“The suddenness of this confuses/saddens me. I knew the day must come. The pleasure in your presence profound. Absence will produce emptiness.”

“Fill it with thoughts of Ambalasei like everyone else here.”

“I will do that of course. And will feel pleasure that the uruketo will now be restored to Yebeisk.”

“That pleasure will have to wait, since I am staying far from Yebeisk and the undoubtedly furious Eistaa. When I have reached Entoban* the uruketo returns here and becomes your responsibility.”

“Gratified acceptance of responsibility.”

“There is another responsibility we must discuss. Accompany me.”

Instead of boarding the uruketo Ambalasei led the way to the boat which floated close by. It was better trained now and responded to Ambalasei’s thumbs on its nerve endings by moving smoothly out into the river. She guided it to the shore beyond the city, then secured it to a tree with the binding sucker on its carapace.

“Do you know this place?” she asked.

“Unforgettable. We saw the first Sorogetso just there. I came here many times when learning their speech. They are gone now.” There were overtones of sorrow, not a little regret, to her meaning.

“They are—and a good thing too. Their independence is assured, their unique culture undefiled by followers of Ugunenapsa. Come this way.”

The floating tree was permanently in place now, its branches sunk deep into the mud. They crossed and pushed their way along the once-smooth pathway, now rank with high grass. When they came to the overgrown clearing, Ambalasei indicated the sodden and collapsed shelters that the Sorogetso had made.

“The Sorogetso had to be taken away from the interference of your argumentative associates. Their culture was in danger. They are on the borderline between material-manipulation and life-manipulation. A wonderful opportunity for observation/knowledge for scientists. Not for me though. I will instruct others, send them to the place on this river where the Sorogetso now dwell. To complete my work. Which brings me to my last contribution in the service of Ugunenapsa. A solution to a problem that has had some of my attention. An intriguing proposition. Continuity.”

“Understanding escapes me.”

“It shouldn’t. Put baldly—when you all die so do Ugunenapsa’s theories.”

“That is entirely too true and it grieves me greatly.”

“Then cease your grieving. A solution is to hand.”

They emerged from the trees to stand on the empty beach of the lakeshore. Ambalasei looked around, then called out the simplest sounds for attention to speaking. After this she settled back on her tail with a weary sigh. Enge could only sign puzzlement and lack of understanding.

There was a stirring in the shrubbery as a small and immature fargi stepped out.

“Together,” Ambalasei signed with color changes of her palms.

“Together,” the fargi answered, then came forward hesitantly at the sight of Enge, trembling and stopping.

“Be without fear,” Ambalasei said slowly and clearly. “Bring others.”