Meera came forward, "We have a horse you will much like. A horse just for you. The next moment you are in Woden, you find me and I will but give you a lesson you will be most proud of."

Tadan nodded, "I will but try for Highest Mother."

As they arrived at the leather maker's shop, Tadan presented him to Sam, "Highest Mother, this be Hildulf. He is The Realm's best leather maker. And he has made you something you will most enjoy."

Sam smiled at Hildulf, who instantly fell to his knees and bowed his head, "Highest. It is with great honor that I meet you. Thank you much for performing your rounds in Hengist. We are but all excited. I have presents for you and yours."

"Rise, Hildulf. There is no need to kneel before me. Tadan, perhaps you can but tell me why everyone insists of kneeling to me."

"It be a show of respect, Highest Mother."

"Is there no other way than going to one's knees?"

"You should accept this for what it is, Highest Mother. Everyone is most glad that you are now The Highest. They but pay you their most deep respect."

Meera nodded, "He is correct, Highest. I have longed told you that the best Highest will be who wants not to be The Highest. That is but you."

"This kneeling is tedious to me. But please continue, Hildulf. I but interrupt you."

- 312 -.

Hildulf brought out leather sheaths for their new knives, "I made these especially for your new knives. I hope you like them. They are hand-sewn, of course, but have been specially tanned so as to last a long while."

He turned and brought out a leather vest, "Highest, this be for you. It is a new warrior vest for you. It is sewn with two hides so as to be thicker and safer. I asked Briggon to get your other one from May so that I may sew the correct size. And I also have this leather arrow pouch for you. I but noticed that your other arrow pouch was old and overly worn. Second, and Second, I have the same for each of you. I had to guess at Second's size, but Caitha gave me one of Second of Defense's leather vest."

Meera looked at her knife sheath, arrow pouch and leather warrior vest, "These be most excellent, Hildulf. You are most correct. Mine and The Highest's are most worn and used. The craftship on these be truly excellent. Strong and sturdy bindings and sewing. And the tanning of these hides is superb. Thank you much, Hildulf."

Sam placed her hand upon Hildulf's shoulder, "I say truly, Hildulf.

These mean much to me. Is there but anything that I may do for you?"

"You but do it, Highest, just by being in Hengist with us."

"Thank you, Hildulf. I will take my leave now, but I will return most soon. While I like much this warrior vest, I take it in hopes that I will not need to use it."

Sam let Tadan lead her through half the town. It was a long, slow visit as every man wanted to meet with and give her a present. She knew she would have to return soon so as to make the visits normal. The presents were nice, but it was not the purpose of her rounds, and it bothered her.

She accepted it for now in hopes that Tadan and Briggon could explain as much to all. At the end of the rounds, Sam went with Tadan to the river to experiment with his fishing reel, while Jandra, Briggon and Meera went to get drinks prior to their return to Woden. Tadan showed Sam how to cast the line and then how to reel it in slowly so as to catch the fish's attention.

She tried it a couple of casts, and finally, one fish bit the bone hook, "Tadan! Quickly. Now what must I do?"

Tadan was jumping up and down, clapping and laughing, "Oh, Mother. This be wonderful. Now reel it in slowly so as to not lose the fish.

Slowly and evenly."

She did as Tadan directed, and soon she landed the fish.

Tadan unhooked it and released the fish, "What do you think of the fishing reel?"

"I must speak truly, Tadan. I had not thought it would be of this importance. This be a most wonderful invention. With it, I could learn to cast the line far and reel it back in without tangling the line. Well done, Ta- - 313 -.

dan. Your Birth-Mother would have been most proud of you. Make certain to share this invention with Janel of the fisheries."

"Yes, Highest Mother." He was beaming with pride.

As Jandra, Meera and Briggon walked up, they saw Sam hugging Tadan, and Tadan hugging Sam in return. Meera halted a moment, as she thought she saw tears in Sam's eyes and wanted to give her but a moment.

"Oh, Mother. I know you but miss her so, as do I. But we have each other, and I can try to be but almost as wonderful as she was for you. You have been overly lonely without her, and you have but carried her longer than anyone."

Sam moved away from Tadan a bit and straightened his hair for him, "How can such a young one understand and know my feelings so? In overly many ways, Tadan, you sound like your Birth-Mother. She was but a bright one, also. I knew of none brighter than her. Have you been told that you have her eyes?"

"I remember her eyes, Mother."

Jandra interrupted, not knowing what was occurring, "Highest, we have brought you drink."

Tadan and Sam turned to Jandra. Each had been startled by her and hadn't realized that the others had returned.

Tadan began speaking, "Father. Second. Second. It be most wonderful. Highest Mother but caught a fish with my fishing reel. She but likes it, Father. It worked perfectly for her. I knew it would work. Now if only I could make a stronger fishing line."

Sam bent down to Tadan, "Tadan. You need to meet someone that I know who will be most special for you. And I bet she will know how to make but a stronger fishing line. She is also most intelligent."

Sam turned to Briggon, "Can you but bring Tadan over to my dwelling soon so that I may introduce him to Keddi?"

"Of course, Highest."

Sam sat down to rest for a bit, and Jandra and Briggon sat next to her while she finished her drink.

Tadan went to Meera, "Second, could you but give me a lesson now on how to throw your knife, so? Also, may I hold your sword? Could you teach me one move with this sword? I would most like to"

Meera placed her hand over Tadan's mouth, "First rule of defense, Tadan. Do you know what it be?"

Tadan shook his head as Meera's hand was yet over his mouth. Sam was laughing, as were Briggon and Jandra.

Meera looked into his eyes and leered at him, "It be to go quietly.

Without a sound. Do you understand?"

- 314 -.

She removed her hand and Tadan began to speak, "But Second, I learn from doing and by asking"

Meera placed her hand back over Tadan's mouth, "Shhhhhh. A warrior listens, but speaks not. A warrior watches and lets the wind send messages. Listen to the wind. Listen to which way it blows. This be important when throwing a knife or shooting an arrow. Observe the leaves of the trees . . . "

Sam shook her head, "Now there be a pair. Briggon, you have raised him well. You should be most proud."

"Not I, Highest. All of Hengist has but raised that young man. He will do great things for all of Woden. He is but the brightest of all of us.

And he has a true and loving nature about him, with no show of arrogance.

It is his continued innocence that all love."

Jandra had remained quiet all the turn, not wishing to interfere, but guessing about Tadan.

Sam noticed Jandra's quietness, "Jandra, you have spoken but little this turn. Is all well with you?"

"Yes, Highest. I learn to be a warrior as young Tadan, and listen and observe as Meera teaches. That young Tadan most admires you, Highest."

Sam raised her eyebrow and had guessed as to Jandra's quietness, "I am sorry, Jandra. I thought all but knew about Tadan. Briggon, please tell Jandra."

Briggon nodded and turned to Jandra, "Second, it is most likely as you think. Brett was Tadan's Birth-Mother, and I be but his Father. He was two cycles when Brett was but killed. Although it is practice that the sons live with the fathers in Hengist, Tadan was always wanting his Birth-Mother and mother. I would have to take him over for frequent visits. He began speaking at his first cycle and has not halted since, except for one moment.

He remembers well his Birth-Mother, and her death most upset him, as it did The Highest. After her death, he moved not for well over two moons.

He spoke not for over six moons. I but took him to see The Highest once, and they both cried and held each other for two turns, but would not speak to each other about it. But when he returned to Hengist, he began to speak again. His Mother is most important to him."

Briggon turned to Sam, "Highest, you are planning on introducing young Tadan to Keddi?"

Sam nodded.

Briggon also nodded, "That will be good."

Jandra felt like she had lived in a separate community for all her life.

She wondered how all these things had occurred, yet she had known none of it. That Brett had a child had remained unknown to her. That Sam was a Mother was something that had never occurred as a possibility. And to - 315 -.

learn that this very special child was of Sam's companionship with Brett just astonished Jandra.

Have I lived in Woden, truly? Where did I come from?

She could stand it no longer and asked, "Why is Keddi important to Tadan, Highest?"

Sam looked at Jandra but tried to refrain from emotion. She took a deep breath, and then sighed. She wondered if these hidden events were always to be so. After a long moment, she responded, "Keddi be Brett's sister."

Jandra gasped, "What? How could that be? How is it I have not known this?"

Sam laughed a little, but only because she understood Jandra's disbelief, "You? How would you but feel if you were me and I but recently learned this, as well?"

Jandra couldn't believe what she had heard, "All these cycles and you knew not that Keddi was Brett's sister?"

"I learned of this only turns prior, upon Keddi's arrival back into Woden. If you look closely at Tadan, you will see a resemblance."

Sam looked at Meera and Tadan. Tadan had thrown Meera's new knife three attempts, and watched Meera throw it the same. Upon each occasion, Tadan observed Meera very carefully and then tried to imitate her style. Sam saw Meera unsheathe her sword and hold it out for Tadan. He smiled but said nothing, and took hold of the hilt. Meera let go, and the sword dropped to the ground. Tadan was surprised at how much the sword weighed. He fought to pick it up and did so, but barely.

Sam turned to Briggon, "Would you ask Ivers a favor for me? Please ask him to make a small sword and a knife for young Tadan from me, unless of course, you wish it not so."

"I will, Highest. All of us must learn to use such in our lives until evil ends in this realm. While it is not Tadan's calling, he should be but prepared."

Sam rose and went over to Meera and Tadan. She looked down at Tadan, "I must take my leave now, Tadan. Festival be in but two turns, and we shall see each other then. I have made arrangements for your Father to bring you to Woden directly after the festival, as there is someone I wish you to meet. If you would but like, you could come to visit me every few turns in Woden and we could discuss your drawings and ideas. Perhaps you would like to do my Woden rounds with me and meet our women.

They might also enjoy hearing of your ideas and may give you more."

Tadan gave the knife and sword back to Meera and went to Sam. He held her, "Highest Mother, you have made my cycle. It most pleases me to see you and makes me but calmer. I will come over, on that you can be - 316 -.

assured. I hope you invite me in truth, as I will come. I have missed you so, Mother."

"Be strong, Tadan, as there is only cause for joy. A new era has occurred and I have finally let the bonds of prior go. My dwelling is but your dwelling. Come whenever you have the need. Meera will inform the guards of so. And remember, although your Birth-Mother be not with us, her love will always be with us."

They hugged each other and Sam kissed him on his head and sent a message, I love you much, Young Tadan. You make me most proud. Your Birth-Mother is most pleased by you.

Tadan smiled and waved his farewell. Briggon went over and placed his arms around Tadan, "Thank you for coming, Highest."

Meera, Jandra and Sam all walked back to Woden, mostly in silence.

Briggon had given all the gifts for a guard to take to Sam's dwelling so that she wouldn't have to carry them, so Sam was free to think on the turn. It was mideve by the moment Sam and Jandra had arrived to their dwelling, and Meera took her leave from there. Their eve meal was prepared and ready, and Sam was most hungry, again.

She halted near a guard for a moment first, "Please send a messenger to Keddi. I have need to see her, if she can but come this eve."

The guard nodded and left to find a messenger.

Sam went into the kitchen and found Jandra waiting with their meal on the table. Jandra said, "Sit down and eat, Highest. Even though you are eating these turns, you remain overly thin. It be all this riding and walking that takes away all your size."

Sam and Jandra sat and began to eat. May had prepared a fish dinner, with the entire fish stuffed with rice, vegetables and sauce. She had also baked fresh bread, and Sam thought it a fine meal. She noticed that there were some fruit tarts remaining from the morn. Sam looked at Jandra and saw that she looked overly concerned. Sam didn't know how to begin a conversation about this turn, as she was used to living alone and keeping her thoughts inside.

She fought for conversation and finally decided on just a question, "How did you think of the turn, Jandra?"

Jandra slowly closed and reopened her eyes, sighing slightly, "As like most turns with you, it was ever amazing. I have come to believe that most your turns are filled with surprises and adventures. My life up to you has been one of mostly quiet turn-to-turn living. I feel like I am but a passing friend in your life, like Oisin or Meera, or any other. You know not how to live with the idea of constancy, Sam. I have come to understand that you do not purposefully withhold knowledge from me, but there be so much to tell that you know not where to begin."

- 317 -.

Sam raised her eyebrows slightly and thought about that statement.

She thought that Jandra was mostly correct in it. Nothing much in her life had been permanent. She had no model for what constancy even looked-like.

Finally, Sam nodded, "I think you speak truthfully and accurately. In reflecting on it, May and this dwelling are the only constants in my life. It be a true but sad statement in that I don't know how to treat you on a turn-to-turn basis. I had Brett for a few cycles, this be most true, but it has been as many cycles since she has but left, and I am well used to lovers entering and exiting my life and dwelling. With each comes excitement, and when they leave, comes a relief of being back to my way of life. I enjoy you here and with me, Jandra, but I do find myself having to think about it and making myself to act differently than my old patterns. I am sorry I am not better for you."

"No, Sam. It be not for you to be sorry about this. Even you were not aware that Keddi was Brett's sister. And when would you have had but the opportunity to inform me about Brett and Tadan? It be all most stunning, and must be so to you as well. I am continually stunned by how much you have held within you all these cycles, especially in regard to Brett. Most women I know speak continually about their complaints and sorrows. You rarely speak at all, let alone about your thoughts and feelings. At the end of this turn, Sam, I find myself simply amazed to learn that you are a mother.

A mother to Tadan, the boy-wonder of intellect. I am continually amazed at how revered you are across all of Woden. And I remain but continually amazed at your humbleness. The former Highest was never so humble, Sam. She most enjoyed being adored and recognized. And you never tire of doing your duty. The former Highest would take a cycle or more to do as much as you do in one turn. And I have been continually amazed at how you treat your advisors, and them you. Never was a meeting so cordial with the former Highest. There was always violent arguing and shouting, and she would never halt it. Now I am led to believe that she might have even encouraged it so. And then you arrive at the end of this overly busy turn and blame yourself for not treating me as a newly arrived lover. We have our issues, Sam, and will have to learn to work through them. I think our issues be mostly mine, though. You expect nothing from me and seem delighted for whatever you get from me. It is I with the expectations, and yet you are The Highest. Should I expect more from you at the end of every turn when you have given yourself fully, already?"

Sam laughed, "I would think you have but the right to do so. If we are to become companions, I would think you would want more of me than a tired and worn-out woman at the end of each turn."

"How is it I knew not that Brett but had a child?"

- 318 -.

"How is it I knew not that Brett but had a sister?"

Jandra laughed, "It does seem strange, does it not? We number only over 2,000 people in all of Woden. Is it that many that so many facts go unlearned?"