spreading. Then more of the same arrived from outside the city and were also imprisoned. Their cause was taken up by one of science named Ambalasei. This is the one whose blood the Eistaa wishes to taste upon her teeth. Ambalasei freed them all and took them from here.”
“Not easy to do.”
“There was an uruketo. She ordered that without the Eistaa’s knowledge, took it and all of the prisoners and has not been heard of since.”
“Gone? But how?”
“That is beyond my knowledge. When no others were permitted to mention it, the Eistaa still spoke to me of the matter. In all the cities I visited I was to ask about the uruketo and its cargo. It has never reappeared. There is no trace.”
Vainte was still with internal thought for some time, before turning to Fafnepto and speaking again. “I think that you have deep reasons under your other reasons for speaking with me. Is that true, Fafnepto?”
“It is.”
“You asked about the ustuzou of Gendasi*. And you search for an uruketo. Is it your belief, do you think it possible, that the uruketo has gone to Gendasi*?”
“I have searched and spoken to many. Now I believe that the uruketo has left Inegban*. If it has — where could it be?”
Vainte thought carefully before she spoke again. “We ask each other questions. We swim around an answer but do not go near it. I will speak clearly. I think your uruketo has crossed the ocean. The only question remaining is — do you tell Saagakel of this? Or do I?”
“She has forbidden me to speak of the matter to her ever again.”
“Then the responsibility is mine for I have not been forbidden. Were you in the city when all this happened?”
“No.”
“I will need to know more of what occurred before I dare mention it to the Eistaa. Who will talk to me about it?”
“Talk to Ostuku. Behind the fat is a Yilane of intelligence. She will aid you.”
They parted in friendship, leaving Vainte with much to think about. She knew better than to hurry a matter as delicate as this one. By putting it from her mind completely she let none of her new knowledge color any of her speaking. But she was aware of Ostuku’s movements and one morning saw her opportunity. The Eistaa had been speaking to her advisers. After the conference Ostuku waddled from the ambesed. Vainte left at the same time and was her friendliest.
“Ostuku closest to Saagakel. May I walk with you — or are you embarked on matters of great urgency?”
“Matters of importance but not urgency.”
“Then request of wisdom from one of greatest wisdom. With privacy of conversation.”
Ostuku considered this closely before she spoke. “The pleasure will be mine. There exists a garden grove of sunshine and shade where I take much comfort.”
“Gratitude magnified multifold.”
They strolled in silence to the grove which was indeed as Ostuku had said. Sunwarmed, ornately carved boards were there for sitting or reclining. Green grass and flowers surrounded the trunks of tall trees. They sought cool comfort in the shadows for the sun was getting high. When they were seated Vainte went right to the point.
“I am in need of advice. I spoke to Fafnepto of my need and she said that your counsel was the wisest in the city — after the Eistaa’s of course. It is a matter of great delicacy. I understand that all have been forbidden to speak of it with the Eistaa in hearing. I have special knowledge I wish to report. May I talk to you?”
Ostuku had been listening in silence until this moment. She looked briefly around the empty grove, then back to Vainte.
“Does it concern the Daughters of Life?”
“It does.”
Ostuku signed great worry, great distaste. “The Eistaa will not have them spoken of in her presence. But you and I may talk of them — if you assure me it is of the greatest importance.”
“It is. Fafnepto has information about them she wishes Saagakel to know. Since she has also been forbidden to talk of this matter I will speak for her. But there are some things I must know of first that will clarify what I must say. Will you help?”
“For the sake of the Eistaa I will help. It was a matter of greatest anger for us all.”
“I know that one named Ambalasei aided the escape of the prisoners that you had here. In an uruketo.”
“She did. I never suspected the old creature of such effrontery and trickery. Fooled me, fooled us all. The Eistaa will never forgive her.”
“Now the question. There were among the prisoners those who had but recently come to the city.”
“There were.”
“I must ask, although it was long ago. Do you remember their names?”
“Just one. An intelligent and strong Yilane who had the courage to argue with the Eistaa. Bold but foolhardy. Her name was Enge.”
Vainte writhed with anger and other strong emotions, so much so that Ostuku leaned away. Seeing this Vainte apologized quickly.
“Lowest to highest, none of what I feel is directed at you. Rather do I know this Enge creature, know her far too well because we-were/ended-now efensele. This, and what Fafnepto has told me, comes together to form a possible answer. Knowledge/probability where Ambalasei and the uruketo have gone.”
Ostuku signed gratitude. “To Fafnepto for sending you to me, to you for speaking your thoughts clearly. If you have this knowledge then, despite the ban, you must tell Saagakel at once. You are the only one who can do it. Will you — although you risk the Eistaa’s anger?”
“For the kindness she and her city have shown me I would risk death.”
“Well said. Gratitude from all. This matter has troubled the Eistaa for too long. Gratitude magnified many times if you can aid her.”
“It will be done, this day. Request if possible to locate one with skill in painting for I must have arms of greatest importance before I speak.”
“I will send for one. It will be done this day.”
Saagakel, having seen to all the pressing matters of the city, leaned back on the sunwarmed wood and felt tired. Responsibility was no easy thing. She was aware of motion as those about her drew away and she looked and saw Vainte slowly approaching. Her arms were painted and her body stiffened in signs of some importance/privacy of talking needed. Saagakel found this of great interest because it was the triviality of city affairs that fatigued her. She stirred and rose to her feet.
“I go to the pool in the trees where none will disturb me. Come with me Vainte and we shall talk.”
When they were alone she took a slab of cool meat from the container, that always rested there in case of sudden hunger, bit into it and made the signs of sharing to Vainte. Vainte took a token ceremonial piece, chewed it slowly and swallowed before she spoke.
“I who was Eistaa, speak to you as Eistaa. We have both been made to suffer from the same source. I will speak of painful matters, but speak only because I see future termination of past difficulties. I would speak of the Daughters of Life whom I call the Daughters of Death. Will you hear me?”
Saagakel’s body writhed with anger, as did Vainte’s in instant sympathy. There was hatred as well, and there can be no greater bond than hatred shared.
“Speak,” Saagakel commanded, “for I can see that we are as one in this. Tell me what you know — and what you can do. Rid me of the burden that possesses my days and you will clasp my right thumbs as highest in all things. Speak!”
Vainte signed gratitude and submission. “I must tell you of things past that bear on things present. We are born into an efenburu. We do not choose it. I had an efensele whom I now reject. I wish her dead. Her name is
