Winter in Eden

she had done for them.
    "Is it permitted to ask for more information on our destination in order to enjoy the working of a brain of such infinite magnitude?"
    "It is permitted." The colors died from Ambalasi's crest as she accepted what was only her due. "Look closely and learn. The strength, the width, the temperature of these currents, these rivers in the sea, are noted on the charts for those with the capacity to understand them. Whose number of course includes me.
    I will not go into details, you would not understand them, but will give you my conclusions instead. Here is no small island or string of islands, but a great land mass whose size we will discover when we reach it.
    It lies to the south of Alpèasak which means that it will be gloriously warmer. Do you know the name of this new land, Enge?"
    "I do," she answered firmly.
    "Then tell us all," Ambalasi said with uncontrollable movements of pleasure.
    "It is named Ambalasokei so that in tomorrow's tomorrow, as long as Yilanè speak one to another, they will speak the name of she who brought life to this distant and unknown place."
    "Well composed," Ambalasi acknowledged and Elem signalled agreement with modifiers of enlargement.
    "Now I will rest and conserve my energy. You will of course need my guidance so do not hesitate to waken me then even though it troubles you to do so."
    Word of what was happening spread quickly and there was great excitement. The Daughters of Life pressed Enge to reveal the significance of Ambalasi's disclosures and she did, standing in the shaft of light that fell from the open fin so all could hear.
    "Ugunenapsa, our teacher, told us that the weakest is the strongest, the strongest the weakest. By this parable she meant to instruct us in the oneness of life, to make the point that the life of a still-ocean-wet fargi was as important to that fargi as the life of an eistaa would be to the eistaa. Ugunenapsa spoke this long ago, but the eternal truth of it has been driven home to us again today. Ambalasi, even though she is not yet a Daughter of Life, has profited from Ugunenapsa's teaching so much so that she has led us from captivity and is leading us now to a new world where we will grow a city—that will be our city. Be humble before the wonder of that thought. A city without persecution for beliefs. A city without death. A city where we can grow together and learn together—and welcome fargi to grow and learn with us. I have said, with gratitude and without a moment's hesitation, that this new land where we will grow this city Winter in Eden - Harry Harrison
    will be called Ambalasokei."
    A wave of emotion swept her listeners, a wave of agreement that rippled their bodies in unison as a field of grass is moved by the wind. They were of a single mind.
    "Now we will rest, for there will be much to be done upon arrival. Elem will need aid with this uruketo, so all with skills or the desire to assist should go to her and sign readiness and cooperation. The rest of us will compose our thoughts and prepare for that which is to come."
    Ambalasi, as befitted her age, lay dormant for the greater part of the voyage, though she was the only one.
    For the Daughters of Life the situation was too novel, too exciting, since for the first time they were in a majority and not being persecuted or derided. They could speak openly of their beliefs, discuss them and seek guidance from those, like Enge, whose clarity of thought they appreciated. While the passing of each day brought them closer to the shining reality of their new existence.
    As she had instructed, Ambalasi was not disturbed until they entered the current that carried them away from the route that would have taken them past Maninlè and Alakas-aksehent to the mainland of Gendasi.
    After drinking cool water and eating some meat, she rose and climbed slowly up to the summit of the uruketo's fin. Elem and Enge were waiting for her there and signed respected greetings.
    "Warm," Ambalasi said, her eyes closing to vertical slits in the bright sunlight, signing modifers of pleasure and comfort.
    "We are here," Elem said, indicating their position on the chart with one thumb. "The waters are rich with life and contain unknown fish of giant size."
    "Unknown to you perhaps, and others of limited knowledge, but the ocean keeps no secrets from me.
    Have you captured any of these unknown fish?"
    "They are delicious." Elem signed pleasure of eating. Ambalasi instantly signed