"Like the tea shop we have in Woden, then?"

"Yes. But this is for food. We have another for wine and beer that is more like your tea shop."

Meera nodded, "This be a great idea. Someone should do this in Woden, Highest."

As they were finishing their meal, Tadan returned, pole in hand.

"Highest Mother, how was your meal? I have brought the fishing reel for you to see. It would be better if we but tried it out in the river, however.

That way you could but see the usefulness of the invention. I see you have completed your midturn meal. Delicious, was it not? I hope you ate it all as you are most thin"

Sam interrupted him, "Tadan, halt."

"Yes, Highest Mother?"

"Would you like me to try the fishing reel out now or after my rounds?

Would you like to attend me in my rounds?"

"Yes, I would most like to direct you around our Hengist. After the rounds would be fine, Highest Mother. The fish will be more likely to bite then. Now is not a good moment. It is overly near the midturn for fish to bite. And I would like a fish to bite so that you may see the benefit of this reel. And"

"Tadan. I think it the moment I begin my rounds. Do you know Jandra?"

Tadan turned to Jandra and bowed his head, "Good midturn, Second." He then turned to Meera, "Good midturn Meera. I apologize for my lack of manners. It has been long since I have gotten to speak with my Highest Mother and I am most excited about it."

He turned back to Sam, "Highest Mother, do the rumors be truth about Second being of the old ones? Of the ones not of our race? Be the rumors true that you will accept Jandra as your companion at this next festival? It would be good for you to do so. I have thought long that you re- - 306 -.

main alone overly long. I know that love is a difficult thing to lose, but life is not always kind, and we must try to persevere.

"TADAN."

"Yes, Mother Highest?"

"How do you know of these things of love and love lost at your ten cycles?"

"Why, Highest Mother, I can observe, can I not? And I but lost my Birth-Mother, although I have no recollection of the moment. I have but observed you through the cycles and how it has worn on you, and"

"Tadan, let us begin my rounds before the eve comes any closer."

Sam put out her hand and Tadan took it, leading her on her rounds.

Meera, Jandra and Briggon all followed, laughing quietly about Tadan's incessant talking. They were also amused that Sam didn't seem to mind.

"So tell me, Tadan, what improvements do you think I should but make in Woden now that I am Highest?"

"I am most pleased you asked me such a question, Highest Mother. I have many ideas that I would but like to share with you. First, I think that we should improve the loading and unloading of supplies at the dock. I have a new invention that could be easily made and would hasten the loading and unloading of the ships by over half. We have pulleys, of course, but I have designed a maneuverable one that will lift much weight. And then I believe that we should refine the path between Woden and Hengist. A path made of bricks or stones would provide for easier walking, and we now have some excellent brick makers. And then I have designed a wheel that is thinner, lighter and will be easier to use on the wagons. I am also currently working on storing the sun's energy. I believe that I will be able to turn that into some form of energy or light that we could but use, instead of candles. I have also begun working with herbs and medicines so as to help improve our health care. There is something about mold, but I have not quite figured out what, yet. I will, though. I am trying to find a relief for pain. Something that will mask the pain so that an operation can be done without overly stressing the injured person. I have just recently met Ivers and he showed me how he works the metals to make them stronger. I believe I could make an arrow with such a tip so that they would fly truer and fly stronger through wind."

"Tadan. I would like it much if you would but draw up a new community for me. One that considers water usage, health conditions, community atmosphere, and so on. Would that interest you?"

"I have heard but rumors to a third community. A mixed one, be the rumor. I have also heard that it might be placed west of the path between Woden and Hengist, near the river. Such a task would most excite me, Highest Mother. I will put all my energies into it. How many people be - 307 -.

there in this community? Would you like all new shops, or should we begin to connect the shops between the three communities? Will they need their own farm and gardens, or should we simply expand Woden and Hengist's?

Would you like cobblestone paths instead our present dirt ones? Ah, Highest Mother, we have arrived to your first companions. You know Ivers and Raynod. And this be their new sons, who you already know."

Amazingly, Tadan stepped out of the way for a moment so that Sam might speak to them. Ivers, Alduth, Wigrad and Raynod knelt before Sam and bowed their heads, "Highest."

"Please rise. Raynod, it be good to see you again. Ivers, you are looking much improved from your long journey. Young Alduth, how be my young champion? And Wigrad, I have but missed you. You took excellent care of Second in my absence, and I thank you much."

They turned to Jandra and Meera, "Seconds", and bowed their heads.

Wigrad held on to Sam's garments and wiped his nose on his sleeve. Ivers gave him a cloth, which he promptly took.

Raynod spoke, "Highest, Seconds, it is but good to have you here.

Ivers has a present for you."

Ivers came forward with three knives, "I have made these for your belts, Warrior Women of Woden. Your kindness to me has brought me much happiness and I will never be able to repay you for such. Please notice the strength and luster of these knives. You may throw them with a true aim, as their weight is perfect. Young Tadan, please make sure you take them by Kinlan's leather shop. He has made them a sheath for their knives."

Sam took her knife and felt it. It was indeed a most wonderful knife.

Ivers added, "And it will not rust. This be a most refined metal. I have spoken to our miners about the metals we need, and you will find this a stronger and more useful knife than you have had prior."

Meera felt hers, tested the weight, and then threw it, aiming for a nearby tree. It flew fast and landed at her mark.

She was well pleased, "It throws well. Highest, try it out. See if you can hit my mark."

"Daring me, Meera? It has been long since we but competed with knives. But I will give it a try."

Sam tested its weight and threw it. It too landed on its mark, right next to Meera's.

All turned to Jandra, and Sam said, "Your turn, Jandra."

Meera laughed, "There be overly many people around. Perhaps another moment, Jandra."

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"Meera is correct, Highest. I know not how to throw a knife such as the two of you. I will learn, though. Thank you, Ivers. It be a most special gift."

Tadan went up to Meera, "Can you but teach me to throw a knife so?

Is it just in the wrist motion, or is it in the balance of your stance? What makes the accuracy in your throw? Can you describe the motions you go through so that I may reproduce them?"

Meera put her hand upon Tadan's head, "Shhhhh, little one. You speak overly, and it but makes my head ache. Throwing a knife is in the balance of the knife. It takes practice. When you visit Woden, come to see me and I will give you a lesson."

Sam turned back to Ivers and Raynod, "Is all well with the two of you?

I hear rumors about this next festival and the two of you. Be they true?

And Ivers, is Hengist all you hoped it would be?"

Raynod blushed, "The rumor be true, Highest. I but lost my companion recently, and am most pleased to have Ivers here. And he be a masterful blacksmith. Far better than me. And now with Alduth and Wigrad, we are a family, and I enjoy it much. Already, Wigrad wants to be a blacksmith."

Ivers added, "Oh, no, Highest. Raynod is a most superb blacksmith.

He knows many more things than I. And yes, Hengist is more than I had but hoped for. And Raynod is most pleased by the reopening of Woden and Hengist. We have already spoken and worked with the blacksmiths from Woden, and it makes it better for all of us. We were hoping that some turn, we may have a blacksmith shop on the path between Woden and Hengist so that all the blacksmiths could be in one location, and all the people could come to one spot."

"It be a good idea. We but discussed as much this morn at the advisor's meeting. Make certain to keep your advisors well informed, as they will be meeting with us often, now. And how is Young Alduth fitting into your family?"

Ivers smiled, "He be a pleasure, Highest. I have gained much by coming here. But let us allow Alduth to but speak for himself."

Alduth bowed his head, "My Highest. It be good to see you once again. I but practice to become your champion. Each turn I practice with sword, arrow and knife. Soon I will throw them even better than you. I keep my mission well focused, Highest."

Sam placed her hand upon his shoulder, "It be good to have you with us, Young Knight Alduth. I will see you at festival."

Sam looked down at Wigrad, who was holding tightly onto her garments and looking off into space, "Has he but spoken yet?"

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Ivers shook his head, "We have tried everything. But he seems content enough, and but twice, he smiled. Once when we showed him his own bed, and another when he heard you come to visit."

Sam bent down to Wigrad and placed her hands on his head. She sent a message, If you ever have need of me, Wigrad, I am here for you. I will always be here for you. Woden and Hengist will always be your home.

Wigrad looked into her eyes, nodded, and wiped his nose with the cloth Ivers had given to him. Sam smiled and began to take her leave.

Raynod responded, "Please come back to visit with us more often."

"I will do so, but you need not provide us with more gifts. We will quite willingly return. Good midturn, Raynod and Ivers. Thank you again.

Good midturn Alduth and Wigrad."

She took Tadan's hand and they began walking further into Hengist.

"Where do we head now, Tadan?"

"I am but taking you to our paper maker. He has something special for you."

Sam turned to Jandra and Meera, "This is turning more into a gift-giving visit. I did not wish these men to go to such trouble. I just wanted to meet with them."

Briggon responded, "They are just pleased you are here, Highest. It will not occur each moment, but for this once, they are excited and are simply showing off their skills."

"Yes, I can see that. You might tell them to not go to such trouble as this in the next visits. I wish to be here for them, not them for me."

"Oh, but, Highest, you are here for them. This is very special for them. It will take but a while for it to become a routine. Please have patience regarding their excitement."

"It is not a bother for me, Briggon. I am not upset. Do not misun-derstand. I just dislike seeing them put out by my visit. But, as you say, it will just take a few visits to make it normal."

They arrived at Ludon's shop, the papermaker.

Tadan presented him, "Highest Mother, this be Ludon. He is very special to me."

Ludon knelt and bowed his head, "Highest. Thank you for coming."

"Rise, Ludon. Show me your paper products. I be most interested in these."

Ludon showed Sam a hand-made book, "This book be for you, Highest. Tadan did the drawings in it. The paper is handmade, and I have done the binding myself. Tadan and I are developing a press so that we can make many duplicates. It be a book of drawings of Hengist and Woden."

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Sam examined the pages, "Thank you much, Ludon. This be a most special gift. I very much like the paper. It is thinner than anything I have yet seen. How is it that you make paper and books?"

"It is an art, and I am an artist. I also draw. I call my drawings cuts in wood. I but draw a picture and then carve it backwards into a piece of wood. Here, I will show you."

He got a piece of wood that he had carved a picture of a waterfall on, stamped it into some ink, and then stamped the wood onto a piece of paper.

He then showed the picture to Sam, asking her, "Do you but like it, Highest?"

"It is most detailed and interesting. I have never seen anything like this. It be truly beautiful, Ludon. Such things make our lives feel better, somehow. I love the details of these dwellings. And this picture of the lilies is most astounding. You are indeed an artist, Ludon. I look forward to the presses. Thank you much for this book. I will treasure it. How do you feel about Hengist and Woden now, Ludon?"

"I am most pleased, Highest. My companion, Kohal, is especially pleased. He be a fisher and he has told me that we but duplicate our efforts prior. Now it will be different. And we both know that you will be the best Highest Woden has or will ever see."

"Thank you, Ludon. Do you know Meera and Jandra? Jandra is The Second of Woden and Meera is The Second of Defense."

He bowed his head to them, "Seconds."

Jandra spoke, "Ludon, were you prior aware that The Highest has a fondness for books?"

Ludon nodded and grinned, "I do, Second. Tadan but informed me.

But she has a love of the old First Ones' books. Perhaps, Highest, you might let me see your book so that I might examine its paper and binding."

"Come over to Woden, Ludon, and Karan will be pleased to show it to you. Briggon, please make this so any turn he but wishes. Thank you for the book, Ludon. I will visit with you again, soon."

"Highest Mother, did you look at my drawings inside the book Ludon gave to you? They are details of many ideas I have for new inventions. I would most like your opinion on these. Would you but study them and let me know what you think? I am most anxious to hear your opinion in these matters."

"Yes, Tadan. Come to our dwelling in a few turns and we can sit together and discuss your ideas and drawings. Perhaps we can experiment with them in Woden. Where do we head now, Tadan?"

"To the leather maker. He but waits for you." Tadan reached up to take Sam's hand. "Is it but true that you have strange powers now, Highest - 311 -.

Mother? Your eyes have deepened in their color since the prior moment we saw each other. They are like liquid blue, now, of a deep clear pool of water. Does this change in your eye color have anything to do with your new and increasing powers? I would like such eyes. May I speak with the Spirit Mothers of the Falls and ask for such? Your eyes are most interesting and unlike anyone's. What can you do with your new powers?"

Sam placed her hand upon Tadan and sent a message only he could hear, Silence for but a moment, young Tadan. I have but missed you and be most sorry that I have ignored your presence. I will make up for this. I am most delighted to see what a bright and honorable young man you have but grown into.

Tadan looked up at Sam and into her eyes and tried to send a message back, Highest Mother. I have but missed you, too. This be an excellent power. Can I learn to do the same?

Sam laughed and removed her hand, "No. But have you learned yet to ride a horse?"

Tadan shrunk and looked embarrassed, "No. They are overly big for me."