116 "Good Lords!" cried The Hawk, "I didn't mean
this! I only meant he was to abdicate, resign, step down, not kill
himself and his family!"
117 The Hawk reached for one of the tiny bundles on one of the ox
carts, then pulled his hand away and rushed into his tent. He ordered
everyone out, sat on his cushions, and began to weep.
118 For several hours no one knew what to do. Even The Lady Hawk was at
a loss. After a time, The Hawk stopped weeping and only sat rocking
back and forth.
119 The Trn emissaries came up to Gray Boar. "Lord," they begged, "what
shall we do with the body of our former King and his family? It is not
right to leave them out here in the sun."
120 "Do you not have a place for the burying of your royal dead?" asked
Gray Boar. The emissary nodded. "Then take them there," ordered Gray
Boar, "bury them, and make a marker for them. Have it read 'Here lies
The King and his family that died so that their people might be spared.”
121 "That will be permitted?" cried the emissaries.
122 "It will be permitted," Gray Boar told them.
123 "Many blessings to your Spirits!" cried the emissaries. They
hurried off to complete their task.
124 Some further time passed, and The Lady Hawk determined something
HAD to be done. Gray Boar, herself, and, a Healer, entered the tent and
sat down beside The Hawk. The Healer examined him. "He's all right,
physically,"
he announced, "but his mind has withdrawn into itself. If we do not
break him out of it soon, he might never return!"
125 "My beloved," said The Lady Hawk, "we must have words with you. Do
you hear me? Do you understand?"