Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Ruins of ancient Dracaenae enclave, Continent: Barat, the Year 2041, Planet: Grimoire

They were brought back to the present when their interrogator cleared his throat. {You need to shield yourselves better. Weren't you taught the basics of psychic shielding?}He alerted them that he'd heard everything they discussed through their telepathic relay. "This is getting irksome. Make up your minds." This time, his voice was a soft whisper.

Crap, how embarrassing. Chester grimaced when he heard the man inquire. "When are you two going to leave that area? There are more coming."

The low resonant growl sent thrills and created tension within Chester's body. This was becoming embarrassing and dangerous, not to mention frustrating, because Chester would have no peace until he dealt with the physical response.

Firenze, on the other hand, made a sour face. "Oh, good grief, Chester. If you're going to go into mating heat, do it somewhere else." He muttered, making Chester wince.

What the hell did that mean? What did it matter to Firenze if he was showing such odd signs? Chester shook his head uncomfortably because he understood that now wasn't the time to have such responses. "I'm doing no such thing." Damn, he had to get his head on straight.

Immediately, they headed for the caverns, which had been their original destination. They didn't hear a peep from the interrogator, who seemed fine with where they were going.

At least until they almost ran straight into the crown prince, who'd been intent on finding something about the ancient dragon. They froze up in the trees, walking along the thick branches that formed perfect aerial pathways if one knew how to traverse them expertly.

"Come to the turrets. You'll be safer in them." That's when Clarence bluntly told them to come to the turrets instead.

What turrets? Chester hadn't recalled seeing them anywhere. Oh, right, now he remembered. They were built into the cliffs utilizing the same materials the cliffs were composed of. Then he remembered a heavy stench that smelled quite enticing, like honeysuckle. What a weird smell, though, especially right now.

Chester noticed where Firenze was headed when their reluctant benefactor told them where to go. Huh, that was opposite where Firenze had initially been walking.

Chester followed, but not in a direct line. Nope, he knew better than to do that. He dropped back to the ground, much to Firenze's dismay.

Two voices chorused spontaneously. {What're you doing now?}

Chester split off slightly to avoid having a direct trace on their tracks. {I'm simply putting earlier training to use, that's all. We do have to give them something to follow.}

That's when he recalled what Firenze taught him about hiding his tracks. Chester gave them hints about his thought process regarding what needed to be done to prevent unwelcome discoveries. {If no false trails are left,} He was reluctant to even put the possibility out there. It had to be said, though, and Chester didn't mind reminding them why extra measures should be taken. {eventually, someone will catch onto the fact that there are ruins here.}

No amount of shielding would prevent their discovery, with Chester and Firenze now in the picture. Now was the best time to use it if he didn't want Dekert and his people finding them.

There was immediate backlash from Firenze, who disapproved of what he was going to do at all.

{All right, but don't do anything that'll let them catch you. I'm not going back into that camp if you get captured.} Firenze was not at all pleased with his decision.

Chester wasn't entirely surprised at what else was given to him as information.

There was agreement from the unseen observer. {The same goes for me. Given my preferences, I wouldn't even be hosting either of you.} There was a loud, disgruntled sigh. {However, it goes against the grain to see two people tortured for information that they didn't know was invaluable to that nutcase of a crown prince.} The speaker lapsed into silence.

That was the primary reason for that individual's concern. Chester didn't want to be at fault if they all got captured. Well, it wasn't as if Chester had plans to let that happen.

This was a zany way of ending somewhat palatable relations with his cousin. Chester grimaced in reflection. Oh well, that dude was insane anyway. It was better to cut ties with him before it was too late.

*

Dekert was furious. He knew the twin brothers were nearby. Unfortunately, something jammed his senses and caused him and his men severe disorientation. "What an irritating mess!" he grumbled. "All right, since this is a waste of time, shall we regroup back at the camp?"

Provided there was still one to retreat to. Dekert didn't voice that concern. His men nodded with relief and frustration at being cheated of their prey. There was no need to demoralize them further.

Despite the setbacks, Dekert was keen on staying. However, several of the traps that triggered gave him a pause. The last thing he wanted was for any of his hand-picked guards, warriors, and scholars to get fatally wounded.

One of the scholars finally told Dekert. "This, I fear, is beyond my realm of expertise."

Dekert nodded. They headed back to the campsite, which was in disorganized chaos. "What happened here?" Dekert demanded.

All the guards exchanged wary glances. The warriors grimaced. The remainder, who were mages and scholars, threw their hands into the air.

Torero explained. "The tents that held the personal belongings of the Jesso twins completely disappeared as if they'd never been put together."

Another mage complained, "Not only that, but our supplies have been spoilt." She shook her head. "With what's left, we can make it to the Caliente outpost." She was clearly dubious about even getting that far without mishap. "However, as it stands, we don't have enough to make it back home or to the Naxos Kingdom."

Well, Dekert hadn't intended to go to the Naxos Kingdom anyway. Going back home empty-handed was worse, though. He looked around with dissatisfaction. "If we can't get that benighted dragon, what can we return home with that won't bring further shame upon my reputation?"