82 The old man rose. "Would that treasure," he asked, "be my youngest daughter, the last jewel of my house? Parting with that jewel will be a hard task, indeed, but a wise man knows when this day is coming! I have seen the way he looks at her, and the way she looks at him. Tell me, sir, do you pay your servants fairly?"
83 "Yes, sir, a good wage and when they are due. Also, when I have a house they will have a good room or, rooms, if need be and what is on my table will be on their table. What enters my mouth, will enter their mouths."
84 "Then he would make an honest living," the old man acknowledged, "it does not have to be great. And if something should happen to you?"
85 "My kin by adoption would see to them," Gray Dove told him. "They have promised this for all my servants."
86 "Then the future is well known," the old man smiled, "and of the past we will speak nothing, though I know it worries him. That was another man, dead and gone." He went to the flap and opened it.
87 "Yellow Blossom," he called, "come in here." The young woman entered, and now that she stood close Gray Dove could see her exceptional beauty. "This man has come to speak for you," her father told her. The girl frowned, and looked at Gray Dove. "On behalf of his brother, Loyal Dog," the old man added. The girl's eyes brightened, and she smiled with joy. "Are you agreed to such a union? Would you leave my house, leave your old father alone?"
88 "I would not desert you, father," she answered, "I would visit you every day, and help you tend the sick and injured. He would not have me forsake my duties or neglect my beloved! He has a great heart!"
89 "Great, indeed," said the old Healer, "if it was not, he would not have lived. And that it beats in time with yours, gives me joy. Go and tell your man I bless your union and will be waiting for the date to be set. Our kin will be anxious to welcome my new son!"
90 The girl came forward and hugged her father strongly, then bowed politely to Gray Dove and hurried out. A moment later a cheer came from outside.
91 "You know," consoled Gray Dove, "her loss will be a burden on you. It will be hard for her to tend two households. I have two widows working for me, doing my cooking and tending my tent. One is young and sturdy, and good with the sick. When your daughter comes to my tents I will send her to you. I am sure you will find her helpful."
92 "With all the work at hand," the old man told him, "I cannot argue."
93 Gray Dove grasped the old man's shoulder and the other answered. "I must go and get some sleep," he said. "Who knows what tomorrow will bring?" As he walked out through the tent, he stopped by Loyal Dog's bed. "Well," he inquired, "when will I have a sister?"
94 "When I can stand on my two feet," Loyal Dog told him. "I will not sign contract wihile I am flat on my back."
95 "All the more reason to get well," Gray Dove encouraged as everyone else in the tent laughed.
96 "If this accursed stomach of mine could keep more in it than mush," said Loyal Dog, "perhaps I could gain some strength and some weight."
97 "You will," Gray Dove assured, "you will."
98 And his words proved true. Loyal Dog fought his way back, though he did have to stand with a crutch when he signed his mating contract.
99 That crutch was soon replaced by a cane. And though he had a slight limp and had a hard time keeping up with the younger men, his knowledge and skill in battle was a blessing to his people, as was his gift for teaching other people these skills.
100 Gray Dove was the leader of the fighting people, but Loyal Dog trained them, and he trained them well.
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