water's edge.
15 Their Warlock, Sorrowful Dove, sat in the rubble watching the enemy
move his cannon down to the very water's edge. The number of troops in
the camp behind them was beyond his belief.
16 His mate, Shining Blossom, came up to him. "It will be tomorrow,
won't it?" she asked. Sorrowful Dove nodded. "I've come to tell you, we
women have been talking. We have decided that you must withdraw the men
you have guarding our shelter. They will do more good other
places. We have our pistols and our knives.
17 When our ammunition is gone, we have decided we will not be taken
prisoners, nor, will our children. We'll not be given to some Oneness
soldier to make babies that will later kill our people, nor, will our
daughters. Our sons will not be shamed, used like girls.
18 When we know all is lost, we will use our knives. Better our gentle
hand, than the enemy's cruelty. There will be no absorption from this
city."
19 Sorrowful Dove looked away. "If there was only," he sighed, "some
way. Must I again see those I love destroyed? How can I think of you
plunging a knife into our children's heart, and then into your own?
20 Have The Lords forsaken me that both my families must perish before
my eyes? What evil have I ever done to deserve such a fate? In some
other lifetime did I cause sorrow beyond belief?"
21 Shining Blossom sat down beside her mate. "Never," she cried, "could
you have been unjust any time or any where. It is the enemy that causes.