The Living Dead

Chapter 7

"Thank you, cousin, for telling my mother of-"

"You are welcome. I only thought that she should know of your adverse practices."

"Yes, Luxa, because I suggest to all women that they rid themselves of the demon inside of them."

"The first step to getting help is admission, so-"

"Luxa."

Gregor only sighed, rolling his eyes. He and Luxa had been alone in the war room when Howard came in. Of course that led Luxa to mention to Gregor that the guard was too relaxed and needed a good scolding. You know, because it was whatever when everyone under the sun came into the room. But Howard? How dare they let Howard in?

"I have heard more than enough from your side of the family today," Luxa said simply, continuing to stare down at a scroll that had just been brought to her. "As a side note, your father is not invited to the wedding."

"Luxa-"

"Neither are you. Perhaps the two of you can spend some good bonding time together while everyone else is at the reception. Other than your wretched sister. She is not invited either."

Howard looked to Gregor then, who was standing next to Luxa, but he could only shrug. For once, Luxa wasn't mad at him. She was upset with her family and it was making her forget anything and everything he had ever done to her. Why would he screw that up?

"Then I take it you are going through with the wedding," Howard finally said as he approached the table as well. Luxa glanced up at him before shrugging.

"Not that it is any of your concern, but yes. We are." Luxa shrugged slightly. "It shall give everyone a good chance to have a party before we begin war."

"If we begin war," Howard corrected, causing her to narrow her eyes at him.

"Why are you here again, Howard? Just to annoy me? Or just to complain that your mother knows what a monster you are?"

"I am not a monster, Luxa, for trying to save your image."

"The Overlander and I have grown quite attached to the idea of having a child," Luxa said then with a shrug of her shoulders. "And he has not taken well to your suggestions of killing our baby."

That time when Howard looked to him, Gregor shook his head. Not that he was ever going to let the abortion or whatever happen, but he definitely wasn't about to fight with the other man over it. Especially considering it was never a real option to begin with.

"Now leave us, Howard," Luxa said with a shake of her head. "You are boring me again."

"Luxa-"

"Your mother, father, and brother are all here. Can you not go bother one of them? Please? I am here constantly. You should be just as bored of me by now as I am of you." Then she paused. "Though you never have been that entertaining to me."

"What do you want, Howard?" Gregor finally asked when it was clear that he was getting nowhere fast with Luxa. "Because we both just got chewed out by York and aren't really-"

"I do not wish for anything. I only came here to inform you, Luxa, of that fact that Mother has decided we should all have dinner tonight. Together. Nerissa, Hazard, and Kent as well."

"I am very busy," Luxa said with a shrug. "I shall make an appearance if it is feasible."

Howard stared hard at her for a moment before nodding his head. "Fine. I shall see you then."

"Maybe," Luxa was quick to add. He only rolled his eyes before heading off. Once it was only them again, Gregor spoke.

"So are we going to dinner then? Really?"

"I suppose," she said slowly. "Besides, Zander will wish to see Hazard. And I am certain you will force me to eat something."

"Very certain."

"Then might as well get it out of the way."

He nodded at the scroll then. "Anything about the Reclaimer? Or Perdita?"

"No," she said with a shake of her head. "It is from a scout in another part of the Dead Lands, looking for-" She caught herself. "Just scouting the lands and such."

"Looking for what?"

"Hmmm?"

"Luxa-"

"What are you talking-"

"Looking for what?" Gregor frowned then before shaking his head. "Or better yet, who? Ripred?"

"I know not what you speak of, Overlander."

"Luxa-"

"If you must know, I think it is wise to know if he is truly dead or alive. So we know where our allies and enemies lay, yes? If he is lying dormant for awhile, fine, but he should have at least alerted me. Or you. Someone."

"You care about him."

"No," she said, clicking her tongue while she was at it. "I do not. I just think that it is wrong of him not to inform anyone of his location for so long. He is normally very in our face about these sorts of things. Since Vikus died, however, he has not shown his face at all."

"Perhaps you hurt his feelings."

"Oh, be quiet, Overlander. Go find something else to do. I wish to be alone."

Rolling his eyes, Gregor moved press a kiss against her neck, which she allowed. Again, as much as he hated feuding with York, if it meant Luxa's anger was shifted to someone other than him, then at least it had a perk. She only turned her head to the side in that moment, allowing him to kiss her again.

"I love you," he whispered in her ear finally, thinking that it had probably been said too much recently for her comfort, but feeling the need to reiterate it anyhow. He knew that she never quite liked things like that, bringing up their relationship and such. It bothered her to no end. She didn't like having to reestablish the obvious. "And I don't give a damn about York or Susannah. Regalia, the Fount. I only care about you. I only care about being with you. No matter what."

That was enough for her then as she shrugged him off. She could only take so much of that, after all. Even if she wasn't mad at him.

"Haven't seen you around much," Gregor remarked to Mareth who only shrugged, continuing to stare down into his mug of ale. "What's wrong?"

"It has been a number of days now."

"Mareth-"

"She could at least send word. She knows that we are awaiting word. That everything-"

"You drunk, buddy?"

Mareth only sighed, shaking his head. "She knows that we did not wish for her to go and now she is taking forever to get back. What if she is in trouble and-"

"Perdita was made active head after Solovet died. Then, after a new permanent head was found, she stayed a general. And now she is head once more. She is the best person for the job. She knows what she's doing. More than either of us." Gregor sat down next to him with a sigh. "Besides, you were the one that told her you wanted her gone."

"She knows that was jest," Mareth remarked with a roll of his eyes. "She is the only reason that Andromeda and I are in Regalia. I could be having fun in the Fount right now if it was not for her."

"You would be just as worried about her in the Fount as you would be here."

Mareth only grunted, letting Gregor know that he didn't wish to discuss it any further. Which was great, as Gregor really had no desire to talk of it either.

"York is in the capital."

"I have heard."

"He is rather upset about the…turn of events, recently."

Mareth shook his head. "I doubt he wanted to see the…reign crumble either."

Gregor looked around the mess hall, but no one was paying them much mind. There were women about, after all.

"It is not just that. He said that he wished that I had never-"

"I am sure that he was angry, Gregor." Mareth shook his head slightly. "And you have to admit, things would be highly less complex if you were not around. And even if you were an Underlander the way things are panning out would not be desirable. An unwanted…complication such as what you are going to have has ruined many reputations."

"What would you do then? If you and one of the women you are with…got this particular complication?"

He blinked. Then he sighed. "It would be very different for me. I enjoy children. I would marry her and continue on with my life."

"You would give up other women then?"

"If that is what she wanted," Mareth said with a shrug. "I suppose. But that is very different than from what you are about to go through."

"Yeah," Gregor sighed. "I know."

"Cheer up, Gregor," Mareth said then, reaching over to pat him on the shoulder. "Soon the Reclaimer will be breathing down our throats and we will get to watch the birth of the champion. Soon, the warrior will fade into oblivion and the champion shall reign supreme."

Why did that not make him feel any better? Like, at all?

After spending some time with Mareth, Gregor headed out, too worried to stay in the mess hall too long. He had not seen York and figured Susannah had already rounded him up, but still did not wish to face him. At least not until dinner. He wasn't sure if he could exactly get out of that one.

The next place Gregor went was to free Zander from the horrors of the nursery, where he had been since he had woken up from his nap that day. The boy was understandably excited and was practically racing down the halls, far too wiggly for Gregor to carry. It was fine though, as they had not far to go.

"Gregor," Nerissa said with a smile as he entered the room. "And Zander too."

The little boy immediately ran to her, as she was seated on the floor of the prophecy room, huddled over in blankets as always. Gregor frowned slightly, shaking his head. He was never certain if it was better for Nerissa when she was heavily medicated and bedridden or when she was not and chose to spend all her time studying words of the long dead.

"I thought that Hazard and Kent were in here?"

"Who?"

"Hazard, Nerissa. I thought he came to tell you-"

"Oh, yes. Hazard. He did. Kent as well." She was looking back at the wall then, running a finger over some of the inscription there. Zander was standing next to her, only watching with interest, though that was more from the shadows that she was casting. "They left though. I feel like that was days ago."

He only shook his head. "Well, anyways, there's supposed to be a dinner tonight. For Susannah and York being in town. You're invited, you know, if you wanna come. If not-"

"I am very busy as it is, Overlander."

"That's fine," he said with a shrug of his shoulders. Then it registered that Nerissa did nothing all day, but sleep and study prophecies that she had memorized backwards and forwards. "Wait, busy with what?"

"Hmmm?"

"What are you busy with, Nerissa?"

"Oh." She giggled then, glancing up at him as he came to stand over her. "Have I not told you, Gregor?"

"Told me what?" He was starting to lose the little patience that he had left that day. "What are you talking about, Nerissa?"

"My vision, remember?" She ran her hand over a specific prophecy. "I knew it was here, but I could not remember it's exact position on the walls. There are so many, after all, and you know that I am slowly losing my mind-"

"Nerissa, what are you talking about?"

She only frowned slightly, looking up at him. "Do you not get it, Gregor?"

"Get what?"

"Luxa, she is confused. She is always confused. She was never good at these things, you know, prophecies and-"

"Nerissa," he repeated, taking a harsher, more direct tone with her. "What are you talking about?"

"The prophecy that we are currently under, of course," she told him with a smile. "Luxa, she is wrong. It is not the Reclaimer that we must fear."

"Wh-What?" Gregor frowned. "Then who-"

"It is the Living Dead, Gregor," she told him simply. "As in my vision, yes? I am only trying to decipher it for you."

"What-"

"Someone is back from the depths of Hell and they are coming for you and Luxa. Even the champion could not save you now."

Gregor had sat through some awkward dinners before. Many, actually. And when he thought about it, they all involved Luxa. Huh. Imagine that.

At the one he was seated at in that moment, everyone was present. Nerissa, Hazard, Zander, Howard, Kent, Susannah, and York all there. Luxa as well, of course, as well as Rhea and Aurora, who spoke quietly between each other, as they rarely had a chance to see one another.

Gregor could not really pay attention to any of it, however, as he could only keep replaying the prophecy that Nerissa had read to him. They had sat there, not even going over it, just reading repeatedly, until it was as etched in his mind as it was extolled on that wall.

"…Gregor? Gregor? Are you listening?"

He looked up then to see Hazard staring at him, as well as a few others. "Huh?"

"I said that I have finally mastered juggling."

"Juggling?" Gregor repeated, as if the word was foreign. Hazard only nodded at him though as he sat across from him, Zander in his lap. The little boy had practically hung off him since the start of the meal.

"Juggling. For when I become a vender?"

Gregor glanced at Luxa, who bit her tongue for once, only reaching for her glass. It was when she took a sip though that she almost spit it all back up.

"What?" Susannah frowned at her as Nerissa looked on with concern. "What's wrong?"

Luxa only cleared her throat, coughing slightly. "I was not expecting water, is all. I thought it was wine."

Hazard frowned. "Have you tired of being an alcoholic then?"

"Hazard," Susannah snapped at him, apparently having taken Luxa's place in that department.

"Take deep breaths, cousin," Howard sighed, shaking his head. "The taste of something pure merely shocked you."

"Not you too, Howard," Susannah said with a glare. "You have already been warned today."

"Are you okay, Lux?" Gregor asked softly, staring at her. "Do you need something?"

She shook her head, slightly embarrassed then, before just bloating at her mouth with a cloth. "No. I am fine."

York only stared on with drunken eyes, somehow finding a way to still his tongue for once.

"You were speaking of juggling, Hazard?" Nerissa brought back up then to which the guy nodded.

"Yes. I can juggle fruit now. Would you like to-"

"No, Hazard," Luxa said when she was finally in composed once more. "You shall not be demonstrating here."

He only frowned at her, but said nothing as he looked back down at his plate. Gregor sighed before thinking back on the main thing on his brain in that moment. The words were still fresh to him and he recalled them with ease.

Darkness hides his face

Of which love is consumed by hate

Blood his body can no longer encase

Replaced by what is to seal his fate

Lies form greed leading to duplicity

It is only once it is over that we can see

Kept in the shadows to heal

Years pass slowly in anguish

Enemies harboring secrets reveal

Thought to already be vanquished

Lies form greed leading to duplicity

It is only once it is over that we can see

Shock and dismay must give way to action

Weakness cannot be the approach

For if even shown a faction

Dead is not something he shall fear to broach

Lies form greed leading to duplicity

It is only once it is over that we can see

A victor must be decided

To challenge the living dead

For it is only when warring opinions are collided

That one will survive with their head

Lies from greed led to duplicity

And now you all will see

The prophecy sounded a lot worse to him than the Reclaimer one did. Way worse. Maybe it was because unlike the Reclaimer one, there was no new hero named. It mentioned a victor, but it did not specify one. Gregor was not so sure if the victor turned out to be him that he could carry the Underland on his back all alone again. And with Ripred missing and showing no hopes of return, he knew that he would truly be on his own. Especially if what Nerissa said was true and the Reclaimer business was just a ruse. Then they would have to announce the wedding without any cause behind it. And the pregnancy. God, that'd go over like hell.

"Gregor, you are not paying attention again."

It was Susannah that time who was scolding him. He only blinked before glancing at her.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing," she said with a shake of her head. "Your head seems to be else where."

York snorted at that, but said nothing else. Hazard though, always the helpful one, easily spoke up.

"Perhaps it is the pregnancy that has you so disillusioned, Gregor," he offered up with a slight nod, as if certain. "Right?"

"H-Hazard." That time, Luxa choked on nothing. "How did you-"

"What?" Kent finally spoke then, as he had been rather quiet the entire meal. That news got his attention though. "Who's pregnant? You? Luxa? Or someone else?"

"Oh, dear." Nerissa blushed then, as if embarrassed for her cousin. "This is shocking news, Luxa. Who did Gregor get pregnant?"

"Luxa, of course," Hazard said, still attempting to be helpful. Gregor only closed his yes with a sigh. "That is a silly thing to ask, Ner-"

"Hazard!" Luxa was back to her old self then, her tongue no doubt bitten right on through at that point. "How did you find out about-"

"When Susannah was telling Stellovet, I happened to be-"

"You were listening in on my conversation?" Susannah glanced down at him then, as if in shock. Gregor was not though, as Hazard had a horrible habit of eavesdropping. Again, it went to him more or less being raised by someone hardly older than himself. "You-"

"You told Stellovet?" Luxa looked down right stricken then while Howard only rolled his eyes.

"Might as well have told the world, Mother," he remarked.

"Hush," York said then, frowning down at his oldest son. "Do not speak to your mother that-"

"Luxa, she is my daughter," Susannah reasoned then as she reached over to lay a hand on York's arm, silencing him. "I did not think-"

"You told Susannah before me?" Nerissa looked to Luxa then, almost hurt. Gregor had never seen her that way before. Usually she was too, well, stoned, technically, to feel anything other than drowsy. "Luxa?"

"Nerissa, I-"

"Do not feel bad, Nerissa," Hazard said then, once again failing at keeping quiet. Gregor sent him a look, but it did no use. "I am her favorite cousin, after all, and I had to hear of it from others."

"You had to sneak around to hear of it from others," Luxa said then, frowning at him. "I thought that we discussed that, Hazard?"

"You listen in on things others say all the time," he accused. "Especially Gregor. You-"

"Enough."

"I-"

"Hazard-"

"Wait, he's your favorite cousin?" Kent frowned then. "He cannot even make friends! No on in the Fount even likes him. He-"

"Well, you did not think it was you, did you?" Howard grumbled, stabbing at some sort of vegetable on his plate. "I mean, honestly, Kent."

"I-"

"Enough!"

York slammed his mug of ale down on the table so suddenly that it shocked everyone into silence. Except Zander, who just let out a slight whine and cuddled back against Hazard.

"You all sound as if you are children," York grumbled as he pushed away from the table. Susannah tried to grab one of his arms, but he was uncharacteristically rough with her and shoved her away. "You, you are pregnant, Luxa. That is a serious matter. And we are all treating it as if it is a joke. You and this boy are going to be married in the coming weeks. No talk of it until then. You understand? Not with others listening. Too many people know as it is! And I can only imagine the others that you have told. If you do not wish for the entire Underland to know of the bastard in your stomach, then you will learn to watch your mouth better. Else you'll lose your chance at a heir. And the Heavens know your mother could only get pregnant once."

With that, York left the room, Rhea immediately taking flight to follow after him.

Everyone was silent for a moment or two then, even Susannah and Luxa, who only stared at each other. As always, it was Hazard who broke the silence.

"Anyways, Luxa," he began, his tone normal and even, as if nothing had even happened. "Is there to be cake? Or not? Because if no, then I-"

"Oh, Hazard," she finally sighed, only shaking her head slightly. "I have missed you."

He frowned at that. "Was that a no? If so, I must go practice my juggling. And since you will not allow me to in here-"

"You may go."

"I was not asking permission," he grumbled as he pushed up from the table, taking Zander with him. Kent was quick to follow.

Even though they seemed to not like each other, they sure were hanging around each other enough. Gregor figured it was a nerve reaction from Kent though, as Hazard was the only other young male that he knew around. Not that Hazard was a good person to get you known in Regalia. Not at all.

"Well," Susannah said slowly after they had left. "Today was a disaster. Does anyone have anything else to add?"

"Oh, yes." Nerissa perked up then, smiling at Luxa. "Gregor and I have both decided that someone is coming back from the dead to kill you, Luxa."

At that, the Queen blinked. Then, slowly, she began to laugh. It was not a comfortable one though and it made the remaining people in the room extremely anxious. Luxa only leaned forwards though, resting her head in one of her hands as slowly the laughter changed to tears.

"Luxa," Gregor sighed, moving to stand, but it was Aurora who was over to her the fastest. Still, she only rested her head in her hands for a moment before slowly speaking.

"I do not…I must go." She took in a breath then before standing. She looked at Gregor then, but only turned to leave the room, Aurora leaving with her. He would have gone, but he figured she was better suited for calming her down than he.

The next one to break the silence was Nerissa, who merely clapped her hands, as if in a job well done kinda way.

"This has been most fun, Susannah, Howard." She stood then, nodding at them both. "We must all having breakfast again together."

"Dinner, dear," Susannah sighed slightly, hanging her own head in defeat.

"What?" Nerissa frowned then, glancing at Gregor. He only shook his head.

"Nothing, Nerissa," he said, reaching out to grab his mug of ale. "Nothing at all."

When Gregor made it back to the royal wing that night, it was to find Luxa in the sitting room, stretched out along one of the couches. This wouldn't have been so unusual, had someone else not been there with her.

It was York, even as large as he was, on his knees next to the couch, near her head. She must have been sleeping as some point, as she only laid there on her side, one arm strewn protectively over her stomach as she listened to him talk softly.

"-protect you is all. I would not have cared, had you have already been married. I just…Lennox is gone. As is Vikus. I only care for you." York was stroking her head as he spoke to her, as if she were a small child. Gregor knew from experience that Luxa did not like to be treated in such a way, but she was allowing it with York for some reason. "Your aunt and I, we only want what is best for you. What Judith and Lennox would have wished for you. Your mother, she never rather liked me, but I would like to think that even she would be able to say that we kept you safe in her absence. Yes?"

Luxa nodded slightly, only staring him in the eyes. Neither had noticed Gregor in the doorway, and he was too shocked to call attention to himself.

"Your mother tried for years to have a child. It annoyed her to no end when she was unable to conceive one. And then Susannah and her sister-in-law, they seemed to have no such problems. And your grandmother taunted her with it constantly." York shook his head. "I do not know what she would have done, had she known that even Hamnet eventually had a child. She was always so jealous of her twin. She would have probably died.

"But oh, Luxa, you do not know the methods your mother tried. She took every potion, every herb, anything anyone ever said might aid in pregnancy. And Lennox, he just allowed it. He did not like it, he told her many times that it did not matter to him, but it was so imbedded into her mind by that point that she must have one that she would stop at nothing. And then when she had you-"

"She was disappointed," Luxa finally spoke, her voice broken and tired. She had heard the story enough growing up, after all. "She had once chance at a child and it was wasted on a daughter."

York hesitated before nodding his head. It was true enough, after all. Also well known.

"Your mother would not have cared any better for a son though," he said finally. "She was not a friendly woman to begin with. Very withdrawn. In all honesty, she should never had had a child. She did not want one either, I suspect. Was only jealous of what she could not have. Felt incompetent without one.

"Your father though, he was most pleased regardless. He took you everywhere with him. Even when you got older. Even when you did wrong, he always would find a way to make it as if you were right. You could poke one of your cousin's in the eye and he would simply say it was you, learning not to show weakness at an early age."

York laughed then, but it was fake and dry. Then, slowly, he leaned his head forward, more towards Luxa.

"My point is, Luxa, that I was wrong before. To speak ill of you in that way. I do not know what your parents would think of you. I know that they would be proud that you have led the realm through what you have. I also know, however, that they would not be pleased to find you with child. It is unbecoming, you understand?"

She nodded slightly and suddenly looked in the doorway. She didn't seem shocked to know Gregor was there and suddenly he realized she had known he was there the entire time.

"If you were not the Queen, I might not even care much. It is something that happens, you know, when…when…" York was no doubt blushing then and only shook his head. "And it was not like your aunt and I did not know that you and the Overlander were…were… But I never though that this would happen. Though I guess all things shall end, eventually, yes? Good and bad. I-"

Luxa reached out then with the hand that had been wrapped over her stomach to rest a finger against her uncle's lips, silencing him. Then, slowly, she said, "You are embarrassed, I know, but-"

"Not embarrassed, Luxa," he said as she moved to cup his cheek then, staring at him. "Never embarrassed. Not of you. I have made far more mistakes in my life than you."

"You have?"

He nodded at her then, looking off. "I was not too good of a person, before I met your aunt."

"You were always a drunk. What is worse than that?"

He poked her nose then, grinning slightly. "And you are well on your way to that status as well."

That made her frowned and let him go, but he only continued to stare at her.

"You are keeping the child then, Luxa?" he finally asked, seriousness back in his tone. "You eat so little, it would be easy to hide this pregnancy. If we were careful. Then you could give the child to-"

"No," Luxa said then, her voice firm, but soft. "I am keeping the baby. I have to. I…want to."

"Nobel." He leaned forwards then to kiss her head, something that Gregor was certain no other relative was allowed. "That is what you are. Always. And never let anyone tell you otherwise. Not even myself."

With that, he stood, though it took some effort. Gregor always hated that, the moment when he had to realize that people he always thought would be there, that were just constants in his life, were getting older. And the abuse that York put on his body, the toll it took from the drinking and the fighting, there was no chance at old age for him. He wondered if Susannah realized that. He could not imagine her without her husband. Not at all.

When York got to him, he did not seem surprised to see him either. Only patted him on the head as if he were a child, before heading passed him, calling out something about having to go find his wife, that she was missing him or something or other. And she probably was.

Then it was just Gregor and Luxa. He had not seen her since dinner and was not too sure on her mental state. Keeping that in mind, he slowly walked forwards, only staring down at her.

"You okay?" he finally got out. It was not until she gave her signature eye roll that he knew whatever emotional drama that had overtaken her before had dissipated. Smiling then, he came closer.

"Where is Zander, Overlander?" she finally asked, staring up at him.

"With Hazard and Kent. I'm sure they already put him to bed."

"Hmmm."

He made a motion with his hands then, making her shift on the couch to accommodate him. She did this by sitting up and keeping her distance, but at least she was being somewhat nice for once. Gregor knew that since she had once again made up with York that he would be back to being her number one target and did not welcome the idea with open arms.

"So you and Nerissa spoke," Luxa said then, glancing at him, but he only shook his head.

"Later."

"Gregor-"

"I do not think that now is the time to-"

He was cut off then as they heard the sound of someone running down the hall. They then heard a guard call out to whoever it was, though the exchange was quick and just like that, the sound of running was back. Not a moment later, one of the messengers was in the sitting room.

"Queen Luxa," he panted, falling to one knee as both she and Gregor stood.

"Rise. What is it?" Luxa quickly crossed over to him.

"The head of the army has returned," he said, keeping his head bowed even as he got back to his feet.

"Good," Luxa said then, seeming to relax then. "Where is she? The war room?"

"No." The messenger shook his head then, finally looking up at her. "The hospital."

That's the second prophecy I've written for this story and let me just say, if it wasn't germane to the story, I would not have. I really, really hate writing them.