The Banished
Chapter 5
The day started well enough. Gregor woke in his bed alone, his room dark. For half a moment, he couldn't remember what he had to do that day or what plans Luxa had for the two of them. Then he remembered that Luxa had taken off and he was on his own.
Great.
Her instructions from the previous night, Gregor remembered, were that he was supposed to train for most of the day. As he got dressed though, his stomach began to rumble, reminding him of the fact it had been a few hours since his last meal. Training could wait.
"The Overlander joins us. How refreshing."
Gregor just nodded as he took a seat one of the tables in the mess hall like area, where soldiers and guards were fed for free. In more recent times, Gregor would eat his meals either with Luxa or Hazard. He knew the boy was still somewhere roaming the palace, but didn't feel like tracking him down first.
"And what does our glorious queen have lined up for you in her absence?" one guard asked him, more in a sneering tone. Gregor used to feel the need to prove himself, but in the past year or so, he had given up. They would never like him. Not the ones that didn't already. Why fight it? He could hold his own in any battle. If anything, he was more equipped to be a soldier than a guard anyways. Their chatter was just that; needless chatter.
"Some tactics meeting or something," Gregor said as he stared down at his plate of food. If it was anything he missed about the Overland, it was the food. Not that it wasn't okay down here, because it was. It was just too many vegetables for his liking.
"Ah, before the head generals," Matthias spoke up from the other side of the table. "I am also assigned that. What does she wish for you to do beforehand?"
"Merely train," he told him, shaking his head. "And stay close for word of her cousin."
"Ah, same as I. Train, I mean," he said, smiling. "Perhaps we can train together, yes? Or is your head still split from the last time?"
"It was not you who gave me such a wound," Gregor said dismissively as he shrugged it off. He knew the man who did, Grabur, was sitting at the table as well, listening. "Regardless, I do not fear either way. If you wish to train, we can do so."
Matthias smiled at him, but Gregor was more focused on that look of annoyance the others had. Matthias was younger than Gregor, only around eighteen. The only reason he had been taken into the guard so young was because Luxa specifically requested him. He was skilled in battle, but had a hard time with the head of the army, Perdita. If there was anything the other guards hated than an Overlander in their ranks, it was a young boy that had a hard time following the rules.
Like the first one. Don't make friends with the Overlander.
"I will meet you at the arena then," Matthias said, still smiling as he nodded his head. "Not soon after our meal, yes?"
"I will meet you there," Gregor agreed, already running through his head who he could get to bring him there. It was horribly embarrassing for him to be the head of the royal guard and still have to be asked to be lowered to the ground by normal guards. Aurora was always his go to. With her gone…
His problem turned out to be very minor, as not soon after eating, Gregor headed to the High Halls to find someone willing to take him where he needed to go. It just so happened that Nike was there, speaking with a few other fliers. Making his way over, he awaited her to finish before speaking with her.
"Greetings, Overlander. I hope the day finds you well."
"It has so far," Gregor assured her as she fluttered her wings. "I am in need of a favor."
"And I am in need of someone to owe me."
Grinning, he said, "I just would like for you to fly me to the arena, is all. I am training there."
"Of course, Gregor," she said, her signature laugh following. "Have I ever let you down?"
He smiled back at Nike. "Can we go now?"
"If you so desire."
It was a short trip to the arena, as it always was, and Nike did not have much to say in that short amount of time. She did however promise to be back in time to take him to that meeting he was supposed to guard. If there was anyone that Gregor knew had his back, it was Nike. She had always been kind to him and seemed like she always would be. Though she did not go into battle with him, she would frequently practice aerial attacks with him. Though she did not have much skill in that department, she always willing to learn and was enthusiastic at the same time.
His time with Matthias went well enough. There was very little actual training though, as there were kids practicing when they both arrived. The kids, seeing the guards, immediately pleaded with them to teach them a few things. Mareth, who was leading the group, told the children to leave the men alone, let them work, but Gregor was never one to turn down kids. As the warrior and an Overlander, he was something of an oddity to them, a wonder. They very much so enjoyed practicing with him, learning from him.
It always interested Gregor, the way children took to him whereas their parents more or less found him a nuisance. He knew though at the first hint of war with the gnawers, they would fall back in his favor. And it wasn't as if he didn't understand their concern. Not entirely. He sure they feared his and Luxa's relationship for many reasons, but the main one was him becoming king. Gregor knew that no matter the amount of time he spent in the Underland, he would always be an Overlander. A foreigner. Being from the U.S. he knew that even they had rules for becoming president, one of them being you had to be a natural born citizen. So he understood their fears. He just didn't like them.
Nike showed up as promised when the time presented itself. Gregor still wasn't particularly thrilled about having to stand in the background during a tactics meeting, mainly because Luxa wasn't there. Without the queen, no actions could be taken in any situation. There was nothing they could be discussing that would have any bearing on anything.
The four top generals were there along with Perdita, gathered around the main table with a map of the charted parts of the Underland spread in front of them. Gregor just stood in the far corner, not speaking or moving as his hands stayed clasped behind his back.
The meeting began in a boring enough manner. Perdita, the head of the Regalian army since Solovet's passing, started off with the normal list of issues needed to be discussed. Gnawers, nibblers, The Fount's lack of protection, diggers, and finally the spinners once again swaying opinion on the humans.
The only one that was really of any interest to Gregor was what they had to say about The Fount, only for the mere reasoning of how little takes place there. They mention it every meeting and never seem to get around to addressing it. The idea of starting a separate army in The Fount had been floated around since the end of the Prophecy of Time, but there were certain reserves about doing so. For starters, if they were to start an army there, no doubt that army would consider itself separate of the Regalia army. Luxa, on the few times she broached the subject, said only that it would not be an army, but rather an active militia. And only if need be. In times of peace, it made more sense to keep the soldiers close to home, in case those tranquil flags turned sour.
Still, once again, they did not get to that topic, as they rarely did in meetings. The first thing they addressed was the queen's absence and what possible promises she could be making to the nibblers once again. Everyone knew that she was forever indebted to them, as were the Regalians for a time, as they had saved their then princess. Still, times had changed and now the nibblers and their problems seemed as unimportant as they once did.
"She spends far too much time on their needs. Is she their queen?" one of the generals, Namus, spoke up, as he typically did. There were four main generals that acted under Perdita. Namus, Barrett, Mareth, and Helix. Though Mareth and Barrett had won the respect of many, Helix and Namus had seemly just been given the positions in many people's eyes.
And more or less, their eyes would be telling them the honest truth. After the most recent war and over a year of peace among the land, many dropped from the army. Which was good for the economy, considering they could not afford the pay of so many soldiers during such a time. However, that left many vacant spots for young hotshots to fill.
In fact, it was when Gregor first moved permanently to the Underland that he Luxa discussed him becoming a general. It would have been about the right time, as the peace that she and Ripred had sworn to was fading and he would have given hope to the people. Still, she decided that she liked him much better as her guard, which he was finding out wasn't such a hard job. Still, they both knew that in times of war, he would be out there fighting, as was the way of a rager, Ripred told him when he heard of their plans.
"She feels a debt to them," Barrett argued with a shake of his head as he stared down at the map spread out across the table. "Rightfully so, I would like to remind you. We all owe them much."
"And they owe us much more," Namus argued, his arms finding their way across his chest as he glared at the other general. "The countless lives of them and their young we saved during the time of the Bane."
He was a relatively young guy. And though he was skilled at hand-to-hand combat, he had yet to serve on the front lines in a war, yet to see the carnage that produced. He had only been a young teen during the Prophecy of Time and was put on body removal around the city. He had never seen the fields full of carcasses of all species. Though he was enrolled in the military at the time of the most recent clash between the gnawers, there had been few battles. Not many soldiers were needed. Ripred and Queen Luxa had quickly reached a shaky agreement.
For the time being, anyways.
"You speak of things you were not around to see," Mareth said with a slight sigh, leaning heavily against the table. Though he had gotten quite good with his prosthetic through the years, he would never be what he was. Never. Still, he was a proud man. Perdita had offered him a chair at the start of the meeting, as she always did, but he turned her down just like usual.
"And yet he speaks for the voice of many young around the capital," Perdita said with a shake of her head. "Perhaps Queen Luxa's insistence on meeting every nibblers need is tedious, but it is her decision. Dare you question your queen, Namus?"
That flustered him immensely. "Well, I-I-"
"I believe he only means to say that Queen Luxa's absence at this meeting is well noted," Helix spoke up. He was slightly older than Gregor and had seen the same battles as he. The stout young man seemed more fit for a football player than a solider in Gregor's eyes, but he kept up quite well. Or so he would assume.
"I am in charge in her absence," Perdita said. "Rest assured that she will receive a full briefing on the contents of this meeting. From more than myself, I am sure."
Gregor stared straight ahead at the wall across from him, ignoring the glare Namus sent his way. Would he tell Luxa of this? Probably. If she asked. Honestly, Luxa never seemed to care much for what others thought of her. Ever. As with many, however, her greatest quality was also her worst.
"In any matter," Barrett started again, still looking down at the map before him. "Let us get back to the business at hand, yes? Queen Luxa's trip is of no concern of ours."
"Yes," Mareth agreed as he tried to stand straight again. "And if you wish to discuss it, perhaps you should do it with her on her return."
"Mareth, honestly," Perdita said as he had to haunch forwards again. "Take a seat. There is no judge here on your movements. You have spent much of the day in the arena, yes? Training the children? Then take a seat. Any normal man would be tired after that."
"I am no normal man."
"But you are," she said before shaking her head. "Regardless, let us speak on the gnawers digression towards the east."
And so the meeting started in full steam. Gregor tuned most of the conversations out, as guard were supposed to do. The business of the kingdom was not supposed to be of his concern; only the queen's.
The meeting was well on its way when a loud commotion could be heard outside of the room. All the guards were immediately alert, their hands easily falling to the hilts of their swords, gripping them in preparation for the unseen threat.
"I shall investigate," Barrett said then, his own hand over his weapon as he turned for the door. "If you so wish, Perdita."
"As you are," she conceded, glancing at the men gathered at her table. "It cannot be much."
It was then that they heard the sirens, a series of trumps going off in some sort of sequential order. Gregor recognized it easily.
"Gnawers," was all Perdita said before she made a mad dash out of the room, as did many of the other generals, Mareth bringing up the rear rush as he might. The other guards filed out too, all having their destinations should such a thing occur. Gregor's place was, as always, at Luxa's side. But since she left him behind, his place was at the next of kin that would take her place.
"We must get to Nerissa," Gregor told Matthias as they rushed out of the room. "Quickly."
Gregor doubted any gnawer would care much for Nerissa or even waste time killing her. Still, duty and honor did not change.
There was chaos in the palace as Gregor and Matthias rushed down the halls, in the opposite direction of many. Most were headed to the High Hall to locate their flier and head to the gate. Gregor felt a pang of longing, as he typically did in these situations. There was a part at him that would much rather be a part of the military instead of Luxa's guard. He didn't like murder or killing, but he did miss it at times. Kind of.
The time seemed to pass slowly once Gregor was at Nerissa's hospital room. Doctors were going crazy, preparing for the worst as they no doubt thought they were soon to be under siege. The trumpets had stopped, but things were still on high intensity until the orders were given down to be stopped.
Their area of the hospital had grown quiet when suddenly there were voices. One was shouting out loud orders. Gregor immediately recognized it as Mareth. Still, he held his position, both he and Matthias positioned inside of the room, two other royal guards outside it, ready to stop any threat to their queen pro tempore. She was still unconscious and unaware of their presences, but they were sworn to her side regardless.
"Step aside," was Mareth's order to the royal guards outside the door.
One of the guards out there was an older one, a mouthy one. "We take orders from the queen."
"You take orders from me," Gregor said re-sheathed his sword, moving to leave the room. "And you would learn to find your place, Howell. This is one of your generals. Should you ever-"
"Cease, Overlander," Mareth sighed as he came out of the room. Holding up a hand, he said, "It is alright."
Gregor was shocked to find Mareth was only with a few soldiers. No one else.
"What is it that you wish to see me for?" Gregor asked, his eyes look back at the soldiers before him. "Mareth?"
"Everything is not alright, by any account, but your presence has been requested in the tactics room once again."
"Is it the Queen Luxa? Perdita?"
"Neither," the older man said with a shake of his head. Though he had been hurting previously, he now looked almost like his old self. Every time he tried to move one of his legs though, he stumbled slightly. Gregor prayed for the peace to be upheld until Mareth was better. Because if unrest broke out, he had no doubt that the man would try to design battle plans and work all hours, never getting the rest he needed.
"Then what is it?"
"Prying ears should not hear. Come." Mareth nodded at the guards behind Gregor. "For now, hold your positions. Until things make a more balanced settle. Unless you need to hear it from your head guard to follow such a simple task?"
With that, Mareth and Gregor walked around the soldiers, who turned in their two rows to follow along behind them. Gregor tried not to notice, but the way Mareth was limping looked horrible.
"If you are unwell, no one would find fault with you not going back to the tactics room," Gregor told Mareth uneasily. "I am sure."
"Not you too, Gregor." Mareth shook his head. "You are the last one who sees me for what I am. If you turn on me as well-"
"No one will turn on you, Mareth."
"The queen suggests my retirement heavily," Mareth said with a shake of his head. "Says I will be well taken care of."
"I am sure you will."
"Solovet worked well into old age. Does one leg prohibit me from doing the same?"
The fact that Mareth had a heart prevented him from doing the same.
"It is a new age," Gregor said with a slight shrug. "Besides, perhaps it is your past actions that make the queen feel this way."
Mareth grinned at him then. "Yes. A few too many laps when she was a child, an unkind correction here. I am slated for the dungeon, am I not?"
"It would seem so."
It was then that Mareth remembered their surroundings and shook his head. Jokes such as that were not good to be told around open ears and eyes. Just like that, he and Gregor shifted back into attack mode.
"It is Ripred," Mareth told Gregor with a sigh. "He showed up at the gate, demanding to see Queen Luxa."
He frowned. "Then the gnawers do not know of her leaving?"
"It was only for a day or so. We kept it well under wraps, as I am sure you are glad."
"It is not good for many to know of the queen's activities, no."
"It could be a great trap, I am sure you are aware. A distraction, rather. For us all to put effort into Ripred's arrival and not pay attention to the queen's whereabouts."
"A smart strategy. I would put nothing past Ripred."
Nodding his head slightly, Mareth added, "We have taken him through some…tunnels. As not to raise awareness on his presence."
"The sirens let that be known well and far." Gregor could remember though, Solovet doing the same, when Ripred had brought him that 'present' all those years ago. Twitchtip was another loss that would never be forgotten.
"Aye," Mareth agreed with a sigh. "But some things cannot be helped, you must understand."
"I do," Gregor agreed, continuing down the hall. "What does Ripred want with me?"
"We would not tell him of Luxa's absence, rather refusing to show her to him. Instead, he has requested the warrior of late."
"The warrior is dead."
"And yet his ghost walks these halls, protecting our queen." Mareth glanced at him. "I know much of war and battle, Gregor. When time calls, you answer. You know that as well."
"War and battle are heavy words. Perhaps Ripred only wishes to talk."
"Aye," Mareth agreed after a moment's thought. "I have known him many years. He is very good at that."
"Very verbose."
"Very."
When the two of them made it to the tactics room, Mareth gave orders to his soldiers before heading in there with Gregor.
"-see Queen Luxa. She is unavailable at the moment."
"Unavailable. Right." Ripred snorted, his back to the entrance as Gregor came into the room. Still, he said, "And joins us the Overlander."
"I was requested," Gregor said simply, folding his hand over his sword as he came to stand further back from the table. He might have been requested, but he was not a general. He knew better. "By you."
"If they cannot tell me, perhaps you can," Ripred said as he turned to face the boy. "Where is your girlfriend, Overlander?"
"Do not speak to him," Perdita said, frowning. "Mareth should not have even brought him."
"And why not? If anyone can get me to her, it is the boy, is it not?" Ripred stared at Gregor, who was trying not to look as uneasy as he felt. "Unless…Queen Luxa is not here."
"And what would give you that idea?" Barrett was in the room as well, staring down at the map as if Ripred did not concern him in the slightest. "Perhaps she does not find you a threat."
"Perhaps not," he agreed, still staring at Gregor. "And besides, I cannot see the queen leaving without the head of her royal guard. Unless there is a new development."
Gregor held his head high. "I can assure you there is not."
"No, I couldn't see her leaving without the head of her royal guard. I can, however, see her and her boyfriend having a spat and her heading out. She is very emotional, that one is."
"I would watch your tongue, rat." Barrett's attention was held then, his hand easily going to his weapon. "Unless you wish to have it cut out of you."
"A thousand pardons, future king," Ripred said, his tone giving off his true feelings. "Though I believe my bond's life would have to end to further your career. So honestly, do you care what I say of her?"
"Easy, gentlemen," Perdita said, her voice clear and crisp. "Perhaps we can all take a breath, yes?"
"I do not need a breath," the gnawer said. "Overlander, if I cannot speak with my bond, I shall speak to you."
"You shall not," Perdita insisted. "He is, but a guard now. Of no concern to you."
"He is the warrior."
"He was the warrior," she corrected. "If you wish to speak with someone, you will speak with me."
"If I can't speak with the queen, I will speak with her guard." Ripred seemed hardly concerned with Perdita. "Come, Gregor."
"You will stay, guard."
His hesitation was noted by all, but above everyone else, Ripred.
"Tell me, has the queen castrated you in the past year? Not even a word?" Ripred shook his head. "You're weak now, Overlander."
"That's enough." Barrett was still glaring at Ripred, getting more and more put out by the minute. "What is it that you wish to tell us then? What is it-"
"We have been attacked unnecessarily by far too many humans recently."
Perdita snorted. "We have officiated no attacks on any gnawers, Ripred. These lies-"
"Not lies! Lies, you tell me. Name one time I have lied to you?"
Gregor could think of a few the rat had told him. Still, he stayed silent, just gripping his weapon tightly. He was not as easily provoked as he was in his boyhood. Not even close. Ripred's words were of little comparison to Luxa's or the other guards. Castration. Ha.
Perdita only shook her head. "I do not lie to you either, Ripred. We have not attacked you. When did these attacks take place? And were there any casualties?"
"Oh, you're lucky there weren't. Attack during a time of peace-"
"Peace, he says." Barrett snorted, releasing his hilt. "I feel the peacefulness in the room, do you not, Mareth?"
The man hobbled forward to lean once more against the table. "As Perdita asked, Ripred. Details. Please."
The overgrown rodent seemed to relax some as he addressed the head of the army instead of the royal guard.
"Just last night was the most recent. Men and women, dressed in rags, slicing into innocents while they sleep."
"I do not know what to tell you," Perdita said with a shake of her head. "They attacked, but did not kill? Then for what purpose?"
"We have fought them off quite easily at each attack. There have been three total."
"And they sent you to discuss it with us?" Mareth shook his head slightly, staring down at the map instead of Ripred. He was clearly in pain. He had only been a general for the past two years. He had grown bored of only being an instructor, and Luxa happily raised his ranks, assuring him that he would only be behind the scenes and never see active duty again. The job seemed to have been taking a toll on him however.
"I came on my own accord. To speak with my bond." Ripred shook his head. "You tell me that you are not behind this, Perdita."
"I am not."
"Then the queen is missing in action when I arrive. I would like to know what exactly is going on then? What other people would attack us?"
"That is a quandary," Barrett agreed. "The land stinks horribly. Who would want-"
"Silence," Perdita told him, only keeping her eyes on Ripred. "I would like to work with you, Ripred, as I took am stumped. All guards and soldiers are accounted for. We are in times of peace. They would not likely wish to cause problems for fear of fanning the flames of another war."
"Then tell me," Ripred demanded then. "Tell me where your queen is."
"I-"
"If you cannot tell me, then how should I not know that she is not behind it? How else should I take this? We're being attacked and you're pushing us off. If I cannot speak with the queen-"
"You can speak with me, if you so wish, but you would find it best to stop raising your voice at my generals."
They all turned at the sound of Luxa's voice. Gregor stared openly as her as she walked into the room, a few guards with her.
"Finally," Ripred said, shaking his head. "And where were you then? My dear bond? Planning more attacks?"
"Hardly."
The humans in the room were obviously confused, as Luxa had told them all she would be gone a day and a half. Either something had gone insanely right or insanely wrong. She hadn't even been gone a day!
"If we shall speak, Ripred, let us speak in private." Luxa nodded at the guards behind her, dismissing them all. Then she looked at Gregor, giving him one look to let him know that he was back in service. "Surely you are hungry."
"Surely I am."
"Shrimp then?"
"The way you are attempting to please me only makes me fear your true intentions."
"Can I not treat my bond to a meal occasionally?" Luxa looked at Perdita. "Carry on with the tactics meeting. Put the entire kingdom off watch. Ripred would attack on speck if that was his intent. Carry on as usual."
"As you say, your grace," Perdita agreed, though she kept her eyes on Ripred.
"Come, bond," Luxa said, smiling at him as she turned, making sure to nod at Gregor as well, signaling him to follow. As he moved to follow her, she spoke again. "And Mareth?"
"Yes?" He lifted his head at that, moving to stand straight once again.
"You look unwell. Your duties are all done for the day. Go home. Rest. If you are feeling better on the morrow, you will come in. If you do not, Perdita, Barrett, Namus, and Helix can surely function without you."
Gregor could see the embarrassment on Mareth's face as he passed. Still the man nodded, knowing better than to doubt his queen.
"Must the Overlander accompany us?" Ripred asked not soon after the three of them set off down to the hall.
"He is my head guard."
"Yes, I know this," Ripred said with a shake of his head. "But he also reeks of the Overland. Can he not bathe or something? He stinks."
Gregor frowned at that, but Luxa spoke for him.
"He was in the Overland days ago now. And has bathed since then, have you not, Overlander?"
"I have," he assured them both.
"Well, he must not be doing it well enough," Ripred said before sneering. "Though I'm sure you would know about that, your highness."
"I would notice my head guard if he had a certain…stench, yes."
"Now my bond, do you make such a habit as lying to your other bond? Or is Aurora as naïve as she seems?"
Luxa clicked her tongue, continuing down the hall. "You would be best to remember whose palace you are currently in, Ripred."
"Oh, I remember," he said before glancing at her. "But more importantly, I remember who is about to feed me."
"Whatever it is that silences you, I suppose," Luxa sighed as they made it to the dining room. "Come then, so you can feast."
Gregor hesitated at the door. The idea of eating with both Ripred and Luxa was bad enough. The idea of having to stand guard while the two of them ate and discussed attacks on the gnawers made him shudder even more. Luxa was mouthy and Ripred was hotheaded. The ending to that meeting almost wrote itself.