this unfortunateness, cry for mercy. I think it
should be given therefore,
it will be."
103 "Surely," argued one of the Councilmen, rising, "our God is loving
and merciful. But such a crime cannot go unpunished. There must at
LEAST be a fine .....say, 90% of all property?"
104 "Say about Five per cent," Morn spoke up.
105 The Lord God let the arguing continue until Morn had worn the
others down to ten per cent. Then he stopped them. "Ten per cent it
is," he announced, rising. "Now, it's late. I have other things to
attend to. Good night, gentlemen. "
106 Everyone rose and bowed as The Lord God left. Morn followed him
out. He'd made few friends that evening, but he'd saved his friend's
life.
107 In the hall his father turned and faced him. "Well done!" he
praised, "You fought with honor and dignity, and you won! I'm glad you
did. Now I'm going to tell your mother how proud I am of you. Do me a
favor ...stay in the apartment where you keep your lady friends
tonight. I have to get the smell of my royal quarters out of my nose!"
108 "Yes sir," Morn said with a smile. Picking up his Guard, he left
the Palace and winged across the city. He had to talk to North. All
that had been decided was on the condition that North publicly renounce
his father. It would be something very hard for North to do.
109 Morn wanted to tell him face to face. As they neared North's
apartment house, Morn's superior night vision did him well. Long before
his friend could have seen him, Morn saw North leap from his balcony
and wing away over the city. Cautiously Morn and his Guard took up
pursuit.
110 North was being extremely cautious, using every trick in the book
to shake off pursuers. But Morn was no ordinary pursuer, and Morn had a
pretty good idea where North was going.