with the purest hearts can sometimes see him
waiting for their loved ones. Children have often mentioned seeing an
old man with a staff, standing in a dying person's room."
65 "That's what he looks like?" whispered The Lady Hawk.
66 "That's what they say," The Hawk told her.
67 "The night we first came to this house," The Lady Hawk explained,
"when that dear old man was dying I saw him. When only the pages were
left in the room I looked back and an old man stepped out of the
shadows. For a moment I was afraid of him, then he looked up at me and
smiled, and his eyes were so tender, and so beautiful I wasn't afraid
any more, nor did I feel sorry for that nice old man."
68 "Then the legends ARE true!" continued The Hawk, "Only those with
the purest hearts can see him. I think we'd better get to sleep. By
the way, how are your lessons going with Shining Serpent? Have you
learned to use a sword yet?"
69 "Damn you!" groaned his mate, "That's supposed to be a secret! I
wanted to surprise you. Your women learn to fight, I wanted to, too,
but I'm terrible at it!”
70 "You'll learn!" encouraged The Hawk, "You're already fairly good.
You've just got to learn the feel of the blade more. It's really not
that hard. I'll show you some tricks. Now, put away your things and put
out your lamp. I've got duties tomorrow!"
71 "Nothing to you," argued The Lady Hawk, "is duty! You love every
minute of it! You're like a little boy playing soldier!"
72 "The only difference," said The Hawk, "is that if I make a mistake
in
MY play, thousands of people might die. Sometimes I get very, very frightened."