59 When they wish to attack with their paws they strike with their claws extended. If Lady had done this, she would have ripped the man's back out. She meant to discipline, to punish, not to kill. But she did not realize her great strength.
60 She was as surprised that she had killed as anyone, and as for mutilating the body, it was a dead thing. They have not learned the difference between men and other things.
61 To them a dead thing is food. And she was merely following her instincts.
62 I, as anyone, regret this. The village has gathered a compensation....one-hundred silver coins, as restitution to this woman for her mate's lost income. This we offer in fair exchange, but we deny they have any right to the lives of our animals.
63 I invite The Speaker and these judges to come out and view Lady, to touch her, to play with her puppies. Then I deny any of them to say that she is wild and vicious."
64 The woman objected to this, but The Speaker saw no harm in it. "It is not fair," he agreed, "to judge this animal without seeing her first hand."
65 So the judges and Speaker went out, patted Lady, handled the puppies, one even had to be disciplined in their presence. It was obvious the judges were amazed with what they saw.
66 "We have said all we can," continued Nameless Fox, "now the decision is yours."
67 It was not an easy decision for the judges to make. For three days they stayed in The Brother's House and argued. Finally they told The Speaker they were ready. When their spokesman rose, those in The Temple hardly breathed.
68 "We find," he announced, "the animal in question guilty as charged. But we also find her justified, and that the justification nullifies the crime. Therefore, she should not in any way, be punished, or her owners sanctioned.
69 They have offered restitution, but we do not feel them liable. The man's cruel and unjustified acts brought about his death. They were therefore not responsible for what happened next, for they were just the ways of nature. That, sir, is our decision." 70 The Speaker opened The Book of The Law, and checked several passages. "I believe," he announced, "that the decision made is well within the Laws concerning an owner's responsibility for the actions of any animal belonging to him. I therefore, approve this decision, and do declare it binding and legal."
71 The woman jumped up. "Unfair!" she screamed, "Unfair! I appeal!"
72 "You will have to take your appeal to The District Warlock," The Speaker told her. "He is the authority over me. If he wishes to hear the case, it is up to him. But you have had a fair hearing. So I would suggest you drop the matter.
73 I do not think any other Speaker would even bother to hear the case. However if you insist I will order the Scribes to give you a copy of the proceedings as is your right. But from here I am done with it!"
74 The woman's anger was great. She took her copy of the proceedings, sold her land to the village, packed her belongings in an ox cart, and left.
75 Nameless Fox hoped that would be the last they ever saw of her, but he had a feeling it was not a hope that would come to pass.
76 The five puppies grew rapidly, and already the village had given them names. The three females were Bright Eyes, Nosy and Dreamer. The two males were Little Fellow and Nipper.
77 It would take them two years before they would be full grown, and big enough to ride. But their training could start long before that.
78 When they were about a year old, a group of Warlocks approached the village one day and stopped at the gatekeeper's house.
79 "I am Gray Serpent," their leader announced, "Warlock of the Southern district. I am looking for one Nameless Fox, a rider of dogs."
80 "His is the third house on the circle," the gatekeeper told hm, "but he's not there. He's out in the field with The Brothers, helping them lay pipes. That dog of his can do more work than five oxen."
81 "So I have heard!" the Warlock told him, "but I will actualy have to see one working to believe it. Come along," he told his fighting men.
82 "Wait a minute," cried the gatekeeper, "you'd better leave those spears here. Big Fellow's all right, but Nameless Fox was wounded by a spear and he trusts no one carrying one."
83 The fighting people seemed hesitant, but the Warlock nodded. "In a strange village," he ordered, "we go by their customs. Leave your spears." The men obeyed.
84 The irrigation system was almost complete. The Brothers were now laying the earthen pipes that would bring the water under the upper fields to the lower ones.
85 With Big Fellow's help, the work was going well ahead of schedual. The Warlock and his men stood in awe as they watched the great dog and his master work.
86 Finally the Warlock went down and spoke to Nameless Fox. "Sir," he said, "I do not wish to disturb you in this good work, but I must speak with you. I have a letter of complaint that I must hear your response to. But already, with what I've seen, I would say the complaint is unfounded."
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