Chapter Twenty-Six
Now, some months after the fighting had ceased, the Dove's daughter came to him. "Father," she announced, "a petition of treason and heresy has been brought before me, and I cannot decide it. I think it best that you hear the case."
2 "Very well, daughter," The Dove told her. "I will sit in judgment tomorrow."
3 So the next morning The Dove sat himself on The Seat of Warlocks entered The Hall accompanied by several Justice and had those involved come forward.
4 Several Speakers. seen; several men dressed in well-made robes that Behind them, came the strangest sight The Dove had ever were neither were cut like Speaker's Robes, so he took them for bleached or dyed, but obviously well made.
5 Their robes Speakers. forward.
6 "Lord," he began, "with deepest sympathy and The accuser, a Warlock named Gray Hawk, stepped regret I Gray Bear, and his companions.
7 The treason, because must bring charges of treason and heresy against this man, when reported all right, to the rallying place, but they brought no you put out the call to arms, they refused to answer. They arms. saying that they belonged to a new order that The Lords had And when they were told to obtain arms, they refused, given. battle because they were forbidden to kill.
8 They would That under no circumstances could they bear arms or do accompany us, tend our camps, and during the battle evecuate the wounded and tend them. But they would not bear arms. They could not, with good conscience, even injure another person to protect themselves.
9 Now, I must say, that during the battle they did much service, and that some of them even gave their lives. But their service would have been greater if they had used arms and defended their land."
10 "How is it," asked The Dove, "that this is the first I have heard of this? Why did you not tell my son of it at the time?"
11 "Your son was extremely busy, Lord with matters of battle, and we did not wish to break the fighting people's moral by bringing such a charge in such a time of danger. Their numbers were few, and we believed the matter could wait until a more appropriate time."
12 "I see," agreed The Dove. "This covers the charge of treason, but who speaks of heresy?"
13 A Speaker next to Gray Hawk stepped forward. "Lord," he began, "I am Sleeping Boar, Speaker of a village near The Western City. It is I who bring the charge of heresy.
14 This man Gray Bear, teaches a philosophy that is completely different from The Teachings of The Old Fox and many of their beliefs contradict his Teachings.
15 The Old Fox taught clearly, that each person should defend his land, even to the loss of their lives, but this man teaches that a man should not fight at all, should not even strike another, because he may be in error to do so.
16 Better, he says, to ignore an offense, and let the offender walk away, rather than injure any man.
17 The Old Fox taught what animals were good to eat, and what were not, but this man says that it is wrong to kill any living thing for food, and will not eat meat.
18 There are many other ways, also, Lord, his Teachings differ. Yet he says he is of The Lords, and respects The Law.
19 I say he has been taught by a Demon, not of The Lords. That what he speaks is cowardice, not of The Lords, and should be forbidden."
20 The Speaker stepped back. "I understand," The Dove told him. "Gray Bear," he asked, "is that the name you have always used? It seems like I know you. You wear a Red Ring. Didn't I give you a Certificate of Bravery after The Battle of The Lords Fire? Weren't you then called Strong Bear?"
21 "I am he of whom you speak," the other answered. "Yes, you presented me with that award, and this Ring, when you visited our city on your first tour of inspection."
22 "Having read your citation," questioned The Dove, "I cannot understand these charges against you! It said you single-handedly held off an enemy charge while your wounded companions escaped! That in the course of the battle you fell at least thirty of the enemy with your own hand; several after an arrow pierced your arm! How could a man so brave be so changed?"
23 "Lord," answered Gray Bear, "After the battle my manner changed. Every time I held my sword, I felt the blood of those men I had slain on my hand. Whenever I closed my eyes I saw their faces, heard their screams as I ran them through.
24 Many days I fasted, Lord, many days I prayed, and then one day I resigned my commission, gave my weapons away, donned a plain robe. I began to travel from village to village seeking the counsel of every wise Speaker and Teacher.
25 Many told me my remorse was normal, and I should put my pain aside, but it did not seem to be enough. 26 Then, one day, in a Temple of some out-of-the-way village I was praying, and a Spirit appeared before me. 'Child of my heart,' he asked, 'what troubles you?'
27 And I told The Spirit what was in my heart.
28 'What I have given the children,' The Spirit explained, 'for most men is good. But for souls like you it is not.
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