"The Highest said that you were to be made Highest, and all these advisors in front of you say as well."

Sam looked around and saw that Josin was missing.

"Where be Josin?"

"She be with Hern, holding Lillon."

"Josin? A traitor?"

Oisin just nodded her head, "She be the one who tried to kidnap and murder The Highest."

Meera came over to Sam. "Highest. You must do this. We all stand with you."

Sam whispered to Meera, "Meera, if I do this, I must choose a Second"

Meera shook her head, and took her aside for a moment. She spoke softly to her so no other could hear, "It cannot be me, Sam. Do not even think it so. I am and will always remain your protector. I want no other position. You must select another." She hesitated a moment and then continued, "Sam, Woden needs you. We have much in front of us and we need you. There is not one advisor here that could hold this position. There is not a woman here that wants other than you."

"But, Meera, if Josin be a traitor, then some of the other advisors could be, as well."

- 74 -.

"I have already recognized this as a possibility, but we cannot know this at this moment. And at this moment, all these women here stand with you and have pronounced you as the next Highest."

Sam lowered her head, thinking, W hy is this to be? Has not enough occurred in our lives that this should but occur, too? I know not the laws, the background, and all the items The Highest wished me to know. How am I supposed to act as the leader of this entire community? Oh, Brett, where are you when I need you? Where are these so-called Spirit Mothers of the Falls that are supposed to provide us with guidance? Who am I to do this?

Unknowingly, she nodded her consent, looking at Oisin with sadness in her eyes. Oisin thought it was a terrible moment for both of them, as she would have to be the one to invest Sam as The Highest.

Oisin faced Sam, and began the proceedings, "Kneel, Second of Woden."

Sam knelt in front of her advisors, and bowed her head. She was in shock, but knew she wasn't to be given the moments to prepare for this.

"Sam of Woden, Second of our domain, do you accept our need of you as Highest?"

Sam looked at her advisors, and then at Oisin. How can all this occur in this span of turns? Am I to bear all this alone? Mother of the Falls, I need you now.

Everyone was waiting her answer.

Softly, "Yes."

Oisin turned to Meera, "Meera, I but need your sword."

Meera unsheathed her sword and handed it to Oisin. Oisin took it and rested the tip of the sword upon Sam's head. "Then I, Oisin, Sea Duty Second of Woden, the next in command, ask your solemn oath for our community: Do you agree to uphold the bonds, mission, and laws of our community?

"Yes."

"Do you agree to provide us your best guidance until your death?"

To herself, she thought, NO! I cannot!

But she knew she had to take the responsibility, for Woden. She sighed deeply, then mustered as much strength as she could to provide her quiet response, "Yes."

"Do you agree to be loyal to our mothers prior to us?"

"Yes."

"Do you agree to treat us all as your lineage?"

"Yes."

"Do you agree to fight to the death our ways, beliefs and customs?"

"Yes."

"Do you, Sam and Second of Woden, pledge your life to Woden?"

- 75 -.

She sighed and nodded, "I pledge you my life and loyalty. They are but yours to command."

Sam didn't want to be The Highest. She was fighting every muscle to run away, to hide. She wanted to shout, NO, I want not to be The Highest. No, you have chosen the wrong leader. But she couldn't. She felt her mother spirit walking her to her destiny. Sam thought, Here I am, surrounded by women who think I can lead them and this community. I feel worse this turn than ever in my life. I look terrible and feel worse. And I may now have a power that will kill me before I get past one turn as Highest.

"I, Oisin, your Sea Duty Second, pronounce you as The Highest of our dominion." She helped The Highest to stand. Sam had remembered to keep her hands tightly clasped together. Oisin knelt before her and bowed her head, "Highest."

Each advisor knelt before Sam and recognized her, "Highest". Apart from Brett's death, Sam couldn't recall ever having been so sad.

Softly, and just to Sam, Oisin explained, "Sam, you need to select a Second. We are under conflict situation, and without leaders. I know you have had no moment to consider this, but one must be chosen and Lillon will be but a most difficult choice. I suggest you choose another."

Sam nodded. She hadn't needed to think of this. She turned to her advisors and saw who she was looking for.

"Jandra, I request your presence."

Jandra came up to the patio, "Highest?" and bowed. "Have I done you a disfavor?"

"No, Jandra. I have need of you and all your experience. I need you to attend Woden and me, now. Would you be willing to do that for your community?"

The Highest had just asked Jandra if she would become The Second.

The question had stunned Jandra. Sam thought that there was not one woman in the community who would have guessed her choice. But she had heard upon many moments from The Highest how she respected Jandra's council.

"Me? As Second? I believed you not to even respect my knowledge and ability."

"You overly assume much, Jandra. We have other issues that we must deal with first. Please provide your decision."

"Yes, Highest, I will honor your need."

"Thank you, Jandra.

Sam turned to Oisin and nodded.

Oisin faced Jandra, "Jandra, please kneel."

Jandra did so, and bowed her head.

- 76 -.

Oisin lay the tip of the sword upon Jandra's head, "On your oath to me and the community, will you attend The Highest?"

"Yes."

"Will you uphold all that The Highest would wish for the community?"

"Yes."

"Do you agree to provide The Highest with your most honest, wisest, and direct council?"

"Yes."

"Do you agree to treat all members of our community with respect and fairness?"

"Yes."

"Do you understand that upon The Highest's death, you may become The Highest?"

"Yes."

"And should that occur, do you agree to uphold the bond of this community and protect it to the death?"

"Yes, I do. I swear my undying allegiance to The Highest and the Woden community."

Oisin pronounced, "Then, in the presence of all that here attend, I, Oisin, Sea-Duty Second of Woden, pronounce that you, Jandra of Woden, are henceforth to be known as Second, with all the respect and expectations therein."

Sam noticed tears in Jandra's eyes.

Jandra went to Sam and knelt before her, "I pledge you my undying loyalty."

Sam placed her hand upon Jandra's head, "Thank you, Jandra, Second of Woden. Rise. We have much work to do." Jandra felt a strange power surge from The Highest's hand into her body. As the surge passed from Sam, she sensed Jandra's loyalty and devotion, but she also sensed herself growing far weaker.

The community bowed their heads and echoed, "Second".

Sam turned and went inside. As she did, she said to Jandra, "Second of Woden, before I but begin my period of isolation, please assemble the leaders and advisors in the meeting room immediately, and please include Keddi and Margeria."

"As you bid, Highest."

Sam went to the meeting room and sat down in her rocker. The word tired no longer expressed her physical state, so determined to keep her - 77 -.

hands clasped together. Once everyone entered, the room was full. Oisin looked beyond serious and Sam could tell she was indeed worried about attacks from the seaside.

"Meera, Keets, please update The Second and me."

"Lillon is being held hostage by Hern, Josin, and four of the Spiritual Leaders."

"Hostage? Why?"

"They say they will trade her, in safe condition, in return for Keddi."

"Keddi? Why Keddi?"

"They must think she knows something we know not."

Looking at Keddi, Sam replied, "Yes, and something Keddi cannot remember." Turning back to Meera and Keets she said, "Only four Spiritual Leaders and two advisors? Have the others abandoned their cause?"

Oisin answered, "The others stole a small boat and escaped to the ship that is presently in our harbor. My crew saw no reason to halt them. This way all those traitors will be in one place."

"So, these events have all been well coordinated?"

Oisin said, "So it seems, Highest."

"And there is a ship in our harbor?" Sam was displeased about this event.

Oisin nodded and frowned, "We had left for our journey out, but came across the ship in the early morn. We overcame it and escorted it back here. The captain requested safe passage and safe harbor in port.

Over my dead body will they but enter the harbor. We have them under heavy guard just outside the harbor."

"You have that ship under good guard, so I am unconcerned about that matter. Have you found any other ships nearby?" Sam knew that this would have been Oisin's first plan of action.

"Not as yet, but we remain searching all the coves and hiding places."

To Meera and Keets, she said, "Can you overtake Hern and the others?"

Keets nodded, "But not while ensuring Lillon's safety."

"Do we know of Lillon's condition?"

Meera replied, "I demanded to be shown Lillon. She is presently unharmed. Jandra has seen her, too."

"Jandra, you knew of this?"

"I was trying to get Hern to release her, Highest."

"It be truth, Highest. We had to halt Jandra from throwing herself at Hern. She kept calling Hern a traitor and threatened to kill her."

Sam turned to Jandra and smiled, "I knew I made a wise choice. We need to free Lillon quickly, but I will not hand over Keddi to those wom"

"Highest, I may have an idea that can return Lillon to you unharmed."

- 78 -.