Disclaimer: The Underland Chronicles? Not mine. Hazard, Luxa, Aurora, Ripred, Gregor? Not mine. Anyone else from the series? Also not mine. Places and other things? Most definitely not mine. They're all Suzanne's. Unless I made them. In which case, they are mine.
PROLOGUE
Hazard was awakened by a flier at his window, high up in the palace.
"Hazard?" a voice whispered urgently. "Hazard, are you awake?"
He opened his lime green eyes to see his cousin in front of him, a small bundle in her arms.
"Will you look after him? The Deadlands are not a place for a child."
"Why do you even have to leave?" the seventeen year old asked, rubbing his jet black head.
"They will banish me or kill me, you know this. He is not my husband's son. Aurora and I are leaving now. Will you do this for me?" His cousin looked so desperate, he agreed.
"Thank you so much, Hazard. I will do my best to return, but it will not be for some time." She looked so relieved, Hazard felt good about what he was supposed to do. "Can you promise me one thing?"
"Anything."
"Please do not let him know who his parents are. Not until he's older."
Hazard nodded, accepting the bundle from his cousin's arms. "You have my word."
"You have no idea what a great service this is for me," she said,climbing back on her flier.
"It is fine," Hazard said, smiling a little. "Fly you high!"
Luxa looked so regretful flying away from her son, it almost seemed as if she were going to turn around that moment. But she didn't.