Winter in Eden

unopposable persistance of the incoming tide. The plants will fill the city, the ustuzou will be forced out—and tomorrow's tomorrow will be as yesterday's yesterday."
    "Admirable." Lanefenuu expressed pleasure and happiness. "But how will Yilanè live in this city of death?"
    Winter in Eden - Harry Harrison
    "With great ease. Parasites and viruses have already been developed to destroy the growths and wipe out the lizards—affecting nothing else."
    "It is indeed an excellent plan. Then why has it not been put into effect?"
    "A single detail," Akotolp said, "since resolved. It required the development of a parasitical worm that carries the encysted seeds in its body. This worm infects the lizards, causing the cysts that spread the seeds. The worm's eggs, also with the encysted seeds, emerge in the lizard's droppings…"
    She broke off at the Eistaa's gesture of termination.
    "Good Akotolp, I know these details fascinate you Yilanè of science, but I find them both repulsive and boring. Terminate your talk with details of progress."
    "All is ready, Eistaa," Vaintè said, opening the door and pointing out into the sunshine. "As soon as Ukhereb and Akotolp reported success I sent for you. While you traveled here generations of lizards have been bred, are in an enclosure which I will now show you. All is in readiness—simply awaiting your command."
    "This is admirable. I now speak. Let it be done. Alpèasak will be cleansed of vermin and rebuilt. So when the cold winds come to Ikhalmenets, Ikhalmenets will come to Alpèasak. Do this thing now."
    "It begins, Eistaa," Vaintè said.
    It begins—but does not end there , she added, but in un-moving silence so that none could hear her thoughts. The city will be cleansed and will be Yilanè again. When that is done I will ask a boon and it will be granted. I will ask the eistaa only that I be permitted to use the seed-lizards to make the rest of this land uninhabitable for ustuzou. Then will I seek them out and destroy them. Thus will I kill the Kerrick-ustuzou at last.
    CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
    Saagakel was swollen with anger, her pendulous cheeks trembling with rage. The ambesed was empty and so silent that the bubbling of the water beneath the golden bridges could be clearly heard—since all had fled at the first signs of her great displeasure. Only the single, helpless fargi remained, the one who had brought the displeasing message. In silence Saagakel fought to control her emotions: this simple creature was not responsible and must not be made to die because of the information that she had brought.
    Saagakel believed in ruling justly, and there would be no justice in killing the young thing. But she could kill her, indeed she could, with a single word. Knowing this she took pleasure in her power and leaned Winter in Eden - Harry Harrison
    back on the sunwarmed wood, took pleasure from its warmth as well and from her city that surrounded the ambesed. When she, spoke again it was with clear strength.
    "Rise, young one, and face your Eistaa and know that your life will be a long one in her service and that of her city."
    At this the fargi stopped trembling and stood, her eyes moist with adoration of her Eistaa, her body shaped to receive any command. Saagakel accepted her due and her voice was still gentle when she spoke.
    "Repeat again what you were instructed to come and tell me. No harm will befall you—that is an Eistaa's promise."
    The fargi's body grew rigid with concentration as she fought to remember the exact phrasing. "From one who serves lowly in the service of Saagakel, Eistaa of Yebèisk and highest. Motions and colors of greatest sadness. In two days a sickness has descended upon the groves where the okhalakx graze and many are unmoving. Even more dead. Aid is sought to save the living."
    It could be no accident. Saagakel's eyes blazed with anger—but her body was unmoving, under control.
    The fargi waited in rapt silence. No accident. Some years ago this same sickness had spread among the okhalakx, but Ambalasi had cured it. Now, just a few days after Ambalasi's imprisonment, the disease had returned.
    "Speak my desire-of-presence to those who council me. Go. Through that gateway—you will find them there."
    They came, shaking with fright when they saw her deadly stance. The thought cheered Saagakel: it was good to remind even the highest in the city that her rule was absolute. When the first of them shuffled fearfully into her presence her good humor had