They rose and bowed their head toward Jandra, in acknowledgement, "Second."

Karan gave her horse reins to Jenna and came close to Sam, "Highest, we thought you might have need of all of us, and I have a report. One of our ships has returned. There has been a battle at sea, and Oisin but wins, but she sends message that she goes to Apien to retrieve some women and children and to do further battle with Apien's ships. She has destroyed two of them and sails after the other two that run in defeat. She has been angered."

Sam nodded and looked at Meera to see if she had heard. Meera just nodded in acknowledgement that she had, well understanding the consequences.

Karan continued, "And Oisin but sent you a message. She says that 'The sentries were traitors. They are no more.' She now goes after the leader in Apien; the one they call Manthar."

Sam turned to Meera and asked quietly, "Does Oisin have enough weapons and guards?"

"Her ship guards are quick and steady, and she has more weapons than she needs. If she remains cautious and bides her moments, she will but win her goal."

Karan added, "She adds that she apologizes for not waiting for your command, but felt there no moment to wait."

Sam turned to Meera again, "So we be without full protection from the sea-side."

- 263 -.

Meera nodded but said, "We have enough. Remember Highest that Briggon's ships are yet in port."

Briggon came up, "My guards but protect the harbor, Highest. We will remain on alert until Oisin's return."

"It be good to see you, Briggon. I have a young warrior here that has met you prior and wishes to be a knight in Hengist."

Briggon looked surprised while Sam motioned for Young Alduth to come forward. He did and knelt before Briggon.

Briggon was embarrassed that someone would kneel to him while in the presence of The Highest. "Kneel not to me, young one. You kneel only to The Highest."

Alduth stood, embarrassed, but smiling the widest smile Sam had ever seen.

Briggon was yet surprised, "We have met prior?"

"Oh, yes, Sir Briggon. You and Sea Duty Second visited Apien a few cycles prior. You probably recognize me not as I have but grown into a man now."

Briggon smiled at Sam as she nodded, "He has pledged his life and loyalty to Woden. He is now yours to command."

Briggon nodded and took Alduth aside with him, and gave him one of the horses. Meera had Jandra and Jenna distribute the horses, assigning a person with a guard if they were uneasy about riding. Everyone else began packing the gear onto the extra horses.

Sam went to Karan, "I know not of these things so am asking you.

We have a young girl of fourteen cycles that is far along with child. Should she but ride a horse?"

"Be this her first child?"

Sam motioned for Lorquist to come over.

Karan asked Lorquist, "When be your child due?"

"Two more moons."

"Have you any pains or other disturbances?"

Lorquist's face went red, and she whispered into Karan's ear. Karan laughed softly, "That be but normal."

Karan looked to Sam, "Let her ride a short while to see how she fares.

If the horses go slowly, she should be fine. She is overly thin, but the unborn one yet remains high in her."

Wigrad came up to Sam and held tightly onto to her clothes.

Sam looked down at him and placed her hand on his head, "I have not forgotten you, Wigrad. You will but ride with me this turn."

He wiped his nose with the cloth that Caitha had given him, and Sam noticed that it had been well used through the eve.

- 264 -.

Sam heard Karan and Sephim laughing quietly, "It would seem you have but another new young warrior that has pledged his loyalty and life to you."

Sam just rolled her eyes and nodded, "So it would seem."

As everyone was prepared, they mounted their horses. Sam saw that the Woden guards, if not riding with a member of the Apien group, kept their horse aside one of them. All of Sam's advisors had also placed themselves strategically amidst all the Apien group so as to maintain calmness.

Meera and Keddi came over to Sam, "All are ready now, Highest.

Should we leave?"

Sam looked around. Wigrad was yet holding onto her. She nodded to Meera, "Help Wigrad up to me."

Sam mounted while Wigrad stood and stared. He then raised his arms up to her so that Meera could lift him up. Even Meera couldn't but help smile at this young one. Both had noticed that he hadn't spoken since they had arrived.

Meera and Keddi mounted their horses. Rundle was at Keddi's side.

Meera asked, "Who rides rear guard?"

"Briggon and his guards. Margeria rides on the right flank and Anyst rides with Anicia on the left. I will ride with Margeria. You have the front?"

Meera nodded, and Keddi left to go to her position.

Sam made sure that Wigrad was well adjusted, "Are you ready, Wigrad?"

He nodded heartily, and wiped his nose, yet unsmiling and un-attending to those around him.

Meera just shook her head and laughed. She led the procession of horses back to Sumi and Nodda's dwelling where they would rest a bit and let the Apien members have another meal. Sam let Wigrad hold onto the reins a little. He said nothing but petted the horse and held the reins lightly.

By early midturn, they had reached Sumi and Nodda's dwelling. Meera told everyone to take a short rest and eat a bit. The Apien group had never ridden on horses before so were sore from the long ride, yet they had another half-turn's ride. Along with the food Meera's guards had brought from Woden, Sumi's stuffed bread meals, and the short rest, the Apien group was feeling better.

Sam went to Jandra, who had been busy tending to the other children.

"Jandra, I have need to speak with you."

"We have had few moments together this journey. Be everything safe, Sam?"

"Jandra, I have need to complete the journey around the boundary. I think it best that you take this group back to Woden while Meera, Keddi, - 265 -.

Margeria, Anyst Anicia and I check the boundary. I have become concerned and have need to make certain that Woden be safe. I know that you approve not of me going without you, but Woden needs one of us there, and this group needs to see a leader. But one of us must see to the boundary. You have seen for yourself that it must be overseen. I will be but two turns."

"Why not just let Meera, Keddi and Margeria go for you? You are The Highest, and Woden needs you more. Why must you place yourself in danger such as this?"

"It is who I am, Jandra. I know that I am but The Highest, but I am also Sam. It be important to me that I know all of Woden, that I know every part of it so that I might protect it better. I cannot be Highest if I must sit inside Woden every turn. And I cannot be made a prisoner of Woden. I was Second for fourteen cycles, and I have been Highest for but a few turns. I have been trained this way, Jandra. I mean not to upset you."

"I like it not, Sam, but you are correct in that one of us needs to be back in Woden. And you are The Highest and I am The Second. If we were not companions, I would not be making this argument with you. I will return and make the arrangements for these people, and I must tend to the festival. What would you like done?"

Jandra wasn't pleased about Sam's pronouncement, but had decided to give Sam more freedom. She knew that Sam wasn't the sort to want or need to be near a companion at all their moments. She wondered if Sam would ever come to love her, but was pleased that, at least, Sam had thought about her feelings.

Sam informed Jandra of where she would like each of the Apien women, men and children.

"Also, have the advisors meet and create a plan to increase our guards.

We might be going to battle against Apien, unless Oisin takes care of Manthar first. And have Briggon begin work on another ship. And one more item, Jandra. Speak to the advisors about beginning a new community, a mixed community that will follow Woden's laws, as does Hengist. I continue this journey to scout for a location. This be something I would much like, Jandra, and I think Woden has turned its head to this need. The Realm is but a dangerous place for most women and men now, and Woden Falls be the only safe place. They will come whether we have a place or no, as has now occurred. We need to begin to break our shackles of fear of this.

There will be tensions, as we had with Hengist, but Hengist has worked well for and with us, and has made us both stronger."

"You are the one that should but tell this to our advisors. But I will do as you bid, Highest."

- 266 -.

Sam nodded and then brought Jandra close to her and hugged her. "I know I am difficult, but I do this for Woden. I will return to you in two turns. Have some quiet moments set aside for us. I will miss you."

Sam kissed her, and Jandra blushed, "Sam, halt. Everyone watches."

"Let them watch, then. I be not ashamed of it."

"Be safe. I will worry while you be gone. And May will also worry."

Wigrad came up to Sam and held on to her clothes. Sam and Jandra both looked at him, as he looked straight to the horse and acknowledged no one.

Jandra bent down to Wigrad, "Wigrad, I have a request of you. I am not such a good rider as The Highest, and I need help with my horse. I saw how well you commanded The Highest's horse and I am wondering if you might ride with me to help me."

Sam saw that Wigrad considered this for a moment, and looked up at Sam, "It is fine, Wigrad, if you would want to help Woden's Second. I would consider it a favor from you. The Second means much to me, but she needs much help with her horse."

He toddled over to Jandra, hugged her briefly, then went to Jandra's horse and had a guard lift him up to it.

Jandra laughed, "That settled that problem."

Sam shook her head and laughed too, "I think that he will go with no other though, Jandra. See if he but will. If not, keep him around for a few turns and we will get Briggon to but find someone that can do as much for him. I was but thinking that Ivers, our new blacksmith in Hengist, might be the best person for this little one."

"I will speak to Briggon and have Ivers come to your dwelling for a few visits. Ivers also needs such."

Sam held Jandra closely once again, and then helped her to mount her horse behind young Wigrad. Sam put her hand on Wigrad's dirty little knee and in a serious tone, said, "Wigrad, as Highest of Woden, I expect you to take good care of Woden's Second."

Wigrad nodded, but didn't look at Sam. He held the reins correctly and waited for the signal to begin. Jandra shrugged her shoulders and just wrapped an arm around Wigrad, "I hope this bothers you not, Wigrad, but I need something to hold on to. I fear falling off the horse."

Wigrad nodded again and wiped his nose with the cloth. Sam just shook her head and silently laughed. Jandra smiled.

Sam placed her hand upon Jandra's leg. She nodded to Briggon to begin the procession and Sam waited with Jandra until they left. Sam waved as they left, noticing that the Apien group was waving to her and Meera.

She watched as Meera said her farewells to Caitha, who now had four other children beside her.

- 267 -.

Elsewhere, across The Realm Bowing her head and kneeling, she addressed her Queen, "Highness."

"You arrive again so quickly? Is something wrong?"

"No, my Queen. All is well. Her powers grow. She can heal others now, slightly, by touching her hand to their head."

She nodded, "Some powers, but not many. But at least they grow.

Does she yet become ill upon using them?"

"No, my Queen. That seems to have left."

"A good report. Keep Me informed."

"There is more, Highness." She waited until her Queen acknowledged her, seeing her as somewhat impatient.

"Tell Me."

"Yes, my Queen. Her lover is well loved by all the animals. They come to her like no other. And two of the women from Woden said she looked as the old ones, as told in the stories."

The High Queen listened, thinking on this report. "The Old Ones.

Interesting. What else?"

"The new humans to Woden that she has been rescuing have reported to her of a High Spirit Mother and a High Priestess."

Her eyes narrowed at the titles, highly displeased, "Who are these?"

"I know not, nor do they, my Queen. The report is that this High Spirit will not destroy Woden, through Buron, if she is allowed to take a future child."

"Ah. The legend of the Promised One." She turned suddenly to her, angered. "But who demands this child to them? This child is vowed to The Realm."

"Yes, Highness. It is as you say."

She sighed, "Yet another issue. But what of this High Priestess? Is she involved in this corruption, as well?"

"I think not, Highness. I think she comes alone. She is searching for a long-lost sister who apparently lives in Woden. She has vowed her forces if Woden helps her to find this sister."

"Who is this long-lost sister of this mysterious High Priestess?"