20
Gregor and Wynnora got into a routine for the next two weeks. Wynnora woke up early to go train with Ripred somewhere under the palace. Then she went with Dulcet, who had become friends with her. Dulcet was moved from taking care of the children temporarily to gathering supplies in the palace kitchen in preparation for the battle, and Wynnora was helping the staff by showing them how to can unfamiliar vegetable (the Underlanders were still figuring these things out from the increased farming).
Gregor got up each morning, put on his Regalian uniform (which made him self-conscious because he thought he did not deserve it), and reported to Luxa. He followed her on her errands each day to oversee preparations for a spinners' inevitable attack on the city. Gregor got to see the supply rooms, the crops, the armory, training, and much more. At lunch time, he went to the hospital and ate with Howard and Mareth. Then he returned to finish the day with Luxa, before going to his quarters for dinner with his cousin.
It really was not that bad of an arrangement except that Gregor missed his family very much. How long had he been down here? He tried to count the days. No, weeks would be better. He spent two days in Regalia. Then three to the outpost. Three again to the spinners. Maybe only four to get all the way back to Regalia. Then two weeks in the city. It was so hard to count days in the Underland, but Gregor estimated he had been down here for a month.
That was more than enough time for his family to worry about him. He fell down the last day in May. That meant it was probably July now. It was too hard to think about. Maybe something would happen, and he would be able to return home soon.
Gregor was standing on the docks next to the river with Luxa now. Most of the time Gregor could barely follow the plans she made, but this time he knew what she was talking about. She was sending a message to Hazard, who would remain in the Fount until the danger passed. The messenger bowed to Luxa, then climbed on the flier and took off down the tunnel with the river. Luxa sighed.
"I hope my cousins are not too terrible to him," she said.
"Sushanna seemed nice when I met her. I'm sure she's watching him." Gregor liked Howard's mom, and trusted that she would watch him.
"She cannot always be there to protect him," Luxa said. She was about to say something else when Gregor heard a horn go off. He had learned it was the sign for attack. The spinners were making their attack on the city now. They must have snuck past or killed the guards around the city, because they immediately poured in through the river tunnel.
Gregor drew his sword and dagger, and Luxa did the same. She was still barely able to hold the sword, but Gregor knew that would not stop her from trying. They watched as the spinners crawled ups the walls, and some even went on the ceiling.
"You have to go," Gregor told Luxa.
"I do not think I shall. They will not make me flee this time." Aurora landed behind her bond. Greogr thought they looked intimidating, but he knew that Luxa would not be fighting her best. Soldiers began flying out and attacking the spinners.
Greogr pushed Luxa onto Aurora. "Go to the palace like Mareth told you," he ordered her. He was honestly scared to talk to her like this, but he had no choice. "You'll only get in the way out here. You can give orders from the palace, and that will be more useful."
Luxa glared at him. "I will make you regret speaking to me in such a way," she told him.
"I'm counting on it," he said back, managing a small smile. "Now hurry. I'm going to see what help I can be down here." Aurora lifted off, and sped off for the palace. Now Gregor had to find where he could possibly be useful on the ground.