belongs to these women. If you want to die a
quick death," The Hawk told the master of the house, "show them where
your gold is!"
18 The master of the house took out a key and opened a secret panel in
the wall. Behind it were shelves full of sacks of gold and jewels. "Tie
him up," ordered The Hawk, "it looks like his business has been good."
19 Gray Boar walked over to the women huddled in the corner. Already
they were being dressed in men's clothes to take them out of the house.
"My sister," he asked, "Bright Blossom Boar, was supposed to be in this
house. Where is she? Has she been sold off to someone else?"
20 The women all covered their faces, and some began to weep. One of
them came forward. "Oh, good sir," she explained, "your sister was the
bravest and most stubborn among us. No matter how much they starved
her, beat her, she would never willingly submit to them. The
only way they could use her was by tying her to a bed.
21 One night one of the customers, drunk with wine, thought he had
tamed her, and untied her. She rewarded him by ripping his eyes out
with her fingers. She killed one guard and maimed three others before
they finally subdued her.
22 The master of the house was very angry. he had us all brought to
this room. They hung your sister up from that hook and with long
walking sticks beat her to death. They took their time. They wanted to
teach all of us a lesson, what would happen to any woman who hurt a
customer or a guard again. They kept tormenting her, swearing they'd
make her scream, but all the time they beat her, she never even cried!"
23 Gray Boar screamed a great scream of rage. He walked over
to a nearby table, ripped off one leg,