80 As The Hawk was preparing to depart, a
committee came to him from the city. "Lord," they complained, "we do
not understand what you do. Why do you take our sons and daughters off
to fight in this foreign land? What are these Zoans to us? They are not
even like us. They are not even of The Lords. Why should our children
shed their blood for those who are not even our kind?"
81 The Hawk's anger was like fire, and he turned on them with
viciousness. "What sacrilege do you speak?" he cried. "All
persons are like us, no matter what the color of their skin or the
belief in their hearts. They are our brothers and sisters, and The Law
says, that when your neighbor is in need, when your brother is in
danger, lift yourself up and go to him, and pluck him from the danger.
Because if you were in danger, he would surely raise himself up and
come to you!
82 These people are our neighbors, our friends. They have welcomed our
people into their land as if they were kinsmen. They have done all
manner of good things for us, and it is for our own defense that I go,
also, not only because it is right I go.
83 We have no iron in our land. None has yet to be found. If these
Epians conquer Zo, where do you think they'll come next? There is only
one road they can follow, only one path they can take, and without iron
how would we stop them?
84 I am tired of defending what I do to filth like you! You are not
worthy to worship in The House of The Lords. You disgust me! All like
you disgust me! Get out!"
85 The men started to leave, but one of the women held back. "If we
cannot turn you from this insanity," she pleaded, "if you are
determined to murder our children in another land, at least leave our
daughters at home. If you must take our sons into this