despise?" He drew the man's sword, put it in his
hand, and pulled the youth forward. "Here," he cried, "if you will have
it done,
YOU do it! But know this; each night as you go to sleep, you will have
to see his face, and your son's face, and know that both were innocent.
This boy was a brave fighter. Wrong or right, he only fought for his
people. He had no part in the evil. I do not think you are an evil man,
but if you want to be one, if you want to be like
them, go ahead ....STRIKE!"
47 The man wavered, then tears filled his eyes. He cast down the sword
and fell to his knees,weeping. The young Epon spoke to Bright Star. He
had been standing erect with his chest extended, awaiting the blow.
"What is it?" asked The Hawk.
48 "Apparently, he understands enough of our language," explained
Bright Star, "to understand what has been said. He is sorry about the
man's son. He can't understand why
his people have become so cruel!"
49 "Perhaps," announced The Hawk, "there is some hope for them."
50 A few days later good news came. A vast enemy fleet had arrived off
Zrn, and picked up what was left of the enemy's forces. The siege
around that city was lifted. The way
north was open. The enemy fleet had not returned to Epon, but had gone
up the lake and dropped its forces off Zorn, and reinforced those
besieging that city.
51 What was left of the enemy's men of war patrolled from the harbors
along that coast ready for an attack over the lake. Fall was near. Soon
the winter storms would make the lake treacherous. The Hawk, after Ze
and Zirn's walls were rebuilt, ordered his people back to their ships.
He had reinforcements from The Holy Land to replace his dead and
wounded.
52 The Zornan's army was now up to its full strength. They had a fresh
supply of spice. The two had come to sail