Return to Eden

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