21  At each village the hospitality for The Voice and his escort was overwhelming. In almost every village there was at least one or two healings, so by the time The Voice finally approached the gate of Northern, huge crowds awaited him.  He entered the city to the songs of praise.
    22  The First Speaker came out and greeted him, but strangely offered him no hospitality.  As The First Speaker departed, a man came out of the crowd.  "Sir," he announced, "I am bold Fox, descendant of my beloved Namesake.  I offer you the hospitality of my house."
    23  The Voice gratefully accepted.
    24   "You must forgive our First Speaker. He is under much pressure from the temple of The One. Before your appearance, they were making many conversions among our people.  But since you have appeared almost all they have gained has been taken away.  And many of their own people have joined The Lords. 
    25  They are putting much pressure on The First Speaker to curb your activities.  Also, many Warlocks complain that you interfere with their duty.  So you can understand the position he is in!
    26  "I can understand," answered The Voice, "but I cannot condone.  He is First Speaker, and allows foreign gods to dictate policy in his land.  The power of the temple of The One will soon fade.  The Speaker still has time to side with The Lords. It is not my place to judge him, when the time is right he will judge himself."
    27  "Perhaps," agreed Bold Fox, "you are right.  Those loyal to The Lords here in Northern, have copied your work in other cities.  I have a full Circle, and will be pleased this night, to introduce them to you."
    28  "I will be honored!" answered The Voice.
    29  That evening a happy crowd gathered in Bold Fox's house.  The Speaker of The City Temple, Trusting Fox, was there, and his mate, Morning Glory Hawk, who was the City Warlock.  Her second in command, Silver Fox, secretly led Guardian.  His mate, Mountain Glory Crow, was the head Healer at the city hospital, and had started a program for addicts, that was doing very well.  Helping her, was Shy Fox, a frail-looking young man who displayed a great faith in The Lords.  Also in the Circle, was her sister, Thorn Blossom Fox.  The rest of the Circle was made up of some of the city's most influential merchants.
    30  There was Little Shy Fox, Sweet Blossom Fox, Dreaming Fox, and Valley Blossom Turtle.  They had formed an alliance of merchants that had stood up to The Hoods. Refusing to pay their collectors they had driven them from their shops with whips. Valley Blossom Turtle had been beaten so badly on one occasion she had lost the lower part of her right leg. But that had made her fight even more.
    31  There had been several raids in the city on Hood houses, in which many prisoners had been released, and a great deal of stolen goods had been recovered.
    32  As The Voice listened to the tales of courage and fortitude, told by those present, he knew his stay in this city would be short.
    33  Bold Fox knew his philosophy as well as he did, himself!  There was no need for him here.  He told this to Bold Fox, who became very upset.
    34  "Surely, Lord," he pleaded, "you can stay with us a little while!  Two of my workers are away; Strong Wall, the tent maker, and Bold Hawk, one of  my most trusted aides, are away from the city and will not return for two or three days.  Stay that long, Lord, I pray you.  They have worked so hard, not to see you would break their hearts!"
    35  "So be it!" agreed The Voice. "I wish to visit some of the villages to the east.  This will take me two or three days. I will go there, then return and visit you for a time longer, before I journey on to The City of The Old Fox."
    36  "Bless you, Lord!" praised Bold Fox. "I will arrange for you to speak in The Temple tomorrow."
    37  "That is good!" agreed The Voice.  "I have something to say that will not be popular with some, but it must be said."
    38   So it was, the next day, The Voice made a speech in The City Temple that soon had the entire city in an uproar.  For he spoke of those who for convenience or greed, did what they knew was not right, or let others do it.
    39  "Any man that thinks," argued The Voice, "that he can break The Law to avoid conflict, is a fool!  You only let evil grow, and put off the conflict until another day, when the evil is stronger.
    40  The time to fight evil is when it is weak, when it does not have the strength to resist.  Even when those in authority over you say  'Appease!  Appease!  Keep the peace!  Do not make trouble over little things!' do not hear them!
    41  When you find evil in your city, fight it.  When you see The Law being broken, speak out!  Even if it is your brother, your sister, do your duty, say what must be said, do what must be done!

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