24

Chapter 24

Flange Orphanage, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2022, Planet: Grimoire

Doyle Moline was devastated at the sight he witnessed. Since he and the coachman called in the authorities, and now it involved the military, Moline couldn't leave the area.

"This is problematic because I have work unfinished that I meant to complete once I returned to the orphanage," Doyle grumbled with some irritation.

This was something out of any traveler's worst nightmare, he reflected with a sigh.

It wasn't often that dragons were found here. Especially those that were hybrid white, purple, and blue dragons. Psychic, spirit, and water breeds were extremely rare and bordered on legendary. Not only that but humanoid with live offspring? That was tantamount to sacrilegious and indicated someone with ill intent out to cause trouble.

Sudden shouting caught Doyle's attention. He straightened up from where he leaned against the carriage steps. Glancing around, Doyle frowned as soon as he saw what caused the commotion. "What the hell did you come here for, Lamberton?"

While Moline knew that Lamberton was of draconian heritage, he was also an Elementalist who tended to stick to dealing with primarily scholarly pursuits. So, his appearance here wasn't expected at all.

"I need to see the bodies. I'm here as a potential relative as well." Lamberton flashed his identification to the personnel that milled around.

Moline grunted and waved a hand at him. "Fine," He shrugged. "I'd go talk to Darmono first before he busts a gut because a civilian is poking his nose in here."

Lamberton frowned at Moline, "The same could be said about you," He grumbled.

"I'm the one that came across this horrible sight first." Moline snapped. "Same as the coachman," He indicated Grimes who sat pale and clammy, with his gaze fixed on the inside of the carriage.

"So, what do you have inside there that has him so on edge?" Lamberton studied Grimes and Moline who were clearly on edge.

"Go talk to Darmono first." Moline insisted. "Else, they'll throw you out regardless of your rank." He wasn't answering anything from Lamberton right now. He wasn't in the mood for an argument either.

Lamberton sighed, shook his head, and carefully made his way over to Darmono. He was making a point of avoiding disturbing the site of the crime more than it had already been tumbled about.

The air turned colder and icier than earlier.

Moline figured it had to do with the two men being in the other's proximity. Neither of them got along with the other. More often than not, they would fight with each other. Moline didn't bother to find out why, he figured it was none of his business anyway. "What should I do about that problem I'm facing?" He mused more to himself but was surprised when Grimes grunted. "What is it, Grimes?"

"You said there was paperwork you needed to get done tonight?" Grimes glanced at him.

"Yes, though it might be delayed now because of everything having gone haywire." Moline shrugged. "We've both missed the evening meal as well." While it didn't bother him too much, he knew Grimes had a health condition that required him to eat meals regularly and a strict time schedule. "I'm sorry that I wasn't able to make it home on time for you to eat."

Grimes shook his head. "Didn't you have your portable equipment and copies of that paperwork on a device or something?" He frowned at Moline. "Besides, I anticipated something of a delay occurring, though I hadn't known it would be of this gross nature." He pulled out a container of cold food. He tossed one to Moline. "Here, eat this inside the carriage. One of us should stay dry at least."

Even as he spoke, rain poured harshly down upon them.

Thunder rumbled and lightning cracked.

Moline's hair stood on end. He didn't move as he looked toward where Lamberton and Darmono stood staring at one of the corpses intently. "Oh, that really isn't a good sign," Moline muttered. "Something set off their tempers simultaneously and for once they're in agreement."

Such a scary sight. Moline hoped he wouldn't become their next target because he'd been the one to notify them about this situation.

"Oh, they won't harm you, sir," Grimes told him. "I think they identified who the bodies' names are. They also may have figured out who murdered them."

Hmm, so it was not just a massacre but deliberate murder? Moline sighed. "This really isn't a good day to go traveling about, is it?" He rubbed his jaw and then climbed into the carriage. Once inside he activated a cover to go over Grimes' perch. "I don't care what you say, you shouldn't be out in soaking rain for no good reason either." He called out in response to Grimes' startled yelp.

There was a sigh. "Thank you, sir, but warn me next time. I was nearly knocked unconscious by the bars that came out of the sides by my head." Grimes scolded Moline.

"Oh, dear, I forgot about that part." Moline was chagrined. "I meant to fix that too." There'd been too many distractions lately and it slipped his mind.

"Well, no matter," Grimes told him. "I'm grateful that I'm no longer getting soaked."

"That's good to hear." The horses were also protected because Moline made a point of not allowing anything in his possession to suffer from inclement conditions if he could help it.

He watched quietly while the other men and women continued to make sure they scoured the area completely. Only when they were finished would Moline be able to depart. He set up his portable equipment in a well-lit corner and checked on the four babies. He frowned because they looked rather flushed and heated. Moline checked their temperatures and cursed. "Damn it all. I need to get these four to a clinic that treats fevers in infants." He fussed as concern overtook his other goals.