She seemed hurt and
afraid. 'Don't worry,' he added more softly. 'He will come
to you before the night is over. You should not worry for him so. He
has been guarding his own life far longer than you and I.'
'I'm sorry,' she confided. 'It's just that this is all
so new to me. I don't know what it means sometimes. . .and I'm
scared.'
'That is not a bad thing. I too am scared, but do not let myself
think it. We are safe here, for this night at least. You should sleep.
We have many hard choices in morning.'
She did not answer, but looked into his eyes as if searching for
something. Then she turned, lowered her head, and moved past him into
the shelter. Finding a place where fewer stones piqued the floor, she
crouched and looked back at him, unsure. Kalus remained motionless,
returning her gaze. Finally she lay back and turned away, her eyes
misting.
'Kalus?'
'Yes.'
'Thank you. . .for saving my life.'
'You forget that you fed me, and cared for my wounds.'
'Still.....' She let her voice trail off.
Without further speech Kalus seated himself just inside the entrance,
watching her wistfully as she drifted off into sleep, protected from
outside danger by his own life, and by the pervasive and
all-encompassing presence of the Mantis.
Chapter 6
Akar entered soundlessly just before dawn, the rabbit clenched securely
in his teeth.
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