THE RETALIATIONTHE FIRST STEP WAS TO capture the invaders already present. Spies kept the elders informed of the whereabouts of the three ships—they remained anchored in the lagoon of the main Brunesian island. An army of warriors assembled and a fleet of the empire’s biggest canoes was made ready with weapons and food and water stores. In charge of these activities was their leader Artemisini, a direct descendant of Artemi. A tall, muscular Primesian, Artemisini, seemed to be everywhere at once, ordering more equipment here and checking canoe lashing there. Wearing only a loincloth, he leapt from one canoe to another as he shouted words of encouragement, his long black hair trailing out over his shoulders. His rugged features and fearsome tattoos belied the kindly nature that made him adm
