Chapter 102
Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2031, Planet: Grimoire
No sooner had Grifton teleported to one of the carriages than he was tossed inside the one with Lamberton's insignia. "Stay quiet," a familiar voice warned Grifton. Some of Eben's minions are searching to grab and take you somewhere."
That was Corley? Startled, Grifton did what he was told.
About five minutes later, Lamberton climbed into the carriage. "You all, right?"
"Yeah," Grifton nodded. "Apparently some of Eben's minions had been sent to grab me in case I managed to escape." He'd been planning to run away anyhow. He thought he'd been careful, but not enough.
Lamberton grunted. "We need to wait for a bit."
there was a knock at the door. It was Madam Murray.
Lamberton looked at her dubiously. "You've calmed down now?"
She looked a tad wet. "Yes, I chose to stand in the rain and cool off." Her entire body shivered. "I saw Eben's aide, Benson, dragging the Cross woman somewhere."
Hmm, Grifton grunted. He didn't feel the least bit sympathetic for the woman. "The Director probably ordered Benson to take her to the Scarlet Shadow cliffs." He shrugged. "When someone goes there, it means they're executed." He'd almost wound up there three times during the Director's tenure.
Madam Murray frowned when hearing that explanation. "You know this how?"
Grifton sighed. "I came too close three times to nearly being the next victim." He shrugged. "The first time, we gathered to witness an example. It was just something very minor, and the Director blew up."
As for the other two times, Grifton did not get caught after the third visit. "The two times I was dragged there, it was basically a hostage situation to force the cousins, err my siblings, to submit to his demands."
"In other words, he was using your life to blackmail them," Lamberton muttered.
Grifton stared out a window. "Yes, which is why they chose to vanish, faking their deaths." He swallowed hard. "I thank you both for confirming the suspicions we all had about those original reports."
Madam Murray nodded. "I knew there was something off about the whole thing," she sighed. As for the whole parent from another world," she shot Lamberton a cool stare. "It is truth, and though the bodies may have been those of blood relatives through distant connections, they were definitely not from any blood lineage that is in the recorded databanks."
Grifton shivered. "So, what does that make me?"
"Someone born in this world. You are a native, as are your brothers and sisters."
Lamberton hesitated. "Right, you might as well know now." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I found records indicating that my brother was at it again." Lamberton shook his head in aggravation. "So, there are at least three, if not four, more sets of siblings that you're fully related to." When Grifton blanched at the thought of more crazy hellions running wild, Lamberton laughed. "They're all younger right now and not able to travel."
Grifton rolled his eyes. "Excuse me for not being relieved at hearing that." He hunched his shoulders.
~*~
Madam Murray could tell Grifton was having difficulty taking everything in. "You're overloading the poor lad." She scolded Lamberton.
Lamberton shook his head. "No, it is more like I might be confirming some dreams he might've had in the past."
At Grifton's blank stare, he shrugged. "You're not the only one who can get precognitive dreams. I don't get hit with a cascade of them simultaneously."
Madam Murray winced. "A cascade?" She repeated. "Does that mean you can get several at a time?"
Grifton hesitated. "I don't get them as much as I used to." He folded his arms. "When I do, I get two, maybe three intermittently when I sleep." A grimace flattened his mouth. "Once in a rare occasion, I'll get up to five in a single session." He was clearly exhausted.
"Well, now you'll have a place to live, and you can join a merchant's caravan once you've finished completing your work," Lamberton informed Grifton calmly. He was studying some items in the packet with a slight frown.
Madam Murray was reading over his arm. Her eyes widened. "Well, now that is a bit of a surprise."
"Yes, indeed." Lamberton looked at Grifton. "What would you prefer to do?" He held up a letter for Grifton to read.
"What's this?" Grifton took it and examined it curiously. He didn't open it, though.
"It is an acceptance letter from Cornell Academy." Lamberton watched him stiffen in surprise. "Basically, you're qualified to join the alumni right now."
Madam Murray obviously thought it was a good idea. Much preferable to going anywhere else.
Lamberton knew where she was coming from. However, he also understood why Grifton was a tad skittish. After all, he'd come from a hellish situation at the Orphanage. Why would anyone want to step foot in another educational institute with that experience fresh in their minds? On the other hand, it might be more stable for Grifton.
Grifton frowned. "How long can I hold onto this before it expires?"
Lamberton frowned. "I haven't any answer to that, but I can find out."
Madam Murray was puzzled. "Why would you turn this down?" She was honestly shocked at what he was clearly thinking of doing.
"With due respect, Madam Murray." Grifton regarded her solemnly. "I was sequestered and isolated in that Orphanage for the entirety of my eleven years in this world."
She flinched. "I see." Madam Murray exhaled. "In other words, you want to see the world before deciding whether or not you want to continue your education, is that it?"
Grifton inclined his head. "Something like that. I just feel that I lack worldly experience. I don't want to remain sheltered when I know my luck could change and something horrible might occur." he shrugged. "Going to Cornell Academy isn't the right time right now."
Lamberton figured he was also scared. What could he do to mediate this situation?
Grifton had a slightly regretful expression. "If I could obtain a graduation certificate, I'd like to do that. I had almost finished until the expulsion was ratified, and I was thrown out." He shrugged ruefully.
Madam Murray looked infuriated. "So that was done intentionally to stop you from being successful?" She squawked.
"Yes," Grifton shrugged. "I still managed to get the highest honors for all the good it did me." He shook his head. "I had too many strikes against me. That's all that the Director needed to get rid of me."
Lamberton frowned slightly. "I suppose there are other reasons why you wouldn't want to go to Cornell Academy right now?" There were too many alumni there that might be outright hostile toward him for having consecutively beaten them to mulch in the competitions.
Grifton nodded. "too many enemies." He looked amused. "I made a few of them rather jealous." he shrugged ruefully. "In fact, I might need to spend time in the streets before their suspicions and hostility are eased."
Lamberton shook his head. "Not necessary, especially right now when you're a minor." That was no way to begin a scholastic career in any institute. "I can make sure that you keep up with your studies while working in a caravan. You will have to work up through the ranks again."
Madam Murray just shook her head in disbelief.
Grifton's eyes brightened. "Yes, I'd like that." He agreed.
That's good. Now, Lamberton can make the arrangements that will allow Grifton to do what he wants with his life.
~*~
For the first time in a very long time, Grifton was hopeful of a brighter future. Of course, he wasn't sure what else might happen between joining the caravan and eventually entering Cornell Academy. However, he did look forward to the notion of being able to learn something about the world while he traveled.
It would be a bonus if he could complete the studies he missed out on because of the expulsion. Grifton would be careful not to overstep any boundaries that Lamberton might set for him.
Meanwhile, Grifton will do his best to improve his skills and patterns for future clothing, armor, and other helpful items.
The swaying carriage gradually lulled his busy brain into a state of hazy contemplation. Without being aware of it, he leaned his head against a window. He fell asleep to the sound of rain drumming against the window and roof of the carriage.
Although his body reflexively winced when the thunder rumbled and lightning flashed, Grifton remained asleep for the majority of the trip. He only awakened when the carriage halted twice.
First, it dropped Madam Murray off at her abode and then rattled on to the next destination, Lamberton's large mansion. Grifton saw the sparkling lights in the distance. It was a surreal sight for him since it was dark out because of the black clouds overhead. Lighting struck all around them, making him very uncomfortable.
"Are you worried about the roads becoming treacherous?" Lamberton watched him closely.
"Wasn't it like this when I was born?" Grifton occasionally had fragments that rose from his subconscious. He still wasn't comfortable around open flames.
"Not from what I remember." Lamberton shook his head. "It had been a very clear day and twilight." His mouth tightened. "Only after the fire was sighted and Moline heard you screaming did a storm descend rapidly."
Hmm, that smacked of magic being used to clean up evidence. Grifton sighed. "It sounds like someone literally tried to wash away the evidence."
Lamberton nodded. "That's what Commander Darmono and Director Moline also speculated at the time."
"Mmm," Grifton frowned. "In those long hours, I dreamed a lot." He admitted.
"So that's how you knew you had some younger siblings?"
"Yes, eight that I know of." Grifton shivered. "I, err, saw the demise of their mother." He shook convulsively. "She was under a very unpleasant curse of some kind."
Lamberton frowned when he thought about what Grifton told him. "that is rough." He shrugged. "So, how far into the future did you see them?"
Grifton shook his head. "I don't know for sure. The first time...maybe when the oldest three were about...eight years old?" He guessed. "I don't know what the younger ones looked like. I just heard their names mentioned."
Lamberton blinked. "So that's how you knew at least eight of them?"
Grifton nodded. "Yes, I actually was able to speak with their mother. She was...unique, to say the least." She'd been gentle and concerned about him. She'd also been worried that he would get caught in some weird soul trap, too. He just didn't know how to explain what he remembered to Lamberton.
"Do you remember anything else unusual about her?" Lamberton had his eyes closed.
"Uhm, her surname was Glasson." Grifton caught Lamberton's startled intake of breath. "So, you know her?"
Lamberton hesitated. "I knew of two women who had the surname, yes. Without knowing what she looked like and what her first name was, I can't say I knew her."
"Oh," Grifton grunted. "I don't recall her features that well, and I don't know if I heard her name quite correctly." He yawned.
"Well, it's all right." Lamberton saw that he was falling asleep again. "We can talk another time about the past, future, or whatever you have seen," he said. It will take a while to get to my home."
Grifton nodded, relieved that he didn't have to force his brain to work right then. "Thanks." He drifted off into another dreamless slumber. That was how exhausted he'd been.