147 "Oh, Great Lord," he cried, "merciful Speaker
of Spirit, I come to you begging mercy for my men.
148 They were sent south by our King and took no part in the attempt
to massacre your people. They fought bravely and honorably
and
treated any prisoners they took well.
149 Now, they are told that because they are Tians, they must present
themselves to the surgeons. Already some of their wives are barren,
their brothers and, their sisters.
150 They had no part in this ugliness, and being soldiers of honor,
were appalled that it ever happened. Oh,merciful Lord, be
kind to them, spare them, I beg you!
151 You have taken many children to be raised in the homes of others,
to never know they were Tians. Would you not let these men live in other
cities?
152 They will agree to take Daughters of Spirit as their wives, and to
raise their children as Children Of The Lords. There is good blood in
Ti, as well as evil. Shall the good be destroyed with the evil?"
153 "You have pleaded a good plea," agreed The Hawk, "and my Warlocks
have told me you are a man of honor.
154 If all your men swear an oath that they will take the clothes of
other cities, and take Daughters of Spirit as their mates and raise
their Children in The Faith of The Lords, then unto them I will be
merciful, and grant them a release from the punishment their people
suffer. For if they were far away, they could not share the guilt."
155 The War Leader departed. It was late spring. The Lady Hawk had
delivered her egg, and now tended it, awaiting the child's birth. The
Hawk had enough