Chapter 7

Gregor jumped up. "Do you know who it is, Aurora?" asked Gregor.

"I do not know, but Mareth has summoned you. He says the visitors have just landed in the High Hall. He is not certain of who it is, either." answered Aurora, as they walked out of the room.

"Well, let us make haste. It must be important." Luxa sped up. They got to the High Hall, and Gregor saw Mareth rushing up to them.

"Hello, Overlander! You have two visitors on the balcony, and I think they have great need to see you." he said. Gregor rushed over to the balcony, seeing a creamy white bat whom he was sure he had seen before. The flier was reassuring someone who was standing behind its wings.

"Oh, greetings, Gregor the Overlander. I think your sisters have a need to see you." the flier said. Then Gregor remembered. It was Daedalus, the flier who had helped break the Code of Claw.

"My sisters?" Gregor asked. Daedalus moved his wings and saw Lizzie, breathing heavily. Gregor guessed she was on the verge of a panic attack. Boots was standing behind her.

"Its okay, Lizzie. Oh, Gregor!" Boots rushed over to him. "Lizzie is sad. Lizzie needs hug."

Gregor rushed over to Lizzie. He gave her a squeeze and a pat on the back. "What's wrong, Liz? Why are you guys here?"

"Mom, dad... grandma...no...not okay...gone...sent us...to...tell...you!" Lizzie panted, and collapsed into a fit of sobs.

"You mean grandma...?" Gregor couldn't finish the sentence. Lizzie nodded.

"Grandma can't come back. We keep her in here." said Boots, and pointed to her heart.

"That's right, Boots. Right in...here." Gregor had problems finishing that sentence, too. But his Grandma! She had always been so helpful, in her own way! His family loved her, and despite there own worries, took care of her as well as the rest. Though she couldn't speak much, everything she said was true. Like the time she said, "You can run from the prophecy, but it will find you anyway." That was exactly what had happened, when his mom got the plague. His Grandma had been in intensive care for months, and it hadn't been going well for her. He guessed she was in a better place, but the fact that she was gone still hurt.

Luxa and Aurora had backed away. Luxa hated seeing Gregor so upset, and even though she had never known her, she felt sad for Gregor's grandma and family. Aurora had Luxa enveloped in her wings as she watched Gregor hug his sisters and talk to them. Just then Boots gave a big yawn. Luxa pulled away from Aurora and walked over to them. "Perhaps the girls would like to rest in my chambers, they both look very tired." she said. Lizzie and Boots nodded, and Luxa quickly took them to her chambers. Gregor just stood still, still in a bit of shock. Luxa returned and walked over to him.

"Ares. Grandma. Too fast!" was all Gregor could get out.

"Gregor, would you like me to get Hera?" asked Aurora.

"No...Ares!" Gregor cried, and buried his face in his hand. He was vaguely aware of Hera lifting him up and getting him on her back. They flew out, and Gregor could hear Luxa and Aurora in front of him. Gregor buried his face in Hera's soft white and gold fur. That was all he remembered before he fell asleep.

Gregor awoke in a cave. He looked around harder and saw it was Ares's old hideout.

"Are you okay, Gregor?" Hera was standing over him. Luxa and Aurora were in a corner. Hera's face looked so concerned. Aurora and Luxa had filled her in on what had happened, and Gregor could tell she was truly sad for him. "I am sorry Ares is not here, but I will do my best to help you."

"Yeah, thanks," was all Gregor could say. Hera extended her claw to help him up. He grabbed it and pulled himself up. He guessed he had cried...alot, because his hair was damp and soggy. His scars were hurting from lying on the stone floor for se long, and his chest hurt particularly bad, where the Bane had clawed him. Just then there was a flutter of striped wings, and Nike flew in, carring Howard.

"Gregor, are you okay? What has happened?" Howard asked, as he dismounted Nike.

"My grandma, she died." Gregor answered glumly.

"Oh. I am so sorry. I assume you miss her terribly." said Howard. Gregor just nodded. Howard went over with Luxa and Aurora, and Nike followed.

"Would you like to return to Regalia now?" asked Hera. Gregor nodded, and mounted her. The others followed. "I am truly sorry about your grandmother. Ares, as well. I bet he would be much more help than I." she said, modestly.

"Thanks, Hera. I still think you're a big help." said Gregor, and he truly meant it. She was so easy to talk to, but as much as she was nice, he still would rather have Ares. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, so he didn't say that aloud.

They landed in the High Hall, and after checking to be sure Gregor was okay, Hera went with the other fliers. Howard nodded to Gregor and returned to the hospital, but Luxa came over and hugged him.

"It will all be okay, Gregor. You weep for her now, but soon you will be glad that she is in a better place." she said. Gregor shrugged, and let Luxa lead him back to her room. He collapsed onto the couch, and Luxa sad beside him. They just sat there, for a long time not saying a word. Gregor thought alot of things over. Part of the reason they had not moved to Virginia was because his grandma was to sick to travel, and now that she was gone, there was nothing to stop them from "heading on down to plant those tomatoes" as his dad would say. Gregor didn't want to leave his friends, especially Luxa, and he didn't think moving to Virginia would fix anything. Neither did Lizzie. Gregor guessed that Ripred had heard Lizzie was here by now, and was already trying to locate her in the palace. He and Lizzie got along well, and he didn't mock her like he did Gregor. It was because Lizzie reminded him of his pup, Silksharp.

"Gregor, care you to go check on your sisters?" Luxa brought him back to reality. He stepped into the other room and saw Lizzie and Boots sleeping soundly, snuggled agains one another. He was glad they would be able to forget their sorrow for a while, and sleep. He and Luxa returned to the couch. Luxa held his hand for what seemed like hours, until Ripred came bursting in, and she quickly let go.

"Oh don't bother to hide it, I was the first one who knew." Ripred said as he saw Luxa pull away. "Anyway, Your Highness, you are wanted in the council room, and Gregor, you and I are wanted in the Prophecy Room. Even though the prophecy wasn't written in there, Vikus says it will help us interperate this one better if we examine the previous five." he said. Luxa went out, with a quick look back at Gregor, and turned toward the council room.

"Ha, she's crazy for you! And it only took walking in on you two to get Vikus to beleive me." Ripred snickered when she was out of earshot.

"Shut up, Ripred." snapped Gregor. They walked out and to the prophecy room, where Vikus, Nerissa, and Hera were waiting.