West of Eden

the game trail just as Herilak came trotting up. Soaking in sweat, but smiling and shaking his spear victoriously.
    "We hit them from behind, stupid murgu. They lay in hiding and never stirred until we reached them. All are dead."
    "All but one. The leader, Stallan. I shot and missed."
    "That happens. It does not matter. They know we are here but there is little that they can do about it. But we are warned now and they won't get that close a second time."
    "What do we do?"
    "Take their death-sticks. Go forward. I think that the battle for this city has begun."
    CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
    Vaintè was conferring with Malsas< over details of the planned trumal when they heard the rising sounds West of Eden - Harry Harrison
    of the ambesed. Yilanè, turning to look, were brusquely pushed aside by Stallan as she made her way towards the Eistaa. As she came close the reason for the disturbance was obvious. Her skin was scratched and filthy with mud; some of the cuts still ran with blood. She came on until she stood before Malsas<—then slumped in defeat. This in itself was shocking for no one had ever seen her other than erect and proud. They listened in silence as she spoke.
    "Disaster, Eistaa. All dead. I alone have returned."
    "I do not understand. Dead, how?"
    Stallan raised her head and her back straightened with anger. "I set a trap. We were to kill the ustuzou when they came close. But they are animals, I should have known better. They came behind us and we were not even aware that they were there. Every hunter and fargi, killed. I fled. If I had stayed to fight I would be dead. You would not know what happened. I have told you. Now I die for I am shamed. You have only to speak the words, Eistaa…"
    " No! " Vaintè called out as loudly as she could, angry and demanding, the negation rude in its intensity.
    Stallan gaped, alarmed, her death request forgotten for the moment. Even Malsas< reacted only with shock at this interruption. Vaintè spoke quickly then, before surprise turned to anger.
    "I mean no insult, Eistaa. I spoke as I did only to save the life of Stallan. Do not command her to die. She is too loyal to the city, the city must be loyal to her. I ordered her to take her hunters and trap the ustuzou.
    If there is blame then the blame is mine. We need this brave fighter. The deaths were not her fault. We war with the ustuzou. Do not let her die for taking that war to them. I know I spoke in haste. I now await your judgement."
    Vaintè stood with lowered head. She had taken a terrible risk speaking out like this and might very well die herself for her temerity. But Stallan was too valuable to lose now. Stallan, the only Yilanè who had greeted her when she was the outcast within this city.
    Malsas< looked at the two figures bent before her and considered what they both had said. In the silence the only sound was the shuffling rasp of feet as every Yilanè in the ambesed pressed forward to listen. A decision must be made.
    "You spoke with crude haste, Vaintè. At any other time that would have been unforgivable and your death would have followed. But I smell too many other deaths in the wind and I would have you live to defend Alpèasak, just as you would have Stallan do the same. There is need for you both. Now tell me the meaning of this cruel event."
    "First my thanks, Eistaa. Like Stallan I live only to serve Alpèasak. The meaning is clear, and the meaning of past events are clear as well. An armed and dangerous force of ustuzou marches on Alpèasak.
    They must be stopped. The meaning of the visit by the creatures to the coast is now known as well. It was West of Eden - Harry Harrison
    a ruse to distract us. When they returned to the mountains they separated and this pack of savage animals came south, secretly, determined. As soon as I found out about their presence hunters were sent to attack them. We were defeated. It must be our last defeat or I fear for our city."
    Malsas< was shocked by her words. "What harm can these beasts cause to Alpèasak?"
    "I do not know—but I fear. The determination of their advance, the strength of their attack causes that fear. Would they dare risk so much if they did not plan damage of some kind? We must see to our defenses."
    "That we must do." Malsas< turned to Stallan. "I understand even more why Vaintè risked her own life to save yours. You were the one who designed the defenses of this city, Stallan, is that not true?"
    "It is, Eistaa."
    "Then strengthen them, reinforce