51 Several of the women came forward and
identified themselves, explaining how when they informed the master of
the house that they were free women, he had patted them on the cheek
and said "Not any more."
52 The Warlock ordered the master taken
away to the prison. "The City Speaker will not like this," he
complained. "You should have come to us, first."
53 "Of course," answered Gray Deer.
"Then, one of your men would have visited this house before the raid,
and these women's bodies would have been found in an alley somewhere
with their throats cut."
54 The Warlock looked angry. "I could challenge you for that statement," he announced.
55 "But you won't," answered Gray Deer.
56 The Warlock ordered them out and they all
left. The master of the house never came to trial, or the
customers captured with him. They mysteriously died in the prison.
57 "A fever," The City Speaker
explained, "a contagious disease." But everyone knew they had
been poisoned. Hoods were never captured alive. If they
were, they didn't live long. Their masters didn't want them answering
embarrassing questions.
58 The house was rented, and the master's
estate sold and used to pay the support of those who survived the house
of horror.
59 When Gray Deer entered The Temple the next Worship Day, he was met with applause, and, cheers.
Several houses of pleasure in the city closed, and their masters moved
on. Women were far safer in the streets than they had been in
years!
60 A Warlock resigned and headed south towards
the desert. His replacement raided several other houses of
pleasure, and brought their masters on charges.
61 Pon dealers could no longer walk the
streets. Whenever they were discovered, crowds would chase them,
beating them with brooms and sticks, until fighting people came to
their rescue! Desperate addicts came to the hospital for
treatment as their supply of the drug dried up.
62 One day as the class was meeting The Voice
rose. "My job here," he said, "is done. You can now fend
for yourselves. It is time I moved on. The next Worship Day is
Message Day. When it is concluded, the following morning I will depart
for The Eastern City.
63 "Not alone, you won't!" argued Bright Sword. "I will select a guard to go with you."
64 "I have the Lords," answered The Voice. "They will protect me."
65 "The Lords protect those," answered Bright
Sword, "who are ready to protect themselves! Four stout blades
and good arms to swing them will strengthen The Lords purpose, I am
sure!"
66 "Very well," agreed The Voice.
"Companionship on the road will be welcome! I will accept your
escort!"
67 When word spread that The Voice would be
speaking in The Temple for the last time on Message Day, people flocked
to the city from every village in the vicinity, and they lined the
street leading to The Temple.
68 The deaf came, the blind, the lame, and as
The Voice walked to The Temple he touched and prayed for anyone
who asked.
69 People who had come to the city deaf,
returned home listening to songbirds. People who had been blind
from birth returned looking in wonder, on the flowers. Crutches that
were no longer needed littered the street. And The Message
Service was like none ever heard before.
70 For not only The Voice, but every Speaker
ministering to the crowd brought news of Loved Ones long forgotten, and
gave the answers to many of the peoples' problems. So that
evening there was a great celebration in the city, and the following
morning everyone walked with The Voice to the northern gate.
71 The people showered him and his guards with
gifts of food and wine for their journey. So much so, that their
little handcart was overflowing!
72 As The Voice headed down the road, everyone
wished him a good journey. When he was out of sight Gray Deer
sighed. "I knew the day would come," he said, "but I hated to see
it. Somehow I know he will never pass through these gates
again. Many of us will never lay eyes on him again."
73 "Perhaps," whispered Red Blossom, "it is
good, then, that he has left a bit of himself behind for us to
treasure!" she put her hands on her belly.
74 "Are you sure?" Gray Deer
asked. She only smiled. "It shall be a child of much wisdom,"
Gray Deer praised, "one that shall bring much pride!"
Page 186