stood him. His maps on the chalkboard laid out
his plan.
35 "I figure it will take me a day to come down the river, another day
to get into position. For those two days I want you to harass the
enemy, keep him on his lines, make it look like we intend to attack in
the flanks. The signal that we are in position will be given from this
hill behind the enemy ...three flashes, a pause, and two flashes. If
that signal does not come by the third day begin your attack anyway.
because that means we're in trouble, and you need to break through and help us."
36 Bay Blossom stood up and looked at the map. "There's a hundred
things that could go wrong with this," she objected. "I don't like it.
And you're still too weak for such a journey. I demand you give me this
assault."
37 "No," insisted Thundering Dove. "I will take only men on this
mission, no women. The possibility of our men being caught behind
enemy lines is bad enough. I will not risk women on this mission."
38 Bay Blossom took off her sword and threw it on the table, walked
over to a chair, and sat down. The other Warlocks in the room stared in
silence.
She was saying without words, that she surrendered her command.
39 "Everyone out!" signed Thundering Dove. The other Warlocks left.
Thundering Dove took the chalk, wrote on the board and then went and
stood by the corner of the table, his back to bay Blossom. She rose and
read what he had written. "If what is between us endangers my
authority, then it must end here and now. You cannot question my
decisions before our Warlocks. My authority cannot be questioned."
40 Bay Blossom took a rag and erased the words. "My concern," she
began, "is for the safety of the man on whom our victory depends. To be
your woman,