Mii-an shambled across the paving to stand close to Lyra. He took her left hand in some strange alien grip Etienne hadn’t observed in use before.

“Thee must go with thy mate. If thy duality is to be the price of thy studies, I cannot allow thee to continue. When all is resolved, return to study with us another time.”

“But it was already settled,” she protested. “I was to remain here and continue my research, learn your ways and—”

The Chief Consoler raised a six-fingered hand. “We will miss thee, for thou has a thirst for learning that all but matches our own. If thee could bring thy mate’s work here all would be simplified, but mountains are difficult to move. It is more sensible for thee to accompany him. Besides, thee may still continue thy studies, for some of thy work can go with thee, a boon for which we would be most thankful.”

“I don’t understand, Mii-an.” Etienne listened without looking. Apparently the First Scholar was taking his side and he was embarrassed by his early display of anger.

“Beyond the lands that lie Upriver from Turput are many that are unknown to thy Mai companions.” He gestured to his right. “If thee will permit it, Tyl and four bearers will accompany thee. He has traveled extensively, knows many Upriver dialects and peoples. When you pass beyond his realm of knowledge, he will be there to see and to study for all Turput. And when not guiding thee he can continue to instruct you in our ways.”

“You said you’d do that yourself.”

“The instructor is not important. All that matters is the knowledge.”

“It’s not that simple.” She glanced at Etienne, who carefully avoided her stare. “Looks like you win after all. I can argue with you but not with Tsla logic. That is, if you have no objection to Tyl joining us.”

“I’ve no objection, but it’s not entirely up to us.” He rose from the pack he’d been inspecting so intently. “Homat?”

“You already have a guide, de-Etienne,” he replied slowly.

“We do, and a fine one, but what the old Tsla says makes good sense. Haven’t you said that the river beyond this point is new to you?”

“Yes, yes.” Homat was still reluctant to surrender any of his hard-won authority. “I see that you are right, de-Etienne. A Tsla who knows the way would be welcome.” He tugged at the hood of his coat. “Anything would be welcomed that takes us quickly out of this cold country.”

Etienne grinned. “I apologize. I guess I did kind of drag all of you out of a warm bed on your equivalent of an icy morning.” He turned to the First Scholar. “We accept your kind offer. Tyl’s been nothing but helpful since we got here and I see no reason not to share his company. How do you feel about this, Tyl? You haven’t said anything.”

“It is Mii-an’s place to say, but I look forward to it. I will gain much knowledge. It is a unique opportunity for me.”

“It’s settled then, I expect.” Lyra started for the hallway. “I’ll go get ready. See what I mean about Tsla judgment, Etienne? They have enough sense to see that we’re a team even when we don’t.”

He left the Mai to make final preparations and hurried to catch up with her. She was resigned to leaving, which was very different from being agreed.

“I’m sorry I had to force the issue like this, Lyra, but I was at my wits’ end. I couldn’t think of anything else.”

“I accept that.” She slowed and some of the hardness drained from her expression. “Maybe you’re right, Etienne. Maybe I’ve gotten a little too close to my work here. The soul of a good working team is its ability to compromise. I’m compromising. Just remember, you owe me one.”

“I promise, Lyra. On the way back you can spend as much time as you want. But we must make it to the turnaround point, the source of the Skar, before winter sets in up north. We’ve no idea what to expect, since the southern winters are moderated by the Groalamasan.”

“So you keep telling me.”

“What about this Tyl?” he asked, changing the subject. “You’ve been working with these people. He’s a scholar. Do you think he’s up to a difficult, dangerous journey? Physically, I mean. Mentally I know that he’s ready.”

“Don’t worry about his stamina, Etienne. The Tsla are as adaptable as we are, not at all like the Mai. He’ll be able to handle the heat down in the Barshajagad. We’ll make space for him inside. There’s plenty of room. He and his companions will manage.”

“Companions?”

“You didn’t hear the First Scholar’s last words?” Etienne shook his head. “Mii-an doesn’t want to send Tyl by himself. He wants to send him with four porters, to replace the Mai who will leave as soon as we reach the river.”

“We don’t need porters on the river.”

“Mii-an has told me several times these past days that there will come a point where we’ll have to leave the river, leave our boat.”

“We can’t leave the boat. You know that.”

“I know it, yes, but Mii-an insists that without porters we’ll have to turn back at a place somewhere a couple of thousand legats Upriver.”

“It’s true.” They turned around, saw Homat standing behind them. “I listen and hear many things, de-Etienne. The Tsla speak of this after you have come inside.” He eyed Lyra with great interest. “Why do they say such things?”

“Mii-an talks about a spot far Upriver where the Skar undergoes … he called it a dramatic change of personality. It’s like the Tsla to ascribe such traits to inanimate objects, and he was very clear in his description of this place. It’s called the Topapasirut.”

Homat’s extreme reaction was unexpected. His eyes went very wide as he executed a half dozen powerful signs designed to ward off dangerous spirits.

“It means,” Lyra told her husband, “Cleansing Place of all the Waters.”

“That doesn’t sound very threatening.”

“I agree, but Mii-an insists we can’t pass beyond it with the boat. Hence his insistence that we accept porters.”

“Another waterfall? Satellite topographics don’t show any large waterfalls in the northern region of the Barshajagad, though admittedly pictures are less than perfect.”

“No, not a waterfall. Something else.”

“Five Tsla, Homat?”

“I dislike the presence of so many strangers on board the spirit boat, de-Etienne, but it seems we must tolerate all to gain the knowledge of one.”

Etienne Redowl considered, said finally, “Tell the one called Mii-an we accept his generous offer, but that all the porters are to be under your command.” The Mai seemed to grow several centimeters.

“They won’t stand for that,” Lyra argued.

“Won’t they? Surely your high and mighty Tsla can take orders from a mere Mai. Don’t tell me they’ll argue about it.”

“Tyl is an important scholar.”

“I said that the four porters would act at Homat’s direction, not Tyl. You’ll just have to explain to Mii-an that Homat’s been with us a long time, that he’s familiar with our boat and its workings, and that he’s our right arm. Or left, whichever they accord more weight to.”

“Neither. They’re physically as well as mentally ambidextrous.”

“We need a chain of command. It’s going to be crowded on the boat. As for letting them inside the cabin with us, I understand the need but are you sure we can trust them?”

“I trust Tyl completely, Etienne. And the porters will look on their work as the Buddhaistic equivalent of making a pilgrimage for merit. So they’ll work their hardest to make sure the expedition’s a success.”

“Tell them to hurry themselves along then, Homat. We have a long way to go.”

“To the river, de-Etienne, and to real weather! I will hurry them with delightment!”

IX