Chapter 100
Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2031, Planet: Grimoire
Takesha Murray had been wholly shocked and speechless when she beheld Grifton clad in clothing that was way too tight and small for his obviously powerful, muscled body. How could a preadolescent look like this? She wasn't sure what to make of this change in him.
Over the years, Takesha made sure to keep track of his progress. Some of the rumors she'd heard over the years horrified. Now she understood why Director Moline had done his best not to display favoritism. "He should've let the lad go to a good family long before now. The same with his siblings."
She was now certain that the four cousins were brothers and sisters. How should Takesha use this information? For starters, she would make sure he had a thorough checkup.
However, she was caught unprepared when he tried to bring up a conversation he'd overheard earlier. Obviously, he was curious about what the rumors were like. Takesha wasn't prepared to address the subject and changed it to suggesting he take shelter in the clinic bedroom.
It didn't take long for him to fall unconscious. "He must've been exhausted trying to prepare for every possible worst outcome that came to mind."
Takesha sighed when Lamberton and Lula Cross appeared. "So, you still think it is viable to take him on as an adopted child?" She stared at Lula, who peered at Grifton in shock.
Evidently, this was the first time she'd seen him up close. Lula turned to stare at Lamberton. "Are you sure he isn't one of your bastard kids?" Now, she emanated hostility.
Wow, what an attitude reversal. Takesha sighed because she didn't want Grifton subjected to more enmity right now. "If you can't control your emotions, get out, Cross." She ordered tersely. "He's a compassionate empath."
Even as Takesha stated it, Lula rolled her eyes. "Seriously? How much of a weakling can one kid be?" She sneered. "He won't make it in the outer worlds if he can't handle a little negative emotion."
"Shut up, Cross," Lamberton growled at her. "You've created this mess. Now you need to fix it."
"Just leave the both of you." TAkesha was tired of both of them ignoring her warnings.
They winced when Grifton stirred uneasily and moaned in pain.
Lamberton approached the bed and gently touched the boy's forehead. He closed his eyes and visibly winced at whatever vision the boy was having.
Takesha grimaced. "That must be some rough nightmare he's having," she murmured. Lamberton signaled to Lula that she had to leave.
When Lula refused to budge, Takesha frowned. Was she trying to create more mental anguish for Grifton by staying there? If Lamberton hadn't hauled her out of there now, Takesha would have taken matters into her own hands.
Lamberton caught Lula's arm. "Move, now." He stated coldly. "We can have a more meaningful conversation elsewhere." It was clear now that whatever was haunting Grifton probably had to do with either Lamberton or Lula or some other factor none of them knew about.
"Fine, but we're going to talk about that brat," Lula growled angrily.
Wow, what a lousy personality. Takesha grimaced. She didn't want Grifton anywhere near that wench. What made her think she'd be a suitable parent for the poor boy. A sigh escaped her, and she carefully checked Grifton's temperature. Damn, he was running a fever.
~*~
A fierce blizzard swirled around the treacherous cliffs. This time, the merchant group Grifton signed on with made sure that no one would get lost. Unlike his previous group, the leader cared about his team members this time. "We're almost at the cavern where we can shelter." The leader called. "Slow the animals down, Hanson." He ordered. "We don't need any wreckages right now."
"As you wish, sir," Hanson's driver called back. "Thanks for the good tidings, Leader Garoth,"
There were murmurs between other team members. "Oh good, we're making it through this area safely." One of them glanced at Grifton. "How you holding on, lad?" He was a grizzled veteran who'd recently retired from the military. He hadn't come out of it unscathed either, having lost one leg. "I'm doing all right, Merchant Galrose." Grifton smiled slightly. "I'm just adjusting to the changes in my status, that's all."
Galrose glanced at him. "Good to hear that you're doing better here." He nodded and lapsed into silence.
Grifton sat quietly, listening to the conversations. He happened to be in the first wagon of the caravan. Typically, newcomers would be in the last wagon, but they all decided to put him into the first one for some reason.
At last, every wagon in the sizable caravan was led into a single cavern that held them all with room to spare.
"Everyone out. We'll set up camp. This storm will last for at least a week." Leader Garoth announced.
"Okay, now it's time to pull my weight." Grifton was eager to do his share of work.
"Maybe you should observe what steps to take first," Galrose told him. Go to where the main campfire is being set up." He clarified when Grifton eyed him in puzzlement. Then you'll see how the secondary fires are also maintained throughout the night."
"Okay, thanks." Grifton ambled since this was a different terrain than he'd traversed before. It seemed as though there were glassy areas, both slick and smooth. Much to his shock, as he peered down at one point, he thought he saw movement below, and it wasn't a reflection of the men and women in the caravan either. His shocked hiss made a few people chuckle. "That is why it is recommended you observe what others are doing, lad," Garoth murmured. "We're not the only ones residing in this cavern."
"Oh," Grifton glanced at the vague outlines with mild curiosity. Then, after a few seconds, he shrugged and turned his attention to what else was happening.
Not too much time passed before he caught onto everything happening and the reasons behind the actions. Soon, Grifton became part of the routine and helped wherever he could. He did notice that absolutely no magic or mana was used. He assumed it had to do with the creatures below the dark, glassy barrier. Once everyone was fed, watered, and settled down to rest for the night, Garoth instructed who had to stand watch. Grifton didn't need to this time, but later in the week, he would take turns with the other guards to watch for anything unusual during the nighttime or daytime.
~*~
This night reminded her of when he'd been born. "Sheesh, how many more painful hardships will this kid go through before he has a decent life?" Takesha shook her head as she administered medicine that would ease his pain.
She didn't notice that he was rapidly obtaining a protective cover of beautiful scales. Wow, he was rapidly morphing into a dragon form. Would he still fit in the room? Takesha surveyed him with concern and then couldn't help but smile. "Huh, miniature dragon, cute."
It was as if he subconsciously knew how big he could get, even in an unconscious state. "This is an amazing sign of willpower that he can control his shifting in this situation." Takesha marveled at the sight of his draconic state.
Lamberton came back in. "That idiotic fool," He shook his head and stopped short. His aghast expression when staring at Grifton gave Takesha quite a few misgivings. "So, when did the shift begin?"
Takesha blinked. "Oh, I realized he was running a fever. I administered medication, and that happened." Now that she thought about it, he'd already had scales on parts of his body where they could be seen easily. "I wonder if he's at the point where the scales can no longer be hidden."
Lamberton exhaled. "He has been like that for quite a while. Since he was between the ages of three and five."
Hmm, early manifestation, eh? That could only mean one thing. "He's been severely abused in that place that was supposed to be a haven." Anger seared through Takesha briefly before she transmuted into a small crackling fireplace. The heat and sound seemed to briefly frighten Grifton before he settled into a deep slumber uninterrupted with dreams this time.
"His fever has gone down." Lamberton's arms were crossed over his chest. "So, what is the verdict?" His calm voice reminded Takesha why she was there in the first place. "I think the samples have finished changing colors and spinning."
Oh, right. She was there to verify Grifton's identity. She looked over all the information and grunted. "Yes, he's one of your relatives, not a direct son." She caught his relief. "So, you were suspicious of that being a possibility after all?"
Lamberton rolled his eyes. "Yes, I'm not a saint after all. Not quite as bad as Darmono was, but I had my share of flings."
Takesha grunted. "I compared the samples I had of the other three. They're definitely siblings, not cousins." Her hands fisted at her sides. "I knew that had to be the truth."
Lamberton smiled. "Now I can tell that Cross woman to shove off." He peered at the information. "As I thought, their mother was from the Aryx family." His annoyance was unmistakable. "Well, at least it wasn't from a major branch, just a minor line that isn't affiliated with royal bloodlines."
Takesha frowned. "Is that important?" She knew nothing of such things because it wasn't in her echelon to worry about.
Lamberton shrugged. "Not anymore. Those rumors of him being part of a royal bloodline can be discounted. I still can't say the same about Moline, though."
Takesha snorted. "Oh, is that why he's still not returning?" She shrugged disdainfully. "Well, it hasn't been more than a year since he left, and everything has gone downhill so fast."
Lamberton exhaled. "Director Eben found what he needed to expel Grifton Tinroy." He shook his head. "Fortunately, I can remain here and run interference when he attempts to coerce the information out of him."
"There's another complication, Tinroy is a dominant omega." Takesha sighed. "I'll help you as well."
Lamberton winced. "Oh, that is going to make complications for him, to be sure." He shook his head wearily. So, what was the other reason you came here? I'm assuming it has to do with retrieving something for the siblings who disappeared."
Where did he get his information from? Takesha frowned. "Yes." She'd come to retrieve belongings for a particular young trio. "Can you help me?" She wasn't sure how that was going to be accomplished. Now that the situation had become this complicated, Takesha was somewhat frustrated.
"Yes, I can do it. I'm sure Grifton knows where to find the storage room." Lamberton nodded in confirmation.
They lapsed into silence, watching and waiting for Grifton to come awake. What they'd figured out already was that he rarely slept for long. Especially when surrounded by strangers.