Victory — John Francis Sissons

There was a disturbance on the south end of the village. South Village outriders were escorting about two hundred women and children toward the Middle Village common area. The interloping women stopped near the village sacred tree and law tablet. The group was fifty meters or so from the prisoner's enclosure. All three allied mayors walked out to greet the women. What do you want, asked the Middle Village mayor.An older woman stepped forward. Please release our men. They were simply following our mayor's orders. We have a new family in charge now. We will not give any more trouble.The Middle Village mayor turned to the other two mayors and the three spoke in low tones to each other. He then turned to the Tsitsistas Shamans. We are deadlocked at two for execution and one for release. How say you? And please explain your answer.White Hair answered first, Let them go home. Keep their weapons and horses. They say there are two hundred men left for security. Meet the new mayor family to get their allegiance.Small Bear said, Release them. There has been enough killing. Keep their weapons and horses. Visit their village often.Emily simply said, I am a Shaman of the People. I may not violate the Law. Release them. Maureen said the same. Jane looked at the three mayors. I am not a priestess yet and my teacher is not present. I know what she would say. Release them, stop the killing.South Village mayor expressed surprise, Daughters of Pitts, these men tried to kill your father and brothers. I know your family well. Do you not desire vengeance? Jane spoke before Emily had a chance, Honored mayor, our father is perfectly capable of defending his honor (she turned to face the prisoners) and he is perfectly capable of vengeance. He does not need his daughters to speak for him. He has sons for that.The three mayors convened again. The three men turned to face the women. Take your men home. We will visit your village with our men at high sun tomorrow. You will be escorted out by our men to your village: on foot. He turned to the knot of ten Southmost prisoners. There is no one here to speak for you. You will be executed, your village burned, and your families disbursed as servants to the three northern villages. He waved his men over. Take them into the forest and carry out my orders. Several men from the other two villages joined the Middle Village men.