"Of course I'mworried."
"We still have one day'sgrace."
"If that blasted elephantdoesn't do any more damage."
"If he does, I will goafter him."
He meant it. For some idioticreason Li Sung was taking this elephant attack on an intensely personal level.Now she would not only have to worry about meeting the deadline but about LiSung storming around in the jungle, trying to find that rogue. She suppressed asudden surge of panic and desperation. She still had two days. She would justhave to work harder to make sure two days was enough to repair the damage andclear the crossing.
And pray that dementedelephant didn't take it into his head to wreck any more of her track.
Chapter15
Li Sung knelt beside Dilam'sblanket and shook her shoulder. "Wake up."
Dilam drowsily opened hereyes. "You wish tonesting?
"No, I certainly donot."
Dilam yawned, rolled over, andclosed her eyes. "Then I need to sleep. I just got back into my blanketsand must be up again in three hours. We will talk tomorrow."
"Why should you sleepwhen I cannot? You're the only one who can give me the answers."
"What answers?"
"Tell me aboutelephants."
Dilam opened her eyes andraised herself on one elbow. "What do you wish to know?"
"Everything."
"Because you wish to goafter Danor?"
"Perhaps."
"What other reason couldthere be?"
"Very well, I want to goafter him."
"Why are you so angrywith him?" Dilam asked curiously.
Why was he angry, Li Sungwondered in frustration. He was aware his emotion was entirely out ofproportion. All he knew was that when he had looked at that tattered-earedmonster he had felt something explode inside him. "He tried to kill me.Isn't that reason enough?"
"Yes." Dilam studiedhis face. "But I don't believe you are…I think you heard themakhol."
"Makhol?"
"The summons. My fathertold me that sometimes an elephant will lay its will upon a man and for therest of their lives elephant and man are one. Only rarely does this happen evenwith amahout,an elephant handler." She frowned thoughtfully."Very curious. I've never heard of anyone but a very young child hearingthe
Li Sung said sarcastically,"I assure you, I heard no summons and have no desire to be one with anyelephant, much less that brute."
"So you wish to knowabout elephants only so you can kill Danor if he comes again?"
Li Sung nodded jerkily."And now I suppose you won't talk to me."
"I did not saythat."
"What about protectingthis noble savior of your child?"
