Prologue

"Kids, we have decided not to move to Virginia."

Lizzie inhaled sharply, Boots cheered, and Gregor sat on the couch, motionless.

"But, we can't exactly stay in New York, either," Gregor's dad continued.

"As much as it hurts me to say this, we are going to live in the Underland."

Gregor jumped up. "Are you serious?" He asked excitedly.

Gregor's mother smiled. "Yes."

Gregor and his father went to the Central Park entrance to the Underland, hoping to find someone to carry a message from them to Vikus.

No one except Luxa knew where Ripred spent most of his days. Not even Lapblood, who Ripred considered one of his only friends. And so, Ridred could hardly believe it when the large boulder concealing the entrance to the Underland slid open.

"Hello?" An all too familiar voice called.

Ripred stayed where he was, figuring it was his mind playing tricks on him.

"I thought Regalia had scouts down here. Even if it wasn't the humans, I would think the gnawers would have someone," the familiar voice said again.

"I guess not. Let's go, we'll try again later," another voice said, croaky and hoarse.

It couldn't be. Ripred knew that Gregor and his family would go to Virginia, so it couldn't be him calling. But he dared to hope.

"Overlander?" He sneered. But underneath the sneer was excitement and fondness.

"Ripred," the voice confirmed, and a figure walked down the stairs.

Using echolocation, Ripred knew it was Gregor walking down the stairs. This is why he spent his days here, hoping and praying to some deity he didn't believe in, that Gregor would miraculously walk down into the tunnel.

"Let's skip the 'I missed you, Ripred' and get straight to the point. What do you want?"

Gregor stepped forward. "I need you to carry a note to Vikus, or you can just give it to a Regalian scout."

"I won't carry this precious note of yours without payment," Ripred snarled.

"I thought you'd say that, actually, Lizzie did, but still," The achy, creaky, hoarse voice said.

Ripred became aware of a delicious smell. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Yup," Gregor confirmed, "Mrs. Cormaci sent you something. Apple crisp, which she claims has gone 'bad'. Oh, and Lizzie sent you some cupcakes she helped Mom make. Red velvet."

"Hand over the food, boy."

Gregor pulled back the foil pan he had been holding in front of Ripred. "As soon as you promise to take my note."

"Alright, I promise to take your note to a human scout, to be given to Her Highness Queen Luxa of Regalia," Ripred mocked.

"Thank you," Gregor said and placed the food on the floor. "The note is on top."

Ripred waited until the boulder was shut, and then he slipped around a corner to grab a torch. He couldn't read the note with echolocation. He returned, and unfolded the odd Overland paper.

His eyes widened. He abandoned the food, and began running. He didn't stop until he reached Regalia.