Part 7 (1/2)

Seyganko tied the fish to the stern of his canoe with the trident cord, sat down, and began paddling toward shore Even his strength was not equal to bringing the catch aboard, but in water too shallow for other lionfish, it would not be attacked before he could suanko paddled directly for shore, although thisnot far fro of the man for three days, save that he yet lived and that spirits sent by the God-Men er to hiht, out of pride-Emwaya had nursed him herself and sent the curious about their affairs

What she would not say to the curious, Seyganko decided, she ht say to her future husband And the lionfish orth saving even if he learned nothing froive other lionfish tith, they had been known to attack a canoe

It was as well that for theits portion of the lake and driving off all co season Had they commonly hunted in schools like the eunuch-makers did, they would have eaten the lake bare of all life, probably including human

The canoe was heavy and clu arms and well-balanced paddle drove it swiftly toward shore As the sun rose, it burned off thefroray wisps At last he saw the reed enclosure that let Emwaya draater, safe from lionfish and crocodiles, and even allowed her to shen the spirit took her

Dobanpu must have healed; a dark head broke the water in the enclosure

Seyganko sht let hiether, the rass

Then the head grew shoulders and aranko saw that it was the forirl wasplace, as bare as a babe In the light of day, and not frightened half out of her wits, she was even a greater pleasure to see than on the night of the raid

”Where is your ht hate her oldthe at least a little of their speech

The girl stood up, shook herself like a dog, then pointed toward the cave Drops of water silvered by thesun sparkled in her hair and trickled down her breasts as she ht her unaware of hoell she appeared had he not caught a sly look frorinned Apart from his oaths to Emwaya, which did not allow him another woman save with her per his betrothed'san end to her tricks

”Ho! Woanko heaved on the rope until the lionfish's tail was above water ”Coirl took one look at the lionfish, another at Seyganko, then fled toward the anko pulled the canoe ashore, sat down on the girl's waistcloth, and hetting his trident with a piece of ironstone when Emwaya carip and let go of her, Seyganko held her at arth He saw that she seemed paler and thinner than three days of any ordeal would warrant Or at least any ordeal save one

”Your father-”

”Dobanpu Spirit-Speaker lives His sleep is now healthy, his dreae and water, and they rest well in his belly”

She spoke as if still in a ritual, but he saw unaccustomed moisture in the corners of her eyes He reached up to brush away the tears, and she gripped his wrists as if they were the last things between her and drowning

”Seyganko, forgive my weakness I did not mean you to see me this way-”

”No, you are not like that wench you have taken into your service She ht as much when she caanko told the truth, and Eood cheer ”I will help you with the fish and then have words with Mokossa”

”Is that her na beyond the lands of the Kwanyi She is not child-htened her out of most of the wits she had”

”Not so much that she cannot have eyes for a warrior, I warn you”

”Any woanko I have just told you that Mokossa is a woman of sense”

”Do you seek to flatter h that I do not need to try again”

If she was able to banter like this, she could hardly have dire news