Chapter Seven
The following day after the evening meal, The Dove slipped into his quarters, took off his Speaker's robes, and put on the uniform of a student at The University of Engineering. When Swift Deer came in he looked at him and shook his head.
2 "You might pass for a student," he said, "if no one looks too close. And the people are so used to seeing you in The First Speaker's Robes, they might not recognize you in THAT outfit!"
3 "Have my orders been followed?" asked The Dove.
4 "To the letter!" Swift Deer told him. "The hall to the side entrance is clear, and will remain so until you give orders otherwise.
5 I have selected four men. We will be near you at all times, but we will not wear uniforms and blend in with the crowd. But I still don't like this, not one damn bit! You are putting yourself in danger."
6 "I will be fine," assured The Dove, "do not worry, my friend!" He slipped from The Speaker's House joining the early evening crowd on the street. Few paid attention to him. Students from the University often worked at The Speaker's House, so one emerging from it was little noticed.
7 The Dove stationed himself by the fountain and watched the women. Many of the maidens smiled at him, but when he made no advance, looked disappointed and left.
8 The one he waited for was late, but finally she arrived, involved in happy conversation with several of her friends.
9 As she put her jug into the water, The Dove came over. "It is a long reach," he remarked, "for such lovely arms. May I assist you?"
10 "I can manage!" the girl snapped.
11 "I did not say you couldn't!" The Dove answered, "I am merely following the Law!"
12 "And what Law is that?" the woman asked.
13 "The one which says 'when your brother or sister has a heavy burden, extend your hand, and help with the load.'"
14 The woman shrugged. "The jug IS heavy," she said, "and the reach is long." 15 The Dove helped her lift the jug from the water, and was surprised at its weight. When he finally hoisted it, the girl smiled. "Do you find the burden heavy?" she asked. 16 "Quite!" answered The Dove, "and it injures a man's ego to know that his sisters carry such a load daily, with little effort!" The girl laughed.
17 "May I help you carry the load home?" asked The Dove.
18 "The jug IS heavy, and the way far," the girl told him, "I do not mind help but let me take the other handle, for it is also written, 'Take not all your brother's load, that he may learn to bear a burden and does not become dependant on your care!'"
19 The Dove lowered the jug and she took the other handle. The giggling girls bowed. "Yellow Blossom will not need our company home," they said, "she has found far more pleasant company!"
20 "I do not like speaking to somebody," the woman complained, "when I do not even know his name! Who are you?"
21 "I am Gray Dove," he told her quickly, for it was the only name he could think of, "son of Strong Dove, a shepherd of a village near Southern with good flocks and servants. And you?"
22 "Yellow Blossom Turtle," the girl answered, "daughter of Yellow Blossom Crow and Dancing Turtle, a weaver of some renown in this city. Your father was a shepherd...did you ever tend the flocks?"
23 The Dove laughed. "Your father is a weaver...did you ever wind a bobbin?"
24 Yellow Blossom understood his question. "Smart!" she said, "Of course I have. And if you are a shepherd's son, you must have tended flocks! I bet some people get irritated when you answer a question with a question!"
25 "I have found," answered The Dove, "it seems to be a god way of making people use their mind." 26 They had entered the craft's district, and come to the gate of a pleasant-looking house. It was made of whitewashed stone, and the sign of the Standing Turtle hung by the gate, and under it, the weaver's symbol.
27 "It has been a pleasant evening's stroll," complimented The Dove, "I thank you very much for your company."
28 The girl looked at him in surprise. "How did you know," she gasped, "this was my house?"
29 "How many," asked The Dove, "of The Turtle Clan are weavers?"
30 "Oh," said Yellow Blossom, "your mind is quick!...perhaps TOO quick! Yes, it has been a pleasant stroll, and I thank you for your company!"
31 "If I should be at the well," asked The Dove, "when you come again with your jug, may I have the pleasure of sharing the load?"
32 "I suppose!" agreed Yellow Blossom, "that it will be alright. The load IS heavy, and your company IS pleasant. You are not like those other men that look at me and drool, and can't make their tongues say anything! You have a mind, and you aren't afraid of me. I like that!"
33 "Perhaps," answered The Dove, "I fear you more than any of them, and keep talking merely to hide my fear!"
34 "Fear to you," said Yellow Blossom, "is something virtually unknown. You are like my brother..." her words
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