The Banished

Chapter 38

"Why is it so dark in here? Surely we can spare a torch for him."

"He has requested there not to be one, Mother. He spent much time in darkness while in the Uncharted Lands and-"

"Well, he is not in the Uncharted Lands any longer. You will only do his eyes more damage, indulging this."

Gregor groaned, rolling onto his side. His eyes were still bound, but he knew who was speaking.

"Are you awake then, Gregor?"

He felt Susannah touch his arm as the room lit up. She had no doubt brought a torch with her.

"No light."

"You are not a child and I am not going to treat you like that one. Come, I bring your medicine."

He wanted to fight her when she began to unwrap the binds around his eyes, but he did not. He did not particularly wish to see Susannah at the moment (or anything for that matter), but he also respected her greatly. Plus, what were his other options? Fight her? Yeah, right.

"You have been awake for a day now," she told him softly once his binds were off. "And you still will not open your eyes? It is not healthy. If you stop using your legs, then you cannot walk. If you stop using your eyes, what do you think will happen?"

Gregor blinked in the dim lighting, as the torch was in a holder on the other side of the room. Howard was in the room, of course, as he had been the one taking care of Gregor before his mother walked in.

"You have to get used to the light again, dear, for many reasons," Susannah told him as she stared into his eyes. "One is because you are home now. You are safe now. The other is because you could get a roommate at any moment and I am nearly certain that they will not like the darkness as much as you."

"Aye," Howard agreed from the end of the bed, where he was writing something down. "You are not blinded, Overlander. Why live as if you are?"

He squinted then, but didn't say anything.

"What is wrong then?" Susannah asked him. "Have you overdosed him, Howard?"

"Of course not, Mother," he said, frowning over at her. "He is in no pain. He merely does not speak because he is upset with me."

"And why is that?"

Howard sighed, shaking his head. "Luxa is not only a queen, but also not of kin to him. I am bound by-"

"She is in a coma," Susannah told him then, making a face at her son. "Honestly, Howard, could you not tell him that?"

"I could not. The last time I did, I was reprimanded. I-"

Susannah only groaned before looking back at Gregor. "She does not awaken as of yet. I shall make sure that you are informed when she does, yes?"

He still only blinked. "Can you take the torch when you go?"

"Oh, Gregor," she sighed, reaching out to pat his head gently. Then, pausing for a moment, she said, "Take your medicine at least."

He did as asked, though he refused to acknowledge Howard, angry at him for not telling him of Luxa.

"Word has been sent to your mother of your condition," Susannah told him then. "She wishes to come, but I wrote to her not to. Not until things have settled here."

Gregor shook his head. "She is unneeded here anyways."

"She is your mother," Susannah told him simply, no other words needed. Then she sighed and said, "I will take away the torch, Gregor, but you are to leave your eyes unblended."

"The light from outside-"

"Is going to help you, I promise." She patted his cheek then. "I came from the Fount to see you. Do not make me regret my decision."

"You came for Luxa."

"I came for you both, to make sure you were alright."

He looked off then before shaking his head. "I think I need to leave the hospital now. I-"

"Do not start that. Else I will send someone in here to stand guard over you."

With one more pat to the head, Susannah was gone, leaving the two guys behind. Howard only stayed for a few more minutes before leaving him alone as well. Gregor truly planned to just walk out, but he was still rather tired. His pain medication was probably laced with sleeping pills. They did that to him sometimes. Especially if it was Susannah giving him the medicine. She was probably afraid he'd pop the stitches in his leg or something.

Gregor shifted on the cot before pulling the covers over his head. He had told her that he would not bind his eyes once more, so he wouldn't. However, he wouldn't be forced to subject himself to all that light either.

"Everyone is waiting for you to tell what happened."

Gregor only stared at Hazard. "Do you care?"

"No. I do not. Barrett says one thing, Mareth says another. Ripred is considered a traitor to a queen who betrayed the warrior who betrayed the crown. It is all big mess."

"Who do you believe?"

"I believe you, Gregor. We are brothers."

He smiled then before shaking his head. He had only woken up a few minutes before to find Hazard in his room, waiting for him.

"We are," he agreed with a sigh. "Tell me, what does Mareth say?"

"Mareth is back in the Fount and has not returned to Regalia. He says that Barrett and Luxa stole you away and traded you to the banished. Barrett says that Luxa planned it all along and that you knew what was going on, after they freed you from prison. That you agreed to go. And Ripred is said to have pulled the best one of all. He fooled Luxa. Is that not funny?"

"It is not funny, Hazard," Gregor told him with a sigh, looking up the ceiling then. "What of Perdita?"

"She is here, in Regalia. She has given power over to York, as she did when Luxa went missing. The men from the Fount held the border at the Regalian gates, should the banished come for them, while the majority of the Regalian army was put under York's order and scoured the land for Luxa. Ripred and his gnawers admitted finally that they had tricked Luxa and given her over. York was most upset. He has called for Ripred's head."

"I thought York was angry with Luxa?"

Hazard shrugged. "She is still his niece."

"Have you been in to see her?"

"She is heavily guarded." Hazard almost looked sad then, if only for a moment. "She is not well."

Gregor shook his head, sighing. Then, after a moment, he said, "Hazard?"

"Hmmm?"

"How is Nerissa?"

"Even worse," he whispered. "And Vikus has been in the hospital since this all started. You killed the banished, Gregor, but at what cost?"

"It's okay, buddy," Gregor assured him, though he wasn't so certain that was true. "I just need to rest for the rest of today and then tomorrow, I will fix it all. Promise."

"You cannot wake the dead."

"Luxa is not dead," he told him then, rather harshly. "Neither is Nerissa nor Vikus. They are both alive as well. I will settle things with Mareth and Barrett and then Ripred and York. It is this way after every war, should you not remember. It always takes some time to get things simmered down again."

"I guess you're right."

"Of course I am," Gregor assured him, frowning when he heard some people talking outside the curtain to his room. Not a minute later, York walked in, clearly still dressed for battle, though they had defeated the banished that day he found Luxa and Gregor

It was what he was holding that was more concerning anyhow.

"I found this one with the other banished children we rescued. Took some searching, but I recognized him from the time I spent in Regalia before."

Zander seemed awkward there, in York's arms, though it was obvious it was because the boy did not wish to be held. He looked like he had been crying and kept making that motion he did with his hands when he was hungry.

He perked right back up though, once he was sat down in Gregor's lap. He snuggled up against the man's chest, giggling while staring up at him. And he hadn't even noticed Hazard yet.

"Still pretending to be the lord of darkness?" York remarked, frowning at the lack of light. "Honestly, Gregor, I-"

"He is most shocked to see Zander." Hazard told him.

"I…I was afraid that you killed him," Gregor mumbled as Zander made faces up at him. "I thought-"

"I killed him?" York frowned. "Why would I-"

"Not you," Gregor said, shaking his head as he patted Zander on the head, as if to make sure he was real. "Luxa and I thought that the Regalian army was coming. We assumed that Barrett would be leading them. Then when you showed up, I thought that the Fount had defeated Regalia or something in Luxa's absence and assumed that you just laid waste to all the banished. I did not know."

York sighed then before looking at Hazard. "I think it's time you went and saw your grandfather, Hazard."

He frowned at that, glaring at York. Apparently, it wasn't just Luxa that Hazard didn't like; it was all authority in general.

"You're not in charge," Hazard told him harshly. "Nerissa is. You cannot just bypass her. If not her then Vikus. And Luxa is not dead. She never was. You-"

"Hazard," Gregor warned, frowning over at him. "What is wrong with you? Go. Now."

Hazard glanced at him before slowly getting to his feet and heading out of the room. Zander noticed him then and whined for him to come back, but quickly forgot about him when Gregor patted his head again.

"What did you do to him?" Gregor asked, frowning.

York only grunted. "You leave children to raise children and that is what you get. Besides, the boy is upset with his cousin. Now he's afraid she is going to die. He's got to take that out on someone. Rather it me than you, yes?"

Gregor only stared down at Zander, who giggled back up at him. "Many children then? That you rescued?"

York sighed, going to take the seat that Hazard had previously occupied. The slight groan he gave out when he sat reminded Gregor that York was not a young man. He was getting up in his years.

"Many. Too many for the Regalian orphanages. We are taking them to the Fount." York only sighed. "This one here is the only one with any chance."

Gregor held Zander to him, who was bored of being held by that point and was wiggling again. He was very adventurous.

"I have told no one to question you, since you awoke."

"I know."

York cleared his throat then before looking off. "But Overlander, you must understand. I need to know everything that happened, should I be able to handle this situation. I cannot just await Luxa's awakening. For one, no one knows when that will be. For another, her name is mud currently, saved only by the crown on her head."

Gregor just stared down at Zander. "Luxa saved us all."

"And I would love to tell everyone that. I truly would," York told him, nodding his head slightly. "But first I must learn how this all came about. One minute it is a normal war against an enemy, the next our leading man is put on trial for treason, goes missing, then the queen, and suddenly they both turn up at the traitors camp, near death, having killed the enemy."

"If it was in a prophecy, you people wouldn't question it."

"Gregor," York said, his tone coming out harsher than it was meant to. Honestly, though, the man was handling things that were well beyond his normal responsibility.

"Luxa did what she had to do."

"Then you knew," York said slowly then before letting out a long, disappointed sigh. "You knew from the start. Barrett is-"

"Barrett is worthless," Gregor retorted, shaking his head. "I knew nothing when I was put on trial."

"Then Mareth is right."

"Mareth…no. He was in the dark."

"Then what, Gregor? I would like to be able to-"

"I do not know what to tell you, York," Gregor finally snapped at him. "Luxa is not here. I do not know what I am supposed to tell you."

York sat straight up then, staring at the younger man hard. Then, slowly, he said, "Perhaps the truth would work."

"The truth? The truth is that Luxa and I just gave our all for you guys and you still want more. That's the truth."

"Gregor-"

"Luxa was never going to kill me," Gregor told him then. "She and Barrett came up with a plan to trick me into believe she would though, by setting up that whole court shenanigans, along with Helix, who apparently has turned against us. I think he was feeding Namus information or something. Still unclear on that. Then Mareth, as unknowing as me, tried to free me, but it was on the same day that Barrett was going to. Then when I got to Luxa and it was all explained to me, I learned that the Fount was rebelling and the gnawers were marching, so we were already too far in to go back. Oh and your son? He was a part of it too, so before you get all high and mighty with me and Luxa, maybe you should look at your own family."

York just stared at him for a minute, tiredly. Then, slowly, he said, "I am sorry, Gregor, if I-"

"Luxa does not always do right, but she never means to hurt Regalia. And she has not. She has won the war. And yet you all still vilify her. You-"

"Do you never stop to wonder why it is that you are more concerned with her standing than your own wellbeing?"

Gregor did not break the gaze. "Would you not be with Susannah, should our roles all be reversed?"

With that, York stood slowly. Once he was standing though, he only reached out to rub Zander under his chin before saying, "You have your child now, so perhaps you can slowly reinsert light back into your life, yes? And I now have you and my niece's mess to clean, so perhaps you can find a new place to stick your anger."

Gregor only looked down at Zander, who was whining slightly, having nothing left to say to the man.

"And Gregor?" York paused at the doorway, but did not look back at him. "When I am looking at you and Luxa, I am looking at my family. That is why I am taking care of this for both of you, instead of leaving you to the masses. Because believe me, that option seems just as good at times."

"Is this where you run off to when you have been reprimanded?"

Gregor did not move. "Why won't you and your husband just leave me alone?"

"Me? Boredom. York? Work."

Zander, who was on the floor of Gregor's room playing with some toys that had been left in there, giggled when the woman entered. Susannah had never seen the child before and smiled down at him.

"This is the child then?"

"Aye," Gregor said from his bed, where he was laying, facing the wall. He had been trying to sleep, but at the same time not trying to, as not to leave Zander unsupervised. "Do you come bearing news? Or to overstep your boundaries as well?"

"My husband is in charge of all currently. He tells me that he only asked you questions that pertained to-"

"I swore my allegiance to Luxa. Not him."

"You swore allegiance to the crown, dear, though I know how that can be confusing at times." Susannah went over to Gregor's desk and sat down in the chair. Great, she was staying.

"I am assuming that my husband said something horrible to you," Susannah said then, staring at Gregor's back as he refused to face her. "The two of you always seem to get along so well. This is shocking."

Gregor shook his head. "I don't want anything to do with any of this until Luxa wakes up."

"There is no telling when that shall be, dear. The Underland cannot freeze until that happens." Susannah smiled when Zander pushed up and toddled over to her, holding out a stuffed animal. "You give him things from the museum?"

"Luxa doesn't want me to, but yes."

Zander giggled with delight when Susannah took the toy he was handing her. He liked sharing, oddly enough.

"Gregor," she said finally, sighing slightly. "You must understand that York is under a lot of stress right now. Not to mention, in these passing weeks, he has had less alcohol in him than probably since he was a boy. It is not a good time, you understand to cause him problem. We both only wish to get this all sorted out for Luxa before she awakens so we can go back to the F- Oh, stop it, sweetheart. What's wrong?"

It was Luxa's name though. At the sound of it, Zander had began to hit himself in the head. Susannah did not know what was wrong with him though and immediately moved to set him in her lap so she could stop him.

"He just wants Luxa," Gregor told her, though he still did not roll over to look. "That's what he does when he wants here."

"Well," Susannah said slowly as Zander began to wiggle, as he hated being held, especially by strangers. "He's just going to have to learn to say her name then, yes?"

"He can't talk."

"He hasn't learned to talk, Gregor, there is a difference."

He didn't see one. He also didn't see a reason to care about anything in that moment. At all.

"Gregor," Susannah sighed as she finally set Zander free, who immediately rushed back over to his toys, to get away from the woman. He tried to be nice to her and what did she do? Held him against his will. The horror. "I would feel better if you went back to the hospital."

"I do not need it."

"Your pain medication will wear off soon enough."

"Then I will lay here in pain. What difference does it make?"

She only sighed then, standing. "Fine, Gregor, I have other things to deal with. I am sure one of your friends would like to indulge in your depression, but I do not."

Zander made a noise a Susannah as she left, as if calling goodbye to her. The second she was gone, he took some of his stuffed animals with him as he went over to Gregor's bed and made noises.

"You want up here?" Gregor sighed, rolling onto his other side then and staring at the boy. "Here."

It had been a long time since Gregor slept in bed with a wiggly toddler and a bunch of stuffed animals, but Zander seemed at peace. He just snuggled up to Gregor, his favorite toy, a stuffed tiger, under his arm, making little noise.

"Na ba."

"Yeah," Gregor sighed, shutting his eyes again as he held the boy to him. "Na ba."

So he slept for a long time. Zander too. The next time he woke up, it was later and, just like Susannah said, he was in immense pain. His chest was burning intensely and he was hating himself for ever leaving the hospital.

Zander was still sleeping though, snoring slightly. Gregor shut his eyes and muttered a curse before moving to crawl over the boy and out of the bed. His leg screamed out in agony, but he had felt worse. All he had to do was get down to one of the medics and ask for some pain medication. That's all. And if that didn't work, he'd go get drunk. That was always nice.

"Gotta get up, buddy," Gregor mumbled as he moved to lift the toddler into his arms. Zander whined slightly at first, but quickly settled out and just slept against Gregor's shoulder. And it was not like Gregor wanted to walk into the overly bright hallway, but he had no choice. The pain his eyes felt was nothing compared to what his leg was going through.

"Overlander, I did not expect to see you up so soon."

Gregor frowned when he ran into Perdita out in the hallway. "I figured you'd be in the Fount with Mareth."

She shook her head as she moved to fall into step with him. "He's hiding out. That is fine. But you cannot hide from this…whatever this is. We have won the war, at least. The rest of the banished that were not killed have surrendered and we have taken them and their children into custody. You and Luxa did good."

"It's nice to hear someone say that," Gregor mumbled as Perdita stared at Zander.

"Is he alright?"

"He's sleeping."

"I do not mean right now. I mean-"

"He's only a toddler," he said with a shake of his head. "He won't remember any of this, six months from now."

"Six months is a long way away."

"Aye," Gregor agreed as Zander wiggled slightly, their voices awaking him. "Even longer if days continue to drag like this."

Perdita nodded slightly before slowly saying, "Mareth and Barrett have…essentially called war on one another. They have divided my army. Barrett's men will not work with Mareth's and vice versa."

"I thought you gave the army to York?"

"No," Perdita said slowly. "When Luxa went missing, we needed someone to step up. Nerissa was incapacitated, Vikus is on his death bed, and Barrett is now an enemy to half the realm. Everyone was looking to me, but I am not a leader. I fight wars. York, though, he is in control of the Fount. He can control both, I assumed. And look, he has brought you and Luxa back. It all turned out well. Except for Barrett and Mareth."

"Except for them."

"So…I know that you are most concerned currently with your own wounds and Luxa's, but-"

"Perdita, I cannot-"

"Can you fix them for me?" She looked up at him then, her face softer than its usual façade. "I need…I need Mareth in Regalia, not in the Fount. And Barrett is too hardheaded to realize that he is making no friends the way things are. And York is…York. He was good for finishing the battle, but I need him back home now."

"What are you asking me?"

She sighed, looking back down then. "All I know is that you always fix things for Luxa. Always. And I am hoping that you can finish the job for me now. I do not know how to tell these…boys to grow up. All three of them. They are so set in their ways."

"I think I can get York back in the Fount, but Mareth and Barrett-"

"They both like you, Gregor. You can-"

"Mareth wishes for an army in the Fount. Luxa has written off on it, before all this. Then fine. Send his uncooperative men out there with him and leave Barrett's here."

"I want Mareth back here. He belongs here."

Gregor sighed, glancing at her. "Have you just tried telling him that?"

"What?"

"Instead of telling him about how Regalia needs him or how the crown does, just…tell him you want him here. That you'd rather he be here than there."

She looked off then. "I do not want him, here, Gregor. It is his job though. And I am not-"

"See, that's why he left. Just tell him the truth and he'll come back. If you can do that, then I'll deal with York and…see what I can do with Barrett. But you have to talk to Mareth."

She glanced at him then, her hard look right back. "Where were you headed then, Overlander?"

"My leg," he said, making a face. "I need medication."

"Will you be seeing Luxa while you are there?"

"I have been told I cannot. That-"

"Who told you such a thing? The doctors?"

"Aye. And the guards outside her door. They don't rather like me, still."

"Nonsense." Perdita turned then to face him before taking Zander from his arms. That truly woke the little boy, who whined slightly. "You go and get your medication while I take care of that. By the time you have been medicated again, you shall be allowed to see her."

Gregor was too shocked to respond to what she had said. "Uh, are you…taking Zander?"

"You cannot bring a child into the room with you. She is comatose, after all."

"Yeah, but…"

"But what?"

He scratched the back of his head, just staring at her then, not even walking. "Can you, you know, take care of a child or whatever?"

She frowned at him then. "I am not…inept in the department. Why would you-"

"It's just, you know, I've never, like, seen you with one."

"I do not have one myself, but-"

"Well, you just don't seem like the type to like children." Or people. Or animals. Or drinking. Or things. Or life. Or living. Or anything else that could be some remote pleasure.

That offended Perdita, of course, who only looked off before down at the whiny toddler in her arms. "I assure you that I can take care of a child. So off you go then."

"I didn't mean to-"

"Go." She bounced Zander slightly, who only hiccupped in response, staring at her with wide eyes. "And I will go take care of those guards for you. Do not forget to speak with Barrett and York as well."

"Of course. Thanks," he said as she turned to walk off, Zander staring at Gregor over her shoulder. Poor buddy. Still though, Gregor's pain was unrelenting and he wanted a cure for it and quick.

When Gregor walked into Luxa's room, he was not expecting anyone to be in there. No one had given him trouble, as promised by Perdita, but apparently someone else hadn't needed special permission to get in there.

Barrett was dressed in his armor, standing there at her bedside, looking down at her. He did not even look up when Gregor came in, though he did smirk slightly, rolling the stem of the flower in between his fingers, shaking his head slightly. It wasn't a pretty flower, but it counted. It was hard, growing them in Regalia.

Since Luxa had formed a bond with the nibblers, there had been trade going on between a few merchants and them, to export flowers from the jungle, where the lava gave off light, and Regalia, where all artificial light was used for needed foliage, such as crops and things. You paid a good bit for a flower, when you got one. Gregor usually got one for Luxa on special occasions. Like her coronation or when they were both invited to an event. That sort of thing. He never thought to get her one for the current situation.

"You can breath, Overlander," Barrett told him softly then, still not looking his way. Slowly, he laid the flower at Luxa's side before turning. "I was just leaving."

Gregor was able to keep himself in check, knowing that it would not be wise to make a scene in her hospital room. Still, it took a lot for him not to. Truly. Maybe he was maturing. Slowly, but surely.

Luxa was laying there, so peacefully and still and…dead. That's what she looked like to him. Dead. As much as he hated being the sickly one, he hated being the one awaiting the waking of a loved one even more.

He sat. He wasn't as strong as Barrett or whatever. He was contemplative or trying to look strong. He wasn't strong. He just was. He did things in the moment, he lived to please the women in his life who in turn bled him dry, he never paid too much mind to the future, and he tried to just keep everyone happy. But some people just don't want to be happy. For some people, anger is joy and misery is delight.

Vlad and Usha weren't good people. They just weren't. But he and Luxa were. And that's why they had to do what they had done. Kill them. That's why he always had to do what he did. When the Bane was a baby, no, he didn't kill him. That was wrong. But when he grew up to be a monster, he had no choice. Vlad and Usha were just…evil. They wanted to do evil things. They ate people, for God's sake. They weren't good. Not like he and Luxa were. Not anywhere close.

"I'm sorry," he whispered to Luxa, watching her. "You were right. This was both our mess. But you gotta wake up. 'cause I can't take care of it all alone. We can't fight Ripred over this. And Mareth and Barrett can't divide our men. And your uncle…needs to go home. Point blank. I can't fix things with some guy breathing down my neck. You're leader. You're always leader."

He hunched forwards in his seat, bowing his head so that his forehead barely touched the edge of the mattress.

"How could you expect me to deal with this alone? I need you. I always need you. Without you, I do stupid stuff. More stupid than you locking me away in a cell. I forgive you, you know. It's okay. I get it now. I really, really do." He shut his eyes. "And Zander can live with you, if you want, instead of me. That's fine. I don't care none. He can be yours. I think he likes you better anyways. So just wake up, okay? So that you can take care off him. Okay? You can't leave me, Luxa. I won't let you."

He felt like a dog then, groveling at it's master's side. He was pretty much rubbing his head under her hand, awaiting a pet or to be praised. Hadn't he done good, Luxa? Hadn't he? Oh, he most certainly had. Hadn't he?

Hadn't he?

He left her eventually, because he was feeling kind of guilty about leaving Perdita with Zander. Not to mention, he had rather neglected Nerissa, who he was told was doing horrible, and Vikus, who was supposedly doing worse. So first he dropped in on them.

Vikus was not very lucid and Gregor spent little time with him. He mostly just wanted Gregor to assure him that Regalia had not been taken over and that Solovet was okay. The doctor's told him that Vikus' mind was deteriorating rather quickly and that he did not have long. Gregor just assured him that Regalia was safe and, after a silent debate, that Solovet was merely busy with the army and would be in to see him later.

He left before he could feel too badly about that.

Nerissa was better, but sedated. She wanted Gregor to tell her of his travels, per usual, which he sort of obliged to. He just gave her the outline, really, of everything. Just a general synopsis. Nothing he had not already told everyone. She was mostly interested in the city and what it had looked like. He gave her the best description he could and promised her that if he could arrange it, one day he would take her there. Just to look around. She enjoyed the thought of course and made him promise it about five times.

He knew that he was lying and she would probably never go passed the gates of Regalia again.

So he basically left the hospital wing feeling like the biggest douche alive. He felt as dead as they all appeared.

Eventually he found Perdita in the mess hall, where she was feeding Zander. Or rather where the boy was stuffing his face as he sat in her lap, happily taking any of the food the soldiers around offered him. He was a bottomless pit, that one was.

"He eats much, but contributes little," Perdita remarked to Gregor as he took a seat at the table, looking around at the soldiers also seated there. "He reminds me much of you in that aspect."

"Ha." Gregor shook his head slightly as Zander smiled at him. "Have you seen York? I figured it would be easier to speak with him first. I assumed he would be here drinking, but apparently not."

"Try the war room. Or do you require me to gain entrance there as well?"

So Perdita and him headed out then, Zander taking a cookie that one of the soldiers gave him, which he devoured before they even arrived.

York was in there, of course, his bond as well, though she was just in the corner, silent as they walked in. She did bow her head at Gregor in respect while York did not rise from his chair.

"In the Fount, we sit when we discuss business," he said simply as Gregor came into the room. "Perdita tells me here you all pretend to be strong players and show no weakness. I see sitting not as a weakness, but as a comfort."

Perdita, who was no longer holding Zander, merely said, "I am told Solovet and Lennox held meetings the same way."

"And I am told that both of them have now passed on." York nodded at Gregor. "At least set the boy down so I do not feel uncomfortable."

Gregor put Zander in a chair, who immediately tried to pick up one of the place markers from the table in front of him. Gregor had to grab his hand to stop him.

"Let the boy play. Who cares?" York shook his head slightly, though he kept eyes with Perdita. "So tell me what brings upon this? The Overlander and the head of the army?"

"I merely escorted him here," Perdita said as she turned then. "I have real business to attend to than little boys with egos bigger than their brains."

"She's feisty, that one," York commented to Gregor after she was gone. "Mean too. You think so, Rhea?"

"She is in charge for a reason," the flier said to which York nodded.

"That is true of us all," he agreed. Then, to Gregor, he said, "Now that the woman is gone, sit. I know your leg wishes for it."

He conceded, as York was mostly right. His leg was bothering him.

Taking a seat next to Zander, Gregor simply stared at the bigger man, unsure how to start.

York did it for him.

"My wife tells me that I offended you, earlier today. Treated you as a boy. As one of my own children. You are not. I am sorry. I merely blur my boundaries at times. Usually when I am sober, shockingly enough. I am quite the anomalous type."

Gregor only shook his head. "I think now it is time that we talk of the future."

"As I get older, I feel that I feel less like speaking on things like that."

Gregor did not smile. "You need to go home, York."

"Oh?" The man smiled at him then, but it was fake. "And you are going to force me to, boy?"

"No," he said, shaking his head. "But Luxa is here now. She is ruler. Unquestionably."

"Luxa is unable to perform her-"

"Luxa lives, York," Gregor said, not faltering in the slightest. "We thank you for your service while-"

York laughed then, loudly enough to cut Gregor off as well as make him frown. When the man sobered, he said simply, "I like you, boy. I always have. And never have I doubted your manhood. But right now, you are in over your head."

"That might be, but-"

"No, that is." York leveled his gaze. "Who will command then, while I am gone? You?"

"Of course not."

"King Gregor."

"Stop it. I never said-"

"King Gregor. It has a ring to it."

"York, stop it," Rhea commanded then. "You speak to the savior of-"

"I know who I speak to," he told her, not glancing over at her. "I speak to a general who wears an invisible crown."

"You speak to me," Gregor corrected, keeping his voice even. "And I have never fought with you, York, but I will. You need to go back to the Fount. Regalia is not yours. I thank you for trying to help me, for actually helping everyone, but your time is done. Finished."

York stared hard at him then, the only sound being Zander's little noises. Then, lifting his head slightly, York said, "The woman put you up to this. I can see it in your face."

Gregor blushed slightly. He was caught. "Well, I-"

"What does she do in return for you?"

"Nothing. I only-"

"Or is it your job in the balance? Your status?" York shook his head then before looking at Zander. He smiled at the boy who giggled and smiled back. To Gregor though, he said, "I shall vacate the day after tomorrow. My wife will stay though, so Luxa has someone here for her, should need be."

Gregor nodded slightly. "Alright. Thank you."

Zander tried to say something then, clapping his hands while staring at York. The man waved slightly, which sent the toddler into more giggles.

"That is all then?" York finally asked, glancing at Gregor.

"I guess so."

"Then I shall be seeing you, yes?"

Gregor nodded before standing, moving to lift Zander in his arms. The boy resisted though, so Gregor just sat him on the ground, expecting him to follow.

"Good day, York," Gregor said as Zander ran away, heading towards the door. He loved to explore and Gregor knew if he wasn't quick enough, Zander would leave him behind.

"The same to you, son."

"Good, you are still up."

"I slept all day. I am not tired." Gregor nodded over at Zander though, who was sleeping in the bed surround by his stuffed animals, as if to make sure the guy knew to stay quiet. "What's up, Hazard?"

"What are you doing?"

He merely shook his head, facing his desk then, where he was writing. "I am sending a letter to my mother, to let her know that I am alright."

"Your mother," Hazard said slowly. "She is nice."

"Yes, she is."

"Is she coming for a visit?"

"I would think not."

"That is too bad."

"Many things go on currently."

"Not to mention Zander."

Gregor glanced over at the boy. "I am sure that Boots has told her of him by now."

"You would hope."

Seriously. Gregor made a face, just thinking of telling his mother how he had come into possession of a small child, which, hopefully, he would soon be raising with Luxa. If she hadn't liked Luxa before…

"Was there something you needed, Hazard?" Gregor asked after a moment.

The teen hesitated before slowly admitting, "I do not like sleeping in the royal wing alone."

Gregor glanced back at him before nodding over at his bed once more. Hazard nodded before going and carefully maneuvering around Zander before settling out where Gregor would usually sleep.

Looks like Gregor was out of a bed for the night.

Hazard fell asleep not soon after that, reminding Gregor that he had a wicked snoring problem. Zander just snuggled up against the other Halflander in his sleep, just as peaceful as he had been before.

After he finished with his letter, Gregor sat around for some time, trying hard to think of something to do; there was nothing. It was too late an hour for anything, really. While he was sitting there though, thinking, he must have accidentally laid his head down and fallen asleep, because the next thing he remembered, he was being woken up by someone else coming into his room.

"Overlander, arise," a voice that sounded like Susannah's whispered. "Luxa, she awakens."