17
They spent the next day exploring the cave in teams: Lapblood and Whiptail, Kik and Kot, Nike and Aurora, Hippolyta and Hector, Wynnora and Howard, and Gregor and Luxa. No one wanted to take Lumis and Gleam, so the shiners stayed at the entrance making it easy for everyone to find their way back.
A half hour into walking with Luxa, Gregor figured they got the most boring section of the cave to explore. It was mainly flat, which was good for a city, but very dull at the moment. He used his echolocation to inspect the area, and only found a few stalactites.
"Gregor?" Luxa's voice startled him.
"Yeah?" He heard her take a deep breath.
"Do you truly believe that I run from conflict?" Gregor could not help shining the flashlight on her. She had to be joking, but her face just looked sad.
"No. I'm sorry if I upset you. I was just trying to get you to agree with the team."
"But it would appear that I am running from fighting and battle. In the last two years my main focus has been to avoid conflict and violence if at all possible." She made a face, then added, "People have likened me to Vikus." Gregor had to laugh at that. He would love to be likened to Vikus. He stopped walking so he could look at Luxa.
"First of all," Gregor began, "I have never seen you run from a fight, so there is no reason to think you look like you're afraid of fighting. Second, sometimes it takes a lot more courage to not fight." He suddenly thought of the time he spared the young Bane's life knowing there would be hell to pay in Regalia. "From what I've seen down here, it's a lot harder handling matters diplomatically, but you always try anyway. In my mind, that makes a great leader."
Luxa smiled gratefully at him. Gregor was pretty sure her eyes were the prettiest shade of violet he ever saw.
"Thank you, Gregor." With that she leaned forward and hugged him. He hugged her back, and hoped that he really was as helpful as she made him feel. They stood there a few moments in each other's arms, letting the stress of two years seep away.
"You are such a good friend," Luxa said. Gregor felt such a strange mix of happiness, annoyance, relief, and any number of other emotions from the statement that he decided to just push them aside.
"Luxa?" Howard's voice came from the darkness. Gregor and Luxa just had enough time to push away from each other before the beam from a flashlight fell on them. Neither of them heard their cousins approaching.
"Yes? We are here," Luxa called back, pushing her crown up and raising her chin. Gregor could see in the dim light that she was blushing deeply. As their cousins got closer, Gregor saw Howard had an arm around Wynnora, who was wet and shivering.
"What happened to you?" Gregor asked.
"Wynn fell into the river," Howard said, barely hiding his smile. "Your cousin is very skilled in keeping a simple walk very interesting."
"Oh sh-shut up," Wynnora said back through shivers. "You're j-just jealous of my f-falling over no-nothing sk-skills." Gregor walked over to wrap an arm around her, then the group walked back together. She whispered to Gregor, "S-sorry to third wheel, bu-buddy." Did she know what he and Luxa were doing? "It doesn't matter," Gregor thought. "We weren't doing anything." Gregor was having a really hard time figuring out if his cousin was trying to keep him and the queen separate or together.
When they got back to camp, Wynnora did not hesitate to get her freezing, wet clothes off. She stripped right down to her underwear while the Underlanders blushed deeply and looked away. Wynnora was not very shy about nudity, and sometimes went to public baths in her trips to Japan. Gregor did not think much of it either. He had seen girls in swimsuits that covered a lot less.
"Perhaps you could have waited a moment," Howard says, as he passes her a blanket. Gregor heard Luxa mumble in agreement.
"Aren't you s-supposed to be a doctor? The human form sh-should not bother you," Wynnora said back. "Unless you really think Overlanders are th-that ugly." She wrapped the blanket around her. "Besides, I already feel warmer. That river was like ice." Nike and Aurora were already back, so Wynnora curled up with Nike.
"Overlanders are not particularly modest, are they?" Luxa asked Gregor. He shrugged.
"Actually, Wynn is usually covered more than most people. I've seen girls in a lot less." The look Luxa gave him was frightening.
"What do you mean, a lot less?" He felt tapped. She was definitely going to kill him, and he was not sure why. After all, she said they were friends. Wynnora came to his rescue.
"Overlanders don't wear a lot to swim. Gregor can't help it if someone walks in front of him." This did not seem to completely settle Luxa, but at least Gregor did not feel in danger anymore. "So are there Underlanders openly opposed to the peace you have right now, Luxa?" Wynnora asked. Luxa still had an angry look, but she answered.
"I would not say openly. I strongly support the peace treaties currently in place, and it would not be wise to openly challenge the queen."
"But you seemed to be aware that people do not like it. Lapblood certainly is."
"We are aware there are people who are… cautious. About the current treaties in place," answered Howard. "This is why I am suspicious of your council members' sudden change in opinion."
"You are suspicious of many, cousin. Especially in regards to the safety of your family. This is appreciated, but need I remind you that I am queen, not some little sister you must protect from young men?"
"Sometimes I wonder," Howard said quietly.
"But doesn't he have a point," Gregor added, remembering his own suspicion. "Maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing to watch your council. Or maybe you could have I don't know. An evaluation done?"
"It is as Wynnora stated before. This could destroy trust. I cannot have that. Now I have agreed to be cautious, I will not have any of you questioning my decision further." That made them all fall quiet.