Winter in Eden

interesting in the cause of science. Either result will be of great importance."
    "Even more so to Ichikchee," Enge said with obvious overtones of disapproval. Ambalasi expressed surprise.
    "Surely the advance of knowledge takes precedent over this primitive creature—who would certainly have died if I had not treated her. Such sympathy is misplaced."
    The Sorogetso were even closer now, ten of them in all, jaws gaping as they tried to understand this unknown communication. They watched attentively as Ambalasi spoke, some even shuffling closer to make out her colors better.
    "There you are," Ambalasi signed abruptly to Enge. "More knowledge must be gained. You will talk with them now. What a momentous occasion this really is. Momentous!"
    The Sorogetso drew back at the quickness of her unknown communication, but returned when she called gently to them.
    "They are like fargi fresh from the sea," Enge said. "We must be patient."
    "Patient, of course, but we are students as well. We are the fargi now, here to learn, for they have a life and existence of their very own that we must plumb and understand. Now we begin."
    CHAPTER FORTY
    Winter in Eden - Harry Harrison
    kakhashasak burundochi ninustuzochi ka'asakakel.
    Yilanè apothegm
    A world without ustuzou is a better world.
    Vaintè felt no despair, no fear of her meeting with Lanefenuu. They had their losses, terrible losses—but there had been success as well. In battle you had to accept one in order to gain the other. The final victory was all that mattered, all that would be remembered. She was sure of this within herself, felt not one bit of doubt, yet still kept reassuring herself over and over again of that strength. Lanefenuu might doubt, if so she would not be convinced unless Vaintè wore surety-of-success like an all-enveloping carapace.
    "Desire of position change, insufficiency of light," the crew-member with the brush and paint said, modifying the demand with controllers of extreme humility.
    The uruketo had altered course, they must be nearing Ikhalmenets, so that the shaft of sunlight from the top of the open fin had moved from her. Vaintè leaned forward to take the weight off her tail and stepped into the light to examine the work. Ornate golden leaves spiraled down her arms from her shoulders to terminate in patterns of fruit upon the backs of her hands. Perhaps overly ornate, but suitable for this important meeting. She signed satisfaction and approval: the crewmember returned extreme gratitude.
    "This is excellent, gentle of touch, fine in design," Vaintè said.
    "It is my pleasure to do anything to assist the Salvationer."
    Vaintè was hearing the term more and more these days. At first it had been expressed as she-who-aids-us, but had been gradually changed into she-who-saves-us. This is what the Yilanè of Ikhalmenets thought and what they said. They had no doubts, cared nothing for the fargi who had died that they might live.
    They could see the snow ever lower on the mountain peak, could feel the cold breath of endless winter drawing even closer. The eistaa must certainly share these feelings to some degree.
    Vaintè was beside the uruketo's commander, on the summit of the fin, when they swam into the harbor of Ikhalmenets. With ponderous grace the great creature passed the row of other uruketo to reach its own place beside the docks. The enteesenat tore ahead in a torrent of foam seeking their reward. A small wave slapped off the wooden dockside, washing across the uruketo's back, then it was close and secured.
    Vaintè looked down into the fin and signed to a crewmember in the uruketo below.
    "High-ranked Akotolp, presence desired."
    Vaintè glared out at the barren dockside and hid her displeasure in immobility while she waited for the Winter in Eden - Harry Harrison
    scientist. The Eistaa was aware that Vaintè was returning. She had sent for Vaintè and knew that she was aboard this uruketo. Yet none awaited her on the dock, no one of rank to receive her. If not an insult it was surely a warning. One that Vaintè did not need. Lanefenuu had made no secret of her feelings about the way the conflict with the ustuzou was going. There was much wheezing and panting from below, heard well before Akotolp appeared.
    "Such a climb," the fat scientist complained. "Travel by uruketo discomfort making."
    "You will go with me to the eistaa?"
    "With pleasure, strong Vaintè. To give what aid and support that I can." She rolled one eye to the