"I know not, but I am stunned that you knew not that Brett had a child. Perhaps because it was but a boy, it became quiet."

Sam got up and went to the counter, "Would you like a fruit tart?

These are exceptionally good."

Jandra nodded, "Just one for me. You can eat the extras."

A guard entered and knelt to Sam, "Highest, Keddi has arrived."

"Please send her in, and thank you."

The guard left and Keddi entered and knelt, "Highest." She rose and bowed her head to Jandra, "Second."

Sam smiled at her, "You have arrived at but just the correct moment.

Sit and have one of May's delicious fruit tarts. It be one of her best sweets."

Sam put one in front of Keddi as Keddi sat at the long table, next to Jandra.

She took a bite and smiled, "It must be fine to have your own cook.

My ability with sweets is if I can pick a fruit fresh from its limb."

"There be more if you would so like. Thank you for coming, Keddi. I have but two issues I need to discuss with you. First, do you think Woden should continue the training and use of Scouts, such as yourself and Brett?"

"I have thought on this issue, Highest, and in truth think the idea needs but refining. It is my suggestion to pick twenty or twenty-five of the best guards and give them specialized training for scout work, but that they go for shortened periods. I was sent for what was to be half my life. I think it would be improved if we trained our guards for scouting duties and then send them on special assignments, say for perhaps two-to-three or four moons, at most. In this fashion, they could lead a more normal life than our scouts do at present, and they would stand less risk of discovery. I think we send our scouts for overly long and discovery is almost guaranteed. By leaving within a moon or so, they are not so involved within the community. The negative to this is that the information will be somewhat more difficult to obtain. But it can be bought. I think it most important that the scouts be able to return home, to a safe place, and to have such to think about. Otherwise, it can be like walking to your own death, and there is little enough motivation in that."

Sam agreed, "It makes but sense, Keddi. Would you be willing, now that you are to remain in Woden, to work with Meera to train our future scouts and organize the scouting patrols?"

- 319 -.

"I was hoping something like this would occur so that I would be able to contribute in such a way. I would be most delighted to, Highest. It would be my pleasure."

"But it means that you must ensure that I learn this two-arrow practice of yours. My training is to be but one of your duties too."

She laughed, "That be easy enough, Highest."

"Good. I wil inform Meera of this. I have one more item this eve, Keddi. You are aware how surprised I was to learn that you were Brett's sister."

Keddi frowned and shook her head, slightly, "I am sorry that you had to learn of this in that fashion, Highest."

She waved her hand, dismissing the notion, "It be not an issue. There are many things we learn these turns. And now there is something I must share with you that I have but neglected to, but only out of absence of mind on my part. Please know that I have not hidden this from you. The presence of it just struck me this turn, or I would have but informed you sooner. Keddi, were you aware that Brett but had a child?"

Keddi looked shocked, "A child? Brett? Where be this child? A girl?"

Sam shook her head, "No. It be but a boy child."

"Is he well and in Hengist? Who be the Father?"

"He be well. And he is extremely bright. He is of ten cycles, and his father be Briggon."

"Briggon? Brett laid with Briggon? Be there a different Briggon?"

"No. It be the Third of Hengist Briggon. He be the father. Brett's son is named Tadan. And I would like you to but meet him. Briggon would like as much, also. Tadan resembles Brett much in his thinking and in his facial looks."

"A son. I am caught most unaware, Highest."

"I know Keddi, and I am but sorry to have to tell you in such a manner. You should have but known this much sooner. Tadan was but two cycles when Brett was killed. He remembers her well."

"This be foolishness. How could a babe of two cycles remember their Birth-Mother?"

"Tadan was never a baby. He spoke fully at one cycle. He remembers most aspects of Brett. Some clearer than even me. He is even aware which of his features resemble Brett's."

"When might I meet Tadan?"

"At Festival, or directly after. Would that but suit you?"

"Oh, yes, Highest. It be as if a part of Brett yet lives, be it not?"

"It is for me now. For many cycles, I could not think of Tadan as he brought overly much pain just to see him. But now he brings happiness."

- 320 -.

"I never would have believed that Brett would have a child. Forgive me for asking, Highest, but why was it not you, instead? I would have guessed that, as Brett was so focused on perfecting her guarding abilities."

Sam smiled slightly, "You will have to forgive me for not answering your question, Keddi. Perhaps another moment. For now, go and think of Brett's son, Tadan. She was his Birth-Mother. And Tadan will be most excited about meeting you."

Keddi rose, "Thank you, Highest. It was a shock, but a good one.

May I ask a question of you?"

Sam nodded, so Keddi asked, "I am unsure about who is to ask who to be a companion at Festival."

Jandra nodded, "You mean, do you ask Margeria, or does she but ask you?"

"Yes, you have my meaning."

Sam and Jandra both laughed, and Jandra responded, "The rules and laws be most unclear on this these moments in our community. In truth, since you are residing in Margeria's dwelling, it be more correct for her to ask you. If it be her dwelling and you ask her, you give her no dwelling to go to. You also have the higher status in rank because you are a scout and she but a guard. In this regard, it also be more correct for her to ask you.

If you, as the higher rank, asked her, it could be seen as forcing the issue, which be frowned upon. But there are rules in regard to the number of cycles each has, who has seen other companionships, and so on. My best council to you would be for Margeria to do the asking of you to take her as your companion. There would be no argument on this. Does that help, Keddi?'

"Oh, yes, Second. Many, many thanks. Margeria and I have worried about this, and festival is in two turns. This relieves our stress. Good eve, Highest. Second."

Keddi waved and left, and Sam just shook her head and laughed, "That was but a quick decision on their parts. They did not wait but two moments."

"They are so excited and happy. It is good to see such."

Sam looked at Jandra, "Is there such excitement for you, Jandra?"

Jandra blushed lightly, "I think it be more nervousness on my part. I am unsure if you are prepared for companionship. I think you will accept it should I ask it of you, but I remain unconvinced that it is what you desire, fully. I think you be more like Oisin in this regard."

Sam thought about her statement a bit and then replied, "Perhaps we should but wait until festival next, then, do you think? I would like it much if you could be happy about such. And I would like you to rest in the assuredness that it is what I but want. It makes no difference if we but do - 321 -.

this now or festival next. The advisors will complain, but I will almost miss their incessant complaining about this should it go away. But know this, Jandra, whether we wait or no, I want you as my companion."

"Perhaps you are correct. It should cause no stress, and yet I feel overly stressed. I will wait until the correct moment and am certain that it will occur. What be your plans for next turn, Sam?"

"Rounds in Woden. Visit the infirmary and all our new guests. Visit the fisheries and the docks. And you?"

"Final Festival preparation. We arrange but the last details. It will take up most the turn. I hope it will go well for all. The bridge be in good order, and we have arranged that Hengist will sound a louder sounding alarm, and arrange for it to be used much so as to ensure return of all the women.

The food looks to be excellent, and the entertainment will be more grand than ever prior. And were you aware that there will be a full moon's rise this festival? It be a rare occurrence."

"Do you begin in the early morn?"

"There be no need. By early midturn is soon enough. Do you need me in the morn?"

"Would you like to but escape with me this eve?"

"Escape? How? Where do we head?"

"It be a surprise. Willing to take a risk?"

"No guards, Sam?"

Sam smiled, "No. None. If we can but escape."

Jandra agreed, and Sam enacted her plan. She had Jandra enter the patio and state that she heard a noise off in the trees. When the guards moved in that direction, Jandra and Sam slipped out the front door and moved down to the river and into the shadows. Sam then led Jandra out to the gardens and into the animal farms. She got a horse and bridled it, took a horse blanket, and helped Jandra onto the horse.

Jandra became confused, "Sam, are you not getting a horse for you?"

Sam shook her head and mounted behind Jandra, "Shhh. Only whisper. I have need to be with you without guards surrounding us every moment. I but ride with you. Have you yet been to the hot springs?"

Jandra turned and smiled, "Long prior as a young girl. Is that where we head?"

Sam smiled, placed her arms around Jandra, took the reins and moved the horse off quietly. After a short while and once they were well away from Woden's gates, Sam relaxed.

"I think we managed to escape, Sam."

- 322 -.

"And Meera will be at our door upon our return. I will catch it for this, and it will be but a long while before I will be able to make another such escape."

"Will Meera be very angry with you?"

"Oh, she will, but I will but tell her that I help to train her guards.

Poor guards. Meera will be all over them for this. I will but have to set it correct, somehow, for them. But enough of worrying. We are to have some fun this eve."

Sam nudged the horse into a slow run. As they came closer to the springs, Sam slowed the horse to a walk. She then began to move her hands to Jandra's breasts and between her legs. Jandra moaned at the sudden and unexpected feeling, the motion of the horse adding to her pleasure.

Sam kissed the back of Jandra's neck while removing Jandra's shirt. She moved one hand back between Jandra's legs, into the warm and moist spot, and the other onto her breasts. The horse kept moving slowly, and Sam held tightly with her arms around Jandra as Jandra drifted off into total sensual awareness. Sam could hear and feel Jandra breathing heavier and becoming totally unaware as to her surroundings. Sam forced Jandra to take it slowly.

She whispered into Jandra's ear, "Make it last."

Sam kept the horse moving slowly by nudging it every now and then with her legs. It was a more difficult thing to keep Jandra moving slowly.

She whispered again, "Make it last."

Jandra moaned loudly, "I cannot. I have never felt this way."

Sam moved her hand away for but a moment, and Jandra moaned again. She moved both hands to Jandra's breasts. Jandra took one of Sam's hands and placed it back between her legs and Sam began to fulfill Jandra's pleasure. Slowly, Jandra came to a total consuming release, and then drooped into Sam's arms, leaning back onto her.

Sam laughed softly, "Yet with me?"

"Barely. I cannot move. I think my body died. It has never felt this way, prior."

Jandra rested her hands and arms on Sam's legs as Sam picked up the reins again and trotted the horse to the springs. Jandra just relaxed onto Sam the rest of the way. When they got to the springs, Sam helped Jandra down, they undressed, and entered the hot springs.

"How long prior since you came here, Sam?"

"A while prior. A cycle or more. I brought us a flask of wine, but no glasses. Do you mind drinking from the flask?"

"Look, Sam. The moon. It be almost full."

She looked at Sam as if an idea finally came, "That be why you brought me here this eve. The moon is almost full. It be beautiful, Sam.

- 323 -.

Thank you. This be most wonderful. I can see why you like to but escape.

It is so peaceful here, and the hot water feels so good on my old bones."

"You are not old. You are beautiful. You are truly the most beautiful woman in all of Woden."

"Come over here and lean against me while we share the wine and gaze at the moon."

She did, her back leaning against the front of Jandra while they drank the wine, watched the moon move slightly, and felt the hot water pass their bodies.

"Sam, I think you are a romantic, but have never shared that with anyone. Except probably for Brett."

Sam just smiled, "I like the outside and nature. I find the moon upon the water mesmerizing. And I but wanted to see your body with the moon upon it. I speak truly, Jandra. You are a most stunningly beautiful woman.

I have never prior seen such as you. Never. Did your mother ever say where you came from?"

"No. I wonder, though. I wondered about it just recently. I be not certain I am from here."