pismire

For the whole of his life Pismire had known more than he did.

And Pismire had gone off somewhere, on business of his own.

With his free hand he motioned Pismire to go on talking.

Pismire didn't know why, but he felt sure that everything was going to be all right.

You should never have to chase prey, Pismire had always said.

It looked up, and with horror Pismire saw its eyes narrow.

"I wonder if she can ever be entirely in one place," said Pismire.

"Pismire got us out before the hair fell," she cried.

"Sounds like a king to me, right enough," said Pismire.

An hour later it loomed above them, the largest thing Pismire had ever seen.

"But we must get back to the tribe," said Pismire.

Pismire spoke from right behind him, just as he was adjusting the saddle.

Pismire ate in silence for a while, and then wiped his mouth.

Pismire had once said, picking up a handful of coins.

Pismire used to say it was full of homely comfort.

"I thought those guards took it very well, considering," said Pismire.

"It'll never work," said Pismire, appearing behind him in that silent way of his.

You don't have to chase around after creatures, Pismire had said.

Pismire lived in a shack near the old wood quarry.

A little later they broke camp, with Pismire driving the leading cart.

One of the creatures poked its head through the bars and looked down at Pismire.

"But all they've got to do is lower that platform and we're done for," shouted Pismire.

The word pismire means ant, referring to the island's tiny size.

"They don't like what it is they're not telling us," said Pismire.

Pismire said they had a rich native cultural inheritance.