63 The following morning in grand procession, they carried him to his funeral fire, and in the cemetery furnace they gave up his flesh to The Lords, and entombed his bones with those of The First Speakers.
64 When the mourning was done, the news of The Dove's impending mating was given out, and it lifted the spirit of the land.
65 People of importance and even the poor flocked to Northern to be part of the celebration.
66 Yellow Blossom was besieged with gifts; clothing, food, furnishings. She accepted all gratefuly, selected those she liked best, and replaced just about everyting in The Speaker's House with them.
67 The old she distributed to the poor. She made a list of what was available then distributed it to The Local Speakers in the city, asking them to tell her what people could use what items. Then she delivered each gift personally.
68 The Dove was pleased with her wisdom and the people adored her for her generosity.
69 "Never could I wear so many fine clothes," she said, "and what a joy to see a young girl have a dress that befits her beauty!"
70 When the day of the mating came, the city was in grand celebration. The people toasted to the long life and health of The Speaker and his mate.
71 But Yellow Blossom toasted with only juice, and not wine. "For," she said, "when I became one with a Speaker, I am bound, also, by The Speaker's Oath. And those things that are forbidden him, also are they forbidden me. If I share his glory, I share his duties."
72 And The Dove made a triumphant tour of the land, visiting every city, inspecting all of the improved defenses, and was very pleased with everything he saw.
73 The walls of every city were thickened and raised, provision made for the storage of much more food and water, in the case of a siege.
74 Larger villages were fortified, so defenders could be left in them and they would not have to be abandoned.
75 The People of Spirit would not be taken unprepared again, by any enemy! They would bleed him dry before he could venture far into their territory.
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