"I do not suppose my voice counts, any longer."

They both ignored her.

"How long did the Old One say until we do battle?"

"Within one moon."

"How did you but escape from this dwelling without the guards noticing?"

Sam told the story of how they left the dwelling, where they went, and how they returned. "And I but stole a sword from one of the guards, as you have already guessed. That be not as important, however. The guard knew me and was not looking for me to steal their weapon. It is prior eve that concerns me most. This must not occur again. Their vigilance must be guaranteed."

Meera nodded and went to get Keddi and Margeria. She brought them back inside and told them the story Sam had told her. They both listened without comment, but Sam could see their eyes widen when Meera told of the child, as well as when Meera told them of the guards not knowing of Sam's and Jandra's escape from the dwelling.

When Meera mentioned that they would need to take Jandra to the Spirit Mothers of the Falls, Keddi asked, "Where be our Spirit Mothers? I know not."

Sam and Meera told Keddi and Margeria the location of the Spirit Mothers, and then Margeria asked, "You would like us to be Jandra's guards until the battle begins?"

- 353 -.

Meera nodded, "I need our best here with her. You could but teach and practice with the other guards at the same moment."

"Why do we not take Second to the Spirit Mothers now, Highest?"

"We will soon. I but await the Old One now. We will directly after, unless an urgency occurs prior."

All looked down at Jandra. Meera asked Sam, "What will this child be like, Sam?"

"I know not, Meera. I know not if Jandra and I but want a child. We have had but little moments to ourselves. A child will be most demanding."

Jandra rose, "Enough of this. The ships need seeing to. I would like to go, but fear you will not allow me. I would like to see the women, men and children that have but come so far to hope to live in Woden."

Keddi said, "Wherever Second goes, Margeria and I will be there. Second of Defense, will you do something about the guards?"

Meera nodded her head, frowned and lowered her brows, "You may count on this. I will also see that Anicia and Anyst guard Jandra. Woden, Hengist and their guards will be on full alert by very early morn. It will be but a long eve for all the guards. For you and Margeria, it will be less than one moon prior to Buron's battle."

Meera left to send a message to Briggon. Upon her return, she looked at Sam, "Will Jandra be coming with us to the ships?"

Sam looked at Jandra and then at Meera, "We will all be there, so that might be the safest of locations. Let us go. There be much to attend to."

"By the way, Highest, Reims has been but attended to. He is no more.

I saw to this personally."

Sam nodded. They all walked to the docks. Sam walked with Jandra, behind Meera and Keddi. Margeria and a few guards brought up the rear.

Jandra asked Sam, as they walked, "What be these green stones, Sam?"

"They are stones the Spirit Mothers would have me use to increase my power. I know not how."

"Who be this Reims? Is he not one of those from the Apien group?"

"He was. He be but another traitor. He was the father of Jemera, but was a follower of Manthar. He but raped his child each turn, and beat her.

I asked Meera to rid Woden of him."

Jandra just looked at Sam, wondering how she dealt with so much, but was also well angered at her. She said nothing, yet not knowing what to do regarding their companionship, but had decided to not take it out on Sam this moment.

The group had to exit the community's eastern-most gates and then walk down to the harbor's docks. They were shocked at the numbers of women, men and children that they saw as they approached. Karan had wisely called for all the advisors to help, and all were there trying to provide - 354 -.

some order. As Sam and Jandra approached, Karan and all the advisors knelt.

The newly arrived watched and guessed that someone of importance had just arrived, and followed Karan's example. As Sam neared, the advisors all said, "Highest."

Sam heard murmurs from the crowd, as if they had not expected to meet or see The Highest of Woden. Meera let Sam through her guard, but held Jandra back.

"Second, please take what I tell you well. I mean no disrespect. I was there protecting Sam when Brett was but killed. Sam has now provided that I guard you. I will not allow you to be killed, as was Brett. You but asked to come with us. You are here. While you be here, though, you will be where I can but protect you. You will do what I say, when I say it. Do you understand me?"

Jandra was beginning to feel as a prisoner and began to know how Sam felt when she said the same, "I can help organize this group, Meera."

"I know you are able to do this, Second. But it will not be so. I know not these newly arrived and will not place you in any jeopardy. It be The Highest's command. And it will be so."

"At least, Meera, I will expect my orders to be carried out, then."

"It is no problem to but provide your orders for others to follow."

"I am your prisoner, it would seem."

Meera looked at her, not smiling, "Better me than Buron, Jandra. Of this I am certain."

"I will abide by your commands of me, as what choice do I have in this?"

Sam looked to the group, including her advisors. She guessed there to be about 150 new arrivals, "Please rise."

She said to the group, "Welcome to Woden. We will care for you until we can decide what it is you hope for and require. Until Woden makes some decisions of itself, you are but guests in Woden and Hengist. You will be made comfortable, and we will but care to your needs. Please know that you will all be confined to the dwellings you are provided until we can make further arrangements. There will be no exceptions to this rule. No harm in any fashion will happen to you unless you disobey this rule.

Woden wants to embrace our newly arrived, but we now face a battle in The Realm and must maintain order in our community. We but need your cooperation and understanding if we are to win our battle. We will not ask you to take part in our battles, but if there be trained guards and fighters who volunteer, we will not turn you away."

Sam turned to Meera, "I would like Briggon and Hengist here, as soon as possible."

- 355 -.

"Yes, Highest."

Sam saw movement behind Margeria, looked over Meera's shoulder and saw Briggon already arriving with his guards and advisors.

Sam looked back to Meera, "You have already made that so?"

"I but follow your command, Highest."

Sam leaned closer to Meera, "You always try to make me look more intelligent than I am."

Meera smiled, but said nothing.

"Thank you," then she turned to Karan, "What arrangements have been organized?"

Karan looked overwhelmed at the numbers, "We but try, Highest.

There be many arrivals here and we have barely the space. But I see Briggon has arrived, so perhaps Hengist will relieve the stress. Not to worry, Highest. All will be housed by late eve."

"Karan. Meera. I want not these arrivals at Festival next turn. We know not these arrivals and cannot trust them."

Karan and Meera nodded. Briggon had come up and overheard Sam's orders, "It will interfere with festival only slightly, Highest. All of us, your advisors, will make it so that the guards take turns guarding and attending festival. Between Woden and Hengist, there be enough dwellings."

Karan nodded, "And there be extra rooms in the Community Dwelling, Highest, since you decide not to move there. That will provide for at least 30 of these arrivals."

Jandra moved forward enough to ask, "Are our food supplies adequate for all these arrivals?"

Karan went to Liley and brought her over, "Liley, Second would like to know if we have adequate food supplies for all these?" Karan moved her hand to show all the new arrivals.

Liley shrugged, "Is there a choice in this? I have spoken with Janel and she has informed me that they will provide more fish in the interim.

And we have but eight moons of storage. A little over our requirement. So we should be fine. Hengist?"

Landric responded, "We also have a little spare this moment, so between us, there will be but enough."

Liley nodded and turned to Jandra, "We will provide enough for all, Second."

Sam looked to Meera, "Who is in charge of the Sea-Duty while Oisin gone?"

Meera looked by the docks and found who she but searched for. She motioned to a guard to bring Grian over to The Highest.

- 356 -.

"Grian is Oisin's assistant while she be out of Woden. She is most capable and will patrol and protect the harbor and Woden well. Senan is Hengist's." She turned to Briggon, "Is Senan patrolling the waters?"

Briggon nodded, "All ships are presently on full alert, with full crews and weapons. We are ready, Second of defense."

Grian arrived, knelt and bowed her head to Sam, "Highest. How may I serve you?"

"We need your strength and full protection. We will be but attacked within the moon. Are you prepared to defend all of Woden from the sea, without Oisin?"

"I am fully prepared. Our ships hide our weapons, but they are present and prepared. We can overtake five ships, if need be, at the same moment, with Hengist's assistance. Oisin has but prepared me well, Highest.

We have also prepared a trap, if needed. Have no fear. Oisin relies on me with much reason. I will fight to the death for you, Highest."

"Thank you, Grian. Take orders from only me or Meera. Do you understand what this means, Grian?"

Grian nodded, "I be Oisin until her return. I but command the waters until then. And Senan takes orders from me."

"It is an overly large responsibility, Grian."

"I will protect Woden's shoreline with my life, Highest. You may count on me and my crew."

Sam nodded, hoping it was truth, "May the Spirit Mothers be with us all."

Sam turned to Meera once again, "Send a messenger around to the sentries, or have you already seen to that as well?"

Meera nodded but didn't confirm Sam's statement, "It will be done as commanded, Highest."

"I am not needed here any further. Karan, if you need any further assistance, Janel is but a fine organizer. She can help. Caitha will also be another you can but call on. Meet with me in the morn and bring me up-to-date on this progress."

Karan nodded, "Now that Briggon and Hengist are here, we will be completed in but a short moment. The Community Dwelling provides much space. Thank you for your statement to these arrivals. They but needed to hear those words."

Sam turned to Briggon, "Thank you, Briggon. I will see you in the morn."

Sam turned to Jandra, took her arm and began to walk back to their dwelling. Keddi and Margeria led the way while six other guards followed closely.

- 357 -.

As they walked back to their dwelling, Sam was feeling slightly pleased and smiled to Jandra, "Jandra, I think I like this idea of companionship. I feel most comfortable this eve with the idea."

"Now is a fine moment for this, Highest, as now I am not sure. And I know not about this baby. I would like a few moments to think on all this, prior to festival."

Sam hadn't thought of the possibility of Jandra yet being upset, "But Jandra, I heard you say that you love me. Does that not mean that we can becom"

She couldn't hold her anger in any further, so interrupted Sam, "I don't know, Sam. I am confused. I want not this baby. Not at my cycles.

I don't even know if we should be companions. We have overly many issues to think on. And now you force the issue, and imprison me over some stupid story about The Realm and this child. About how the Spirit Mothers have made this baby. What am I supposed to think on all this, Sam? This makes no sense to me. What does make sense to me is that this eve, you could not even return into your dwelling because I was there. BECAUSE I WAS THERE, SAM! You don't want me. You but want a lover. You want some vessel to carry your child. Find another, Sam, as I cannot do this thing between us any longer. All that you want is sex."

Sam halted, staring blankly at Jandra. She hadn't even noticed that Jandra was so angry with her, "I am stunned. And you be correct. I am a terrible, lousy companion. I know not why this child must be, but the Spirit Mothers have made it so. They say it so to save The Realm. I know what imprisonment feels like, so I now apologize for this."

She knelt before Jandra, "But I say this to you. I need you, Jandra. I truly need you. I have many issues, I know, but I am willing to try. I want this to happen between us. It feels good. It feels but the correct thing to do. I am sorry I have been such a worthless companion to you. I know I am but selfish and act as a child in this regard, but give me a chance, Jandra.

I vow to give you my very best. I need you, Jandra. Please, remain with me."

Just the sight of Sam falling on her knees to her softened Jandra's heart. She felt that she would most likely be sorry for this, but had decided to forgive Sam, and give their relationship another chance. Jandra rolled her head and eyes, then laughed. She said softly, "If others were not watching, Highest, I would but kick you at this moment." Sam laughed, rose and held tightly onto Jandra.

Jandra said softly, "I know I will come to regret this decision, Sam of Woden."

As they arrived to the dwelling, Keddi said to Sam, but so that all the guards could hear, "Highest, you and Second may try to escape, but your - 358 -.

turns of escaping be over now that I and Margeria be here. We are not as easy as what occurred prior eve. You may rest quietly knowing of this. We remain on full alert."

The guards winced at hearing this. They knew that what had occurred was going to come back to them. Meera hadn't yet spoken of it, but they knew she would, soon. In the meanwhile, they would try to make amends by being less naive and more alert. Sam smiled and nodded at Keddi's words, and she and Jandra went inside.

"I have but a short message to have delivered, Jandra. Wait here. I will return quickly."

Sam went to a guard and asked for a message to be delivered this eve.