Meera showed Jandra and Caitha where to sit and had drinks brought over for them while they waited and watched. Rundle sat close to Jandra and barked at anyone who tried to come near her. He wouldn't rest until they returned to their dwelling. Meera helped Sam change into her fighting garments, and then they both came out.

"Meera, my sword. Is there another I might use?"

"I have one prepared for you."

The sword contest was a longer contest, as men and women fought so that they might fight The Second of Defense and The Highest. Each round brought forth more skilled and tireless fighters. Meera watched well, looking for future guards. Many of these contestants were but young and hadn't yet committed to a profession.

"They look not bad, Meera. In fact, they look like they have more energy than I."

"That they do, Highest. Except that they save not their energy as we have learned. They will tire soon. By the moment they fight us, they will but be exhausted and barely able to lift their sword."

"I hope you be correct, but watching that one over there makes me think of you in your younger turns."

They watched until there were only two left. Two women had won the contest up to this point. One of the women was young Margeria.

Anyst had almost been Second, but had been beaten by a younger woman, Kyra. Sam watched intently as young Kyra and Margeria squared off to each other.

The contest between the two lasted a longer while than expected.

One, and then the other, would score points, and the contest continued to - 378 -.

remain even. Finally, Kyra made a move Margeria hadn't expected, Margeria lost her sword and the contest was over.

"Meera, she needs but a moment to rest. And, by the way, Meera, who do you but fight?"

Meera looked to Sam and smiled, "I fight you, of course. So that young Kyra but has a moment to rest and watch two old warriors and their moves, so that it be more fair for her."

"Ah, and then the winner between us will but fight young Kyra, be that correct?"

"It is, and you are not to give in to me just to avoid having to fight young Kyra. I will know, Highest, and make it told if you do. Are you ready? The judge is ready to announce us."

The judge did announce them, much to the surprise and pleasure of the crowd. This was a main event this festival and had never been done prior. Sam and Meera were known for their sword ability and all wanted to see them.

As Sam and Meera entered the circle, Meera looked at Sam, "I expect you not to hold back this turn, Highest."

"Oh, I am sure you wish to but tire me so that I will fail against Kyra.

Do not overly wish for this win, Meera. I feel most lucky this turn."

They met in the middle of the circle, met their swords together as they always did in practice, and then began the fight. Meera circled and moved her sword continuously, trying to distract Sam's focus. Sam also circled, wondering what Meera was doing. She had never seen her do this prior.

Sam kept her focus on Meera's eyes and knew that Meera was trying to distract her. Sam moved her sword down, as if to make a move, and hoped that Meera would take the bait. She did, and moved in and lunged. Sam was ready and moved her sword up at an impossible angle, with all her might, so as to try to dislodge Meera's sword from her. Meera was caught in surprise but not enough to lose her sword. She moved back and began circling again. Sam moved in, and for a long moment, they had continual sword play. When neither was making any gain, they moved apart once again. Meera then came at Sam, Sam held tightly onto her sword and held it against Meera's strongest move. Meera had expected Sam to lose her sword in the move, and was once again caught off-guard when Sam suddenly, instead of moving back to rest from Meera's attack, raised her sword and brought it down with all her force. Meera barely held her sword, but the force of Sam's swing made her fall to the ground, and the tip of her sword touched the ground. Sam was uncertain if Meera had done that intentionally, but according to the rules, if a sword touched the ground, the contest ended. Meera rose and smiled, and then went to Sam and placed her arm on Sam's shoulder.

- 379 -.

Sam did likewise and whispered, "You let your sword touch the ground on purpose, Meera."

Meera looked at if insulted at the implication, "I would never do so, Highest. You but win fairly."

"You old lying woman. You just want to watch me lose to this young one."

Meera laughed, "In truth, Sam, your strength grows. At least two of your moves but made me wince. The first one made me twist a muscle in my arm, so your last swing I could no longer hold. Your power is beyond mine, now. But it be good to have a partner that can now outdo me. It has been long since that could occur. Do you wish to rest prior to fighting this young one?"

"Meera. You need to but tell me prior to me hurting you. That is not to occur. I know not my power and cannot hold it back. You must but tell me."

"Worry not so, Highest. It is good practice for me and makes me stronger. As I said, it has been long since I have been challenged by anyone in all of Woden. Would you like a drink prior to beginning?"

They unclasped their arms from each other's shoulder, "No. I am ready. I would rather just get this over with and get on with the festival."

Meera nodded and motioned to the judge to have Kyra enter the circle. The crowd was excited and began urging on the contestants. While they were disappointed that Meera had lost, they were pleased that their Highest had won. Meera went and sat down next to Jandra, Caitha and Rundle to watch the contest.

Kyra entered the ring and walked up to The Highest. She knelt and bowed her head, "Highest. It is my deepest pleasure to joust with you this turn."

Sam reached down and took hold of Kyra's arm and guided her to stand, "Rise, Kyra. You are to never bow before an opponent. I may be your Highest, but I fight against you this turn. Be you ready?"

"I am nervous, Highest. I am afraid to hurt you."

"And what if I were to hurt you, young Kyra?"

Kyra looked sideways at Sam and grinned, "You will not find that possible, Highest. I have but practiced to be the best in all of Woden. Even better than you and Second of Defense."

"Then it shall be a fair fight, Kyra."

Sam moved her sword so that their swords met. Kyra didn't know the custom but had watched carefully as Sam and Meera had done it. She held up her sword and met Sam's.

Suddenly, Kyra moved her sword into attack. Sam found herself moving quickly in defense. Kyra came on as if a bull and didn't relent. Blow - 380 -.

after blow she wielded against Sam. Each swing and lunge stronger than the prior. Sam had no moment to counter, so decided to just let Kyra wear herself out. Sam focused on Kyra's eyes, watching intently for her next move. Much of Kyra's strength lied in her quickness. Sam watched as she defended herself and began to see Kyra's weaknesses. Sam saw that she favored attacks using her right arm as the strength of the thrust or swing.

Jandra was so frightened she was stiff. Meera looked at her and laughed, "Jandra. You must take your ease. Sam does well."

Jandra looked at Meera briefly, then turned back to watch, "How do you say that? Look at her. She makes no fight. She merely defends herself."

"No, this is not so. Watch Sam closely. She but watches young Kyra.

She is looking for her weaknesses. Kyra wastes all her energy on these quick and lengthened attacks rather than place one well-placed swing. Sam will win this but easily unless she becomes overly tired. She saves her energy, while letting young Kyra over use hers."

"How can you see this to be so? Sam looks like she cannot lift her sword."

"That is but a trick. Look at Sam's leg muscles. They will show you that she is about ready to counter. Once she has found Kyra's weakness that Sam will push against, she will make her move. Kyra is a strong fighter, but she has no cunning, which is necessary in sword fighting."

Jandra hoped that Meera was correct. In truth, Sam had been doing two things: defending herself from the overly energetic Kyra, and watching for her weaknesses. Sam used all the ploys of defense Meera had taught her. When she found Kyra's main weakness, Sam moved quickly in. Kyra was caught off-guard and landed on her rear. But her sword didn't touch the ground. Sam waited while Kyra rose, which also caught Kyra off-guard.

Kyra came at Sam quickly, but Sam saw the weakness and stepped into it, again delivering a swing that caught Kyra unprepared. This moment, Sam kept coming forward, moving her sword quickly from one of Kyra's weaknesses to the next. She swung, then lunged, then swung again, each one coming into Kyra's left side, her weak side. Sam also swung low, another area of weakness for Kyra. She had good strong swings, but only when the weight of the sword was in a downward thrust. Sam had long practiced to be equally strong on upward swings, which was the move that usually caught her opponent unprepared. It did so again. As Kyra tired, she favored her strong side, as Sam had planned on. Kyra moved so that her sword came down hard against Sam's. Kyra expected Sam to counter from the side, but instead, Sam moved her sword in an upward motion with more force than Kyra could produce for a downward swing. When the swords met with a sound like crashing lightening, the shock of the force - 381 -.

rang through Kyra's unprepared hands, and she let go of the sword. It flew away from her, and she fell to her knees, exhausted. The festival crowd roared, and Sam went to Kyra.

"Well done, young Kyra."

She was panting, out of breath, as was Sam, "Not so well, Highest.

You be much stronger than I had expected."

"But not as quick as you. You are but a quick one."

"It worked not, though, Highest. I but thought my quickness would but wear you down."

Sam helped Kyra to rise. As she did so, Sam placed her hand on Kyra's shoulder. Kyra, hesitantly, did the same to Sam.

"Your quickness would but wear me down if you didn't favor your right side, so. A swordswoman must be able to fight equally from all angles and sides. You also avoid an upward swing."

Kyra moved her hand and touched Sam's upper arm, "Your arms deceive me, Highest. They feel like bricks, but look not so."

Sam laughed and put her arm around Kyra's shoulders, "You are a good sport, Kyra. Do you wish to be trained as a scout? Our new scouts will but leave for only a moon, and then return to Woden. But they will be the most highly trained guards in all of Woden. And Keddi will but train you, and to use but two arrows at the same moment."

Kyra looked into Sam's eyes, which shimmered with strength, "Oh, yes, Highest. It is my dream. And now the scouts will return within a moon? That be an excellent report. Thank you, Highest. You have made my cycle."

The judge announced Sam the winner, but neither Kyra nor Sam listened or cared.

Sam took Kyra back to Meera, "Meera. This be Kyra. She would like to be the first member of our new scout unit."

Meera placed her hand on Kyra's shoulder. Kyra meekly returned the gesture, "I know I need much training, Second. But it was most fun to watch the two of you fight. Even at your cycles, you be better than all us young ones."

Sam looked at Meera, and they both laughed. Meera said, "Yes, us old graying ones yet have but some worth left. Go and enjoy the remainder of this turn, Kyra. You will be summoned when to report."

Kyra bowed her head, smiled, and left.

Jandra reminded Sam, "Go and change, my old used-up one. It is almost the moment of companionships. I wish not to miss it."

"Who presides over these this festival?"

"Fornan, once again."

- 382 -.

"That be a good choice. I will return in a moment. Meera, you old woman, will you tend me?"

Meera nodded and they went to get Sam changed.

Jandra sat back down next to Caitha, "Meera and Sam are strong. I never knew of this."

"Yes. Our former Highest but kept her advisors well away from the women of Woden. Sam and Meera work hard to make themselves a part of Woden. The former Highest worked hard to keep herself apart from the women."

Meera helped Sam change into her festival gown quickly, and then tried to do something with Sam's hair, "How do you but manage this mane of hair, Sam?"

"I should do as you, and make it shorter."

They both laughed and left to find Jandra and Caitha. Sam was getting nervous again, but made an effort to not display this. She wanted Jandra to be happy this turn. When they returned to Jandra and Caitha, Caitha led them to the spot where the asking and accepting would occur.

Caitha and Meera stayed back, "This be a special moment for you, Jandra and Sam. Meera has told the guards to hold off a crowd so you but have some peace."

Sam looked to Meera, "Thank you, friend."

Meera smiled and nodded, but said nothing. Jandra took Sam's arm and they walked off together to the spot designated for this event. Woden had long held this practice of having one woman or one man ask another woman or man to be their companions. Most of the pairs would work this out before festival, but there were always the surprises that at some moments turned out, but mostly didn't. The Spiritual Leader would begin the event by reminding all of the law that everyone must have a companion, and then reminding all of what it meant in all of Woden to have one. Many of Woden were standing singly at this moment, but there were also the pairs that had lived prior together and had waited for this moment. Some of the singles would but ask another single to be their companion. It was always a moment in Woden to see who ended up with who and who was denied, and would be spoken of until the next festival.

Sam led Jandra a little away from the crowd to under a tree. They waited for Fornan to do the usual beginnings. While he spoke, Sam looked at Jandra and thought her to be the most beautiful and kindest woman she had known in a long while. Just looking at Jandra brought peace to Sam, and for that she was most grateful. Even at this moment of nervousness, being with Jandra eased Sam. Jandra hadn't been paying attention to Sam, as she had been listening to and looking at Fornan. Suddenly, she looked into Sam's eyes and saw them shimmering with her power, and staring di- - 383 -.

rectly at her. It mesmerized her, and she could almost see Sam's eyes displaying love to her. She hoped for such, but knew better. She put her hand to Sam's cheek and touched it gently. Sam placed her hand on Jandra's womb. They had both quit paying any attention to Fornan, so were unaware when the event was to occur. It mattered not to either of them, though.

"Jandra. I need you."

"Oh, Sam. I need you. I can barely breathe with this knowledge of you now. I had hoped you would learn to accept me, but that we need each other so is most unexpected. And you are kind to me."

Sam look startled, "Was not your first companion kind to you?"

"No. She liked not my ways. We but tolerated each other. I stayed with her for lack of caring to try again with someone else. That, and I try to be but loyal."

"I didn't know of this, Jandra. How could someone not need and care for you?"

Jandra hugged Sam and then moved back to look into her eyes, "You are but a wonder to behold. Your eyes, your body, even your beautiful but wild hair. You are like a constant gift to me."

"I was unaware that my heart could but feel this happy again. I live now, Jandra, because of you. Prior, I but acted alive only."

Jandra moved her hand so as to move some of Sam's hair from her face, "I can't believe you to be this kind and tender one moment, and the next moment you are able to win a sword fight."

"Here. I but have a gift for you."

Sam reached into her inside hood pocket and retrieved the two items.

She took Jandra's right hand and placed a ring on one of her fingers.

"I give you this ring so that you can remember that my care and devotion to you are unending, as like the ring's circle."

Sam then took Jandra's other hand and placed the bracelet on it, "I give you this bracelet so that when the ring no longer fits during the moments of this child, the bracelet will serve to remind you of my unending devotion and commitment. Like the ring, it be an unending circle."

Jandra was fully surprised. She hugged Sam and held her tightly, "I never thought I would be lucky, but I am truly lucky in you. Thank you."

Sam kissed Jandra gently, and touched her cheek, "I know not why this made me so nervous. I am but glad it be over."

Sam and Jandra had been unaware that the ceremony had ended some moments prior, and that Fornan had been standing near them throughout most of their conversation. Sam was pleased to see that Nolsteney was standing next to him, learning what to do for the next festival.

- 384 -.

He smiled and reminded them, "You two didn't do as required of you.

Others listen, Highest. It needs to be made so."

Jandra looked surprised, as did Sam, "Oh, I forgot. I am sorry."