Children of Spirit. The entire army had fled
south in horror. The pass was firmly theirs, but, let The Priest of
Priests have his boast!
55 "Very well!" agreed Gray Goat, "Five-hundred pieces of gold and
five-hundred pieces of silver, five-hundred cows, five-hundred goats,
and five-hundred sheep for the next ten years."
56 The Priest of Priests sighed. "PLUS the cost of the war?" he moaned.
Gray Goat nodded. "It's a bargain," agreed The Priest.
57 There's just one thing," continued Gray Goat, "about half the women
in Soldier want to go home with us and take their children. They're
part of the bargain, too."
58 "Take the whores! " agreed The Priest. "Probably half of them are
widows, anyway. We'll bring you what gold and silver is in this city as
first payment. Give us the figure on the rest, and we'll send it. Now,
the bargain is made, young man. You've won. Kindly take your damned
soldiers and get out
off my land! You have my word the debt WILL be paid, but after that,
beware!"
59 "We will be," assured Gray Goat, "we will be."
60 So it was, the victorious army marched home. Gray Goat thought he
would return to his flocks, but the people would not permit it.
61 The Old Speaker, happy that he could leave the office in honor,
resigned. There was little doubt who the people wanted to replace him.
Though he pro- tested he was too young, his name was put to
the people, and they elected him First Speaker. It was the beginning of
an age of prosperity...and, wisdom.
62 The cities and valleys grew, and for many generations The Land of
Spirit knew no conflict.
63 Gray Goat went to The Lords knowing that no matter what happened,
his people would never again,