44

Hoping that Chief Kothis appreciates your forthrightness, you describe your situation as well as you can given the limitations of your vocabulary and his comprehension of the world. The chief and first warrior of the River People listen to your descriptions of Byzantium, Mexihco, Dr. Sabbatine, and the crash of the Specular. Kothis, astute and unwilling to ignore an opportunity, prods you about the details of your medicine, your weapons, and your other equipment. While you're not about to build Keimia a rifle of her own, you use what you know to describe the technological wonders of your world. Kothis abandons his original focus on gauging the military might and exact location of Byzantium—a pointless endeavor anyway—and turns to speak with Keimia about what, exactly, the newcomers can offer the River People.

Soon Kothis and Keimia wish to discuss matters among themselves, but as you depart, it's clear that you made a good impression on both of them. You just hope they don't get too ambitious, because you can describe much more than you can offer.

You step back outside into the open air. A wave of lassitude sweeps over you as the sun touches the western mountains. It's clear you're not yet fully recovered. You can probably manage one more fact-finding expedition before you have to rest.