56 "To claim such a thing," snapped The Hawk,
"would be sacrilege. I would never make such a claim. It is not for us
to know our past lives. If a man knew all his past existences, it would
drive him mad. He would not know what had to do with this lifetime, or,
that!"
57 The Lady Hawk jabbed him in the ribs. "I did not ask you for a
lecture," she giggled, "or, to make such a claim. I asked if it was
possible. Could you have been The Old Fox?"
58 "I COULD have been ANYBODY!" The Hawk told her. "For all I know, I
could have
been your father's great uncle!"
59 The Lady Hawk laughed. "Then, I'll take that as a positive answer,"
she sighed, making some notes.
60 "You're not giving them to Swift Deer, are you?" asked The Hawk. His
mate nodded.
61 "I like the cute little things he writes about you," she explained,
“and me, too! He's got such a way with words! Tell me, Lord,
I have just written about The Messenger of Death. Do you think it is
true? Do you think someone actually comes for you when you die, to take
you to The Land of The Blessed?"
62 “ If you have led a good life,"answered The Hawk, "I am sure The
Lords
send someone to guide you through
The Veil of Tears. Legend says he carries the Keys to The Mansion The
Lords have prepared for you. The other stories, though, about the
maidens and the youths on the battlefield that are supposed to take
fallen fighters to The Feast of Welcome, I have doubts about."
63 "I think it's a cute legend!" continued The Lady Hawk. "All those
dying men being lifted up by sweet young girls! I think it's something
strange your Spirits would do. Tell me, my husband, can living people
see this Messenger? Can they hear him speak?"
64 "It is said," The Hawk told her, "that those