"no challenge can be made under a truce. I'm
sorry, young man!"
50 "I beg your pardon," objected the Priest, "but the challenge of
blood is acceptable, even under a flag of truce. All tribal feuds are
forbidden, but blood rites are
acceptable."
51 The Lord God thought for a moment. "You are quite right!" he agreed,
"But I do not know if General North abides by this ancient Tradition of
his people. Perhaps he does not wish to accept this young man's
challenge. I will let HIM decide."
52 The young man backed off. "Who is your father?" asked North.
53 "The one you murdered," the young man answered, "for trying to take
back what belongs to our Lord God … the Chief Trumpeter Of The Temple,
whose sweet music you have forever silenced. That is who you murdered."
54 "I am surprised," laughed North, "that he even had a son, but I'm in
no mood to kill you, regardless. "
55 "Then like all men say," the young man went on, "you no longer have
any honor. You have become like the serpents you live with."
56 North backed off. "A word with you, North," Morn said, walking off a
short distance. North joined him. "You've GOT to fight him, North.
We've walked into it, and there's nothing we can do. If you don't,
they'll make such propaganda out of it as you wouldn't believe!
I don't think The Lord God was part of it. He was as
surprised by the
challenge as we were, and I think tried to get you out of it. The man
may be acting on his own, who knows?"
57 "Look at him!" North objected. "How old do you think he
is...seventy-five….one-hundred? He's Ground Forces, not even Academy!
He's no match for me! I'd kill him in three or four minutes! And I'm
sick of killing youngsters that don't even know how to defend
themselves. Let them make propaganda out of it! I don't