Another sigh escaped from The Second. Meera was always good at instilling guilt in her.

The Second looked at her advisors, "These are very disturbed moments for us. The Highest is not expected to recover, as you know. This very sad fact along with the entry of our new visitor has raised many questions. I know you are trying to protect me, but I think that the real need for protection is of this woman. I cannot tell you anymore right now because I know not more. This woman is important to us and must be protected and given the moments to heal, if she can. I suspect we need her. She traveled a long journey to get a message to us. We must but help her."

She paused for a moment to gain strength for her next statement. She was about to give what freedom she had away for this woman, and hoped she was worth it.

"If I must make even more sacrifices to assuage your concerns, then I will, but I cannot allow her to be moved."

The Second seldom made such long statements to her advisors as she had this morn, so they understood her need for the woman to remain in her protection. They also knew from experience what a sacrifice she had just made.

Ghett said, "We understand, Second, but I had no knowledge of any urgency regarding this woman. Your permission to use guards as necessary will be but enough to calm the community for now." The Second considered her as good council regarding the community and was always on top of their concerns, especially the crafters. Ghett continued, "I assume you will inform us as you are able." They didn't like The Second keeping secrets from them, but she felt frustrated as she really wasn't. She hadn't had the moment or opportunity to tell them everything yet. "Then I will assume that we are but in agreement. The woman remains here, and Meera, you will do as you think best while protecting my needs as well."

"Of course, Second."

Meera was pleased that The Second had allowed more protection.

This way she wouldn't have to be so secretive about it. She loved The Second and understood her need for some sense of space, but she also knew how extremely important The Second was to the community's future. She and a few others knew that The Second was the Spirits of the Falls' Chosen One. The Second had long forgotten that moment.

Sephim moved on to the next issue, "We would like to discuss the separation between Lillon and Hern. The laws are but clear and there are witnesses to the violence, but there has been no decision on this yet. We - 14 -.

think it would be best if you made your decision well prior to Festival as possible."

The Second seemed surprised, "There were witnesses? I have not heard of this."

Tehna said, "Me, for one. Josin for another. And three other women and one child from the community. Josin, however, sees the event differently than the others."

Tehna was the Health advisor and had her ear to the community's self-appointed spiritual leaders, the Counselors. And most everyone considered the Counselors to be a difficult group. They were always distressing the women about what they should be doing rather than being true spiritual leaders. The Highest had discussed this problem with The Second just prior to The Highest becoming ill, and had agreed to offer them 'incentives for change', as she had called it. Clearly, she hadn't been able to attend to them prior to becoming so sick.

"Please bring me up to date on all this, Karan."

"Yes, Second. Hern struck Lillon repeatedly, with her fists, while on the path, yelling at her all the moments. Lillon has some severe bruising, but no other damage, yet the accounts differ somewhat. Josin says that Lillon incited the incident by purposefully infuriating Hern. The others saw Hern beating on Lillon. They know not why. Hern is making a political move to take over the community. She and the Counselors want a different form of rule. They thought that Lillon would act more as an inside agent."

The Second turned to Tehna for advice, "What do you think of this situation?"

Tehna motioned around the room, "We know the law is but clear on this. Hern must leave. But some Counselors will move to protest at Festival unless you make the decision prior to then. Hern is trying to convince others that she should be the next Highest. A small uprising at best, yet unfortunately, the first for our community. A small group believes her. All of us believe that you should evict Hern, and the sooner the better. The community but feels the same way."

Karan added, "That might cause more anger from the Counselors.

They could use that move to tell others that if they do not agree with you, you have them removed and silenced."

The Second hadn't yet been informed about this growing situation.

"What of her friends? Do they support her enough that they will but go with her should I evict her?" She was hoping the problem could be easily resolved, but knew better. "I suspect, as you do, that the Counselors have chosen this moment because they think I cannot make such a strong decision. Will they remain and try to create a turnover?"

- 15 -.

"We know not." Meera was troubled that something had escaped her attention. "I will find that out. That is probably overly easy, though. Have you made a decision regarding Hern?"

The Second sighed deeply again, and was certain everyone heard her.

She had a terrible habit of sighing whenever she was frustrated or at the end of her patience. She was trying to curtail the habit, but couldn't seem to halt herself at the correct moment. "Oh, I suppose I have, but I was hoping that Hern would but apologize and make an effort to continue their bond. From what I understand though, she has been changing; becoming more hostile against the charge of the community. I think we should know why. I am beginning to feel that there is more to this."

Ghett said, "I am concerned that the Counselors will get to the other witnesses and force them to change their minds about what they saw."

The Second was becoming angry, "What are we becoming? We have rules. Should we now not follow them? Decisions should not be based on popularity. This sounds like an attack from inside. Why did I not know about this rising problem? Why?

Meera interrupted, "Second, if I may?"

She knew The Second was angry at not knowing about this escalating issue, but hoped The Second would yet continue to listen. Gratefully, The Second nodded in agreement.

"I have made certain that the Counselors cannot speak to the three witnesses without others being present."

The Second relaxed a little, "Good, Meera. Thank you. At least someone is on this. What does the community but say about this?"

Liley spoke up, "The large part of the community is angry at Hern for both reasons - Using physical abuse on Lillon, and for criticizing The Highest. Hern has not been very smart in criticizing The Highest while she be so ill."

Liley was the Farm and Garden Overseer, and spoke to much of the community daily. Everyone except for The Highest, The Second, Meera, Keets (Meera's counter-part advisor who worked with The Highest), Oisin and her crew spent some of their work-turn toward the community projects. The main project the women worked on was in the Farm and Gardens. Liley was primarily responsible for Woden's food production. Fortunately, her companion was as intent on the Farm and Gardens as Liley. If the community ever needed to find them, they were typically somewhere on the farms. Even their dwelling was located in the middle of the farm. It was like a two-in-one deal and the one of only two like that in the community.

"Most of the community feels Meera's move to protect the witnesses be a good one. But the Counselors are trying to sway opinion on that.

- 16 -.

They are but trying to make it look like we control everyone's thinking.

That be not a popular opinion, however."

The Second swallowed a sigh, "I will make a decision regarding the Counselors and Hern prior to Festival. Before that, Meera, do you have enough guards to do some detecting?"

"It would help if I could but use some of The Highest's guards."

The Second had just informed her advisors two midturns prior that The Highest had transferred her duties as Highest over to The Second, due to her steadily declining health. The Second hadn't wanted this and was hoping The Highest would choose another, namely Oisin, but the act was done. She had requested it remain quiet for now. Only The Highest, Oisin, the advisors and The Second knew. The Highest had wanted to transfer her position over to The Second as well, but The Second had talked her out of it. The Second had argued, "Moments enough for that later," and The Highest had momentarily conceded. Nonetheless, she had her wish placed in writing by Karan, Woden's resident Archivist and librarian, and was placed into Meera's protection. But all the advisors knew of her wish.

So Meera's request to use The Highest's guards wasn't out of line, but had potential of creating some ill will between the two groups. Normally, Meera's request to use some of the guards would have been a typical one.

With The Second now overseeing both groups of advisors, the request would be seen as political posturing. All the advisors across the two groups wanted to know, "Who are going to be The Second's advisors?"

The request had created a silence in the room. They wanted and needed to know where they stood in regard to The Second's new position.

She sat back and wished for better moments, swallowing another sigh.

"I have called The Highest's Advisors here for a meeting this after-midturn. I request your presence as well. I apologize for the short notice.

They are not aware that you will be here. For the interim, I will be joining the two groups together until The Highest recovers, or the change has been formalized. Your patience will be most appreciated during this crisis."

There had been no opportunity to brief them on all the events, so this report had surprised most of them.

"Yes, Meera, you can have access to The Highest's guards. But please work with Keets. From your own guards, I want you to start doing some shadowing of each of the Counselors. Plus, I but want your guards to follow Josin and Jandra. I want to know all their activities. It is unfortunate that we have no insider in the Counselors."

"Consider it done, Second." Meera acted as if this was The Second's idea, but The Second thought that Meera was already doing this.

- 17 -.

Sephim moved the agenda along, "We would like to remind The Second that now, since you have agreed to take over the duties of The Highest, the community appeals sessions are urgently needed."

These were sessions The Second had always hoped to avoid. Now they were staring her in the face. "Who is in charge of this?"

She really didn't know. The Highest had regular sessions with the community once every fourth midturn. The Highest would listen to the woman seeking assistance, take a few hints from her advisors, and then issue a decision. The Second could see her private moments diminishing even further.

Karan replied, "We had but thought that Lillon could manage this, as your assistant, but under the present circumstances, I would like to volunteer."

The Second caught herself in mid-sigh, "Thank you, Karan. That, at least, be but positive. Can we begin in four midturns hence? Please send a messenger around this midturn."

The Second suddenly shivered as she sensed a chilling foreboding that all their lives were going to change dramatically during the next few moons.

Sephim continued, "We have one other issue that needs your approval and understanding. We need to make certain that you are protected during your usual rounds. Although we but wish that you would discontinue your rounds during this moment, we know you will not. So, by letting us use guards, we but reach a negotiation."

The Second sighed and thought to herself, Guards. On my rounds. What next?

She said to them, "Under three conditions. One, I see them not.

Two, there be no more discussion from you about me taking a companion at this festival. And three, there be no more discussion about the woman but staying in this dwelling. That is it. That is my compromise."

Her advisors nodded to each other. They knew to take the deal quickly before she changed her mind. Sephim said, "Done."

When bringing back the injured woman to the community, Meera and The Second had worked through a plan. They had agreed to share it with the advisors at this meeting. Meera rose and paced the room, a habit of hers. "The Second and I believe The Highest is poisoned with something our own healers cannot detect."

This would not be hard to do, The Second thought . We need to provide our healers with more access to the Outside's medical knowledge, if any exist that are better than ours. Something for me to work on at another moment.

Meera continued her pacing, "We know not if it happened while she was Outside, or if it be occurring within our community." The group shifted a little nervously. One of their own had just been accused as a pos- - 18 -.

sible traitor and assassin. "We do suspect a link, though. I have already replaced the guard in The Highest's kitchen with one of our own. And The Second has asked May to be The Highest's cook for a while."

"Who is going to cook for you, Second?" Zan asked and smiled. They all knew that The Second hadn't been allowed any moments to cook for herself for many cycles and were laughing at the prospect. They also all knew that May spoiled and protected her.

"Perhaps I can manage on my own."

She was dreaming too quickly of one less person in her dwelling, but Meera spoiled the moment, "No, May will but make meals for both of them. Security must be tighter and we can trust only May right now. But I need help. How can we get The Highest's cook out of there without looking like we are suspicious of someone?"

The Second interrupted briefly to ask Meera to meet her in the guestroom when the meeting was over, then excused herself to let them work out the details. The Second's advisors told her that they would be there this after-midturn and would do as expected. Given that there was another meeting later, The Second had enough. She walked through the dwelling to the kitchen. It was a hugely spacious kitchen and built to handle all the functions and affairs of The Second's position. May was The Second's cook and never let The Second do any of the cooking. May had inherited the position from her mother and was a wonderful cook. The kitchen always smelled inviting. The Second often found herself relaxing on one of the table's long benches, munching on May's sweets, listening to May chat about issues in the community.

As The Second entered the kitchen, May saw her, "Well, it is about the moment. Sit and eat. I have a delightful stew for you with some just-baked corn muffins, and a nice salad."

The Second really didn't have any spare moments, but it smelled so good that she thought she might eat while May spoke about The Highest.

"May, are you fine with doing the cooking for The Highest and me?"

"Oh, most certain, I can make enough for many, if it be necessary.

Might give her the chance to taste some real cooking for a change."

She never liked the cook for The Highest and always told The Second not to eat anything when she went over for a meal with her. The Second thought the food fine, but May was convinced otherwise. The Second used to think May overly critical of the other cook, but was now re-thinking this position given The Highest's illness. She thought to herself that she was seeing conspiracy everywhere.

"You know that is not my meaning. Are you fine with the reason?"

"If you ask me, I would tell you that The Highest has been poisoned with that woman's terrible cooking for cycles. Her illness is but an accumu- - 19 -.

lation of bad cooking." The Second was silent for a moment. May looked at her and said, "And you know you can trust me, Dear."

"I know. Thank you."

May overhead many secrets and private conversations in The Second's house, but The Second had come to trust her long prior. While May gos-siped about the community (May said that this was a cook's prerogative), she never mentioned anything about what occurred within the dwelling.

While The Second ate, May chatted on about the upcoming festival and reminded her that she should take a companion for her own benefit.

"May, why do you keep telling me that? You know I will not. I had my lifespan companion and but want no other."

"Because you are overly solitary. You need someone. You know, Second, you do not have to love a companion. But you could use a friend. I hear there are a few who will be asking you at this festival."

"Oh, no. Not again."

"Whatever you say, Second. But you yet need someone. I know you were but considering Jandra not so long prior. What but happened to that?

Not to change the subject, Dear, but would you like to take your sweet in the guestroom? I know you are pressed for your moments. Please tell Berth that I made some broth for that poor woman."

"Thank you, May. The stew was delicious."

The Second thought to herself, Jandra was not interested in me.

She left the kitchen and went to the guestroom to check on the guest.

As she entered, she saw that Berth was sitting next to her, talking, but she couldn't make out the words. Berth heard The Second coming, rose from her seat and bowed her head to her.

"Second. Our patient has opened her eyes," she said as she smiled at the woman. Turning to The Second, she said, "But she has not yet spoken.

She is but confused from the potions we gave her. She will start to come around soon. I will be giving her more potions later, though, as she needs to sleep as much as possible."

"Can I but feed her? May made some broth for her."

"Good, she needs some nourishment and seems ready for it now. But nothing solid yet. We best put her in a more upright position first."

Berth told The Second what to do as they moved the woman to a sitting position. The Second didn't want to hurt her, but it looked like they caused her some discomfort. Again, she remained silent. The Second thought that most of the women in Woden would have been moaning from the pain.

Berth asked The Second if she could speak to her privately. They stepped outside. "I cannot tell if she be able to process conversation yet.

- 20 -.

We will not be able to tell if there has been permanent damage to her thinking until she begins talking or showing signs of understanding."

The Second nodded her understanding, "I will be patient." The Second stepped back inside and sat down in the chair next to the bed.