Blossom continued.
81 Bay Blossom laughed. "Uncomfortable and comfortable at the same
time. Sometimes my back aches so I want to cry. But then I feel it wiggle, and the uncomfort
just floats away. Only joy remains.
82 He'll come out soon. Then you get to watch him grow. Then comes the
day his little hands start scratching at the egg, and he pokes his
little nose through and takes his first breath. Then, you get to hold
him, and feed him.
83 I never thought I'd dream of these things. I thought other
women were foolish. Now I count the days. And the way I'm feeling they
won't be long."
84 Back in The Land of The Oneness Thundering Dove was going through
the enemy like a reaper went through grain. His march on Charity had
been a series of three battles, each of which he had won in hours.
The siege of the city itself, had ended when he pushed boats
loaded
with gunpowder under their river gate, and set it off. His people had
then poured inside. Soon they were marching south with cartloads of
treasure. There would be good shares for them all.
85 He now held the territory half way up to Justice, half way to
Soldier. His people sat outside the gate to Resistance, and,
Forgiveness. These cities weren't besieged, but the enemy was aware of
their presence. The water belonged to them. The enemy did not have a
rowboat left. Anything of his that floated was either sunk or, captured.
86 "I'm going back to Fo," he told his Warlocks. "I want to scout Se.
Our next move might be overland. Or, we might turn north, take Justice,
and Faith. In that case, we will need reinforcements. "
87 His men agreed."It might even be safe,"