Chapter 2 - Insurgents
Howard let out a breath, surprised at how well that worked.
"What did you give him?" Gregor asked.
"A very powerful sleep agent. We use it only rarely, when a patient must lose consciousness immediately so that we can operate. To remove a limb or some other drastic measure." Howard turned to face the others. "Was this wrong of me?"
"Quite the contrary," Ripred said. "But obviously, the rest of us need to keep an eye on you." It was clear the words were not entirely in jest.
"It is time," Luxa said. "We have all shared in the tragedy of this journey, but for now we must part ways. Six must go to Regalia, and five to the Firelands."
Ares fluttered over, and engulfed Luxa, Aurora, Nike, and Howard in a mighty hug from his vast wings. "Be well," he whispered. "Save all you can, and return whole and hale. Fly you high."
Along with the others, Howard whispered, "Fly you high."
Then Ares turned to Ripred and gave a slight bow. "Run like the river." He lay low, allowing Cartesian, Boots, Hazard, and Temp to be placed on his back.
With a mild sense of jealousy, Howard noted the ease with which Gregor lifted Hazard, and the controlled gentleness of the movement. Less than a year ago, Howard had been heavily muscled, with the natural strength he'd inherited from York cultivated and honed by a decade of intense, painful training. But the plague had ravaged his body almost beyond recognition. Howard was now slim, almost frail, having lost so much of what he had earned.
But during the same time, Gregor had begun the opposite transformation. Howard had grown accustomed to sizing up every fighter he met, and had an eye for a trainee's potential. When they first met, Gregor had been downright scrawny, a tall but spindly thing, though already stringy and tough. And he had been the talk of Regalia when he, alone out of all the young trainees, had been able to keep up with Mareth when running. Not a year later, he was still quite slim, but after the fashion of a sword's blade: hard, unyielding, and deadly. Gregor had started to grow into his height over the last few months, and every ounce of him had always seemed disproportionately powerful. Pound for pound, the little Overlander might be the strongest person Howard had ever known. His slender arms were corded, steely hard, all lines and shadows and protruding veins, even when relaxed. His narrow chest was beginning to thicken, visible even through his loose Underland shirt. The boy's every movement bespoke confident ease and power, even when weary. And he didn't even seem to recognize he was special in that regard. At that age, despite heavy training, Howard could not have matched him. Even discounting the boy's skills as a rager, Howard would have difficulty matching him at sixteen.
Though only twelve, one could glimpse the man Gregor would become.
Or rather, the man he would have become, if the prophecy had not ensnared him.
Howard grew almost dizzy. He had seen death and sorrow, including the horrific loss of his beloved Pandora, and the pure tragedy of young Thalia's death. But it was still terribly difficult to wrap his heart around Gregor's fate. A death, not sudden and unexpected, but foretold centuries in advance.
Gregor rinsed out his water bottle and filled it from the nearby spring. He placed it in his backpack along with all of his supplies, even the flashlight he usually wore around his belt. Then he slid the backpack around Luxa's shoulders.
"What's this?" she asked.
"I don't need it. You might. You know how to change the batteries in the flashlights, right?"
"I think so. But what will you do for light on the way back to Regalia?"
Gregor held up Boots's scepter and activated the light. "I've got it covered."
The warrior then hugged the Queen, and they lingered there, clinging to the comfort only they could give each other. Howard remembered his words to Gregor, at how the two could not be seen to court, but he regretted that necessity, knowing how little time they had left. Though every reason he had given Gregor was true, he had left out the most important of all: The closer Gregor grew to Luxa, the more her heart would be torn asunder when he died.
At last, Gregor broke the hug, and embraced Howard. The power and iron hardness of those slim arms reassured Howard that this truly was the warrior who would save the Underland. Who could kill the monster. He didn't want to let the boy go. He wished he had the courage to speak his heart. To say how grateful he was to Gregor for all he had done and all he would still do. About how much he wished he could be more like Gregor. Someone who was kind and brave and not afraid to say he cared about things or to admit he'd been wrong. Who didn't fear pain or flinch away from injury. Gregor's decision to plunge into a whirlpool to rescue Twitchtip… that had been the most inspiring thing Howard ever witnessed. Ever since that life-altering moment, Howard felt he was a better person on a brighter path.
He could only hope that he, and his little brother Kent, could one day measure up to this Overlander.
But the embrace passed without Howard able to say a word. Gregor gently patted Aurora and Nike, and gave Ripred a nod. The warrior climbed onto his mighty bond, and paused. Looking upon the five that would return to the Firelands. The boy didn't have any deception in him, and it was plain on his face how he felt. How much he feared he might lose them all.
Not yet aware, that while he might lose them… they were all guaranteed to lose him.
"Run like the river, boy," Ripred said.
"Fly you high," Gregor replied. As Ares took to the air and flew away, Gregor held Luxa's gaze the longest.
At last, Luxa said, "It is done. The warrior will take up the sword. Regalia will be warned. The crawlers will be rallied to our cause. And the little ones will be safe." She turned toward the others. "It's time to begin our mission."
Howard climbed onto Nike. "I'm sorry that you must travel on foot, Ripred. But only Ares had the strength to carry you."
"It's a good thing I'm me then," Ripred said. "Let's go. Once we're in sight of the queen, we'll pause and regroup.
They set out. Two humans on fliers, and the gnawer that could outfight them all. Howard's father, York, was the deadliest fighter from the Fount, and Regalia had only Perdita, Horatio, and Marcus who could match him. But he had no doubt that his father wouldn't stand a chance in a sparring match with Ripred. While Luxa was their best chance to rally the nibblers to rise up, Ripred would be their only hope of surviving the aftermath.
For a time, Howard rode in silence. But he regretted his silence with Gregor, and he would not continue to make such mistakes. There would be only five of them up against an entire army. He would not face such a scenario without total trust in the others. "Thank you, Princess Nike. This mission will be perilous, and none would have insisted you come. Had you chosen to leave us, and bring word to your mother–"
"I would have lived out the rest of my days deeply ashamed of such a choice," Nike said. "As a Princess, it is true that I have responsibilities toward my people. But these cannot be allowed to supercede the duty of all good hearts to defend so many." She managed to sound happy and lighthearted as she concluded, "My mother would want me to do this, even at great risk to my life. There are other heirs, respected and beloved by all. I'm not like Luxa in that regard. No offense to you of course. I know you could make a fine king, but this is not widely accepted."
Howard's head swam in wonder at that. Nike was wounded on the journey to the jungle, but it hadn't changed her basic, earnest decency.
The Underland might have a long, dark history of war and tragedy, but there were still so very many good, kind people here.
Then, something occurred to Howard.
He… was expendable on this mission.
Not just expendable… he was the only expendable member of this quest.
Luxa absolutely must survive. No matter how this war ended or what it cost, Regalia would need her. Aurora must survive too, for her death would badly weaken the Queen, as Howard knew from his own loss. Ripred was the single deadliest fighter Regalia had, surpassing even Gregor by a wide margin, and his head for strategy was perhaps even more valuable. And no matter what Nike said, a princess of the fliers should not face the greatest danger.
Out of everyone here, Howard was the one whose death would cause the least upheaval and harm.
There was of course some fear that came with this realization. But then he thought again of Gregor. In a relatively short time, he would read the prophecy, and he would learn he wasn't just expendable… he was meant to be expended. Howard had to be willing to risk death. Gregor would have to accept it.
Facing such fear… was a way that Howard could be just a bit more like the warrior.
Howard nodded. Ironically, his young cousin had long since lost all fear of death, was the most ready to stare death in the face, but was the one person in all the Underland that absolutely must not die.
Nike's ears twitched. "Your bearing has changed, tension has left you, and your breathing has settled. You have come to a decision."
Howard smiled in wonder at her perception and insight. He hesitated only briefly before answering her. "Yes. It just occurred to me: If you feel this mission is more important than your own life, it is far more true with me. Compared to the rest of you, my survival means little."
He braced himself, expecting her to argue with him, to insist he not see things thus. But she did no such thing.
"It is an honorable role," Nike said, very much to Howard's surprise. "For a good and noble heart, it is natural to hold some things as more precious than one's self. You certainly would have died in place of your bond had it been possible."
Howard leaned back, overwhelmed by the casual ease of her words. But the more he considered it, the more they fit her.
The Princess of the fliers continued. "And your heart has grown such that you see the nibbler nation in a similar light. If a harsh and loveless ruler treats someone as expendable, it is a vile and shameful view. But if one declares himself to be so, it means only that his love is greater than his own life. When the need of the many grows great, most soldiers will eventually come to such a conclusion. I accept your choice… but know that I shall be your wings on this mission. If you perish for the cause, you shall likely not be alone."
Nodding gravely, Howard lay forward to give the bat a hug. Her black and white stripes became more visible as they entered the main vast chamber of the Firelands.
"Though you may one day rule the Fount, your many siblings and fealty to Regalia's Queen likely prevented you from ever considering the duties of royalty. Specifically, Kings and Queens face a hard truth: For a good and loving ruler, the single greatest burden, the harshest duty, is to put their own life above that of their soldiers."
That did strike Howard, hard. When he joined the quest to hunt the Bane, he had hoped he might survive, but he had still possessed the freedom to think of the big picture, putting the mission first. He imagined what it would have been like to be surrounded by brave companions, but expected to sacrifice them first.
The thought was terrible.
"Luxa is still too young and headstrong to accept this," Nike whispered, "but she does not have the right to declare herself expendable. Her unsanctioned arrival during the Prophecy of Bane caused great upheaval and turmoil, and for all her courage it was an irresponsible choice. Before battle is joined, I beg you to help her understand that. If she loves her people, she cannot die for them. She must live for them. Others might have the freedom to stand on the front line, but she must not do so. Her burden… is to live. To spend lives on behalf of the many. To survive."
"I will do my best," Howard said. "But I do not expect to find success. Luxa is so stubborn, and she has so long lived by the tragic mantra of waking each day expecting to die."
"Do not sell yourself short. She does respect you. And do not forget this: Luxa declared war. By now, she already knows what this means. Many of her soldiers will die violently. And it will be at her orders. She will feel the pain of every loss. She will know their blood is on her hands. And yet she begins to see the necessity. By the fires of war, the Queen is being forged. We must do our part to keep her alive."
Though Nike had pulled ahead of the main group, Howard feared Aurora may well have overheard this conversation. But he allowed himself to let go of the tension this brought him. If Aurora spoke to Luxa about it, they would have gained an ally in convincing Luxa to live. Who could be more trusted to keep Luxa alive than her loyal bond?"
"Tell me more about Pandora," Nike said, her voice soft and gentle. "When encouraging Hazard, you were able to speak with warmth and fondness, rather than pain. Though I am certain the pain is still strong, you have reached the point where her name brings more joy than loss. And after declaring your life less precious than us others, you deserve a chance to dwell on something good."
"Thank you," he whispered, feeling the beginnings of tears that would mix both sorrow and joy. "It is true. Though the pain is great… though her final moments were the worst thing I ever witnessed…" He smiled. "The years we had before that day were beautiful. She was such a true friend. Her joy and humor could uplift me during the hardest times. Her curiosity led me to put extra effort into my medical studies."
"Really? That's not something a flier could meaningfully help you with."
"That's part of why. She wished she could be a doctor, but knew she could never do more than amass head knowledge on the subject." He found himself smiling again. "So that's exactly what she did. After every day of classwork, I would come home to a barrage of questions. She wanted to know it all. On long flights, she would often quiz me. I believe she came to know the art of medicine to a greater degree than I. She could never have held a scalpel, mixed an ointment, or stitched a wound, but she understood. And she rejoiced in my progress."
Nike pondered for a time, during which Howard's heart glowed thinking of his dearest friend. At last she said, "After this war… I believe I shall do the same. I will study. I will read. I will fill my mind with sciences that only humans typically learn. We may not have hands, but our minds are sharp. Why could a flier not become a teacher of medicine, freeing up doctors to spend all their time with patients instead of students?"
"I love the idea. And as a princess, your example may encourage others to do the same."
Howard didn't say it, but this new plan made Nike even more important to the future. They may not be bonds, but he was more determined than ever to ensure she survived.
Nike's heart swelled with hope, which she needed. Her outward persona of hope and optimism was genuine, but she was not immune to fear or sorrow. Thalia's loss still tore at her, and the sight of the murdered nibblers warred with her belief that all beings have the potential for good. But the kind-hearted young man on her back had given her one more reason to look to the future with eagerness. Before them lay a dark and deadly road, trying to snatch many hundreds–hopefully even thousands–from the teeth of the Bane's army. But beyond that, in the peace that must come again, she had a new purpose.
If she could teach all Underland species to value learning, and science, it would help make the humans seem less "other." None, not even the fliers that had allied with them centuries ago, could deny how different humans were to the other races that lived down here. With their clever, dextrous fingers, humans had access to a whole world of potential that the others felt was beyond their reach. A human could till crops, forge metals, wield a sword, build a fortress, and perform surgery. They could write and practice chemistry and sew tapestries. Before the coming of Sandwich, the spinners had held a monopoly on the only real "industry" in the Underland, creating many fabrics and useful materials.
The main reason the fliers had been so quick to ally with the humans, was the wondrous potential of human technology. Left to themselves, fliers could only evade their enemies. With a human soldier on their back, the fliers became mighty.
If the other species stopped seeing human technology as solely human, if they began to value such learning for themselves, could the humans one day be seen as truly of the Underland? Rather than the fearsome invaders that came from another world?
Far ahead, the volcano known as the queen came into view. It was time to regroup and plan. These delightful thoughts, that so filled her with eager excitement, must be relegated to the back of her mind. The mission to prevent an extinction was at hand.
Circling back, Nike landed next to Aurora, and Ripred came to a stop. Luxa coughed, and the sound worried Nike. As the youngest, and by far the smallest, of the five, Luxa would suffer the most from the ash and fumes in the air. Nike already felt an uncomfortable heaviness in her lungs. But the only solution was to be swift and decisive, rescuing the nibblers so they could all escape this dreadful place.
"So," Ripred said, sitting up on his haunches. "What's our plan?"
"The ultimate goal is for me to rally the nibblers to rise up," Luxa said. "But we must know more of the enemy, their disposition, and their methods of containing the mice before we can make such an attempt."
"True," Aurora said. "If we convince the nibblers to fight, but do not have an escape route prepared, it could end in slaughter."
"Howard and I can scout ahead," Nike said. "A single bat and rider may be able to observe the enemy without detection. Gnawer echolocation is strong, but none can match fliers in that area."
"True," Nike agreed. "By keeping any gnawers at the limits of my echolocation, I should be out of range of theirs. I can describe what I see to Howard, that together we can better remember their positions, numbers, and readiness."
"There's still a danger of detection," Ripred warned.
"We can cover ourselves in this ash," Nike said. "It will help to hide our scent, and even make it harder to see us if I always fly close to the ground or ceiling of the cavern.
"Two teams can scout more readily than one," Luxa said. "Aurora and I are smaller than the two of you, and her echolocation is no less sharp than Nike's."
"I fear for your health, cousin," Howard said. "You represent the ultimate time limit on our mission. As the fumes and ash killed Thalia, you can expect to gradually succumb to this environment. I would not have you hasten this by deliberately rolling in the ash."
"But we must also balance this with the time spent," Luxa said. "If two teams can gather intel faster, I can be out of this place sooner."
"That's a strong point," Ripred said. "And it's likely that every day will worsen our chances. With the war declared, many more of the Bane's loyalists may be traveling to the Firelands even now. If delaying means facing more gnawers…"
"Very well," Howard said, though Nike could detect his reluctance. "But, Cousin, know that if you are detected, it will be far more serious than if Nike and I are discovered. If they suspect you intend to rally the nibblers…"
"A compromise then," Nike said. "Both teams will explore and scout, but the Queen will avoid the edges of the chamber. Detection is most likely when near side tunnels, where gnawer scouts might be lurking. Howard and I will explore the edges of this cavern."
"I love this plan for one reason," Ripred said. "I get to rest a little longer. Fliers are cheaters you see. Soaring on thermals and gliding through the air takes so much less effort than running. If I'll be most useful when it's time to start the killing, I'll find a suitable hiding place and get more sleep."
And that was that. Ripred promptly found an odd-shaped crater, perhaps formed by a large bubble in cooling lava. It provided him some overhead cover, and he was asleep in seconds.
Nike envied him… but he was right. Once the nibblers were moving, combat would be guaranteed, frequent, and vicious. They would need their champion well-rested.
Howard helped Nike, Aurora, and especially Luxa to avoid getting ash in their eyes or nostrils as they covered themselves in the thick, dark soot. Nike couldn't help but think of Thalia during the process, but she dared not let tears flow. The ash was vile enough without making it muddy.
Soon, Nike's black and white stripes, and Aurora's lustrous gold fur, matched the dull gray of every surface in the Firelands. The humans now looked utterly alien, far more so than Gregor or Boots. Their pale skin and striking veins were hidden beneath the ash, which made their clothes stand out less. Howard took a moment to carefully buff away the ash closest to everyone's eyes, starting with Luxa. Once her turn was done, she crept quietly toward Ripred. Though his ears twitched in his sleep, his nose didn't, suggesting that their scent was indeed masked by the vile dust.
"It's time," Howard said, finishing his work. "Do your best to avoid getting much of this in you, but it will aid our efforts to stay hidden. Aurora, Nike, remember not to draw much closer whenever your echolocation detects gnawers. That way, your superior ears should let us spy on them without detection."
He climbed slowly onto Nike's back to avoid sending up a cloud of ash, and Luxa did the same with Aurora. Nothing could be done to prevent liftoff from causing such a cloud, so all held their breaths until they reached clearer air.
While Aurora and Luxa continued on through the center of the vast chamber, Nike carried Howard toward the nearest wall. She would avoid straying too close, as tunnels and side passages presented the greatest risk of detection. They flew in silence, as Nike needed to focus entirely on her echolocation. If an ash-coated gnawer lookout lay pressed to the ground, it might be very difficult to detect it from a distance, and so much depended on secrecy and surprise.
Occasionally, Nike noticed a gnawer scout in the distance, but by altering course she maintained their stealth each time. She whispered important details to Howard, especially any pits that might serve the gnawers in their grim goals, or any tunnels from which fresher air flowed. As the hours dragged on, hunger began to gnaw at her, but she forced it from her mind. It couldn't be helped.
Passing near a sharp outcrop, Nike narrowly averted disaster. A young gnawer lookout lying still on the rocks jerked in shock and surprise when it heard her, giving away its position. If not for that blunder, it could have reported to its allies. Hating the necessity, but galvanized by the knowledge of what all these rats intended to do, she gave Howard but a second's warning before whirling in an aggressive dive. Terrified, the rat tried to flee with the news of her presence, but that only proved its inexperience. In this open space, it couldn't outrun a flier. Its best chance would have been to stand and fight… but it didn't live long enough to realize it.
Howard's sword hacked at the base of the fleeing rat's skull, and it tumbled and rolled down the rocky slope, silent and limp.
Nike and Howard took a few minutes to heap more ash over the corpse and the trail of blood. Then they returned to their search with pounding hearts.
At last, she heard a large group of nibblers being corralled by many rats. By tailing them from a great distance, she soon found what they were looking for: a vast low area positively teeming with nibblers. Too steep to climb on most sides, there was only one way in or out. A strong battalion of gnawers stood guard at the slope that provided access. Hopefully, there would be fewer guards on active duty when the nibblers settled in to sleep.
She came about and flew low, leaving the holding pen behind them. It would have been too great a risk to stay in the area to learn more. Simply getting close enough to echolocate the far side of the sprawling pit had been dangerous. A sharp-eared gnawer might have detected her, and every second had intensified her fear.
But her hope could now grow stronger. The nibblers in that pen numbered in the hundreds, perhaps even a thousand. Though the Bane's forces had murdered many mice, it seemed their plan of total extermination was still in its early stages. Perhaps those they saw die to the gas had been the first to face such an end.
The return journey took almost as long, since avoiding rat scouts remained as vital as ever. Nike detected Aurora in the distance, traveling in the same direction, and both bats shifted course to meet. Luxa's expression showed fresh sadness and anger, though she did not speak. In the flier language, which was very difficult for other creatures to hear at all, they quickly conferred. Aurora had found the main nibbler holding area sooner than Nike had, but on their circuitous return trip, they had passed near a volcano that bubbled forth lava. Not the queen, but one closer to the imprisoned nibblers.
Dead mice had filled a crevice near its base.
So the ones we saw are not the only group to have been murdered in such a way, Nike thought, regretting the time spent planning and slowly searching. We must still be cautious and quiet, but no time should be wasted. When we return with Ripred, we must hope there are fewer guards, but we will need to make our move either way. Any unnecessary delay could mean the death of families that might otherwise have been saved.
But when they reached the rendezvous point… they didn't find Ripred. A Ripred-shaped patch of ash was cleared away, but no sign of struggle.
Then they heard a sharp, distant whistle, and Nike led the way.
Smirking with cocky pride, Ripred trotted toward them, followed by two adult nibblers and five pups.
Tears of relief flowed, for Nike recognized them.
They were the only survivors from the pit the day before.