In a night of horror mobs roamed through the
streets of every city. Those known to belong to The Sons of Purity were
dragged from their homes and beaten.
70 The Speaker of Poison too, was attacked. The mob dragged his family
into the street and as the screaming women watched, chopped the Speaker
to pieces. Then, they carried the women off to some secret. place.
71 In The Northern City The Hawk, himself, went into the street and
restored order, rescuing many. When it was finally over even
those who had taken part were sickened by their shame.
72 The Hawk sent out a decree. "Last night," it said, "we lived through
a night of shame. Some of us, meaning well, went far beyond the bounds
of Justice. I want all who took part in this nightmare to surrender
themselves. There will have to be punishment. Such things as this
cannot be allowed.
73 Whoever is holding these women who were taken captive, bring them to
me at once! If they are surrendered now, unharmed, I will forgive their
abduction, but if they are not returned I will hunt down their
abductors as I hunted others who stole our people, and I will punish
them severely."
74 A few days later a group of merchants brought the women to the gates
of Northern. Men, they said, had given them over to them on the road,
and asked them to take them to The Hawk. The women were given a chance to bathe, don fresh clothes, and rest
before The Hawk visited them. "How were you treated?" asked The Hawk.
"What was done to you?"
75 The Speaker of Poison's eldest mate spoke for the rest. "Lord," she
explained, "we made a