8

It took several days to get everyone needed for the mission together. In the meantime, Gregor kept busy. He made sure to write to his family that everything was safe in the Underland, and that visiting would not be a bad idea. Luxa seemed set on testing his fighting skills. Most of the time she asked Mareth to watch them fight so he may critique them. Gregor did not mind; he could use the practice, and fighting against her was a fun challenge.

Mareth had Wynnora work with Nike so that she could learn to shoot arrows while flying. She was definitely better with two feet on the ground as she still did not fully enjoy flying, but her aim was still deadly while on Nike. Mareth also had her try to learn to use a sword. Wynnora was pretty terrible with the weapon though. Gregor tried to show her, but she was always playing too much.

"Could you take this seriously for five minutes?" he asked her.

"Sorry. Sorry. I'm serious," she said through laughter. "Really, I am."

"It will not be humorous in battle," Luxa cut in. Gregor had to agree with her.

"We're not in battle, and you said this mission should not be dangerous in terms of fighting scary things."

"You never know what could happen, Wynn," Gregor said, starting to get embarrassed by her.

"May I oversee her training?" Howard asked. "Perhaps standing against someone she wishes to kill will raise her maturity levels." Wynnora cursed under her breath, and Gregor was happy it was not in English. The Underlanders did not seem to like bad language.

"Alright. Let's play," Wynnora said. Gregor was relieved, and went to practice with Luxa again. She was very good, and he knew she was even better with Aurora. It took a few tries, but he was finally able to find a technique to use against her and win consistently. Then something distracted him, and Luxa knocked him flat on his back.

"What commands you attention, Gregor? I should be your only focus," she said with a smirk. Gregor pointed over at their cousins.

"I think we should keep them separated." They were both fighting on the ground, and looked to be actually trying to kill each other. Gregor's cousin seemed to bring out the worst in Howard, who was usually calm and well behaved. He pinned her to the ground for a second before Wynnora's knee shot up and the man rolled over in pain.

"There goes Susannah's wish for grandchildren," Luxa said unable to hold back laughter.

"She has five more children. She doesn't need him," Gregor said, though he could not help flinching. He heard Wynnora say it was an accident through her laughter, but Howard just called her a liar.

The next day, Ripred and Vikus returned to the city with the members for the mission. Vikus introduced the crawlers Kik and Kot. Though Gregor liked the crawlers, he had to admit they were not much of conversationalists. They both hoped that the crawlers would get to see the princess (Maggie) again. Gregor said he wished the same.

Ripred introduced Lapblood, who Gregor was pretty happy to see again, and Whiptail.

"I certainly hope you pups are ready to go. We gnawers don't have the rest of our lives to waste on you," Ripred said. Whiptail laughed, then quieted down in what Gregor thought might be embarrassment.

"You were the one to take several days to find gnawer representatives," Luxa said dryly.

"Ripred is crude, but correct. We wish to make this a quick journey," Lapblood said. "It is afterward that will be difficult."

"Oh, we are ready, and will leave tomorrow."