to me has been beyond courtesy. Your arranging
that I have this fine position and the respect of these good people, is
more than I deserve. Look! I am studying our Law….your religion. I
will soon take The Tests, and then The Bread and The Wine."
146 "I am pleased, indeed," praised Swift Deer, "that you desire to
join our worship. Let me introduce my companions. This golden-skinned
treasure is my son, Smiling Deer, and this fine gentleman is my
engineer surveyor, Screaming Crow. He has been out surveying your old
hideaway. We have already opened the old inns. An old friend of yours
sends his regards, and says thanks to our Healers you won't need to
hold your nose!"
147 The Giant laughed. "I know who you mean. I am glad to hear your
people were able to help his ailment, but what is this about the old caves?"
148 "We're going to make them into a city," explained Swift Deer," and
it will be even bigger than before. We found another tunnel that had
been blocked for years. It leads into the hill next to where you lived.
149 There are many more passages, room to build two more villages! We
have found enough water to put a lot of land to crops. And with those plants you people
used to grow in the caves, we'll have a fine export crop.
150 We're going to build a wall completely around the two hills using
much of the natural terrain. Here...look at the plans."
151 "You know, I've kind of missed the old caves," the Giant announced.
"They were home for a good many years! Tell me, though, why have you
come to me?"
152 "We need a Warlock or a High Damon," explained Swift Deer," who
knows this land like