Page 13 (1/2)

Chapter 13

Vikus and Solovet arranged to have so with the bats

"Do you need ht he could contribute to theandstranded on top of a tall pillar surrounded by hundreds of bats made him a little unco caood

"No, thank you, Gregor We will be discussing battle position for our forces, not the efforts of the quest We shall not be absent long," said Vikus

"No probleor, but inside he wasn't so sure

Before they left, Vikus's big gray bat or, and nodded

"Probably laughing at or But that was not it

"Euripedes says you're bruising his sides," said Luxa "He wants or He thought he'd been doing pretty well for a first ti his sides?"

"You hold on too strongly with your legs You must trust the bats They will not drop you," said Luxa "It is the first lesson we teach the babies"

"Huh," said Gregor Luxa had a way of putting hi

"It is easier for the babies," said Mareth quickly "Like your sister, they have not yet learned e only counts when you can count' Can you count, Boots?" Mareth held his fingers up before Boots, as busy trying to tug off Gregor's sandal "Onetwothree!"

Boots grinned and held up her pudgy fingers in imitation "No, me! Onetwofreefour seven ten!" she said, and lifted both hands in the air at her accomplishment

Henry scooped up Boots and held her at arht hold a wet puppy "Boots has no fear, nor will she when sheYou like to fly, do you not, Boots? Go for a ride on the bat?" he said led to get out of Henry's uncomfortable hold

"Then ride you!" said Henry, and tossed her right off the side of the pillar

Gregor gasped as he saw Boots, as if in slow motion, sail out of Henry's hands and into the dark

"Henry!" said Mareth, in shock But Luxa was cracking up

Gregor staggered to the side of the pillar and squinted into the darkness The faint torchlight provided by the bats illuminated only a few yards Had Henry really thrown Boots to her death? He couldn't believe it He couldn't --

A happy squeal came from above his head "More!"

Boots! But as she doing up there? Gregor fu and cut a wide swath of light through the blackness

Twenty bats heeling around the cave, playing soh and flip over, sending the toddler free-falling to the ground But long before she reached it, another bat would scoop her up gently, only to rise and flip her off again Boots was giggling ecstatically "More! More!" she ordered the bats each tior's stomach lurched into his throat

"Stop it!" he snapped at the Underlanders Henry and Luxa looked surprised Either no one had ever yelled at these royal brats, or they hadn't seen Gregor lose his te her in now!" Henry could probably cream him, but he didn't care

Henry put up his hands in er," he said, grinning

"In truth, Gregor, she is safer with the bats than in human hands," said Luxa "And she is not afraid"

"She's two!" screa to think she can juht!"

"She can!" said Luxa, not seeing the problem

"Not at hoor "And I don't plan on staying in this creepy place forever!"