“Half of the problem. Does anyone visit them from the city?”

“Your orders were clear.”

“My orders were always clear—yet the vile Ninperedapsa, who you still insist on calling Far<, went there with her minions and her proselytizing enthusiasms.”

“And was badly bitten, as you know since you were the one who dressed her wound. She rests and still has not recovered; her followers stay close to her.”

“May her recovery be a slow one,” Ambalasei said with enthusiastic malice, then pointed to the giant eel thrashing feebly on the riverbank. “No shortage of these creatures yet?”

“None. The river teems with them. Now look, there, you will see a perfect example of the spirit of Ugunenapsa at work.”

“I see Daughters of Dilatoriness actually hard at labor. I am struck dumb.”

“You will notice that the one who directs the operation is Satsat who was my companion in Alpèasak. The workers chose her because of the punishment she received there for her beliefs, and for her survival in the face of every adversity.”

“Not exactly what I would call prime qualifications for leading fish-butcher.”

“As wise Ambalasei knows this is a fairly mindless occupation that any Yilanè of intelligence could do. Since all of us labor equally in the cooperative spirit of Ugunenapsa, it is a great honor to be chosen to supervise the work of others. Satsat is doubly appreciated because she has organized the work so well that if all labor equally and enthusiastically, if that is done, then there is always the possibility that the work will be finished early and she will be able to speak to them in detail of the principles of Ugunenapsa. Today she will tell them of the eighth principle—which I know that you have not heard. See, they stop now to listen. You are very lucky.”

Ambalasei rolled her eyes towards the sky in appreciation of the opportunity. “Was my luck arranged by you?”

“Ambalasei sees everything, knows everything. I did speak of the fact you would be here and grateful for enlightenment concerning the eighth principle. Which I lacked the opportunity to reveal to you.”

Ambalasei saw no escape from the well-baited trap. She settled back on her tail with a grunt. “Time for brief listening since I am fatigued. Brief.”

Satsat spoke as soon as Enge signed to her, climbing onto one of the enzyme vats so all could see her clearly.