that oath. I, too, am a member of that family."
17 "Never be it so!" snapped North. "Never have I considered you part
of that oath. You are not of that blood. Your mother's blood makes you
pure, makes you different. I have never considered you a part of that
house which I shall destroy!"
18 "I am glad of that," smiled Morn. "Now, again I ask you answer my
question. How many are with you?"
19 "Not counting The Hashons in my sectors," explained North, "I have
about one-third of The Empire's population ready to follow me whenever
I give the word."
20 "Even combined with my forces," worried Morn, "we would still be
heavily outnumbered. What about ships?"
21 "There," laughed North, "we'll be a little bit better off! I'll take
better than one-third of The Empire's Warfleet with me, and if all goes
well, perhaps three quarters of the Merchant Fleet. We will have,
combined with your ships, the greatest Fleet ever to oppose The Empire!"
22 "You talk as if," interjected Morn, "I have already chose to join
forces with you."
23 "No," snapped North, "I have known for years it is I who would be
joining forces with you! A long time ago my wife's father
interpreted a dream I had had. He spoke of a legend that his people
have, a legend of a Freer one-half of his people, and half of my
people. He said according to The Legend, that Freer would have a strong
left hand; one as thunder and lightning, one of his father's race. He
told me I was that man, that you were The Promised One.
24 All that I have done, all that I have built was to prepare for that
day, to be ready when you needed it. That built on hate has little
meaning, little good, but that built for love has purpose, and greater
meaning.
25 What I have built was so we could stand together. I don't think many
of my people understand that.