Books In English "City Of Illusions" Ursula K. Le Guin | Page 71

only for cattle-grazing, had never been resettled after the diaspora to the
stars, the date of which in the fragmentary and falsified records left to men
was not definitely known.
"Strange to think," Falk said as they skirted the second of these
long-buried towns, "that there were children playing here and…women
hanging out the washing…so long ago. In another age. Farther away from
us than the worlds around a distant star."
"The Age of Cities," Estrel said, "the Age of War…I never heard tell
of these places, from any of my people. We may have come too far south,
and be heading for the Deserts of the South."
So they changed course, going west and a little north, and the next
morning came to a big river, orange and turbulent, not deep but dangerous
to cross, though they spent the whole day seeking a ford.
On the western side, the country was more arid than ever. They had
filled their flasks at the river, and as water had been a problem by excess
rather than default, Falk thought little about it. The sky was clear now, and
the sun shone all day; for the first time in hundreds of miles they did not
have to resist the cold wind as they walked, and could sleep dry and warm.
Spring came quick and radiant to the dry land; the morning star burned
above the dawn and wildflowers bloomed under their steps. But they did
not come to any stream or spring for three days after crossing the river.
In their struggle through the flood Estrel had taken some kind of chill.
She said nothing about it, but she did not keep up her untiring pace, and
her face began to look wan. Then dysentery attacked her. They made camp
e arly. As she lay beside their brushwood fire in the evening she began to
cry, a couple of dry sobs only, but that was much for one who kept
emotion so locked within herself.
Uneasy, Falk tried to comfort her, taking her hands; she was hot with
fever.
"Don't touch me," she said. "Don't, don't. I lost it, I lost it, what shall I
do?"
And he saw then that the cord and amulet of pale jade were gone from
her neck.
"I must have lost it crossing the river," she said controlling herself,
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