yours. You can use your weapon, or you can hand it back to me and tear up your complaint."
63 The woman stood for a moment, her hand on the side of the weapon, then she handed it back to The Dove. "I withdraw my complaint," she announced, "what's done is done. Let the past lie dead and the future rise out of it."
64 "Those are words of wisdom, " answered The Dove, "that should be written down for others to know. Let there be peace now, between you and this house. The complaint has been withdrawn. That which I have been asked to decide has been decided by another. It is over and done. Let no one speak of it again. Let us have a celebration for the end of hard feelings, and the beginning of a new tomorrow."
65 So the village responded. The Dove's party came in for a great feast, and it was a very enjoyable time. The singing, dancing, and eating were enjoyed by all.
66 The First Speaker sat by Nameless Fox most of the evening sharing their views on many subjects.
67 The First Speaker liked Nameless Fox's idea of dog messengers, but he refused Nameless Fox's gift of four dogs for The Church.
68 "It is best," he argued, "I pay for them. We want no claims of favoritism. I will pay for them out of my personal funds. If you wish, you may discount the price, as any merchant does when selling to the Church, but no more than one-fourth."
69 "If it is your wish," agreed Nameless Fox, "it will be as you say. As soon as this generation of pups is ready, I will send them to Northern. They should find mates as they make the rounds of the cities.
70 The first year you will have eight dogs, the second year, sixteen. The herd will more than double every year. Of course there'll be a few losses to sickness and injury, but they should not be great."
71 The First Speaker agreed. "I will follow your direction for selecting handlers and send them to you as soon as I return to Northern."
72 He watched the dancing and listened to the singing for several minutes. "You know," said The First Speaker, "I had forgotten almost, how much I loved village life. City people are all right....most of them, but in a village you are close to one-another, you share each-other's lives with a joy and a passion.
73 A man in a city could have never done what you have done." The Dove looked around. "I wonder where that woman of mine is?" he asked.
74 "Probably with mine in the house," Nameless Fox told him. "They seem to have hit it off quite well. They were talking behind us a little while ago about so many women having their name, and they were talking about the reading of The Law to children while they sleep."
75 "A good custom!" agreed The Dove. "Sometimes I would pretend to be asleep just so I could hear my mother read it to me. I learned every word by heart.....
76 'Behold, you are a Child of The Lords. They are one with you, and you are one with Them. Neither is master, neither is slave, but you are partners, one with the other. And though each half of the partnership has weaknesses, joined together you have a Greater Strength than either could have alone.
77 Your body is Their Temple. Treat it with respect. Do not put into it things that defile it, but only those things that give it good.
78 Your voice is Their Voice, and as They are Truth, you must always speak with Truth. Defile not Their glory by speaking an untrue utterance, but bring glory to Them each day by what comes out of your mouth.
79 On Holy days lift up your voice and thank Them for that which They have helped you do. For it is good not to foget Them, as They have not forgotten you.
80 Your hand is Their Hand. Let it not dishonor Them. Remember that by Law you may return blow for blow, but that the greater man is merciful.
81 Follow every day Their path, and though you may have misfortune, you will be strengthened, and though you have adversity it will pass. And at the end of your days you will fear no darkness, but Their Gates shall open wide to you, and you shall have a great house in Their Land of Plenty.
82 So The Lords have said, and so always, it shall be'"
83 The Dove had not realized that all around him had fallen into complete silence, until everyone repeated "So must it be!"
84 He looked up in surprise. "My good friends," he cried, "I did not mean to disturb your joy! Go on with your singing, your dancing!"
85 "You have not disturbed us, Lord. What greater joy is there, than to remember childhood? I have not thought of my mother for some time," Nameless Fox told him, "either of them...the one that gave her life so I might live, or the one that took me in as her very own, and whose love made me what I am. No, Lord, you have not disturbed our joy."
86 Nameless Fox jumped to his feet. "Lord," he asked, "what is your favorite song?"
87 "'Let Me Walk By The River,'" answered The First Speaker.
88 Nameless Fox began to sing, putting his arm around a young woman near him. Soon a circle was formed, and everyone was singing joyously. In the doorway of the house, The First Speaker's mate looked to her new friend. "Do you ever get jealous?" she asked.
89 "What woman doesn't?" her companion answered. "And you?"
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