seen you. It has been several months since you have graced her door, and she begins to feel that she has some way shamed you, and wishes for you to come and either tell her what she has done wrong, or that your love is ended, and she should seek another, though she does not know how she could find one so dear to her
 as you have been.  Do you wish me to take a message to her, tell her that you no longer love her and that your relationship is through?"
    23  Swift Cat rose.  "Yes, Lord," he stammered "that would be best.  It is true I no longer find her desirable.  It is best you tell her so.  She is young, and others desire her, I no longer do. Tell her so, and she can seek another."
    24  "That presents me with but one problem," answered The Voice.  "I cannot speak a lie!  You do not desire to be rid of her...you burn for her every time she is mentioned!  You forget I can see within your soul!  You desire this woman more than anything else in your life.  Why would you give her up?"
    25  "Because," explained Swift Cat," I desire that she has a long and happy life, that she never has to dwell in fear, or walk in shadows, as I do.
    26  She is my heart and my soul, but I barely escaped the last attempt on my life. If she had been there, she would have probably perished, and I could not have lived knowing I had caused her death.
    27  It is better she finds another, a merchant, someone who lives a nice quiet life.
    28  They told you three of my men have been killed.  They didn't tell you that with one of them they butchered his family, too!  They cut the throats of his mates and children before they hung him in his own house.
    29  No, Lord, I'll stay by myself....I'll be responsible for my own life, but not someone else's."
    30  The Voice got up and put his hand on his young friend's shoulder.  "Do you not think," he counseled, "you should tell her these things?  You lie to her.  To hurt her is wrong, let her decide for herself  rather or not she wishes to share your dangers!"
    31  Swift Cat pulled away.  "I'm sorry, Lord," he stammered, "I can't!  I would appreciate it if you not tell her what I have said. I have spoken to a Speaker in confidence."
    32  "If you pledge me to silence," answered The Voice, under my Speaker's oath, there is nothing I can do but obey your wishes.  Though I still think you are wrong.  I understand your fear, and also your courage.
    33  You are trying to protect someone you love in the only way you can. But the way you have chosen is WRONG.  She is in no greater danger with you, than apart from you.  Everyone in the city must know she is your lover. The Hoods kill the lovers of their enemies as well as their mates."
    34  "Why do you think I stay away from her?" Swift Cat replied.
    35  "Then when I see the young woman again," The Voice told him, "I will tell her that you still love her, but for reasons I cannot explain, you cannot come near her, that you think it best she seek another's affection.
    36  But if I were you, young man, I'd leave the Secret Service, take that young woman to some other city where you're not known, and raise some children.  Or, just take her to some house here in the city and keep her guarded.  But you cannot live in fear all your life.  You won't serve your people well that way."
    37  The Voice gathered his cloak and left.  Swift Cat followed him out the door. "At least," he said, "I don't leave children all over the land for OTHER people to raise!"
    38  One of The Voice's guards rose and started over, but The Voice motioned him away and let Swift Cat charge out the door.  But others in the inn had heard his outburst, and by the time The Voice reached Singing Cat's house, Bold Cat was waiting for him, and he was not in a pleasant mood.
    39  "That brother of mine," he began, "is a brave man and has done much good for his people.  but I'm afraid his manners leave much to be desired!  On behalf of my family, Lord, I must express my sincere apologies."
    40  The Voice raised his hand.  "I took no offense," he assured, "The young man is troubled. You know you should remove him from command, don't you?"
    41  "He has done nothing, Lord," Bold Cat answered, "that deserves removal.  His men and women, for that matter, know he has a problem but they would not understand if I took his command. They do a hard job, sir. It's dangerous, frightening work.  They tend to stick together, protect one-another. when there's problems.  And we need them, Lord, we need HIM.

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