Page 20 (1/2)

Chapter 20

Ripred began to pace "All right First priority We split up the code team If the rats should enter the palace, we can't have you all sitting in one bunch I want Min, Reflex, and Luxa in the war room Lizzie, Daedalus, and Heronian stay here Shred every bit of evidence that we've broken the code Gregor, Hazard, Boots, and Teo to the prophecy room Nerissa is there with a key Lock yourselves in and don't open it until you've been told to"

"Why? I should be getting on or

"You think you're in any condition for battle? Attack or's back screaed to pull theer on the floor

"You can't fight like that Even if you could, we'd never waste you in ordinary coht the Bane But don't worry I don't expect he'll be swiot him hidden in a cave ed"

"I thought the spinners were neutral," Luxa said, eyeing Reflex

"Neutralthey help both sides so when the war ends they've aided the victor," said Ripred "They're helping you, aren't they? Now er and took a step toward the door "No, wait I want Lizzie with me"

"Really? You want Lizzie in the prophecy roo to do but read prophecies all day?" said Ripred pointedly

Gregor knehat heabout the real "Prophecy of Tior Everybody had If she came to the prophecy room, she'd read the truth

"I'll be okay in here, Gregor Ripred's right We have to split up," said Lizzie

"If danger approaches, I will find a way to fly her to safety," Daedalus said "I know of anot far froor Maybe that was better, anyway Maybe Daedalus could even find a way to fly her ho Better grab so to a group of fresh food carts that had recently been wheeled in

Lizzie piled a stack of blankets on Teor tried to push a cart, but he ended up having to let Hazard do it

"I will coor's ar to Ripred's instructions, and Gregor led the way to the prophecy rooor considered abandoning it, but he had no idea what they were in for

Nerissa aiting for them She drew them into the prophecy room, closed the door, and locked it at once The key disappeared in the pocket of her skirt She'd , but there was a stack of new torches by the wall

"Why did Ripred want us in here?" Gregor asked her

"It is one of the few rooms in the palace with a door It will offer soor But not much The door was made of thick wood It would take tih it He estiers could take it out in less than aHe wondered if that or didn't heal up pretty quickly, ould defend them? Nerissa had probably never even held a sword Hazard and Boots were little kids Teh But he'd be no or decided to put all of his energy into getting better Howard said he needed to rest, so he would rest They fashioned the blankets into beds along the walls, and Gregor lay down If he didn't iven hinore as happening outside the door, and dozed off Hours passed and then became days Temp amused Boots and Hazard The three of theor ate, took painkillers, and slept No one caive the down the hallway and voices shouting indistinct words But nothing else As Gregor's back improved, he beca in the palace Had the rats attacked? Were the huested that they open the door and just call out for information, but Nerissa adaor," she said "This is your ti, it turned out, was a lot tougher on Gregor than fighting Nerissa tried to distract hi hialia's past, but not much about its present "Coed

"Look at this poeor," said Nerissa "It is by far my favorite When all seeor sighed and turned his eyes to a short poem on the wall in the corner where Nerissa usually curled up

On soft feet, by none detected,

Dealing death, by most rejected,

Killed by claw, since resurrected,

Marked by X, two lines connected

Finally, they intersected, two lines met, one unexpected

"That coor To him it was just more junk from Sandwich, whom he now had a very low opinion of

"Read you the title?" asked Nerissa

Gregor noticed the title for the first time Above the poem ritten the words:

The Peaceor What did Sandwich, the digger killer, know about ? When?" asked Gregor