Kalus could only guess at their meaning. Roughly translated,
this is what passed between them.
Skither (The Mantis)- Wolf. Was it you then that snuck from my cave
like a thief in the night?
Akar- Yes, mighty one. I was trapped inside by the spider.
Skither- But why were you in the cave at all? Have you lost all respect
for my sovereignty?
Akar- No, master. I was protecting the woman-child, to whom I owe my
life. I do not understand her words, but she speaks of having woken
from a long sleep, and finding herself in your lair. I tried to make
her leave it many times, but she believes she is somehow protected there
by gods I do not know. When I told her the cave was yours, she wished
only to remain there until your return. She is deadly fearful of the
world outside your domain.
Skither- Do not flatter me, wolf. I have not grown so old as to be
feeble and weak of mind.
Akar- Forgive me.
Skither- Tell me, then. Does she speak of having come from the long
silver box?
Akar- Yes, I believe it is so. What does this mean?
Skither- I'm not certain. Three moon-cycles past I was journeying
far to the north and west among the mountains that grow there. At the
base of one such peak I found a broad and unnatural tunnel that led deep
into the earth.
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