Chapter Fourteen
So it was that The Old Fox trained his first students, and his
prediction wasn't quite true. Little Bay Blossom DID return, but
only long enough for her and One Hand to be mated by The Old Fox;
the first of their people to be joined in the new ceremony. Then,
they returned to their village, the people of which soon became
Followers of The Lords. And the others also returned to their own
cities.
2 Gray Fox and Valley Blossom Crow returned to Li, but Trusting
Fox soon moved some of his family to Min, and they established a
Temple there.
3 Silver Fox returned to So, and soon The Lords Worship was
spreading through the city. So great was his work, that when the
trouble started for the people, he was one of the first Speakers
to be killed.
4 Mountain Glory returned to her mate in To, and Little Trusting
Fox went with her, but he soon moved in to Ti, where he mated
with the daughter of one of its richest families and soon brought
many of the city's citizens to The Lords.
5 Now, Red Fox returned to Min, and, his father's house, and soon
built a great following for The Lords.
6 Now, Gray Blossom went with him, but Screaming Crow followed
them, and soon took her to Lo after they were mated. And soon
that city, too, was filled with The Children of Spirit.
7 Now, Lame Fox stayed in Tr and took over the duties as Teacher,
at The Speakers' School, with The Old Fox helping him, on
occasion.
8 While Mountain Glory Crow took care of the affairs of the city.
9 The Old Fox was thus free to take care of the needs of the new
growing Religion, and handle these affairs he did well. His
knowledge of business and good common sense soon made The Church
prosperous. So much so, that other eyes began to look upon them
jealously. But his work was tiring on him, for handlig both the
affairs of The Church, and, his own family business took many
hours and he was often late to bed and early to rise.
10 One day Gray Fox, his eldest son, entered his office.
"Father," he pleaded, "you can not go on like
this. The strain of all this work is too much for you in your
advanced years. Long you have trained me to run the family
business when you leave us. Now, I think it is time for me to
take it over. I am not to be a Speaker, but let me serve The
Church by doing what I can best do....by relieving you of the
family's concerns. You can be left to put all your efforts with
The Church, as it should be. For you are The First of Speakers,
Leader of All."
11 The Old Fox rose and put his hand on his son's shoulders.
"Proud I am," he complimented, "of my children.
And glad I am that The Lords have taught them wisdom. As you have
said," he continued, "so must it be."
12 He took from about his neck the family seal and put it about
his son's neck. He took from his belt the keys to the strong
boxes and storerooms, and put them on his belt. "From this
day forth," he announced, "in all the family's affairs,
both business and private, you are the elder....even over your
mother, your brother, and your sisters. And all the servants
shall call you master. As I have said, so must it be."
13 "But father," Gray Fox protested, "I meant only
to take care of the busineess affairs, not to take your place as
head of household!"
14 "The two are one," The Old Fox told him. "If
you wish to free me for The Lords Work, you must take all my
burdens."
15 "As you bid, Teacher, that will I do."
16 "I will turn the small room in the back of The Temple
into my office," The Old Fox explained. He walked over and
put his hand on his desk, and looked about the room. "Over
twenty-two seasons I have worked here!" he commented.
"I watched you play outside that window. Many a time I had
to rise from my desk to settle a squabble between my children.
There are many good memories here." He nodded his head to
his son, and left him to his work.
17 Now one day, as The Old Fox was working in his office, a
servant entered. "Master!" he announced, "There is
a group of men here, a committee from all of the city churches.
They wish counsel with you on some matters of importance."
18 "Very well," said The Old Fox. "Have them seat
themselves. I will be out presently."
19 Now, when The Old Fox came out, the men started to rise, but
he motioned them to stay seated, and took a pillow among them.
"Now, gentlemen," he began, "how is it that you
gathered yourselves together and came here to see me?"
20 "Speaker," one of the men explained, "several
questions have arisen which the people argue about. And we need
your answer on them. For it is making conflict among the
Churches, and we need to know the answers to these things."
21 The Old Fox called a scribe and had him join them, so that
what they said might be written down. "All right," The
Old Fox announced, "we are ready. Ask your questions."
22 "Now, Teacher," one of the men began, "there
have risen among us some who believe very strongly in The Lords.
Now they are good Speakers, and tell others of The Faith and
bring many to The Church, but they have not The Lords Powers.
They do not see The Lords, or hear Them, or even dream dreams!
But they are a great force of good in The Church.
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