126 The
Hawk merely continued to
rock. The Lady Hawk leaned back and slapped him hard, across the face,
once, twice; the third time her hand came back The Hawk's came up and
seized it.
127 "Listen to me, my beloved," cried The Lady Hawk, "everyone knows
that
you did not intend what happened. It was a ridiculous accident, an
insane quirk of custom. You did not order the deaths of women and
children. Everyone knows that. You must return to us! This war is not
over. We have won only one battle. There are still more enemies at the
gate. Your people are in danger."
128 "How could I give an order," wept The Hawk, "how could I make a
decision? The fear would always be there, the fear I would have more
baby's blood on my hands. I cannot close my eyes without seeing those
ox carts, those: little bundles. Some of them could not have been over
a season old."
129 The Lady Hawk put her hand to her own belly, heavy with child,and
understood her husband's grief. To his people children were sacred.
They would never harm the most hated enemy's child, not in any way that
would bring it pain.
130 "My husband," snapped The Lady Hawk, "you must remember you are not
perfect. You are only a man, a man who makes mistakes. You must sit
this aside, say 'I have learned my lesson, I will not make the same
mistake again. I will be sure of other people's customs before I give
orders. I will find out what actions my orders will cause.' Now, I
ORDER YOU, get up, get on your feet, go out and order your men into the
city. It is yours! Take possession of it!"
131 The Hawk climbed to his feet, extended his hand, and pulled up The
Lady Hawk. "Woman," he asked, "did I ever thank your father for giving
you to me?"
132 "No," laughed The Lady Hawk.
133 "When this is all over, it might be nice