Briggon came up to Sam, "Highest, did you enjoy our play?"

"It was wonderful, Briggon. I would like it much if your men would perform it again for the Women of Woden. Perhaps it could be done at this next Festival?" She looked at Jandra for approval since Jandra was on the festival committee.

Jandra nodded to Briggon, "Briggon, The Highest would like this to happen. Would this be acceptable to your men?"

Briggon was delighted. He ran down the stairs to the stage and asked for the audience to hear him for a moment, "The Highest was so delighted with our play that she has asked if we would but present it for the Women of Woden at this next festival. What say you?"

The men stood, clapped and shouted their approvals. It was clear they were extremely pleased with The Highest's wishes. Briggon went back up to The Highest and led her to their next event. Hengist had set out all their crafts and wares in their park. The musicians were playing, storytellers were telling stories, and in general, it was a celebration. Sam went from table to table, inspecting and enjoying the many crafts so different, and generally much better than Woden's. She once again wondered why there seemed to be a closing down between these two communities. She had assumed, wrongfully, that there was an open exchange of crafts and products.

- 188 -.

"Jandra, some of these craftsmen are most talented. Why do we not have them teaching our own women?"

"The Highest wanted no open trade between Woden and Hengist."

Sam looked with frustration at Jandra, but chose not to respond with so many people standing near her. She could see that even her own advisors were clearly puzzled by things they were seeing. They had all been given wine as they walked around enjoying all the tables of pottery, weaving, artists, candles, soap makers, garment makers, medicines, and all the others, including some new foods that Sam tried and liked. It was as if it were a festival.

After visiting at all the tables, listening to all the musicians and storytellers, and watching all the jugglers and such, Briggon asked, "Would this be a good moment to begin the town meeting, Highest?"

"Of course, Briggon. We are here at your schedule. You but tell us what to do and we shall be glad to please."

Briggon led them to a prepared place in their park where all the men began gathering. Sam and her advisors were asked to sit on a wooden stage, very low to the ground. The men sat on the grass in front of the stage.

"If it meet with your approval, I can but begin the session, but the men have many issues and questions."

"That be fine, Briggon."

As soon as Sam and her advisors were all settled on stage, Briggon began, "Men of Hengist. Our Highest of Woden and Hengist, of all of Woden Falls, is here this turn to hear you. As do you, I too hope this marks the beginning of a new era for us between Woden and ourselves.

The Highest and her advisors are ready to begin our town session."

One man rose, meekly, then knelt, and rose again, "Highest. We thank you much for coming and hope you have enjoyed yourself. But we would like to know why there is not open trade between us and Woden."

As he sat, another man knelt, rose and asked, "Why have we been shut out of Woden?"

And on and on it went for many, many questions, "What can be done to improve our relations to Woden?" "Why can we not share more plays and entertainment?" "Why can we not have a voice in the politics?"

Sam was deeply surprised. She had no idea that the former Highest had closed so much between the two communities. She felt enraged but masked her feelings for fear the men would think her angry with Hengist.

She looked at Jandra, "Is what they ask be true, Jandra?"

Jandra looked embarrassed, "Yes, Highest. It be most true."

Sam frowned, "Then it be a wonder that they help us at all in battle.

These are good men."

- 189 -.

She looked at her own advisors and found them amazed as well. She wondered what The Highest's advisors had been doing these past few cycles and was regretting including them all as her advisors now.

Sam rose and went to the front of the stage and stepped off onto the grass. The men were all shocked and all got up to kneel, for they didn't know what else to do. No Highest had gotten this close to most of them prior.

"Please sit. I have little, but much to say."

She waited for them to sit. "Thank you, Men of Hengist, for your most gracious warmth you have displayed this turn. I have had a most enjoyable turn and hope you will invite us often. As I stand here as Highest, I am taken by surprise at many of your questions and issues. I will but attempt to answer them all. As Highest of all of Woden, I think of Hengist as part of Woden, a counterpart to our women. I see no reason we should not share in our entertainment, as it be an excellent way to provide voice to the communities. That open trade has halted occurring be but a surprise to me. As of this turn, I assign Ghett, Ghada and Alain to the task of opening the trade between us. They will meet with Briggon next turn to ensure this within five turns. You have my word as Highest on this. And as of this turn, I assign Lillon, Govan and Sephim to the task of opening entertainment between our two communities."

All the men cheered and clapped.

"Woden and Hengist share lands, rulers, produce, trades and strength.

You give and provide much to Woden, and we are deeply indebted to your display of loyalty and courage. As my advisors and I meet, once per moon, so shall Hengist attend. Briggon has agreed to come with his advisors to join together with Woden's so that we are all informed. Woden and Hengist will decide our future, together."

Once again, the men cheered and clapped.

One man stood up, and knelt. He waited to be recognized.

Sam walked over to him and placed her hand upon his head, "Rise, gentle man. You have no need to kneel so on my behalf. I am but your servant. What be your name?"

He continued to kneel, "Oh, no, Highest. You are most deserving of this recognition. You have made me but a happy man. I am called Gerild.

It has been long since we have seen happiness and promise in a highest's face."

"Rise, Gerild, and speak to me as a community member of Woden Falls."

He rose but kept his head bowed, "Highest, if it would please you, you would do us great honor to visit us at least once per moon. We would celebrate each visit and make you feel most welcome."

- 190 -.

Sam looked at him with sadness, "It be an easy enough request, but it makes my heart sad to think you yearn for so little and receive much less.

Briggon and I will make it so, Gerild. Let me but ask you a question, if I may?" She turned to Briggon, "And I will count on Briggon to assure your honesty. In order for me to know my women and their lives and needs, I walk around the community visiting so that I may know them each. Would you be open to this type of visit? Briggon, perhaps you might accompany me in such rounds? And perhaps my advisors may do as well?"

Meera rose and walked over to Sam, "Highest, we must ensure your safety on this."

Sam looked at her and smiled, "Then you will attend with me, Meera, along with Keddi and Margeria." She laughed, "Is this acceptable to Hengist, or would it be best to keep the visit more formal such as this turn?"

Another man rose to kneel, then another, and another until every man was kneeling before Sam. Briggon knelt and said, "Highest, it be beyond our hopes and dreams that you speak of such this turn. We have never prior been recognized in this most pleasing of fashion. You do us but great honor."

Sam turned to Lillon and Govan, "Please make this so. To begin in no more than ten turns." They nodded in agreement.

Briggon came forward, "Highest, we have a gift for you and Meera.

Should your other advisors wish such a thing, we will arrange it so."

The blacksmith whose life Meera had spared came over. He carried two swords. He knelt before Sam and Meera and held out the swords.

Sam said, "Ivers, rise and present me my sword."

He rose, smiling, "Highest, I have made this special for you. It is of a size and balance that fits your height and strength. You will be able to wield this mightily." He gave it to her and Sam admired its beauty. He held out the other to Meera, "Meera, who spared me my life, this be a most special sword. I hope you find it worthy of your ability as a Warrior Woman of Woden." Meera took it, turned to Sam, and they played with the swords for but a moment, trying out their weight and balance.

All the men were astonished, but began clapping, cheering, and showing approval of the playfulness between them in such a setting.

Meera turned to Ivers, "It be well your life was spared. This be a most excellent sword and I thank you for it."

Sam nodded to Ivers, "Thank you. I will treasure this gift." She turned and gave it to Meera to carry for her.

Briggon stepped forward once again, "The community of Hengist has had a most productive cycle in its wine yards. As a show of thankfulness to you and all your advisors, we are sending over to each of you twelve flasks - 191 -.

of our best wine. We have heard that your crop was not as productive so know that you are low on supplies. We will also be able to supply the wine needed for the next festival. Highest, we send over fifty flasks for you and your affairs."

"We thank you much Briggon and Hengist, and as you know, we will most enjoy your wine. We must now take our leave, but as vowed, we will visit to walk our rounds most frequently. We will no longer be strangers."

Briggon and all the men accompanied them while the musicians played all the way to the gates, and the men danced and shouted in merriment over a most successful visit. As the gates closed behind them, Sam's advisors chatted with each other, including Jandra who was speaking with Ghett about trade. Meera noticed that Sam was walking alone and not much pleased.

"Sam, you be unhappy, yet this seemed a most successful visit for us, did it not?"

"Oh, Meera, you surprised me. Yes, I am most pleased at its outcome.

It is good to strengthen this relationship I think."

"Then why be you sad?"

She looked at Meera as they walked, "I am not sad, Meera. I am angry.

How has this come to be that Hengist has been so excluded?"

"We could ask the former Highest's advisors. They should but know."

"Yes, Meera. I agree with you. I know they know, and that be what bothers me."

Meera halted briefly because of the thought in her head, "Sam, you are not but thinking that there is more to this recent betrayal than we know?"

Sam shook her head, "I know not, Meera, but I continue to wonder why The Highest was so quick to take her own life. It makes not any sense to me. She well knew that we would be able to save her."

"You could ask Jandra."

"You are correct, I could."

Meera saw hesitation in Sam, "But you know not if you be yet able to trust her?"

"Oh, Meera. I am a most awful companion. If I cannot but trust her, then why am I with her, and why then would I have chosen her as Second?"

"Perhaps it was because she was with Josin for a short while that you have some hesitation?"

"I think the former Highest's advisors will have to earn our trust. Until then, we cannot trust any of them."

"Perhaps that be wise, Sam. Could you not use your strange power on Jandra to ensure of her loyalty?"

- 192 -.

Sam looked doubtful, "And how would you feel if I but did this to you, Meera?"

"I would understand, Sam."

Sam nodded slowly, "Yes, I think you would, Meera, and that is why you are my best and most trusted friend. We fight together and trust each other with our lives."

"Perhaps you should think about that, Sam. Perhaps it might be but a good discussion to hold with Jandra. You might consider giving her the opportunity to tell you of this. Perhaps there have been no good moments to do as such."

Jandra had come up and overheard her name and asked in jest, "What bad things are you but saying about me, Meera?"

Meera simply nodded and said, "Second," and dropped back with the other women.

Jandra looked at Sam quizzically, "Sam, be something wrong?"

Sam smiled at Jandra and took her arm, "No, Jandra. All is well. It has been but a long turn and I have many thoughts in my head. Do you think the visit a good one?"

"It was wonderful, in truth. It will mean much for the women, also.

And some of their crafts were much improved from ours. It is good to begin a new era."

As they reached the community's gates, Sam bid good eve to all her advisors, and she and Jandra went to their dwelling.

"Would you like some tea?"

Sam nodded, and they went to the kitchen. As Jandra began to prepare their tea, Sam stood at the window, looking out toward the river. As Meera had suggested, she had decided to give Jandra the chance to tell all she suspected of the prior Highest's advisors.

"Jandra, I have been but wondering about The Highest. Do you not think it odd that she killed herself so quickly when she but knew that we could save her?"

Sam turned slightly to see Jandra's reaction but saw nothing.

"Tell me why this be puzzling you, Sam."

"Because it was done overly quickly. There must be another reason for The Highest to have done as such. It makes little sense."

There was a long silence between them, and Sam thought she could feel the tenseness between them grow.

Sam turned around and looked at her, "Have you not found it strange that Hengist had been shunned by The Highest?"

Sam saw Jandra sigh and hang her head slightly.

She waited another moment, then asked, "Jandra, why do you hesitate?"

- 193 -.

Jandra turned away from the counter and looked fully at Sam for a long moment. Sam saw that her eyes looked deeply burdened. Jandra's words were slow, "Although I had hoped Woden's troubles were finally over, I see that my prior suspicions lie deeply within you, as well. Sit down, Sam. I think it the moment I tell you of why I took over the prior Highest's advisor meetings."

Sam sat on the long bench and listened as Jandra told the amazing tale.