Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane - 2 Read Online Free PDF Page A

looked exactly as Gregor remembered him, his silver hair and beard trimmed very short, his violet eyes in a web of wrinkles that was mostly noticeable when he smiled. He was smiling now, as Gregor dismounted.

    "Hey, Vikus," said Gregor.

    "Ah, Gregor the Overlander! Ares has found you. I thought it would be best to seek you in the passage from your laundry room, but he insisted on scouting the Waterway. I ascertain that, as bonds, you already think alike," said Vikus.

    Neither Ares nor Gregor responded. Since they weren't actually speaking to each other, it seemed stupid to act like they had some special mental link.

    Vikus glanced from one to the other and then continued. "So...welcome! You look well.
    And your family?"

    "Fine, thanks. Where's Boots?" said Gregor. He liked Vikus, but this whole situation with the roaches kidnapping Boots and the threat from the prophecy killed his mood for small talk.

    "Ah, the crawlers should arrive with her shortly. Mareth led a party to meet them, and I could not dissuade Luxa from joining. By now, Ares has, of course, explained our predicament to you," said Vikus.

    "Not really," said Gregor.

    Vikus looked at each of them again, but neither Gregor nor Ares elaborated.

    "Well, then. To begin with, we should examine together 'The Prophecy of Bane.' Perhaps you remember, when you were departing the Underland, I made some small mention of it," said Vikus.

    "Very small," Gregor muttered. What he remembered was that Vikus had rushed him off and told him absolutely nothing.

    "Let us proceed to Sandwich's room now. Ares, you will attend as well, please," Vikus said, and headed off into the palace.

    Gregor followed him with Ares fluttering along behind.

    Vikus did not resume the conversation until they'd reached a solid wooden door. He pulled a key from his cloak and turned it in the lock. The door swung open. "You will find it on your right," he said, and motioned for Gregor to enter ahead of him. Gregor pulled a torch from a holder by the door and walked in to the room. It was entirely covered in tiny words carved into the stone walls in the 1600s by the founder of Regalia, Bartholomew of Sandwich. The words formed prophecies, visions of Sandwich's, that the Underlanders lived and died by. The first time Gregor had been in the room, the wall facing the door had been illuminated with a small oil lamp. That was where Sandwich had carved "The Prophecy of Gray." Now that area was in shadow. The lamp had been moved to the wall on his right. Above it was what looked like a poem. This must be it. "The Prophecy of Bane."

    Gregor lifted his torch to get a clearer view and began to read: If Under fell, if Over leaped,

    If life was death, if death life reaped,

    Something rises from the gloom

    To make the Underland a tomb.

    Hear it scratching down below,

    Rat of long-forgotten snow,

    Evil cloaked in coat of white

    Will the warrior drain your light?

    What could turn the warrior weak?

    What do burning gnawers seek?

    Just a barely speaking pup

    Who holds the land of Under up.

    Die the baby, die his heart,

    Die his most essential part.

    Die the peace that rules the hour.

    Gnawers have their key to power.

    Gegor didn't know what it meant any more than he had understood "The Prophecy of Gray." But his mind snagged on one phrase that chilled him to the bone: Die the baby...Die the baby...Die the baby...Boots...

    "Okay, I want to go through this whole thing. Right here, right now," said Gegor.

    Vikus nodded. "Yes, I think it wise we dissect the prophecy immediately. It is not as cryptic as the first, but there are things you must know. Shall we begin at the beginning?" He moved to the prophecy and brushed his fingers over the first two lines. "You have fresh eyes, whereas I have read this thousands of times. Tell me, Gregor, what make you of this?" Gregor looked at the lines more closely this time...

    If Under fell, if Over leaped, If life was death, if death life reaped,

    ... and