"How can this be so? Are they as innocent as all this?"

"Yes, my Queen."

"And her lover, as well?"

"There is a young lad, her son. Tadan. He is the child of her now-dead companion. He is most intelligent, and seems to know of The Realm.

But no one really listens to him."

"Ah, yes. I recall this child."

"And one other thing, my Queen. Her lover? She recalls nothing prior to her seventh cycle. It is as if she has been blocked of such memories, as she is most intelligent. Her eyes shine with such, my Queen."

"So, she has beautiful eyes as well?"

"Unlike any other. Even The Highest's eyes are beautiful, but are not as stunning as her lover's. In all ways, my Queen, this woman is astonishing."

"Such a waste for her to carry this unborn. But at least the Promised One will be beautiful, as she will need be. So be it. Keep Me informed."

- 364 -.

Chapter VIII.

Festival Karan had never been with Sam for a meal. She was nervous as they sat to eat. Sam served the meal, and they all liked the egg and potato casserole that May had prepared. Sam noticed that it had cheese and onion in it, also; two of her favorites.

"Did you get enough sleep to make it through the turn now, Karan?"

She looked up, "Oh yes, Highest. Thank you for letting me sleep here.

I was ready to fall down I was so tired."

Jandra poured each of them some juice, "Karan, how be our new arrivals? Be they in fair shape?"

"Mostly. There are some with ailments, some with physical wounds, and many with mental wounds. The healers but feel most needed these turns. Almost to a person, all of them seem in shock and overly frightened.

They all begged to remain in Woden, and they all vowed to do whatever it be required to be here."

"Are all desiring a mixed community?"

"No, Second. Most of the women and young female children want to remain in Woden community permanently. Many of the men would like to live in Hengist. There be 131 total, Highest. Of those, I would guess that around forty of those would like a mixed community. Highest, be there more of this meal?"

Sam rose and got more of the casserole for all of them, "May be the best cook, is she not?"

Jandra and Karan both nodded in total agreement.

"Sam, this be the festival and turn that Karan and Ailis became companions twenty-six cycles prior."

Sam lifted an eyebrow, "Twenty-six? I remember rumors in Woden that they guessed that Karan would not remain long in the companionship.

You were considered but a wild one and untamable. It seems to have worked well enough for you."

- 365 -.

Karan nodded, "Yes, Highest. Ailis is my life. I knew it the moment we met."

Jandra asked, "Did you ever want a child?"

"No. All I wanted was Ailis. Thankfully, she accepted my need."

Jandra looked at Sam to see if she had a reaction. Sam showed none, knowing that Jandra would be watching her.

"Karan. Jandra. What should the Highest but wear to the festival this turn?"

Jandra looked surprised, "You attend Festival this turn?"

Sam nodded to her, "Yes. I will spend the turn with you. I have others to tend to the details of Woden Falls." Sam raised her eyebrow and grinned, "I have been told that this be an important turn for Woden Falls, so I must attend."

Jandra lowered her head so that Karan couldn't see her blush and smile.

Karan replied, "I like your white and gold gown, Highest. You be most beautiful in it. It would make all happy to but see their Highest as a Highest."

Sam looked to Jandra, "Jandra?"

"I agree with Karan. This turn you should look more as a regal Highest and less as a warrior. It will help the festival to have a calmer atmosphere. Battle will be here soon enough."

Karan looked startled, "Oh, Highest, I forgot. I meant to inform you that Lillon has finally recovered and will begin attending to you again this turn, at Festival."

Sam looked to Jandra, "And when are we but going to find you an assistant, Jandra?"

Jandra looked at Sam and cocked her head slightly toward Karan. Sam thought about it a moment. She knew that Karan was certainly capable enough, but wondered if Karan could do that plus keep up all the archives and past of Woden.

"Karan, have you ever wanted to do something other than advisor?"

"Highest? What do you mean? Are you displeased with me?"

Sam laughed, "I should be as displeased with all the advisors. No, Karan. I but wonder if you would like to be The Second's assistant. You would work more closely with her. Be this something you might consider?"

"Second, would you but want this as well?"

"I gave Sam the idea, Karan. Would you do it?"

"Oh, yes, Second. I would love this. When do I begin?"

Jandra rose, "How about now? Let us get The Highest prepared for her turn at the festival, then you can tend to me."

Karan got up from the table and knelt before Sam, "Highest."

- 366 -.

Sam looked surprised and held her arms up to Jandra as if questioning this, "Karan, there is no need for this. Rise and tend to Jandra."

"But, Highest, there is. You have been so good to us. To all of Woden." She bowed her head, "Thank you, Highest."

"Show me your gratitude some other way, Karan. Kneeling only allows me to see the top of your head."

Karan nodded and went to Jandra, "I can make up your schedule this turn. I will confer with Lillon and we will but ensure that yours and The Highest's schedules but match. I have many ideas, too, Second. I have been but thinking that we could place an addition onto this dwelling since The Highest insists on remaining here. A place where the assistants and you can be when The Highest is in the other portions of the dwelling.

More like a formal, but comfortable meeting room. The present sitting and meeting room will not be sufficient with both of you in one dwelling."

As Jandra and Karan were preparing Sam for her turn at the festival, Karan spoke to Sam, "Highest, I would like to suggest that we find the first diaries. I think they hold much information that we have not. It might tell us where the First Ones call home."

Sam stepped out of her own garments so that she could be fitted into her gown. Karan had never seen her naked prior, and while Jandra acted as if nothing were out of the ordinary, Karan gasped.

Sam looked at her, thinking something wrong, "Karan, what is it? Be something wrong?"

Karan blushed and turned away, "No, Highest. I am sorry. I have never seen you this way prior, and your beauty but caught me off-guard."

Jandra laughed, "As it does all. Pay no attention to her, Karan. She knows or cares not. She be blind to this effect on others, as well."

Sam scoffed, "Beauty! What be it but a physical possession. What a waste." She turned to Jandra and grinned mischievously, "But I do so admire yours, my Jandra."

Karan and Jandra helped Sam into her gown and other garments, then Karan asked, "Where be The Highest's pendant, Highest?"

Sam shrugged, "I know not. It probably is yet in the former Highest's dwelling."

Karan went to the patio door and spoke to a guard.

"I am having it retrieved for you. It will look wonderful on this gown.

Second, who but fixes The Highest's hair?"

Jandra laughed, "The wind. But you can try while I prepare myself.

My gown needs no attending, as does The Highest's."

Karan nodded and motioned for Sam to sit on a chair. She began to try to tame Sam's hair and saw that it was going to take a while.

"Highest? May we place The Highest's hood over your gown?"

- 367 -.

Sam nodded wearily. She detested this type of fuss, "Whatever would please you and Jandra."

Jandra nodded to Karan, "A good idea, Karan. Let us make her look like the most regal of all Highests."

Sam looked to Jandra, "Who but tends the bridge this eve and morn?"

"This is getting to be but a barbaric custom, is it not? Briggon and Meera will personally attend to it this festival."

"What of the gates? Who attends to them?"

"Meera and Briggon's guards. Their guards will check all the dwellings mid-morning. There will be no easy passage, Sam. But be this necessary?"

Sam nodded, "I agree with you, Jandra, but it is the law of Woden until it be changed."

"Then let us change it."

"I think it will change by next festival. I see these things changing now. With a mixed community, if we but approve that, this custom will become meaningless. Change must occur, but change needs to go through its process, Jandra. It can't be rushed."

"There, Highest. I have but fixed your hair."

Sam rose, not caring to even look at it.

Jandra looked over and laughed lightly, "It be a miracle, Karan. How did you do it?"

"It be wild, so I made it to look like the wind has blown it into shape.

You have most beautiful hair, Highest. You too, Second. Will you allow me to fix yours as well?"

"I would like it much. But mine is not as beautiful as Sam's."

"No Second, you be wrong. Your hair is even more beautiful, but different, which is good."

A guard entered, holding up the pendant, "It has been found."

She gave it to Karan and left.

Karan placed it over Sam's head and stood back to admire it, "It is as if it has always belonged there, Highest. You have a most beautiful chest and the pendant fits well on it."

Sam cared not and went to Jandra. She helped her to prepare and thought her to look stunning.

Sam motioned over to the chair, "Karan, prepare The Second's hair."

When Karan was done, Sam took Jandra's hands and made her rise.

She placed her hands on Jandra's head, gently, "Jandra, look into my eyes."

Karan just stood and watched, not knowing what The Highest was doing. Sam probed into Jandra, using her increasing power, and searched for the unborn child. To Karan, it was as if they both stared into each other's eyes for unmoving long moments.

- 368 -.