The LEVELER King ✔

BOOK 3: CHAPTER 7

Boon killed and drained his first crane-mare two days later. That was a comfort because Nala was ready to offer up her own arm if it meant getting him blood.

Idrus was disgusted by the suggestion at first but he came to understand; Nala blamed herself for not feeding him well.

When three more scales came in which were definitively red, Nala still worried.

"What of these blue ones? Will they go away in the chrysalis? I've never seen a Leveler with blue scales, not even once."

The babes were easier to manage when they were full. Even Boon's crying became scarce as he slept most of the day away.

Crane's skin bled white a week later, the start of his final chrysalis. Idrus, cautious of his own scales and spikes tried to tend to the farm while Nala took care of the offspring.

Idrus was sure Nala would one day forgive him for breaking so many more newly mended tools. He settled for turning the earth with his hands instead; it was much faster.

The day they awoke to find Boon in his chrysalis, then Crane later on, Idrus was thankful. Another week and Crane would have killed all of the food-animals for sure. That was one of the few times Boon didn't follow after Crane in all they did. Because while Boon drained one crane-mare. Crane had already drunk his fill of three, four if they counted the one when he was newly born.

The pods safely tucked away on the floor due to their large sizes, Idrus went out to molt. He hadn't told Nala that he could not return as Indel as she no doubt wanted. He dared not try it for fear he'd become stuck as such.

Nala craved Indel. It was the only time their height difference was not too stark. When they were both in their third stage, although Nala often vocally urged Indel to ravage her, she would sometimes take the initiative in being bold enough to seek intimacy. In contrast, Nala often stared at Idsel instead, as if waiting for the right time to ask.

Idrus went far into the woods to shed. It was fortunate that he did, otherwise he might have missed the small army in the distance.

Battle inos filled the fields, countless Levelers marching. A pale blue body rocked steadily there, carried on a long abandoned Earther cart, a small chrysalis in hand.

"Citel...."

The queen was returning to the roost and whoever she'd found to breed with, he had an impressive clan. Idrus concluded that it might have been three clans or more combined. He expected to see a Summoner, but other than her, there was no blue he could make out in the red.

Two bodies zipped passed. Idrus turned his face away and closed his eyes, willing his face plate to form. He felt his age because it didn't grow as fast as it once did. That wasn't as worrisome as his left hand which still, even now, no longer grew scales.

He resolved to keep it hidden against the tree.

Three more Levelers raced through the forest. One paused and backed tracked to shriek at him.

"Move faster! Two filthy Summoners escaped! Round up the rest as quickly as you can before we reach the new king."

Head partially hung, Idrus nodded.

New king? The wench is bold.

They raced on and when two more Levelers slowed, Idrus said, "Round up the rest as quickly as you can before we reach the king!"

After those ones left, he decided not to wait around for any more. He'd already started the molting process, however, but it would have to do. Fighting wouldn't be a problem if it came to that, he had the skill. The extra armor would be best, though.