Chapter 129
Lamberton Dormitory Building, Cornell Academy, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2038, Planet: Grimoire
The return trip was anti-climactic. The four men weren't even aware of how much time had passed in the different microcosms—not that it mattered to any of them.
Grifton grieved during that time. He was moody and growly at times and finally allowed himself to cry. After a few days passed, Grifton was joined by Moline, who also cried with him. It took almost a week before Darmono and Lamberton also cut loose their emotions and expressed their sorrow and pain over the loss of spirits and souls who should never have gone through that trauma in the first place.
They took that time to stop and rest somewhere private. It was necessary to do so because they could not express their grief openly once they returned to Shantu. It would be hard enough for them to escape the potential repercussions of having bent the primary mission to their personal choice.
However, not one of them felt remorse for having delivered due justice to those cursed mages. If anything, they would've tortured them had they had the time, but it wasn't meant to be. They may have wanted to find Moline and the others within the time frame initially permitted for their mission.
Gradually, the tears and loss subsided to their subconsciousness. Anger, fury, and hatred grew, along with resentment that their own government had a hand in what happened to Grifton's siblings, Moline and Madam Murray.
As a result, once they returned, they immediately joined the war efforts. They forced the warring kingdoms and empires to a ceasefire. Even the Shantu Republic had to reform or lose its status as an independent nation. It had become that corrupt in the eyes of its own citizens.
Fortunately for Grifton, not too much time passed, and even though it was two years later, he was able to resume his studies along with all the others who'd gone on forced hiatus due to the war efforts.
Those who hadn't been to the frontlines nevertheless welcomed them back with gratitude, which went far in easing the veterans' wrath against the government.
Recognizing their efforts, the students were no longer forced into mandatory participation in the biannual combat competitions. For everyone else who planned to go into the military and caravans, it was necessary to pass if they wanted premium spots in either unit.
Since Grifton no longer had to worry about that competition, he took up more work in crafting, studying, and preparing for future journeys.
Along the way, Grifton made more companions and friends he found trustworthy.
Just then, a particular acquaintance of Grifton's showed up—rather fortuitously since Firenze always knew what the latest information was. So, Grifton didn't ignore him as he might have anyone else.
"Yo, Tinroy, will you leave for another journey soon?" Firenze Jesso called to him.
Grifton glanced sideways at Firenze, who smirked at him. Oh, good grief, he was practically vibrating and releasing pheromones. This was getting unbearable. Putting a hand to his nose, Grifton rolled his eyes. "Yes, I am."
That's when Firenze flushed and toned down the pheromones. "Oops, I had to chase off some annoying Omegas and Betas that wanted to get too close to you."
"You seriously need to quit it with the pheromone thing, Firenze." Grifton was distinctly shocked when he heard that.
"Why should I? It isn't as if you want to meet them when they're still stinking of travel, right?" Firenze shrugged. "Besides, I'm sure they'll have been told by someone else what the protocol is in meeting the reigning champion of Cornell Academy."
Grifton shook his head and sighed because it was getting annoying when Jesso did that. "So why are you looking like that?" He eyed Firenze dubiously. "I'm guessing it has to do with newcomers?" It always happened, especially if some Alphas were mixed into the newcomer crowd.
Grifton never quite figured out what the attraction he felt toward him was about. He also wasn't sure if it was simply lust through pheromone chasers or genuine attraction from some other reason.
Still ignoring his protests, Firenze Jesso grabbed his hand. "I need you to come with me," he insisted. "We're about to have some new individuals descend upon us."
Ugh, it was that time again? His guess was spot on since there were likely Alphas, no doubt. "Some new youngsters who'll provide competition, eh?" Grifton was amused because this always heated everyone's blood lately.
Firenze released his hand, finally becoming aware of Grifton's rising ire over that possessiveness. "That too, but if you remember." He referred to the war that ended abruptly due to the wrath of Darmono and other influential figures within the Shantu's governance. "Some of those kingdoms had to send over diplomatic student exchanges, right?"
Uh, so what did that have to do with him precisely? Grifton shrugged. "Yes, though I'm kinda at a loss right as to what that has to do with me." He frowned at Firenze. "Were there any Alphas you hated on sight that you're spreading those damn pheromones around?"
Firenze grimaced. "Charros siblings." He simply stated. "This time, there are more than four or five brothers."
Grifton heard that and grimaced. "I'll admit I wondered when they would dare show their faces here again." He growled with rising hostility.
Firenze flinched and exclaimed. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, ease up, will you?" He frowned at Grifton. "Who was fuming about the release of pheromones just now?"
Grifton was exasperated. He'd done it again. "I'm going to have to find a different kind of suppressant. That one isn't working any longer." Long since before Madam Murray's death, Grifton hadn't been able to find a stable supplier of suppressants for his pheromones, let alone his heat. That was an increasing debility for Grifton to work around of late.
"Are you close to heat again?" Firenze frowned when Grifton rubbed his jaw and nodded uneasily. "Wow, the timing reeks of opportunism."
Grifton couldn't argue with that statement since he agreed. "Yes, and now I know why I've been having nightmares on and off."
Firenze sighed. "So that explains your lack of sufficient sleep, too, huh?"
Grifton shrugged. "Now that you know. What else did you want to tell me?" He looked around. "Where are we?"
Firenze grunted. "Some of the warehouses are undergoing much-needed renovations." He gestured with his left hand. "Those boats in the distance are the incoming exchange students from Naxos, Galos, Bellonia, and fifteen more nations that dared declare war on us."
Mmmhmm, Grifton finally understood why Firenze wanted him to see the sight. "They've got guts. They're using the equipment, armor, and clothing that my siblings once produced as goods unique to Shantu and later that fledgling republic that collapsed after the series of killings and massacres."
Grifton folded his arms and leaned against the wall of another building that still needed reconstruction. He scanned all the incoming individuals, searching for magical signatures that would prove troublesome for anyone.
"All clear from the Naxos Kingdom," Grifton stated calmly. "I'll start with the other empires' and kingdoms' envoys and exchange students now." He continued his rigorous scanning. It was known that he was the best person to check for potentially troublesome individuals and stop them before they touched foot on Shantu land within Three-Pronged Fork.
Several minutes later, Grifton shook his head. "Nothing so far, which is good for once." He glanced at Firenze. "So, what else had you in such a frenzy?" So far, he hadn't found anything too troubling, so something else must be bugging Firenze.
"Did your siblings have kids?" Firenze frowned at Grifton.
"Yes, they did. I don't remember quite how many either." Grifton's eyes widened when Firenze bopped him on the head.
"Now you're paying attention," Firenze grumbled at him with a sigh.
To be honest, he didn't know whether to be excited or freaked out. "Are you kidding me? All of them have come here?" Grifton exhaled in agitation because he hadn't even considered scanning for their signatures.
"Well, come with me then." Firenze directed him. "Since you gave the all-clear for the boats, we can go to Lamberton's warehouse office." He shrugged. "They're gathered there right now since they hitched a ride on one of the caravans that came on an alternate route than the one you'd traveled with.
He'd deliberately avoided that area whenever traveling. There were too many painful memories of the past. It didn't matter if two years had passed; the recollections burned vividly in his mind and soul. However, he wasn't going to admit that to Firenze. It was bad enough that he was still having nightmares about what happened. "Oh right, I had gone on a different route."
Firenze frowned at him. "So, what is the hold-up? Could it be the nightmares that might've been triggered by their approach to Shantu?" He tilted his head. "You're going to have to face them at some point." Firenze's reminder made Grifton sigh.
"True, honestly, I don't even know what they would have a scent for." Then again, Grifton would need to find out what they were possessing regarding signatures.
"Well, not that it matters, but I think they'll surprise you when you see them." Firenze looked amused. "I don't know if you realize it, but you must've had a real influence on all of them."
That didn't sound promising at all; Grifton frowned in consternation. "Err, good, I guess?" Since none of them had ever practiced magic of any kind in his presence.
"C'mon, quit stalling, all ready." Firenze tapped his shoulder. "A family reunion shouldn't ignite this type of reaction."
Grifton sighed but nodded. "All right, not like I have anything else to do, now that I think about it." He was curious to see how the rascals turned out.
Even the last time he'd seen them, none of them manifested abilities. Now Grifton did wonder if, indeed, they were the reasons those damn nightmares triggered again. If so, something else was in the works, and it behooved him to get his act together. "Lead the way since you know where his makeshift office is."
If renovations were going on, that meant other changes were occurring, and that meant office relocations. Grifton had been caught in some awkward situations because he hadn't known of those changes. He'd seen things he'd rather not recall right now.
Firenze gave him a long look and laughed at him. "Ah, you caught a few people in the act, eh?" He nudged Grifton. "Come on, we don't have all day."
"I don't think going down that hallway is a good idea." Grifton was nervous.
Firenze shook his head, laughing softly. "Relax," He kept Grifton going when he would've balked at a specific route. "No one will be in the warehouse doing dumb stuff again."
Grifton heard something and froze. "You sure about that?" He saw some suspicious shadows.
"Uh, well, there shouldn't be." Firenze frowned and shook his head. "Not after you bellowed like that last time."
Grifton sighed. "You are a very bad guesser, Jesso."
Firenze glowered because he knew what that meant. "Fine, tell me what you noticed," he grumbled in aggravation.
Grifton was going to do that anyway. "Go to your left, two figures, and I don't think they're dancing to that music I hear playing either." He grunted when Firenze headed ahead of him.
Seconds later, Firenze was scowling. "Impressive indeed, and not how I wanted to recognize a few acquaintances." He shook his head with a sigh. "Fine, you made your point." Firenze led Grifton on a different route. That time, they ended up at their chosen location without further interruptions or intrusions on the couples' private times.
Once they got to the office, they found it filled with people. Lamberton saw them hovering in the entrance. "Oh, there you are." He waved them to come inside. "You have some long-lost nieces and nephews eager to see you, Tinroy." Lamberton looked amused. "Have fun identifying their skills." He shooed them into a large conference room. "This time, you have to leave them alone, Jesso." Lamberton stopped Firenze from following the gaggle of teens and Grifton, headed straight for the conference room.