50

Despite, or perhaps because of, Control's continued imprisonment, Chief Kothis seems determined to show you every courtesy. You spend most of the day with him preparing for the journey upriver to the Apostolic Mound. Keimia intends to take two of the River People's small reed boats, which will hold you, Stralchus, the herbalist Vecla, and Keimia with about a dozen of her warriors. Vecla's assistant Losh won't be joining you, and you soon learn from Vecla that Control, despite being a prisoner, has convinced him to return the pieces of the Specular to the village. Vecla conveys some "good news": there isn't a single piece of your ship so large that two strong men can't carry it back.

Though everyone in the village enjoys regular meals of fruit, roasted fish, and various preparations of a cassava-like vegetable, Chief Kothis keeps investigating his stores as if worried. Listening carefully, you learn that no one has come to trade for several weeks, and two of Keimia's warriors vanished into the forest just before your arrival. You're not sure why the chief's late father chose to settle permanently (some villagers imply the Apostolic Mound advised him), but any more setbacks may cause the River People to abandon this experiment in settled living. And you suspect you would not survive long on your own here.

Around midday, a huntress returns with her bow broken and her body rent as if by huge claws, carried on the back of her weeping husband. Before anyone can panic, Keimia establishes a perimeter while Chief Kothis beseeches your help. Addressing you and Stralchus as you both listen to worried arguments among the hunters, the chief says he knows you are wise, and any devices or "sorceries" (that's what you think he says) would be appreciated.

"Don't trust these people," Stralchus whispers in Koiné. "Their chief is too clever by half. Whatever you give him, he can turn against us."