"Yes," said Novato. "I’d understood some vague details before, and Keenir explained the rest to me."
"But, then, with the bloodpriests, how can there still be eight children?"
"Well, the eggs hatched aboard the Dasheter, and there are no bloodpriests here. But even if there were, your children would be safe. You are The One, Afsan. Bloodpriests come from the hunter’s religion, and no hunter would eat your children."
"You mean all eight get to live?"
Novato’s voice was joyous. "Yes."
Another baby had crawled onto Afsan’s back, and the one who had first journeyed there had made it all the way to the dome of Afsan’s head, her thin tail lying beside Afsan’s right earhole.
"I wish I could see them."
"I wish you could, too," said Novato softly. "They’re beautiful. Haldan — that’s the one on your head — has a glorious golden coloring, although I’m sure that will darken to green as she grows older. And Kelboon, who is a bit shy and is clinging now to my leg, has your eyes."
"Ah," said Afsan, in a light tone. "I knew they’d gone somewhere."
"The others are Toroca, Helbark, Drawtood, Yabool, and Dynax."
Cadool knew Afsan would recognize the names: astrologers of the past who had made great discoveries. "Those are good names," Afsan said.
"I’m pleased with them," said Novato. "I never dreamed that I’d get to name my own children." She moved Haldan aside and spoke softly to Afsan. "I’ve missed you," she said.
"And I you," said Afsan, who appeared to be reveling in the sensation of the three babies crawling over his body. "But I don’t understand why you’re here."
"Keenir knew you were The One. So did someone named Tetex here in Capital City."
"She’s the imperial hunt leader," said Afsan. "But I am not The One."
Novato reached out, stroked his forehead. "The One is supposed to lead us on the greatest hunt of all, and Keenir tells me you want to take us to the stars. That sounds like a great hunt to me."
Afsan had no reply to that.
"In any event," said Novato, "Keenir, Tetex, and other influential Lubalites are convinced that you are The One. When you got in trouble with Yenalb, the Dasheter set sail for the west coast to fetch hunters from there to support you. When Keenir returned to Jam’toolar, he anchored again at the Bay of Three Forests, where he’d let you off after your pilgrimage. My Pack was still near there. He heard from Lub-Kaden that I’d laid eggs fertilized by you. Keenir convinced the halpataars of Gelbo that you really are The One." She glanced up at the gruff old sailor, standing a few paces away. "His word can lift dragging tails everywhere, it seems. He got them to release all my eggs from the creche."
Afsan said, "You arrived just in time."
Keenir spoke at last, his voice gravelly and low. "We meant to be here earlier, but bad weather delayed us as we rounded the Cape of Belbar."
"Captain? You’re here, too? It’s good to hear your voice again."
"It’s good to … hear your voice again, too, egg — Afsan."
Afsan clicked his teeth. "You may call me eggling, if you like, sir." He brought his hand up to find Novato’s, still stroking his forehead. "I’m so glad you came," he said to her, "but…"
"But now you must sleep," she said. "You look exhausted."
Keenir stepped forward. "Let me take you below deck, Afsan. You can have my quarters."
"Thank you," Afsan said. "But I’d prefer my old cabin — the one with the carving of the Original Five on the door — if that’s still available. At least I know its layout."
"As you wish," said Keenir. "Do you need a hand getting up?"
"Yes. Novato, can you gather the children?"
"Of course." She lifted Galpook off Afsan’s head, the baby letting out a peep when picked up. With careful taps she scooted the others off Afsan. Keenir reached his hand out to Afsan but realized after a moment that Afsan couldn’t see it.
"I’m going to touch you," Keenir said, "to help you up." He gripped Afsan’s forearm.
"I’m sorry, Novato," Afsan said as he rose, his voice a wheeze, "but I really must get some sleep."
"Not to worry." She touched his arm lightly. "We have all the time in the world."
*37*
Afsan stretched out on the floor, trying to relax. Keenir and Cadool insisted on having him examined top to bottom by Mar-Biltog, who, although no healer, was at least trained in emergency procedures. It was clear, Biltog said, that the lower portion of Afsan’s tail would have to be removed so that the crushed bones could grow back whole. They’d wait until his strength was up, and until they got to a proper hospital, before they did that. He was given water and bowls of blood, and he heard someone drawing the leather curtain across the cabin’s porthole, but that, of course, was an unnecessary gesture.
At last, they left him alone.
Afsan slept.
Later, he did not know when, he was awakened by a sound at the door to his cabin.
Muifled by the wood, a familiar voice said, "Permission to enter your territory?"
"Dybo?" said Afsan, groggy and still weak. "Hahat dan."
The door swung open on squeaky hinges and Afsan could hear the footfalls of the Emperor crossing to the part of the floor on which Afsan lay.
Afsan tried to lift his head, but his strength had not returned. His chest still hurt.
"How are you, Afsan?" said Dybo.
"Tired. In pain. How would you expect me to be?" Afsan was surprised at the anger in his own tone.
"No different than that, I suppose," said Dybo. "I’m sorry."
"Are you?"
Afsan heard the boards creak as Dybo’s weight shifted. He assumed the Emperor had crouched down to better see him. "Yes."
"What about Capital City?"
"Heavy damage, of course. But some buildings are still standing."
"The palace?"
Dybo was quiet for a moment. "It was leveled."
"Then what becomes of your government?"
Afsan thought he heard Dybo’s teeth click together. "Governments endure. My power was not vested in a building."
"No. It was vested in a lie."
Dybo’s tone was surprisingly gentle. "Was it? My ancestor, Larsk, was the first to sail halfway around the world. He was indeed the first to stare upon the Face of God. If it hadn’t been for him, you wouldn’t have made your voyage, wouldn’t have discovered the things you discovered. You say the world is doomed…"
"It is."
"Well, if that is so, it is knowledge we owe at least in part to Larsk." Dybo’s teeth clicked again. "Governments endure," he repeated simply.
"No," said Afsan. "No, they don’t. Or at least yours won’t."
"Won’t it?"
"It can’t. Nothing will endure. The world is doomed."
"You persist in that?"
"You saw what happened today."
"The land shook. Volcanoes erupted. That has happened before."
"It’s going to happen again and again and again and it will get progressively worse until this world cracks like an egg."
"Do you really believe that?"
"Yes, Dybo. I really do." Afsan paused. "Saleed knew the truth. Before he died, he knew."
"Well, what would you have me do?"
"Do whatever must be done. You’ve got the power."
"Perhaps. The Lubalites came close to taking Capital City today."
"You would have taken it back eventually. You were unprepared, but the other provinces would send aid to restore you."