once cities? Are you willing to pay the price it
will cost to regain it? Be sensible. We will bargain with those who
owned it. We will give them a fair price for the land."
64 Bold Fox knew that more fighting would mean the loss of many more
lives on both sides. Were two cities too much to pay for so many
children? "I will agree to a cease fire," he announced, "if you will
agree to an exchange of prisoners. Then, you can go north and bargain
with The First Speaker and the emissaries of our new allies."
65 The Oneness did so. The Mukans agreed. The retaking of Lh was not worth the loss of more lives. The Oneness
renamed this city 'Little,' for they had gained little in taking it.
66 The people below Zo were hesitant. They did not want to give The
Oneness any of their territory, but they had lost so many people they
would have plenty of room in their other cities and the payment The
Oneness offered was so great they conceded.
67 The Oneness called this city 'Thousands,' for that's what it cost
them. The emissaries went home with a treaty. Bold Fox did not like it
much, but he was tired, and he, too, wanted an end to the fighting.
68 For several weeks he dispersed the Army. He had been corresponding
with Blue Blossom, and intended to go up and spend some time with her.
Since his first mate had died some years before, he had had a companion
now and then, but had little interest in taking a permanent mate. Now,
he did. And with peace, he could take the time for a decent courtship.
69 Wise Crow had told him that he didn't need to bother, she'd have
said 'yes' months ago! But Bold Fox was not one to rush things.
70 A day or so before he planned to leave, he heard shouting in the
streets, and a Messenger rushed