But perhaps
that is the way of things. To the wolves---'
'Oh my God. Kalus. What will happen to him now?'
'Sylviana,' he answered coldly. 'Not only do you know nothing
of the ways of this land, but your eyesight is poor as well. If Akar
was still in the cave---he is not---there would be no danger. The
wolves are ancient allies of the mantis.' He spoke proudly now,
filled with the knowledge that he alone among his people knew of this
relationship. 'The wolves, like all hunters, are hurt by the
presence of spiders. When one is spotted by the pack, a runner is sent
to bring the Mantis. Then the others keep it in sight, until the
Monarch arrives to kill it.'
The girl had listened, but only enough to know when he had finished
speaking. She was still deeply concerned about her friend.
'What do you mean he's no longer in the cave?'
'Just as I said,' he replied without looking at her. He was far
too excited by the presence of the Monarch to let her childish ignorance
upset him. 'He slipped out just before the Mantis entered.'
'Then we should call to him, let him know where we are.' Kalus
could only shake his head at his companion's needless worry. 'He
knows where we are. He just doesn't want the Mantis to know it too.
Or did you not know he could kill us even more easily than the
spider?' Again he was surprised by her reaction.
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