A strange feeling bothered me, like an itch, after we made our way back to the Headmaster’s office. It seemed the return trip skipped past the maze. How convenient. That being said, I would be busy tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow. Who knew when I would have time to think about what we discussed. Letting the territory suffer because of an unconfirmed war there were no signs of was unacceptable.

Several weeks later, a visitor came to the territory, claiming to be Autumn’s grandfather and demanded to meet him.

“Do you know him, Autumn?” I asked. There were three of us in Keane’s new research facility, and the door was locked to avoid interruption.

Autumn nodded with a dark look on his face. “I know him, and he is my grandfather, but I hate him. He despises beastkin, and sees my parents and I as nothing more than disposable tools or trash.”

“Then why would he be demanding to see you now?” Keane asked, clearly finding the situation suspicious.

“I… don’t know.”

“I hate to suggest this, but would you be willing to meet him in a safe environment so we could find out?” I suggested.

“If there are other people around he won’t say anything important,” Autumn said, shaking his head slowly. His ears had drooped down.

“Come to think of it, if your grandfather hates beastkin then one of your parents must be-”

“Human,” Autumn finished, “Yes, I am lowly mixed blood.”

“No one here thinks that,” Keane firmly stated, “and race is not important in Tethia.”

“That’s true,” I added, “My parents claim we have fairy blood somewhere.”

“Yes, but my family lives by the border. They may not care in Tethia, but they definitely do in other countries.”

“So the borders of Tethia are influenced strongly by other countries,” I muttered to myself. Depending on how it was influenced it could cause a huge difference were there to be a war. Tethia was the only country on the continent that could freely use magic. Someone with magical powers would occasionally pop up here and there in other countries, but that was it. If Tethia lost the war in the future Alois and Wayde mentioned then the border territories may have turned against them.

“We definitely need to hear what he has to say, but we can’t just put Autumn in danger like that,” I complained, and looked over at Keane.

“I have developed a potion that will enhance hearing, and I have been working on Maximus’s skills with hidden weapons,” Keane suggested, “We don’t have to be in the room to protect Autumn, and we do have the authority to arrest that man if Autumn is hurt.”

Once again, Keane proved to be talented in strange directions but it was better not to ask, especially since they were useful. “What do you think?” I asked Autumn.

“I will do it,” he promised, “I will do whatever I need to if it helps get rid of a threat to Tethia.”

“We don’t know that for sure, but thank you,” I told him, “And we will make sure to keep you safe.”

“Are you going to tell the others?”

“We probably should. They might be able to provide more help and leaving each other in the dark about things like this won’t make the situation any better,” I answered, “But I would also like to include Rena in this. You may not know her will but we have been friends for years and I trust her completely.”

“That’s up to you.”

Keane always seemed to be holding back his real thoughts and opinions. He was probably the most mysterious of the ‘heroes of Tethia’ with Alois as a close second.

“I will send them a report on the situation. In the meantime, we should prepare for where our special guest will be welcomed.”