The LEVELER King ✔

BOOK 3: CHAPTER 2

The smaller chrysalis in hand, Idrus closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. He wanted to shriek, he wanted to cry out in anguish of it, but as he'd managed to find a cave close by, Nala could only sit on the rocks, staring at the river below.

Idrus had to pretend. He convinced himself that if he truly said it didn't matter, Nala would believe it.

Levelers and Summoners handled grief differently. While he wanted to find something to kill, Nala sat down as if she were ready to die.

It seemed so contrary to the same Nala who had slaughtered seven sloths when she'd thought Idrus wouldn't recover. And what good had that destruction done anyone? If they'd had all eight now life would be easier. They would have kept going. The babe wouldn't be gone.

Rather than scream and cry and lament the baby's passing, Idrus tried to contain his grief. He had to. For Nala's sake.

If Idrus believed it was all right, Nala would be all right as well.

When he reached Nala, the Summoner didn't look back to regard him.

"The blasted sloths. All my selfishness. It's brought this to us. Still my need for gluttony. I should have been satisfied with one sloth. I should have been satisfied with your touch whenever the time suited you. I should have left you to mate in full and produce beautiful fighters the queen would like and nurture." Nala shook her head as she muttered, "And I should have humbled myself and turned back with you when you suggested it."

Crouching down beside her, Idrus said, "You speak of nonsense. What's done is done and we cannot change it. Whatever's meant to come to pass will come. The day you look upon me and trust in me and yourself and not these foolish Earther thoughts of longing for something beyond your reach, is the day I will truly know happiness. This was meant for you." He lowered his hands, gesturing to the chrysalis. "The other was too strong and ravenous. I could not leave him with you, but this one...this one has a gentle temperament. Perhaps he is meant to keep you company and help you and your farm when I'm gone."

Idrus looked down at the river.

It didn't flow well. Instead, debris and even animal carcasses in some cases bobbed on at an erratic flow.

"Perhaps we can follow the river and...and find...and find him," Nala muttered.

Letting out a sigh, Idrus shook his head. "No. We will continue to the farm. Sleep in the cave tonight and set off in the morn no matter the weather. But come away from this place, Na'am. There is nothing here for us."

He waited and when Nala eventually stood, he stood as well.

Idrus was gentle as he put the chrysalis into Nala's hands.

Left hand around the Summoner's shoulder, they turned and headed for the cave.

Nala had trouble eating but she did so and curled up to sleep beside the chrysalis.

Idrus looked out at the pouring rain from the mouth of the cave. From here he could see the river and all the muck it dragged on with it. A craning-mare cried out in the night, sinking and rising from the water. The currents weren't heavy but as her kind did not swim, he could imagine the fear she felt.

He was too bitter to go out and help her.

Luck would have it that a branch caught her by the throat. No doubt she'd wiggle herself free in the morning.

Idrus swallowed down his sorrow and stood. The filthy robe at his left shoulder, he stared down at it.

He dropped it on the floor before curling up behind Nala to rest. In his time of confusion, he took all these signs to mean that he, too, sought gluttony by entreating Nala to remain. The Summoner was happier out in the woods. That was where she was home.