Slow dredging by the clawed paddle-feet of eisekol had deepened the river and adjoining harbor. The uruketo’s cargo no longer had to be transhipped by boats, since the giant creature could now nestle up against the shore. It was just emerging from the rainswept ocean when Vaintè and her entourage arrived at the docking place. The harbor leader was directing the fargi who were putting fresh fish onto the underwater ledge to feed the uruketo. The dimwitted creature took this offering, berthing itself in the correct position to be secured to the dock. Vaintè watched the efficiency of the operation with satisfaction. A good city was an efficient city. Hers was a good city. Her eyes traveled along the immensity of the great black form, up to the fin where Erafnais stood directing the operation.
Next to the commander stood Malsas<. Vaintè stood rigid at the sight because she had put the existence of the other Eistaa completely from her mind. But memory and realization gripped her now, sending a knife of pain through her sharper than any physical blade. Malsas<, Eistaa of Inegban*. For whom this city was being built. Who would bring her people here upon its completion and rule in Vaintè's place. Malsas<, erect and alert with the look of certain authority in her eye. She was not ill nor was she old. She would be Eistaa of Alpèasak. Vaintè remained frozen, so her thoughts would not be revealed in her movements, as Malsas<, her followers and assistants, emerged from the uruketo and came towards her. Vaintè could only hope that formality might mask her true feelings. "Welcome to Gendasi, Eistaa, welcome to Alpèasak," Vaintè said, pleasure at the Eistaa's presence as well as gratitude emotionally coloring her words of welcome. "It is my pleasure to be in Alpèasak," Malsas< answered, just as formally. But the last syllable of pleasure required an opening of the mouth to reveal her teeth—and she did not close her mouth after this for long seconds. This slight indication of displeasure was warning enough for Vaintè and would not be repeated. Vaintè was respected for the work she was doing—but she could be quickly replaced. Vaintè forced all thoughts of jealousy and treachery from her mind and lowered her eyes briefly in acceptance of the warning. This brief exchange was so subtle that it went unnoticed by the other Yilanè. Affairs at this level were not their concern. Malsas< moved the aides and fargi even further away with a motion of rejection before she spoke again, so their future conversation could not be overseen or overheard as they walked back to the city. "Last winter was cold and this one is colder. This summer there were no youths or fargi from Soromset seeking admission to Inegban*. When the weather was warmest I sent a party of hunters to see how the city was. It was dead. Soromset does no longer exist. It died just as Ergetpe died. The leaves of the city are dead, carrion crows peck the bones of the Yilanè who lived there. On the beaches and the warm waters of the landlocked Isegenet sea the Yilanè lived in three great cities…" She broke the thought off there and Vaintè finished it for her. "Ergetpe is dead of the cold. Soromset has followed her way. Only Inegban* remains." "Only Inegban* remains and each winter the cold draws closer. Our herds grow small and soon there will be hunger." "Alpèasak awaits." "Indeed it must—when the time comes. But now there is greater need to broaden the fields and increase the breeding of the animals. For our part we must breed more uruketo, but it is a slow labor that we were too late in starting. But there is hope now that the new strain will be successful. They are smaller than the creature I came in, but develop much faster. We must have enough of them to move the entire city in one summer. Now show me what they will find when they arrive in Alpèasak." "They will find this," Vaintè said, indicating the trunks and veined walls and latticed floors of the city that stretched away on all sides of them. The rain had stopped, the sun emerged and glinted from the raindrops on the foliage. Malsas< signaled approval. Vaintè moved her arm in a circle.