Return to Eden

muted sounds of a voice. These stopped when the other, smaller eye, slowly opened and stared at Ambalasei.
    "As you speak now, so shall it listen and remember," Setessei said stepping back.
    Ambalasei dismissed her, gathered her thoughts, then began to talk. Every motion, every sound she made was registered indelibly in the memory creature's brain.
    "I will tell you first of the rivers in the sea that led me to this new land…"
    "My greatly-trusted Setessei will stay with you while I am away," Ambalasei said. "While of course not my equal, she is skilled in the matters of the city, having helped to grow it, and is skilled also in the treatment of wounds that your clumsy sisters seem to acquire with such ease."
    "Gratitude-magnified-multifold," Enge signed. "All is in readiness for departure?"
    "Almost all. The last of the preserved meat should be ready today. As soon as it is aboard we will leave.
    The morning will be best since I want to make observations of the ocean currents as they flow north and diminish. The connections between my new charts and the old must be made. After that I wish to see this city you spoke to me of, Alpèasak."
    "Death and destruction by fire! All Yilanè dead and ustuzou with killing stone-teeth in the streets and groves."
    "Yet you lived, Enge, and others."
    "The few surviving Daughters of Life fled in the uruketo and are here now with me. There was also the uruketo's commander and the crewmembers. And one whose name I will not speak. There was also a male, name unknown, and the scientist Akotolp."
    "Akotolp! She who was fat and round as a river eel?"
    "The same."
    "Where is she now?"
    "Unknown. We left the uruketo, as I have told you, to escape persecution at the thumbs of the nameless one."
    "I must see this city. Perhaps the ustuzou have gone. In any case the currents flow in that direction and past and on to the shores of Entoban*. Observations to be made, charts to be rationalized."
    They departed soon after dawn, slipping out into the river and down to the open sea. Ambalasei had enlisted the aid of two crewmembers to trail the neskhak in the sea as they went. The neskhak swam strongly, seeking safety, but were pulled back aboard by their grossly extended tails. Since their skin color varied with the water temperature, Ambalasei would make notes on her charts and have them thrown overboard again. Freed of any labors, the missionary Daughters of course spent their waking hours in discussion of the Eight Principles—deep within the uruketo where Ambalasei could not hear them.
    It was a pleasant and warm journey to be greatly enjoyed. All too soon they were passing the island of Maninlè, then the jewel-like islands of Alakas-aksehent. By this time Ambalasei was fatigued by her labors and sleeping below. The charts, new and old, were joined and complete. The known world was that much bigger thanks to her genius. Having accomplished this she slept very well, wakening only at the touch on her arm. It was Elem, the commander, signing attention and obedience to commands.
    "You ordered me to waken you when the mainland of Gendasi* was in sight."
    "Is it?"
    "Obscured by rainclouds at the moment, but it is there certainly enough."
    "I come. Assistance in rising needed. Muscles stiffen from damp and sleep."
    Elem's strong arms helped her to her feet and she walked slowly to the fin, climbed it laboriously, complaining continuously. The two crewmembers there came tumbling down pursued by her wrath, though she signed Elem to join her.
    "Have you been here before?" Ambalasei asked.
    "No, but the charts are clearly marked. We have but to follow the chain of golden islands to this swampy coastline. Alpèasak lies to the north."
    The rain had blown out to sea and the low coastline was clearly visible now. A sandy shore with forests behind. Elem glanced up at the sun. "We should be there before dark."
    "If there is any doubt, stand out to sea. Remember the ustuzou Enge told us of."
    "Horrible, beyond understanding, deadly."
    "But nevertheless there. Precautions manifold."
    "Perhaps not needed," Elem said, shielding her eyes against the sun. "Movement near coastline, uruketo, boats."
    Ambalasei muttered and blinked but could not see them clearly at first. Only when they were closer could she make out the details.
    "Observations of great interest. The city is obviously Yilanè once again. Docks there, other uruketo. But do not approach it yet. Go close to shore, there, by those beaches. And have the