Chapter Five
They landed at what had once been the city's great space port, but
which was now in ruin. A little docking bus came out, however, attached
to the hatch, and Lord Change and an escort of two entered it. The bus
carried them back to what was left of the facility's great terminal and
they passed through the lock. Inside they were met by a great party.
2 All were silent as Lord Change walked down the line of soldiers
towards the man who stood out a little bit from the rest. Suddenly a
woman broke from behind the waiting noble and rushed towards Lord
Change. She began to beat on his chest, screaming, "Butcherer!
Butcherer!"
Twice she slapped his face hard. Then, for the first time her eyes met
the eyes of Lord Change, and her hand that was about to strike him
again, froze, and she began to tremble.
3 Lord Change took the hand, brought it gently to his lips, and kissed
it. The woman backed away and fell to her knees, weeping. Lord Change
picked her up and brushed the tears from her cheeks. "Those for whom
you weep," he comforted, "sit by The Great Fires in The Forest Glens
and sing the Songs of The Father's Fathers. Hold fast to your dreams,
for they are more than the shadows of the night, but the promise of
things to come. Remember that, noble lady, what you have dreamed will
come true."
4 The woman pulled away. "Dreams," she wept, "Dreams! How do you know
of my Dreams? Are you demon, or are you Light Bearer? Are you from the
creatures of Darkness, or The Father of Fathers?"
5 The woman backed further away and the noble came forward between her
and Lord Change. "Shield Ka," he snapped , "last of the nobles of The
Council of The Three, you are Spear Lo?"
6 "I am now called Change," Lord Change told him.
7 "My daughter," ordered the noble, "step here, and tell me of the
mystery of which he speaks."
8 " The woman came to her father and for several