‘We found several like it,’ Goodwill said. ‘And the one which delivers our rations has failed to appear.’

‘Last night’s light show was some kind of battle between the two mothers,’ Ysbel said. ‘I want to talk about what we need to do now.’

‘Juniper told me to tell you that last night changes nothing, as far as she is concerned.’

‘Maybe you could tell her I know what happened, and what it might mean.’

Goodwill was accompanied by two of Juniper’s aides when he returned. Bare-chested and barefoot, armed with spears fashioned from trimmed branches, they escorted Ysbel to the natives’ camp. A fire pit smouldered above the strandline and Juniper was seated on a sandy ridge amongst a sprawl of vines studded with small yellow flowers, the rest of her aides and the hopper’s pilot marshalled behind her. She didn’t invite Ysbel to sit or offer her any other hospitality, saying bluntly, ‘Speak your piece.’

Ysbel told her about Zaquil’s last appearance. ‘He talked about a counterattack, was trying to find out what I knew when he was shut down, and all the bots fell from the sky. I think it likely that Mother and Special Operations were lured into a trap devised by the Other Mother. If she won last night’s battle, we need to find out what she wants from us. If she lost, we have a chance to escape before Special Operations puts up more bots.’

‘So you came here because you want to cross the water, and need our help. But why do we need yours?’

‘It would be better if we went together. Showed a united front. And you’ll be able to build another raft more quickly if I pitch in. But if you don’t want my help, I reckon I could swim across,’ Ysbel said. ‘It’s a long way, but I’ve been swimming every day. Building up my strength.’

‘Some of us need a raft to cross because they can’t swim, or can’t swim that far,’ Goodwill said. ‘But for those of us who can, I have an idea that will make it easier. Back home, the fisherfolk make floats with nets and glass globes. Coconuts would work as well as glass globes. And perhaps you still have the net I helped you to weave.’

‘We could make a race of it,’ Ysbel said.

‘Or we could simply swim across together.’

‘I’d like that.’

Juniper pushed to her feet and told Ysbel, ‘It would be best if we stayed here while we find out more.’

Ysbel looked at Juniper, her aides ranked behind her. She was outnumbered, but maybe she could outrun them. Except they had those spears, with fire-hardened points …

She said, ‘If you’re thinking of taking me prisoner, it would violate custom and tradition. Not to mention the treaty.’

‘These are extraordinary circumstances,’ Juniper said. ‘And who would know?’