A/N: Thanks so much to the people who reviewed; you guys really keep me motivated!
Lizzie was reminded at once of Gregor's stories about quests. It seemed like plain traveling, but she knew that at any moment something could happen.
"We don't quite have the luxury that your brother did," Ripred said, as if reading her thoughts. "Food's so scarce that we don't have any to bring." He glanced between her and Kent, "I hope you'll be okay."
"I'm fine," Lizzie said. "I'm sure we'll be fine."
"And with no prophecies to guide us," Ripred continued, "We're pretty much just go off my instinct."
"It's been right before," Kent said quietly. He looked so incredibly distraught, that Lizzie felt herself wanting to comfort him. She had no idea what to say to him, though. Besides their similarly destroyed families, they had nothing in common.
"You're sister's okay?" She asked, at last.
"Neither of them are, really," he replied. "But yes, at least Chim wasn't hurt." He tried smiling. "I suppose that's as much as any of us can hope for, these days."
After a few hours of traveling, Lizzie learned more about both Kent and Gashlash. Kent had become close to Luxa, over the years, which is why it had been so horrible when she'd been taken. He told Lizzie that he'd become ashamed of Stellovet's negative relationship with her, and that he'd been trying to reconcile the two when Luxa had been imprisoned.
"She never got over it," he said, "She always feels guilty."
Lizzie frowned slightly. This didn't match so much with the stories that Gregor had told her, although she supposed that people could change. But even today… Stellovet hadn't seemed like the friendliest person in the world.
"It's why she's so miserable," Kent added. "She's always guilty and tired and afraid. I've done everything I can to help her, but there's only so much one can do." He looked sad, and Lizzie tried to keep him talking.
"She's your big sister, right?"
"Yes, although such things matter less now. The three of us depend on one another, regardless of birth order."
"That sounds like my family," Lizzie said. The two smiled at one another, understanding their connection. They really were in similar predicaments.
Gashlash seemed a bit odd, especially for a Gnawer. He was quiet and polite, although Lizzie was under the impression that he was a bit secretive. He rarely spoke, and when he did it was only in response to another's question.
Ripred often paid him indirect compliments, and Lizzie wondered if he was trying to raise the rat's self esteem. "He's the fastest Gnawer you'll find," Ripred said, evidently to Kent and Lizzie. "Can outrun nearly anything, even a shiner or nibbler."
"Nibblers are fast?" Lizzie mused. She felt stupid after saying it, realizing how fast mice could scurry.
"They are," Ripred said. "We're lucky to have so many of them on our side."
"Oh, well that's good, isn't it?" Lizzie replied. "I thought you didn't have a majority of any species."
"He doesn't like the Nibblers," Kent said, "He's trying to strip them of their rights."
"Why?" Lizzie asked.
"Because unlike Gnawers or humans or Fliers, they can't offer him anything," Ripred answered. "He doesn't value creatures without intelligence or strength."
"Gregor told me what happened to the Nibblers," Lizzie said, after a few minutes had passed, "You were there, weren't you?" She stroked Ripred's pelt.
"I was," he said, his voice a low rumble. "It was one of the cruelest things that I've ever set my eyes on."
"My brother had nightmares about it," Kent said. "He never told me directly, but I knew. He's always had a big heart."
"I remember Gregor saying that," Lizzie said, "He really respected him."
"I'm glad," Kent said softly, staring down at Gashlash's back. "We all did."
Lizzie squirmed. They must have been through something horrible if they were all so willing to except that nothing would improve. She wished that she could give them back their hope.
"Wait," Ripred said, his nose suddenly twitching, "I hear something."
Lizzie hunched over instinctively, making herself less visible.
"I can't tell who it is," Ripred continued, "Sounds like wings."
"We better move faster," Gashlash said darkly.
"The Fliers are that bad, huh?" Lizzie mused sadly.
"They must be," Kent replied, grabbing fast to Gashlash's fur as they sped off, "Otherwise they will not survive."
"Besides, I don't know that it's Fliers," Ripred said, "Could be spy Shiners, or regular Shiners at that."
"There are spy Shiners?" Lizzie asked.
"Yes," Kent said, "They work for him if he promises them food."
"Then how do you know that the Shiners working for you aren't also working for him?"
"We don't," Ripred replied. Lizzie stared into the blurring scenery, as they fled by countless images. They couldn't trust anyone, but they took the risk because they had no better choice. It sounded like an awful omen.
"If you look to you're right," Ripred said, quietly, "You'll see some of his handiwork."
"The Dictator's?"
"Yeah. A bunch of humans and their bonds moved out here, only so they could live peacefully. They weren't doing any harm, or anything."
"What happened?" Lizzie asked, the answer already in her ears.
"He found out about it, and slaughtered them."
Lizzie thought it over for a moment. It seemed as if the Dictator merely enjoyed killing creatures that were not obediently under his rule.
"Ripred!" Gashlash shouted, suddenly. He jumped backwards, and Kent nearly fell off of him.
Ripred swerved over, leaving Lizzie squished between his body and the ground. He pushed her out of the way just in time, before heavy rock came falling from the ceiling.