life. They too, were fathers, they, too, had
sons. Twenty-nine fathers came home; one didn't. But if I had left, one
MIGHT have gotten home, twenty-nine would not." His father stopped
speaking and rose. "Do you understand now, my son?"
46 "Yes, father," wept Red Cat. "All these years I was wrong. All these
years I blamed The Lords for betraying you, when They did not, when you
did what you HAD to do. But you WILL come home, father. Your comrades
know where this place is, and many of them still live. They went back
for the bodies of your friends and brought them home. It never occurred
to them the enemy had buried you with their own. When all this is over
I will go and find you and bring you home."
47 "There is no need for that," argued his father, "I am at peace where
I am. Your mother is with ME now. Forget her desire to have my bones in
the family ground. Let them lie where they lie. They are in good
company." He turned, entered the mist, and disappeared.
48 "Then he will rest where he rests,” agreed Red Cat, "I will not
disturb his peace, but I will make a marker and take it out to the
place. I think his friends would like that."
49 When Red Cat looked up, The Lords were gone, only his Guide
remained. "Our time with you is gone" he announced, "our ability to
keep you from the enemy's sight has faded, and they are here. You had
best be on your way." And he seemed to disappear into the very wind.
50 Red Cat looked in the direction his Guide had been watching. On the
trail behind him were ten Oneness soldiers. They seemed confused and
bewildered at his presence. With swift precision Red Cat brought up his
rifle, cocked and fired, then took off at a fast run. One of the enemy
would not follow, the rest took up pursuit.