"Oh, my Queen, Your Liege would have it as you wish. He would have it to maketh you to swoon. He would like to present you into a courtship, M'Lady."

"Sir Devin, please explain this word, courtship."

"My most kindest of gentlewomen, courtship is a period prior to the union."

- 100 -.

"And what does this courtship entail, Sir Devin? What would you require of me?"

"My Queen, to be as beauteous and chaste as you stand here. My Liege would have me return, with your leave, in two moons hence. The courtship would proceed with more gifts, by your leave, and more vows from my Liege. He wishes to win your good graces over fully, so that your first union with our Liege would be one as the shooting stars."

"It is acceptable, Sir Devin. But we are a simple people. What does your Liege expect in return from me? As a simple woman, I have no idea what your King may want from me that would be acceptable, so please just tell me and save me the guessing."

Meera thought that Sam was definitely tiring. She noticed that Sam's tone was becoming impatient. Yet, she didn't think that Devin could tell.

"Oh, M'Lady, you are the most noble of all the realm. My kindest and gentlest of Queens, your Lord would hath only a piece of what you wear with your own perfume."

"Karan, please retrieve my shawl."

May ran out to Karan with it and Karan presented it to Sir Devin.

"My most wondrous of Queens, my heart beats with joy for your Lordship over this gift."

"Sir Devin, please give a message to your liege."

He knelt before Sam, "I will memorize faithfully your words and carry them in lightening speed to my Liege so that he may know your kindly and most gentle of thoughts, M'Lady."

"Please tell King Buron that we accept his most gracious gifts and we are most pleased by his message. Tell him that he makes this chaste and kind gentlewoman blush in anticipation of this courtship and union. Tell him that we are most happy to consider his request for my hand in this union, that we will give him our decision at the cycle-end's solstice."

Sam paused for a moment, and then said, "Sir Devin, please be honest.

Will this message please your liege or is my requirement of overly great length for him. I wish not to offend."

"Oh, nay, M'Lady. You are the most intelligent of all. The King will be most pleased that you will begin the courtship. That you have considered a moment for the union will bring joyousness throughout his realm.

The amount of moments prior to the union will be most needed by us to begin the preparations needed for such as you, my Gracious Queen. You have made my Liege's, and mine as well, heart a happy friend."

"I have one parting issue to share, Sir Devin."

"Whatever it be, my good and gracious of all Queens, if I can but solve the dilemma, it will be so."

- 101 -.

"You will notice, Sir Devin, upon return to your ship, that we have well supplied it for your voyage, with fresh foods, drinks and harvests."

"We are most sincerely pleased, my Highness." He bowed. "We had not wanted to ask strain on your supplies, but am not surprised after having met your most kind, gentle and generous nature. We will hold a portion of these supplies out for our Liege so that he may see and taste of your un-asked generosity and kindness to his men."

"I think you as kind and noble as you say of me, Sir Devin."

"How so, M'Lady?"

"As we supplied your ship and gave a feast for your crew so that they too may celebrate this eve, we saw that you are so kind as to try to help those poor very diseased women."

"Diseased, M'Lady?" He looked surprised, and a little frightened.

"Oh, yes, Sir Devin. They have a bloodsucker in their brain that has caused them to go mad. They have gone throughout our realm speaking of things that have never or will be. And they go about slashing their families'

throats in the eve."

Devin looked very concerned, "M'Lady, is this bloodsucker catching?"

"Oh, yes, Sir Devin, almost immediately. But you need not worry. So that you may have a successful journey back, we have rid you of these ver-min infested women. Once we informed your crew, they knew not what to do. By their graciousness and gentle manners, they helped us to remove these poor but ill-fated women to the deep forest so that they can bring no harm to your men. We hope they have not, already, Sir Devin. If your King be half as kind and good hearted as you, kind sir, he will be a most gracious companion. I fear for your safe journey, though, Sir Devin. I would quietly warn you to beware of disease that you cannot see. I hope you see this as a happy accident, kind sir."

"M'Lady, I had no idea of such bloodsuckers. We most happily thank you for our safe return. If you had not intervened, I shudder at the thought."

"Yes, Sir Devin. As your ship arrived, your King would see nothing but crazed men or slashed throats throughout the ship. But fear not, Sir Devin. We have learned well how to prevent this disease from spreading and have given your men the needed potions. They were most kind and gracious in their willing acceptance of it. We will provide you and your kinsmen with the same this late eve, if you would be so kind?"

"We are indebted to your great nature, M'Lady and thank you most sincerely for casting your eyes to our well being."

Sam rose and Sir Devin stepped in front of her and knelt. Not knowing what to do, everyone else knelt as well.

- 102 -.

"I keep you and yours from this festive affair, Sir Devin, and I wish you to have your leisure at what small entertainment we can but provide.

With that, I wish you and your kinsmen fair winds, good speed and safe return to your realms and Liege, and please remain a while longer to enjoy our ladies' company. We will provide you with safe passage back to your ship."

Sir Devin, yet kneeling, took hold of Sam's hand and gently kissed it.

The current that Sam had hoped to avoid for a long while surged through her into Devin. She staggered while he looked shocked.

"It is as they say, M'Lady. You are The Chosen One."

"Good eve, Sir Devin."

Elsewhere , across The Realm "Highness. Buron has sent his messenger to her."

"Really? Such as this, then? He didn't go himself?"

"No, my Queen. Just his assistant."

"Is there any sign that Buron knows of what I did?"

"None, my Queen."

"Or the Spirits. Do they know of what I did? Any sign from them?"

"None, my Queen."

Taking a deep breath, she relaxed a little, hoping her messenger was correct, "Then perhaps The Highest will win her fight against him. I should interfere, though, so as to protect her."

"The Spirits would remind you of your vow."

The High Queen nodded. "I remember, for now. Does she gain her powers?"

"Yes, my Queen. But there is a problem. She grows weakened by them instead of stronger."

She became instantly angered at the report. "The Spirit Mothers are fools! Do they not see this? They need to teach her the powers so she is not harmed by using them in this fashion. Her powers could kill her if the Spirit Mothers don't do as such, soon." She paced for a moment, then added, "I will give them a short while to repair their harm. If they don't, then I will break My vow so as to save her. The Realm has great need of her."

"Yes, my Queen."

"Watch over them carefully. Once this battle begins, Buron must not win.

"To your will, Highness."

- 103 -.

- 104 -.

Chapter III.

The Highest Sam returned to her bed. She was exhausted before Devin had deleted more of her energy by touching her, but was now thoroughly drained again.

Oisin had helped Sam go back into her room while May shut the doors.

Having no energy to do otherwise, Sam left her advisors and Second to the entertaining, then ridding the community of these men.

"They will be escorted out in the very early morn, Highest."

"Please, Oisin. Call me not by Highest. May? Will you please get Jandra for me?"

Sam gratefully sat down on the side of the bed.

"Yes, Highest, and then allow me to get you back into your bed for more rest."

"I like that plan, May." She smiled. This part was over and she had liked what Oisin had done. "Oisin, that was a stroke of genius on your part. So no blood was shed and you have all our traitors?"

"I do, Sam, and am most pleased. I too thought it a masterful plan, but I have to give credit to Margeria. She approached me, hesitantly I might add, and suggested the plan. I liked it not, but my assistant said to listen again, and when I did, I but saw the merit in it. It was not quite as you detailed to Devin. We had gotten the crew drunk and then scared them to death with that tale of disease. They were so frightened they were pushing those traitors out of their holds. It was a sight to see, and no weapons were needed or raised. My crew were somewhat disappointed, but enjoyed the trick. I liked your telling of the story, though. You are a master deceiver. One note, Sam. We also retrieved five young women who had been abducted. We are tending to their wounds and such. They have been most abused, from what my crew has but told me."

"Where are they now?"

"The healers are tending to them."

Jandra entered the room, "Highest?"

- 105 -.

"Oisin, take your leave but be sure to be back in the morn. We will speak about these other women at another moment. Please keep them well separated until we learn of their desires. Will you return for the ceremony?"

"I need not go with the ships to escort them, Sam. I will have three ships escort them to the sound. I have no fear of them now. First, they have few arms. We saw that for ourselves. And Second, they are overly afraid from the disease to return right now."

"Good. We have much to do on this next morn and midturn. We have traitors to attend to, a Highest to the funeral, and five women to tend."

"And the sun rise ceremony for you as Highest, Sam. You must not forget this."

"Have all of Woden and Hengist been notified?"

"They have."

May intervened, "Highest, we must get you into bed, then you can finish your discussion."

Sam nodded to May, standing up so that they could help prepare her for sleep.

"Oisin, take her tunic off her. Jandra, take that silly necklace from her neck."

They did so, and Sam just stood in compliance, wanting to lie down.

As the necklace came off, she felt a slight unnerving feeling.

"That necklace"

" . . . be ridiculous, Sam."

"No, I know that, Oisin. But there be something about that necklace."

"Do you think it but charmed?"

"Charmed?" She thought about it for a moment, then added, "We know of no such things as this, but I am unsure. It felt strange when I first placed it on, and then when Jandra removed it, the same feeling returned."

Oisin raised her finger to her lip in consideration of what Sam had said. "Let us take no risk until we understand more. I will take the necklace elsewhere just to keep it away from you for now."

"What if it helps her, Oisin?"

"It could be, but now is not the moment for that risk." Oisin took the necklace and placed it into one of her pockets. No more was said of it.

"I am overly tired, May."

"I know, Highest, but you first need to eat."

"Then go and get it before I fall to sleep. Jandra can attend to me.