Winter in Eden e-2

by Harry Harrison

  “You risked all, strong Ambalasi, and I thank you.”

  “I risked nothing. Saagakel’s words could not kill me, nor would she have physically attacked me.”

  “Yes, I can see that now. I also see that you deliberately angered her so you would be imprisoned here.”

  Ambalasi made a motion of joined pleasure and humor, her mouth parted to reveal her ancient yellowed teeth. “I like you, Enge, and appreciate your presence here. And you are correct. I have been planning to visit this orchard — your being sent here has just accelerated my actions by a few days. This is a city of great boredom and paralyzed ideas and I wonder why I ever came here. Only because of the research facilities I assure you. I would have moved on long before this — but then they began arresting your Daughters of Despair…”

  “Daughters of Life, I beg.”

  “Life, death, despair — all are the same to me. It is not the name or the philosophy that I care about, only the physiological results. I say they are Daughters of Despair because it was I who despaired of ever carrying my research any further. A long time ago, when the walls for this imprisoning orchard were first grown I came here to supervise the work. At that time I talked to some of the Daughters, but I despaired of their intelligence. They reminded me of onetsensast cropping the leaves of a single tree. Having once made a leap into the dark of this philosophy they are happy to remain unmoving ever again. I think you will move for me, Enge, in fact know that you will.”

  “If you will tell me what your moving involves I will attempt to help. Thus do I welcome you as a Daughter of Life…”

  “Don’t do that — I am not one of you.”

  It was Enge’s turn to be baffled. “Yet — you said that you would not risk death if the eistaa ordered your death. Then you must believe…”

  “No, I do not believe. I understand — and that is a different matter altogether. I am a creature of science, not of faith. Can you understand the difference? Or would you find that too disconcerting to your beliefs?”

  “I do not find it disconcerting in the slightest,” Enge said, registering joy-of-thought. “Quite the opposite. I see it as a testing of my courage and of Ugunenapsa’s words and would talk long with you about this.”

  “I as well. Welcome to the fruit groves of Yebèisk, welcome. Now I ask you a question. If you and your Daughters were free of this place, all of you, would you come with me to a city where you would be welcome? Where you could be free, not oppressed, able to go your own way?”

  “We ask nothing else, wise Ambalasi. That is our only desire and we would be your fargi if you could do that.”

  “It is possible. But before I aid you, I have another request, and you must think carefully before you answer. When you are free I want to make you captive again to my studies. I wish to understand how this new phenomenon operates and the string-knife of my research may cut deep.” When Enge registered fear-of-pain Ambalasi signed negative in return. “You misunderstand. It is the string-knife of thought that I wish to use, to cut deep into your philosophy and see what makes it operate.”

  “That indeed I would welcome. It is what I do myself. If you can aid me in that, then I welcome your help.”

  “More than aid, Enge. I may dig so deep that I destroy the roots of your tree of knowledge and pull it out.”

  “If you do then it was a dead tree, a false tree, and I would welcome that as well. I open to you. Embrace my thoughts — do as you will.”

  Ambalasi seized Enge’s arm in the quick gesture of greatest-pleasure. “Then it is agreed. I must now give my attention to our exodus. Since I have long been determined to leave this city I have already made all the necessary arrangements with my assistants and within a day — two at the most — there will be firm results.”

  Enge signed apologies and lack of understanding.

  “You will understand when the time comes. Now there are other things to do. There is one here among the daughters whom I would speak to. Her name is Shakasas‹.”

  “Confusion-naming,” Enge said. “Shakasas‹, speed-in-changing-movement is a name that one of us would not use, a name that belongs to the existence before the understanding. As a sign of our acceptance of Ugunenapsa’s wisdom we take new names.”

  “I was aware of the ritual. But I am sure that your convert will remember her earlier existence before conversion. Send for her under that name and I will address her in any manner she wishes.”

  Enge signed respectful understanding and turned away to issue the order. Only then did she realize for the first time that they had been talking in the middle of a circle of silent listeners. Omal stepped forward and welcomed her.

  “The one whose presence has been requested has been sent for. But I have pleasure-to-see you, unhappiness-your-imprisonment.”

  “We must discard unhappiness. This Yilanè of great wisdom whom I have been speaking with may be our salvation. Now let me see and meet with our sisters here, for I wish to know them all.”

  Ambalasi stepped aside as they greeted each other and waited with stolid patience until she was aware of a Yilanè who appeared before her and signed respectful attention.

  “Are you Shakasas‹?” Ambalasi asked.

  “I was, before the time of my understanding. Because of my joy at accepting Ugunenapsa’s words I am now called Elem. What do you wish of me, Ambalasi?”

  “The answer to a single question. I have heard that you once served on the crew of an uruketo. Is this true?”

  “When I was first Yilanè it was my pleasure. This led me to my interest in air and sea currents. The mysteries of navigation became my study, and through them my interest in the work of Ugunenapsa.”

  “Explanation satisfactory. Now tell me who leads you?”

  “Ugunenapsa, for it is her example—”

  “Enough! I refer to your physical presence in this despicable orchard. Who among you is in charge?”

  “None, for we are all equal…”

  Ambalasi silenced her with a rude gesture normally used only when commanding fargi, raking her toenails along the ground with great agitation. “Silence! Your Ugunenapsa has a lot to answer for. There must be someone who stands above you in this hierarchy of mindlessness. Enge, do you see her there? Good. Can she command you?”

  “Certainly. I have heard much of her and her wisdom and would willingly do as she commanded.”

  “At last, communication. The three of us will speak together at once. After that has been done you will stay by my side at all times and will do as I order. Will you do this if she tells you to?”

  Elem signed pleased agreement and Ambalasi dismissed her quickly before she could begin again on Ugunenapsa.

  The island just off the coast of Gendasi , south of Alpèasak, was small and crowded with quickly grown structures, most of them little more than covers to keep the rain off. Only the joined rooms where Ukhereb labored had any look of permanence, solidity. The eistaa, Lanefenuu, had been taken there when she emerged from the uruketo that had brought her across the ocean, but she listened to the explanations with bored disinterest, caring only about the results of the scientists’ labors, not the details. Only the masinduu drew more than casual attention.

  “This is very amusing,” Lanefenuu said. “You must grow me one to take back to Ikhalmenets. I have never seen anything like it before.”

  “The reason for that, Eistaa,” Akotolp said with some pride, “is that it has never existed before. Ukhereb and I needed to work with the new plants we developed, to work together on their modification. But they are most difficult to handle since they are so poisonous. For this we needed the magnifying abilities of the sanduu. You know the creature I refer to?”

  “I do not,” Lanefenuu said, proud of her ignorance. “I am much too busy to devote my time to a study of your squalid beasts.”

  “Perfectly correct, Eistaa,” Akotolp said. “It is a messy occupation. Explanation-offered. The sanduu magnifies, that is it makes things look bigger, up to two hundred t
imes bigger and is an essential scientific tool. However, only one Yilanè at a time can use it — Ukhereb and I needed to work together. Therefore we developed this masinduu, which might be called an image-projecting sanduu. We use it in microsurgery, but now we are using it to show you pictures of what we have done, without the necessity of exposing your honored body to the dangers involved.”

  “This honored body is much pleased by your efforts. And what may this thing be that we are looking at?”

  Akotolp turned one eye toward the brightly lit image on the wall. Sunlight fell on the eye of the masinduu in the outer wall, was amplified to project the multifaceted and brilliant image. “Those are diatoms, Eistaa, tiny creatures that live in the sea. We use them to adjust the masinduu. The colors that you see are generated by a polarized filter…” Akotolp broke off when Lanefenuu signed boredom-of-scientific-detail.

  The room brightened as Ukhereb entered, followed by a fargi carrying a tray of pictures.

  “All is ready, Eistaa,” she said, motioning the fargi to put down the tray and leave. “Here are the latest prints and they will show you the unqualified success of our efforts on your behalf.”

  “Begin at once,” Lanefenuu commanded.

  The imaged diatoms vanished and a seascape took its place. Beyond the sea was a green coastline above white beaches. As Ukhereb talked she manipulated the masinduu so that one image faded into another so it appeared that the coast grew closer.

  “This is the shore of Gendasi , south of the city of Alpèasak . We selected this site since we could establish ourselves there unobserved. The temperature and soil are the same as the city so our plants could develop in the correct environment.”

  “Why not go to the city itself?” Lanefenuu asked.

  “The ustuzou have occupied it,” Vaintè said as she entered. “I went there to see. Not all of the city was burned — but it is filled with these vermin.”

  “Whose destiny is death, Vaintè,” Lanefenuu said. “I ordered your presence because these accomplished scientists have arranged a demonstration of what has been accomplished here in my name. You will watch with me since you have created all this.”

  Vaintè signed pleasure-in-gratitude and settled down on her tail next to the eistaa — who ordered continuation-of-seeing.

  Green shrubbery grew larger until dead animals could be seen around it, impaled on the thorns. “The mutated vines and shrubs,” Akotolp explained. “All of them growing and mingled with those broad-leaved plants which are rich with water and therefore fire resistant, protecting the others. All of this was not hard to do, simple variations of the walls that protect most cities. While these were being developed and grown in enough numbers to raise for seed, we were also developing this creature.”

  The image of a multi-colored, shining lizard filled the screen. Akotolp walked over to point to the rows of nodules on the creature’s back. “These cysts develop when the lizard matures, burst, then regrow. You will notice the thick skin and slime coating that protects the animal from the deadly environment that it sows. A perfect development.”

  “Need-for-clarity,” Lanefenuu communicated sharply.

  “Apologies without count, Eistaa. I proceed out of sequence. The deadly plants we have just seen were designed to be sown in the city that the ustuzou occupy. Various self-perpetuating techniques were considered and this system was devised. When the cysts burst the seeds of poisonous plants are released. They grow and the lizards live beneath their protection — where no other animal could survive. So without any further effort on our part, without the loss of a single Yilanè life, the city itself drives out the invaders. It will not happen at once, but it will happen with the inexorable and unopposable persistance of the incoming tide. The plants will fill the city, the ustuzou will be forced out — and tomorrow’s tomorrow will be as yesterday’s yesterday.”

  “Admirable.” Lanefenuu expressed pleasure and happiness. “But how will Yilanè live in this city of death?”

  “With great ease. Parasites and viruses have already been developed to destroy the growths and wipe out the lizards — affecting nothing else.”

  “It is indeed an excellent plan. Then why has it not been put into effect?”

  “A single detail,” Akotolp said, “since resolved. It required the development of a parasitical worm that carries the encysted seeds in its body. This worm infects the lizards, causing the cysts that spread the seeds. The worm’s eggs, also with the encysted seeds, emerge in the lizard’s droppings…”

  She broke off at the Eistaa’s gesture of termination.

  “Good Akotolp, I know these details fascinate you Yilanè of science, but I find them both repulsive and boring. Terminate your talk with details of progress.”

  “All is ready, Eistaa,” Vaintè said, opening the door and pointing out into the sunshine. “As soon as Ukhereb and Akotolp reported success I sent for you. While you traveled here generations of lizards have been bred, are in an enclosure which I will now show you. All is in readiness — simply awaiting your command.”

  “This is admirable. I now speak. Let it be done. Alpèasak will be cleansed of vermin and rebuilt. So when the cold winds come to Ikhalmenets, Ikhalmenets will come to Alpèasak. Do this thing now.”

  “It begins, Eistaa,” Vaintè said.

  It begins — but does not end there, she added, but in un-moving silence so that none could hear her thoughts. The city will be cleansed and will be Yilanè again. When that is done I will ask a boon and it will be granted. I will ask the eistaa only that I be permitted to use the seed-lizards to make the rest of this land uninhabitable for ustuzou. Then will I seek them out and destroy them. Thus will I kill the Kerrick-ustuzou at last.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Saagakel was swollen with anger, her pendulous cheeks trembling with rage. The ambesed was empty and so silent that the bubbling of the water beneath the golden bridges could be clearly heard — since all had fled at the first signs of her great displeasure. Only the single, helpless fargi remained, the one who had brought the displeasing message. In silence Saagakel fought to control her emotions: this simple creature was not responsible and must not be made to die because of the information that she had brought. Saagakel believed in ruling justly, and there would be no justice in killing the young thing. But she could kill her, indeed she could, with a single word. Knowing this she took pleasure in her power and leaned back on the sunwarmed wood, took pleasure from its warmth as well and from her city that surrounded the ambesed. When she, spoke again it was with clear strength.

  “Rise, young one, and face your Eistaa and know that your life will be a long one in her service and that of her city.”

  At this the fargi stopped trembling and stood, her eyes moist with adoration of her Eistaa, her body shaped to receive any command. Saagakel accepted her due and her voice was still gentle when she spoke.

  “Repeat again what you were instructed to come and tell me. No harm will befall you — that is an Eistaa’s promise.”

  The fargi’s body grew rigid with concentration as she fought to remember the exact phrasing. “From one who serves lowly in the service of Saagakel, Eistaa of Yebèisk and highest. Motions and colors of greatest sadness. In two days a sickness has descended upon the groves where the okhalakx graze and many are unmoving. Even more dead. Aid is sought to save the living.”

  It could be no accident. Saagakel’s eyes blazed with anger — but her body was unmoving, under control. The fargi waited in rapt silence. No accident. Some years ago this same sickness had spread among the okhalakx, but Ambalasi had cured it. Now, just a few days after Ambalasi’s imprisonment, the disease had returned.

  “Speak my desire-of-presence to those who council me. Go. Through that gateway — you will find them there.”

  They came, shaking with fright when they saw her deadly stance. The thought cheered Saagakel: it was good to remind even the highest in the city that her rule was absolute. When the first of them shuffled fearfully into he
r presence her good humor had returned.

  “I have been told that the okhalakx are dying in great numbers — and you, and everyone else, know that they are my favorite meat. I see the shadow of Ambalasi darkening those bodies. Go to the orchard, you Ostuku, go quickly for you are getting fat and the walking will do you good, go and bring Ambalasi to me at once. That is my order.”

  Just thinking about the terrible fact that the okhalakx might be destroyed gave Saagakel a sudden pang of hunger; she sent at once for a haunch of meat. It arrived with great promptness and she tore off a large mouthful, was still grinding the last slivers of flesh from the bone with her back teeth when the small procession entered the ambesed. Ostuku led, while strong guards walked on both sides. Ambalasi was between them, moving slowly and leaning on the broad shoulders of her companion.

  “I ordered the presence of Ambalasi alone,” Saagakel said. “Remove the other.”

  “Then remove me too,” Ambalasi said, signing indignant irritation. “You condemn me to that wet orchard, to sleep on the ground at my age. Chilled and damp at night so now I lean on this one when I walk. This strong one remains — I will not walk without her.”

  Saagakel made a gesture that showed this part of the discussion was beneath her attention, then stressed the importance of what she said next.

  “The okhalakx die in the groves. What do you know of that?”

  “Do they stiffen and lie helpless? If they do it is the lung disease brought by the wild ones from the forest.”

  “But you cured that disease a long time ago. How can it return now?”

  “In the forest of ecology there are countless paths.”

  “Did you infect them?”

  “You can believe that if you wish.” A dubious answer that could be taken two ways. Before Saagakel could order a clarification Ambalasi spoke again. “But no matter how disease reaches the beasts in the field it is a fact that only I can cure it. Do you wish this done?”