“I do.”
“Then your search is at an end. I know where the uruketo is!”
“You have seen it?
“No — but there is a logic to many events that inescapably points to it. I have all of the evidence here with me. And evidence of another kind, of equal or greater importance to you.”
“As you know there is only one thing of importance to me. Discovery/death Kerrick ustuzou.”
“Of course!” Akotolp’s wattles shook as she moved with pleasure of discovery/enlightenment of importance. “I am of strong opinion that I also know where he is!”
Vaintè shook with emotion, clutched Akotolp’s arms between her thumbs so hard that the scientist gasped in sudden pain. Released her with apologies, overflowing of joy, thankfulness to the one in the world who aided her.
“You are my efensele, Akotolp, as no other is. You fill an empty life, bring pleasure where there has been only nullity, tell me what you know, but first of the ustuzou.”
“He is close, that I can assure you, but all must be told in the proper order for complete understanding.”
“Then speak, I bid you!”
“Ambalasei was here. She arrived one day, by uruketo, left the same way a few days later with great abruptness. I questioned and discovered the uruketo came and went away with her at once. None here knew the beast nor its commander.”
“Then is it the one I seek?”
“Undoubtedly. And other matters of greatest interest. Before Ambalasei went away something of strangeness happened here. A Yilanè was discovered and captured on the birth beaches. It appears that she was attempting to abduct a male fresh from the sea. A crime of major importance. None knew her, she would not speak, died before she could be questioned. Do you see a relevance?”
Vaintè signed positive recognition. “Of course. She must have come on the uruketo with Ambalasei. Which in turn means — she was a Daughter of Death!”
“That is true! I just realized it today when I heard Fafnepto speak. It is your mind of great attainment that enables you to see instantlv what was hidden from me all of this time. Ambalasei came on the uruketo, left on it, returned to these Daughters of Evil whom she has joined. And I believe I know where they went.’
Vaintè was warm with appreciation, signed request for more information, lowest to highest, a form she had never used before in her entire life. Akotolp, swollen with pleasurable self-esteem, pointed at the containers the fargi had carried aboard.
“They have gone south. Ambalasei revealed to us that she has discovered an entirely new continent there. Thinking of it now, it seems obvious that she must have landed the Daughters somewhere on its shores. She showed us records that she had made, gave us specimens of scientific delight, revealed her voyage of discovery on a gigantic river of that continent. It is my belief that she must be there now, on the shores of that river, or at the estuary where it meets the ocean. She had no other records of exploration of the continent.”
“I believe you, you could not be wrong. But that is only half of what I want to hear.”
“The other half then concerns the ustuzou who penetrate this city, kill Yilanè, steal hèsotsan. We have firm evidence of that. I have flown the birds and have images here of ustuzou north of this city, on an island near the coast. One of them could be the creature you seek.”
“While there is still brightness of daylight — I must see those images.”
Even as she spoke the light from the open fin darkened, as though a cloud had passed over the sky. Vaintè looked up and saw that Fafnepto was descending. Fafhepto began to speak — then stopped when she saw Akotolp, signed a query.
“This is Akotolp,” Vaintè said. “She served me when I was Eistaa here. A scientist of great note who has information of even greater note.”
“I have spoken with Akotolp earlier today. Also, this same Akotolp was mentioned by the scientist, Ukhereb, just recently in the ambesed. She said that you both had met with the one we seek, Ambalasei.”
“That is true.”
“Ukhereb also said that Ambalasei brought evidence of a continent to the south of this one, of a river there. Ukhereb believes that Ambalasei and the uruketo we seek are there now. Are you of the same opinion?”
Akotolp was put out, tried not to show it, had believed the theory was hers alone. She finally had to sign positive agreement. “I do agree, yes, and further believe that those you seek, as well as the uruketo, are on the banks of this great river of which she spoke to us in such detail.”
Fafhepto expressed agreement amplified. “Everything you both have said leads me to the same conclusion. As a hunter I also feel that this is correct. I sense our quarry out there. The commander now loads fresh meat and water. In the morning I will speak again with the Eistaa and then we will leave. We will go south to this river.”
Vaintè interrupted with signs of importance of speaking. “They will not escape. We will surely track them there. But before we leave there are ustuzou along the coast, close by, that must be found and killed. They came to this city, killed Yilanè here. We must kill them in return—”
“No. We go south.”
“It will take only a short time. It is of importance to me—”
“But not to me. We go south.”
“I will talk to Gunugul. I’m sure she will agree that we do this one small thing first.”
“Whether she agrees or not is of no importance. I am Lanefenuu’s representative. I am ordering Gunugul south. I will tell her that now so there will be no misunderstandings while I am in the city.”
She said this almost calmly, as though it was of no importance, looking directly at Vaintè all the while. The way she would look at an animal before she killed it. Vaintè returned the gaze just as emotionlessly, knowing that it was Fafnepto’s victory this time. Also knew there was nothing that would make her change her mind. Vaintè’s moment of justified revenge would have to be postponed.
“You are in command, we will do as you order. Be informed also that Akotolp has offered to leave with us, to help guide us in our quest.” As Vaintè spoke her outward calm matched that of her antagonist. Fafnepto accepted this, signed gratitude, turned and left. So she did not see the blaze of color on Vaintè’s palms, the curve of hatred in her fingers. Akotolp did, stepped back, rocked by the strength of feeling. It passed quickly as Vaintè fought and controlled her emotions, spoke calmly to Akotolp.
“It would be pleasure magnified for me to see the images of the ustuzou. The image now will suffice. I have waited this long to find him — I can wait that bit longer. Nor will this be a wasted journey. Those Daughters of Death escaped me when we fled this city. Their existence has long troubled me. It will be my pleasure to search them out now. Gratitude expressed/amplified — the images!”
Vaintè went through the sheets slowly, her limbs moving in emotive response as she did. Hatred, pleasure, discovery. When she had seen them all, she carefully went through them a second time and found one that drew her attention. The others fell from her thumbs as she held this one in the light from the fin; Akotolp retrieved the discarded sheets.
“Look at this, Akotolp,” Vaintè finally said. “You have the eyes and the brain of a scientist. Tell me what you see here. Look at this figure.”
Akotolp turned it until the light fell clearly upon it, examined it closely. “It is one of the killer ustuzou, probably a male since the females have other organs here. It shields its eyes as it gazes upwards, so the face is not clearly seen. There is something, a design perhaps, painted upon its upper thorax.”
“You see it too! Could it be a metal tooth like the one you sealed in the bladder long ago?”
“The possibility is there/detail unhappily unclear. But it could be an artifact of metal.”
“It is almost too much to believe, that it is the one I seek, that he is out there.”
“Strong belief/probability. And there is another thing of great interest that I neglected to mention to the eistaa. Here, u
pon this other sheet, you will see a crude structure of some kind. With two figures standing before it.”
Akotolp signed excitement and pride of discovery as she passed over the sheet, touched the correct spot with one thumb, watched Vaintè’s movements of disbelief.
“This is inexplicable. One is a Yilanè — the other ustuzou. How is this?”
“We can only guess. Perhaps the Yilanè has been captured, held prisoner. Not injured, for she appears in other pictures. And this is very close to the place where the ustuzou lairs are located.”
Vaintè trembled with excitement. “Then the creature we have seen must be Kerrick, the one I seek. Only he can communicate with a Yilanè. How close are they?”
“Less than a day in an uruketo.”
“And we are in an uruketo…” Vaintè’s body twisted as strong emotions gripped her again and it took her a moment to regain control. “But not at the present time. Now we go south. There is one called Enge whom I would see again.”
“One came to me,” Enge said, “bringing the message that you wished to see me, a matter of urgency.”
“Urgency obviously relative with Daughters of Drowsiness,” Ambalasei said disgustedly. “That message was sent earlier today in the hope it might reach you before we all were dead of advanced age.”
“Does the matter have urgency?”
“Only to me. My researches are complete. There is an entire continent to be explored — but others can do that. I have records and specimens for them to marvel at. I have opened the path that others may follow. I return now to Entoban*.”
“Suddenness of decision unexpected/unhappiness, unwelcome information!”
“Only to you, Enge. Everyone else here will be glad to see me leave. Just as pleased as I will be to turn my back upon them. All of my records have been sealed and loaded aboard the uruketo. Setessei will go with me, but assures me that she has trained two Daughters in use of nefmakel, sanitation and wound repair. So you all will not instantly die when we are gone.”
“The suddenness of this confuses/saddens me. I knew the day must come. The pleasure in your presence profound. Absence will produce emptiness.”
“Fill it with thoughts of Ambalasei like everyone else here.”
“I will do that of course. And will feel pleasure that the uruketo will now be restored to Yebèisk.”
“That pleasure will have to wait, since I am staying far from Yebèisk and the undoubtedly furious Eistaa. When I have reached Entoban* the uruketo returns here and becomes your responsibility.”
“Gratified acceptance of responsibility.”
“There is another responsibility we must discuss. Accompany me.”
Instead of boarding the uruketo Ambalasei led the way to the boat which floated close by. It was better trained now and responded to Ambalasei’s thumbs on its nerve endings by moving smoothly out into the river. She guided it to the shore beyond the city, then secured it to a tree with the binding sucker on its carapace.
“Do you know this place?” she asked.
“Unforgettable. We saw the first Sorogetso just there. I came here many times when learning their speech. They are gone now.” There were overtones of sorrow, not a little regret, to her meaning.
“They are — and a good thing too. Their independence is assured, their unique culture undefiled by followers of Ugunenapsa. Come this way.”
The floating tree was permanently in place now, its branches sunk deep into the mud. They crossed and pushed their way along the once-smooth pathway, now rank with high grass. When they came to the overgrown clearing, Ambalasei indicated the sodden and collapsed shelters that the Sorogetso had made.
“The Sorogetso had to be taken away from the interference of your argumentative associates. Their culture was in danger. They are on the borderline between material-manipulation and life-manipulation. A wonderful opportunity for observation/knowledge for scientists. Not for me though. I will instruct others, send them to the place on this river where the Sorogetso now dwell. To complete my work. Which brings me to my last contribution in the service of Ugunenapsa. A solution to a problem that has had some of my attention. An intriguing proposition. Continuity.”
“Understanding escapes me.”
“It shouldn’t. Put baldly — when you all die so do Ugunenapsa’s theories.”
“That is entirely too true and it grieves me greatly.”
“Then cease your grieving. A solution is to hand.”
They emerged from the trees to stand on the empty beach of the lakeshore. Ambalasei looked around, then called out the simplest sounds for attention to speaking. After this she settled back on her tail with a weary sigh. Enge could only sign puzzlement and lack of understanding.
There was a stirring in the shrubbery as a small and immature fargi stepped out.
“Together,” Ambalasei signed with color changes of her palms.
“Together,” the fargi answered, then came forward hesitantly at the sight of Enge, trembling and stopping.
“Be without fear,” Ambalasei said slowly and clearly. “Bring others.”
Enge could only stare after the fargi, her body shaped in confusion and wild hope.
“Fargi… here?” she said. “And so small. Can they be Sorogetso?”
“Obviously. I removed all those that were mature and yilanè as you well know. But I observed juvenile efenburu in the lake and was deeply concerned. It was my fear that they would emerge and find none to speak with, would face only certain death. At first I thought I would bring them to join the others, but this represented certain problems. There are other younger efenburu in the lake who will emerge later to join with the older ones. This is a natural process I did not want to interfere with too much. Then I saw the single obvious answer to two problems at one time. Can you tell me what that is?”
Enge choked with emotion, could barely speak. “Salvation. We will be here when they emerge, they will learn to speak, join with us, and in turn speak to the others when they too come onto the beaches.”
“That solves their problem. And the other?”
“You are the salvation of the Daughters of Life. You insure for eternity the continuity of the wisdom of Ugunenapsa.”
“I am not sure about eternity, but for a while at least. You do realize that you cannot interbreed with them, don’t you? Their metabolic birth changes are far too different from ours. When they reach maturity you must be absolutely certain that Sorogetso mate only with Sorogetso. Can you control the lust of your Daughters?”
“Our lust is for wisdom only — you need have no fear.”
“Good. You must also realize that you will only have cultural continuity, not genetic? One day the last of the present crop of Daughters will die of old age. There will be only Sorogetso then.”
“I understand your meaning — and assure you again that it is of no importance. The Eight Principles of Ugunenapsa will live on, that is all that matters.”
“Good. Then it is time for me to go. My important labors are finished here. I return to the adulation of civilized cities, the respect of eistaa. And pleasure at forgetting completely the dreaded name of Ugunenapsa.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
The trading took up the better part of the first day, then extended into the next day as well. The Paramutan enjoyed it too much to finish with it quickly. Hanath and Morgil were soon possessed of the same enthusiasm, regretted only that they had not brought more to trade. Then someone had suggested fresh meat. All activities were suspended while the two hunters seized up their bows and hurried into the forest. While the Paramutan were the best hunters in the ocean they lacked the Tanu skills ashore. The four freshly killed deer were greeted with high-pitched shouts of approval.
There was feasting — and the trade continued. Then more feasting to celebrate its satisfying end. Kerrick sat away from the others, on one of the dunes that faced out over the sea, deep in thought. Armun came to join him and he took her hand and seated her beside him.
&n
bsp; “They are teaching each other songs now, she said. “Though they have no idea at all of what they mean.”
“We should have made some porro — then there really would be a celebration.”
“Don’t even say it out loud!” She laughed at the two hunters who were now demonstrating how the Tanu wrestled. “Even the thought of the Paramutan drinking porro is enough to make me want to flee.”
There were more shouts and a loud thud as Kalaleq showed them that, even for their size, the Paramutan were strong wrestlers as well.
“I have been thinking about many things since we came here,” Kerrick said. “I have made some important decisions. The first decision is to make you happier.”
She held to his arm and laughed. “I could not be happier, we are together.”
“Not completely. I know that there is a thing that bothers you — so I tell you that this is now finished, over. Arnwheet has many friends, but I have forced him to come with me to talk to the one on the island. And you hate that.”
Her smile was gone now. “I do. But you are a hunter and I cannot tell you to do one thing, not another. You do as you must.”
“I have been wrong. When we return I will see that the boy stays far away from the one you call a marag. But the marag is my friend and I take pleasure in talking to him. But Arnwheet can do as he wishes. If he wishes to forget how the murgu talk — he will forget.”
“But you have said many times how important it is that he knows these things.”
“I do not think that way any longer. They are of no importance. I have been blind to what the world is really like. I look Tanu, but I think like a murgu. No longer. The world has not changed. Just the way I see it has changed.”
Armun listened in silence, not understanding, but knowing that what he was saying was terribly important to him. He smiled at her attentive, silent stare, touched his finger to her lips.
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