The Living Dead

Chapter 8

"It is merely a broken arm. There is no need to be so dramatic about it," Perdita complained slightly as Luxa merely shrugged her shoulders.

"I have come to check on you just as I would anyone," Luxa told her. "And Gregor came because, well, he has nothing better to do with his time than follow me around."

He shot Luxa a look for that before turning back to Perdita. They were standing in a hospital room, where her broken arm had just been put in a splint. One of her soldiers was in there too, being treated for a nasty gash to his arm that looked about infected.

"So what did you find out about the Reclaimer?" Gregor asked then to which Perdita shook her head.

"Nothing. We searched everywhere. I did find some packs of gnawers that weren't mapped out by the scouts, but other that, nothing."

"It is as I thought," Gregor said then, causing Luxa to frown at him.

"This is about what Nerissa said earlier?" Luxa asked, glancing at him. He just nodded slightly before speaking again.

"We should speak in the war room. With Barrett and Mareth there," Gregor told them to which Perdita nodded.

"Perdita," Luxa interrupted then. "You have only just arrived, yes?"

"In the past hour or so."

"That is what I am saying. You should take some time to rest. It is the middle of the night-"

"I wish to deal with this all now," she said. "I am done here, in the hospital. Let us head to the war room. Gregor, can you round up the others? I am certain they are both in the mess hall."

"Aye," he said, nodding his head slightly then. "I will meet you both in the tactics room then."

It was not like Gregor didn't realize what was slowly happening. He was beginning to turn into the messenger of the group, always getting sent out to round up the others. It was not like he could complain much, however, as Luxa was the Queen, Perdita was the head, and Mareth was disabled. That left him and Barrett, and something told Gregor that he was the last guy to fill that position at the moment.

"Ah. The Overlander. Come to still these women too?"

Gregor frowned at Barrett as he approached him sometime later in the mess hall. He was seated in a chair, one woman draped over his lap, another standing behind him, talking about something nonsensical. Gregor only stared the other general in the eyes though, no play in his voice when he finally spoke.

"Perdita has returned. There is a meeting being held in the war room. Now. You are to be there."

"Oh, am I?"

"I am not going to argue with you," Gregor said, turning to walk off then. "It is Luxa's orders. Do what you wish with them."

It was not hard to find Mareth after that. He was just where Gregor had left him, though he was much more intoxicated than he had been earlier in that day. There was a woman at the table with him then, but no one else. And she was only sitting there rubbing his shoulder soothingly as he sat with his head rested on the table, as if upset. Rolling his eyes, Gregor went to go shove his head.

"Mareth. Get up."

He grunted. "I am fine here."

"He is in mourning," the woman told Gregor then, glancing up at him. He had seen her before, but could not recall her name. Mareth had taken her to functions in the past more than likely.

"Over what?" Gregor asked, frowning.

"My wasted life," Mareth mumbled from against the table. Groaning, Gregor rolled his eyes before speaking again.

"Perdita is back and is in pretty bad shape, buddy. She-"

"She is back?" That got his head up, though he only stared at Gregor with dark eyes. "Here? Is she-"

"She's in the war room. She's, uh, asking for you," Gregor said then. It wasn't a total lie. She had asked for Mareth and Barrett. Technically. "She's injured and-"

"I have to go." Mareth turned then, to look at the woman, who was glaring at Gregor then, knowing that he had just ruined her plans for the evening. Still, Mareth did kiss her goodbye before standing, struggling at first due to his drunkenness and prosthetic. Still, he was able to eventually find his balance and head out of the mess hall, Gregor right behind.

Mareth did not even take time to ask Gregor exactly what was wrong with Perdita or any of the news that she came bearing. Instead, he just rushed to the war room, not speaking at all until he got there.

The first thing he did was rush over to Perdita, almost stumbling in his haste. She frowned at him as he came to a stop in front of her, but it was not until he reached out to grab her shoulders in his hands that she turned away.

"Mareth-"

"Are you okay?"

"I- Stop it."

He had taken hold of her face then, staring down at her with concerned eyes. "Are you-"

"Let me go." She shoved him with her uninjured hand and, as he was so inebriated, he stumbled back some as he released her, though he only continued to stare at her.

"What did you tell him?" Luxa asked, frowning at Gregor as he came to stand next to her.

"Just that she was injured and requested him."

Perdita, hearing that, sent Gregor a look before saying to Mareth, "I have only broken my arm. Calm yourself."

Mareth looked hurt that she did not want his help and only stood there then, still looking pretty down right upset.

"You did not want me?"

"I wished for you all," she said before glancing at Gregor. "Where is Barrett?"

"I got him too, but he was with some…friends."

"Your arm?" Mareth was still stuck up on the fact that Perdita was hurt. "How?"

"I fell, Mareth. It is fine. I-"

"You have bruises then?"

"Well, of course I have bruises, but-"

"And cuts?"

"Mareth-"

"I told you not to go." He took a step towards her again. "When did you get here?"

"An hour or so ago," she said before looking to Luxa. "We can start without Bar-"

"How did you fall?" Mareth asked then making her frown.

"Do not cut me off, Mareth. I-"

"You were in charge of the mission. You should not have been-"

"Mareth, enough." Perdita was blushing by that point and Gregor felt bad, as he was responsible for Mareth's behavior. At least partially. "I am not that injured. It is just a broken arm. It will heal soon enough. Now-"

"You should be resting, if you just got back," Mareth reasoned then before looking to Luxa. She was still watching the door, awaiting Barrett however. "Perdita is going to go home and-"

"No, Mareth, I am not. I am about to send you home, however, and just speak to the Queen without any generals at all."

"What did I do?" Gregor asked.

"Not what I asked," Luxa remarked. "Less Barrett would be here by now."

Frowning, he said to her then, "I couldn't very well have dragged him here, Luxa."

"At least take a seat," Mareth went on then, laying a hand on Perdita's shoulder. She just shrugged him off however. "Perdita-"

"Go back and finish drinking, Mareth, if you are going to be-"

"If I am going to be what? Helpful? I am trying to help you, Perdita."

"Oh? And what were you doing before you came here?"

"…Drinking."

"Is that all?"

"Is my life in question then? What of yours? You went out and nearly got yourself killed-"

"Broken arm, Mareth. Not a lost leg."

His eyes darkened. "You-"

"Enough now. Stand apart from each other if you must, as like children." Luxa shook her head as she finally turned to face the table once more. "Perdita, begin marking out where those other gnawer packs were that you discovered. Do you have a scroll then or something that you kept track of?"

"Oh." She reached into her pocket then with her free hand, pulling out a piece of parchment. When she unfolded it, it proved to be a map of the Dead Lands. "I have taken careful documentation while I was there. As I was not able to locate the Reclaimer, I thought I should at least come back with something."

"You came back with a broken arm," Mareth grumbled softly. "That is more than something."

Ignoring him, Perdita handed the map off to Luxa. Then she spoke to Gregor. "What was it that you were getting at before, Overlander? In the hospital?"

"Hospital visits are not nothing," Mareth added then. Again, he was ignored.

"Nerissa informed me a few days back now that she had a vision of Luxa and I speaking of someone being back from the dead. Then, she sprung on me today that she believes that it in accordance with the Prophecy of the Living Dead or something of that-"

"Nonsense." Luxa was staring down at the map then, moving around markers to match what Perdita had given her. "My cousin is very ill and very intoxicated on herbs most of the time. She knows not what she speaks of. Ignore her."

Gregor frowned slightly. "Luxa, why is it so unbelievable that we are under that prophecy instead of the one you think we are? Aren't both just as likely?"

"No."

"Luxa-"

"Perhaps we are not under any prophecy," Perdita suggest. "The only reason we thought we were was because the gnawers were speaking of the Reclaimer. Whoever he is, he appears to have vanished now, yes? So-"

"If we are not under a prophecy and we are not at war, then can this meeting not end now? Can I take you home now?"

Perdita made a face, glancing at Mareth. "I am very capable of getting on home on my own, Mareth. If I was headed there."

"Where else would you-"

"I must stay here and lay out all of the markers and-"

"You are injured," he reasoned. "You cannot do that. You-"

"Solovet would-"

"If you bring up that woman one more time, Perdita, I will-"

"Enough." Luxa sighed, glancing up at the two of them. "Perhaps you should leave, Mareth. You only appear to have a one track mind tonight and it is not in line with anything that I wish to have discussed here. You and Perdita are friends, fine, but the health of Regalia comes above her own. Goodnight."

Mareth did not want to go and it was obvious. Still, Perdita only ignored him after that and Luxa's stare made it very clear that when she dismissed him, she meant it. He was hardly out of the room when Luxa spoke to Gregor.

"Go with him, Overlander."

"Me?"

"You," she said. "You are the one that got him so worked up."

"It was the only way to get him to come here. He was far more concerned with-"

"Leave him be, Gregor," Perdita said then. "He is sulking. He will go back to the mess hall, fall asleep there, and someone else will have to escort him home. It is not your problem."

He nodded slightly then while Luxa only rolled her eyes slightly.

"What took place here while I was gone?" Perdita asked then. "Did you get any other messages from someone else?"

"No," Luxa told her then with a shake of her head. "No word at all. Not really. The only thing of interest in that York and Susannah have come from the Fount."

"Hmmm." Perdita only stared down at the map. "I have not found that I rather like York, after the way he dealt with the banished."

Gregor frowned, glancing at her face then. Still, it was as impassive as Perdita ever kept it.

"He and I have long made up over that," Luxa remarked. "You shall not let this show while he is here. You shall be cordial to him, if not downright thankful. He is a governor and you shall show gratitude for that."

Perdita nodded at her then, as Gregor had no doubt she had even meant to say anything to begin with. It probably had just slipped out.

"Besides, York is not only here for me or for the realm." Luxa grinned slightly then. "He is here for Stellovet."

"What about her?" Gregor asked. He had heard nothing of this and it did interest him slightly.

"She is to be married off soon enough. It has been in the works for a year, at least, if not more. York is coming to finalize with the man today."

"This brings you joy?" Gregor asked. "If the man lives here, that means that she will be here. You do realize this, yes?"

That caused Luxa some hesitance before she just shrugged. "She will not spend much time in the palace. The man is a high ranking soldier. Much her senior. I am sure that she will not leave her home very often."

Perdita shook her head then. "Men are disgusting."

Gregor frowned when he realized what Luxa was implying. "That is your cousin, you know."

"Believe me, I know," Luxa said then, shaking her head slightly. "She was offered to Mareth as well."

Gregor had not heard of that and only frowned. "He said no?"

"Of course he said no," Perdita said then, frowning slightly. "He does not wish to be married. York is only trying to get her in with a general. I am surprised she was not offered to Barrett."

"Who says she was not?"

They all looked up then to find Barrett striding into the room, looking rather sour in that moment, his tone coming off that way as well.

"You are late," Luxa remarked then, frowning.

"And you are spreading useless gossip behind my back," he remarked. "Besides, she was offered to me and Luxa knows it. She advised me not to take the offer."

Gregor frowned, glancing at Luxa then. "You are not serious."

"I do not want her with one of my generals," Luxa defended, frowning right back at Gregor. "Then she would be here constantly, annoying me. York went with the next best option, which was a high ranking soldier that I have little interaction with. That is his purgative. I would not marry her off at all. I would kill her off, but then I would be considered a tyrant and I cannot have that, can I?"

Perdita only made a noise then before looking at Barrett. "Is there a reason for you being so late? Gregor says that he got you, but you were-"

"Mareth has not even shown up yet. I am not late."

"Mareth has come and went," Luxa said with a shrug of her shoulders. "He found he could not work in the drunken condition he was in. Tell us now if you are gong to turn out to be the same."

"Mareth is an old man. He still cannot hold is liquor?"

"Careful," Perdita warned then. "Mareth is only older than me by a year."

"And that single year holds all meaning," Barrett said then, bowing his head to her slightly before looking to Luxa. "Why was I summoned?'

"Had you been here before, you would know," she told him, her annoyance coming off in her tone. "Instead, you found a better use of your time."

He blinked. Then, slowly, he said, "I do not know what the Overlander told you, but-"

"It does not matter," she said with a shake of her head. "You are of no use now."

"The Reclaimer is not real," Gregor finally said, annoyed that they were all acting as if so much had happened. "The Living Dead, however, are-"

"Gregor." Luxa sent him a look. "I told you that we do not-"

"What prophecy is that?" Barrett asked. Gregor made a face.

"You do not know?"

"There are over a hundred prophecies, Gregor," Perdita told him then with a shake of her head. "Barrett was relatively lowborn. He would only know the more popularized ones, from when he was a child. I am sure it is not something that he has ever studied. He is a soldier, after all, not a scholar."

Barrett frowned at that before saying, "I am not sure if that was a compliment or an insult."

"Neither," Perdita said in her overly clinical tone. "I was much of the same way. It was Solovet that forced me to learn the prophecies. She-"

"I agree with Mareth. This obsession has gone on too long." Luxa glanced at Perdita then. "My grandmother is dead. She is nothing, but dirt now. Your constant insistence of bringing her up and comparing your actions to her own annoys me. If I wished to have another Solovet in power, I would. I do not."

Perdita looked embarrassed then, but quickly hid it beneath a mask of solitude as she turned back to stare at the map. "It is as you say."

"Of course it is." Luxa sighed then. "Barrett, if you wish to study up on the prophecies, be my guest. But I will not entertain the Overlander's fantasies about this specific one."

"Oh, so because I brought it up, it's obviously wrong?" Gregor snorted. "Whatever, Luxa."

She ignored him though as she took a step back from the table. "If that is all, Perdita, I must get going. It is rather late and I am not for certain where Alexander is. If you need nothing further-"

"I do not."

"-then I shall see you on the morrow. Come, Gregor."

He made a face, but did go ahead head out with her, more or less to keep Barrett from filling his place. Not before telling Perdita that he wished that she felt better though.

They found Zander asleep in his room and, as he was so peaceful, decided to just leave him there. Luxa took Gregor with her back to her own room, however.

"Now what?" he mumbled once they were both in bed.

"Hmmm?"

"Perdita could not locate the Reclaimer. Real or not, that can't be our out any longer. Why are we going to say we are rushing the marriage?"

She laid on her side, watching him as he rested on his stomach, eyes shut. "Just because we wish to be married. And no one will question me aloud. And if they do, what matter is it?"

"Mmmm." He shifted slightly. "I don't wanna be a king."

"I do not want you to be either."

He snorted then. "That's different, Luxa."

"How is it-"

"You do not want me to be for selfish reasons. You wanna be the only one in power."

"Well," she began, but had nowhere to go after that. There was no defense. What he said was true. She wanted to be the only one in power. Ever. Always.

"I don't wanna walk around with a stupid crown on my head and have to act all proper and shit."

"I think we are passed what you wish for, Gregor."

Moaning, he reached out blindly with one hand before find her and resting it against her stomach. Luxa only laid there for a moment before moving to lay a hand over his.

"Was all that that York said true?" he whispered then. "'bout your parents?"

"Mmmhmm."

"Mmmm. If it's any consolation, I'm glad that you were a girl."

"Gregor-"

"Well, I am. We would be in a very different situation otherwise."

She only sighed before pushing his hand off her and rolling onto her other side, no longer facing him. Peeking an eye open, Gregor reached out to wrap his arm back around her and pull her to him, so her back was against his side.

"You cannot possibly be comfortable like this," she grumbled, shifting in his hold.

"Long as I got you, I'm fine."

York did not look well the next morning at breakfast. Gregor was certain that the man had long outgrown hangovers and figured he was more concerned with the fact that, according to Luxa, he would be meeting with Stellovet's prospect. Susannah though seemed much as she had since having arrived, though she was also clearly worried over Kent, who would be joining the military the next day, something that she was dead set against, Gregor was certain.

Luxa ate that day, but not much. More than bread though, so that was a definite improvement. Zander was perched in her lap anyhow, ready to eat whatever she would not.

"Lucka," he giggled when she fed him a slice of some sort of fruit. Snuggling back against her, he looked around the table before smiling at Gregor. He only sighed, staring down at his plate. Hazard had not shown up for breakfast and Kent said he had not seen the other boy since after dinner the night before. It wasn't like Gregor didn't trust Hazard, but…well, he didn't trust Hazard.

"Have you made any improvements, Luxa?" Susannah finally asked, no doubt trying to get her mind off Kent. "With his speech?"

"Not really," she admitted as Zander reached out to grab something off her plate. "He comprehends better."

"Hardly," Gregor remarked, which got him a glare from Luxa.

After breakfast, Susannah went off to meet with a few people that she had not seen yet and York headed out to go meet with that general for his eldest daughter. As Hazard was nowhere to be found, that left Kent as Gregor and Luxa's problem. The boy clearly didn't want to be around either of them and it was obvious that Luxa didn't want him to come with them, but there really was nothing else for him to do.

"Come then, Kent," Luxa finally decided. "You can meet the head of the military. It is good for a young soldier to get a good grasp on who his superior is. "

After dropping Zander at the nursery, they headed to the war room, where Perdita was, just like always. She was still going over the map, running her findings against others as she mapped out the different sects of gnawers. Mareth was not with her for once, but Barrett was, no doubt trying to get in good after blowing it the night before.

"Good, you are both here," she said as she entered. They were both seated, though they quickly moved to stand. Luxa waved them off, however. "Remain seated. I care not. Believe me. I do not feel well myself."

Gregor went to pull out Luxa's chair for her, which only got him soft touch to the shoulder. Then she nodded at Kent to sit as well, though he was just staring at Perdita, standing in the same place he had been when he entered. Feeling his eyes on her, she frowned, looking up at him then.

"Yes?" she asked, staring at him. He only cleared his throat before he looked to Luxa though, who rolled her eyes.

"This is my cousin," she said, nodding at him. "Kent. He is York's youngest son."

Perdita blinked. "And?"

"And he wishes to join the military. He had nothing to do today, so I thought that-"

"You thought that you could bring him into a close meeting?"

"Oh, please, Perdita. He's only a boy," Luxa said with a shake of her head. "They are going to eat him alive, the others are, just for his father being York. And then the fact he is my cousin? They will say he is getting preferential treatment regardless. Might as well let him have some."

"Come on, Kent," Gregor said then, taking a seat on the other side of Luxa, where he normally was. "Sit down."

He looked back at Perdita before smiling slightly, if not awkwardly, but she only frowned at him before looking back at the map.

"How old are you?" Perdita asked him then, causing Kent to clear his throat again. Gregor made a face as the boy sat down at the table, taking in the way he sat up straight as a rod and continuing to stare at Perdita. Maybe he was just trying to get in good with her. If so, he should have asked for some pointers, because he was failing.

"E-Eighteen," Kent said, uncharacteristically stuttering. Perdita was not even looking at him then, but still shook her head.

"And you shall pass the physical portion of the entrance exam, yes?"

"I-I hope so."

"Oh, leave him alone, Perdita," Barrett said from his end of the table. "She is merely sour, boy. Do not take offense to it. She shall not be in a better mood until her precious Mareth shows up."

"You-"

"Do not start that again today," Luxa told them, frowning at them each in turn. "And when Mareth does show up, I shall tell him the same thing. I have enough going on. I do not wish to hear the three of you bicker on top of it all. Especially over something so juvenile."

It was silent for a good few minutes there, in which Gregor mostly focused on looking over the new placement of some of the markers. It was within those minutes though that a new person entered.

It was a messenger, who immediately went down to one knee in front of the table. Luxa only rolled her eyes before beckoning him to stand once more.

"What is it that you require?" Luxa asked, looking curiously at the things in his hand. They were stacks of scrolls.

"I-" he started, but Perdita cut him off.

"I had him round me up these things from the scroll room," she said, moving to stand. "Thank you. Set them down on the table."

He did so carefully, making sure that they did not roll around and bump into any of the markers. Perdita nodded at him then, dismissing the man.

"What are these, Perdita?" Luxa asked, frowning slightly.

She looked ready to answer Luxa before slowly shaking her head slightly. "Personal things."

Luxa blinked. Then she frowned and reached over to take one of the scrolls. When she saw what it was, she frowned. "Why are you hiding this from me? It is only a battle plan."

"Lux, if she didn't want you to look at it-" Gregor tried, but was cut off.

"It is an old record of a war," Luxa added before moving to grab another. "And so is this. Why would I be upset that you were studying up on old wars? Why- Perdita."

"It is just by chance that all of the battles I wished to look at were fought under Solovet."

Luxa only rolled her eyes. "Well, what do you need them for here?"

"Nothing," she said then. "I would have had them delivered to my home, but then I would have to go through the hassle of finding someone who knew where it was-"

"Well, you cannot carry them home," Luxa said, frowning. "Not with your broken arm."

"I will manage."

Sighing, Luxa looked to Gregor. "Will you-"

"Of course," he said, moving to stand. "Now if you would like, Perdita."

"N-No," she said, shaking her head slightly. "I do not wish for you-"

"I can do it!" Kent jumped up then. "Just tell me where. I-"

"N-"

"That is a great idea," Barrett spoke up once more. "Let the boy do you a favor, Perdita. He only wishes to impress you. Isn't that right, Trent?"

"Kent," the teen corrected, frowning over at Barrett. Then he smiled at Perdita again. "I can do it though."

"I would have to show you though and then it is a wasted endeavor. Honestly, I-"

"Oh, let him do it," Luxa said with a roll of her eyes. "Careful with them, Kent. And do not bother Perdita. She can ruin your career just as fast as I can."

Kent was rushing then, to go grab up all the scrolls in an attempt to appease the older woman. Perdita only groaned as she stood.

"If he must," she sighed as she went to walk out of the room with him. "Come then…Kent. Let me show you- Mareth."

She almost ran into him as he walked through the door, though he only smiled at her.

"Aye," he said, reaching out to pat her on the shoulder. A friendly gesture compared to how handsy he was the night before. "Where are you off to then?"

"I need to take these to my apartment," she said, nodding over at Kent, who was standing behind her, slowly beginning to let a scowl take place of his grin. "But I cannot carry them. Luxa's cousin was going to take them, as my arm is brok-"

"I can take them," Mareth said while Kent only glared. "For you. With you. I think wee need to discuss some things."

"Are you going to apologize?"

"Is that what you want?"

"Are you?"

"Come on." Mareth reached over to take the scrolls from Kent then without a second thought. "Let us walk together, yes?"

Perdita and Mareth left then, leaving Kent behind who only glared after them for a moment before skulking back over to the table. Barrett looked bemused then, but Gregor only shook his head.

"Get used to it, Trent," Barrett said then. "She'll always choose him over anybody."

"My name is Kent," he grumbled softly. "And who is Mareth anyways?"

"He's one of the generals," Luxa sighed. "Honestly, Kent, did you learn anything about the military? Other than fighting?"

"No. I've heard that name before, I guess. Father knows him, right?"

"I am sure you have had dinner with him before," Luxa said with a shake of her head. Then she looked to Gregor. "Do you have training tomorrow?"

"No," he said. "Though I was going to do some personal training. Why?"

"I want you to do something for me."

That made Barrett looked up, but Gregor only stared at Luxa.

"Anything."

"I want you to either take Aurora or Nike and go to the Dead Lands. I think I might have been able to pinpoint Ripred's location while you were gone."

"Gone?"

"Home," she corrected. "Another scroll came, a few days ago, while you were in the Overland. I-"

"You didn't say anything?"

Luxa shrugged. "I already had Perdita gone. Sending you out would have been too much. Now that she is back, mostly unharmed, it is your turn. Not to mention, Ripred is fonder of you than any other. Not that that is saying a lot, but it is saying enough."

"I will go now. I-"

"You shall not. You will go tomorrow, after York and Susannah have left. I want you suited up, in your armor."

"Luxa-"

"Armor, Gregor."

Sighing, he said, "You gonna polish it for me before?"

"Most certainly not," she told him with a frown. Kent glanced over at them before slumping down further in his seat. He clearly didn't care about impressing any of the people at the table then. "You will have a day to finish the mission. If you cannot locate him, just return home. Do not get yourself entangled in something, Gregor."

"Me? Get myself in entangled in something? Never."

"If you do not return in two days or send word, Barrett will come to rescue you." Luxa glanced over at him. "You do not want Barrett to have to come rescue you."

He only shook his head. "Why are you so insistent though, Lux? That I find Ripred? Or that someone finds him? I thought-"

"It is just better if I know if he is alive or not."

"He is not someone you would want showing up after their presumed death," Barrett remarked, to which Luxa nodded. And as much as he hated to admit it, Gregor honestly had to agree with him.