Hello ladies and Gentlemen. I apologize for the long wait on this chapter guys. Life called me away for a bit especially with me having to focus a bit more on my upcoming entrance into college. But I am back with this one. I have come to a decision on my writing and that is that I will write one more chapter of Return from the Darkness and then I will finish this story. Basically I'm gonna stop splitting my time and finish the story that I have more viewers and more reviews on. Which brings me to the next point. Thank you everyone who reviewed the last chapter. It really meant a lot to see all the things that people had to say. So without further ado, read and enjoy!

Chapter 27

"He threatens to kill, Stellovet?" Gregor sputtered out his body in shock from the news. If there was any ounce of sleep still in his system it was gone as soon as he heard Luxa's words. "Why would he do such a thing?"

"This message is not the original, just a message from Perdita. She calls for me to come to the tactics room. I am to get you to come as well. Hurry and dress so we may go." They both grabbed clothes that they had laying around and tidied themselves up. Gregor rubbed his eyes to make sure he was fully awake and ran his fingers through his hair. Luxa popped up beside him and looped her arm through his.

"Come. We shall make haste to the tactics room," Luxa said and the two set off from her chambers. They walked together through the halls passed few people. Guards on their routine routes stopped as the two passed and either saluted or bowed before continuing on their patrol. He had never seen guards do that before, but he also hadn't walked with Luxa through the halls often, especially late at night when there were more guards on patrol. His new title may also have something to do with it.

Gregor expected the tactics room to be full with people, but when they entered there were only five individuals: Perdita, Eisen, Mareth, Vikus, and Ripred. They sat in a group at the end of the table, a piece of parchment sitting before them. Ripred and Mareth were discussing something quietly, but Gregor's eyes seemed attracted to Eisen. He sat straight staring off into the space in front of him, barely moving or showing any emotion at all. That was odd for Eisen who always seemed to have something going on with his face. Smiling, sneering, smirking. But he was blank.

At their entrance five heads turned to them and Vikus rose from his seat to greet them. The elderly man walked to them and hugged each of them in turn before ushering them to two seats at the table. As they sat, Gregor's eyes fell to the parchment. Vikus seemed to notice his eyes and he pushed it towards him. Gregor scooped it into his hands and held it for both him and Luxa to read.

Leaders of Regalia, I write to you to issue you a deal.

There is one amongst you that deals death and trouble

for me and my companions. I have done much to try to

prevent involvement from many in our business and one

of you seems to want to keep meddling. That person is of

course the Overlander. His bravery in the battle has caused

us much pain. And for that I offer you our deal. The Overlander

for sweet Stellovet. If we do not receive the Overlander I will

personally execute her and send her body back to regalia in

pieces. Consider this very carefully before coming to a decision.

Your friend,

Roderick

Gregor looked around the table and felt six pairs of eyes on him. He placed the parchment down on the table and bridged his fingers before him. This had to be a joke. Roderick was a smart man and this just seemed silly. His life for the life of Stellovet which was just one thing that was keeping them away from attacking the stingers directly. If they attacked she would certainly die. Of course, they also had no idea where the stingers were. But now Roderick was playing with the one piece that was keeping them in check. And he was trying to take away the best piece that Regalia had left leaving them open for a check mate.

There was just something that didn't sit right in Gregor's head. The entire move seemed illogical. Gregor a great warrior for the daughter of the governor of the Fount which didn't even stand anymore. Stellovet was important no doubt, but the idea of Gregor for her just seemed out of the realm of his imagination. And threatening to kill her only left him open to attack. There was no chance he was serious.

"Gregor, you seem to be deep in thought. Do you have a thought on our current situation?" Vikus asked him. Everyone's eyes seemed to burn holes in him as he sat quietly, trying to think of how to say what he had to say. He had thoughts, but he had a feeling they weren't going to be popular ones.

"I have a thought, yes. I have a feeling that Roderick is far from serious. He's not going to touch a hair on Stellovet's head no matter what we do." His words enticed gasps from those around him. Suddenly a chair went flying back from the table and he felt a hand at his throat. From across the table Eisen had reached and wrapped his good left hand around his throat. In his right hand, still bandaged from the wound Roderick had inflicted on him, he held a dagger.

"Those are words of a coward and a traitor," Eisen hissed. Gregor heard other voices, but his attention was focused entirely on Eisen as he strained against the iron grip. "You are what they ask for so you come up with excuses. Maybe we should do as he asks."

Something thwacked down on Eisens wrist and his grip on Gregor's throat loosened enough for him to break free. He then grabbed Eisen's arm and slammed it down on the table pinning him there, his arm twisted awkwardly keeping him off balance. He pressed his weight down on the arm and he could feel the bone creaking under the force.

"ENOUGH!" he heard someone yell at the top of their lungs. He relinquished his grip and fell back into his seat only then noticing the fuming Luxa standing right next to him. Ripred also was standing his tail poised to strike again should anyone move. "We have much to discuss and do not have time for childish games. Eisen control yourself," Perdita said her voice slightly hoarse from having to raise her voice to such a level. Luxa sat herself down and her hand fell on Gregor's. She left it there on the table for everyone to see.

"What makes you say that nothing will happen to my granddaughter?" Vikus asked bringing everyone back to what Gregor had said. Gregor swallowed hard and sat back in his chair.

"Stellovet is Roderick's and the stingers only bargaining chip. If they kill her there is nothing truly keeping us from attacking them as soon as we find out where they are headquartered. But if they have Stellovet then they have some security from a full scale attack because they would kill her before we got her back, so that keeps us at bay. Thusly if I go or not they won't hurt her."

"How can you be certain of this?" Eisen spat at him, the anger clear in his voice. "How do you have such knowledge of this?"

"It is common sense and a common hostage negotiation strategy in the overland," Gregor replied easily. Eisen seemed to only get angrier.

"Does it look like we are in the overland? Do you think that what happens in that world above will happen here? You might as well go back to the overland if you think that is so."

"Hey, you asked and I answered. That is my thought and Idea. You got a better one?" Gregor shot back, tired of Eisen's accusing and condescending tone.

"I am still your superior. Mayhaps I should have you thrown in the dungeons again," Eisen snarled back at him. The tension in the room was thick enough to be cut with a butter knife and Gregor was tempted to leap across the table and beat Eisen senseless, He was acting that way anyway.

"Eisen, I hope you remember that I am your superior," Perdita said quietly. "Do not make me dismiss you from this meeting. Your position may suddenly become available if I have to." Eisen lost all the energy, all the fight he had at the words. The strong man suddenly looked like a small child. His bottom lip was quivering and his face was solemn. When his head turned to look at everyone there were tears in the corner of his eyes.

"I am sorry, Gregor. I am sorry for my behavior everyone. I grew up a warrior training in the Fount and have known Stellovet for many years. I never realized how much I cared for her and now that she is held captive and possibly about to die I feel it inside me. All the feelings that I suppressed have risen. I am sorry." He ducked his head back down and the room fell quiet. Gregor felt a pang of sympathy for Eisen knowing exactly how he must feel. His neck hurt and he could feel the bruises forming from where Eisen had grabbed him, but they were almost forgotten to him. Someone Eisen cared about was in danger and he knew better than anyone else how many stupid things someone in that situation will do. The sound of a throat being cleared brought everyone back to reality. Mareth was standing with Ripred obviously about to say something.

"I have to say that I agree with Gregor in this regard. Having known Roderick for several years I can assure you he will not hurt Stellovet. He never told me in person about his attraction to her, but it was clear to me from every time she came to Regalia. He was always quiet around her, trying to talk to her. There was a deep infatuation he had with her and I can say that it still runs through him." The room fell silent again. That information seemed to sea Gregor's theory. If he loved her he wouldn't do anything to hurt her. She was safe for the moment.

Luxa spoke, her voice even, hiding any anger or unhappiness she might have been feeling. "How shall we proceed then? If we are not going to agree to his terms shall we negotiate with him?" The answers came out quick and loud split between the affirmative and the negative. Vikus was all for negotiations as were Gregor and Ripred. Mareth, Perdita, and Eisen all seemed shocked at the idea.

"I did not think we negotiated with traitors to our people," Perdita replied heavily. "He is our enemy and not one we should take lightly. We still do not know the man whom he is conspiring with."

"That is so Perdita, but what choice do we have?" Vikus replied his voice sounding weary and defeated.

"We could infiltrate their headquarters and remove Stellovet," Mareth said hoping the alternative would hold up. "I will go myself if needed."

"No offense to you, Mareth, but you are not suited to go on such a mission," Ripred said calmly back. "If such a mission were to go down there would be only two of us to go and it would be Gregor and I. And I can say that neither of us is willing to go to such risk. Plus, we have no idea where they are headquartered. They could be in the uncharted lands or the firelands or deep in the jungle. So what are we to infiltrate."

"You are sadly correct, Ripred," Mareth replied realizing that his idea was utterly hopeless. "Mayhaps, negotiating is the best choice we have. What say you, Gregor?" Gregor felt the spotlight fall on him. His new position was being put to the test and he knew he had to say something that didn't sound silly.

"We should try to negotiate with Roderick. See what he wants beyond me. And if it falls through he dies," Gregor said his voice sharp as the sword that he suddenly realized he wasn't wearing on his hip. It was still in Luxa's chambers. Everyone stared at him blankly after he finished. Maybe saying he died wasn't the smartest idea.

"Well said, Gregor," Ripred said, a chorus of agreements following behind. "It seems settled then. Vikus, if you can write up a return message we will have the scout place it back where he found this one."

"What then?" Gregor asked.

"We wait," several voices said back to him. Eisen stood from the table as parchment and ink were slid to Vikus. He started his slow process of writing out a sophisticated message back, but Gregor hardly noticed. His eyes followed Eisen as he headed for the hall outside. Gregor decided that he needed to talk to his superior. His friend.

"Eisen, wait up," Gregor called as he raced out into the hall. Eisen turned to look at him, a dejected look on his face. "Where are you going?"

"I wish to be alone for a while," he replied before turning and heading off again. Gregor hurried up and caught the man in front of him, cutting him off. He stood in front of Eisen, but everything he wanted to say just couldn't come out. They stood like that, both silent looking at each other.

"I'm sorry," Gregor said, finally.

"What for? You have done nothing wrong," Eisen retorted back.

"But I have, since day one. I met you and I instantly made you a rival. I thought I had let it go, but every time something happened I had to make it important that I went and did what I felt I needed to do without thinking of how others felt. Especially you. You were my superior and I disobeyed your orders numerous times and that put us on uneven terms. That put at us each others throats and made everything worse. And now that I know that there is someone you miss dearly, I want to promise to you that I will help you get her home." Gregor finished and looked at Eisen's face for a response. The man's face was blank, cold, emotionless. And then a small smile cracked through.

"I too am sorry. At the time of my arrival here I was very much here for the reason of courting our queen, but over time I have come to realize that she has already found a suitable companion. I will admit that I was jealous of you and I used my power against you. It was unwise and unfair of me. Please accept my apology." He stopped and held out his hand. Gregor took it and for a second the men were one. "Thank you, Gregor."

"No, thank you," Gregor replied. "Let's go back inside and wait with everyone else."

That was probably the worst idea he had. It was hours that they sat there waiting. Food had come and gone several hours earlier and everyone seemed to be in a daze. The day had started again, but Perdita let no one enter the tactics room except for those that knew what was happening. He personally had only left the room once to return to Luxa's room and collect her a change of clothes and to grab his sword. She had thanked him with a peck on the cheek and gone off to change. But since then he had sat in the same chair, his butt asleep and his head wishing he was as well.

Ripred paced past him for the one hundred and fifty seventh time. Gregor was sure to keep track of the rat's movements as it was one of the few things keeping him awake. Vikus had taken to sleep, his head resting on the table. Mareth, Eisen, and Perdita studied maps and information trying to pinpoint the location of the stingers. He thought about joining them, but his logic skills were far from the top of the pyramid and his knowledge of the underland farther from even his logic. So he relegated himself to counting paces. One hundred fifty eight.

Vikus had written the message asking for negotiations to happen at Queenshead because of its relative ease of access for any party no matter where they were coming from. The message was confirmed received by a scout, only two hours after the message was left. Who took it they didn't see, but he thought it was a stinger scout, however that was possible he wasn't sure, but Roderick wasn't sitting there himself waiting for their answer. One hundred fifty nine.

Reflexively his hand reached out and stroked through Luxa's hair while her head was down on the table. He wasn't sure if she was sleeping or not. Neither of them had much sleep the night before, but he felt to amped to fall asleep. At his touch she didn't move, so he figured that she had indeed taken a chance to get some sleep. He continued to run his fingers through her hair and occasionally rub her back. It was just something else to keep him busy. One hundred sixty.

The sound of sandals berating the stone floor came vaguely to his ears and he climbed from his chair, his focus on the door. Ripred stood beside him, his eyes trained on the entrance. It took the other three still awake in the room a moment to realize what their companions already had. They left the maps and came back to the table. Gregor shook Luxa's shoulder and her head rose from the table. He quickly moved and woke Vikus just as the messenger rushed through the door. In his hand he held a piece of parchment. The wait was over.

He was closest and he reached out and took the message from the messenger, thanking him. Perdita dismissed the soldier and Gregor brought the rolled up scroll to the table. He placed it down unwilling to be the first to read it. Vikus, the sleep still present in his eyes, picked the scroll up immediately and unrolled it. His eyes buzzed across the words written on the page. He was done in seconds.

"What does it say, Vikus?" Luxa asked from the end of the table.

"They have agreed to negotiations," there was a silent cheer at his words. "But they will not meet us at Queenshead. They have asked us to meet them in the firelands. In the blackness." The silent cheers were replaced with gasps and curses.

"What's the blackness?" Gregor asked sheepishly, knowing he was the only one who did not know about it.

"It is a cavern that is filled with a shiny black rock. The walls and ceiling are entirely of this stone and there are spires and formations of it. We only discovered it a short time ago, not long after you left."

"Oh, it's an obsidian cavern. And the walls must have been shined by the dust of the area. That's really cool actually."

"It is far from this cool you speak of Gregor. It is a very dangerous area near active volcanoes and the area is unstable," Perdita informed him. And now he knew why everyone was uneasy about this news.

"Is it wise for us to meet with them there?" Mareth asked for everyone.

"I do not believe we have much of a choice," Vikus answered. "This is our chance to resolve this without any more deaths. Do we have an agreement?" Gregor looked around and most of them seemed to be thinking along the same lines. Perdita and Eisen seemed worried about having to meet the stingers in such a hostile place. But if they had anything to say neither of them spoke. "Good. We should leave as soon as possible. Perdita, how many soldiers do you think we should have accompany us?"

"Perhaps a hundred. We will all be there as well and if things go bad we can retreat."

"Very well. We shall leave in an hours' time. Fly you all high." Vikus said and stood from the table. He slowly walked from the room, Ripred at his side. Perdita and Mareth followed them, deep in conversation. Eisen left next, glancing back at Gregor. All it left was him and Luxa.

"We should be on our way. There is much preparation for us," Luxa said her voice quiet. "You need to be armored as do I. Go, Gregor. I will see you again when we depart." She left quickly from the room. Gregor was alone, everyone clearly deep in their own thoughts, unwilling to share how they felt about what was going to happen in the coming hours. His feet moved mechanically and he left the tactics room heading for the armory. His mind, though, was moving in a totally different manner. Every ounce of mental strength was preparing him for any of the inevitable possibilities for what would happen at this negotiation. Perhaps it would go smooth and everything would be settled or everything would go to hell and they would be ambushed and possibly all slaughtered. That was where he would come in. He would fight to save everyone, kill to give others a chance, die to keep those he loved alive

He turned into the armory and slammed into something, falling backwards and onto the floor. He let himself lay sprawled out on the floor as he cleared his mind. Above him stood Mareth, worry in his eyes, his hand extended out. Gregor took his friend's hand and let himself be pulled to his feet. He took in the others in the room, Perdita stood next to Miravet, York was filling up much of the space with his bulk, and Howard stood solemnly off to the side. Mareth's eyes told him not to talk about anything that had happened.

"Gregor, what brings you here?" York asked, his eyes bouncing from Perdita to him. Obviously he had been here before everyone else and was certainly wondering why everyone kept coming in.

"I just wanted to grab my armor and take it back to my room, so I wouldn't have to come here if I needed it quickly," came his weak answer. York stared him down for a second and then he started to laugh. His booming deep laughs filled the air and Gregor joined him with a much weaker chuckle.

"That is very smart, boy, very smart. No need to have to come here when we go to battle just to get your armor. I will leave you to it then," York answered and then hurriedly strode from the room. Howard started to follow, but Mareth grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back.

"I figured there was something going on," he said. Mareth and Perdita quickly filled him in on everything and informed him that he was coming with them in case of any serious injuries. He would be needed more than the few army medics that would come anyway. Howard quickly understood the situation and rushed out of the armory to collect his medical bag and ready himself. That left Mareth, Perdita, and Miravet in the room with Gregor.

"Gregor, you may be the most important person coming. You must be very prepared. Miravet, would you please help Gregor get his armor on," Perdita said while she reached for a set of light leather armor that was already laid out for her. Mareth reached over for some of Gregor's armor when Miravet brought it over. The two set about placing pieces on Gregor and tightening them into place.

"Do you know the history of the sword you wear on your hip?" Mareth asked from behind him as he helped him place the chest piece on. Gregor shook his head. "Ivan was always a mysterious man and he was able to do the impossible with metals. With his skill he made two swords, brothers if you will. Each one was precise and deadly, weighed to the lowest weight a sword could go, but sharp and durable as anything ever seen. He refused to sell them though for the longest time. Luxa's father tried to purchase one offering as much as Ivan could ever need and the smith turned him down. Flat out turned down the king saying that he was not meant to wield the blade.

"He sold the first one to Roderick three years past. The longer and thinner of the two, but also what many considered the more beautiful of the two. Roderick inquired about purchasing the second blade at the same time and was turned away. Until you came, there wasn't a single person Ivan deemed worthy to wield it. And yet he wanted you to have it. Almost as if he saw you wielding it in battle."

"Did he have visions?" Gregor asked as the last piece of armor strapped onto his legs and he pulled the gloves over his hands.

"It is very possible he did," Miravet answered before Mareth could. "I knew him when he was a young apprentice and even then he believed he would do great things. Knew he would be great. There was even a rumor that Sandwich's blood flowed through him. But it was not possible to prove. Here is your helmet." Gregor grabbed the helmet and tucked it under his arm, his head ablaze with thoughts on what he had just heard. Perdita was ready and waiting and Mareth was strapping on a sword and grabbing a helmet and gauntlets from a stack. He pulled the limited armor on and the trio set off from the armory.

"I am hoping there will be no fighting," Mareth spoke as they went. "But in the case there is I am ready to cover from above." He answered Gregor's unasked question of why he wasn't wearing any more armor than the gauntlets he had.

"So do you believe Ivan was related to Sandwich?" Gregor asked both of them. A look passed between the underlanders. Mareth simply shrugged and Perdita didn't even answer. It must not be something that was up for discussion. Gregor's heavy boots beat a rhythm on the stone floor as he sped up to reach the high hall. He left Perdita and Mareth behind, his anxiousness getting to him. He felt the nervous feeling he got when they were about to leave Regalia. A feeling that nothing was going to go at all the way they hoped.

He strode into the high hall to find many of the other's already there. Luxa had on light armor with limited metal protection, but it allowed her the best mobility while fighting on the ground and on Aurora. Eisen was ready with full battle armor and his trusty spear in his good hand. His sword hung from his belt and his eyes shone with determination. Vikus was the only unarmored and unarmed person in the group. His old body stood next to his bond, Euripides, and the two were discussing in quiet whispers.

Suddenly, Howard came bursting up from the other end of the high hall. Gregor could see the light armor and sword belt underneath Howard's doctor robe and the medical bag that swung heavy from his shoulder. He stopped next to Nike and caught his breath before falling into conversation with bat. Gregor noticed that every person was next to a flier and saw the purple of Artemese next to Euripides. He walked over and greeted the bat.

"It is a pleasure to see you again," Artemese purred in return. "I hope there will be little fighting for us to see."

"I do as well," Gregor replied. He didn't really want to fight, but deep inside he felt the burning desire to enact revenge on Roderick for everything he did and tried to do to him and Luxa. There was a sight hope deep inside him that something would go wrong so he could handle Roderick and return the favor on the death he had tried to deal to Gregor. Except Gregor wouldn't miss. If the time came, Gregor would get his vengeance.

"It is time," Vikus said just loud enough for everyone to hear. There was something that had to be done no matter what. It was do or die for all of them and he had the gut feeling that at least one of them wouldn't be returning. He climbed on to the back of the purple flier. Eight pairs of wings flapped down and eight pairs rose into the air, off to settle the fate of Regalia.

I couldn't figure out a good way to end the chapter, so I just kinda stopped writing it there. I think it ends all right, but I don't know. I really hoped you guys liked and don't forget to leave a review.