Chapter 4
Gregor gave a gasp, which turned into a small choke. Hera stopped in midair, but still beating her wings so they would stay up. She turned her head to him.
"Gregor, are you okay?" she asked worriedly. Gregor caught his breath and answered.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a surprise." He said. Hera began to fly again. "Hera, can I tell you something, that you promise not to tell anyone unless I tell you too?"
"Yes, you are my bond, I would not dream of telling someone if you wish for me not to." Hera answered.
Gregor nodded. "Okay then. Listen, one of the gifts I got for Luxa is a painting of Aurora. I just asked this guy to paint a picture of a golden bat. I didn't say the name or anything. Do you have a guess on how the guy knew this?" he held the painting facing backward in front of Hera's face. It took Hera a moment to focus, but she too let out a small gasp of surprise.
"But all Overlanders but you and your family have not survived the Underland, let alone came to Regalia and met my sister! Vikus told me this himself! How is this possible? Gregor, are you completely sure you did not tell the Overlander Aurora's name?" Hera asked.
Gregor sighed. "One hundred percent positive, Hera. Any other explanations?" he asked.
Hera was silent for a moment, but then spoke up. "Perhaps he can foretell coming events, like Bartholomew of Sandwich or Nerissa? Perhaps he knew you were going to meet a golden bat named Aurora in a land miles beneath the earth's surface?"
Just the way Hera said it made it sound way too far-fetched. "I don't think so, Hera. We don't get much people like Sandwich or Nerissa in the Overland." He said.
"Well, if that is not it, then I have nothing. And we are here." Hera said, and made a sharp turn into the arena. "Be silent, we will find a place to sit unseen until Luxa arrives." She flew them to a spot in the seats near the place where Luxa and Aurora would fly in.
The arena was full of Regalians, all coming to celebrate their queen's birthday. Gregor estimated that at least a third of the city was here for Luxa. He wondered if it was like this for every one of her birthdays, so he consulted this with Hera.
"Not all. Luxa normally prefers a small dinner with family and close friends, but as this is her thirteenth year, she is required a large gathering." Hera answered.
Gregor saw a familiar looking light-brown bat soar into the arena with a familiar looking black-haired boy on his back. The boy looked around and pointed at a spot that looked close to where Gregor and Hera were hiding. Uh oh.
"Gregor?" Hazard said as he landed and dismounted Apollo.
"No, Hazard, no one was supposed to know I'm here!" Gregor hissed, as not to draw any more attention.
"Oh, sorry. But Hera's not that hard to miss!" Hazard whispered back, and Gregor had to stifle a laugh. Yes, Hera with her pure white fur with golden speckles wasn't easy to look over. Gregor turned his head to Apollo.
Apollo had found them on their quest to save Boots a few months previous. He had been banished for reasons he would not say, but had been allowed back into his land.
"Hey, Apollo. How's it going?" Gregor whispered to the bat.
"Fine. Things have been a lot better than before." Apollo answered. "Hazard has helped me a lot. He is a nice kid."
"Yeah." said Gregor.
A voice brought them all to attention. Gregor noticed Mareth and Vikus sitting in the Royal box. Gregor supposed Mareth was there to help Vikus, after what Hera had said about a relapse. But Vikus was the one who spoke.
"Greetings, all! We are here for the thirteenth birthday of Queen Luxa!" he said. He actually spoke very loud, and brought everyone to attention. Then he pointed with his left arm to the entrance of the arena. Suddenly a golden bat flew in, Aurora. Atop her was Luxa, dressed in the most elegant gown Gregor had ever seen her wear, with her now chest-length silvery-blonde hair in a bun. Her gold band rested on her head. Her legs were swung off the side of Aurora, so she wouldn't wreck the gown. She looked beautiful.
Aurora circled the arena. Gregor was sure Luxa had looked his way, because she nearly fell off Aurora in surprise, but he quickly ducked before she looked again.
Aurora landed and Luxa gracefully dismounted. Everyone cheered, but in a moment it returned to a regular party. People were swarming around food, talking to friends, riding on bats, and Luxa was standing in the center of the arena.
Hera gave him a push with her wing. He walked out to Luxa, who had her back to him. When he reached her, he gave her a tap on the shoulder. She turned his way, and with a quick look of surprise then a smile, she said, "Gregor."
They just stood looking at each other for a moment, and then finally she flung herself on him. They embraced for what seemed like hours, and all Gregor could see was Luxa. He heard the gasps of other Underlanders, but he didn't pay any attention.
Finally, she pulled away, but held both of his hands in hers. "I knew you would come back." She said softly.
"Happy birthday, Luxa." Gregor said with a smile. She hugged him again, but this one was shorter. When they pulled away, they saw Hera and Aurora flying up to them. Howard and Nike joined them in a second.
"You had a need to rest, did you?" Howard said to Hera with a twinkle in his eye. Hera looked surprised.
"I do not…I could not…I was..." she stuttered, but then buried her face in her wing and laughed harder than Gregor had ever seen her laugh. Soon Howard, Nike, and Gregor joined in, but Luxa and Aurora looked puzzled.
"What is going on?" Luxa asked. Finally Gregor and Hera stopped laughing and explained their whole plan. Luxa was very surprised that they pulled this off without anyone but Hazard and Apollo noticing them.
Gregor decided that now would be a good time to give Luxa her presents. He pulled them out of his bag, the necklace first. He handed the box to Luxa.
"What is this?" Luxa asked. Gregor opened it and put the necklace on her. "Oh, Gregor, it is beautiful!" she breathed.
"Wait there's something else." Said Gregor, and he pulled the painting out of his bag. Luxa's face widened in shock as he showed it to her.
"Oh Aurora, look! It is you!" she said to her bat. Aurora to, looked amazed.
"Overlander, where did you get this?" Aurora asked.
"I had some guy paint it for me. I figured Luxa would like to have a picture of her bat." Gregor said.
"Yes, thank you so much Gregor!" Luxa said, smiling. Then, turning back to her bat, she said, "Aurora, it looks just like you!"
They all admired Luxa's gifts for a while longer, but then they went to enjoy the rest of the party.