Chapter 4

Gregor groaned. The shiners weren't exactly that great of company, and Gregor had experienced the terrible annoyance of traveling with them twice in the past year he had been in the Underland. It only added to his annoyance that they were HUGE eaters! They never stopped! "Oh no, not the shiners again!"

"Well, that was rude. I just have to say it hasn't been a pleasure to know you, either." said Zap.

"Yes, very rude. You should show us more respect, ince we have done so much for you humans!" agreed Photos-Glow-Glow. "Or at least, show me respect, I agree that Zap hasn't been so agreeable on our past encounters."

"I hate you!" shrieked Zap.

"All right, shiners. Can we calm down and converse in a nice, quiet manner?" said Vikus. Gregor could see that their constant fighting gave Vikus a headache.

"Maybe we can. But does anyone have any food? We're starving! That flier doesn't provide many means of provisions!" said Photos-Glow-Glow.

"What flier?" Luxa stepped up.

Zap spoke up. "Oh, some flier who was locked in that room with us. Or maybe she was the one who locked us in, i can't remember. I believe her name is Herald, or Hare, or..."

"Hera, Zap. Greetings, I am she called Hera!" A beautiful female bat fluttered out of the room. She was a beautiful pure white, with golden speckles. She had a kind look on her face. "Oh thank you so much! I was quite cramped in there, hardly a place to spread my wings! And I am sorry, shiners, but I cannot help that you eat much more food than I do! I do not mean to be rude, but I think it is quite kind of the humans to release us!"

Gregor looked over at Luxa. Her face had softened from it's angry look when the shiners came, and he could tell she liked Hera. He did too, she reminded him of Aurora. That was probably why Luxa liked her.

"Hera. What a beautiful name! I am queen Luxa of Regalia, Hera. We welcome you to our city with most respect!" Luxa smiled.

"Oh, Queen Luxa. Yes, I have heard of you! The shiners told me how you were so dedicated to save the nibblers! How noble of you!" said Hera. "I have not been out of this room for many months, and always seems like longer!"

"Well, Hera, what say we all discuss this over a meal? i'm sure you can all use some nourishment." asked Vikus.

Hera was about to answer, but the shiners interrupted. "Oh yes! I am famished! Let us eat!" said Photos-Glow-Glow. Zap nodded.

"That would be wonderful. But we must come down here after, for I beleive there are things concealed in this room that you might care to see." said Hera. She gave a particular glance over at Gregor and Luxa. Did she know he was the warrior?

Everyone walked to the Royal dining room. There was already food prepared. They sat down. Luxa offered Hera a seat beside her. Hera then told them all of what had been going on.

"I was flown into that room by my mother and her bond. She said rats were attacking, and that she didn't want anything to happen to me. I was fighting to be able to come with my mother, but she and her bond made me stay there. I have been waiting and wondering in there, when, only about three or four months ago, a couple of shiners found their way in, and couldn't return in. I've explored the room and passageways many times, and there is some things that would be of great value to the humans. By the way, does anyone know where my mother is? And her bond?" Hera explained.

"Who was your mother, Hera?" asked Luxa.

"Her name was Electra." answered Hera. Unexpectedly, Luxa gave a cry and hung her head. Vikus and Howard rushed over to her, but Gregor could see they were close to tears as well.

"Oh, what did I say?" Hera looked worried.

"It is not your fault. Electra was my daughter's bond, Luxa's mother's. They both were killed during that rat attack you mentioned." Vikus mustered an answer.

"Oh I am sorry! So very sorry! No, I should not have brought that up! My mother and her bond, how sad!" Hera apologized.

"It is okay." Luxa said. She lifted her head.

"I am sorry, queen Luxa!" Hera wrapped her wings around her, just like Aurora.

"I am sorry if this causes more grief, but I would just like to know if my sister lives. Her name is Aurora. Does she breathe?" Hera asked.

A big smile took over Luxa's face. "Of course! Aurora mentioned she had a sister, but I had forgotten!" She gave a whistle. Aurora came soaring in. Complete surprise took over her face when she saw Hera.

"Hera?"

"Aurora?"

"Oh it is really you! All of the fliers thought you dead! Oh, but mother..." Aurora's voice trailed away.

"Yes, queen Luxa has told me. Do you have a bond?" Hera asked.

"Yes, it is Luxa!" Aurora answered.

"The queen! How wonderful!" admired Hera.

All this time Gregor had kept quiet, letting everyone else do the talking. Now he needed to get a few things straight. "Wait, so Aurora and Hera are sisters, their mother was Electra, who was Luxa's mom's bond. Am I right?" he asked.

Luxa sighed. "Yes, Gregor, you are correct." she said. She then smiled at the sight of Aurora and Hera filling eachother in on the past few years of their lives.

"Aurora, what has happened to our old friend, Ares?" asked Hera. Everyone knew she didn't mean too, but it was exactly the wrong thing to say. Luxa gave a small cry, Aurora covered her face with her wings, Vikus bowed his head, and Gregor sighed and looked down.

Vikus finally spoke up. "Hera, Henry, Ares's bond and Luxa's cousin, betrayed us all to the gnawers, and fell to his death about a year ago. Ares then bonded with Gregor," he motioned to Gregor, "who is the warrior in the prophecies." Hera seemed to know about those, " They fought together and went together on all four remaining prophecies, then the last he was killed by a monstorous gnawer we call the Bane."

"Oh," was all Hera could say.

"Well, Hera, as you said, let us go down to the room and see the things you greatly need to show us." Vikus got up, and everyone followed. Gregor wondered what was so important in there, and he was going to find out.