The LEVELER King ✔

BOOK 2: CHAPTER 5

Later that day, Nala hid herself behind a pillar in the courtyard and hurried to change her clothing. The Leveler King, often busy in the day, might see her wearing rags, covering for the injured or infirmed, but she didn't care. The other fancy robe drew far too much attention. She concluded that was the reason some females followed her.

Nala missed her farm. She longed for it now that she was left to roam the stone walls of the fortress without much to do. In truth, she had been sorrowful for a time. It was foolish, beyond foolish to pine for something she couldn't have. Despite knowing this deep down, she had acted foolishly with sulking. Her Leveler King's patience brought her back to her senses.

A series of shrieks from the playing field fueled her to work faster in hiding the fancy robe gifted from the king. She would go without it now, but when she retired for bed, she wanted to wear it. She didn't get many gifts from him, but she relished them all.

Tucking the robe neatly behind a row of bushes by the flowerbed, she waited for the fluttering petals to calm; she didn't want the damn things to eat her robe.

Shrieks after shrieks sound again and she was eager to go see. Summoners.

Nala rushed to the edge of the walkway and peered at the gates. The announcement must have been mistaken. But sure enough, the stone barriers receded to blue body after blue body marching into the roost. Again, when the shrieks relayed and she'd heard that Summoners were entering the city, she nearly jumped out of her skin, she was so happy. She told herself the king's decision had nothing to do with her, but deep down, she made a mental note to give Indel whatever manner of affection he requested in the days to come. It might mean Nala would have to put on a performance. Even though she wouldn't admit to favoring them, now she didn't have to. She could say it was a reward for this. He was allowing Summoners to take shelter in Leveler roosts. That was far safer now with the Earthers gone—taking with them their Earthman provision of fancy structures.

She brushed her rags off and looked up to the tall pillars. The city was carved out of the very mountain, its black walls towered over her.

Though it was sometimes hard to tell Idrus apart from the others at this distance—up close his larger size was recognizable—Nala could marked her king by one important factor, he didn't allow the shell of his face plate to form. And it was for her benefit. As anticipated, she peered up from her flowerbed and into the meeting room where the king often watched her.

At this distance, they could still spy each other. Today, rather than only the faceplate, Idrus's entire helmet was gone; he resembled Indel greatly due to the fact. She stared at the king, confused. He looked like Indel. But by now, since this morning's lay, the Leveler King had no doubt reverted back to a lower stage. The expression on Idrus's face made Nala smile. Sharp teeth gritted, Idrus shook his head, disapproving of her changing out of the robe.

Nala considered the best way to communicate her flattery. Legs apart, she turned and picked her tattered robe up at the back.

Her rear end adequately displayed, she turned again with the intent to gloat but fell silent when Sessel's disapproving frown was all that greeted her instead of her king. Idrus was gone.

Lowering the fabric, Nala tried to fight back her worry. Sessel despised her, and not just slightly.

In the king's presence the aged Leveler was generous and humble but other times, she threatened to take a whip to Nala's back like an Earth-man herding livestock.

Nala thought maybe that was an elder's way; force was something the Leveler's all knew well.

Taking the stone steps two by two down, she leaped from one white perch to the next until she fell into the training grounds below. The area hummed with Leveler chatter.