Gregor followed Nerissa to the prophecy room, though he could have found the way himself. Even after four years, you can't forget the room where your death was foretold, or where you spent several days hiding when rats invaded the palace.
The hole that Gregor had made with his sword that time was still in the door. Of course, there would be no wood to replace it here. No trees had grown here since the Garden of Hesperides was flooded by Hamnet.
"It is on the far wall," Luxa said from behind them. Gregor turned to see that they were followed by Luxa, Vikus, Ripred, and Lizzie, who was on the rat's back.
Nerissa read the prophecy aloud.
"'Brother fight brother,
And bond brother fight.
Brother and bond
Try to drain brother's light.
Brother fights back,
As he's in the right.
-
The crucial peace that held so strong,
Is challenged by gnawers that think it wrong
Challenged by humans from lands far and wide,
And traitors from both sides collide.
-
A blade forged of sorrow, hatred, and fears,
Thought to be gone over many years.
A bite from this blade will cause fitful sleep,
And those cut by it are like dead for the Reap'.
-
The crucial peace that held so well,
Is challenged by gnawers that think it a hell.
Challenged by humans from lands near and far,
And the traitors from both sides shall not spar.
-
Rager on rager, Whose blood both runs hot.
Rager fight rager, And rager rager fought.
One emerges victorious, One drained of light.
The first time in ages, Since a rager-rager fight.
-
The crucial peace that held its fill,
Is challenged by gnawers that want to kill.
Challenged by humans from lands now of lies,
And traitors from both sides have become allies.
-
Underlanders, this you must heed.
The rebellions are fueled by hatred and greed.
If not they are completely destroyed,
Reasons to be here would become void.'"
"That's a bit confusing." Gregor read it again to himself.
"So the first verse is about Hermes being attacked?" he asked.
"Yes, this is what we believe. Although, we cannot be sure until he awakens," Vikus explained.
"The fourth verse is troubling, as we know of only two ragers, and both of them happen to be in this room," Luxa noted.
"The whole thing is troubling," Vikus rubbed his temples. "I wish to look at this more closely. Nerissa, would you make me a copy?"
"Of course." Nerissa strode out of the room to grab a scroll, quill, and ink.
"Can we finish eating now? I didn't get to finish my shrimp in cream sauce," Ripred complained.
"Yes, I am sure the Overlanders have not eaten yet." Why was Luxa avoiding his eyes, and referring to him as the Overlander? What had he done now?
They followed the scarred rat back to the feast, though nobody really seemed hungry. An irritating silence hung over the table.
Gregor was relieved when Vikus had sent for him to look over the prophecy. Nobody had really said anything since Hermes crash-landed in the High Hall. Since Gregor finished eating fifteen minutes ago, he just sat there awkwardly. But now he had something to do. He'd always liked interpreting the prophecies with Vikus, he was open-minded and wise.
Gregor was lead to a private-looking study, which he took to be Vikus's office. A smooth stone desk piled high with scrolls and charts sat in the middle of the circular room, while bookcases lined the towering walls. Three torches in brackets illuminated the room. Vikus sat in a small chair at the desk, and motioned for Gregor to sit next to him.
"Have you any thought on the prophecy?" the older man asked.
"Can we break it down?" Gregor requested.
" Of course. The first verse
' Brother fight brother,
And bond brother fight.
Brother and bond
Try to drain brother's light.
Brother fights back,
As he's in the right.'
What does this mean to you?" Vikus's eyes shimmered in the torchlight. Gregor noticed that although he was old and had suffered much, his eyes remained a clear and bright violet, deep and worldly.
"This is referring to Hermes's attack, right? So 'Brother fight brother' would be Hermes getting attacked by his brother? Or do you think this refers to another flier, a brother of species?"
"Hermes has no brothers, so it must mean the latter."
"'And bond brother fight'," Gregor thought aloud, "Hermes attacked by a bonded bat and its bond. 'Brother and bond try to drain brother's light'. They tried to kill him. 'Brother fights back as he's in the right' could be that Hermes fought back, since he was attacked first. What do you take it to mean?"
"That exactly. How about the next non-repeating verse?
'A blade forged of sorrow, hatred, and fears,
Thought to be gone over many years.
A bite from this blade will cause fitful sleep,
And those cut by it are like dead for the Reap'.'"
Gregor thought for a minute before asking, " Is there an ancient sword that causes nightmares?"
Vikus slowly nodded. "Yes, there was once, but it has been lost for centuries. It is called 'The Sword of Shadow', as it creates a depressing, ominous gloom for whoever is cut by it. There have been very few people known to awaken from the fitful sleep it causes, and even fewer remain sane. I have some tales on it you may borrow to read, if you remind me after we finish."
"Thank you. How does the next verse go?"
"Rager on rager,
Whose blood both runs hot.
Rager fight rager,
And rager rager fought.
One emerges victorious,
One drained of light.
The first time in ages,
Since a rager-rager fight."
Gregor hoped that this wasn't saying that he'd have to fight Ripred. He knew that he'd end up the 'One drained of light' it that was the case. Besides, he liked the rat. How depressing is it thinking that one of your friends is going to duel you to the death soon?
"I hope that the two ragers aren't me and Ripred. I'd prefer that I were to fight a complete stranger rager that him. Or for Ripred to fight them. But I think that this stanza is not too complex."
"I concur, I'd much rather fight a stranger than a friend, even if you know the friend's fighting style better," Vikus agreed, nodding. "The last non-repeating verse is a warning to us, do you take it as this?"
"Yes. It the rebellion is triumphant, there are no reasons to stay here."
"The repeating stanza is along the same lines each time. Let us look at the last one, shall we?
'The crucial peace that held its fill,
Is challenged by gnawers that want to kill.
Challenged by humans from lands now of lies,
And traitors from both sides have become allies.'
What make you of this?"
"I'm not positive, but is it the peace since the war has held, but some gnawers and humans don't like it, so they will rebel and ally themselves?" asked Gregor.
"I do believe so," Vikus verified. "Oh, here are some tales of the Sword of Shadow." He pulled a dusty scroll off of a shelf and handed it to Gregor. "Good night, Warrior."
Lying in the bedroom the Underlanders let them use, Gregor began the tales, which were written in Old English
'The sword hath been forged by the masterful blacksmith Regure and the poison concocted by the herblorist, Kiele. The blade beith an unholy black color, shimmering slightly as doeth pearls. It is to be wielded by King Gerrog the mighty-
Gregor skipped ahead a bit.
-Gerrog killed in battle by his brethren of blood, Perdir for the sword. Perdir hath fled, though had clamith that thine king hath becomith power mad-'
He was soaring on Ares over the Queen, the massive volcano in the Firelands that had claimed the life of sweet little Thalia on their trip there. The pit in which the Nibblers had been suffocated in by the Bane was filled in completely with shiny obsidian, but you could tell where it had been if you knew where it was.
Suddenly, the Queen heaved and began to spew lava. He glanced back at the volcano, only to see the Bane to take shape out of the molten lava. The rat reached out at them, grabbing the unfortunate flier's wing. Ares gave a yelp of pain as he was dragged backwards by the fire figure. He stabbed at the Bane with his sword, but gave a cry of dismay as it was turned to liquid in the monster's chest.
Crack! The Bane lashed out at the pair with a molten tail, catching him across the face. It burned, oh man how it burned! The monster pulled the duo in farther before swallowing them. His body was incinerated in the Bane's stomach.
Gregor woke up hot and sweaty from his nightmare, panting. He could still feel the fiery sting of the Bane's tale across his face. Regaining composure, he picked up the scroll on the Sword of Shadow and read some more. The whole thing was as exciting as the beginning.