Jandra placed the wine flask upon the bank and wrapped her arms around Sam. They sat there like that for quite a while until Jandra thought that Sam had fallen asleep. Gently, she began rubbing Sam's breasts and slowly moved one hand down between her legs. As she did so, Sam moaned softly. Jandra kept her motions slow and soft for a long, long moment until she could feel Sam moving into her. Slowly, Jandra increased the pressure until after many long moments, Sam shivered and moaned, and then relaxed onto Jandra. Jandra continued to just hold Sam for a long while.

Finally, Sam sat up and moved into deeper water, "Look at the stars.

Are they not beautiful? Upon many occasions I would but come here when there be no moon, and the stars shone almost as bright. On one occasion, I but came here and saw an entire eve of shooting stars. I counted well over 300 and halted there, but watched them through the entire eve. It was a most wondrous sight."

"I do not think I have ever had the occasion to halt and watch the moon or stars much. They have been but passing things to me. This moon is most beautiful. And as you say, it is beautiful against the water. I have seen shooting stars once, and only just a few then. I love the stars, but they seem overly far away."

As the moon's setting began to occur, Sam rose and put out her hand so as to help Jandra do the same, "We must leave as it will be morn overly soon. It is why I but asked you if you had an early morn meeting."

- 324 -.

They dressed back into their garments, Sam helped Jandra back upon the horse, Sam mounted, and they began their journey back to Woden.

As they returned to the animal farm, Sam said, "I hope you but had a good eve, Jandra. If the guards found out we were but gone, they will be here waiting."

"I had a most wonderful eve, Sam. Thank you much. I think it was the best eve of my life. What a wonderful gift you gave me."

As they approached the farm, Sam noticed no guards around. She silently jumped down from the horse, helped Jandra down, and returned the horse to its stall. She brushed the horse and unbridled it, and found some extra feed for it.

Then she turned to Jandra and whispered, "Let us see if we can sneak in as well as we snuck out. We will go silently to the river, and then walk up from there as if we had gone nowhere at all."

Jandra nodded and laughed quietly. They snuck down to the river and followed it until they were near their dwelling.

Sam began to speak as if she were not hiding, "The birds at the river are most funny, are they not Jandra?"

"Yes, Sam. I am glad that we were able to help the babies to find their Birth-Mother."

Jandra couldn't help but laugh, but it didn't matter. The guards heard Sam and Jandra and looked at each other, wondering how they had gotten out of the house without any of the guards seeing them. The main guard felt lucky in that The Highest and The Second had just gone to the river and no where else.

As Sam approached the guard, she nodded, "Nice eve, is it not? We heard the birds and went to check on them by the river. We return inside now. Thank you for keeping watch."

The guard nodded, but said nothing. Jandra put her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. She had never done such, prior, and it had most pleased her.

They had gone to bed in the early morn, having spent most the eve at the hot springs. Jandra had risen and left for her meeting prior to Sam rising. After eating her morn meal, Sam readied herself and walked over to the infirmary.

As Sam entered, Anselet greeted her, and knelt before her, "Highest.

"Please rise. How be you this turn, Anselet?"

"I am well, Highest. It is good to see you. I assume you have come to see all the ones you have rescued."

- 325 -.

"Be they well and improved?"

"One has but lost her unborn child. Another is dying. We cannot save her, Highest. She became overly weak from starvation. Another is borderline, but I think she will live. All the children seem to be doing well.

We will be providing families for a few of the children soon. And for those women who wish to remain in Woden, Karan has but given her permission for them to be housed. Be that correct, Highest?"

"If Karan wishes it to be so, then so it be."

Anselet nodded, "I will escort you around to the ones you wish to see."

"The five women from the ship. Be they yet here?"

"They are, Highest. Would you like to begin with them?"

Sam nodded, and Anselet led the way. It seemed that the infirmary was filled this turn. Sam noticed that Patrice was no longer in the bed she had occupied and thought she had but returned to her own dwelling.

"Can we get some of the stronger ones to the festival for at least a small part of it?"

"As you wish, Highest. I will see to it."

Anselet led Sam into one of the smaller of the infirmary's rooms. As they entered, Sam saw that all five women from the ship were in the one room.

Anselet walked in and introduced Sam, "This be Woden's Highest.

She has come to meet with you this turn."

All the women looked wide-eyed, and all got up from their beds and knelt down to Sam, and bowed their heads.

Sam turned to Anselet, "Where might I find you when I am but finished here?"

Anselet had thought she would be staying, but simply nodded and said, "I will wait for you outside the door, Highest." She left and closed the door.

The women were yet kneeling, "Please rise and make yourselves comfortable."

As they went back to their beds, Sam said, "Perhaps you could provide your names to me. I know you not, but welcome you to Woden."

"I be Noirin, Highest. Thank you for rescuing us from that ship and those men. We are most grateful for your intervention. I know not if you have been informed, but we would like to remain and live our lives in Woden."

Sam nodded and went and opened the door, "Anselet, would you please send a messenger to Karan. I have need of her assistance, if she but free to come."

Sam closed the door again, "You know of Woden and our laws?"

- 326 -.

"Yes, Highest. Karan has informed us."

"Tell me of yourselves and your crafts. Where were you kidnapped you from?"

Sam sat on the edge of one of the beds. Noirin began, "I am a glass blower and mirror maker."

She motioned over to another woman, "This be Immolet."

Immolet rose, "I be but a midwife and learning-to-be healer."

She sat and another rose, "Highest, I be Caitlin. I would like to learn the fisheries."

Gaoth rose, "I be Gaoth, Highest. I am a garment maker and maker of thread."

Neilla rose, "I prepare foods for long storage, Highest. I can also sew.

I am called Neilla."

Noirin spoke again, "We were taken from New Harborage, Highest.

We overheard that we were being taken to Fornaith, in the far northern regions, to a ruler named King Buron. It mattered not to us, though, as we were but prisoners in New Harborage, as well. All the men be evil in our realm, although we have but heard that the men of Hengist do not treat women badly. I am sure that be because of Woden. None of us wish to ever live out in The Realm again. We wish to remain here and live the Woden way, with you, Highest. There are reports of you throughout The Realm, and anyone that can but escapes to come here now. We have good skills for Woden, Highest. And if they be not sufficient, we are but willing to learn whatever you need of us. We have heard the rumors and know you to be kind and fair. We know that all are expected to share the work of Woden, and that all live in peace here."

Sam looked around at the others, "Does she speak for all of you?"

Neilla spoke, "We have had many turns now to discuss our lucky turn of events. We were being taken to Fornaith, as they have not enough women of breeding age. The men be afraid that there will not be enough children left in The Realm, so rape women two or three moments each turn just to ensure that they become with child. We have but heard that the women of Woden are warriors and are well able to defend their community.

We wish to be in Woden, live peacefully, perform our trades, and learn to become warriors. We have heard that you are the greatest of them all and can throw a knife at hundreds of paces, shoot three arrows accurately at one moment, and wield the heaviest sword of all."

Sam laughed, "I but sound like I am an overly strong and large woman." She shook her head, "I am not these things. Yes, I can but throw a knife, shoot an arrow, and wield a sword, but there are others far more skilled than myself."

- 327 -.

Gaoth spoke up, "Nay, Highest. We have heard that you are the brav-est of them all and lead all directly into battle with no fear. I can see this be in you, Highest. The women of Woden have also said this to be so. We hear much while we wait in the infirmary."

"Tell me of New Harborage. What goes on there, now?"

Caitlin spat out her words, "Evil! Wickedness! It is not but a breeding ground of hatred, greed and sickness. There is no peace and there is no safety. We were but guarded turn-in and turn-out. When we were allowed to sleep, we would be awakened so as to be raped. I believe the women's wombs go dry now, younger and younger, from these punishments and evils. I hate these men, Highest. If you but give me a sword and teach me to use it, I will wield it mightily against them. More blood will flow from my sword than all the blood they made run from women."

Gaoth said, softly, "Some women kill their own babies when they are born so as to prevent them from coming into such an existence."

Sam looked at each of them, "Are any of you with child?"

Neilla shook her head, "We all were. We have all but lost our children.

None of us be with child now, Highest. That be both good and bad. Prior, we desired not these children, but now as we are in Woden, we are saddened by their loss."

The door to their room opened. Karan peeked into the room, "Highest? You sent for me?"

Sam turned to Karan, "Please come in. I need your advice and assistance."

Karan knelt and bowed her head as she came into the room, "I am here for you, Highest."

"Rise, Karan. Tell me, do we have but dwellings ready for these women?"

"We do, Highest, but there is a dilemma that needs your decision.

These women would like to but take each other as companions. Caitlin and Gaoth will be making their companionship at the festival this next turn."

"And there is a dwelling for them?"

"Yes, Highest. But that be not the issue."

Karan paused, and Sam looked at her, wondering what the problem could be.

Karan continued, "I have looked into the laws of Woden on this and have found nothing for or against."

Karan paused, but Sam out-waited her. Karan continued, "Immolet, Neilla, and Noirin all want to be companions and live in one dwelling."

Sam looked at Karan and smiled, "That certainly is a new one, is it not? And you say that the laws say nothing on this?"

"Nothing, Highest."

- 328 -.

"As companions?"

"It is my understanding of such."

Sam looked at Noirin, "Can you explain this to me?"

Noirin blushed but stood steadfast, "When women be shackled together for cycles, strange patterns occur. We are all three but as one."

Sam provided an argument, "Three can be a difficult number, Noirin.

Often, the third but can feel left out."

Immolet nodded, "Perhaps if that comes to be, Highest, then one of us may choose to take their own companion. In the meanwhile, it is but our way and would hope to not be separated."

Sam looked to Neilla, "Neilla, you seem to be the quiet one. Do you ever feel left out in this triad?"

"No, Highest. Never. This is truth."

Sam nodded and looked to Karan, "Karan, what do you think of this?"

"There is no law, so it be not against the law. The women will all have something to say about it, but they also know it is not against the law. It is new and so will face the tongues of new things. In moments to come, it would be accepted, if these three make it so. Their mannerisms within the community will make all the difference."

Sam looked to Noirin, "This makes much sense to me. The community will expect much of you, and being a companionship of three might make it overly easy to avoid the community."

"Highest, we would but vow to make it good in the community. We would work to have them embrace us."

Sam frowned a bit at Noirin, "And if I but made that a condition?

And if it should not occur, as you say it would, then I would but split the triad. What say you to this?"

Immolet, Neilla and Noirin all nodded. Neilla responded, "It is as we have but heard. You are the most fair and kind in all The Realm. Highest, please place any condition on us you wish. We will vow and live up to the conditions. We pledge you our lives and support. They are but yours to command."

Sam looked at Karan. Both were startled at the statement. Sam asked, "How did you come to use those words?"

Neilla looked embarrassed, "But, Highest, those are the most famous of all words throughout The Realm. They are but the words you spoke when you took your oath. All know of such. It rings throughout the land.