“There is no need for you to go—I will do that myself. The sammads will stay here; the city will be defended. Herilak knows how to kill the murgu—he won’t need any instructions from me for that. I will go north and find her.”

“Not alone, Kerrick. I have no sammad except yours now. Lead and I will follow. We will do this together for two spears are stronger than one.”

“You are right—I will not stop you.” Kerrick smiled. “And you are the better hunter by far. We would go hungry if we depended upon the skill of my bow.”

“We will go fast with little time for hunting. If there is the gray murgu meat we will take that to eat.”

“Yes, there is still a good supply. Fresh meat is much preferred by the Sasku.”

Kerrick had found a large stock of bladders of preserved meat, had been bringing it to the hanalè for the males. And what would become of them? Certain death if he left them, that was clear. They deserved better than that. He must think about that as well. Much had to be decided.

“We will leave in the morning,” he said. “We will meet here when it is light. By that time the sammadars will have come to an agreement since they have little choice.”

Kerrick went to the hanalè, closed the heavy door behind him and called out his name. Nadaskè hurried down the corridor toward him, claws clattering on the wood, making motions of greeting and happiness.

“Days without number have passed, loneliness and starvation batter at us.”

“I will not ask which comes first, hunger or companionship. Now where is Imehei? There is important talking to be done before I leave the city.”

“Leave!” Nadaskè wailed with agony and signed death-by-despair. Imehei heard the sounds and came hurrying up.

“I’ll not leave you to die,” Kerrick said, “so stop your bad imitation of a mindless fargi and listen closely. We are going for a walk around the city now. The Sasku will take no notice, they have seen us walking before and have been ordered not to harm you. They obey their mandukto far better than you obey me. We will walk to the edge of the city and beyond. Then you will go south by yourselves until you see the island I have told you about, and the place of death. You will find Yilanè and uruketo there and you will be safe away from ustuzou forever.”

Nadaskè and Imehei looked at each other, signed agreement and firmness of purpose. It was Nadaskè who spoke, indicating that what he said was spoken for both of them.