Chapter Twenty-Six
Now, while The Voice was fighting his battles in
Western, Gray Deer was doing well in The Southern City. They had almost
destroyed the Hood operation in their city, and Gray Deer, though he
did not even have a Temple, was the most popular Speaker in the
city. So when the old City Speaker announced he would resign at
the end of the year, Gray Deer's supporters insisted he stand for the
office.
2 But those who opposed him forbade it, saying
"He has not been in The Church long enough to qualify. He has not even
had his own Temple yet, and you must be a Temple Speaker for five years
before you can be a City Speaker. This one is not yet worthy to
serve."
3 But Gray Deer's supporters knew The
Law. They knew they could send a petition to The First Speaker asking
for an exception. The petition was sent with thousands of
signatures. The First Speaker read it, looked at the names, and
announced, "If this person is so beloved by the people, let him stand
for the office. The exception is granted!"
4 So the people began to work to persuade The
Council Of Elders that Gray Deer was the man they needed. They were in
the midst of this effort when Bright Sword's agents began to pick up
rumors that something of interest was about to happen.
5 The Hoods, shaken by all that had happened
to them in the last years, were desperately trying to come up with a
plan to win back their power. The rumor was that The Highest of All
Hoods, The Lord of Darkness, was coming up out of The Land of The One,
and calling a gathering of High Hoods from all The Land of Spirit, and
even Tr and Mu.
6 It was rumored to be the greatest gathering
of Hoods ever known. But they could only get rumors; no definite proof
that such a meeting was coming, or, where it would be held, could be
obtained.
7 As Gray Deer prepared one evening for
lessons, he was thinking on this matter but his thoughts were disturbed
by one of Bright Sword's men who was very upset. He had been
guarding an old man, who had refused to pay Hood protection after years
of submission. Though he was vigilant, somehow four Hoods had
gotten by him and murdered his charge.
8 He had quickly sent them to The Darkness,
but his failure to save the old man had upset the young guard
terribly. He tossed things about and snapped at others.
9 Finally, Mountain Glory Turtle scolded
him. "Do The Lords not teach," she instructed, "that we should
control our emotions...that we should not let them rule us? Do
not be consumed with your anger. Put it out of you. Anger eats up
your soul and leaves you empty."
10 Gray Deer went over and put his hand on the
young man's shoulder. "In a way," he counseled, "she is
right. Release your anger, but do not forget why you have it. You
did your best, that's all that can be expected of any man. Your anger
is justified. Feel it, realize it, but do not direct it towards
yourself. Direct it where it belongs.
11 The Lords do not expect any man to be
perfect. We will all, at times, have our fits of anger. If
I had not been angry when The Voice came to me, and sick of what was
happening in our city, I would not have answered his call, I would not
have returned to The Lords.
12 We need anger. We need that fire
inside of us that rises up and says 'this is enough. I will stand no
more.' So do not rebuke this young man. Comfort him.
Help him to understand that the one he tried to protect is now with The
Lords, enjoying Their Bounty, while the ones that slew him hide in The
Darkness, crying with pain."
13 "Thank you, Lord," sighed the young
man. "The anger is gone, now. I thank you for your words of
kindness. I will carry on the battle. The one we have lost
will be avenged!"
14 Gray Deer returned to his meditation, and
after the lessons were done, everyone joined the Circle in discussion.
15 "If we could only," Gray Deer said, "know
for sure when this Hood meeting is taking place, and, where, it would
be the greatest prize we could capture, The Hood of Hoods, the
Lord of Darkness...to end his evil reign; what would bring more glory
to anyone's soul?"
16 "I would give my life," said one of the
young men, "to know the hour and the place."
17 A young man moved up from the back of the
Circle and sat down beside his fellow. "I've got a better bargain for
you," he offered. "Give me a fourth copper and I'll tell you what you
want to know!"
18 The other man laughed, took a coin from his
pocket, and put it in the other's hand.
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