Outward Borne Read Online Free Page A

the water level on one
lake was slightly higher than that of the other due to the greater
influx of water into Head Lake. RaLak had modeled the different
forces that might cause the change in water level and the biggest
factor was that same wind. A constant wind blowing across the lake
would push the water along causing it to pile up on the far shore
raising the level enough to reverse the flow. True enough, but
sometimes the flow reversed when there was no wind, and that was
what no one understood. Sending MaxNi to measure the flow of water
into and out of both lakes seemed a good place to start.
    Meanwhile, RaLak went to the local
fishing pier and restaurant, a source of more fruitful information.
There was a better than average turnout at the pier-side place. The
arrival of the COW Team well known and long expected in Filim, and
while there was some disappointment that the Team seemed to consist
of only two rather ordinary looking fellows, there was ongoing
speculation on what might happen next and why weren’t there more.
So the denizens were quite pleased to find that half of the Team
showed up in the flesh.
    After explaining to the
satisfaction of the regulars what the mission was all about, how
long it might take and, so sorry, it wasn't going to require the
services of twenty or so economy-boosting, gossip-fueling
crewmembers, RaLak was tipped onto one of the towns senior
citizens, one YoLa MeSom. Old YoLa had lived in a house overlooking
the fishing pier and boat dock since before there was a pier or
dock.
    There was no offer to actually
take RaLak anywhere near old YoLa's place for she had a well-earned
respect for her ability to conduct any conversation to mind-numbing
lengths. One did not step onto YoLa's porch without being recently
fortified with an abundance of food and drink, they warned, but
RaLak did not mind a good chat and wandered off up the hill in
search of the most mature house on the channel side of the hill.
After one false guess, he approached the low, gray (not a
distinguishing feature) house that had seen better days a long time
ago. The house did have an unusually large porch overlooking the
channel, two well used sitting mats, and a small, almost tiny
female, the well respected (from a distance) YoLa.
    Following a polite introduction,
RaLak was invited to sit on the front porch to be queried about his
research into the water flow in Filim's channel. YoLa did not say
much at first, beyond asking questions, for the more she learned
about her guests, the more topics she could tote up for future
discussion. YoLa had lived in that very house since she was a child
and had undertaken a great deal of study of the water’s flow and
what it all meant. YoLa agreed that the wind was certainly one
cause that could determine the direction of flow and could not only
reverse the flow but cause flooding in Filim and damage to the dock
moorings.
    RaLak was surprised, however, when
YoLa vigorously insisted that wind was not the only cause of the
flows’ fickle nature. He, being an experienced gabber, provoked her
into an even greater vent by initially discounting any other cause
and daring to question her observations. The fog could be so thick
you could not see your right eye with your left, as the saying
goes, but no, she was certain. Every year there were periods when
the air was dead still for days on end and the visibility was
unusually good. Some days you could see to the far side of Filim,
but usually only as far as the near side and things close to it.
Then the lake surface settled into a glasslike stillness, YoLa
said, and still there were changes in flow, subtle changes. YoLa
pointed out the buoys that were used to tie up small boats. The
buoys were anchored to the bottom by long lines. They would drift
in the direction of the water flow. A strong flow pushed the buoys
as far as the lines would permit while the lines would settle when
the flow stopped and pull the buoys to a middle position. If