23 That night, just before the evening meal,
they were in the yard when the bell rang to the gate. Great Bear
himself, answered it, and a moment later returned with Strong Dog
and Silent Dog. "Anybody here," asked Strong Dog, "got any work
for an out of work Warlock?"
24 "What happened?" inquired The Voice.
25 "One of The City Warlock's men went to
testify that he saw a citizen commit a crime. The only problem
was, when he supposedly saw this crime, he was five miles away in the
barracks with me and my brother. I went to the trial and told the
Judges that. The City Speaker decided that he didn't want such an
uncooperative man in his service, so here I am."
26 "I know several people that employ private
guards," put in Great Bear, "I'm sure I can get you work. Until I
do, you're perfectly welcome to stay here."
27 "I think," announced The Voice, "with the
arrival of these two it's time to start our Circle. We will begin
this evening. We do not have enough women yet, but your sisters and The
Lady can sit in until we find some more.
28 I can't teach you anything, Great
Bear. You already use your Powers very well. You will observe and
teach the class when I'm not present."
29 To everyone's surprise Sweet Blossom came
to supper. She was quiet and every once and a while hugged herself. No
one made any mention of her strange actions, just carried on the usual
dinner conversation, Strong Dog turning most of his attention to
Sweet Blossom. After the meal he asked The Voice what was wrong with
her. After The Voice had explained, he shook his head in bewilderment.
"Can she make it?" he asked.
30 "I don't know," admitted The Voice. "it's
an unbelievable thing to ask of anyone, but she's determined not to
break her word. The best thing we can do is just be patient, and
render her all the help we can."
31 That evening as they began classes, Sweet
Blossom sat down in the Circle, and Knowing Fox took up position
opposite her. "Are you up to this?" asked The Voice.
32 "It's part of the bargain," explained Sweet
Blossom. "I must become a Speaker and a Warlock. Please
don't ask me too many questions, just let me watch and listen."
33 So they began, and slowly the days
passed. Sweet Blossom never left her room during the day, but at
night she came out and sometimes even left the house refusing
escort. She would return giving The Voice a stack of notes about
things going on in the city. Whenever The Voice could, he took a few
hours to hold her. Though she said it wasn't necessary, he knew
it gave her rest.
34 It seemed like everyone was counting the
days...Ten passed, fifteen, then twenty. On the twenty-third,
Sweet Blossom began to get irritable. She complained of pains
inside her, and she got cross with the men. The other women said
nothing, but only looked at each-other.
Page 243
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