Episode Four

   Aditi ducked her head under the cool water as if to wash all trace of the Polis from her skin. She and her fellow workers had been transported back to Chamalon in one of the squat noisy vehicles that regularly flew in to her village to collect their monthly tithe. She could not deny to herself that the journey had been interesting, yet there had been something about the Polis that so disturbed her that her dreams had been troubled ever since her return.
   It didn't help that all Heru could talk about was how splendid the Polis was and how tremendous Lord Chill was and on and on. She had been avoiding him all day to get some peace.
   She rolled over to float on her back looking up at the sky. The pool, a natural waterhole on the stream just below her village, was cool and clear. Above it there was a narrow break in the canopy through which she could watch the evening storm clouds building. Every day at about one hour before sunset there came a storm.
   There was a small pebble beach on one edge of the waterhole where the villagers would come to bathe. The rest was surrounded by thick vegetation and the River trees known as Pirrou. The Pirrou was a thirsty tree and predominated at the margins of watercourses. They were the favourite haunt of Fisher monkeys who would climb down their thick aerial roots and hang above the water as the Gillie fish swam below. The Fisher monkeys had large paddle shaped hands and great speed, they could wait poised for long stretches, then dart their hands in, a blur of motion, and scamper triumphantly back up into the tree bearing a dripping, wriggling prize. After the wet season the Pirrou trees would set fruit, thick round Bong Bong fruit, with a tough rind and slivers of sweet juicy flesh inside.
   Aditi was watching a mother Fisher monkey grooming her young. How could anyone bear to live in that grey stone tower she asked herself. Her thoughts turned back to the man upon the throne. Could a person be so entirely different from all others that he needed no family, that he was content to sleep away from the stars and live like a blind mole in a cave all his life? The Polis seemed like an extension of the Underworld, a haunt of the dead, of demons and parasites and all the creatures of the dark.
   "There you are" said Heru, standing on the beach. With an inward sigh Aditi waved and began to swim towards the shore.
   "You finished early today" he noted as she drew near.
"I collected two skeins" she said, a little defensive. Heru looked impressed.
"You?" she asked
"I have three almost ready but collected none today. It was a feeding day" he replied
Aditi nodded.
   "How are your Queens?" she asked
   "They fare well. Especially since they each got a marsh frog today"
   "That was well done Heru" Aditi left the pool. She squeezed the water from her hair and pulled a tunic over her head. They started back towards the village together.
   The path between the trees was well worn by generations of villagers. The sky was darkening with rolling cloud and it was time to shelter in the Common House. Aditi could feel Heru's eyes on her face and she knew he was wondering why she had become distant to him when they were like usually as twined as two Tinka vines, thoughts shared, hearts open. If she explained she knew they would argue again.
   Thunder rolled over them as they entered the village. Aditi's Aunty Vey was making her way to the Common House with her baby daughter in her arms.
   "Here Aunty, let me hold her a while" offered Aditi hurrying forward leaving Heru at the village gate watching her go.