just call me Takesha or whatever feels comfortable."
Well, that would make things easier. "Thank you, Tesha." Doyle relaxed. "I will relay the news to Grimes and pass on the information to the housekeeper, Jane, his wife."
Certainly, Jane would be relieved that neither of them would be traveling further in this dangerous weather. However, how she'd react to seeing the four babies when they returned to the orphanage was another matter.
"Ah, how is Jane doing?" Tesha inquired of him. "Last I knew, she was on the verge of giving birth."
Doyle was stunned by the question she'd asked of him. Hmm? This was not something he'd thought he would hear after all this time. Jane had given birth? Now this wasn't something that Grimes told him to expect.
Come to think of it, Grimes had been very insistent about returning home. Doyle closed his eyes and sighed. "Well, now I understand why he hadn't wanted to stop earlier." He admitted with some chagrin. Maybe that was why he'd been so anxious about returning to the orphanage as soon as possible.
Tesha shook her head. "Well, I don't think Jane would've forgiven either of you for not stopping." She paused to consider that when Doyle eyed her dubiously. Jane had quite a temper. He was less than expectant about the news coming out when he considered who was in charge of the investigation.
Tesha eyed him sharply. "That is once news of the events airs on the communication channels." She stated calmly.
"I wouldn't count on that happening anytime soon, not with the Commander being in charge of the investigation team that arrived." Doyle blinked at her. "As for Jane's health post-natal, I'll have to find out from Grimes," He admitted with a frustrated sigh. "I've been rather busy with traveling for work purposes." He would far rather remain in one place.
Tesha frowned. "Oh, that's right, you've been working your tail off, literally." She inspected him. "Now that I'm looking at you closely, you're very worn-down and actually quite thin and haggard looking." He winced at her description of his appearance.
She wasn't wrong though and with the most recent thing with the pheromones happening, well, he wasn't at his best, to put it bluntly. Lately, Doyle hadn't enough time to rest, much less to breathe easy. Now all he wanted to do was have some time off to spend with the orphans.