16
It was wishful thinking to hope that this would settle everything. Immediately after the decision was read, Luxa began arguing against it. It became clear that she, Aurora, and Lapblood were the three votes for dividing the cave. Gregor did not think Luxa was used to voting on matters, because she argued for two hours even though the vote was supposed to decide the team's decision. It did not help matters that Lapblood was on her side. Gregor tried to convince them now.
"The prophecy is focused on bringing the races together. Maybe this is what it means. Maybe that's why it has so many species on one expedition."
"It cannot work," was all the queen had for a reply.
"And drawing lines will? I'm not saying it will be easy, but the two of you," he said, gesturing toward Luxa and Lapblood, "are supposed to be strong leaders up for a challenge. Are you going to just run away?" Luxa grew red with anger.
"You forget whom you address, Overlander. I never run away." Luxa held her chin high, and Lapblood crouched beside her dangerously.
"Stand together, gnawer and human. Live, why not?" Kik said.
"The crawlers have been pretty confident about this idea since the beginning," Gregor said, acknowledging Kik.
"And they often show wisdom is their decisions," Howard added.
"And are you two really going to run from a challenge these timid, little guys are more than willing attempt?" Wynnora asked. "No offense. Sorry. You're great actually," she added to Kik and Kot nervously.
Lapblood looked at Luxa. "It would appear we are outnumbered, and our courage is in question. When we return to Regalia, this team may be the only representatives of the Underland willing to stay together. It would be best to take their side," she said with a sigh.
Luxa turned to Aurora, who gave a slight nod. "Then I shall support the plan to try to make this cave a multi-species city," she says with difficulty, then turns to Gregor. "Never imply I run from challenges or that I am a weak leader."
"Yes, Your Highness," he says with a smile.
"And never say that with sarcasm. It is a term of respect," she adds, addressing the whole team.
"Yes, Your Highness," Wynnora, Howard, and Lapblood say in unison.
There are many pros and cons to the chosen solution, and the Underlanders go through them in great detail. Wynnora is able to keep up in the discussion rather well, and Gregor finds that he is also able to contribute useful points. They decide that it would be best to use the prophecy to support their plan as it was the determining factor in allowing the expedition. The expedition team spends the next hour using Nerissa's prophecy to justify their plan. It came to four points.
The name of the prophecy is prophecy of paths. The two paths available are living in peace or fighting in war. Peace is far more attractive.
The danger warning accompanied a warning for those wishing to be "discrete." This meant beware those who wish to remain separate, so danger lies with dividing the cave.
The prophecy must include so many species for a reason. Their explanation of the reason is that a multi species city was the plan all along.
The prophecy clearly states that the queen must choose a path, so what she says goes (This was Wynnora's idea, and it seemed to please Luxa greatly).
Everyone seemed a lot happier after they all had a plan to get behind. Gregor was also happy with the plan. It meant that there were leaders willing to try anything to avoid war. He felt a little excited with this. If the Underland remained at peace, maybe his mother would not remain against allowing him to visit. It was a slim chance, but it was still possible. Then he remembered what Wynnora said. If he continued coming to the Underland, it would only make life harder at home. The excitement drained out of him.