Vikus and Solovet speak to the bat Queen, Athena, about battle formation tactics during the war. Gregor is left alone on a ledge with Henry, Luxa, Mareth, and Boots. The bat Euripides tells Luxa that Gregor is bruising his sides because he’s clinging to the bat too tightly during flight, and he wants Luxa to teach Gregor how to ride. Luxa tells Gregor he needs to trust the bats; they will not drop him. Henry asks Boots if she wants to ride and tosses her off the side of the huge pillar they’re waiting on. Mareth is shocked, Gregor horrified, but Luxa laughs. Suddenly, Gregor hears laughter above his head and Boots calling out for more. 

Gregor shines his light and sees 20 bats playing a game of catch with Boots. Boots is fearless and thoroughly enjoys the game, but Gregor grabs Henry by the front of his shirt and orders him to stop. Luxa says she’s actually safer with the bats, but Gregor is angry because “she’s going to think she can jump off anything and be caught” (143). He tells Luxa he doesn’t intend to stay forever in this creepy place: “The Underlanders were baffled by his anger and stung by

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