70 "Beg for The
Lords?" gasped The Beggar. "What an incredible idea! But I could
do it! I know every merchant in the city! I know all the
caravan leaders. They complain all the time about the conditions
of the streets and the resting places! But Lord, how will the
people know I am not cheating them, not keeping the money for myself?"
71 "Can you write?" asked the Voice.
72 The Beggar looked shocked. "Of course
I can write!" he cried. "What kind of parents do you think I
have? They saw to it I had a fine education. I can read and
write as well as anyone."
73 "Good," praised the Voice, "this is what we
will do. Get a writing board and parchment. As you decide
on a project, write it down. Go to the people. Tell them what
project you are working on. Show them the parchment. Have
them write their names, and how much they give.
74 Then you may give the parchment to The
Speaker at The Temple. He can count the money and give you your
share. Then, he can assign the work, and write down who was paid
for what. Then, post the parchment in The Temple. Anyone that
wants can come and read it, see exactly how much money was gathered,
and how it was spent."
75 "Wonderful!" cried The Beggar,
"Wonderful! What a marvelous idea! I will go to work
immediately!"
76 "I would suggest first," added The Voice,
"you go home and change. Those beggar's rags are not proper for
The Lords Work!"
77 "Of course!" cried The Beggar. "Of
course! I also need to borrow a writing board, parchment, and
pen. Thank you, Lord, thank you!"
78 "One moment," interrupted The Voice, "what
is your true name? We can't call you The Beggar any more."
79 "But Lord," argued the Beggar, "that is the
only name I have ever known. When I was a child, I was Little
Beggar, and my father was Big Beggar. When I became a man, I was simply
The Beggar! I have never HAD another name!"
80 "Then from this day forth," announced The Voice, "you are The Lords Beggar."
81 "The Lords Beggar? I LIKE that!" The
Beggar cried, "I like that, indeed! The Lords Beggar....it's got
a ring to it....like a bell!" He went out the door saying his new
name over and over, leaving everyone behind him laughing.
82 Suddenly one of The Voices's guards spoke up. "Lord," he announced, "you error."
83 The Voice looked at him in surprise. "How do you mean?" he asked.
84 "You send a man out in this city to gather
funds unescorted. That could cost him his life. There are
those on the streets that would kill a man for a half a copper, let
alone, a full sack of gold."
85 "By The Lords!" cried The
Voice. "You're right! Go with him! See to his
safety!" The guard rose and departed.
86 That afternoon, The Voice visited The
Temple. The Old Speaker would lay there until dusk then be carried to
his funeral fire. Already the chest before him was overflowing.
There would be much to help the city back on its feet.
87 Singing Dove asked The Voice if he would
lead the funeral services but The Voice said no. "It is your place. You
will speak better of him than I. You give him honor."
88 The Young Speaker seemed hesitant.
"Lord," he asked, "it is the tradition here that the ashes of The
Temple Speaker be buried in the courtyard, under one of the
stones. May we do this, or must his bones be crushed, and his
ashes spread to the wind?"
89 "You may give him honor," said The Voice,
"and put his name upon his marker. The Lords have forgiven him,
we will, also."
90 So it was, the day passed. The Voice went
with the procession and laid sticks in the furnace, and then departed
to let those who had loved this man mourn him. Returning to
Gentle Bear's house, he found The Beggar there, who eagerly reported
his day's success. "I have already raised enough funds to repair a
street! he laughed. "That will make many day's work for several
people!"
91 "Good!" praised The Voice, "Seems you
have already made your coppers for this week, tomorrow you will study
with me. We will make of you a fine Speaker! Not only will you
beg money, but you will beg souls out of The Darkness!"
92 "Whatever you say, Lord, I will do," the
Beggar told him. "Though never have I considered such an
undertaking. If you say I shall do so, I will try."
93 The Voice was pleased. Soon, his work here would really begin, but already he had a fine start!
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