They say the last whale wasn't harpooned: when she knew herself the last, she sang one last song and let herself drown. The last whaler recorded and sold the song.

Having lost them, we still had recordings, and eventually reconstructed their language. Not one of things but of flowing seas and growing fear. Understanding broke our hearts.

The last song was, appropriately, translated last. I had bought and kept it secret, so I would be the first to know its meaning. After I did I destroyed it and told no-one.

It was a command: hide.

.finis.