Return to Eden

stop them or order them. We must consider their suggestions as equal to any other suggestion. How are we to insure that Ugunenapsa's words do not die with us? Search the Eight Principles, I beg you, just as I shall. The solution must be found."
    "And found before the uruketo returns," Ambalasei said. She looked at Elem. "Suggestion strongly given to leave at once and not return until the creature has eaten its fill."
    Elem signed complete agreement and turned to go. Ambalasei left with her and did not speak until they were well away from the ambesed. "How many days will this take?"
    "Three, possibly four, depending upon the fishing."
    "Take seven. If they have not come up with a solution to this problem in six days they never will. Far< is not going to do us the service of lying down and dying."
    Nor did she. Every morning she and her followers appeared in the ambesed. They asked the same two questions always. Have the Eight Principles revealed the answer? For five days they were answered only with silence, after which they asked the second question; has the uruketo returned? Then they left.
    Ambalasei did not attend these unhappy sessions: if there were solutions of any kind she would hear of them soon enough. She spent peaceful days examining and cataloging the specimens they had brought back. Only on the sixth day did she go to the ambesed soon after the sun rose, taking the eistaa's place with some satisfaction. She was the first to arrive and acknowledged the greetings of the others as they approached, waited to speak until they were all there.
    "Have you found the solution?" she asked. There was a great unhappiness behind Enge's negative response.
    "It eludes us."
    "Undoubtedly because it does not exist. Then you will permit Far< to leave?"
    "We cannot stop her."
    "That is to be seen."
    There were movements at the ambesed entrance as Far< and her loyal followers entered. There were more of them now for her intent-of-purpose had inspired many. Ambalasei writhed in obvious distaste as Far< came and stood before them, then spoke.
    "Has the answer been found among the Eight Principles?" There was superiority in her attitude as she looked at each of the silent Yilanè in turn. As she started to speak again Ambalasei interrupted.
    "The answer is yes and no."
    "I do not speak to you or listen to you because you do not believe."
    "Your not speaking is too wonderful to even consider. But you will listen because what you do depends on my permission."
    Far< turned her back with motions of dismissal, would hear no more. It was Enge who spoke.
    "Sorrow and apologies for lack of grace/rude behavior of a companion. What permission is it you speak of, Ambalasei?"
    "The uruketo returns tomorrow."
    "We will leave then," Far< said firmly; she had been listening with one eye.
    "You will not!" Ambalasei spoke the command loudly and harshly. "I will remind you that the uruketo is mine, taken by me and controlled by me. Do you have any doubt about that?"
    As always they turned to Enge for guidance. She stood in silent, unmoving thought, then gestured compliance.
    "In this matter we must do as Ambalasei says. Freely she had herself imprisoned with us, escaped with us—and did indeed see that we left that city of unhappiness in this uruketo. She guided us here and grew our city of life. We have used the uruketo, but we use it only as she wills…"
    "Wrong!" Far< said loudly. "If she does that then she is our eistaa and we have no eistaa."
    "Nor do you have an uruketo," Ambalasei said with pleasurable malice. "You will do as I say or you will stay in the city. You are very young, hotheaded, vain and foolish Far<, though others might not agree. But you will do as I say, accept my instructions or try to swim back to Gendasi*. And it is a very long swim, even to one of your great strength of will."
    Ambalasei leaned back against the warm wood and basked in the intensity of Far<'s hatred.
    CHAPTER FOURTEEN
    It was Enge, as always, who labored to bring peace to the warring factions
    "Ugunenapsa teaches us that we all dwell in the city of life. Ambalasei is equal to you in this city, Far<.
    And she is superior to you in all other ways, in her knowledge and skills, and particularly in her labors for the Daughters of Life. In this she is far ahead of me and second only to Ugunenapsa who revealed the truths. We are here, our city is here—and you are here Far<—because she brought you here. Any future labors that you may do will be done