Sam had used a great deal of energy to send that message and help heal Jandra, and Jandra knew it. Sam had made her stronger. She stood and watched the horror of this turn, knowing the strength and courage of these women. The sound of Josin's screams calling to her had caused the pain Sam had forewarned. She looked at Sam and saw a determination she hadn't prior seen. A determination that spoke of sadness so great that it had no seeable end, and a resolve to rid the realm of such for all. And she saw tears on Sam's face.

When Josin had finally taken her last breath and scream as her heart was removed, Keets let the knife drop, bent over, and got sick. Meera went over by her side and just held her shoulders. Keddi went to help Margeria, as did her dog. The women who had attended the executions all turned to leave. They would leave Josin and her parts on the ground for the birds and beasts. This gruesome event was over and Sam turned away from the remains of the executions. She well knew that while she might physically leave this dark site, her memory wouldn't.

Oisin helped Sam as they walked to the garden benches where Sam could rest. It would be only a short while before The Highest's funeral was to begin, and Sam needed the moments to rest. Jandra walked alongside while Meera, Keets, and Margeria prepared the guards for the funeral procession. Keddi came up to walk alongside them.

Oisin and Sam turned to look back at the remainders of the turn.

Jandra was surprised, "How can you look back at such a site?"

Oisin had seen many such events during her life, "How dare we not?

We are not yet done with these traitors, as they have cast the seeds of war across our land. I will burn these memories in my eyes so our next foes will shake with fear."

She softened just a bit at Jandra, "The darkness just begins, Jandra.

The acts we do this turn should serve to harden our souls to our fight; not soften them. When we have executed the last traitor, I will then weep from sadness at the things we do. You are a Second, Jandra. Such things will be expected of you, now. Follow well Sam's steps. While I know these acts place great burden on her, she shirks not from these loathsome killings."

Jandra was surprised at what Oisin had called the executions, "Killings? This be justice."

- 124 -.

Sam shook her head, "These most assured murders are merely cloaked in the shroud of justice. We know full well we do no better than they. Perhaps we do far worse."

Keddi added, "But what we do here as an occasioned event occurs daily without reason throughout The Realm. Peace is a hard-won battle from merciless and barbarous leaders and their followers. What sickens us this turn is but standard entertainment anywhere else."

"It is truly such as you say, Keddi?" Jandra was in disbelief of The Realm's reality.

"It be such as this. As Oisin knows. Perhaps this explains well why Oisin remains as she does."

"In truth, it is so, Jandra. I see it with my own eyes on every voyage.

That be why my crew seem so distant to the rest of the community members. There can be little understanding of the evils we see."

Oisin had noticed that Sam had spoken but once and was now walking very slowly, only step-by-step. "Sam, need you rest here?"

She gasped for a breath, "I cannot seem to find enough air to breathe." She kept fighting to breathe. "How much further are the gardens?"

Oisin frowned, then picked her up into her arms, "Not far, Sam. Just a few moments," and carried her to the nearest bench.

Sam looked pale but smiled as she looked into Oisin's eyes. She laid her head on Oisin's shoulder, wrapped her arms around Oisin's neck so as to create an unsevered connection, and rested.

Keddi said to Oisin, "I will run ahead and bring water for her."

Oisin was a strong woman, and taller than most, but it was not easy carrying a woman any distance. She had noticed, though, that Sam had lost much weight of late, and became even more concerned.

Oisin nodded and replied, "And find food. We might as well have a meal before the funeral."

When they finally reached the gardens, Oisin set Sam down to rest on a bench. Oisin sat on the ground while Jandra sat next to Sam.

Sam finally rested enough to breathe more easily, then asked Oisin, "When do you take leave on your journey?"

"After the funeral."

"Need you so quickly? Why not in the morn?"

"I cannot afford to waste the moments. I want to return more quickly than planned. Events are not stable enough here to take a good part of our defense for long. We will return for the festival, winds willing. I think it safe here for that long, though."

- 125 -.

Sam nodded, "Yes, I think it will be quiet for a short while, now.

Whoever is behind this will have to reorganize first. Get much information from those two sentries you take."

Jandra wondered what Sam had meant of the two sentries, but said nothing of it. "How do you know of these things in all The Realm, Highest? I sat with The Highest for many cycles and we knew or spoke of not."

Oisin looked up at her and laughed, "Ah, Jandra. We knew The Highest and her advisors remained in ignorance, but it was by their own choosing, you included. They seemed more concerned about the turn-to-turn events in the community. Someone had to take care of the larger occurrences, and The Highest's advisors were not interested in our knowledge.

The Highest was fully aware of our undertakings."

"I have much to be ashamed of."

"It be not so, Jandra. Sam and I knew that The Highest had lost her quickness and that one or more of the advisors had begun to take over.

For a cycle, we thought it you. You are Second this turn because of your courage to stand fast against the storm of betrayal. We understand now why you often acted as Highest."

Sam nodded at Jandra, "This be truth, Jandra. We were not allowed to meddle, as I believe you had once said to me, into The Highest's affairs.

We then began to act as an independent group so as to protect the community. It be why Meera's guards are so superior in their training to Keets'."

"I am ashamed, Highest."

Oisin tapped Jandra on the knee, "Look over there, Jandra. Some women beckon to you."

Jandra left to attend to the women while Oisin looked up at Sam. Sam was holding her hands together and touching Oisin's side with her legs.

"I will miss you, Sam. Take care while I am gone. You will not see me leave as I will do so directly after the funeral. Please mind to your health. You know I need you. And I love you well."

"Oh, Oisin. What are we to do with this relationship? I cannot take you as a companion, and you need your freedom. And now I must find a companion. But it is you that I love."

"Our bond will always be close, and I will always protect you. After last eve's show, Sam, I think you not need as much protection as I would have you need. You ran Sir Devin around with your words, and he knew not. It sounds much like we can win this battle."

"If they do not join forces with another. That is what we must find out from Sir Devin."

"You will not lay with this King? I do not think I could stand the thought of it, and would not like it so."

- 126 -.

"To protect our community, I would bear his heir, Oisin. But I think we can prevent the union."

"A child, Sam?"

"I know not, Oisin. The Spirits begin to call, and I sense things. I now have short visions. But there be a child somewhere in the future. I know not to who it belongs."

"Some moments, Sam, I think I should let another be Sea-Duty Second, so as to remain with you and enjoy your beauty. You certainly made Sir Devin have lusty dreams last eve. And me, as well."

Sam laughed, "You would tire of me in ten turns and seek for another."

"Never!"

Sam frowned, "I will not ask you of what you do on your voyages, then."

"It be not the same and you well know it. I think only of you."

It was a topic with much disagreement, so Sam dropped it. "Did you think Devin had strange language? I found him tedious and dimwitted.

Why do you think they talk so?"

"The crew told me that this King Buron fashions the community from the book he gave you."

"From the Le Morte D'Arthur book?"

Oisin nodded. She was enjoying the feeling of Sam's legs resting against her. "The same. Devin's crew said that the idea for knights, lords, and all those peculiar words were from the book."

"How strange. Why would they do such?"

"I know not, but as you say, he was a dimwitted fellow. He knew not your jesting."

"I wanted it that way." Sam saw Jandra returning.

"Be safe on your journey, Oisin. We need you. I need you."

Jandra bowed to The Highest. "Highest, some of the women would have a word with you."

"Of course, Jandra. I am here for them to command. Bid them to come over."

Oisin moved so that the women could speak to Sam without having to step over her.

Five of the community women approached. Sam could see who they were and called to them, "Good early midturn, Emma, Anselet, Jehanne, Nichola, Lora." Sam knew most of the women from performing her daily rounds.

They knelt before Sam and bowed their heads, "Chosen One."

Sam looked questioningly at Oisin. Oisin just shrugged her shoulders.

- 127 -.

"Chosen One? Please just call me Sam. And please rise. There is no need for kneeling."

They rose, but kept their heads bowed. "Oh, no, Highest, that be not possible. We cannot call you by your given name. The Spirit Mothers forbid such."

She ignored their statement. "Is there something I can do for you, Emma?"

She held out a bouquet of flowers and three shawls. "These are gifts for you, Highest."

Sam smiled as she inspected the gift, "Thank you. I had occasion last eve to give my shawl away. This is much needed."

"Yes, Highest. We heard the story. We have also heard that as the Chosen One, you are weak from not yet learning how to use our Spirit Mothers' power they give you."

Sam looked at Oisin again, and once again Oisin shrugged her shoulders.

"How do you know of these things, Lora?"

"It be the prophecy, Chosen One."

"What prophecy?"

"You know not, Highest?"

"No, I have not been informed."

"Then you will need to hear it from your Spirit Mothers. They will tell you soon. In the meanwhile, Highest, please use the shawls to remain warm. You must not grow weaker before your role comes due to you."

"Thank you. I will treasure and wear your shawls. The flowers will remind me of your generosity."

"Will you yet do your rounds, Highest?"

"Would you but have me do so?"

"Oh, we would. We look forward to those visits with you."

"Then it shall remain so."

"Thank you, Highest. Please mind you to your health. Your community needs you." They bowed and turned to walk away.

Sam looked at Jandra, then Oisin. "Does everyone know of this Chosen One except for me?"

"So it would seem."

"How is it that everyone knows of this strange power?"

Jandra sat back down. "The rumors have spread throughout Woden.

Such should be expected."

Keddi returned with food and drink. Sam was relieved, as she was thirsty.

- 128 -.