28 As the eldest child rose and bid his guest and his
companions good night, Gray Dove thought back to those first days
when he had been teaching Thorn Blossom, even to the first day
when she had come demanding training.
29 And he remembered how much he had respected her, and admired
her. He knew that that admiration and respect had grown into
something else. But he had never quite allowed himself to
recognize what it was.
30 But now the children's jests had awoken what was in his heart.
Or, were the children jesting, he thought? Did their innocence
see within him and see what was within his heart?
31 When all the children were gone, Gray Dove rose. "My
apologies," said Thorn Blossom, "I did not mean for the
children to embarrass you."
32 "Do not think of it," comforted Gray Dove.
"Come. Let me walk you to your sleeping place. I must report
to your father before I go to my bed, anyway. Tell me, my
curiosity is as great as theirs. You are very good with the
children. Why have YOU not taken a mate and have some of your
own? I know several young men have asked your father! And, you
have politely refused them all."
33 "My reasons," Thorn Blossom explained, "are
similar to your own. But there is another reason, also. There is
a certain man that I have been waiting to have ask, but as of
yet, he has not decided to do so."
34 "Oh," sighed Gray Dove. "Then I suppose it
would do me no good to ask, if another has already taken your
heart."
35 Thorn Blossom stopped. "Yes, it would! You are the one I
have been waiting for!"
36 In the narrow passage Gray Dove stopped beside her.
"Then, I'm asking!" he whispered.
37 "Then, I am accepting!" she answered.
38 Hardly without thinking Gray Dove found her in his arms, and
he was kissing her. Suddenly, there was an explosion of giggles
and laughter in front of them. They turned to see three young
women standing there.
39 Gray Dove backed up to the wall, and Thorn Blossom did
likewise. "Will you pass, ladies?" he asked.
40 The girls went by, and as each one passed Thorn Blossom, they
curtsied and said "Congratulations, sister!" then
hurried off down the passage.
41 "Oh, no!" gasped Thorn Blossom, "Of any three
in the camp, it HAD to be THEM! The whole camp will know of it in
minutes!"
42 Gray Dove laughed. "Then perhaps," he said, "I
had better go tell your father before he hears it from anyone
else."
43 "And I had best get to my sisters," Thorn Blossom
agreed, "if I wish to be the one to tell them of my
joy." So they hurried off to the head of the column.
44 Gray Dove found The Old Fox sitting under torches with his
Elders. When Gray Dove approached, the old man looked up and
smiled. "Here is our Warlock," he announced, "with
his nightly report."
45 "As to my report," Gray Dove began, "all is
well. The caravan is quiet, and for once there are few
complaints, though water is again, getting low. We can water the
animals only one more day. Then our barrels will be empty."
46 "Do not be concerned with that," answered The Old
Fox, "within two days we will be able to refill them. If
there is nothing else, our good Warlock, you may be off to your
bed."
47 "There is something else, Lord," Gray Dove
announced, "a personal matter that I would wish to speak to
our Lord about in private."
48 The Elders rose, without even being asked, bid The Old Fox and
Gray Dove good evening, then departed.
49 "Lord," began Gray Dove, "there is a treasure
in your house on which my eyes have fallen...."
50 The Old Fox raised his hand. "My son," he
interrupted, "there is no need for formal speeches. We both
know why you are here. And of course, you have my blessing. It
has amused me that it has taken you so long to ask!"
51 "You knew I would ask, Lord? I did not know, myself,
until but a short time ago!"
52 "The day you came to my gate," The Old Fox
explained, "Spirit told me that you and Thorn Blossom would
be the one, and that from your joining would come a line that
would serve Spirit until the end of time! Many shall be the needs
of your house, and great and wonderful shall be their
deeds!"
53 Gray Dove remembered The Old Fox's words at the gate.
"Lord!" he asked, "Are our destinies chosen? Do
The Lords make our every deed? Can't we make our own choices? Do
we not have our own wills?"
54 "Of course we do!" answered The Old Fox. "We
are free to turn this way or that, to go down that road or this
one, to choose this mate or that one. But The Lords do know our
hearts. They see what is within. And They know Their Children.
And when your eyes and Thorn Blossom's eyes met, They knew what
the result would be! The Lords do not control us, but They know
us."
55 "I am pleased," Gray Dove replied. "Now that I
understand, it lifts a burden from me. I have considered myself a
free man, and that I make my own choices. Now, I know that that
is so!"
56 "Now," continued The Old Fox, "to other
matters! When shall the mating be?"
57 "As soon as The Temple can be risen," answered Gray
Dove. "For I will admit, the fire inside me has been slow to
kindle, but now it burns hot, and my desire is great!"
58 "You have spoken," The Old Fox acknowledged. "I
know that you are an honorable man, and will fulfill your
promise. If you wish to be with her now, no one will
object."
59 "No," Gray Dove objected, "I will wait until
the parchment is signed, until The Lords bless our union!"
Page 68