25 Mountain Glory looked up. "Do you
know 'The Hall Of The Mountain Lord'," she asked, "by Red Hawk?"
26 The young man bowed, and began to
play. Soon, everyone was spellbound as he moved through the
various parts of the piece, his violin weeping when the maiden fell
from the mountain, and rising again when The Lord regains his sanity
and saves his people from disaster. When the piece was finished
all sat, silent.
27 "Good Lords!" cried Little Deer, "I never
knew you could play like that! Why haven't you ever played at
school?"
28 "My father doesn't like me to play in
public," the young man explained. "Some have said I should be a
public musician, but my father does not think it is a worthy
profession. He says it's better I learn an honorable trade like a
store clerk."
29 "And what do YOU want to do?" asked The Voice.
30 "I love making music," the young man answered, "I love people's faces when I play."
31 "I will speak to your father," promised The
Voice. "A talent such as yours must not be wasted! There are few
that have the gift you do to bring joy. And being a musician is
as honorable a trade as any."
32 The young man smiled. "I would appreciate that, sir!"
33 The Voice was going to say more, but there
was a loud rap at the door. He turned to Gray Deer. "Your
new student is here," he said, "the one we were speaking about the
other day."
34 "Oh!" said Gray Deer. He went
and opened the door. To his surprise he found the man from the
marketplace standing there.
35 "Look," the man pleaded, "I know I've no
business being here, but you people make me curious. I'd like to
learn more about The Lords, these things you believe in. I ask
you to forgive my rudeness in the marketplace, and teach me about your
Lords! I can pay whatever the lessons cost!"
36 "Teachers of The Lords," explained Gray
Deer, "never charge for their lessons. If any do, you know they
are fakers, and not of The Lords. What is your name, sir?
You are welcome in my Circle!"
37 "I am called Screaming Bear," the man
answered, bowing politely. "I am honored, sir, by your kindness."
38 So it was, Gray Deer gathered his first
four workers, and under The Voice's supervision he began to train
them. Bright Sword soon gathered a group under her that began to
secretly patrol the city. Tree Blossom did not stay with the
group long, but she brought Gray Dog, a Healer, and his mate, Gray
Blossom Turtle, to the Circle, and, her sister, Thorn Blossom Dog, who
became Bright Sword's assistant.
39 And Thorn Blossom brought an assistant
Temple Speaker named Red Goat. As he was assistant to the biggest
Temple in the city the information he brought was important.
Things that they only suspected in the past became known facts.
They swore out complaints against several Speakers in the city and soon
had the community in an uproar.
40 The Speaker of Red Goat's Temple was
removed from his post, and Red Goat took his place. Several other
local Speakers also lost their positions and were replaced by The
Voice's followers. The Warlocks began to crack down on the
city. Gray Deer's Circle was growing, and so was his power in the
community. Many were returned to The Lords daily, the attendance
at other Temples was beginning to fail, so it was not surprising that
one night a knock came at Gray Deer's door. And when he opened it, he
found his father standing there.
41 "Greetings, head of my family!" Gray
Deer announced. "Have you come to see your new grandson? He
is going to be a fine man, indeed!"
42 "No!" answered the elder man, "That is not why I am here!"
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