Chapter 12
Caliente Outpost, Continent: Barat, the Year 2041, Planet Grimoire
In the days following the initial report, Dekert prepared for the voyage to Galos, though it seemed dubious at best. "May I convey a suggestion to the Emperor before starting out again?" he sent the petition to the secretary. "I was looking at the routes that are safe to travel."
By now, Dekert had had his fill of traveling through dangerous areas. "I noticed that from where I'm located, I'm much closer to the Naxos Kingdom than I would be to the Galos Empire."
Dekert thought it wiser to go to Naxos before Galos at this juncture. "I will attempt to find the Omegas that Father insists I must provide to the royal harem." Dekert was okay with having to go through with such a quest.
The secretary regarded Dekert with a frown. "What did you manifest as?" the fact that he asked was a sure sign that he hadn't bothered to look over the secondary gender information regarding Dekert.
"Find out for yourself," Dekert snapped. "Maybe if you and your father bothered to check," he was so tired of putting on a facade for people around him. "You'd realize there's something different about me compared to the other children."
In reality, Dekert didn't feel qualified to be the crown prince. A sigh escaped him. "Please reassure Father that I'll at least undertake the Omega quest, but it may be my last official duty as the crown prince." He said sarcastically, to the secretary's shock. "Once again, I'm telling you to double-check the documents regarding my manifestation."
He shut down the communication device and sighed. "Carmichael, you were listening, were you not?" Dekert knew someone had been listening to the entire time.
Carmichael regarded him with a frown. "Since when have you harbored doubts about your path in life?" He tilted his head. "You've been going through such extremes lately..."
Dekert folded his arms. "I'm older than any crown prince and have yet to find a partner." He shrugged. "Sometimes I wonder why I don't feel like I belong there."
It had begun when he saw the disparity between Chester and Firenze Jesso. Of the two, Firenze already found his mate, but he hadn't started the transformation to be recognized as a true Jesso.
On the other hand, Chester could completely transform into a griffin but had been reluctant to find a mate. He'd always seemed disinclined to look for one. Chester had never stated why, but lately, Dekert recognized the signs. He'd found someone, but whoever it had made him squirrely.
Dekert grunted. "I'm somewhere between Firenze and Chester when it comes to manifesting the griffin form," he acknowledged. "Yet, I have no urge to find an Omega as a mate." Dekert shook his head. "I'd always wondered if I was a Beta since I had no urges."
Carmichael frowned. "So, you're saying you'll go through with the search for Omegas?" He studied Dekert.
"Yes," Dekert shrugged. "I'll go through with that search. I'll ensure they want to leave their current circumstances since they're not part of the Bellonia or Galos territories." He would follow the rules.
Indeed, he would be able to find some decent Omegas of sufficient lineage to meet the approval of those individuals who inspected Omegas and Alphas regardless of rank. Now that neither Firenze nor Chester was in the group, there were no recognizable merchants or military figures who could double as bodyguards.
Carmichael grunted. "All right, I'll find people to act as guards, and then we can go in the morning."
"Thanks, Carmichael." Dekert smiled faintly. For as long as He could remember, Carmichael had been by his side.
*
Ruins of ancient Dracaenae enclave
The three men studied each other before Clarence exhaled in resignation. "So, what I'm coming to understand is that in your search to learn more about the griffin lineage," He studied Chester with some confusion. "Since you're able to transform, did you find this area?"
Chester nodded. "I wanted my brother to learn more about the dragons since his mate is one." He spared Firenze an irate stare. "Though he's been pretty cranky about all this."
Firenze snorted. "That's because you hadn't mentioned that part until the very end when we were on the road." He growled softly. "My mate is unusual." Firenze shrugged. "He had siblings. They were killed." His face became hard and angry when he recited all the reasons, he hadn't wanted to leave Grifton behind when he was so vulnerable. "He had nieces and nephews who were captured and degraded to the point they chose death over life as breeding creatures."
Even in his position, which kept him somewhat isolated in the Naxos Kingdom, Clarence had heard all the current events. He frowned. However, none of that reached his ears. "Perhaps someone spread that misinformation around to isolate Grifton Tinroy." Clarence rarely speculated. On the other hand, he knew it was a common tactic in some empires and kingdoms to destroy family unity.
Chester shrugged. "Whoever did it broadcast their murders and deaths in that order." He shook his head wearily.
Firenze was silent. "Grifton was the one who identified all of them." He rubbed his arms uncomfortably. "Look, as much as I want to know more about the griffin lineage and how to transform, I'm not in that much of a hurry. I still have a decade to go." He sneezed when a feather drifted across his face. A growl emanated from his throat when he swatted it away.
A peculiar expression crossed Chester's face when he regarded his brother. "Are you sure about that?" he sighed. "Lately, you've been crankier than me." He dodged Firenze's annoyed swat at his head. "We both have nasty tempers when it comes to being hassled about the stupidest things."
That was not normal or typical with those two. "So, what are the symptoms?" Clarence yawned. "I'll take you two somewhere to practice the changing," he informed them. That way, you'll be safe." The last thing that Clarence wanted on his hands were two inexperienced shifters.
The two brothers glowered at each other, but they finally nodded grudgingly.
"Thank you, I appreciate the generosity you're extending toward us." Firenze bowed politely to Clarence.
From what he could tell, it seemed to Clarence that of the two brothers, Firenze might be like his mate, a rare type of griffin. He merely nodded. "It is part of my duty as one of an ancient breed."
Fortunately, they'd both managed to get dressed in clean clothing, and Clarence led them to a plain cavern that was enormous and twice the length of the hot springs chambers. "Meditate, do whatever you need to do to prepare for the transformation, and let it happen without struggling," he suggested.
Firenze nodded. He looked around and then found a perch he liked high on the piles of rocks.
Chester sat amid a smaller pile of rocks and stretched out on the sand. "I'm taking a nap. I'm bushed."
Clarence frowned at him but merely shrugged.