Chapter 15
Ruins of ancient Dracaenae enclave, Continent: Barat, the Year 2041, Planet: Grimoire
This entire fiasco was his fault. Why had Chester thought coming out here was a good idea? He didn't know. Also, he had a complicated attraction to Clarence that would go nowhere fast.
It didn't surprise Chester since that was typical of his luck regarding relationships. How often had he felt drawn to pheromones only to find that the individual in question had grudges against people such as him? In Clarence's circumstances, Chester found it reasonable that he wanted nothing to do with a griffin, much less an immature male who had no idea how to handle inferiority complexes.
A frustrated sigh escaped him because Chester had to make amends to apologize for his unintentional meddling. How to do so without exposing Clarence's location was a problem Chester had right now. He'd been lucky that Dekert was discouraged from those spells Clarence created earlier.
Who knew what would've happened if he'd persisted? Chester shivered at the mayhem he'd overheard and swallowed hard. Was that the kind of thing that Firenze, Grifton, and Clarence dealt with on trade routes and battlefields? If so, Chester preferred not to go on either of those career paths as a merchant or in the military.
Chester couldn't even remember why he'd thought either of those careers was remotely appealing. He liked being a statesman or emissary. What he should have cared for was the rough traveling necessitated by the fact that some of the teleportation routes were reserved for royalty and nobility only.
It was odd that it happened in the Republic of all places but nowhere else. It also clued Chester into why none of the populace seemed interested in utilizing the portals when they had other transportation available. Transportation, he'd discovered, was equipped with all kinds of anti-attack, combat, and monster-repelling spells. Chester had been curious and spent time analyzing all those spells. He realized someone had worked with Grifton and other high-rank mages to create complicated sigils.
All the while, the conversation was going on, and Chester had some hard thinking to do. While he understood Firenze's impatience with his attitude and occasionally unreasonable clinginess, he'd never been outright hostile until recently.
Now that he saw what Grifton could accomplish with little to zero training and guidance, Chester began to understand how spoiled he and Firenze had been in their childhood.
On the other hand, Chester benefited the most, whereas Firenze just walked away from everything and gained hard-earned freedom. He'd made Chester angry with that decision when they weren't even teenagers when that split occurred.
Still, almost a decade later, Chester finally acknowledged that Firenze made the right decision. They'd had too many differences that made them snap and snarl at each other. Their personalities remained very polarizing, but at least they could converse about some topics, even families.
Chester didn't appreciate his remarks about being rare, almost turning familiar—well, at least until he saw what was coming up on the projector.
Chester sucked in his breath harshly. So that was what a fellow noble had seen in the flesh in that arena? It had been unofficially filmed. How had Firenze managed to get his hands on it? There were so many questions he couldn't gain answers to, and it was frustrating. Now Chester was peppered with questions from Clarence, who'd been standoffish and aloof. Why was he getting so pissed off at him now?
*
With that type of complication, he could live without being dumped into his lap. As for others they could trust, that was also in short supply. Clarence was at a loss right then. He did not have the impetus to look for solutions either.
Hmm, Firenze did have a good point of being worried. Clarence shrugged. "Well, that can be a topic for another time then." He smiled faintly. "When would you want to leave?" He glanced at Chester. "Do you want to leave with him?" If both did, that would have been no problem for him at all. Clarence wouldn't have to worry about either of them cluttering his space in that case.
Chester smiled wearily. "I would like to leave with him, yes." He sobered. "However, I have to return to my family estate." Chester shrugged. "Now that I've managed to achieve both a griffin form and a pure human, my father will attempt to force me into an arranged marriage." His head and shoulders lowered. "While that isn't something I wish to do, I must at least honor one obligation."
Clarence wasn't amused to hear that. "You're going to let them force you into something you're against?" He disapproved of such a situation. "is that the only way you'd be welcomed back warmly by them?"
Chester shook his head. "No, it is a personal thing I must do." He met Clarence's gaze. "Besides, haven't I caused you enough problems by finding your hideout?" He was being practical.
Strangely enough, Clarence disliked the way this was turning out. He was thoroughly confused about what he wanted in his life. It was all because he needed to thoroughly consider his goals. "Ugh, whatever. I'll send you both back whenever it's convenient." He sighed. "Though I think you two should rest."
When they stared at him in surprise, Clarence shrugged. "That crazy crown prince is still at large. I don't think he's given up just yet." He warned them. "That also includes that he's out for revenge because you two ditched him so unceremoniously."
They winced. Oh, right, there would be consequences for that, too. Neither Firenze nor Chester had thought about that problem. "Looks like we'll have to rely on your generosity as a host longer." Firenze sighed. "I can message Tinroy, Commander Darmono, or Merchant Lamberton?" His hopeful tone made Clarence sigh.
"Yes, I won't be that cruel of a person to deny you such a simple request." He looked to Chester. "What about you? Do you have someone you hold dear in your heart that you want to contact?"
Chester made a shocking statement. "You mean other than Firenze?" When Clarence nodded, Chester was silent in his contemplation. "Is it sad that I can't really say I do?" He fell silent once more. "I'll have to reassess what I view as valuable and if I even want to return home now."
This subject was something Chester had yet to think about. That much was obvious.