67  It was not a joyous meal that evening, though Yellow Blossom's presence did make for some entertainment.  The tale of her adventures left everyone else spellbound. But finally all went to their beds.
    68  The Voice was awoken by a servant and found Yellow Blossom already gone.  He dressed and joined Gray Boar in his judgment Hall.  The prisoners were brought in.  Gray Boar called The Chief Engineer forward.  "Well," he asked, "you heard the charges when you were arrested.  What do you have to say?"
    69  "What can I say?" The Engineer answered.  "You've caught me!  I'm guilty!  If I claim innocence it would cost me my head!  I'm not stupid!  You can let the rest go.  They had no part in any of this.
    70  I convinced them everything I was doing was quite legal. They received none of the money. It is all hidden under different names with different money lenders.  When the project was done, I was going to use it to support most of my family for the rest of their days."
    71  "The others will have to be questioned," answered Gray Boar.  "If what you say is true, they will be released.  Call in Faceless Crow!"
    72  The assistant Engineer of the project entered.  He leaned heavily on his staff and dragged one leg.  He wore a glove on one hand and a hood over his face like the victims of The Creeping Death.
    73  "He does not have The Creeping Death," The Voice whispered to Swift Goat.  "Why does he wear the hood?"
    74  "When he was a child," Swift Goat answered, "he was visiting his father who was a renowned builder.  As he was climbing a ladder a careless worker upset a tub of boiling pitch.  It burned him horribly.  That he lived at all was a miracle.  That he has accomplished all that he has since then, is unbelievable!  But he permits no one to see his face, not even his mates!"
    75  The Voice nodded.
    76  "Faceless Crow," requested Gray Boar, "I will pass judgment on this man in three days. Can you have a complete accounting of all materials and supplies by then?
    77  The project is now your complete charge. I am sure you will finish it with great skill.  But before you take over, I want to make sure everything is accounted for."
    78  "It will be alot of work," answered Faceless Crow, "but I'm sure it can be done. I ask that you promote my helper, Red Serpent, an assistant engineer. He is my swift legs and good eyes."
    79  "It is done," announced the First Speaker.  "Let all foremen return to their tasks, but let them also know that they are not to leave the area, and that they will all be questioned."
     80   So it was, an accounting of the project was made.  While it was being done the foreign workers were being paid off.  They were given all wages they were due, plus a week's extra, and traveling money and sent on their way; except for several engineers that Faceless Crow needed.
    81  Soon, people from every city from The Land of Spirit hurried to The City of The Old Fox to fill the openings.  The Voice was pleased. But he noticed Gray Boar's troubled expression as the day of judgment neared.
    82  Finally one evening as they sat by the fire, The City Speaker unburdened his Spirit.  "Lord," he began, "tomorrow I must sentence an old friend to life in the copper mines.  It is all The Law will allow me.
    83  Some of the funds he stole belong to The Church and the stealing of Church funds is punishable by death.  He has made full confession, therefore, cannot be executed.
    84  The only alternative I have is life in Punishment, but to me that is the cruelest of fates; work in the mines all day, locked in your cell all night. It is a dreary life, day after day!  But what else can I do?"
    85  "You cannot order his execution," agreed the Voice, "but you can do this; if life in the mines becomes too unbearable for him, you may permit him to request his own execution.
    86  He may appear before three Speakers, gathered from the area, and request execution.  If The Speakers are sure this is his own wish, they may grant his request, and order his immediate execution.  In this way, the burden will not be on your Spirit but on his."
    87  "It's unusual," cried Gray Boar, "but it's good!  I like it!  By The Lords, that's what I'll do!"
    88  The next day the prisoner was brought before him.  Faceless Crow reported that everything appeared to be in order.  The only thefts appeared to be in the wages, food, and shelter.
    89  Gray Boar ordered all of the former engineer's estates seized, and any gifts he had given to anyone since the project began would have to be returned.
    90  All that he stole would be paid back out of his estate.  Then, everything would be sold, and the profits would go to The Church.  He sentenced the engineer in the manner The Voice had suggested.
    91  As the man was being taken away, his mate came forward.  "Lord," she cried, "I would go with him."
    92  "Woman," asked The City Speaker, "do you know where he is going?"

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