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short-range beacon he had used in his futile attempt to signal the incoming skimmer. Right now this is all
we ve got that we know works. I wouldn t want to bet that Commonwealth Administration would be in
any hurry to send out a second craft to look for you. Not for a while. They ll assume you re taking your
own good time looking for me. Rising and turning, he peered off into the flooded forest. Sitting around
waiting to be picked up didn t do me much good, did it? I m not going to hang around here waiting for
another skimmer that may or may not be on its way.
I agree. Jemunu-jah moved to stand closer to the human. So much noisemaking will have attract
many meat eaters. They all around this place, waiting to sample taste of food that talks.
Masurathoo rose so fast that he bumped his head on an overhanging branch. What meat eaters,
where? He gazed worriedly out into the rain. I do not see anything.
They there. They always there. Strange noises draw them close, make them curious. Better to leave this
place and let them explore Mr. Hasselemoga s skimmer. Raising a long fur-covered arm, Jemunu-jah
pointed eastward. Are many villages scattered throughout deep Viisiiviisii. If we can find one, we have
food and safety. Better than wait here for rescue craft that may not come.
And a village will have contact with another village, which might have contact with another, that in turn
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has contact with an outpost of civilization. Hasa was in full agreement with the Sakuntala. Jemunu-jah
refrained from pointing out thatevery Sakuntala village was an outpost of civilization. This was neither the
time nor the place to launch into an extended argument with the human. That, and possibly more forceful
objection, could come later. Right now he needed the human, if only to have something edible to shove
between himself and a marauding casokul.
An agitated Masurathoo eyed both his companions askance. You will please excuse me if I take leave
to disagree with the both of you. Our best chance for surviving this regrettable situation is to remain here,
near our downed craft that others are sure to come looking for.
Looking and finding are two different things. The human was already focusing his efforts northward, in
the general direction of distant Taulau. How many Sakuntala villages might lie between that teeming
outpost of Commonwealth civilization and their present location no one knew. Nor did Jemunu-jah s
presence guarantee them a cordial reception even if they managed to reach one. But anything was better
than sitting still doing nothing. Also, Hasa agreed with the native: all the commotion was bound to have
drawn the attention of local predators. If either skimmer had remained intact and above water, he might
have decided differently. On the other hand, without such protection from the roving hazards of the
flooded forest, he felt that the sooner they vacated the area, the better.
Besides, if you stayed in one place in the Viisiiviisii for any length of time, things would start to take root
on you.
Something else, he added. Whoever did this, for whatever reason, might not be completely confident
that just marooning me out here is enough to do the job. After a while, they might decide to come and
check on the results of their handiwork personally. He patted his side arm. Since this is about all I ve
got in the way of defensive ordnance, I d rather not be around in case they show up. His attention
turned back to Jemunu-jah.
All right, big-ears this is your country. Pick a direction. I usually lead, but when someone else knows
the territory better than me, I m not ashamed to follow.
It is not that simple. We cannot just go straight northward. Turning, Jemunu-jah indicated a complex of
interlocked trees and lianas. Except for places where is no other choice, we must keep above the
water. His eyes focused on the human. Rain is life; flooded forest is death.
Pithily put. Hasa gestured broadly. Lead on, Junko-juke.
Jemunu-jah, the Sakuntala corrected him, biting back the words he really wanted to use. Selecting a
branch just above and in front of him, he reached up and pulled himself to a higher level. Theyhad to get
farther away from the surface of the water.
You are both, you should please excuse my expression, making a big mistake. Masurathoo showed no
sign of moving from beneath his leaf. Wemust remain with our downed craft if we are to have any hope
of being found. Using both hands and both trunks, he made a four-limbed gesture into the depths of the
rain-washed Viisiiviisii. Go in there and we will be lost forever. All too many times this place has
swallowed the most confident and experienced of individuals.
I m already feeling swallowed. Displaying both strength and agility, Hasa had followed Jemunu-jah up
onto the higher branch. No one s forcing you to come, mashed potato. Stay or follow; it makes no
difference to me. Lowering his voice meaningfully, he glanced over at Jemunu-jah. If he stays behind,
maybe he ll draw the carnivores.
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The Sakuntala did not respond. It would have been unseemly and would have cost himmula . Like him
or not, Masurathoo was his associate in this joint venture. Still, the human s words contained a certain
merit . . .
Jemunu-jah started walking, bracing himself with his long arms and balancing gracefully on the branch.
Following behind, the human matched him stride for stride. Masurathoo remained where he was,
stubborn and utterly convinced.
Or rather, he did so until his companions had advanced out of sight. Only later did the Deyzara catch up
to them, panting hard, his breathing trunk swollen and reddened with the effort, his splendid body
wrappings already shredded and torn.
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