"But they are persistent!" said Zap indignantly.
"It is widely believed that the snails did not even know they overthrew the shiners, so nonexistent was the resistance," said Howard.
Gregor could tell Howard had hit a nerve. Zap's light came in short, angry bursts, and Photos Glow-Glow's butt had turned bright red.
"Howard, Nike, why do you provoke my guests?" said Luxa.
"We are hoping they will be offended enough to leave," said Nike.
"And I am hoping they may join us for a few days," said Luxa. "After all, this is their territory. They know it well. Do you two?"
"No," said Howard sullenly.
"Then counter not my desires," said Luxa.
"I hope you know what you are doing, Your Highness," said Howard.
"You seem tired. Why do you not get some rest?" said Luxa.
Grumbling to himself, Howard wrapped up in a blanket and lay down. Nike fluttered over to his side. They would make good bonds, Howard and Nike. They both were honorable, brave, and good-natured. Already they trusted each other with their secrets. And they clearly agreed about the shiners.
"It seems that some believe us to be the villains in our last encounter. When in truth it was you humans who broke your contract with us," said Photos Glow-Glow. "We were guaranteed a certain measure of food ... which was not supplied."
"We stayed extra days, just as a favor," said Zap.
"Yes, unquestionably we were the injured party," said Photos Glow-Glow.
It was sort of interesting to hear things from the fireflies' perspective. They had some valid points, in a way. The trip to find the Bane hadn't been their quest. They were hired lightbulbs. Gregor still couldn't stand them, though.
"It wasn't so much that you left. It's that you told the rats we were coming," said Gregor.
The fireflies shifted around uncomfortably.
"That was Zap's idea," mumbled Photos Glow-Glow.
"Liar!" shrieked Zap. She flew furiously at Photos Glow-Glow. Their heads smacked into each other with an unpleasant cracking sound, and they both plopped back on the ground, groaning and spitting insults at each other. Then they just glowered at each other.
"Well, let us let bygones be bygones," said Luxa. "Perhaps you will journey with us through Hades Hall. I cannot promise large quantities of food, but we will share what we have and the fliers are excellent fishers."
Photos Glow-Glow and Zap agreed, probably because they were hoping for more cake. Besides, what else did they have to do? Gregor couldn't imagine them having enough willpower to work up any constructive plan for themselves. If their species had been driven out of their lands by snails, they weren't highly motivated. They made it seem like their schedule was packed, though.
"Well, I suppose we can fit it in," said Zap. "If we break a few other commitments."
"Yes, others will be disappointed, but we will fit it in," said Photos Glow-Glow. "We can hardly leave you down here with the rats to fend for yourselves."
"Rats?" said Howard, sitting right up. He hadn't been sleeping at all. "Have you seen gnawers down here of late?"
"Oh, look who deigns to speak to us now," said Photos Glow-Glow.
"Yes, la-de-da-da," agreed Zap.
"Shiners, if you have knowledge of the gnawers, I would greatly appreciate your sharing it," said Luxa.
"They came past our lands," said Zap, indicating the tunnel ahead of them with a nod.
"After the nibblers," said Photos Glow-Glow.
All that had happened, the earthquake, the flood, the avalanche, Hazard's injury, and the journey through Hades Hall, had overshadowed the nibblers' plight for Gregor. But he could tell by Luxa's response that she had never stopped thinking of them.