Chapter 7

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

How did a simple stroll turn into something so complicated and intensely personal? Chester knew Firenze wouldn't forgive him for this any time soon. He contemplated what to do next as they remained in the tree branches. Chester recalled Firenze telling him to meditate, and he sighed. While it wasn't the best time for it, Chester knew there wouldn't be many options left—not when they had to elude Morrick, of all people.

Chester scowled because he knew Morrick despised him and Firenze. Morrick was a recognized warrior, unlike Chester, a notable statesman, but could fight in a brawl or confrontation if necessary. A sigh escaped Chester. He also knew that Morrick viewed Firenze as even more inferior because he'd supposedly turned into quite the delinquent. Chester knew otherwise but wasn't about to do anything that would infuriate Firenze further. For now, Chester had to find a solution to this current mess. On the other hand, he noticed that Firenze studied the terrain carefully and cupped his hands around a small ball of light.

Chester blinked in confusion when he spotted a small creature with wings glowing in the small light. So that was what a spirit looked like? Intrigued, Chester noticed many others fluttering around them. They weren't precisely agitated, but they were anxious. He smiled slightly when observing them. Then he looked back down to where Morrick crouched and studied what remained of their tracks. Hmm, that was no good. Chester realized he'd been a tad careless. No wonder Firenze was angry with him. It was as if he'd forgotten everything that Firenze made time to teach him how to avoid being tracked.

Chester was frustrated as he wondered what to do. Then he saw something that might work. Even as his mind raced, several spirits suddenly clustered around the branches' knotwork and abruptly fell down onto Morrick, trapping him in place.

Not only that, but all the spiked ends of the trees were solidified to the ground using earth, ice, and something else—precisely as Chester had envisioned it to work. Startled, he glanced at the spirits in confusion.

{Give them a bit of your mana as thanks.} Firenze reminded him. {After all, they did follow your guidance.} There was reluctant approval in Firenze's voice.

Chester did as he was bade. It felt nice knowing that he'd been able to communicate with them.

{As we grow closer to our spirit griffins, we can communicate with other spirits.} Firenze informed him. {I learned all of this from Grifton despite having taken classes to learn about it.}

Chester would love to meet Firenze's mate. {Is he a type of dragon?}

{Normally, I wouldn't answer this, but I will for you, Chester. Keep it out of your notes.} For the first time in their conversation, Firenze hesitated before answering. {Yes, he is a spirit and psychic lineage.}

Chester was stunned. Grifton Tinroy was one of the rarest types of dracaenae out there. Yet he'd willingly become Firenze's mate. {How did you manage to get so lucky?}

Firenze snorted. {It wasn't luck.} He surprised Chester. {It was more like me being persistent and curious as hell about his ability to remain alive.} A sigh escaped Firenze. {Well, that and I was unwilling to back down when we got into fights on the streets.}

So, they had been rivals? Wow, what a shock. For the first time, Chester was envious when hearing about the meeting between Firenze and Grifton Tinroy.

*

When would these two brothers pay attention to their surroundings? Clarence heard the crown prince bellowing all the way to the highest turret. He was surprised that neither of the brothers could hear it with their sensitive ears.

Strike that, Firenze did notice it, but he was clearly pissed at his brother enough to not warn him. Sheesh that one held quite a nasty grudge. Clarence took note of the fact that Firenze wasn't one to be trifled with. He communicated with the spirits, who were very uneasy about what was happening.

At last, Clarence concluded that he would have to do something about that oblivious duo. Or he could leave them to get busted again. While that appealed to him, the spirits were not happy with his view of the situation. He rolled his eyes and sighed. The last thing he needed was irate spirits throwing fits because he harmed someone of potential value to him in the future.

Great, I have to get these two idiots to safety. Although that wasn't the best way to handle the problem, Clarence also didn't want to get further involved with their shameless antics. Huh, so they weren't going toward the turrets even though they would be safer there? He frowned in confusion while listening to what was said.

All right, it was mainly Firenze doing his best to stop Chester from causing Clarence more problems. Hmm, this was becoming more complicated. At any other time, Clarence would've been grateful for that consideration, but right now, his refusal to go near the turrets was going to eventually get them into worse trouble.

If he was right, that cousin would eventually turn on them both and kidnap Grifton to use as bait to lure in other dracaena since he was apparently on par with a mythical, if not legendary, species of dracaena. A sigh escaped Clarence.

While Clarence hadn't wanted to ruin the moment the brothers shared, especially that exciting tidbit about Grifton Tinroy. Oh yes, he did remember that particular individual. No wonder some of those traps looked familiar. Clarence remembered falling prey to one or two of them in some of the wars. He knew who must've constructed the originals and taught other variations. He shook his head in amusement. {Forget the caverns. Just come to the turrets. You'll be safer there.} Might also let them know that he'd heard their entire conversation. {You two need to learn how to shield your chatter. Luckily, I put up a shield to prevent telepathy snoopers from overhearing the conversation.} That included potentially hostile spirits that worked for the prince.