‘I don’t know,’ Becq said. ‘I don’t like seeing all these deaths. We’ve seen enough.’ She rolled her lips together, making her face look peaceful and innocent. Forb liked the girl. She was shy, quiet, always seemed to retain her thoughts inside as if she knew speaking them would do no good.
‘Too true,’ Jefry said. ‘Too many deaths already.’ He sighed. Yana held his hand. He looked at her and she smiled uncertainly at him. Santiago brushed down his moustache, which was becoming
ruffled in the sea breeze. ‘Doc?’ Santiago asked.
Forb reflected on Santiago’s statements. There was a strange logic to what he said. This man was obviously good at convincing people, at persuading them to his way of thinking. A powerful leader, this one.
Santiago said, ‘The chap would be well protected. We’d have our muskets and pistols and whatnots. He’d be quite all right.’ Forb nodded. ‘We don’t have many other options.’ He looked at Manolin who gave an cautious nod.
‘Excellent,’ Santiago said. He paced around, his hands behind his back. ‘We can plan this later. We’re going to be here for a while, and we’ve a lot of work to crack on with. Now with your approval, Doctor, I’d like to begin surveying your island.’
‘As I’ve said before, Santiago, she’s not mine, but feel free to catalogue her. It’d be a shame to let all the villagers’ and ichthyocentaur’ knowledge go to waste. And I’d be glad to help with anything you want to ask.’
‘Okay, you and Manny can crack on with some of that,’ Santiago said. Then he turned to his daughter. ‘Fancy giving them a hand, dear?’
Her face lit up. She turned to Manolin. ‘Please, if you wouldn’t mind?’
Manolin said, ‘Sure, many hands make light work, n’all that.’
‘Good,’ Santiago said. ‘Well, Yana, Jefry, if you wanted we could plan a geological survey of sorts?’ ‘May as well,’ Yana said. Jefry nodded. ‘Great,’ Santiago said. ‘Well, I’ll get some equipment off of the ship. Shall we crack on before midday?’
Everyone approved.
‘Fantastic. Well, onwards.’ Santiago marched off along the beach. Yana and Jefry followed.
Manolin looked down at the corpse. Its face was strangely serene, as if to suggest it’s death was relaxed. He walked around it in a circle. Becq stepped away holding her nose.
‘What’re we going to do with him?’ Manolin asked.
Forb said, ‘We’ll send someone up to the ichthyocentaur settlement. They’ll collect him and take him up to the village. Probably burn him tonight.’
‘Why do you think they’re being killed, Forb. I mean, it’s not as though the killings are random are they?’
‘Nope. I can only guess it’s something to do with reproduction.’ ‘Why so?’ Manolin asked, and noticed that Becq had turned around to listen.
‘Each death I’ve found-and we’re well over the fifty mark noweach death has seen the genitals removed. It certainly isn’t empirical science.’
‘No, but it’s all we’ve got,’ Manolin said. ‘So, what, you reckon their sperm is being used?’ Forb said, ‘If the genitals are gone, that has to be the most likely thing. I can’t think of anything else.’
‘You think females did this?’ Becq asked.
Manolin and Forb turned to face her.
‘Possibly,’ Forb said. ‘You see a lot of violent females in nature. Stronger and more devastating than males in many circumstances.’ ‘True,’ Manolin said. ‘Presuming they’re using the sperm, they’re after breeding, but I
can’t see how. I mean, you can’t just take sperm from one species and put it in another. It doesn’t work like that. There’re all sorts of barriers to reproduction that keeps a species separate, distinct.’
‘How about mules?’ Manolin said. ‘And even rumel and humans. You still get a kid, be it a human or a little rumel, but it just won’t have any of its own-infertile offspring and whatnot.’
‘Hmm,’ Forb said. ‘Food for thought. Bit of an extreme way of going about it though.’ He nodded towards the body.
‘Lot of lonely hearts out there then,’ Manolin said.
Forb grunted a laugh.
Manolin walked to the sea with his hands in his pockets and his head held high as he inhaled the fresher air away from the open corpse.
They came to Arya to work, and that morning was the beginning of real business. Manolin and Becq, with Forb’s assistance, would study the ichthyocentaurs. It was something Manolin couldn’t wait to do. Santiago, Yana and Jefry brought geological tools from the ship, which was still anchored away from the lagoon. Their plan was to hike up to the volcano, sampling the rock types on the way so that they could build a geological map of the island. Santiago had wanted to walk around the rim of the volcano in order to get a good view.
He also wanted Yana to tell Jefry that she was pregnant. He had told her that delaying the matter would only make things worse. She had agreed, would tell him that evening, but she didn’t like to think about it too much.
They were beginning to acclimatise to Arya’s conditions, so the hike didn’t prove as tiring as the previous trip. Santiago appeared to be still a little exhausted from the hunt, but threw himself onwards. Jefry’s spirits were, Yana thought, unusually high, considering.
The rumel seemed to smile at everything around in the forest. Colourful birds and insects. Tiny fossils he found in sedimentary rocks. He laughed at the one giant bee that droned by, whilst Santiago and Yana hid under a blanket behind a small acacia shrub.
Yana said, ‘Hey, Jef. How come you’re in a good mood?’
He turned to face her. ‘Well, love, you’ve got to take every day as it comes. Live every day as if it were your last. We’re not here for long, are we?’ He turned back and continued marching up the slope with vigour, and Santiago stomped by ignoring the comments.
Yana sighed. Does that make my decision any more easy? she thought. Maybe he won’t hate me or want to kill me or Manolin. Hell, I wish I’d never straddled that guy. No, actually, I’m glad. I mean, it’s a baby, isn’t it? A child. And how long have I been waiting for one? lefnever did me any favours in that department. Not that the poor kid would’ve had much ofa life, being unable to have a kid ofits own. No, I want this baby. I don’t expect Manolin to have any role if he doesn’t want to. I must have what,four offive months to go anyway, so that’s plenty of time for everyone to get used to the idea. If we leave in a month, I may even give birth on the mainland. Should I tell Manny? Would it ruin his life? I hope not. At least no one else is affected. Apart from Becq, fuck. She’ll hate me because she’s besotted by Manny. So, everyone hates me, hurrah.
Of course, what’s really annoying is the fact that I feel so damn turned on since I left Escha. I’m usually so good at controlling my hormones. I’m not one of those drama bitches. I think Manolin’ s opened something inside of me. Hell, I’ve had no fun at any point in my life. I married that dull man when I was too young to know any better and I’ve wasted my life on him. I think this could be good. I think it could be really good-a chance for me to break free from everything. If lef won’t support me then I’ll divorce him. It’s about time I get some respect. I’m not getting any younger-
Who am I kidding? No one’s going to want me with a baby. Any ‘man’ would run a mile at the sight ofmy lump. Maybe I’d better stick with lej. At least he’ll look after me. I won’t be really happy, but that’s all a bit late now. So, happiness or security?
Halfway up the volcano, a half a mile past the ichthyocentaurs’ village where Manolin and Becq were working, Santiago sat down with Yana.
He could see over the forest canopy that extended down to the beach and thought the view was spectacular. Terns flew along the beach, hovered above the shallow waters then jutted out to sea. The sun was strong, having filtered through, and there were only a few cirrus clouds in the air. You could see the shadows of the birds over the lagoon, and an unobstructed view of the reef. In the distance, you could see the vivid brightness of
the sand banks against the pure blue waters. The reef began about two hundred feet away from the beach proper, there was a change in the darkness of the water as it extended farther from the shore. The small coral islands, dark on the water, seemed tiny from that distance and you could see the white tips of the waves around them.
In the haze in the far distance, he noted ridges that Santiago thought couldn’t be the sea, although cumulus clouds appeared to hug them.
‘D’you think that’s land over there?’ he asked Yana. She followed his gaze and squinted to ascertain what the horizon revealed. ‘Possibly. I reckon those clouds give it away.’
‘Indeed,’ Santiago said. His face felt hot in the uncomfortable heat. He had taken his waistcoat off before the hike, and wore a longsleeved white shirt to protect his arms from the sun. They were almost at the top of the small volcano. Another half an hour and they’d be at the rim. Yana had taken rock samples along the way, as had Jefry, who carried most of them in the bag on his back. They were beginning to build a profile of the island. It was standard procedure.
Santiago shifted onto a stable rock, brought out a pad and pencil from his bag. Starting with the lagoon, one of three, he began to sketch. Yana looked over his shoulder at his work every few seconds. Jefry was crouching by a tiny bush further on, then smiled as he stood up. He waved to her, and she waved back.
‘So then,’ Santiago said, looking at his sketch pad. ‘When’re you going to tell him?’
Birds flocked over their heads. ‘Soon enough.’
Santiago said, ‘As I say-it will, of course, be easier to do this sooner.’ ‘I know, I know.’ ‘We’re all here to support you, no matter what happens. And I care about you, I do,’ Santiago said, still sketching.
‘Thanks. That’s kind. He seems in a good mood at least.’
‘Indeed. Funny thing, death. Makes some try and put it all in perspective. New lease of life. Utter balderdash, of course. Month’s time and he’ll be his usual self again. I’d tell him now, if I were you.’
‘I’m not sure, Santiago.’
‘Go on. Do it now. You’ll feel better. I’ll still be here, sketching and getting sunburned. I think he’ll be fine. It’s not like you’ve been the closest of couples the last year or two.’
‘No,’ she said, with a half smile. ‘No, that’s true.’ She sighed. ‘I’m not sure though ... ‘
‘Go on. He’s in a positive state of mind. It’s a good time.’
She said, ‘But his best friend died yesterday. It’s too soon.’
‘Ah, but you didn’t listen to what I said, did you? State of mind. Does funny things to a man, death. He’s found some vague religion at the minute. Take advantage of his new, kind god.
‘Maybe you’re right.’
‘Seen this sort of stuff many times before,’ he said. ‘Seen the effect it’s had. Know when it’s best. Now is a good time, Yana, a very good time.’
‘Right.’ She turned to stroll after Jefry.
Santiago did not turn to watch her. His sketch was coming along nicely. He thought it one of his better pieces of work.
A man of science should not be able to make art this good.
‘There’re dozens of note books here, Forb,’ Manolin said.
Forb said, ‘Yes, I’ve made a pretty good catalogue.’
Manolin picked up one of the brown books from the shelf. The hut was humid, being in the sun, and he could hear the clicking that the ichthyocentaur made in the doorway. He opened the book, looked at the sketches and notes that Forb had made. ‘How long’ve you being detailing this?’
‘Oh, a decade or thereabouts.’ Forb stood, arms folded, watching Manolin pour over the catalogue. ‘Wow, I mean, this is no easy job. Did you say you were an ethnobotanist too?’ Forb said, ‘Not at first. A botanist at times, an archaeologist at heart.’
‘I don’t understand,’ Manolin said. ‘There must be a reason that you’ve done this. I mean, this is incredible. There are hundreds and hundreds of species in here.’
‘Thousands and thousands.’
‘I can see.’ Manolin turned the pages with a sense of awe. There were detailed sketches of the anatomy of certain species, all arranged into similar looking families. Each book appeared to have a group in, with extensive notes alongside. ‘I take it that these notes are the medicinal values?’
‘Forb leaned over to where Manolin’s finger pointed. ‘Yes that’s right. Everything the ichthyocentaurs have used them for in the past.’ ‘This is an phenomenally detailed piece of research, Forb, very detailed. I can’t say I’ve ever seen anything quite like it.’ ‘I’ll admit it took me a while.’ He rubbed the palm of his hand over his bald head.
Manolin said, ‘Do you have any idea of the potential here?’
‘Oh yes, quite some idea.’
‘You could save thousands of lives with these notes. Seriously, Forb.’ Manolin looked up at him as he walked around the hut, smelling plant specimens that were arranged in bundles by the window. Outside the window were two ichthyocentaur looking in. Behind them was Becq, who was busy making detailed sketches of the village.
‘What were you looking for in particular?’ Manolin asked.
Forb did not respond.
‘Forb?’
The doctor turned around. ‘Sorry, was in a world of my own.’
‘What was it that you were looking for?’ Manolin closed the notebook. He placed it on the shelf again before taking another one down. He glanced up at the doctor.
Forb’s face darkened. ‘I’ll tell you, soon. Not now. Later.’
Manolin nodded. He read through the notebooks for an hour, scrutinising the drawings, the research. The ichthyocentaurs knew how to utilise every plant on the island. It was remarkable. They could genuinely make-and Forb had detailed-cures for any ailment, from headache and stomach ache, to anaesthetics and even hallucinogenic drugs. There were appetite suppressants and stimuli, erection enhancers, fertility drugs, antidepressants. Manolin’s mind was struggling to come to terms with the potential. If this knowledge reached the mainland, he could only imagine the number of cures it would bring.
The ichthyocentaurs’ village was calm. Many of them were in the forests, gathering plants.
Manolin saw the ichthyocentaur woman who looked heavily pregnant.
‘How far gone is she?’ he asked Forb.
‘Ten months. She should be due in the next couple of weeks, providing there’re no complications.’
‘Ten months. Interesting.’ Manolin walked with Forb up to the female. He signed Hello to her, and she returned the greeting. He got a small thrill every time he could communicate with them.
Forb began a conversation with her for a few moments before turning to Manolin. ‘All is well. She’s looking forward to becoming a mother. Should be any day now.’
Manolin said, ‘Who’s the father?’
Forb smiled and shrugged. ‘Could be any of them.’
‘I’m sorry?’ Manolin frowned.
‘Any of the males could be the father.’
‘Not sure I follow.’
Forb signed something to the ichthyocentaur woman. Manolin thought the clicks she made formed a laugh. ‘The females can take as many partners as they want, as many times as they want, even if all at the same time.’
Manolin was silent for a while. ‘Blimey.’ He looked at the female and around at the others. He’d never noticed it before, but there were no ‘couples’ around. ‘Not shy ladies, then. And I take it there’s not a great deal of courting going on either?’
‘Quite so.’ Forb laughed. ‘If indeed anyone courts these days. But seriously, it works well. How many times’ve you been to one of those clubs or inns, or bars, where you see a guy standing on his own in the shadows, and you knew he was thinking unsavoury thoughts, because you were thinking them yourself. All guys look at the women and want them, but can’t have them. A dominant male wins and the weaker ones go home depressed and drunk and alone.’
Manolin nodded. �
��Been there, my friend.’
‘Well, here, there’re no dominant males as such. They’re all winners this way. And, the females are seldom satisfied with just the one male. They require multiple partners to be stimulated fully. It’s really rare, because it’s outside of nature, outside of evolution. You see, they’re choosing not to compete. In that way, you could say that they’re superior to us humans and rumel. If only we could get our heads around it.’ He smiled.
Manolin scratched his head, looking at the female ichthyocentaur.
‘So,’ Forb said, ‘the males are happy as they’re always releasing their seed, and the females are happy as they’re getting maximum pleasure. No one ever fights over a woman, too. There is no sexual violence at all. Never had a rape here. What’s even stranger is that they do occasionally take a partner as companion, but they never get jealous of one another. It’s as if feelings never come into it. I would add, before one goes running around fertilizing everything, that humans and rumel are vastly more sophisticated. We let feelings and morals get in the way. And that’s a whole different thing all together. It complicates things.’
‘Can’t argue with that logic.’ Manolin thought about the notion. It unsettled him a little, made him silent. He remembered the last scene in his house, with his wife, her lover. It seemed so far away. In his head, he was beginning to justify her actions. Perhaps she needed more partners. Maybe it wasn’t because he was a bad lover to her, or unattractive. Perhaps her actions were a little more base, more natural. He settled on the word ‘primitive’.
Perhaps all people are primitive, deep down, he thought.
Yana joined Jefry as he held a pink flower. He was spinning it, at the stem, between his forefinger and thumb.
‘Look at these colours, Yana. Aren’t they amazing?’
‘Utterly.’ She watched him spinning the flower. ‘Jefry, are you okay after what happened, uh, to Arth?’ She could never read his feelings. ‘You know, the strange thing is, I’ve never been better. Now, don’t
get me wrong, I’m sad that his gone, but that ceremony was different-you know, celebrating his life. That’s a really good thing to do. And it’s made me look at the world differently.’
The Reef Page 20
