station doors. Suddenly pistols appeared from
beneath their robes. "Die, traitor! " one of them screamed.
14 The beams from the five pistols struck Lord Change in the chest and
his guards rushed forward, but Lord Change cried out, "Do not fire!
Hold your positions!"
15 The Councilmen disbelievingly raised their weapons and fired again,
but still Lord Change stood before them. Four of the weapons dropped to
the floor, but one Councilman came forward, firing his weapon again and
again. Still The Lord Change stood, motionless, when the Councilman was
but a step away.
16 The Lord Change reached out and took the weapon. "Is your desire to
kill," he asked, "so strong that you would kill me because I would
bring peace? Do you wish to punish me because I would end the fighting,
or do you truly wish to destroy yourself because of the pain in your
own heart, because of what we have done? Do you do this because you
want to cling to the past, or because you do not have the courage to be
your own executioner and would put your death in the hands of the one
who would be forced to take your life?"
17 Tears began to run down the man's face, and Lord Change took him in
his arms. "You are forgiven,"' he whispered, "from this day forth you
will be called Forgiven, for not only I forgive you, but all Those who
now sleep. And so do I forgive the rest of you. Each of you has a new
name, Promise, Hope, Wisdom, Security. These are the things that you
will now carry. Go! Go to your homes."
18 The Councilman began to retreat towards the door, but half way there
he turned. "What power have you been given," he asked, "that death
cannot come to you, and you can see into a man's very soul, know him
better than he knows himself? Who can oppose you? Who can speak against
you? I am unworthy to serve. I will submit my resignation. Another will
be chosen to sit in my place!"
19 "That is only appropriate," agreed Lord Change, "as the