circulated through the crowd, and to his surprise
saw some familiar faces...fortunately, none of his uncle's
acquaintances! He noticed Sweet Blossom Turtle watching the couples
dancing, sometimes almost with tears in her eyes.
156 When he was by The Young Speaker he was looking at her and
wondering if he had the Power to heal her. "I could," whispered The
Young Speaker, "but she wouldn't let me. She wants to carry her pain as
a remembrance of those she lost, and to remind her of how much she
hates those who hurt her. While that is inside her, it blocks my Power.
It won't let The Lords Gifts reach her. When it's gone, then Their
Power can touch her, and They can make her whole."
157 "There's nothing you can do?" sighed Bullet.
158 "No," said The Young Speaker, "it must come from within her. She
must release those she loves and forgive those she hates. We must do
what we do not in the name of hate and vengeance, but in the name of
love and justice. Only then are we right before The Lords."
159 Bullet nodded. He got some punch and took it over to Sweet Blossom.
"Thank you," she said, and managed a little smile.
160 When they had finished the punch, Bullet asked, "Care to dance?"
161 "You know I can't," insisted Sweet Blossom.
162 "Of course you can!" insisted Bullet. "I mean you can't do ALL the
steps, just do the ones you can."
163 Sweet Blossom put down her glass. "All right," she agreed. At first
she was hesitant, but after the first couple of dances she loosened up
and started to laugh. After about the fourth number she pulled Bullet from the floor. "I've got to rest a minute!" she insisted.
164 "I'll get some punch," agreed Bullet.
165 As he headed for the punch bowl he saw someone making his way
toward The Young Speaker through the crowd
.