"It does and not so. It seems but servitude for those who volunteer.

And so few of them return. We should seek Keddi's advice as she has done this for Woden for many cycles."

They rode in quiet for most of the way, pushing their horses fairly hard.

As they arrived to Betten and Anja's, Meera asked, "Be they dying of old age?"

Sam shook her head, "They have some type of disease that is much advanced. I could slow it down, but it will consume them. They are ancient as it is. I think I should not interfere with their chosen life. Do you think I make a wrong decision?"

"Who can know? These types of answers are not for us to know.

They wanted a more natural life, so I think you probably correct in your decision."

Betten and Anja saw them coming and greeted them, "Highest.

Meera. It be good to see you once again. Your horse is well and is ready to return home."

Sam and Meera dismounted and told Betten and Anja of the women, men and children they had found along their perimeter ride. Sam noticed that Betten was having more difficulty getting around and thought her to be in some pain. As they were eating inside the small dwelling, Sam got up and placed a hand on Betten's head, providing an excuse of seeing something in her hair. Sam provided enough of her power to help with the pain.

She asked them if they thought that they might be getting old enough to need to move back into the community. The two resisted, as Sam had thought they would.

As they mounted for their return to Woden, Anja came up to Sam, "Worry not, Sam. It be but our choice to live and die this way. Our illness be not secret to us and we be not afraid."

"I will make sure the sentries come by more often. If you need me, send them to me and I will be here within a half-turn."

Meera took charge of their extra horse as they went back to Woden.

They rode back at a leisurely pace, Meera thinking that Sam took a slow ride so as to avoid the return.

Sam went to Meera and placed her hand on Meera's shoulder, "Thank you for this journey. While it was not as expected, it was with good company. We will have an advisor's meeting next turn. Perhaps we should consider making Caitha an advisor. We are but short a few these turns."

- 287 -.

Meera placed her hand on Sam's shoulder and nodded, "I will speak with Caitha of this" and then left for her own dwelling and to Caitha.

May came out of the dwelling, "Welcome back, Highest. Jandra is over at the community park completing her town sessions. She but left just a few moments ago. Come inside. I have a nice meal prepared for you."

"Let me clean myself first, May. I have a few turns of dirt and dust on me and smell like the farm animals Jenna keeps."

Sam went and bathed herself. She noticed that her skin was more tanned than when she began the journey. When she looked in the mirror to fix her hair, she noticed her eyes for the first moment since all this began.

They were shockingly blue. She remembered that several had commented on her eyes, but thought they embellished the truth. Now she knew them to be speaking truth. They looked like deep liquid pools of water. The blue eyes against her wild blond hair created a stunning appearance, and one that no one could ignore.

Even Sam was bewitched by her own looks. She had never seen herself look as such, and wasn't sure she wanted eyes such as this. Knowing that she could do nothing about them, and Sam being ever practical, she fixed her hair the best she could, placed down the mirror and forgot about her eyes. She knew her hair to be wild, but now at least it was clean from the ride.

She put on clean garments and went to the kitchen.

When May saw her, she said, "Your eyes are getting bluer every moment I but look at you, Highest. What causes this to be so?"

"I know not, May. They are a bit overly blue, though, are they not? I am going over to see Jandra. Be there some food I might take with me, or should I but wait until I return?"

May gave Sam cheese and bread pieces and some fruit to take with her, and Sam walked over to the community park where Jandra had held her prior town session. Two guards followed Sam, but she cared not to notice.

As she reached the park, Karan was with Jandra once again, acting as Jandra's assistant. Sam noticed many women waiting, so knew that it would be but a while before Jandra was finished. She sat down by the river and began to eat her bread and cheese.

One of the guards came up to her, "I am sorry to disturb you, Highest, but some women ask your presence."

Sam nodded and rose. She saw three women come up to her: Eeda, Draigen, and Eimhear. She knew Draigen and Eimhear to be companions.

The women came up to her and knelt before her and bowed their heads, "Highest."

They waited for Sam to acknowledge them, "Please rise. There be no need for you to kneel so. What may I do for you this turn?"

- 288 -.

Eeda spoke for the three of them, "Highest, we but wonder if we may sit with you to discuss the idea of a third community. We have drink with us that we can but share so that your bread and cheese go down easier. We will not take much of your moment."

"Please, sit." Sam motioned to the ground and sat so that they did not feel awkward.

"May I offer you a little bread and cheese?"

"No, Highest. You eat. You but look overly thin. Is May not feeding you well?"

Sam laughed, almost choking on the question, "If she but heard that question from you, she would slit my throat. She has been after me for turns now to eat more. It has been an overly busy moon, has it not?"

Eimhear nodded, "And but a sad one. Overly many traitors. Overly much death."

Draigen spoke up, "Highest, do we hear true about their being but a third community, and that it be a mixed one?"

Sam chose her words carefully, "It is something I would like Woden to but consider."

Eeda asked, "But why? Do we not have enough people now in our community? Would that not bring in more troubles?"

"Have you been informed of all that occurs in The Realm?"

They all shook their heads. They hadn't. Sam told them the story of Apien, of New Harborage, of the three women and one child they had found just this turn, of the others on the beach that they had sent to Woden. Of Manthar and Rolnen and what they were doing to people. And of the diaries. They listened, well-amazed.

When Sam was finished telling the story, Eeda asked, "You think many women, men and children come, then?"

Sam nodded, "I think they will try. The ones we found this turn had walked from Apien. So desperate to leave, they had few supplies. They are in the infirmary now. So desperate for a more peaceful life that they risk their lives to get here. What are your thoughts? Should we keep Woden as it is? Should we expand our own communities? Should we open a third community for a mixed one?"

Draigen offered Sam some drink, "Highest, are these mixed community people different from us?"

Sam shook her head and put down her drink, "They do not appear to be so. I would be concerned about increased companion abuse, but we have rules for such and would require the same consequences."

Eimhear shook her head to Sam, "But Highest, they think differently that we do. They raise their boy and girl children together, as one example."

- 289 -.

"You speak truth, Eimhear. But does that mean different is bad? Did we not have the same issues with Hengist when we but allowed it? It is written that we had a few beginning difficulties. And has this union not been beneficial for the both of us?"

Eeda agreed, "You speak truth, Highest. Hengist has offered much to us, and they think differently than us, too. They have but followed our rules, though, and that has made the difference. Would we require the same from the third community?"

Sam answered, "The land is of Woden, so all the laws and rules be the same. If they wish different rules and laws, they can go elsewhere. There is much to consider prior to making it so. I have questioned much on this myself. I wonder why we even have a bridge, at moments. Have you ever wondered about this?"

Draigen nodded, "Often. We have our own companions, so why is it that we have to maintain this bridge between us? If we use the men only for breeding purposes, then why be there fear that we would not return?

Many of us wish not to be there for any longer than necessary. And yet, the festivals do not always correspond to our breeding cycles, although for the most part, they do. What do you think would occur, Highest, if we opened up the gates between Hengist and Woden so that passage be free as desired?"

"I have thought much on it, but know not. I would hope that life would go on the same, but only freer and without the confines of this process. I hate the closing morn of the festival when but a few of the women are late. I wish not to banish them, but it be the law. But why do we banish just the women? Are not the men also a part in this? So why banish them at all? Why be there this law, at all? And to where do we banish them? Certain death?"

Eimhear nodded, "If you agree not with this law, and we do not, and we know that many of the others do not, why do we but continue this practice? I want my own companion, so if one of us chooses to but mate with a man so that we can have a child, I will remain as little as possible in Hengist. I want to return to my companion. Can we change this law, Highest?"

Sam agreed, "I think much will change soon in Woden. Perhaps this is a natural progression in our practices. Our laws were made long prior for reasons we know not, now. It is good we question them, though, and perhaps it be the moment to change some. I hope the community speaks of this between themselves and lets me know what it thinks. I much appreciate you coming to me and discussing all these issues. Perhaps the other women will see they can do the same with me."

- 290 -.

Eeda laughed softly, "You think yourself an ogre, but the community knows far better, Highest. We but give you space and quiet. We know you would see us if we asked."

"It be good, then. Do you think we should hold a town meeting with all invited, including Hengist, to discuss the idea of a third community?"

"And besides, Highest, it is good for all of us to hear your views, at moments. We rarely get to hear you speak and we much enjoy it. Please come and see us on your rounds. We have a small gift for you."

"Eeda, how goes the winemaking?"

"It will be much improved this cycle, Highest. I helped Liley mix some grape vines a few prior cycles, and they bear well, now. Their taste will be unlike any wine we have had so far. I am most excited about it.

And they are yielding much more than our other vines, which is as hoped.

I tried a new technique in the processing this cycle, and removed the skins of the grapes a little sooner than prior. It made a light red wine you might enjoy."

Sam nodded, "And Draigen, have the furniture makers had a chance to begin building the new chairs for the community; the ones that Oisin called by rockers?"

Draigen frowned, "I blame myself for not thinking of this model prior to this. It be simple enough, yet a much useful design for our women.

Many thanks to Oisin for bringing back one for us to use as a model. The women have supplied their orders. We will be busy making these for many moons to come. Do you but like it, Highest?"

"I do, but at moments I prefer a more padded seat."

"That gives me an idea, Highest. We could make a padded rocker.

Perhaps just some small pads on it. I will speak to the garment makers about this. It will be a joint project. I will deliver some of these small pads to your rocker when we have them perfected."

Sam smiled and then asked Eimhear, "And are the candle works going well?"

"Overly well. We have more than enough for another cycle or two, so we have begun doing other duties. I take up building in the off-moments.

I have created scented candles now, though. Scented with some herbs and some of the flowers."

They rose to leave, and Sam did as well to see them off, "Thank you much for the good conversation and drink."

She looked over to see Jandra yet engaged with a few more women, and sat back down to wait. She took the leisure moment to think about what it would mean to Woden to bring in such a third community. She remembered that the diary writer had mentioned that they hadn't wanted the men to accompany them on their journey to their new land, but had - 291 -.

relented. Sam assumed that those men became the beginning of Hengist.

She wondered that if people had such needs to be with the opposite, then why should it not be so?

She wondered if that would be so bad and thought that perhaps it would create a more open culture. Her Birth-Mother had always told her that Woden's women always had a difficulty accepting difference, but that they had a good and gentle nature and would soon seen the benefit for all.

But why do we need this separation at all? Why can we not live together as but one community? Or perhaps even three communities, not separated by this thinking?

What Eimhear and the other two had said to Sam had interested her about the thinking of Woden. If the women of Woden thought the bridge not needed, then it was useless to them as a community. Sam sensed much change coming to Woden, and not all of it bad.

Sam watched Jandra work with the women of Woden and saw her patient but firm. Jandra was a good companion, and Sam wondered if she would come to love Jandra as she had Brett, or now Oisin. Sam was yet amazed that Jandra had returned that eve, and thought she was grateful for it. It had been a long while since Sam watched and waited for anyone, surprising even herself.

She looked at Jandra carefully, seeing her astonishing beauty.

Why is it I remain as such with her? Her beauty is profound, and she is most kind and giving, and yet I question her presence in my life.

Finally, Sam saw that Jandra was finishing up her final session. She went over to a guard, "Please send a messenger around. There will be an advisor's meeting next turn, early midturn. And have them invite Briggon and his advisors as well. Please have the messenger inform Briggon that I will be doing my rounds over there after midturn. Also have the messenger inform May about the advisor meeting."

The guard knelt before Sam, bowed her head, and said, "As you say, Highest.". Sam then walked over to Jandra, who yet hadn't seen her. She noted that Jandra was overly busy as Second, as Sam had been. She also noticed how attractive Jandra was in her gown. She thought that Jandra had a beautiful regal stance. Unlike Sam, Jandra paid attention to her appearance, and Sam was glad of it. She looked at Jandra's hair and thought it was the most beautiful in all of Woden. She examined Jandra carefully, wondering as to her background. In all of Woden, no one appeared quite like Jandra did. There was something just a little different in her overall appearance. But Sam couldn't place it. But to almost everyone in Woden and Hengist, Jandra was by far the most beautiful of all of them.

And those eyes of hers!

As she walked up, Karan saw her approach. She knelt and bowed her head to Sam, "Highest. We have but missed you."

- 292 -.

"Rise, Karan. There is no need for this formality between us." Sam smiled to Jandra. Karan rose and saw that Jandra and Sam needed a quiet moment between them.

"I will take my leave, now. Perhaps we can discuss this town session at another moment, Second."

Jandra looked at Karan, "You have saved the turn once again, Karan."

She turned to Sam, "I think we should hand this duty over to Karan. She knows everyone and their needs, and does it much better than I can."

Sam nodded and spared only a moment for Karan, "Whatever you two but wish. Karan, we have an advisor's meeting at early midturn next turn. I will see you then."

Jandra said her farewell to Karan and turned back to Sam, knowing that Sam had dismissed Karan, "You have finally returned. You look most beautiful. You must have taken the moment to bathe."

"I had more dirt upon me than there was on the ground. Did you hear of the women that we sent to the infirmary just prior?"

She nodded, "More from Apien. Woden is becoming a shelter of safety. How was their health?"

"The child be fine, as be her Birth-Mother. I think the others will live, also, but am unsure. These women come to us from a long distance, and yet so unprepared for the crossing. If I knew which direction they came from, I would provide provisions along their path, but they come now in all directions."