22
When they finally got back to Regalia, everyone was told to go wash up and rest. Any stories about the journey would be told in a meeting in two hours. Gregor walked back to his quarters with his cousin. He ate while she washed up. When she was done, she said she was going for a walk through the palace, and that she would see him at the meeting. That was fine by him, he really did not want to talk anyway.
Gregor sat in the bath, and the warm waters finally relaxed his shoulder. He had not realized it, but it had been hurting the whole time, and now that the pain was gone, he felt great. He pushed all thoughts from his head for a moment, then forced himself to think about the meeting. It should not be anything too serious yet, but he wanted to be prepared.
He looked down at his hands, and saw they were wrinkled. He must have been soaking for a while, so he got out. It felt great to be completely clean again. He dressed in fresh clothes, then walked into the living room to find Hippolyta in the window.
"Hello, Gregor," she said. "I am here to tell you that the meeting has been delayed one hour, and that it will be held in Nerissa's meeting room."
"Oh. Thanks, Hipp." He sat on the couch. "Will you be there?"
"Yes. Everyone from the expedition will be expected to participate." Gregor nodded. Then he started to talk to Hippolyta about anything. He knew fliers did not really like to talk, but he wanted to know more about her. How old was she? Did she have a bond? Did she live in Regalia? She asked many questions herself, and Gregor started to feel better. They talked until it was time to go to the meeting.
Nerissa's meeting room was the stone room he had been in after his trial with Howard and Andromeda. Hipp had trouble getting in through the hallways, but there were no windows for her to fly through. When Gregor walked in the door, he saw only his cousin sitting with Nerissa.
Nerissa gasped. "What a frightening ending."
"But a good ending, right? I never saw it coming," Wynnora replied.
"Gregor, hello. You cousin was just finishing a story." Nerissa was still frail, and shook slightly. Her long hair hung loosely about her. "Oh, it was an unexpected ending," she said as if she had never broke from the conversation. "I appreciate this, as I am not often surprised." Luxa entered with the expedition party, along with Vikus, Ripred, Mareth, Howard's parents, and the three council members, Janor, Roth, and Rodrith. The council members went to the other end of the room, with the gnawers and crawlers.
"Oh really? You're never surprised?" Wynnora asked. The two of them ignored the extra people.
"Very rarely. You do not believe me."
"I never said that."
"But it is true. You are skeptical of my abilities." Nerissa stated this as a fact, with no judgment or hurt in her voice.
"Skeptical is a good word. I just have trouble believing in these sorts of things."
"Perhaps I can convince you," Nerissa continued. "I shall tell you a prediction, and when it comes to pass, you will be able to believe in me fully." She gestured for Wynnora to come closer, then whispered in her ear. Wynnora's eyes widened.
"Nerissa, that's insane," she said. "Really, there is no way. And I'm not helping you out with it either." Nerissa was already done with the conversation though. She turned her attention to the people in the room, and everyone sat around the table.
Luxa began, and started to explain the events of the journey. Everyone listened patiently with few questions. They were all obviously anxious to know about the cave. When Luxa got to the part with the giant snakes, Wynnora's face turned beet red, but she kept looking at Luxa. Gregor saw disgust on the faces of the council members, and disapproval from just about everyone except the gnawers who laughed loudly. "Wow they don't like the idea of Overlanders and Underlanders together," Gregor thought. "I hope Hazard doesn't see that."
Luxa made everyone hold their ideas about the buzzer attack. Finally she told them about the cave. She described its estimated dimensions, the layout, and the river. Then she took a deep breath.
"There are few options available to us in regards to what should be done with the cave. The expedition team has already discussed the matter, and we show favor for one plan. Of course others may present their ideas today and in future meetings when more representatives are present."
"And what is this plan?" Ripred asked. Luxa raised her chin, and spoke in a clear voice.
"We will support the plan to create the first multi-species city."