“Planted a cell cluster to grow a new foot. If these creatures are as genetically close to us as they appear to be she will grow a new foot in place of the lost one.”

“But—what if it doesn’t grow?”

“Equally interesting in the cause of science. Either result will be of great importance.”

“Even more so to Ichikchee,” Enge said with obvious overtones of disapproval. Ambalasi expressed surprise.

“Surely the advance of knowledge takes precedent over this primitive creature—who would have died if I had not treated her. Such sympathy is misplaced.”

The Sorogetso were even closer now, ten of them in all, jaws gaping as they tried to understand this unknown communication. They watched attentively as Ambalasi spoke, some even shuffling closer to make out her colors better.

“There you are,” Ambalasi signed abruptly to Enge. “More knowledge must be gained. You will talk with them now. What a momentous occasion this really is. Momentous!”

The Sorogetso drew back at the quickness of her unknown communication, but returned when she called gently to them.

“The are like fargi fresh from the sea,” Enge said. “We must be patient.”

“Patient, of course, but we are students as well. We are the fargi now, here to learn, for they have a life and existence of their very own that we must plumb and understand. Now we begin.”

kakhashasak burundochi ninustuzochi ka’asakakel.

YILANÈ APOTHEGM

A world without ustuzou is a better world.

CHAPTER FORTY

Vaintè felt no despair, no fear of her meeting with Lanefenuu. They had their losses, terrible losses—but there had been success as well. In battle you had to accept one in order to gain the other. The final victory was all that mattered, all that would be remembered. She was sure of this within herself, felt not one bit of doubt, yet still kept reassuring herself over and over again of that strength. Lanefenuu might doubt, if so she would not be convinced unless Vaintè wore surety-of-success like an all-enveloping carapace.

“Desire of position change, insufficiency of light,” the crewmember with the brush and paint said, modifying the demand controllers of extreme humility.

The uruketo had altered course, they must be nearing Ikhalmenets, so that the shaft of sunlight from the top of the open fin had moved from her. Vaintè leaned forward to take the weight off her tail and stepped into the light to examine the work. Ornate golden leaves spiraled down her arms from her shoulders to terminate in patterns of fruit upon the backs of her hands. Perhaps overly ornate, but suitable for this important meeting. She signed satisfaction and approval: the crewmember returned extreme gratitude.

“This is excellent, gentle of touch, fine in design,” Vaintè said.

“It is my pleasure to do anything to assist the Salvationer.”