"You seemed to have healed my head. My other wounds are yet present, but far less severe than my head wound was. I limp with one leg very well. How did you know to do what you did?"

"My body seems to know what to do while my mind remains witless."

She leaned back in the chair and tried to rest.

- 63 -.

"Thank you for healing my head, Second, but are the consequences worth it?"

Sam just closed her eyes and thought, Would I but knew the consequences of living, I would not have wanted to come into this land. Oh, Brett, I so desperately need your strength.

Keddi wished she could take away some of The Second's burdens, but also knew that many more, outside Woden, would face her in her future.

"Brett loved you, Second. She was your companion because she loved you. That is all you need to remember about her. I have returned because you and Woden need me now, and I want to be here."

Sam could no longer react to Keddi or even comprehend what she was saying. She would think about all of it later when she was better able to think through it. She just sat there, eyes closed, resting. She found some peace in knowing that a part of Brett was yet with her.

"I am sorry you lost Brett, too."

The Second forced herself to find enough energy to face the meeting with Treena. As she arrived, Meera was standing outside the meeting room, waiting for her.

She bowed her head, "Second. Would you like me to come in with you during your meeting with Treena?"

"I think not, Meera. I do not want her to feel we gather forces against her."

"Yes, Second. I will be outside the door if you but need me."

Meera was deeply concerned about Sam, but felt helpless in preventing further burden. She was upset that The Highest was so quick to unload her burden onto Sam. Because The Highest was almost giving away her long-standing role so easily, Meera had begun to wonder if The Highest had another reason for doing so.

Sam walked into the room to find Treena looking down at the floor.

When Treena heard Sam enter, she quickly rose, bowed, and said, "Second." She looked as if she had been crying all the eve and hadn't gotten any sleep. Sam felt no sympathy for her.

"Good morn, Treena. I am glad to see that you have agreed to come to speak with me." She sat across from Treena. "I find myself wondering how to begin. Perhaps I will just let you say what it is you want to say."

Treena nodded, but looked like she had no strength to begin.

She started to cry. Sam just waited.

"Oh, Second, you were correct. I have gotten myself into a place I know not how to get out of. And I know not what to do. Lives are being - 64 -.

threatened; The Highest is dying, and all because I have been but weak to report anything. I have been a terrible advisor and but a worse community member."

Sam wasn't interested in soothing her feelings. She knew that Treena was correct; she had been weak, and she had allowed herself to be manipulated.

"Why not begin at the beginning, Treena, and tell me the whole story?"

She looked at The Second, wiped her eyes, and nodded, "Yes, it be a good idea, but I hope you have a while, because this be a long story."

Sam thought a long story wasn't what she needed, but resigned herself to listen.

The story went back two full cycles.

As Treena told the tale, Sam kept fretting, How could we have missed all these clues? How could they have gotten away with all this sabotage?

Treena told how, at first, the Spiritual Leaders manipulated her by making her feel important, and telling her that she would be an excellent Highest. They gave her gifts. They told her how important it was to turn the community into a mixed community, telling her until she began believing it herself. The Spiritual Leaders argued how weak The Highest was as a leader, that Sam, The Second, was just The Highest's shadow, and that it was Treena with the real leadership ability. And they told her that they could turn this community into a mixed community of thousands, and she could be the leader of a kingdom. They had even arranged mixed marriages for her, her companion, and all the Spiritual Leaders to men from Fornaith and New Harborage. Treena had told how she was betrothed to some prince of Fornaith.

Sam thought, Prince? Now we have princes?

Treena told of how when she questioned them once, they began to tell her how they would remove all her power; how they would abduct Treena's companion, Persane, and keep them apart forever; how they might even be forced to violence. It was then that she became frightened and decided to follow along, out of fear.

At the end of the story, she said, "I know they will but kill me, Second.

And Persane, too. And once they find out I have told you all this, they will kill you, too. And, Second, I do not want a mixed marriage."

She gave Sam all their names and told of all their meetings places and schedules. Then she really surprised Sam, "Second, you should know this: There be a man behind all this. A man they want to rule as the Very Highest."

Sam wondered about this. A man. A mixed community. Who put them up to this?

- 65 -.

She thought it not anyone from Hengist, as they were as loathe toward a mixed community as the women were. She thought it the moment to bring in Briggon and group.

When done telling the story, The Second thought Treena looked exhausted. Sam felt defeated. External enemies were hard enough, but to have internal sabotage was new for Woden. And that their Spiritual Leaders wanted them to be a mixed community was sabotage.

"Second? Are you going to say anything?" She waited while Sam just looked at her. "I assume you will punish me, but please let Persane and me remain in the community. I will do anything to make it up to you and the women. I do believe in this community's mission and vision, as you said prior midturn. And I realize that I have been but listening to the wrong women. I am so scared."

Sam thought, That is fine, but the damage has been done.

"Well, Treena. That be quite a story. I can see well why you are afraid of being killed by our Spiritual Leaders. We will but protect you and Persane for your willingness to come forward and but share this information. I need some moments to decide what to do with you, and I also need some moments to ensure that you have not lied to me and set us up, further.

You used to be a very good advisor. I hope the moments come to be so you can be as such, again. I will require you to tell this story to Meera and Keets so that they can check out the facts and question you about the details."

"I understand, Second. I will help all I can to save this community.

Can I but tell just Meera?"

Sam considered Treena's grieving wearisome, as it had provided much damage to Woden. She had to persuade herself that Treena was telling the truth, so got up and walked over to Treena.

Since I seem to have this strange force in me, I might as well use it to our advantage. Even though it will tire me more, at least it will be purposeful . . .

Sam placed her hand on Treena's shoulder. Treena felt the current from Sam, and froze in fear. Sam felt her say, I am so sorry. Please let them forgive me.

Satisfied that Treena had told the truth, Sam called for Meera and sat back down. She was too tired to stand. The use of the current now seemed to be affecting her heart as well, her heart now beating most irregularly.

She could feel the change in it.

"Meera, I need you to listen to Treena's story and but confirm the details. She asked to not have to tell this story to Keets. I did not ask the reason. She gave me all the names and places of what has been occurring.

You will need to move quickly on this, though. The community is being - 66 -.

sabotaged, internally. But you already knew the Spiritual Leaders were up to something."

Treena looked surprised at this.

"I also am wondering if this, too, be but another trap on the Counselors' part. Be careful on this. Treena informed me that the Spiritual Leaders want to make this a mixed community, and that this all involves a man they are referring to as The Very Highest. After you confirm the story, arrange a meeting for us with Briggon. There seems to be a prince from Fornaith who is but betrothed to Treena. I suspect that is where our problems are rooted."

Meera nodded, holding her thoughts to herself, "Yes, Second."

"I gave my word to Treena that we will protect her and Persane in the meanwhile. Please have them moved to a safe location, out of the community, so that the Spiritual Leaders will be unable to find them or communicate in any fashion with Treena. I have no idea how you plan to get her out of here unnoticed, but please get Persane out of her dwelling at the same moment, and both as quickly as possible. The Spiritual Leaders must already know of this meeting."

Sam thought that Meera had probably already made preparations to remove Treena and Persane out of the town, as she usually was ahead of her own thinking in regard to these matters.

"You are correct, Second. My guards already saw them watching your dwelling. They have already begun to publicly protest."

"Create a diversion, then, elsewhere. But get Treena out of here, soon."

Treena looked frightened.

"Meera, one other item. Once you determine this story's authority, could you arrange a meeting with my advisors, with Oisin, as well?"

"It will be done."

"Oh, and Meera?" Sam looked at Meera.

"Yes, Second. I am here for you."

"I would like you to remain near by. We have much in need of attention. Have your assistants attend to these details. You are needed here."

"So it will be, Second. Treena, come with me, please." Meera looked at Sam. "Not to worry, Second, I have this under control already."

Sam was exhausted but felt that if she lay down to sleep, she would be unable to get up for many turns. She sought out one of the guards.

"Margeria, when Meera returns, would you please inform her that I will be in the meeting room?"

- 67 -.

Margeria bowed, "Of course, Second."

"Could you also send someone to find Lillon for me? I have not seen her in over a turn, and she was to report back to me late prior turn."

"Please consider it done, Second."

Margeria bowed slightly and went to the task. Sam went and retrieved one of the books that The Highest wanted her to read, and checked in with May.

"May, is there anything that I could eat?"

May looked very concerned for The Second, but tried to hide it from her. She had heard from the guards that The Second had been sick.

"Oh, Second, yes I do. I have been hoping you would have some moments for the midturn meal. I made something very special for you to give you some energy."

May winked at her, "I know how busy you have been. And I was so terrible to you this morn, getting you up before you even had moments to sleep." She began to prepare the food for Sam.

"Will you be taking your meal here?"

"If it does not inconvenience you, May, I would like to take my meal and rest in the meeting room."

"Of course, Second. I will also bring you some nice strong tea to help you remain alert. I have some very nice sweets to"

"No sweets, May, please. The sound of sweets is unpleasing to me right now."

"Not a problem, Second. Please just go sit wherever you wish, and I will be right in with your meal."

Sam left, book in hand, and went to the meeting room. She was sorry that her new chair was in Keddi's room, but thought it a good thing, as she would probably go to sleep in it. She chose another and sat down.

Margeria walked in, new chair in-hand. She bowed to Sam, "I apologize for the interruption, Second, but May asked me to bring this in for you."

"Thank you, Margeria." Sam looked at it. It seemed almost a lifespan prior that Oisin had given this to her. She had no energy to get up, though, so decided to remain in her chair.

"It be called a rocker. I saw one like it in another village, and that is the name they gave for it." Keddi had entered the room, hobbling on one leg. Her statement had startled Sam, but she was surprised to see how much better Keddi looked. "Do you mind if I join you, Second?"

Sam was unsure. She needed some moments alone to sort through the recent events, but was curious as to why Keddi came in.

"Why not try out the new chair? What did you call it, a rocker?"

- 68 -.

Keddi nodded and sat in the rocker, and then propped her hurt leg up onto another chair.

"I think I may have scared Berth into believing she was seeing a spirit.

She came in to check on my head and found it completely healed. She asked me how my head could have healed so quickly. I just said, 'My head?

There was nothing wrong with my head.'"

Sam laughed with Keddi, "Poor Berth." Sam laughed again, imagining how Berth would explain this to the other healers, when May finally came in with Sam's meal.

"Oh, Keddi. I knew not that you were going to eat with The Second.

I can but run and get your food, too. Second, I have brought you food to help restore your energy. And you are not to worry about it at all, because it will be easy on your stomach."

Sam wondered how May knew about her being ill, but let it pass. May knew everything. It was annoying, but at the same moment, comforting.

She looked at the bowl and noticed that May had given her a rich broth with noodles and vegetables in it. It smelled wonderful, per usual. She started to eat and for a moment forgot that Keddi was there.