I don't own TUC bla bla bla. Sorry it took so long! We've been really busy lately. I will probably have more regular updates once school starts in August, oh and I'm going to camp next week so I'll will try to update before I leave, but if not I promise to update after I get back... on wards!

Chapter 5

Peter

I knocked my head against my desk and groaned silently. My history lesson seemed to go on for hours. We had only been in the Underland for four hundred or so years. How much can happen to a people in four hundred years? Apparently a lot.

I sighed and looked up to see Simon trying to get my attention. I acknowledged Simon who quickly tossed a piece of parchment onto my desk. I quickly grabbed it and opened it beneath my desk.

Peter,

Mother and Father wish to see the three of us after lessons. It seems we will be getting a more interesting history lesson. Meet us after class.

S&S

I nodded and began doodling on my history scroll. If Little Ripred had been there I would have been sure to get a scolding. The tiny rat had been gone for months with Cleves, and no one save the King and Queen knew why. They were due back this evening. I supposed that Little Ripred would again assume the position of language teacher if not tomorrow then the next day. Hazard and I had been taking turns ever since my mother had disappeared.

I sat back and tried to concentrate on my lessons but to no avail. As soon as the teacher had dismissed them I was out of my seat and in the hallway before I remembered to stop and wait for my cousins.

The twins caught up to me and we walked together to the library where we found Little Ripred, King Gregor, Queen Luxa, and all five of our bonds.

"Come quickly," Luxa said beckoning to us, "We will now begin your lesson on the Legend of Keepers. When Sandwich first came to the Underland he encountered a city in the uncharted lands called the City of Keepers. There was a representative from each species that lived there, and each held the key to one species, but never their own, and none knew which held the key to their species. It was a good system. Sandwich met a young human boy, neither Overlander nor Underlander.

"Sandwich visited the city many times while in search for a place to call home. He and the boy became well acquainted with each other. So acquainted that the boy made the mistake of telling Sandwich the species he guarded, and that the only way to get the key was to kill him. During one of his visits Sandwich found Regalia, which as you know was inhabited by Diggers.

"Sandwich soon began war with the Diggers, and realized that he could not win so as the history goes he placed poison in the drinking waters. Legend says that Sandwich also killed the boy to get the key. He did know that the boy was the key. Legend also says that the boy had found a suitor to take over after he had died and had already given them some of the key.

"After the boy died legend says that all the creatures gathered together and placed gave their keys to the one person or creature no one knows which and they reassigned the keys." Luxa finished.

All three of us stared at her in awe. "What happened to the city?" Silvia whispered.

"No one knows, it is rumored that the city remains and the Keepers do also. That is why we sent Little Ripred and Cleves out to search for it, using a map drawn by Sandwich himself." Gregor answered. "Now Rip is going to give his account, Cleves would also, but he had some business to take care of."

We all turned our attention to Little Ripred who cleared his throat, "We found the city, but it was deserted many years ago. Cleves and I did find a tunnel that lead off somewhere, but we were not able to follow it seeing as we were only given a month to search and it took a very long time to find the original city. It was easy to see that many different species lived there together, and I assume in harmony."

"Our plan is for you three and one guard to journey there and find the new city of Keepers. Find what ails them, and save them as the Prophecy of Heroes says you should." Luxa told us. We exchanged glances between each other and our bonds. "Of course your bonds would be going with you, and we are sending Little Ripred as well because he knows the way."

"When do we leave?" Simon asked.

"As soon as possible," Gregor said as a knock came from the wall. "That must be the guard who will journey with you. Come in."

"Greetings your highnesses, prince, princess, Fliers, Little Ripred, Peter," Demetrius said bowing.

"No." Silvia said standing.

I'm sorry it's so short! Please review and tell me what you think. Even if it's to yell at me for not updating. Thanks for reading

~chocoyum4~