captives, bound hand and foot,watched. Curious,
The Hawk came over. "What mischief are you up to?" he asked, "What is
it you intend?"
35 "Lord," explained one of the men, "we are Zioans who escaped the city
during the massacre. We hid in the swamp the next day, waiting for
darkness. As we hid we watched the enemy bring the captured women and
children out of the city. As we watched helplessly they staked our
babes out over slow fires and roasted them alive, while their mothers
screamed for mercy. Then, they ripped the clothes off the women, used
them until they were satisfied, then split their bellies and left them
on the ground to die.
36 It was a horrifying sight, Lord, to see the dying women crawling to
the charred bodies of their babes to embrace them in death. We were
helpless then, but we are not, now."
37 The Lady Hawk, who had been listening to the conversation, walked
off a few paces and got sick.
38 "We recognize these men," continued the spokesman, "we gathered them
from among the prisoners. Now, as they did to our loved ones,we will do
to them.We will make very little fires, tying them face down and
putting the fires where they would do the most good."
39 "In The Name of The Lords!" pleaded The Hawk, "Have pity, man! If
you have grievances against these men, take them to your Warlocks for
judgment, and let the executioners do their work. But do not defile
yourselves in this manner. This act will bring your Loved
Ones no peace, but only shame. They will weep because of the evil you
do. Be merciful, man, I beg of you!"
40 "Who are you," cried one of the men, "to ask us to be merciful when
you let one of your own friends torture and kill his enemies in your
presence? Who are