time for him?"
9 "I will make time!" answered The Hawk. The two old friends
greeted warmly. "Tell me," inquired The Hawk, "why are you away from your
assignment in times like these?"
10 "Most of my trainees," explained Swift Deer, "are already in the
field making heroes of themselves.
Having nothing to do, I have worked up a plan for a mission, but in
order to leave on it, I must have your permission for certain things."
11 "My ears are open," continued The Hawk, "when it concerns anything
that might help end this war!"
12 "We have heard rumors," explained Swift Deer, "of a large group of
bandits that have a secret hiding place somewhere in the foothills
below Lo. They have been raiding the caravans for a couple of years. It
is said they are a small army.
13 I propose to slip over the walls of Nameless, go down into the
desert, find these bandits, and persuade them to join the battle on our
side. To do so I need something to give them. I would like to offer them
their freedom, citizenship in our land, as free foreigners."
14 The Hawk got up and paced about. "What you're proposing," he argued,
"is virtual suicide! Even if you escape The Trns, these bandits may
simply kill you. You're asking me to practically send you to your
death."
15 "You don't have much to lose," answered Swift Deer, "and everything
to gain."
16 "I stand to lose," continued The Hawk, "a courageous and valuable
friend, whose judgment of his value I think is lacking. But I think
you're right! The mission is important. If you can find these men and
persuade them to help us, then it is worth the risk.
17 Though I wish I could say no, I say yes. And