Indeed, his eyes almost pleaded for some reassurance. She thought to
herself, then offered a simple question.
'Kalus? What are the rest of your people like?' He shifted
positions, drew one knee toward him, then answered.
'They are no longer my people. I am banished..... For what they are
like, I don't know how to tell you. I can only say they are not much
like me.'
'In what way?' Finally she had something.
'They act more and think less. I think they are closer to the true
predators than I.'
'How do you mean?'
'Well. Let me think how to say it.' A pause. 'My name is
Kalus, which stands for Carnivore, or Great Hunter. My father made it
for me, hoping that such a name would give me strength. I am strong,
Sylviana, but not, I think, in the way he wanted.'
'Go on.'
Again he struggled. 'I draw no pleasure from the hunt. I don't
understand. To my people it is the proudest and most important thing
they do. But to me it is often ugly, and I kill only to live.
Also. . there are times when I do not want to be aggressive. Like now.
If the Mantis would let us stay here, I would trade that safety for all
the meaningless battles..... Perhaps I am just a coward and a fool.'
'No,' she said emphatically. 'You're not.' She had to
restrain herself from going to him then and there.
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