Chapter Nineteen

    Passing through Tr on his way to Min, The Voice stopped at the site of The Old Fox's Home.  The buildings had long ago been burned by a Trn mob, only the gate remained.
    2  The Children of Spirit had bought the land where the houses had stood, and raised a great pillar there upon which rested The Star of Spirit.  The plaque at its base read; "ON THIS SPOT DID THE OLD FOX RECEIVE THE WISDOM OF THE LORDS."
    3  The Voice stopped and prayed before he continued on his way.  Surprisingly, he was stopped on the road by The King's Soldiers. "How dare he pass through their land?" a soldier said, "without visiting their King? Was he not a man of importance to The Voice of Spirit?"
    4  The Voice apologized, returned with the Soldiers to The King's Palace, and for two days was The King's guest.  The Voice found him a surprisingly pleasant man, late in his years.
    5  As they parted, The King counseled "I wish the bitterness between our people would pass.  It gives me dark worries.  My son speaks with hatred against your people over passed battles.  I have tried to give him counsel, that you were honorable warriors and always fought with dignity.  But he sees only our cities now in your hands, and longs to take them back. He respects your might, but if he ever sees a weakness, beware!"
    6  "I will remember your words," thanked The Voice, "and give my people counsel.  May your land prosper and your people be happy."
    7  He continued on towards Mi.  As he neared the city gate there was a large crowd. It was near The Harvest Festival; soon the hot days of summer would be on them.
    8  Ahead of them, a young man bumped into an older man, and the older man cried out in anger.  "Watch where you're going, you clumsy oaf!"
    9  The young man shrugged and continued on his way. Suddenly the older man put his hand to his belt. "My purse!"  he cried, "My purse!  He took my purse!  Cut purse!  Cut purse!  Grab him!"
    10  The young man had been walking leisurely out of the city, but now he took off at a run.  Unfortunately The Voice's four guards blocked his path, their naked swords shining in the sun.
    11  The young man drew his knife, but reconsidering the odds, turned to run in another direction.  He had barely taken two paces when another man stepped before him, gave a loud cry, and spun in the air. His foot knocked the thief's weapon out of his hand.  As he stood, startled, the man spun the other way and kicked him in the stomach.
    12  As the thief bent over, the man hit him hard behind the ear, and he went down.  In moments the attacker had the thief's belt off, and was tying him up.
    13  The Voice walked over.  ""Very well done, young man!" he praised.
    14  "Thank you, Voice of The Lords!" the young man answered. "Your assistance was appreciated.  We've been after this criminal for some time, but he runs like a rabbit.  You delayed him just long enough for me to block his path. He's going to be very uncomfortable when he wakes up."
    15  "Yes," agreed The Voice, "you hit him pretty hard!"
    16  "Not only that;" the youth continued.  He rolled the man over and opened one eye.  The pupil was slightly yellow.
    17  "Pon!" The Voice remarked.  "By the way, young man, what's your name?"
    18  "I am Swift Cat," the other told him.  "Secret Service. My brother, Bold Cat, is City Warlock.  My sister developed the fighting style you just saw me use.  She's Singing Cat, a Healer of Animals, here in the city.  The City Speaker is her mate, Bold Raven.  His sister, Bright Raven, is Temple Speaker.
    19  We're a kind of Circle here in the city.  Though we haven't really got a full number, we still do a pretty good job. We've been running The Hoods ragged, just about destroyed their entire operation in the city, lost three good men doing it, but we cleaned the scum out. The Trns have been pretty helpful, after we got rid of one War Leader who was a Hood."
    20  Two fighting people arrived and took Swift Cat's prisoner.  They were older men, but took the  young mens' orders without question. When they heard him address The Voice of The Lords, they became much more military in their actions.  Other people in the crowd were beginning to realize who the stranger was, and were gathering around.
    21   "I came to teach you," explained The Voice, "but I have seen something you must teach me...how you fight like that!  Your movements all seem to flow together.  There is no hesitation. Your blows seem to come without effort. It is very good."
   
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