To Go Over

by Madzapan

Ripred and Luxa... in the Overland? Three years after the fulfillment of the Prophecy of Time, Luxa is yearning to see Gregor again (As is Ripred, though he would never admit it). Ripred must find a way to safely spirit Luxa, Aurora, himself, and possibly an unexpected guest to the Overland. But they will need the perfect disguise... Note: New cover, same story.

1. Prologue: In the Crypt over the Waterway

To Go Over

Luxa leapt gracefully off her bat, Aurora, landing lightly on the cavern floor. Ripred slunk into the crypt. After flying on a bat over the Waterway, the rat was glad to have the ground under his paws once more.

"Why on earth," he began, "would anyone bond with a flier?"

Aurora scowled at him as she fluttered inside. Luxa seemed unperturbed.

"Ripred, I have a gift for you." She tossed him a flask. After sniffing its contents, the rat almost seemed to smile.

"Shrimp in cream sauce," said Ripred, with amusement.

"Yes," she replied, "and I have brought stew for myself. Please, sit you down, eat."

"A picnic?" he sneered.

Luxa looked shaken as she said, "Of course, what else?"

"What did you really bring me here for?"

The last drops of shrimp in cream sauce had disappeared into the bottomless pit that was Ripred's stomach. He looked pointedly at Luxa.

"I want to go and see Gregor."

Ripred ran over to her quickly, his hot breath washing over her face as he spoke, nearly spitting with anger. "I have told you in the past, it is better to forget him. Act like he never existed, if you like. But never, never may you go to see him. There has been far too much pain centered around him, and the last thing the subjects need is for their Queen to go missing. Remember you, they still mend from the war."

"Three years ago, it was! Gregor left us years ago! How can they still heal?" Luxa was indignant… but scared. This kind of response was what she'd had nightmares about.

"Luxa, be reasonable! You and I both are pained by the knowledge that we can never see the Overlander again!" said Ripred, in a softer tone. He usually made it a point to cover up how much he missed Gregor.

"Besides," he continued, "you would look out of place. The Overlanders would notice immediately, and you would be a subject of experiments and cages."

Luxa looked down at her pale body, the veins showing through the white skin. "You are right, Ripred, but have you not gone Over? I imagine you would look more out of place than I."

"I'm fast, I'm dark, and I don't let people see me. My Queen," and here, his tone was mocking, "you are far too delicate to go Over."

"…" Luxa was beaten.

Or so it seemed.

"I love him."

Ripred considered this for a moment, then spoke: "I'll see what I can come up with."