Free Victims of Nimbo by Gilbert L. Morris Page A

shook his head doubtfully.
    When the prince left Abbey, he stayed by himself for some time, thinking about what she had said. Finally he decided,
She may be right.
    He walked into the throne room, where his father was speaking with Sarah.
    “I’m trying for the last time to tell you that this is foolish!”
    “I’m sorry, sire,” Sarah said. “But this is one time I must displease you.”
    “Well, you’re not one of my subjects. You are one of the Sleepers. I suppose I will have to let you go.” But he looked doubtful. “I wish the men would get here.”
    “I’ll be all right, sire.”
    “Yes, she will,” Jere said suddenly. He stepped up beside Sarah and added, “I have decided to go with her, Father.”
    And that was the beginning of a violent disagreement.
    With an amazed look on her face, Sarah stood back and watched the two argue loudly. She no doubt had guessed that this was the first time Jere had ever offered to do anything but write poetry.
    “I’m telling you it’s suicide!” the king shouted. “You know what those Earth Dwellers are like, Jere!”
    But Jere had thrown himself into this idea with all of his might. “If a girl can face them, I can, too. I can’t let a female outdo me, can I?”
    The king sputtered. “That’s different.”
    “Not very,” Jere said. “Father, I promise that we’ll just look the situation over to see what can be done to free the captives. We won’t do anything foolish. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”
    Celevorn tried his best, but his son was adamant. Finally the king said sadly, “I’m glad to see you taking an interest in the affairs of the kingdom. But I wish you’d be more sensible.”
    Then Sarah spoke up. “I think the prince is showing signs of real maturity, King Celevorn.”
    Celevorn eyed his son, and hope came into his eyes. “Son,” he said, “you know you’re all I have left. Iwouldn’t want anything to happen to you. But I agree. You may go. Be careful.”
    “We’ll be all right. You’ll see.”
         Sarah and Prince Jere left the next day at dawn. Everyone had gathered, it seemed, to watch the pair leave.
    Farewells were said, and Abbey clung to Sarah, suddenly changing her mind and begging her not to go. “Just wait for the guys to get here,” she pleaded.
    “No, I’ve made up my mind,” Sarah said firmly. “It will be fine. By the time they get here, Jere and I may have settled it all. You just wait here.”
    Jere embraced the king, saying, “Don’t worry, Father. It’ll be all right.”
    Sarah got into the basket and clung to it, her eyes shut. Jere slid down on a vine.
    As soon as they reached the ground, Sarah got out and drew a deep breath. “It feels good to have the earth under my feet again.”
    “Not me,” Jere said, looking around nervously. “I feel a lot better up in our city.”
    “Well, to each his own,” Sarah said. “But we’d better get going right away. Which way is it?”
    “We’ll go this way.” He pointed.
    Jere had his staff in hand, and a knife was in his belt. Sarah kept an arrow notched, ready for whatever might come.
    They made their way quickly, and after a while Sarah asked, “How much farther is it?”
    “I believe only a few miles,” Jere answered.
    The two had not gone more than a mile farther when Sarah saw a young woman running through the woods toward them. Terror was written on her face.
    “Look at that girl. Something must be after her,” Sarah cried.
    Almost as soon as she had spoken, a giant scorpion scuttled into view behind the girl.
    Sarah reached for her bow.
    The girl stumbled toward them, her eyes blank with fright. “Help me!” she cried.
    At that moment another scorpion emerged from the woods. Sarah’s lips tightened. “I can’t get both of them, Jere!”
    “I’ll take the second one.” Raising his staff like a club, Jere ran toward the awful looking spotted beast.
    The first scorpion lunged toward Sarah, and she loosed an arrow. It