for Lord Change and his men, Lord Change sat down
his cup. "Perhaps," he argued, "that would not be such a good idea."
21 "And why is that?" inquired Ka. "Is my daughter not worthy of your
company?"
22 "Oh, MORE than worthy! " complimented Lord Change, "though I have
only now laid eyes on her, it would please me to take her for my wife.
But as I can now not provide that comfort that a man needs to give his
wife, it would not be fair to so burden her. For a husband and wife
should be faithful to one-another all their life. And it is not fair to
ask a woman to accept a man who cannot fulfill the needs she has."
23 Lord Ka too, sat down his cup. "I understand," he wept. "Then, the
Dreams cannot be true. But you told her to hold fast to them."
24 "Not by any natural means can they be true," admitted Lord Change.
"Perhaps by some other ways, but this must be understood before any
commitment is made. I am no longer fully a man."
25 Lord Ka, with an angry gesture, swept the table clean with a sweep
of his hand. "Never," he snapped, "in my presence utter such words
again! You are more of a man than has ever sat foot on any
ground. And if any man says that is untrue, I will cut out his heart,
and put it on your table."
26 "I hope," put in Lord Change, "that any such ancient
practice would not be performed on my behalf, but I give my thanks for
the kindness of your words."
27 "Still in all," said Ka, "I shall send my daughter. How these
problems are solved will be between the two of you, and of no business
of mine. However, I am sure by some means, she will be your bride. Such
has been the way with women of our clan. Once they put their mark on a
man, he will be theirs, and as your cheeks bear witness, she has marked
you,
twice!"
28 Lord Change felt the scratches on his face. "That,"