“Teacher… Ambalasei,” she said. “This is Vainte whom I serve. You should listen to her because she is wise in every way. It was I who brought her your records, see they are here now, and she understood them and led us to this place.”
“I think I have heard enough from you, Akotolp,” Ambalasei said scornfully. “In the name of science I brought you my research and my findings. And to what use do you put them? You have led these repulsive creatures here. Now lead them away again.”
“Enough empty talk,” Fafnepto commanded. “These are my orders.” She signed up at Elem. “You and all the others aboard, you are commanded to instantly leave that uruketo, for it will return to the city where it belongs. We depart for Yebeisk at once — with both uruketo.”
“And what of these creatures?” Vainte asked, pointing to Enge. “And what of their city?”
“It is of no concern of mine. We leave.”
“I stay.”
“That is your choice.” Fafnepto turned to Elem who still had not moved. “Were my orders not clear? Out of the uruketo.”
Akotolp had placed the container she carried on the ground and opened it. Vainte bent and reached inside. Fafnepto was aware of the motion, turned to see what was happening. Quickly raised her hesotsan.
She was too late. The hesotsan that Vainte had removed from the container cracked once and the hunter crumpled and fell. The spectators were rigid with shock. All except Akotolp who had been expecting this. She waddled over and took the hesotsan from the corpse’s hand. Radiated smug satisfaction as she went to stand beside Vainte.
“Now,” Vainte said. “Now you will hear my commands.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
The murderous act had happened very quickly — had undoubtedly been planned to happen in just that way. All very obvious by hindsight, Ambalasei realized. Fafnepto had stood erectly before them, pride obvious in her hunting skill, her strength and her weapon. Not realizing that there were hunters in the cities that outdid any forest dweller in rapaciousness. Vainte led, and this fat idiot Akotolp followed her instructions. She would have to be the one who had brought the hesotsan, provided the material for this deadly ruse — had the effrontery to even use Ambalasei’s own scientific records to conceal the presence of the weapon! Ambalasei turned to Akotolp, anger and detestation in every line of her body.
“Fat former student, now corpulent creature of deadly conspiracy. Return my scientific records at once for you are unfit to possess them.”
Akotolp wavered before the storm of fury, the hesotsan forgotten in her hands, trying to speak but unable to. Vainte came to her rescue.
“Great Ambalasei, you are too angry with loyal Akotolp. A long time ago she pledged to serve me, has done so faithfully ever since. She of course means no harm to you, her teacher. She and I both respect you and acknowledge your great wisdom. I am thankful also for your research into this new continent that permitted me to come here and complete the mission I had undertaken.”
“You were commissioned to kill Fafnepto?!” Ambalasei said, her crest flaring with color.
“The death of Fafnepto was unfortunate but necessary. We both serve Saagakel and are here at her bidding. Unfortunately Fafnepto did not agree with me on matters of priority. Since a Yilane of her type cannot be reasoned with she, unfortunately, had to suffer disproportionately for her opinions. Akotolp, let me have your hesotsan before someone is killed by mistake. Do not shake so, you have done no wrong. You have done only your duty and have served me, your eistaa, for which I am grateful. And you will of course return Ambalasei’s records to her?”
“If that is your wish, Vainte.”
“Not my wishes, but the desire of this great scientist whose orders we will obey.”
Ambalasei signed disbelief as Akotolp brought the container to her side, then hurried away. “Do you obey all my wishes, Vainte? What if I wish to remain here in this new city ?”
Vainte shaped her arms with regret. “Unfortunately, that is not possible. I was sent by Saagakel, Eistaa of Yebeisk, to return you to that city. That will be done. All of your records that Akotolp brought with us from Alpeasak are now in the uruketo and there they will remain. You will join them.” She turned to Gunugul who descended from the fin and was standing as rigid as the others, numbed by the speed and shock of events. “There should be meat and water enough for a return to Yebeisk. Is there?”
“Yes, sufficient if many sleep during the journey.”
“Excellent. You will return there at once with Ambalasei.”
“What of this other uruketo? It was taken by Ambalasei, it must go back…”
“It has been recovered, unharmed, as you can see for yourself. Reassure great Saagakel that it will be returned one day to her city. But I will have use of it for a period of time. This use is all the reward I ask for my labors, for finding the uruketo, for finding and returning the one she sought.”
“For killing Fafnepto,” Ambalasei said with cold anger. “Enge spoke correctly — you are a poisonous and deadly creature, Vainte. I have work, possessions, my assistant Setessei in the stolen uruketo, now doubly stolen. What of them?”
“I offer all assistance. They return with you to Yebeisk of course. Transfer them now. And leave.”
“And you will remain. What labors of magnified negativity do you plan to do here?”
“What I plan is no concern of yours, old one. Leave — and enjoy the attentions of the Eistaa.”
Ambalasei signed disdain. “If you think the Eistaa will punish me, abandon that hope. She will present no problems to me. When I turn over the records of my discoveries to Saagakel she will forget all thoughts of revenge. Her city will be the center of the new learning and will welcome scientists from all Entoban*. Like any other eistaa she will take all of the credit. As for myself, one city is like any other city. It will suffice. Setessei, supervise moving of my possessions. I now go and rest.” She walked a few tired steps, then turned to Enge and signed departure immediate/final. “I am sorry to see these creatures of evil in your city, Enge.”
“Do not concern yourself. The Principles of Ugunenapsa will survive.”
“Good. I am particularly fond of the ninth.”
She turned, climbed the uruketo’s fin and vanished from sight.
Elem started to speak but Vainte pointed the hesotsan at her and signed silence on pain of death.
It was a long silence that continued as Ambalasei’s containers were taken from one uruketo and loaded into the other. Akotolp, her fear vanished with Ambalasei’s departure, took up Fafnepto’s hesotsan again and settled back on her tail. Serving her eistaa. The commander, Gunugul, was the last to board when the uruketo was ready to leave. She turned and spoke coldly to Vainte.
“The Eistaa shall hear exactly what happened here. How Fafnepto died. Everything.”
“Speak of it,” Vainte said, her contempt withering and dismissive. “I did as I promised her, then did what I had to do for myself. Now — depart.”
She was silent again until the gap of water had opened up between the uruketo and the dock. Only then did she turn to Enge.
“That is done with. Now we look to the future. I greatly admire this fine, fresh, new city that you have here. You must tell me of it.”
“I tell you nothing, will not speak with you, reject you now as I have rejected you before. None here will acknowledge your existence.”
“Do you realize how very difficult you are being? Can you not understand that it is now I who will issue orders? Your years of leadership are finished at last. It was power that we have both always wanted, isn’t it? You must admit that to yourself — now that your days of power are ended. You led these confused creatures and many died because of your leadership. But, like me, you are very strong, Enge. In the end your leadership carried them all across the ocean and grew this city for them here. But these days are over. I rule now. And there is absolutely nothing that you can do about it. It is now I who will speak and be obeyed.” She raised and pointed the hesotsan. “If I am not obeyed then this shall speak for me. Do you believe that?”
