Chapter 1: The Rat
Luxa had just started dinner when the alarm began blaring, louder than ever before. This was probably because Luxa was having dinner in an unused dining room under one of the many watchtowers that were in Regalia. She had began eating here after Gregor left. It was dark and dusty, and Hazard couldn't eat there, due to allergies. But that was okay with Luxa. She wanted to be alone.
"Come with me, Your Highness," a guard entered the room and tapped Luxa on the arm.
"What is all this about, Vitun?" Luxa asked.
"A rat has infiltrated the walls of Regalia. He carries no flame."
When a creature, such as a gnawer or a crawler, entered Regalia with a torch, it is for the human's benefit. It means they are there to make a trade. They don't need the light. Humans do.
"Wait," Luxa commanded sharply as Vitun attempted to lead her out of the room. "Allow me to look. It might be Ripred." But Luxa highly doubted that, because Ripred a) always brought a torch and b) always alerted Luxa of his arrival beforehand.
The guard didn't want her to leave the palace, but Luxa was a force to be reckoned with.
She reached the walls of Regalia, encountering many worried citizens, either asking her what was happening, or trying to drag her to safety.
What she saw at the wall shocked her. Ripred was running throw the crops outside the city, gently holding a piece of paper in his mouth.
"I must see the queen!" Ripred pushed soldiers aside.
"Let me go!" Luxa screamed, as guards restrained her from running out there. "I am your queen and I demand you to let... me... GO!" And with this, she broke free of the many hands holding her tightly. There could only be one reason Ripred was running like that.
Gregor.
When Ripred reached the walls, he froze. He didn't know how to get over them, he didn't have a plan. This was unlike him. To not have a plan.
Soldiers came at him with swords, and he sighed. He didn't want to turn on his rager side, but he might have to.
Suddenly, a broken voice rang out across the crops and fields. "Let the rat go! He comes in peace." Luxa. Tears were running down her face.
The men backed away, allowing Ripred the freedom to walk to Luxa. "Luxa," he said, and bowed. "I have an important matter to discuss with you. It's urgent," He took the paper out of his mouth and put it in his paw. Then, he carefully handed it to Luxa. She read it, and a look of awe came over her face. "Come. We must speak of this at once. Turn off the alarm, and tell people we are safe. That it was a false alarm. Take Ripred through the tunnels to the palace." She spun around on her heel and stalked off in a haughty manner.
They were led to the council room, as all other meeting places were taken up by nibblers rehabilatating from the war.
"Did he give this to you?" Luxa asked as she paced in front of the long council table.
"If by he, you mean the Overlander, then yes."
"We must follow his instructions. Nike, Aurora, and Andromeda will go retrieve them. Summon the crawler Temp. Boots will be pleased," she took a deep breath, and said, more to herself than to anyone else, "He's come back to me."