enemy of The Lovers of Men. Any who are bothered
by them shall find in me an ally. Any who oppose them shall find in me,
a backer. I shall rid our world of their insanity. By this blood so I
swear!"
117 North lowered his hands and again stared at the coffin where his
father lay. "May I join you in that oath, Northern Star," spoke a voice
from behind him, "if I swear to follow wherever you lead, to the death?"
118 North spun around, startled, taking up the fighting position before
he even saw who spoke. He recognized the young man before him as a schoolmate, but didn't know his name. "Who
are you?" he asked.
119 "Gray Mountain," the other answered. "My father is a Captain in
your father's service."
120 "Oh," North sighed in relief, "I re ..." He never got to finish the
sentence, because he heard the same noise his companion had. Someone was unlocking the doors to the hall. "Behind
the coffins!" whispered North, and dove for the only available hiding
place. The other followed suit.
121 A moment later two Temple Guards entered the Hall sword in hand. "I
tell you, there's someone in here," one was saying. "I heard voices, I
KNOW I did! You go that way, I'll go down here!"
122 When Morn saw the doors opening, he knew North and the other boy
were trapped. He leaped through the window and was quickly airborne,
his guard, who had been waiting outside, joining him. In moments he
circled the building, landed at the main entrance, and began pulling the bell rope. Inside, the Guard
stopped only a short distance from the coffins. "By The Lord!" he gasped, "Who can that be?"
123 "I don't know!" the other replied, "but we'd better go find out
before we get in trouble. We're not supposed to be in here without
calling in first."
124 North heard the two men hurry out and lock the door. He quickly
peeked over the coffin to be sure they were gone,