And, remember ...YOUNG women, fresh, not
something that has seen a dozen men!"
108 The War Leader stormed out of the Hall. The Chieftain rose, went to
the door, and made sure they had all entered the bath house.
109 "When I was a young man," he explained, "THAT one took my bride,
dragged her from our wedding house, and took her away with him. Months
later our people found her crawling in the brush near his estate, heavy
with child. She had displeased him, somehow, and he had beaten her,
mercilessly. She barely lived long enough to bear his child. I swore
someday with my own hand, I would end his worthless life.
110 Get off those rags, Child of The Lords! Come and see how The
Worshipers of The Goat God deal with their enemies!"
111 In the bath house Sleepy Crow could hear the soldiers of The
Oneness discussing the fun they would have in the huts later. They had
no idea that outside The Goatherders were gathering. They carried long knives and crossbows,
and they waited at both doors and the windows. When he reached a
window, he looked inside and saw them frolicking in the water like
children. On one wall, hung their clothes, and their weapons leaned
against the wall, under them.
112 The Old Chieftain looked in and smiled. "They make it," he
whispered, "almost TOO easy!" He gave a sharp whistle. Men rushed in
the doors, and at the windows crossbows snapped. Inside men cried in
pain, and horror.
113 Sleepy Crow and The Old Chieftain walked in. Only one of The
Oneness still lived. The War Leader lay on the floor, the shaft from a
crossbow through each leg. He looked in horror as The Old Chieftain
approached. "You look uncomfortable," the old man laughed. "Was not the
water warm enough to please you?"