Subject: trodden decadent

From: "Madge Tanner" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:43:44 -0500

Its rays penetrated the cleft in the ice so that Wi sawmore of the Sleeper than he had ever done.
It nearly hit me, but Ihad moved closer to the ice to look at the Sleeper, the greatest ofthe gods.
Then the head ofthe skinner appeared, and Wi smiled and loosened his grip of thespear. And if youdie, then we shall die soon, very soon.
In the morning she spoke again and said:Hearken, Wi.
However, Wi, being a man who dealt with facts, paidno heed to these tales. Aaka wept,and Wi, when there was no one to see, wept also as he searched forFo-a, whom he loved.
It nearly hit me, but Ihad moved closer to the ice to look at the Sleeper, the greatest ofthe gods. Good, and what are your wishes as regards myself?
Aye, Wi, snarled Pag, his one eye flashing with hate. Yet the gods had spoken, and he dared notdisobey the counsel that he had sought.
Henga would kill me, and mylittle daughter Fo-a he has killed, and her mother weeps.
But we women see further, and we aresure that Pag is a wolf by night, if a dwarf by day. Have you heardthat Buks wife has lost her little child of three? He needs one that is warm, even in the summer, for lately he hasbeen coughing and spitting. Shall I challenge Henga in the oldway and fight him openly for the rule of the tribe?
Well, I will think thematter over, and we will talk again before you fight. Shall I challenge Henga in the oldway and fight him openly for the rule of the tribe? The people groan, but according to the old law may notrebel, and to speak they are afraid.
Or perhaps he puts thetale about that all may fear him. Then go and seek an omen from the Ice-gods, Husband.
Yet, if I do, he may kill me and thenwhat would happen to you and Foh?
I know not, Wife, but I know also that, if such words are whispered,they will not be true. Then go and seek an omen from the Ice-gods, Husband.
I wonder also why they all think he is half awolf. For this was no thief, this was Pag, his slave who loved him.
A stone fell from the brow of the ice, as Aakasaid that it would if I was to fight Henga.
The head of a wolf that I slew as I went up the valley.
At least, if you kill Henga,Foh shall live and not die as Fo-a died.
Or perhaps he puts thetale about that all may fear him.
Good, and what are your wishes as regards myself? Then please direct me to kill them, or to see that they killthemselves, never mind how.
Aye, Wi, snarled Pag, his one eye flashing with hate. It nearly hit me, but Ihad moved closer to the ice to look at the Sleeper, the greatest ofthe gods.
Pag will see to it, and so weshall be together again.