83 Some of the men around them laughed, but a
sharp look from Gray Deer shut them up. "Give me a report," he demanded.
84 "Counting the one by the gate, we've got
twenty-seven dead. Counting you and I, fifty-one wounded.
We've freed about fifty captives in the house. We weren't in time to
save about twenty-five of them."
85 "How many Hoods?" asked Gray Deer.
86 "Lord, I can't believe the count! We
killed seven-hundred-and-ten of them! They're just
EVERYWHERE! I'm having the count made again, but my men swear
they're right. They say you killed at least twenty-five with your
own blade, and seeing how you were fighting, I believe it! And
you got THE BIG ONE...You got THE HIGH HOOD! Cleanest kill I ever
saw. I thought you weren't supposed to be much of a fighter."
87 "I guess I got mad," Gray Deer answered.
88 "I would say you got VERY MAD!" Bright
Sword replied. "Now, if you don't mind, Lord, The Healer's gotta
have another go at this! He was a little busy before. Oh,
by the way, you know that Speaker that was standing against you as City
Speaker?"
89 "Yes," answered Gray Deer, "what about him?"
90 "You cut his head off at the bottom of the
stairs," Bright Sword announced as she walked away. "I don't
think he's going to be opposing you any more! And wait until you
find out who some of these OTHER Hoods are!"
91 When Gray Deer found out, he couldn't
believe it. There were well known merchants, Warlocks, Speakers,
admired Healers, University Teachers, many of the most influential
people in the land.
92 Others would never be
identified. They were probably Trns, Mukans. Some were
obviously Priests of The One. And the treasure in the house was
unbelievable, enough to support the widows of the dead and the freed
captives for the rest of their lives, plus give each fighting person a
considerable share!
93 Gray Deer had intended to go directly home,
but when news reached The First Speaker, he could not ignore the
heroes. He ordered them brought to Northern and a great victory
feast was held.
94 The Speaker gave each fighting person a
gold coin, as a gift from the people. Gray Deer he made Warlock with no
assignment, a title in name only. After a good night's rest, the
heroes marched home. Every village honored them with gifts and
Eastern would not be out done. They had to have a celebration too. But
it was nothing to compare with what greeted them at The Southern City.
95 The roads were lined with cheering people,
and waving banners. Mates ran from the crowd to meet their men,
their children at their side. Some came to the ox carts weeping,
that carried the ashes of their dead, but for the most it was
joy. It was a victory well won.
96 The Hoods had been crushed. Oh, their evil
would still endure, and sometimes it would reach deep into their
society, but never again would it rule cities. Never again would
it reach into The Church.
97 Gray Deer was barely home when news of The
Voice's victory in Western reached them. "It cannot be long now,"
he told his followers, "before The Voice calls us together, before we
march to The Northern City, and bring an end to foreign influence in
our Land. The hour is nearly at hand!"
