Chapter Nine
The following morning Swift Deer took a squad of the Speaker's guard and went to Dancing Turtle's house. Knocking on the gate he was soon answered.
2 "Good day, fine sir," the old gentleman greeted, "what can I possibly do for a Warlock of the Speaker's guard?"
3 "Sir," answered Swift Deer, "I have been sent by The First Speaker on a mission that he considers the most urgent. He has seen your daughter getting water for her family at the city fountain, and his heart has been won by her fine bearing and good charm.
4 He asks that she come to The First Speaker's House and converse with him, for if she is willing, he would like for her to become his companion for life, and the mother of his children."
5 "Oh, dear, oh dear!" stammerd Dancing Turtle, "I am afraid you will have to return to The First Speaker and tell him that such a meeting cannot be. My daughter was just yesterday, betrothed to another, whom she loves very much. I am sure she is greatly flattered by The First Speaker's offer, but promise has been made and must be kept."
6 Now, all in the house heard this conversation, and were much surprised. They were even more surprised when Swift Deer answered, "I will not be the bearer of any such news to The First Speaker. If your daughter rejects him, you must all come to The First Speaker's House, and tell him yourself that she does not desire him."
7 "But my son cannot walk!" argued Dancing Turtle.
8 "In that case," answered Swift Deer, "we will carry him, but YOU ARE COMING!"
9 So it was, a strange procession made its way through the streets, to The First Speaker's House. As they marched along, Swift Deer made his way back along the column and whispered in Swift Turtle's ear.
10 "Will you stop smiling like that? You're supposed to be worried and concerned!"
11 "I'm sorry," Swift Turtle answered back, "but I can't wait to see their faces!"
12 Swift Deer returned to the head of the column. Finally they came to The First Speaker's House and entered The Great Hall of Judgment.
13 The Speaker sat upon his great chair of judgment, which had been pushed back, into the shadows. The hood of his robes covered his face, making him look a dark and foreboding figure.
14 Swift Deer bowed. "First Speaker," he announced, "I have carried out my mission, as you ordered. I have brought here the family of the Clan Turtle, that you might have words with them."
15 When The First Speaker spoke, his voice was gruff and harsh. "And what do they say to my proposal?"
16 "To that, sir," answered Swift Deer, "I will let them speak for themselves."
17 Dancing Turtle stepped forward. "Sir," he answered, "we are greatly flattered by your interest in our daughter, and that you would make her lady of the land, is a great compliment, indeed. But I am afraid, Lord, she is already spoken for by a fine young man who has won her heart, and and who is, perhaps at this very moment, making arrangements for their meeting. My Lord knows such a promise cannot be broken."
18 "If the young man understood," argued The First Speaker, "who it was that desired her, might he not step aside for the better man? Imagine, all I could give your daughter. She would be The First Lady of her people, renown throughout the land. Every woman would admire her. The rich would pay her homage. She would have the finest clothes, the best of everything our land could offer. Who could offer more than this?"
19 "I still feel," answered Dancing Turtle, "that my daughter would choose the other.
20 We understand the great honor you offer her, but her heart belongs to another that is a stronger bind than riches or fame.
21 And one must be true to one's word. One does not forsake a contract merely because a more profitable circumstance comes along.
22 My daughter has chosen, I and my house will stand by that choice."
23 "As you will," agreed The First Speaker. "You are an honorable man and I respect that honor. But before you depart I will hear from the woman's own mouth that she prefers another to the Lord of her land."
24 Dancing Turtle stepped back, and Yellow Blossom stepped forward.
25 "Lord," she announced, "in all sincerity I am greatly flattered to be given such an honor as to be desired by one such as you.
26 It is many women's dream to come into this house and I know you are a gentle and loving man, for the way you have ruled your people proves that.
27 And one who loves his people so greatly can understand the great love that a man and a woman share. I have the deepest respect for you, and, your house, but I must say no."
28 The First Speaker rose, stepped down from the platform, and into the light. "You refuse the First Speaker," he asked, "and his House, but will you refuse the man?"
29 He threw back his hood and for a moment Yellow Blossom stood in stunned surprise. Then she rushed forwad into his arms.
30 "No!" she cried, "No! I will not refuse the man. But why? Why did you do this?"
31 "I had to be sure," answered The Dove, "I did not want you to come to me because I was First Speaker. If I had approached you in these robes, you would have had no peace until you accepted. And I wanted you to have peace.
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