Page 13 (1/2)

Chapter 13

"I let you go off for one day, and look at the trouble you get into," Luxa said

"I bet I know soor croaked with a smile

"Much trouble," he heard Mareth say behind hior didn't have to turn his head to see the soldier's expression He was angry

"I cannot go back," Luxa said with satisfaction "It is too far now, and Aurora and I would most surely perish in the deep"

"Yes, you timed that nicely," said Mareth

"I know," said Luxa

"I know you know Everyone will know you knew if you ever arrive hoor had never thought much about Mareth's relationship with Luxa She was his queen, or would be when she turned sixteen, but there was another side to it he recognized after the day of training Mareth was her coach, and he wasn't afraid to chew her out

"Oh, Mareth, how long are you to stay angry with me?" said Luxa "It has been at least a day already No one will blame you for my disobedience"

"That is much beside the point, Luxa!" barked Mareth "This venture is extrealia with Nerissa as a leader, and she is of age Can you ialia? To Nerissa?"

"She will have to abdicate," Howard said from somewhere in the other boat

"She will do no such thing She will rule if I die and not Vikus, and never you and your wretched sister!" said Luxa

There was a shocked silence Then Howard spoke "Is this what you think? That I want to be king? I believe you have me confused with another cousin"

Ouch It was another allusion to Henry But this ti

"And do not judge me by Stellovet She is wretched I admit it But I can no more control her than you could control Henry!" Howard spat out

"If you think I will believe you innocent, I will not I have seen you torment Nerissa," said Luxa

"When? When did I do this? I have barely spent five ether!" said Howard

"At the festival When you set that lizard at her!" said Luxa

"Set it? I did not set it! That was a rare color changer, and I thought it would amuse her to see it!" said Howard

"But Henry said he saw you -- !" began Luxa

"Henry said? Henry said? I cannot believe that even now you do not question things that Henry said, Luxa! Is he the one who told you I was after your crown?" Howard's voice rose in frustration "Henry said!"

"Shh Too loud You like Fo-Fo," he heard Boots say

"It is Photos Glo!" said an offended voice in the next boat

"Oh, be quiet, Fo-Fo," said Twitchtip, and Gregor had to pretend to cough to conceal he was laughing

Boots's feet pattered up by Gregor's head She leaned over, looking upside down at hioing on, Boots?"

"I do toes Whew! I do bekfast Two tiers She squatted down and pressed her nose into his forehead so their eyes were blinking at each other upside down "I see you," she said

"I see you, too," said Gregor

"Bye," Boots said, and trotted off to the other end of the boat

Gregor struggled to a sitting position His whole body ached like he had the flu He leaned against the side of the boat and looked at his bandaged are?"

"It is not for the faint of heart," said Mareth "Youit? You were going to cut it off?" Gregor asked, instinctively pulling it closer

"We would have had no choice if the venom spread further, but Hoas able to suck it froh Thanks, Howard," Gregor said, gingerly flexing his fingers Luxa scowled at him "What? He sucked venom from my arm! I can't say thank you?"

"I am trained in water aid I have sworn to save anyone in peril related to the water," said Howard

"If ht, there would be no need to be so grateful," said Luxa

Gregor re the tentacle"No, it was uard and II fell asleep" He felt ashamed to admit it, but it wasn't fair to let Howard take the blame

Everyone was quiet for a minute, then Mareth spoke up "We probably would still have been attacked But it is crucial to stay awake on guard Not only our own survival, but that of s on this journey"

It was even worse than Gregor thought, then "Sorry I was tired, but I thought I could stay awake"