34 "I know that," North answered, "you must be
careful, though. Remember, these people have some strange ideas about
our ways. We mustn’t do anything to give them the wrong idea. Now, get
your tops on. I've got a couple of things to discuss with you, and your
being like that distracts me."
35 Both women laughed, and dressed themselves. Then North told them
what had happened in his office. "Liberating these women isn't going to
be easy!" agreed Valley Blossom. They're enslaved by an ancient system
of customs that is going to be hard to break."
36 "We will have to go carefully," said North, "accomplish our goals,
hopefully without hurting too many feelings. They don't really mistreat
their women, they're good at heart. If we give them a chance, they'll
see the wisdom in their own Lord's Teachings. We don't even have to
bring ours into the picture. Lord Change, himself, taught well enough!
His people just weren't ready to accept the change." North went back to
his business and his wives to theirs.
37 Several days went by and the lecture halls were filled daily with
Peepian Officers. North was concentrating first on individual combat,
training the Officers to use every trick he had ever learned, and it
seemed to be paying off. Though his forces had played a very minor part
in the two small battles since their arrival The Peepians had fought
much better, suffering far fewer casualties.
38 "As soon as we get through the basics," praised North, "and start
teaching them some maneuvers in formation, they'll really start chewing
The Goddens up!"
39 One morning North was entering the lecture hall early. He did not
see the young Peepian Officer standing behind the door. But instinct
made him whirl around barely in time to avoid the dagger aimed for his
heart!
40 His attacker backed off, screamed, "Die, demon!" and dove in again.
He knocked North over backwards,