You Guys Are Awesome! Couldn't Do It Without You Guys!
Gregor was thrown onto the back of a furry creature. Another raccoon? Couldn't be. The thing instantly flew up into the sky when Gregor was safely planted on its back. Gregor whirled around to to face Luxa, she was dressed a fluffy raccoon hide. If it wasn't for the eyes, Gregor would have thought she was a raccoon, other than it riding Aurora.
"Greetings, just thought I might save your hide once again," Luxa laughed.
Gregor didn't feel relieved that she was here. He wanted to know why it was her who was there and not Ripred or Mareth. Why didn't they try to find him? Why was he here without them? They could have easily found him. Why was it Luxa who was there?
"How did you find me? And, where did you go?" Gregor asked.
"Aurora picked up your scent. I have been following the group ever since I abandoned you. No one has noticed that I was following behind," Luxa noted.
Aurora gently landed behind the group, who was lazing around except Boots, she was searching the vines calling out Gregor's name. Mareth and Howard rushed up to slid off of Aurora's back, he was pissed. Luxa slid off also, she had a smirk on her face.
"Did you miss me?" Luxa smirked.
Howard took Luxa in his arms and hugged her tightly, a tear rolled down his face. "Do not ever leave again. Do not ever frighten me again!"
"Seems as thou Queen has come back. And why? Did you finally feel guilty for once? For abandoning us without you to protect us?" Ripred smirked,"Where were you boy?"
"Me? Oh I was on a wonderful vacation. I just thought it would be nice to get kid-napped by a pack of raccoon's and leave you for a while without you coming to find me...Why do you ask?" Gregor growled.
"What wear you upon your back? And yes, those nasty little buggers are mischievous aren't they? How did your vacation go?" Ripred laughed.
"I slayed a..raccoon? It kept life in me from its warmth. And it kept me being unseen when I went to save Gregor," Luxa replied. She seemed to look down on Ripred, even though he was a good foot taller.
"Are you feeling ill Gregor?" Mareth asked as he put his hand on Gregor's forehead.
"Oh, no. Just the whole kid-napping thing kinda spooked me I guess," Gregor lied.
"I found many fruits on my way. I also stole a basket last night and filled it. Or have you not noticed?" Luxa remarked.
"Oh yes we noticed. I could smell your scent on it. Considering we have eaten, and you must have also, we need to mount up and leave," Ripred declared.
Mareth nodded in agreement and he, Howard and Luxa began to pack the baskets onto the bats back. A group left to look for food and good water. Gregor and Ripred were putting away supplies in silence, until Ripred finally broke it.
"What did they do to you boy?" Ripred asked, he must have smelt Gregor's worries.
Gregor shifted his weight. "Uhh...they made me fight. But it was nothing," Gregor said quickly.
"I know you have not killed in many years, that you do not want to either. Just push it aside boy," Ripred reassured.
"I didn't kill him. Only a flesh wound. I hit him in the side," Gregor replied.
Ripred smiled at him. "Good, no need to kill when someone does not deserve it. Off we go then."
After Ripred got strapped in, they flew off over the frosty ground. Boots was so happy to see Gregor that she did not stop hugging him until they landed in a field to rest. Gregor slumped off of Mace's back and slumped to the ground. He had not hurt a creature for so long he had forgotten what it felt to kill. He had not made another creature draw blood in at least two years.
Ripred walked over to Gregor and sat by him. "I know you dont find me to...well... like able. I am an old gnarled rat who has not felt real love for someone in many years. I care for you Gregor..." Ripred stuttered. "If you do not believe it, well I am sorry. I do not want you to be sickened by killing. If you shall need any reassurance than just tell me."
Ripred got up awkwardly, nodded at Gregor, and trudged off to Mareth who was handing out fruit. That was the nicest thing Ripred had ever said to Gregor, or anyone for that matter. Did something change in Ripred when Gregor left for those many years?
"Enjoy a fruit with me will you?" Luxa asked as she sat next to Gregor and handed him a fuzzy fruit.
Gregor examined the fruit. "Thanks. So are you and Ripred still on different corners?" Gregor asked as he bit into the fruit which sprayed juices onto his chin.
"Yes, I and Ripred are on the same "corner" as you say. We have come to our senses and become happy with each other again." Luxa replied.
"Ripred can be a real pain in the ass sometimes," Gregor replied.
"Yes he can. But he means allot to me. He has helped me through much. Even when you left he was there for me, for the most part," Luxa replied.
"Yeah, me too. Every trip I take I like Ripred being there. He makes me feel...secure I guess," Gregor muttered.
Luxa leaned over and kissed Gregor on the cheek. "Oh uhm..sorry," she stuttered and she stumbled over to Mareth.
Gregor's face flushed red and he touched his cheek. He looked over to find Ripred staring at him. He shot him a "what are you looking at" look. Ripred shrugged his shoulders and turned back to Mareth. Gregor took a blanket from the basket and curled up on the ground. He was tired from the long day and the long flight. Boots soon came and curled up next to him with Temp at her feet. Soon the rest of the group came over and situated themselves. Ripred curled up next to Gregor and he felt safe, no way he would go out to pee alone. Luxa also layed next to him, to where Boots was in the middle of them and Luxa looked at Gregor in the eye
Gregor pulled Boots close to his chest, her curls tickling his nose. Her sweet smell soon comforted him and he fell asleep. Gregor woke up with a stiff neck, his pillow had slipped out from under his head. Gregor sat up and rubbed his neck. He looked over and saw Boots, she had the pillow all to herself.
"So how do you guys know where we are going? No Underlanders have ever traveled here and its not on the map." Gregor declared.
"All we must know is it is in between the Fire Lands and the Arch Of Tantalus. It is closer to the Arch Of Tantalus, for there are some jungle. We did not even know this so called snow fell here, it must be for it is colder here." Mareth replied.
"Before we start out we must look for more food and water. We also need fire supplies. We are running quite short." Howard added.
"I know of a place where fresh, clean fruit grows and where the water runs fast. There are few fish, small yet edible." Luxa noted.
"I, Luxa, Andromeda, Aurora and Ripred will look for food and water. The rest of you must stay. Be safe, do not go anywhere. Howard...you make sure of that." Mareth clarified as he grabbed a few water sacks and mounted Andromeda.
Luxa strapped four water sacks onto Ripred's back before she herself mounted Aurora. The four set off into the vines, one of the two baskets tied to Andromeda's back. Gregor took out a stale chunk of bread from the other basket and cut it into and Temp came up beside him and took their share of the bread. Gregor then passed out a slice to each bat and one to Howard and one for himself.
"I know I have not spoken much on this trip...but I am much thankful of you preparing food for I and the other fliers." Blaze blurted as Gregor handed him a slice of bread.
"Oh...well umm you're very welcome. And all you other fliers you are very welcome. Its the least I can do since you carry all of the food, you deserve it." Gregor replied sheepishly.
Gregor heard rustling in the vines. Out stepped Ripred, followed by Luxa and Mareth on their fliers. Luxa and Aurora landed before Gregor, blowing his hair back.
"We filled the basket with clean fruits, fish, and vines to dry. The water sacks have fresh water, we still cannot drink too much. They must last. We must now rest for a short while, we have a long way ahead of us of which we cannot rest." Mareth advised.
The group formed their usual circle and huddled in close. Gregor could feel the body heat from the bats. Before they slept Mareth handed out a few slices of raw fish to everyone. After Gregor was done eating he laid down with Boots and fell fast asleep.
"Gregor was watching Ripred. He was talking to someone, or something. Something large and white with a deep thundering voice that shook Gregor's bones.
"No let us reason this. You want to kill me, so you can take over the Underland. All I want is peace with all," Ripred started, his paws up in surrender.
The white thing slapped Ripred with the side of its paw, making Ripred fly through the air and hit the wall with a thud. Ripreds back made a cracking sound and he crumpled to the ground.
The creature took Gregor in its paws and roared "Gregor! Gregor!"
Gregor's eyes flew open and he jolted up. He noticed Boots shaking him. He lay back down and sighed. It was just a dream. Boots shook Gregor's leg again, telling him to get up.
"Ok I am up!" Gregor mumbled as he slowly sat up.
"Heard you yelling my name boy. Were you dreaming of me?" Ripred laughed.
"No...well yeah. But it was more of a nightmare!" Gregor replied as he punched Ripred's shoulder.
"Hmph. I was beginning to think you liked me.." Ripred crooned sarcastically.
"The dream was of what Gregor?" Luxa asked.
"Oh nothing really..I sorta forgot." Gregor lied.
"Whatever you may have dreamed, you must eat." Mareth said as he handed Gregor a fruit and a piece of fish.
Gregor bit into the fruit, its spurted all over his face. "Boots, remember to go pee before we go. It will be a long flight." Gregor told through a mouthful of fruit.
Gregor when finished wiped his hands on his pants then he, Boots, and Temp mounted Mace who's wings had gotten better. Mace lifted into the air and trailed behind Andromeda. Gregor's mind flipped back to his dream as he sat on the bat. Could Ripred really die? Ripred had cheated many deaths. But would his death be part of the prophecy? Luxa said a few must sacrifice their lives for the ones being brought back...could Ripred be one?
"Are you feeling well Overlander? I sense your worries." Mace asked wearily.
Gregor snapped back to reality. "Yeah, I am fine. Just thinking of the dream I had last night." Gregor replied.
"Yes, many dreams can be worrisome. Just know that they are not true. Unless you are Nerissa...or I..for I too dream of the future. I almost bonded with Nerissa..." Mace said.
"Why didn't you bond to her?" Gregor asked. Then he felt maybe it was too personal.
"People thought of her as much to frail to have a bond and that she could not fight for her bonds life if it was ever in need. People are... judgmental really." Mace replied.
"Yeah...same as the overland. But that is just the nature of humans." Gregor exclaimed.
After a few hours of flying, Mace dove down and landed next to Aurora. Gregor slid off of Mace's back and helped Boots and Temp down. Gregor walked over to Ripred who was rummaging around through the food basket and muttering to himself.
"Ripred, how long until we get to the fire thing?" Gregor asked.
Ripred's head came up from the basket, a plum in his mouth. He swallowed it whole before he began. "Come with me boy." Ripred instructed and he grabbed Gregor's shoulder with his paw and led him over to the wall of a canyon.
The walls sloped down abruptly. If you were not watching where you walked you would be sure to free fall down into the void. The walls led down into pitch blackness where the human eye could see no further. Gregor got a sick feeling in his stomach as he looked down, who knew how deep it was. He had to step back from the edge to keep his balance.
"That boy...is the spirit lands."