Chapter Six
The first proclamation The Dove made, was to honor those that had foought in the battle. He ordered special ribbons to be made in the pattern of flames, and that these ribbons were to be sewn on the cuffs of the tunics of all those who had participated in the battle.
2 Also, he ordered the minting of a special copper coin, on one side of which was a blazing sword, on the other side of which, were the words, "FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED."
3 He ordered all the fighting people to be paid with this coin until the end of time, as a remembrance of those that had died in the battle.
4 And he also ordered that The Symbol of Spirit surrounded by a ring of flames, be put on the grave markers of all those that died in the fighting.
5 Now, Swift Deer he made Commander of The Speaker's Guard, and Red Boar he made Warlock of the army. Now the people were well pleased with these decrees and honors.
6 Now, shortly after he had become Speaker, Swift Deer came to The Dove. "Lord," he pleaded, "I am greatly troubled. Many men who fought bravely with us during the battle now face charges for crimes they committed under the evil Speaker's leadership.
7 Lord, some of them lost sons and fathers. They have paid for their mistakes! Is there not some way you can lessen The Law against them? Is there not some way they can be given mercy?
8 I know The Law demands justice, but should justice not also be merciful? Must these men be imprisoned? Must their children lose their inheritance?
9 The Dove rose and paced back and forth. "I cannot change The Law," he answered, "that is forbidden me. Look on my desk! There are over five-hundred complaints from this city, alone, and these are from the boldest people, those who dare to speak first. There will be many more.
10 Some of them are against Speakers long dead, others are for crimes committed while we were fighting the battle itself.
11 Now I cannot change The Law, but perhaps I do not have to TOTALLY enforce it. I have an idea! I will sleep on it tonight, and tomorrow I will issue a decree."
12 So it was, The Dove issued this decree. "While The Speaker before me was in power," it announced, "many Speakers and Warlocks made unjust decisions, and for those decisions received payment in gold. I am prepared to give an amnesty to these people, provided they will meet my conditions.
13 If every person that bribed a Speaker or Warlock comes forward and confesses their crime, and promises to voluntarily make amends to those who were wronged, then no warrants will be issued against them, no charges will be brought, and their estate will not be seized.
14 If all Speakers who made unjust decisions and received payment for them come forward and confess, they will only be made to surrender that profit they made on those decisions. Their Speakerships will be take from them. They will still be welcome in worship, but they will no longer be allowed offices of trust.
15 If any Warlock who has made unjust decisions for a payment comes forth, they will only be made to surrender the amount of the bribes they received. Their estates also will not be seized, however, their ranks will be removed from them. They will no longer be allowed to be Warlocks. But if it is their desire, they may continue to serve in the army, as High Damons.
16 There is a limit on this amnesty. Those desiring it must come forth with their confessions twenty-five days, one month, after it is read in their city. After that, those who have not come forward will be punished to the full extent of The Law. Let those who have complaints still come forth and make them! We will need your evidence to find the guilty."
17 Now, when this Decree was read many people were pleased. Some were upset. But most of The Speakers agreed it was within The First Speaker's Power to grant such an amnesty. He was not abandoning The Law, merely softening it. The wrong would be righted, and the land saved unnecessary bitterness and expense.
18 Almost all accepted The Dove's mercy, came forward and admitted their crimes. Only a few tried to escape The Law, but hardly none of these succeeded. There was so much information from those who HAD confessed, that the guilty had no way to hide.
19 The Land of Spirit returned to its prosperity. Under The Dove's leadership the misery was forgotten. He rented The Great Palace built by The Evil Speaker to the Engineering School, and they converted it into a great University. The rent they paid went to educate the poor.
20 The Dove took up residence in what was called The Old Fox's House, and from there led the land.
21 One night, after the evening meal, he stood on the balcony overlooking the city fountain, and watched the women filling their jugs. He was glad not everyone had water in their houses.
22 Swift Deer was standing nearby and The Dove spoke to him "How do you woo a woman?" he asked.
23 Swift Deer was taken back. "How do you WHAT, Lord?" he gasped.
24 "How do you woo a woman?" The Dove repeated. "How do you speak to her? What are the words you use? I have seen you. You meet some woman you don't even know on the street, and in minutes she is ready to go to your bed! How do you do it?"
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