The LEVELER King ✔

CHAPTER 9

The suns shown bright, but Nala lurched on, hauling the sleeping Leveler behind them. She had to drag him on her own or the sloth would tire, leaving Indel vulnerable. Gray dirt stretched as far as the eyes could see. Food was a long way off, as was a river. With her other hand, she tugged on the reins to prompt the sloth to stop.

She'd lost count of how often she'd given Indel water. This time she didn't bother asking; she only opened the robes and doused the crouched-up Leveler King's naked body. She didn't use much—she had to conserve it.

Indel awoke this time. "Now Dilen," he insisted.

Nala wanted to refuse, to remind him that they still had far to go, and as she was a Summoner whose kind went into the forest to breed instead of caves as Levelers did, she didn't know how far.

"Follow the suns," Indel repeated. "But please see to Dilen. Give him extra."

While robes shrouded Indel, Dilen only had a gunnysack keeping the suns from frying him alive.

Though reluctant, Nala obeyed.

Water pelted Dilen, drawing out a groan.

Nala's silence prompted a rustle from the robes.

"What is it?" Indel asked.

"He...he moved," Nala whispered. She stood from her crouch and surveyed the plush yellow grass. "I have no weapon."

"Unhitch me," Indel commanded.

Nala thought to protest—she should have protested. Indel couldn't last long in the suns uncovered.

Instead, she complied.

Indel spilled out of the fabric, the rock in hand. The thing was still purple from Dilen's blood.

Crawling on his forearms, Lynel scurried the short distance to Dilen.

"Here's your weapon," Indel said. He slammed the stone down onto Dilen's leg, dragging a harrowing cry out along with it.

Indel broke the other leg.

"Bring the vines higher to secure him," Indel suggested. He crawled toward the sloth and managed to roll himself up to the robes. That made Nala's job easier.

The Leveler, Dilen, was awake. No matter. He couldn't get up to launch another attack. He couldn't get up at all now.

As Nala traveled, a ruckus behind her, two burning suns above, nothing was quite as awful as Dilen's cries.

He cried like an infant, or like a baying newborn. He cried and cried. And when he finally ceased in crying...he spoke.

"Summoner," Dilen sobbed. "Summoner. What is your name, Summoner? Where are you taking us? Where are you taking my king? Won't you leave me here, as I cannot walk? I would not pursue you. I am on your side, Summoner."

The tip of a mountain came into view. It was still a long way off. They could reach by nightfall should no other surprises arise.

Dilen gasped, spotting it as well. "No. No, you foolish thing. Don't you understand! Don't know you what they will do? You are a Summoner. Would your God allow murder? Are you allowed to murder? They'll kill me when I arrive. They plan to kill me, and you'll help them! This is murder."

Pace slowing, Nala came to a stop.

She looked back at Dilen.

Despite the heat, his face the only thing visible behind the gunnysack, he glistened with sweat.

The fear he displayed was no farce.

Dilen calmed finally. "They'll kill me, Summoner. But what will they do to you? What do you think Levelers would do to a Summoner? A Summoner with no tail? You have no tail! This is madness. Unhook me and leave me here. I mean you no harm."