Hey here's Ch.9, does anyone know what the second review from Evil Gregor the Overlander means?
For a while Gregor and Luxa just sat there, arms wrapped around each other, finally Luxa mentioned an important war council she had to go to and Gregor was left alone. In his head Gregor went back over the Prophecy, trying to decipher Sandwich's cryptic words. He wished that Vikus was there with him, the kind old man always knew how to interpret Sandwich's scrawling. The first stanza seemed to have a message, but one that didn't make sense.
With Rebellion spreading like wildfire
The Underland's need for the warrior is dire
The one who has not perished
Is no longer cherished
The first two lines seemed simple there was rebellion brewing , and the Underland needed him. The third line could pertain to either Ripred or himself but this didn't seem plausible after reading the fourth line. Gregor knew that both Ripred and himself were most likely viewed as war heroes and unless everyone suddenly started believing the deceased Bane that was unlikely to change. Confused Gregor moved to the second stanza which seemed even weirder than the first.
Will the Queen strike him down?
Or will he take the crown?
While the gnawers and crawlers stay true
The enemy is someone you once knew
While extremely unlikely, it was possible for Luxa to kill him, but it just didn't make any sense! Grudgingly he moved to the next line. The first thing that popped into his head was, What the heck! Gregor would never try to take the crown! He would never hurt a hair on Luxa or Nerissa's head! Calming down, he moved to the next line. This was one of the few that made sense, it meant that the rats and cockroaches would keep their alliance with the humans. Finally some good news. The following line also was one of the few that made sense, whoever the leader was it would be someone that they had known. Just the thought of it made Gregor paranoid so instead of speculating for the rest of the day he moved to the third stanza.
Will the warrior make the greatest sacrifice?
He will have the choice thrice
Journey to the land of fire
For your enemy will never tire
This paragraph seemed pretty clear, would Gregor give his life to save the Underland and all those he loved in it? Not that he wanted to die, but if the fate of thousands rested on him dying he would certainly sacrifice himself. It also seemed that the party would have to travel to the firelands to stop the rebellion.
No armies must you bring
If you are to stop the traitor from being king
Outcasts from the Bane's elite
You must cause them to retreat
Or doom the Underland will meet
This paragraph seemed to state that if they were going to stop the war, then only a small party would go to the firelands. The final two lines are what had Gregor worried if all of the rats were as strong as the assassin in the tunnel, then they had no hope whatsoever to beat them.
To win the battle you must bring:
Two gnawers
One crawler
The warrior and the Queen
Four fliers and another killer
While the taste of victory is sweet
Not all will live to taste the treat
This stanza pretty much was the easiest and most foreboding stanza of them all, they would take two rats, a cockroach, himself, Luxa, four fliers, and another human. Not all of them would come back alive. Overall this prophecy seemed loaded with things to worry about. No, who was he kidding pretty much all of them were. Gregor didn't even know why he was giving this so much thought, but it also seemed as if Sandwich had seen Gregor's fiasco with his sword 400 years ago and written it all down just for the fun of it.
Gregor heard a noise on the stair and quickly looked up from the uniform etched letters on the cool stone wall. It was Howard, and Gregor knew exactly what he was here for. It was one of the things he had been secretly dreading from the time he had stepped into the Underland.
"Gregor I think you know why I am here, you must stop being involved with Luxa." Howard stated. Gregor felt furious, even though Luxa was the Queen she still should have the right to associate with whomever she wanted.
"You know Howard, I don't think you understand. No matter what you say you would never in a million years change my feeling for Luxa!" At this exclamation Howard looked a little resigned
"I was afraid that you would say that." Howard said somberly. Howard was about to open his mouth to reprimand Gregor again, when a strange sound filled the room. Although Howard was confused Gregor knew the sound, someone limp on the ground. Silently Gregor drew his dagger, whatever it was that had just injured someone it was going to be close quarter combat. The rager sensation was activating, even before the fight, threatening to envelop him in a flurry of bloodlust.
As he neared the ladder he had a sudden realization, the ladder was probably 400 years old. This meant that the enemy would hear the ladder creak as soon as he began his descent. He made a snap decision and jumped down to the ground landing on his toes as to minimize the shock of impact. Gregor waited a few seconds, ready for a vicious rat to come charging in response to the sound of his landing. Nothing. Gregor drew his sword and opened the door as stealthily as possible. Once again he was left alone. Howard walked quietly behind him. Surveying the hall Gregor handed Howard his dagger, and motioned for him to walk one way down the hall while Gregor walked the other.
About three quarters of the way down the corridor a creature with a black and white head and mangy brown and white flecked coat turned the corner. Strangely the creature was carrying a bundle of scrolls under one arm.
"Stop!" Gregor cried pushing down the rager urge to skewer the beast and be done with it. The creature was so shocked at being discovered that it dropped the scrolls. One of them rolled open to reveal a detailed map showing the human strategy of the war. Gregor could feel his blood boiling. A spy!
"Please do not harm me!" The strange animal pleaded.
"Howard! Get over here!" Gregor yelled, trying to sound as calm as humanly possible. It was a hard thing to do, his whole perception of the Underland had just been altered in a single instant. Howard ran quickly, the need for stealth gone when he reached Gregor he was obviously prepared for a fight to the death. When he stood next to Gregor his face turned a pale, almost ghostly shake of white. When Howard looked at the map lying on the floor Gregor was afraid that Howard would pass out.
After a good fifteen seconds of gawking Howard collected himself, at the exact moment Luxa rounded the corner shouting
"Good news, Gregor, the cutters have withdrawn! It is wonderful news!" When Luxa saw the beast she staggered back and leaned against the wall, almost as if she had been struck by a physical blow, rather than a wave of disbelief.
The creature turned and looked Howard straight in the eye.
"Oh hello there Howard," it said " Stellovet asked me to give you a quick 'hello'"
I'm pretty sure that was the best cliffhanger I've ever written. See that lonely green button on the bottom of this page? Click on it and it'll be happy.