“They are.”
“Tell me of the matter then. But know also that there are none here, nor will any ever be permitted in my city.”
“Nor will they ever be permitted to return to Yebeisk. They were there and they fled, and that is what I must speak to you of and ask your assistance.”
Lanefenuu listened stolidly, still moved by hatred at Vainte’s presence, fascinated and shocked as well by what she was hearing. When Fafnepto had finished there was a horrified buzz of comment from all those who had listened to her, which died instantly as Lanefenuu signed for silence.
“What you tell me is terrible indeed. Doubly terrible to me for I commanded/still-command an uruketo and the loss of one of those great creatures is a loss of part of one’s life. I will do what I can to aid you. What is it that your eistaa wishes of me?”
“Information, simply. Has any in this city knowledge of this uruketo? Is it possible that any of your commanders of your uruketo may have seen it? We have searehed but have found no trace of it.”
“I have no knowledge of it, but enquiries shall be made. Muruspe, send for all of my commanders. Send also for Ukhereb who may have seen an image of this missing uruketo among all of the images her birds bring to her. While this is being done come, sit here Fafnepto, and tell me of matters in Entoban* and how the cities fare there, for yours is the first uruketo to call here in a very long time.”
Akotolp stepped forward and signed matters of importance/requesting speech. Lanefenuu signed her closer.
“This is Akotolp, a Yilane of science who is wise in many ways. You have information for us?”
“Negative for the moment. I have aided in the preparation of the images. The only uruketo images that appear are of uruketo of this city. This was my belief until now. I will go myself for those images, have them brought here at once so you may examine them for consideration of identity.”
Lanefenuu signed enthusiastic agreement. “I will look at these images and decide, for to me every uruketo has features as familiar as one of my own efensele.”
“It shall be done, Eistaa. Permission requested first for questions to guest.”
“Granted.”
Akotolp turned to the hunter, her tension hidden by her fat wattles that swayed when she moved. “It is known that I was one of those who left this city as it was taken by the ustuzou. You say that those who fled your city had knowledge of Gendasi* and it is your opinion that the uruketo has crossed the ocean.”
“I said that. I have also reason to believe the uruketo is no longer on the Entoban* side of the ocean.”
“There is one who fled with us, who was a leader of the Daughters of Life, who was of intelligence and had knowledge. Her name was Enge. Do you know the name?”
“I do. She was with them. They were aided in their escape by one of science named Ambalasei.”
Akotolp was shocked, could scarcely speak. “Ambalasei! She who was my teacher.”
“Not only your teacher — but a recent visitor to my city!” Lanefenuu said grimly. “Nor did she speak of these matters when she was here. Go, Akotolp, get the images and bring them at once. And you, Fafnepto, you were correct to seek information here, correct in assuming that the missing uruketo was now in Gendasi*. You have all of my aid for I am as anxious as your own eistaa to see that it is found and those creatures of death punished. This will be done.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Gunugul had sent for fresh jellied meat, for she tired of the boring diet of preserved meat that they had brought with them. Now she chewed a welcome delicious mouthful. Vainte had come back aboard some time ago, her rigid body rejecting communication, and had gone at once into the uruketo’s interior. As a courtesy Gunugul ordered a crewmember to bring some of the meat to her.
Vainte, still rigid with rage, saw the movements in the dim light and realized someone was standing before her with fresh meat. She acknowledged presence and took it, bit into it — then sent the deer leg flying to thud into the uruketo’s side. She could not eat, could scarcely breathe, wanted to kill, could not. The dark interior was choking her so she rose to her feet and climbed stiffly up to the top of the fin. She was thankfully alone, the commander busy with others upon the dock. Through the haze of anger Vainte was only barely aware of the activity below, the supplies being piled there, the enteesenat being fed, the coming and going of fargi busy on the city’s business. When something did catch her attention it took long moments to realize what it was.
It was a newcomer, a Yilane of some rank for she ordered laden fargi before her. In the direction of the uruketo. Why had this disturbed her, this fat Yilane? Fat? Of course, it was one she knew well. The scientist Akotolp. Who looked up and saw her — and made no sign of recognition. Turned and issued brusque orders to be obeyed instantly.
This was a matter of great interest, Vainte could tell that at once. Akotolp now served the Eistaa and the city — but she had also once sworn that Vainte was her eistaa for as long as she had breath. Now Akotolp was purposely here — and undoubtedly without Lanefenuu’s permission!
Vainte stood aside as the fargi toiled up the fin with their burdens, carried them below as Akotolp ordered. Emerged again and were sent back into the city. Only when they were out of sight among the crowds did Akotolp wheeze and puff her way up the fin, to stumble over its edge. She glanced around, took a last look at the dock — then signed a silent and imperative descend!
Safely out of sight in the interior she turned to Vainte with great happiness of return/reunion of pleasure.
“It is I who have the pleasure, Akotolp.” Vainte touched her thumbs as she would to her efensele. “She who is Eistaa, who I would kill were I able, has offended and angered me. So sight/presence fat and familiar loyal figure brings the greatest happiness.”
“The pleasure is mine to serve you, Eistaa. I was there, behind the others, when you faced the Eistaa. It was cowardly/wisest not to intervene at that time. I felt I could serve you better in other ways. I know of matters that no one else knows of, have reached conclusions that others will never reach, will give you information that no one else has. I listened closely to the hunter named Fafnepto when she spoke of your mission. You share it with her?”
“I do.”
“Then your search is at an end. I know where the uruketo is!”
“You have seen it?
“No — but there is a logic to many events that inescapably points to it. I have all of the evidence here with me. And evidence of another kind, of equal or greater importance to you.”
“As you know there is only one thing of importance to me. Discovery/death Kerrick ustuzou.”
“Of course!” Akotolp’s wattles shook as she moved with pleasure of discovery/enlightenment of importance. “I am of strong opinion that I also know where he is!”
Vainte shook with emotion, clutched Akotolp’s arms between her thumbs so hard that the scientist gasped in sudden pain. Released her with apologies, overflowing of joy, thankfulness to the one in the world who aided her.
“You are my efensele, Akotolp, as no other is. You fill an empty life, bring pleasure where there has been only nullity, tell me what you know, but first of the ustuzou.”
“He is close, that I can assure you, but all must be told in the proper order for complete understanding.”
“Then speak, I bid you!”
“Ambalasei was here. She arrived one day, by uruketo, left the same way a few days later with great abruptness. I questioned and discovered the uruketo came and went away with her at once. None here knew the beast nor its commander.”
“Then is it the one I seek?”
“Undoubtedly. And other matters of greatest interest. Before Ambalasei went away something of strangeness happened here. A Yilane was discovered and captured on the birth beaches. It appears that she was
