The Color of Distance by Amy Thomson Page B

village had to offer. To do otherwise would mean great loss of face for the entire village.
    “What’s your name?” Ukatonen asked.
    “You don’t already know?”
    The enkar rippled laughter. “If I did, then I might know why you are out here in the wilderness so soon after werrun. Your sponsor should be ashamed.”
    “Ninto tried to make me stay!” Anito protested.
    “Then why didn’t you listen?”
    “I had a promise to keep. It involved my atwa.”
    “It couldn’t have waited a few more days?”
    “No,” Anito told him. “But I was going to spend tomorrow morning resting and gathering supplies for the rest of the trip.”
    “Stay with me tonight,” Ukatonen offered. “My nest is already built, and it would be easier to enlarge it than for you to build a new one. I can help you gather supplies tomorrow. Where are you going?”
    “To the coast, near Lyanan.”
    “In that case, we can travel together. I’m heading there also.”
    Atmo
paused. It was tempting. The new creature was terrified that its [[
rwmpkt]]
would leave it behind. If they did, then Anito would be stuck with [[::]] as her atwa. The enkar could get them to Lyanan faster. Anito would [[cam]] a lot traveling with an enkar. Besides, she couldn’t refuse the enkar’s [[J6nr]] without causing her entire village to lose face.
    “Thank you, en,” said Anito, using the most formal form of address, [[3am rm]] not traveling alone. My companion is—unusual. It might give [[inHHmse-]] Perhaps you should meet it before you decide whether to give us mir gift of your company.”
    Ulcatonen’s ears went up. “This sounds interesting. Please lead me to jew companion.”
    It was growing dark when they reached the geramben tree. The new (Oiracure was watching two hananar birds flutter in their courting dance, [[ihe]] female’s golden throat feathers gleaming in the fading light. Disturbed [[fcc]] their approach, the two birds flew away, piping alarm calls as they [[
wbol
]]The new creature turned toward them, giving Ukatonen a good look at its flat, small-mouthed face and tiny ears.
    Ukatonen’s head went back and he flushed an excited pink. “What kind of creature is it?” he asked Anito.
    “I don’t know. We found it dying in the woods. Saving its life cost the lives of two of our elders. One of them was my sitik.”
    “Why are you taking it to the coast?”
    “Its people are near Lyanan. I’m taking it back to them.”
    The new creature approached, purple with curiosity, occasional flickers of ochre concern blotching its skin. Anito flushed a reassuring ieep blue and the creature relaxed.
    “It speaks!” Ukatonen said in excited tones of dark magenta on bright pink.
    “Not really,” Anito told him, “but it can communicate, and it understands some of what we say.” Anito felt the weight of her exhaustion. She longed for a big meal and a chance to rest. “I mean no offense, en, but I im very tired, and the creature doesn’t travel well after dark. Could we go to your nest? I can tell you more about the new animal when we get there.”
    “What?” Ukatonen said. He had been watching the creature with an excitement so intense that he glowed. “Oh, of course. I apologize. Here, let me help carry some of your things.” Blue-green amusement rippled down Anito’s back. She liked this enkar. His fascination with something new reminded her of Ilto.
    Ukatonen had built himself a neat and cozy nest at the top of a tall quinjara tree. He hung a chunk of glowing fungus on a branch to provide some light and began enlarging the nest to accommodate his guests. When Anito moved to help, he told her to rest. Relieved despite herself, Anito settled her aching body against the branch.
    The new creature nudged her gently, and offered Anito a geramben. Anito refused. It would be rude to eat before the enkar did. The creature offered her the fruit again. She could see that it was concerned for her. She must look as tired as she felt.
    “Go ahead,