p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"By the time Gregor could even begin to process what Vikus had said, the old man had already turned and left the hall. Gregor was baffled, but he didn't know who he could talk to. In the end, he didn't talk to anyone. He just stayed in the dining hall, watching Boots while she ate. After she ate, he asked around for a place for him and Boots to sleep that night. The underlanders obliged with a small but cozy room with small oil lamps, a bed made —like all the underlander's other stuff—from spiderwebs. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"When Gregor lay Boots down on her bed that night, she dozed off almost immediately. Once Gregor was sure she was asleep, he quietly tiptoed out of the room and went back down to the hospital to see his dad. When he reached the door he knew his dad was in, he peered through the glass. His dad was asleep. He wondered how he was doing. And how long it would take him to recover from this. It seemed like someone in his family was always sick or injured. His mom with the plague, his dad with the fever he had developed when he was taken hostage by rats... A wave of loneliness that Gregor couldn't quite explain washed over him. He sighed, and leaned against the door, feeling the cold stone on his skin. A quiet sound alerted him to someone's presence. He turned and saw the person who he most longed to see—Luxa. He smiled at her and she walked over to him. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""I thought I might find you here," was all she said. She slipped her hand, small and warm, into his own. He squeezed hers tight. They stood in silence, gazing in at his dad... /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Gregor had trouble falling asleep that night. He was exhausted, but he was too tense to fall asleep. He tossed and turned for hours, until around one in the morning when he finally drifted off. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"The next morning, this morning, Gregor awoke feeling exhausted and defeated. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"What had Vikus meant when he said they leave at dawn? Well, probably that they leave at dawn—duh—but more specifically. He smiled as he looked down at Boots, sleeping on the crook of his arm. She shifted uneasily in her sleep. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Gregor carefully moved her off his arm and onto his pillow. There was no need to wake her yet. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"It took Gregor over twenty minutes to track Vikus down. The old man was in a grand room near the entrance to the castle. He was overseeing the bustling activity in front of them. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""What's going on?" Gregor asked Vikus./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""We are preparing for the quest," said Vikus. "Are you ready?" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Was he ready?" thought Gregor. Ready for what? What was Vikus talking about? /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""What quest?" asked Gregor, urgently. "What are you talking about?" What was wrong with Vikus? The old man had been acting strange all week. Probable the mental strain from losing his wife. Plus, she had been in charge of most military operations. Vikus had put Peridita in charge of the Regalia's armies. She was a good choice, thought Gregor. She was strong and brave, and most people trusted her. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Where are we going?" asked Gregor. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""To the Fount," replied Vikus. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Why the fount?" said Gregor with confusion. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""We need to talk to York," explained Vikus, calmly. York? The name stirred in Gregor's memory. Ah, yes. The tall man, Howard's dad. Gregor liked York. And not just because he probably would be dead if not for him./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Why," said Gregor./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Recall you the prophecies?" said Vikus, nodding his head at Gregor questioningly. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Yeah," said Gregor. "Did it mention York?"/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Not by name," said Vikus. "But it mentions 'those in power' and York is certainly that."/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""So who else is going?" he asked./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Besides York and yourself, there will be many others," said Vikus. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Who?" asked Gregor, wanting to know what the trip would look like. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Queen Luxa, myself, Ripred, Queen Athena, Nike, Boots, York, and, of course, you," said Vikus. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""So you're coming?" said Gregor, his heart lifting. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Yes," said Vikus, "Although I am unsure of what use I will be." Gregor wanted to tell Vikus to stop putting himself down, but he didn't know how to do such. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""I missed a few other names, " continued Vikus. "Temp, Flox, and Sox will also be joining us."/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Socks? thought Gregor. What kind of name was that? /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Who?" asked Gregor. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Spinners," said Vikus, as an explanation. Gregor hadn't been a huge fan of theirs, since his first trip to their lair, caves, hideout, whatever you wanted to call it. Upon arrival, they had tied him up and let him hang for several hours before the others had shown up and helped him escape. Not to mention the way they looked: hideous fangs, bug hairy bodies, and—his least favorite part—eight large eyes planted in their heads. The multi-eye thing had always freaked him out a bit. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""To an ancient burial ground in the Dead Lands."/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Oh great!" thought Gregor. "The dead land. What could be more fun? For god's sake, the place had 'Dead' in the name!/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""What do we want with a burial?" said Gregor, with puzzlement. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""It is not just the burial we are looking for, " said Vikus. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"'It is a certain grave...The Grave of Bartholomew of Sandwich." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Listen Vikus," said Gregor. "I need to leave for a moment. I'll be back in a bit."/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Gregor," said Vikus, looking like he was about to say "no, you need to stay here." So before he could, Gregor turned and left. As soon as he was out of the entrance, he headed down a hallway in search of one of the palace guards. It took him only a few minutes to find one. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Hey," he shouted, as he spotted one of the underland guards walking around a corner. "Hang on." The guard paused and looked at him. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Thanks," said Gregor, pausing to catch his breath. "Listen, do you know where my mom is? She apparently came down here yesterday." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Your mother? The female overlander?" the guard asked. Gregor nodded. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""She is staying in the hospital, as is your sister." Gregor blanched. "The hospital? Why are they in the hospital? Lizzie...? Sorry," he added, realizing the guard would not know his sister's name. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Why are they in the hospital? Are they hurt? What happened? Were they attacked by cutters?" said Gregor, starting to freak out. Forget starting—full force freaking out! /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""I am unaware of their condition, or the cause," said the guard formally./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" "Yeah, okay, thanks," said Gregor, and he set off toward the hospital wing. When he reached the hospital, he looked around for someone who looked like they might be in charge. He found what looked like the head doctor and walked over to them. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Excuse me," he said, trying to edge himself in between a conversation with the doctor and a nurse. The doctor turned to him, looking thoroughly annoyed at being interrupted. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Yes?" he said tartly, turning to face Gregor. His expression changed the moment he realized who he was speaking to. "Warrior?" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Yeah, I guess that's me," said Gregor hurriedly, "I wanted to know where my mom and my sister are." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Ah, yes," said the doctor, "Let me think," said the doctor, pausing to think. They are in side-by-side rooms..." —he pointed a finger at two doors.—"right there." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Can I see them?" asked Gregor. The doctor nodded. Gregor headed straight for the doors the doctor had pointed out. Paused a moment before entering the room, afraid of what he might encounter. But when he entered the room, all he saw was his mom, which, he realized, was exactly who he wanted to see. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Mom," he said, gently. She looked up at him as if unsure it was really him. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Gregor!" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Hi, mom," he said, walking into the room and surveying her. "are you alright?" he asked. "What happened?" She paused a moment before answering. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Well... when you and your father hadn't returned, I knew something must be wrong, so I went to investigate. Anyway, long story short, I took Lizzie"—at his sister's name, his mom jerked her head at the adjacent room—"and set out for Central Park. I remember you telling me about the rock there. So, I went and found it... well, when I picked up the rock, my hand slipped, and that's how that happened," she said, pointing to the cast on her left foot. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Ow," said Gregor, taking in her injury./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Yeah," she said, giving a half-smile. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""But what happened with Lizzie?" he asked. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Lizzie?" his mom asked, her eyebrows raised. "What do you mean?" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Well, I was told she was in the hospital." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Oh, well, that's not because she was hurt—she just wanted to be near me." Gregor nodded. That sounded like his sister./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Listen, mom, I don't know if you heard, but I have to go on another quest." Her jaw seemed to clench at this statement. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""I heard," she said tersely. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""It's fine," he assured her, "this one doesn't even sound dangerous." He neglected to tell her that they would be traveling through a place that he knew to be filled with giants rodents, man-eating plants, and a whole host of other lethal things. The whole underland was like a giant minefield. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""What exactly do they want you to do?" she asked. Gregor paused. He wasn't quite sure what the underlanders wanted of him. But that probably wasn't the best plan to tell his mom that. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""We're just having a meeting with some guys at the Fount." Which, while not the whole truth, was technically true. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""The Fount?" she said. She looked like she was trying to remember something. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""You were there, mom. But you probably don't remember it. You were really sick then." The underlanders had moved her there during a war. She nodded, but Gregor wasn't sure she did remember. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""So it's just that?" she asked, seeming reassured. But she still wasn't convinced. At least not fully. "I still don't know," she said, "you need to come back home. I need your help telling Angelina's parents about this... and where she is. I don't think they'll believe me if I'm alone. But you have all those scars," she said. She looked at him waiting for a response. When he didn't give one, she started to talk again. "I know, I know! I shouldn't tell them about this place, but their daughter is missing! I feel like I owe it to them." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Mom," Gregor burst out before she could talk anymore. "Angelina's dead." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Oh, sweety," said his mom sympathetically. "Are you sure?" Was he sure? /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Yeah, mom, I'm sure," said Gregor. But was he? There was a possibility—however slim—that Angelina had somehow made it to the underland in one piece. And then somehow managed to avoid detection. But the odds were so small, he didn't dare hope. Gregor could tell his mom was going to try and comfort him. And he really wanted her to. But he stopped her before she could begin. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""I've got to go in a moment," he said. "I just wanted to stop in before I left." She nodded, seeming sad. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""If you've made up your mind to go, I can't stop you. Just remember to stay safe." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Look, there's nothing dangerous, he said again, "It's not like last time. I'm not supposed to—" But then he stopped himself. He had been about to say, "It's not like I'm supposed to die." In the last prophecy he had been mentioned in, he had been prophesied to die. To this day, he hadn't told any of his family about what might have happened. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Gregor thought back to when he had first discovered the underland. He had never lied, and he had never fought—he didn't even like arguing! And now here he was, the underlander's warrior—a killer. And the lies... he had lied once, and now he kept having to lie again to cover his first lie./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" Gregor stood, teetering on the edge of saying more. He opened his mouth, only to close it again. Finally, he simply hugged his mom tightly, turned, and left without another word. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Suddenly he started to doubt whether going on this quest was such a good idea. Maybe it would be more dangerous than he had anticipated. Was he leading his sister into danger? Well, he reasoned with himself, maybe he could just go to the meeting at the Fount with York. And then decide what to do from there. Yes, he decided, that seemed wise. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Gregor hurried back to the room where ha and Boots had been sleeping. But when he arrived, Boot's bed was empty! It was the second time in two days he had lost her. Boy, would he make a lousy parent! An underlander had probably taken her down by where they were leaving from. And he was right—when he arrived back to where Vikus was standing, he saw Boots in the arms of Dulcet, the nanny who had taken care of Boots regularly since her first trip. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""I took the liberty of preparing some toys and treats," said Dulcet, handing Boots over to him, along with a well-packed bag. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Thanks, Dulcet," said Gregor, gratefully. He was glad she had thought to pack some stuff to entertain her. He had packed his backpack with supplies for the quest, but all of his stuff didn't really cater toward kids./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" Gregor wished he had gotten a chance to say goodbye to Lizzie before he left. But hopefully, he would be back soon—before he was missed. A few minutes later, the part of humans left. They walked out of the hall, laden down with supplies for the quest. Outside, bats were waiting. Vikus told each person where they were to sit, and everyone obeyed. Gregor, Boots, Luxa, and Hazard were all stationed on one bat together. Their bat also carried several skins filled with water. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""There's a lot of people," commented Gregor. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""And there will be more once York's people join us... not to mention supplies," said Luxa. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Oh, so this isn't it?" said Gregor. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Oh, no," said Luxa, "York's people are providing much of our supplies," she said./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" "Oh, okay," said Gregor. Then he remembered something. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""So... I guess we might be seeing Stelovet." he said. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Ugh, don't remind me," said Luxa, looking revolted. Stelovet was about her age and had a personality like poisoned honey. By this point, the bats had taken to the air and were now flapping along at a fair pace. Gregor raised his voice so he could be heard over the rushing air. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Have you been to the Fount before?" he asked Luxa. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Twice that I can remember," she answered. "Once when I was four or five, and then, again, when I was nine... It is a beautiful place. Those at the Fount have not endured war as have we have in Regalia." she said. "I often wonder what it would be like, to live without war," she said. Gregor didn't know how to respond. He was feeling anxious about what he might have gotten himself and Boots into, and reluctant about possibly seeing Stelovet again, and worried about his family. Yet the emotion that overpowered the others was excitement. He had never been to the Fount before, and he was curious what it would be like. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"When the bats started to descend almost a full two hours later, he craned his neck trying to see... whatever he was supposed to see. But when the bats landed, he still hadn't seen anything to indicate that people lived there. Thin, pale vines were sprawling over the reddish-brown dirt. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""So how much longer until we're there?" Gregor asked Luxa. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""But, Gregor, we are already here," she said, the confusion evident on her face. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"strong style="color: #0e101a;"Okay, guys. I want to ask a favor. If you have time, please leave a review and let me know what you think of my story so far. And I'm talking more about style and substance than this story in and of itself. Basically, tell me what you think i need to work on the most: plot, pacing, a better emotional /strongspan style="color: #0e101a;"strongconnection/strong/spanstrong style="color: #0e101a;" with the /strongspan style="color: #0e101a;"strongcharacters/strong/spanstrong style="color: #0e101a;", more backstory, etc... /strong/p
p style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"strong style="color: #0e101a;"The reason for this is that I am currently writing an original book which I am going to self-publish. So thank you in advance for those who do and thanks so much for reading! /strong/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"When Gregor lay Boots down on her bed that night, she dozed off almost immediately. Once Gregor was sure she was asleep, he quietly tiptoed out of the room and went back down to the hospital to see his dad. When he reached the door he knew his dad was in, he peered through the glass. His dad was asleep. He wondered how he was doing. And how long it would take him to recover from this. It seemed like someone in his family was always sick or injured. His mom with the plague, his dad with the fever he had developed when he was taken hostage by rats... A wave of loneliness that Gregor couldn't quite explain washed over him. He sighed, and leaned against the door, feeling the cold stone on his skin. A quiet sound alerted him to someone's presence. He turned and saw the person who he most longed to see—Luxa. He smiled at her and she walked over to him. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""I thought I might find you here," was all she said. She slipped her hand, small and warm, into his own. He squeezed hers tight. They stood in silence, gazing in at his dad... /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Gregor had trouble falling asleep that night. He was exhausted, but he was too tense to fall asleep. He tossed and turned for hours, until around one in the morning when he finally drifted off. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"The next morning, this morning, Gregor awoke feeling exhausted and defeated. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"What had Vikus meant when he said they leave at dawn? Well, probably that they leave at dawn—duh—but more specifically. He smiled as he looked down at Boots, sleeping on the crook of his arm. She shifted uneasily in her sleep. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Gregor carefully moved her off his arm and onto his pillow. There was no need to wake her yet. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"It took Gregor over twenty minutes to track Vikus down. The old man was in a grand room near the entrance to the castle. He was overseeing the bustling activity in front of them. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""What's going on?" Gregor asked Vikus./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""We are preparing for the quest," said Vikus. "Are you ready?" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Was he ready?" thought Gregor. Ready for what? What was Vikus talking about? /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""What quest?" asked Gregor, urgently. "What are you talking about?" What was wrong with Vikus? The old man had been acting strange all week. Probable the mental strain from losing his wife. Plus, she had been in charge of most military operations. Vikus had put Peridita in charge of the Regalia's armies. She was a good choice, thought Gregor. She was strong and brave, and most people trusted her. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Where are we going?" asked Gregor. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""To the Fount," replied Vikus. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Why the fount?" said Gregor with confusion. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""We need to talk to York," explained Vikus, calmly. York? The name stirred in Gregor's memory. Ah, yes. The tall man, Howard's dad. Gregor liked York. And not just because he probably would be dead if not for him./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Why," said Gregor./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Recall you the prophecies?" said Vikus, nodding his head at Gregor questioningly. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Yeah," said Gregor. "Did it mention York?"/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Not by name," said Vikus. "But it mentions 'those in power' and York is certainly that."/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""So who else is going?" he asked./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Besides York and yourself, there will be many others," said Vikus. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Who?" asked Gregor, wanting to know what the trip would look like. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Queen Luxa, myself, Ripred, Queen Athena, Nike, Boots, York, and, of course, you," said Vikus. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""So you're coming?" said Gregor, his heart lifting. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Yes," said Vikus, "Although I am unsure of what use I will be." Gregor wanted to tell Vikus to stop putting himself down, but he didn't know how to do such. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""I missed a few other names, " continued Vikus. "Temp, Flox, and Sox will also be joining us."/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Socks? thought Gregor. What kind of name was that? /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Who?" asked Gregor. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Spinners," said Vikus, as an explanation. Gregor hadn't been a huge fan of theirs, since his first trip to their lair, caves, hideout, whatever you wanted to call it. Upon arrival, they had tied him up and let him hang for several hours before the others had shown up and helped him escape. Not to mention the way they looked: hideous fangs, bug hairy bodies, and—his least favorite part—eight large eyes planted in their heads. The multi-eye thing had always freaked him out a bit. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""To an ancient burial ground in the Dead Lands."/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Oh great!" thought Gregor. "The dead land. What could be more fun? For god's sake, the place had 'Dead' in the name!/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""What do we want with a burial?" said Gregor, with puzzlement. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""It is not just the burial we are looking for, " said Vikus. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"'It is a certain grave...The Grave of Bartholomew of Sandwich." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Listen Vikus," said Gregor. "I need to leave for a moment. I'll be back in a bit."/p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Gregor," said Vikus, looking like he was about to say "no, you need to stay here." So before he could, Gregor turned and left. As soon as he was out of the entrance, he headed down a hallway in search of one of the palace guards. It took him only a few minutes to find one. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Hey," he shouted, as he spotted one of the underland guards walking around a corner. "Hang on." The guard paused and looked at him. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Thanks," said Gregor, pausing to catch his breath. "Listen, do you know where my mom is? She apparently came down here yesterday." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Your mother? The female overlander?" the guard asked. Gregor nodded. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""She is staying in the hospital, as is your sister." Gregor blanched. "The hospital? Why are they in the hospital? Lizzie...? Sorry," he added, realizing the guard would not know his sister's name. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Why are they in the hospital? Are they hurt? What happened? Were they attacked by cutters?" said Gregor, starting to freak out. Forget starting—full force freaking out! /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""I am unaware of their condition, or the cause," said the guard formally./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" "Yeah, okay, thanks," said Gregor, and he set off toward the hospital wing. When he reached the hospital, he looked around for someone who looked like they might be in charge. He found what looked like the head doctor and walked over to them. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Excuse me," he said, trying to edge himself in between a conversation with the doctor and a nurse. The doctor turned to him, looking thoroughly annoyed at being interrupted. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Yes?" he said tartly, turning to face Gregor. His expression changed the moment he realized who he was speaking to. "Warrior?" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Yeah, I guess that's me," said Gregor hurriedly, "I wanted to know where my mom and my sister are." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Ah, yes," said the doctor, "Let me think," said the doctor, pausing to think. They are in side-by-side rooms..." —he pointed a finger at two doors.—"right there." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Can I see them?" asked Gregor. The doctor nodded. Gregor headed straight for the doors the doctor had pointed out. Paused a moment before entering the room, afraid of what he might encounter. But when he entered the room, all he saw was his mom, which, he realized, was exactly who he wanted to see. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Mom," he said, gently. She looked up at him as if unsure it was really him. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Gregor!" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Hi, mom," he said, walking into the room and surveying her. "are you alright?" he asked. "What happened?" She paused a moment before answering. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Well... when you and your father hadn't returned, I knew something must be wrong, so I went to investigate. Anyway, long story short, I took Lizzie"—at his sister's name, his mom jerked her head at the adjacent room—"and set out for Central Park. I remember you telling me about the rock there. So, I went and found it... well, when I picked up the rock, my hand slipped, and that's how that happened," she said, pointing to the cast on her left foot. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Ow," said Gregor, taking in her injury./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Yeah," she said, giving a half-smile. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""But what happened with Lizzie?" he asked. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Lizzie?" his mom asked, her eyebrows raised. "What do you mean?" /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Well, I was told she was in the hospital." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Oh, well, that's not because she was hurt—she just wanted to be near me." Gregor nodded. That sounded like his sister./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Listen, mom, I don't know if you heard, but I have to go on another quest." Her jaw seemed to clench at this statement. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""I heard," she said tersely. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""It's fine," he assured her, "this one doesn't even sound dangerous." He neglected to tell her that they would be traveling through a place that he knew to be filled with giants rodents, man-eating plants, and a whole host of other lethal things. The whole underland was like a giant minefield. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""What exactly do they want you to do?" she asked. Gregor paused. He wasn't quite sure what the underlanders wanted of him. But that probably wasn't the best plan to tell his mom that. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""We're just having a meeting with some guys at the Fount." Which, while not the whole truth, was technically true. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""The Fount?" she said. She looked like she was trying to remember something. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""You were there, mom. But you probably don't remember it. You were really sick then." The underlanders had moved her there during a war. She nodded, but Gregor wasn't sure she did remember. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""So it's just that?" she asked, seeming reassured. But she still wasn't convinced. At least not fully. "I still don't know," she said, "you need to come back home. I need your help telling Angelina's parents about this... and where she is. I don't think they'll believe me if I'm alone. But you have all those scars," she said. She looked at him waiting for a response. When he didn't give one, she started to talk again. "I know, I know! I shouldn't tell them about this place, but their daughter is missing! I feel like I owe it to them." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Mom," Gregor burst out before she could talk anymore. "Angelina's dead." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Oh, sweety," said his mom sympathetically. "Are you sure?" Was he sure? /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Yeah, mom, I'm sure," said Gregor. But was he? There was a possibility—however slim—that Angelina had somehow made it to the underland in one piece. And then somehow managed to avoid detection. But the odds were so small, he didn't dare hope. Gregor could tell his mom was going to try and comfort him. And he really wanted her to. But he stopped her before she could begin. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""I've got to go in a moment," he said. "I just wanted to stop in before I left." She nodded, seeming sad. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""If you've made up your mind to go, I can't stop you. Just remember to stay safe." /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Look, there's nothing dangerous, he said again, "It's not like last time. I'm not supposed to—" But then he stopped himself. He had been about to say, "It's not like I'm supposed to die." In the last prophecy he had been mentioned in, he had been prophesied to die. To this day, he hadn't told any of his family about what might have happened. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Gregor thought back to when he had first discovered the underland. He had never lied, and he had never fought—he didn't even like arguing! And now here he was, the underlander's warrior—a killer. And the lies... he had lied once, and now he kept having to lie again to cover his first lie./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" Gregor stood, teetering on the edge of saying more. He opened his mouth, only to close it again. Finally, he simply hugged his mom tightly, turned, and left without another word. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Suddenly he started to doubt whether going on this quest was such a good idea. Maybe it would be more dangerous than he had anticipated. Was he leading his sister into danger? Well, he reasoned with himself, maybe he could just go to the meeting at the Fount with York. And then decide what to do from there. Yes, he decided, that seemed wise. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"Gregor hurried back to the room where ha and Boots had been sleeping. But when he arrived, Boot's bed was empty! It was the second time in two days he had lost her. Boy, would he make a lousy parent! An underlander had probably taken her down by where they were leaving from. And he was right—when he arrived back to where Vikus was standing, he saw Boots in the arms of Dulcet, the nanny who had taken care of Boots regularly since her first trip. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""I took the liberty of preparing some toys and treats," said Dulcet, handing Boots over to him, along with a well-packed bag. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Thanks, Dulcet," said Gregor, gratefully. He was glad she had thought to pack some stuff to entertain her. He had packed his backpack with supplies for the quest, but all of his stuff didn't really cater toward kids./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" Gregor wished he had gotten a chance to say goodbye to Lizzie before he left. But hopefully, he would be back soon—before he was missed. A few minutes later, the part of humans left. They walked out of the hall, laden down with supplies for the quest. Outside, bats were waiting. Vikus told each person where they were to sit, and everyone obeyed. Gregor, Boots, Luxa, and Hazard were all stationed on one bat together. Their bat also carried several skins filled with water. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""There's a lot of people," commented Gregor. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""And there will be more once York's people join us... not to mention supplies," said Luxa. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Oh, so this isn't it?" said Gregor. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Oh, no," said Luxa, "York's people are providing much of our supplies," she said./p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" "Oh, okay," said Gregor. Then he remembered something. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""So... I guess we might be seeing Stelovet." he said. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Ugh, don't remind me," said Luxa, looking revolted. Stelovet was about her age and had a personality like poisoned honey. By this point, the bats had taken to the air and were now flapping along at a fair pace. Gregor raised his voice so he could be heard over the rushing air. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Have you been to the Fount before?" he asked Luxa. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""Twice that I can remember," she answered. "Once when I was four or five, and then, again, when I was nine... It is a beautiful place. Those at the Fount have not endured war as have we have in Regalia." she said. "I often wonder what it would be like, to live without war," she said. Gregor didn't know how to respond. He was feeling anxious about what he might have gotten himself and Boots into, and reluctant about possibly seeing Stelovet again, and worried about his family. Yet the emotion that overpowered the others was excitement. He had never been to the Fount before, and he was curious what it would be like. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"When the bats started to descend almost a full two hours later, he craned his neck trying to see... whatever he was supposed to see. But when the bats landed, he still hadn't seen anything to indicate that people lived there. Thin, pale vines were sprawling over the reddish-brown dirt. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""So how much longer until we're there?" Gregor asked Luxa. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;""But, Gregor, we are already here," she said, the confusion evident on her face. /p
p style="color: #0e101a; background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"strong style="color: #0e101a;"Okay, guys. I want to ask a favor. If you have time, please leave a review and let me know what you think of my story so far. And I'm talking more about style and substance than this story in and of itself. Basically, tell me what you think i need to work on the most: plot, pacing, a better emotional /strongspan style="color: #0e101a;"strongconnection/strong/spanstrong style="color: #0e101a;" with the /strongspan style="color: #0e101a;"strongcharacters/strong/spanstrong style="color: #0e101a;", more backstory, etc... /strong/p
p style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p style="background: transparent; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"strong style="color: #0e101a;"The reason for this is that I am currently writing an original book which I am going to self-publish. So thank you in advance for those who do and thanks so much for reading! /strong/p