Chapter Seventeen
Now, The Priests of Tr were greatly angered. "This man
was our brother," they said, "and sworn to keep our
secrets. Now, he betrays us. Something must be done before he
turns more of the people against us." So The High Priest
called The Elders. "Our campaign against The Children of
Spirit has not gone well," he announced. "We have told
our people not to do business with them, not to have them in
their homes, that they are possessed with demons, and evil. But
the people do not listen. Their merchants are too honest, their
craftsmen too skilled, and the people do not believe the tales
our agents are telling."
2 One Elder rose. "Give us time, my lord," he begged,
"we have but begun. It takes time to build hatred, to
destroy the people's trust in someone! Be patient, my lord! My
agents are skilled in these matters. How many have we brought out
of favor at your wish? These Children of Spirit will be no
different.
3 Soon, we will have mobs attacking their Temples. A few gold
pieces here, a few there...we have men that will do anything for
enough gold! These people's days are numbered."
4 "Not unless we do somethng about our other probems!"
interrupted The High Priest. "One of our own has betrayed
us, and his speaking is doing irreparable harm. There is no
question he must be silenced. The only question is, by whom?
5 A young Elder rose. "Voice of Our God," he announced,
"I know a man expert in these matters. I have used him
before for other things, but he will not come
cheap.....seventy-five gold, at the least."
6 "A ridiculous price!" snapped The High Priest.
"Surely we could find someone cheaper than that."
7 "Perhaps," The Elder told him, "but we cannot
afford to fail. If you want it done right, you must pay the
price."
8 The High Priest looked around The Council. Each man nodded in
agreement. The High Priest took a bag of gold from beneath his
seat, counted out twenty-five pieces, and tossed what was left to
The Elder. "Go!" he ordered, "Get it done. I do
not want him in the marketplace another Fifth Day!"
9 "As The Voice of My God commands," The Elder replied,
"that I will do." He rose quickly, departed, and made
his way to a part of the city where decent people did not go.
There were ill-kept houses, many drinking houses, pleasure
houses, and inns where only the worst of men stayed.
10 At one of the drinking houses The Priest stopped and entered.
Those inside did not seem at all surprised that a holy man walked
in their midst. Several women approached him, but The Priest
waved them away. He went to a huge man sitting at a back table
staring into a mug of ale.
11 "Greetings, my brother from the temple," the large
man snorted. "What mischief do you want me up to this
time?" 12 "We need to talk in private," The Priest
answered.
13 "None here hear what you are saying," the large man
argued, "they are all deaf."
14 "In PRIVATE!" The Priest demanded. The big man
shrugged.
15 "Oh, the well-guarded secrets of the temple!" he
snorted. He rose and made his way to a door in the back of the
room. He flung it open. There was an older man and a young,
half-naked girl inside, kissing. "Out!" the large man
roared. Without protest, the two quickly left. The large man
seated himself on some cushions, and motioned for The Priest to
sit.
16 "There is a young man," explained The Priest,
"that comes to the marketplace every Fifth Day, and tells
lies about the temple of Tr and its priests. We desire that he
stops coming, permanently. We are willing to pay a considerable
price for his silence."
17 "How much?" the big man asked.
18 "Fifty gold, in your hand, now, for your word the job
will be done."
19 "The young man speaks The Truth," the big man said,
"but for these prices I'll kill a man for telling The Truth
as quickly as I'll kill him for lying! Give me the gold!"
20 The Priest tossed the bag of coins. "This had better not
be light," the big man threatened.
21 "Have I ever cheated you?" The Priest asked.
22 "From the day I was born," was his answer.
"Now, get out of here! You need a bath! Like all of your
kind, you stink!"
23 The Priest rose, about to say something, but as he did not
want his neck broken, he changed his mind. He could only hear the
big man's laughter behind him as he turned and walked out the
door.
24 The next Fifth Day, Gray Dove went to the marketplace and
spoke, as usual. The sun was very low in the sky when finally he
began his journey home. He was passing a bleak, dark alleyway,
when a sudden noise made him turn. Three men were rushing at him
out of the darkness, each carrying a short club! When they
realized he saw them, they gave out a great cry, and rushed on.
25 Suddenly, a fire entered Gray Dove, and The Power of The Beast
seized him. As the first attacker neared, he stepped aside,
seized his club, brought up his knee into his manhood, and hit
him behind the head with his elbow, at the same time. The man
gave an agonizing cry and drove into the ground.
26 Almost in the same motion, Gray Dove spun around, catching the
second huge attacker between the legs with his foot. The man gave
a startled cry as he went flying through the air to land in a
pile of rubbish.
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