Chapter 108
Golden First Market Plaza near Fremont Academy, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2036, Planet: Grimoire
How had the evening turned into this utter screwed-up circumstance? Grifton was surprised he'd managed to survive the multiple stabbings from that damn assassin of the Crow's Heights gang. A sigh escaped him as he surveyed the others, quietly chatting while taking turns monitoring the activity outside.
As for how Grifton survived, he didn't know what he'd done this time to stay alive. Maybe it was when he shifted into his dragon form? He could only speculate.
In the case of his attacker, Grifton scowled slightly. Fortunately, he'd refracted the stabbings back at that individual. If he survived the fall from midair even higher than where Grifton wound up. Then, he had supernatural luck. With the way things were playing out, Grifton wouldn't be surprised by anything anymore.
He tuned back into the conversation and was shocked at what he heard. Now, this situation had turned downright awkward. Grifton finally roused from the painful haze and numbing peace. He rubbed his jaw as he listened, only to discover they were talking about those unofficial gatherings.
Grifton winced slightly. How'd they wind up talking about that subject? It was a sore point with Lamberton the last he recalled. Uh oh, that would need some explaining, he'd thought.
Then, when Janus made his revelation about Lamberton, Grifton was thrown into a shocked state. Therefore, when Corley could chime in, Grifton gave him the go-ahead. Why not? He'd been one of those champions through hard work, sweat, blood, and countless hours of training.
"...So that's how we've managed to continue our gatherings."
Grifton blinked. "What did I miss?" He looked at them in confusion.
Janus chuckled. "Thought so."
Madam Murray rolled her eyes. "I knew it."
Corley heaved a sigh and shook his head at Grifton. "You need to stop spacing out," he shrugged. After Lamberton found out through Janus' recording of what we were doing, he gathered all the leaders of the various gangs and set up some rules."
Grifton remembered how their outings had altered subtly. "I'll admit I'd wondered about some the extra precautions being included not long after we nearly had a bad outcome once or twice." He shrugged. "I'm glad they agreed to it if Lamberton was willing to ignore the gatherings as long as they abided by his conditions."
Corley nodded. "They did. Disagreeing didn't make sense when it became a neutral gathering where no one had to fight and could hang out as normal kids." He shifted his weight. "Speaking of Lamberton, he should be on his way here."
Oh, really? Grifton blinked. "So, it's official, I've completed the final task?" He'd been so busy earlier that he'd forgotten to ask.
They all jumped when a calm, familiar voice answered the question. "Yes."
~*~
Lamberton had been taking a rare afternoon to relax with a drink, a meal, and a few games with his merchant guards. They were in the midst of preparations for a long-term journey. The first one came after news of an official ceasefire came down from the military. Even though it wasn't released to the public, the news was heartening for everyone who was a merchant and traveled along boundary routes to sell and trade their wares for other kingdom and empire goods.
He was startled out of his relaxed state when some of his people began hollering and hooting from one of the various game rooms. Lamberton sighed because he didn't want to budge from his relaxed position. However, the racket became louder when the volume was turned up to hear what an announcer was extolling.
"...an unidentifiable dragon appeared in Cyclin square, of the southeastern portion of Central Marketplace. It seems it was seriously injured midair...."
Patrons murmured horrifiedly. A cold chill ran down Lamberton's back. He couldn't see the sight in time as the news channel switched to another area.
"...Three notorious assassins were found dead and floating in the Waste causeway behind some warehouses on Gridiron marketplace circle northeast of Central Marketplace..."
Lamberton froze because he recognized that as one of Grifton's usual routes. The only way he could jump such distances was if he teleported. Just how bad had that task turned that he'd been forced to teleport. Not only that, but he'd shapeshifted during teleportation to avoid death? A sigh escaped him as Lamberton shook his head in disbelief.
"Damn! He doesn't know how to keep on the low-down." Someone hollered from the billiards game room.
"Are you sure that you want him as a merchant artisan?" Another veteran questioned Lamberton's sanity in recruiting him.
"Just how big can a dragon get? He seems a tad scrawny." A third chimed in.
"Don't be fooled." Callum counseled. "He's still controlling that size even though it appears he's unconscious."
Silence fell since Callum was not only a veteran, but he was a dragon.
"Hmm, he has something shiny by his side," Malka commented. "Hey, boss, you need to come in here." She called to Lamberton.
When Lamberton finally showed his face, Malka inquired very tightly. "Didn't he have to deliver something to Rufus' bar to pass the last test mission?"
It hadn't taken Lamberton long to ascertain what happened when he saw Grifton's dragon form appear on the news. When he saw the other news, it put a new spin on those injuries that were tactfully hidden in the news report.
That was when Rufus sent him the information that Grifton did pass the final mission, although he appeared horribly injured. He also learned that Madam Murray had hurried over when the news broke. That meant Lamberton could take his time to arrive.
That didn't mean he was going to take forever and a day. Lamberton grunted. This was going to take some strategic planning, he frowned. It meant he would have to bring more than a certificate and card for the boy.
Callum called for him to come in. "Hey, boss, some new stuff is being reported." He was no longer amused. "You might want to see this." Now Lamberton figured he'd better go and see what happened now.
An active firefight occurred between the three of the Lifters' and Crow's Heights members. The Crow's Heights members appeared to be on the losing end this time. Those three Lifter elites were pissed off. Lamberton could tell from their expressions that they wouldn't let the assassins anywhere near the Rufus bar.
As for the other inquiry about Grifton's passage. "Yes, he did pass, as a matter of fact." Lamberton exhaled. "Didn't you see the other news that aired right after his flashy entrance?"
"Uh..." They all looked ashamed and then horrified. "He took down three assassins and then shapeshifted before that final teleport?" Malka squeaked in shock.
"That is what I'm guessing," Lamberton confirmed. "They injured him badly, but not enough that he wasn't able to retaliate and kill them." He shrugged. "I'm going to Rufus' bar now. You can all stay here or join the individuals guarding the bar." He gestured at the new images coming up.
"Say what? The Lifter gang is actually guarding them?" Callum blinked. "Well, that's a shock."
Not really, but Lamberton wouldn't explain how that came about. "I'm heading out. You're free to join me or stay here. No matter what, I'm bringing Stan Janus and Grifton Tinroy back with me."
There were further startled explanations.
Suddenly, a scrambling of feet made Lamberton grin. They would not miss a chance to tease Janus, having drawn the short straw in guarding Grifton, much less Rufus' bar, while he was finalizing the last task.
~*~
It took an hour before Lamberton arrived. He looked around worriedly. All routes were sealed off because of the standoff in front of Rufus' bar. Delays would be unavoidable unless he could discover another way.
"Psst!"
Startled, Lamberton looked to his left. A small figure balanced in the shadows of a larger building. He clung to the rooftop of Rufus' bar. "You, Lamberton?"
Lamberton nodded. "I was told to show you a way in so you could retrieve some objects." The boy smirked. "Right now, it's the only surefire way of getting inside." His smirk faded. "Have to move quick, or else those nasty Crow's Heights they'll come running."
Right, they were notorious for finding ways in if people were careless. Lamberton glanced around and then followed the small figure to a well-disguised hatch. He disappeared into it and closed it tightly, so nothing showed against the remainder of the rooftop.
Then he heard voices murmuring below him. Heh, they were talking about the unofficial sparring matches, hmm? Well, Lamberton had allowed them on his territory to stop potential fatalities from occurring elsewhere.
Why stop promising young talents from practicing in a neutral and safe environment? He hadn't been surprised to learn that Grifton somehow mediated between at least four gangs to quit fighting. He had a natural knack for finding solutions from a few items that no one else could conjure.
"I'm sure you have a few ideas of why I didn't report or halt the matches." Lamberton startled all of them as he dropped from the ceiling. "You've got quite the secure location here." He nodded approvingly to Corley and frowned when Grifton stiffened, staring at where he'd dropped from.
Crackling noises emanated from the roof.
"Fire!" Someone yelled from outside.
Hell, they were trapped. Was that little brat one of the assassins, after all? Lamberton exhaled but remained calm. He linked his hands with all of them. "Grifton, I hate to ask this, but..."
Grifton spoke in a calm, reassuring tone. "As long as you give me a clear image of where to go, I can teleport the entire building to safety." He stopped the others from panicking even though cold sweat covered him in a visible shimmer. "The fire will be extinguished if the elements are removed."
Lamberton grimaced. This must be his worst nightmare. "Done." He did precisely what Grifton requested.
Darkness enveloped them, and then they were in a quiet location, and no sign of smoke or crackling persisted.