68 The rest of the snake soon emerged, and Swift Cat relieved it of its head.
69 "If it had bitten you just once," he said,
"you would have been dead in moments! It's no wonder they're
called The Kings of Death, with their golden crowns and black
bodies. It wouldn't be the first time The Hoods have killed with
these deadly little messengers."
70 "I owe you my life," said The Voice.
71 "We're even!" Swift Cat told him. "You gave me back mine!"
72 The Voice saluted him, and journeyed on.
The several days it took them to reach Nameless were well spent.
The villages around it greeted The Voice with great excitement.
By the time they reached the great fortress itself, The Voice was weary.
73 Looking at this great structure The Voice
realized its importance. Besides The City of The Old Fox, this
was their most important military base. Guarding The Tr Road as
it did, it protected The Holy Land from attack from the west.
Here, The Voice found a happy people; a City Warlock named Sleepy Dove,
and a City Speaker named Thundering Hawk.
74 The two men had a Circle of sorts, though
neither one called himself Leader. They kept the city in good
order. There was very little Hood activity there. Drugs were
virtually unknown, every caravan coming through was checked for
contraband. As these were the ones The Voice had seen in his
dream, he knew that all in the city was well, and journeyed on down The
Tr Road to Dove.
75 Here was another great fortress. If an
enemy should take Nameless, they would only win the mountain valleys
they would not have free passage into The Land of Spirit, and the
reverse was true. If the lower part of The Land of Spirit was
overcome, The Tr Road would not be open to the enemy.
76 In this city was a young Speaker named
Walking Turtle, and a Warlock named Gray Toad. There was also a
healer named Yellow Blossom Serpent, who did much for that
community. But here, too, everything was well in order, the
people were happy, and The Voice tarried only a few days.
77 "How good to be back in our own land!" said
one of his guards. "And things have been going well. Surely in
this city you will have a peaceful mission."
78 The Voice looked at him and shook his
head. "Before we leave this city," he predicted, "your sword will
be so red with blood, you will think it can never be cleaned. Of
all the places we have been, here our enemies will be the
strongest. Here, they will threaten us worst."
79 They were nearing an inn by the side of the
road, when suddenly they heard a great commotion, from inside.
They saw two men ahead of them stop by the door, then rush inside.
80 A few minutes later two brawny ox-drivers
came sailing through the door, followed by two more. Then, a single man
landed on the ground with a thump, just as The Voice and his guards
walked up.
81 The oxmen sat on the ground rubbing various
parts of their body, as a haggard-looking inkeeper and the two men The
Voice had seen emerged.
82 "All right!" ordered the bigger of
the men, "pay your bill, and be quick about it. Or, do you prefer
some more persuasion?"
83 The oxmen raised their hands in protest,
gained their feet, and began to open their purses. Soon, they
were placing coins in the inkeeper's hands.
84 "You struck him," barked the large man,
"and, broke his furniture. That will be more." Grumbling, the
oxmen paid up. "Now, get out of here!" ordered the large
man. "And from now on, mind your manners!"
85 The oxmen headed off, holding their
injuries and complaining about the poor hospitality in some countries.
86 "What happened here?" demanded The Voice.
87 The inkeeper, who had been arguing with the
large man turned around. "Those ox drivers," he explained, "have
been drinking all day. I'm afraid they lost track of their
bill. When I came demanding payment, they became angry and
attacked me. These two fine fellows came to my rescue. Now,
they will take no reward.
88 Could I have honor if such kindness was
done to me, and I did not repay it? They do me wrong, Teacher.
Tell them to take my twenty-five coppers, it is only proper!"
89 "Would you shame the man," The Voice asked,
"by refusing his gift? Accept his gratitude. If you do not
wish it for yourself, you can give it to the poor."
90 "As The Voice of The Lords has said," the larger man answered, "that surely, I will do."
91 "The Voice?" cried The Inkeeper, "You're The Voice?"
92 "I am he," The Voice answered.
Page 231