Jandra blushed and Sam smiled but said nothing.

- 299 -.

Sam looked to Tehna, "Tehna, how be all the women, men and children that arrived in Woden just prior?"

"I am sorry, Highest, but one from the large group but died. She was overly malnourished and we could revive her not. One more seems to be between life and death, but the healers have their hopes for her. The men but survive, as do the children. The last three women and child are all well.

They are malnourished as well, but have fared a bit better. The last three women would like to remain in Woden. Two of them are but companions already. A few of the women from the large group would also like to remain in Woden, but there be some that desire a mixed community, but would be willing to separate if it meant they could remain in Woden or Hengist."

Sam nodded, "We will have to see what occurs upon Oisin's return. It could be that we perhaps speak overly soon about a third community. If she rids Apien and New Harborage of these evil leaders, the community may wish to remain and rebuild. If that be the case, even some of our new-comers may wish to return."

Meera added, "Or they may all wish to just come here and close Apien and New Harborage for good. They may not trust any other leader at this point and may just wish to come to Woden where they have heard but good things. Combined, they cannot have more than 500 people, if that many anymore."

Karan nodded, but frowned, "That would be a large increase for us, however, and quite suddenly. But then, Oisin would not be able to bring all of them back at one moment. She would have to make several trips, or they would have to begin a long walking journey. Perhaps we could organize it so that they would remain healthy on that journey, unlike the poor ones we just took in. I could speak to our new people to see what they would do if given the choice to return to a new leader or remain here."

Sam nodded, "It is a good idea and can only provide further information. I wonder who their new leader could be if they chose one. I hope it would be a good one. I fear that King Buron might have designs on both those communities, however. Does anyone else have other issues for this meeting, or should we adjourn until the next?"

Jenna rose, "Highest, if I may?"

Sam nodded, and Jenna continued, "I would like Hengist's help with the animals. We have overly much overlap between us, and if we could move the animals between Hengist and Woden, we would have more help, less overlap, more efficiency and improved organization between us. Also, if we but opened the third community between Hengist and Woden, the animal yards would be located between all three. This would also provide more room in the current location for the gardens."

- 300 -.

Ghett asked, "Are you meaning that we should move the structures, as well?"

Jenna nodded, "Yes. We but need larger ones with better air circula-tion, anyway."

Sam looked to Briggon, "Would this suit your needs as well?"

Briggon turned to his advisors, and they all nodded, "It makes more sense that what we currently do, which is to be independent, making for less efficiency between us."

Jandra rose, "I have been thinking that perhaps, if we should open this third community, that all our shops should be moved to the path between Woden and Hengist. We would cease duplication this way and provide easier access to all our goods."

Ghett added, "If we but did this, then we should build a more direct route to the harbor."

Sam rose, "Hearing nothing negative about this move for Jenna's animals and buildings, then Jenna, please arrange for it. I suspect it will take several moons to complete the task. Briggon, could you or one of your advisors please meet with Jenna and provide some help from your end and perhaps move all your animals at the same moment so that we have but one large animal yard? And Ghett, could you coordinate the building with our builders and those of Hengist? Is this agreeable to all of you? Have I left anything out?"

Everyone nodded their agreement. Sam continued, "Good. Ghett, Jenna and Briggon, please report on this at our next meeting, and keep us informed of the progress. Be there anything else anyone needs to raise this meeting?"

Sephim rose, "One more item, Highest. We would like to know why you have not yet moved into The Highest's dwelling."

Sam nodded, but didn't smile, "I have heard this same question from the community, as well. My response to you is that I am in The Highest's dwelling and will remain here. The community is now able to use the former Highest's dwelling as a community center. I have agreed to find a companion. I have agreed to become Highest. I have given up much of my privacy. But I will not move to that overly large and impersonal dwelling. Besides, all my memories are here. I have spoken with Meera about this and she has no problem in providing the needed guards around this dwelling."

Sephim nodded, "Thank you, Highest. I will but inform the community."

Sam thought: That was overly easy. I wonder what they have planned? But she left the thought alone.

- 301 -.

Elsewhere, across The Realm She knelt and bowed her head, "My Queen."

She turned, surprised. "You return quickly, yet again."

"She found some of the green stones."

"Really? Does she know of these?"

"Buron gave her a necklace of them, and four gowns with green stones embedded within some of them."

"He gave her four gowns?"

"Yes, my Queen, from here in the Valley."

The High Queen was amused, "Do the women in Woden wear such as these?"

"No, Highness. They typically dress very simply. Plain and unappeal-ing, keeping their bodies well hidden."

She smiled at her messenger, "An observation? Or judgment?"

"She picked up one of the stones and held it."

The High Queen raised an eyebrow, "And?"

"Her leader of their forces rescued her from its effects, Highness."

"And what does she now do with this necklace?"

"I can no longer find it, my Queen. I think the Sea Captain took it with her on her journey."

"Anything else?"

"They speak of adding yet another community to their town. A third community for those that wish to take companions as woman and man."

"Strange. But I have heard in the storytellers of such a thing occurring. Thank you, My Messenger. You have My leave."

She bowed, "Yes, my Queen."

- 302 -.

Chapter VII.

Sam and Jandra No one had anything else to add, so Sam adjourned the meeting and began walking to Hengist with Meera, Jandra, Briggon and his advisors for her first rounds in that community. Sam and Jandra walked together, arms intertwined, but Sam felt just a little uncomfortable doing so. She wondered if she could get used to such things as this. One moment she felt close to Jandra, yet on another moment, she felt chained to her.

"Briggon, how much of Hengist might I be able to cover this turn?"

"Only half or less, Highest. I will but show you what paths you might choose when we arrive. The men are most excited about this, so may detain you longer than normal. As they become used to your rounds, it may become more like Woden for you. And we are only half Woden's size."

"Will I see Tadan this turn, Briggon? It has been long since we have had a chance to communicate."

"He but asked about you this morn and would like much to see you.

It is I who have kept him from you for fear that he take up overly much of you."

"Briggon, you guard me overly. I always want to see Tadan. What is he up to these turns? How many cycles has he now, ten?"

"Yes, Highest. He is a full ten cycles. He looks much like her now.

You will see the resemblance. He has invented something and will show it to you this turn. Do you mind seeing him, Highest?"

"Seeing him gives me peace, Briggon, now that I don't mind being reminded of her."

Jandra wondered who Tadan was, and in what relation to Sam.

Meera knew about Tadan, "Highest, have you but informed Keddi about Tadan as yet?"

Sam shook her head, and Meera asked nothing further about it. She would let Sam work out her own personal issues.

- 303 -.

Sam turned to Meera, "Meera. I would like it much if you would but take over the seeing of all the guards in both Woden and Hengist. Briggon could report to you and we need no other. What say you on this, Briggon?"

Briggon agreed, "I think it but an excellent idea, Highest. She did much of it even while the other was alive."

It was not the custom of Hengist or Woden to mention a traitor's name except on rare occasions, but Sam knew of whom Briggon spoke.

"Prepare yourself, Meera, as you are going to become Second of Defense for all of Woden Falls."

Meera frowned and shook her head, "I need no such title, Highest."

"Meera, I give you no choice on this. You will become Second of Defense for Woden. It makes much sense. Jandra, what do you think of this?"

Jandra nodded, knowing it was her idea, originally, "It makes sense, as you say, Highest. I know little of defense, and Meera need not report to me. In moments of emergency, for Meera to report to me adds wasted moments."

"I will make it so at the next advisor meeting. Briggon, Jandra, please inform all your people of such. Meera will now be known as Second.

Given Oisin's title of Second, and Jandra's, this but makes the structure improved and provides Meera the authority she needs to make us safe."

As they neared Hengist's gates, Briggon asked Sam, "Highest, may I but offer you, Jandra and Meera your midturn meal? It would but give you the opportunity to meet with Tadan prior to your rounds. He but misses seeing you."

"I would thank you much, Briggon. If I but continue to miss meals, May will quit on me." She nodded, "Yes, I do need to tend more to Tadan.

It be my promise to you and him."

The guards saw Sam and the party approaching and opened the gates.

Tadan was just inside the gates and knelt as Sam approached, "Highest Mother. It be good to see you again. May I join you for your midturn meal?"

Sam looked down at Tadan with much tenderness, "Rise, Young Tadan. It be good to see you. Please escort me to our meal. Your father tells me that you have a new invention to share with me."

Sam offered her free hand to Tadan, who took it readily. He began talking endlessly, as was Tadan's way, "Highest Mother, it is a most exciting invention. Be there a moment with you after your rounds that we may try it out together? I have not quite yet perfected the balance of it, but I call it a fishing reel. I have not yet figured out how to develop strong fishing line, but I keep working on that. And how are you these turns, Highest Mother?

I have but heard that you go about changing into the Chosen One. What - 304 -.

have you learned of this enterprise? Have you met with the Spirits of the Falls as yet? Or is that yet but coming? I am most pleased that you be Highest now, Highest Mother. I most enjoyed the ceremony in which you became Highest. Hengist most needs your leadership ability. I am not pleased to say that the former Highest did us much harm, but the men of Hengist are now most excited. I see the blueness of your eyes increases.

That be most intriguing. Perhaps we could speak about it this turn. What plans do you have for us now? I have some ideas that you might be interested in hearing. It could change the way we do our gardens and animals. I have also thought about some wind power and would like to try it for your dwelling . . . "

Meera and Briggon laughed. Jandra looked quizzically at Meera, "Highest Mother?"

"You will have to hear that from Sam. It be not my place."

Briggon continued to laugh, "I will not need to think of conversation for the midturn meal."

Meera asked, "Is it but this way with him all the turn?"

Briggon nodded, "He be a bright one. Much brighter than me, and he thinks and invents but all the turn. His mind is always awhirl with ideas and notions. There be not enough sun in the turn for him, and it frustrates him."

"We have arrived at our midturn meal, Highest Mother. Would you like to sit with me or apart from me? Many tell me that I speak overly much, but there is overly much to tell. I hope you but enjoy this meal. I prepared the menu for you. I hope your favorites are here. It is also nutri-tionally correct, from what I have but determined. Please excuse me while I run to get the fishing reel so that I may show you."

"I would like it much if you join us quickly, Tadan."

Tadan nodded, and Sam motioned for Jandra to sit next to her. She was unaware that Jandra didn't know about Tadan.

Tadan left for the moment, and Sam looked to Briggon, "He does look like her, does he not? It is most surprising. He has her eyes and face structure. Does he wear you out?"

"He wears all of Hengist out. Each turn, he goes out to the community and but speaks to everyone. He offers good advice and ideas that improve our crafts and labor, so he is most loved. But he does overly speak, does he not? Even when I speak with him about this, he recognizes it but cannot seem to halt. He has turned into our wise old man at the age of ten tender cycles."

"And how is Young Alduth recovering? Who be he with now?"

"He but does well, Highest. He lives with Ivers and Raynod now. He learns the blacksmithing trade, but he wants to be The Knight. You will see - 305 -.

him this turn. We also but placed Wigrad with Ivers and Raynod. They wanted a family, and Wigrad took to Ivers right off, so it be a family now."

The meal was brought out to them and they all began to eat. Sam hadn't noticed, but now saw that they were sitting in a covered patio. She found it most pleasant. There were other tables and chairs about, as if for others.

"Is this a place where men but eat?"

Briggon nodded, "One of our food preparers thought of the idea. It be a shop to eat at. You can come here and have a midturn or eve meal.

Some turns, there is a choice of menu. These companions do this in trade for other items, and it gives the community the opportunity to enjoy their companionship without the every turn task of creating a meal."