90 "Every day. But I am The First Speaker's mate. I have to contend with far more than other women. There is not a day that goes by that a young woman does not come to our door and expect to leave with a child in her belly, and though The First Speaker does not particularly care for this custom, politics sometimes makes it difficult to refuse. And then of course, there is the occassional woman that wants to make the arrangement permanent."
91 "I would not mind a sister-mate," said Nameless Fox's mate, "Almost every older man in the village has at least two. And they get along quite well. Though it is hard to think of the idea of sharing, it is terrible to say that sometimes I wish my man had another bed to go to, though there is no one I could love more."
92 "We are much alike," announced The First Speaker's Mate, "you and I. We must correspond at least twice a year. I want to know how you are doing, and if your dream comes true. There are few that see The Spirit that becomes their child. And female Speakers are needed.
93 Our men are fair, and we have better lives than women in any other land, but they still do not fully understand us. There needs to be more women in places of authority, to speak for us, that our voices may be better heard."
94 Her friend agreed. "I will write often," she promised, "and send a letter whenever the mail cart comes through the village. It is good to have a friend far away who can tell me things that are going on outside the village!"
95 The celebration continued long into the night, until finally everyone went wearily to their beds. In the afternoon of the next day, The First Speaker journeyed off, the woman that had caused Nameless Fox so much trouble came and made her apologies.
96 "I still don't care that much for dogs," she said, "but I am beginning to see they have their place. I wish you no ill, and bid you a good life."
97 "And I also, wish you the same," answered Nameless Fox. "I once offered you restitution, but it was denied you. There is one-hundred silver in this bag. I ask you to say nothing but take it. It is not a payment for forgiveness, or an admission of guilt. It is simply a gift to make up for your hardship and sorrow."
98 The woman looked to her new mate, who nodded, and she took the coins.
99 The people of the village loved the dogs, but there were getting to be too many of them, and Nameless Fox was now getting so many helpers that something had to be done. So they leveled a useless piece of ground near the village and built Nameless Fox a great new house and a fine stable for the dogs. It was well worth the effort.
100 Their village was becoming so famous that people traveled great distances to see it. They built a new inn and when this one became inadaquit they built a second!
101 Nameless Fox brought the village so much profit that he was made their Warlock, and a High Member of The Council. They settled in to a good life.
The woman who had caused so much trouble for Nameless Fox goes home with her husband, now new friends!
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