Chapter Twelve
Now, The Voice noticed that one of his guards
seemed disturbed, and went to speak with him. "What troubles you?" he
asked.
2. "Lord," the guard remarked, "I am
confused. In our own city The Temple has beautiful colored glass
windows, and fine curtains to cover The Holy Place when it is not in
use, and you have never complained about these.
3 Also, Red Hawk, a Speaker of some renown,
has a beautiful golden symbol and fine robe, which he wears on special
occasions. Why is it wrong that THIS Speaker has adorned The
Temple, and that The Speakers here wear costly robes?"
4 The Voice put his hand on the guard's
shoulder. "Do you know," he asked, "how The Temple got those beautiful
windows?" The guard shook his head.
5 "Soaring Crow, the glassmaker, and his
assistants made them in their spare time. The only thing he asked
from The Temple was the cost of the glass, and this was gathered at a
special service.
6 The same for the curtains. A local
weaver, Gray Turtle, gave them, in gratitude for the healing of his son.
7 But these Speakers in THIS Temple took funds
that are meant to employ the poor, to do good works in the city.
With these they bought their costly robes, golden symbols, and adorned
The Temple. This The Lords forbid, and Their anger came on them
because of it.
8 Funds that are dedicated for one purpose
cannot be taken for another no matter how worthy the people think that
other purpose is. The funds given to The Lords are sacred.
Anyone who diverts them to other purposes commits the worst kind of
heresy."
9 "I see!" answered the guard. "The adorning
of The Temple I do understand, but not the robes and the symbols."
10 "Red Hawk," explained The Voice, "got his
beautiful robes from a merchant who he saved from bandits on the Tr
road. His golden symbol was given to him by the father of a
family who he cared for when they had The Black Death. To refuse
such a gift, would be disrespectful to those giving them.
11 Though The Lords Servants never ask for
rewards, when they are shown kindness and gratitude they may accept it.
12 Red Hawk does not strut about showing off
his beautiful robes. He wears them on the most Holy Days as a
tribute to The Lords.
13 And again, The Speakers here bought these
costly garments with the bread of widows and orphans. They
glorify their bodies while their children slept in the streets.
Do you understand now, my brother?"
14 "Lord," praised the guard, "every word out
of your mouth is wisdom, every thought out of your heart is
Truth. I give thanks to The Lords for what they have given me."
15 The Voice noticed Gray Toad watching him,
and went over to the man. "You desire to speak with me?" he asked.
16 "Well, yes, Lord," the man told him, "but you have had a hard day and are busy."
17 "I am never too busy," answered The Voice,
"to hear the needs of my people. Tell me, how long has it been
that this bitterness has come between you and your eldest mate?"
18 Gray Toad shook his head. "Nothing"
he said, "is hidden from The Eyes of the Lords! You know what I
would ask you before I even speak.
19 For twelve seasons Yellow Blossom and I
were mated. Never once, did she refuse me. Then, a year ago my
cousin died. We had been close friends and his mate had no place
to go. So we took her in. Neither of us meant for it to
happen, but as the months passed we grew closer and closer.
20 Yellow Blossom and Bay Blossom were good
friends, and our children adored each other. It seemed perfectly
natural to me that Bay Blossom should be my second mate. I spoke to
her, and she said she would be pleased. I spoke with Yellow Blossom and
asked her consent which she gave.
21 And she bore witness even, at our
mating. But the next evening when I went to her, she refused me,
saying that I had chosen the younger, what need I of her? And I
told her truthfully that I needed her as much as ever. That Bay
Blossom had not taken her place, but only came to be her
companion...her sister-wife.
22 But she refused me, and every time I have
approached her, in the days since, she has refused me, also.
Though oftentimes I have heard her weeping, and tried to comfort her,
she has pushed me away.
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