I am glad I would not have to decide. It is not
for me to
say; Perhaps yes, perhaps no. That you will have to decide. I, too,
close my case."
182 The High Judge looked to his colleagues. "This," he announced, "is
going to take some discussion. It is already late. Let us send everyone
home. You can return in the morning. We will go into seclusion and make
our decision. The learned defender has made our choice extremely
difficult!"
183 As they left The Temple, Gray Boar looked at his friend and shook
his head. "I wanted you to defend me," he said, "not stand with me!"
184 "When we do battle," argued The Hawk, "we stand together. In this
we stand together, also. I have a feeling that by midday tomorrow
we will know one way or the other."
185 So it was they returned to their home. Everyone but The Hawk
seemed nervous. He, alone, slept well. The next morning they returned
to The Temple. The Judges discussed almost all morning, and then, just
before high sun they came out.
186 "We find," The High Judge said, "the defendant guilty as charged,
but, we also find him justified. So for the sake of all involved, we
forgo any punishment. The Warlock in question is returned to his duty,
the case is finished."
187 The crowd in The Temple and outside went wild! The Judges and the
Presenter came forward and congratulated The Hawk on his defense. The
Hawk was followed through the city by the admiring crowd. They only
departed when he reached his home.
188 Within, The Hawk found another surprise. Swift Deer sat at his
kitchen table. The Hawk's good friend had been away since his return
from Fr. Now they had a double reason to celebrate! They spent the
night telling Mountain Glory about their childhood adventures.