"Lord," answered the spokesman for the men, "we
will NOT force ourselves. The choice will be theirs. We will take only
those women who give themselves freely. Any who do not may follow their
King's wishes."
67 "I will ask him," agreed The Hawk. "Under those circumstances I
think it is permissible. I will offer him twenty-five coppers
for the common women, fifty for the noblewomen, and make him understand
that it must be by the women’s choice."
68 So The Hawk went to The King and told him of the proposal. The King
fell to his knees, weeping, and threw his arms around The Hawk's legs.
"Oh, what a glorious man you are!" he wept. "What a wonderful people
you have to free me from such a sorrowful burden, to.take my daughters
to your house as wives, not slaves, to take their children as your
own!" He kissed The Hawk's feet and continued to weep. The Hawk picked
him up, horribly embarrassed.
69 "I will make the arrangements," agreed The King. "I am sure none of
our women will refuse such a generous offer!"
70 A couple of days later, in the city's great square beneath The
King's Palace, hundreds of women of noble birth stood in neat ranks
with their children timidly clinging to their legs. In other parts of
the city the common women were being chosen.
71 The men of Spirit walked through the ranks, and when they found the
woman of their choice, they extended their hand. If she took it and
bowed, the bargain was made.
72 One after another a hand was extended, and another one took it until
all the men were gone. Sadly, one woman with a little boy hanging onto
her remained. "Well," sighed The King, "one isn't bad!"
73 The Hawk shrugged. "Oh, I'll take her!" he