Everyone in the room laughed a little, but tried to hide it. It was humorous to them that their Highest could be so easily moved.

Karan stated, "Highest, there are rumors in the community about The Second having your child. While I have heard it so from Jandra and May, - 396 -.

perhaps you would give your permission so that I might begin to explain it to all so it be clear. It is most confusing to the women, as they know that women cannot conceive with other women."

"It be strange for me and Jandra as well. We are not born in Woden to have a child shared in blood between companions. The Spirit Mothers have many more powers than we can know. Yes, Karan. Do, as you must.

The community meeting will occur in a short while. I would like everyone there. I have commanded it so. Also, concerning all of you. I but wish you to begin attending training at the sun's rise next turn with Meera. It will set but a good example for all our guards, sentries, and anyone else who but desires more fighting ability. I would like to add that in all aspects of this soon-to-be battle of Woden, Meera's command will be absolute. Look not to me during battle for approval. Her commands will be final, and fully followed without question. Any further issues or questions?"

Sephim rose and smiled, "How does it feel to have a companion, finally, Highest?"

Sam nodded, smiled, and looked at Jandra. Being a companion one turn was no different in feeling from the prior turn, but Jandra had been there then, as well. Sam gazed at Jandra in amazement and felt contented because of her.

"It has been a very long while since I can recall such a feeling of happiness." Then she looked back at Sephim, "But since it was you who continually pushed me to get a companion, should Jandra become unhappy with me, I will blame you."

Sephim gasped while everyone else laughed, as did Sam and Jandra.

Sephim blushed, "You tease, Highest. But in truth, you and Jandra have provided all of Woden a beautiful and most meaningful ceremony, and we thank you much for it. I am pleased to be able to take this item off our agendas from here on."

"This meeting is over. I will see you at the community meeting.

Please ensure that everyone is in attendance."

As Sam, Jandra, Meera and Caitha approached the Sacred Stones, Sam saw that all of Woden Falls was present, and the arena was crowded.

Just prior to the meeting, Sam met with Lillon, "Report to me of the meeting when it be completed. Karan also."

After she had settled Jandra upon a seat close by to where she must be, Sam stood in the middle and addressed all. She introduced all the new advisor and Second positions. She introduced their new and only woman spiritual leader, Nolsteney. She told of the approaching battle with Buron - 397 -.

and Fornaith and of the fight training that would occur beginning next turn.

She explained about Oisin in New Harborage and Apien. She had Karan speak about all the refugees from Apien and New Harborage. She spoke of the Woman of the Woods and the Spirit Mothers of the Falls. She spoke of Woden's recent past with its betrayal, and how it had closed down access between Hengist and Woden. She spoke of the Morte D'Arthur book and how it had been used to change their ways. She told Woden and Hengist of the diaries. She spoke of the violence across all The Realm. And she spoke of the need to accommodate those that thought differently than Woden or Hengist. She described how they might become more open to the idea of a third community, located somewhere between Hengist and Woden, for those who partnered differently than themselves. She also told them that she, herself, was not yet certain that this should be so, but whether they host a third community or no, she expressed their need to begin to understand such practice.

"The future can be either closed or open in regard to ourselves. It is up to us. We can face the challenges ahead of us openly and embrace the change, or we can seek to hide from it and close our gates forever. We can share our ways and our quest for peace or we can keep it to ourselves. I have been allowed to see a possible future of Woden, if we but fight and allow for it. The Spirit Mothers would have us become a mix between them and us, and our descendants will rule all The Realm. A place where we become part enchanted and part as we are. And a place of peace for all.

The decisions be yours to make. But know this: It will become increasingly more difficult to remain as isolated as we have been. The Realm encroaches. Many will continue to seek out our ways and life in Woden.

"As we decide which direction we but head, there will be those of us who we make displeased. We are large enough that we will not be able to please us all. It would be irresponsible to think that this might occur. We must also think of those of us that become so displeased. What can we do for them as well? Can we accommodate all types of thinking and all types of ways? Do we have the largeness of the land to do so? Should we grow more?" Ghett and Moduin, our advisors for growth and building, will lead the remainder of this community meeting. I will depart now so that truthful discussion may occur without fear. All thoughts and ideas are welcomed.

"No matter our decision, though, know this: We face battle. I face a personal battle against Buron, as he has powers such as mine. I must win my battle and Woden must win theirs so that whatever we decide, we can go forward. I am told that we have the strongest guards and sentries in The Realm, but it may not be enough. Whichever lifestyle we wish to fight for, the moment to fight has come. We will be attacked within the moon.

- 398 -.

While we work to secure all of Woden, the fight may enter our gates. You must choose whether to go to the caves or to remain and fight. We will most likely lose some of us in this fight, but I pledge to you that I will fight Buron to my last breath.

"I take my leave and hope you the strength and determination of Woden for this discussion. Our future depends on your thoughts this turn.

This be a turning point in all of Woden. Consider it well."

Sam departed, which surprised all that attended, including her advisors. Meera motioned for Margeria and Keddi to guard her. They did so from a distance and, in truth, while Sam knew that she must be guarded, she couldn't see the guards. She walked back to the gates and went to the gardens near the former Highest's dwelling. Since the refugees had arrived, not all of Woden could be in attendance at the meeting. Some healers were yet in the infirmary, and some guards were in the former Highest's dwelling, overseeing the arrivals that had been placed there. Sam decided to go visit the new arrivals from Apien and New Harborage while waiting for Karan and Lillon's reports.

She entered and walked through the dwelling. While she was noticed, most didn't know who she was. As they looked at her pass through the dwelling, she noticed how sad and beaten, both emotionally and physically, these people were. Young children sat next to their mothers or Birth-Mothers, but didn't play. Older children sat alone, looking afraid to move.

The adults were generally listless, as well. Sam was most displeased.

She turned to one of the guards, "Have all these arrivals come outside to the park. I wish to address them."

"Yes, Highest. At this moment?"

"Yes. Now."

The guards moved into action, and the arrivals all began to move outside. They were afraid, but Sam knew that she would dispel that in a moment.

When they finally all arrived, she introduced herself, "I am known as The Highest of Woden."

Many of the arrivals looked shocked and fell to their knees. The others, upon seeing that, did the same. Most were begging for mercy and kindness.

"Please rise."

They would not, so she just began, "Then please just sit and hear me."

Some arrivals near the front sat on the ground, and the others followed. "I have just walked through your communal dwelling and noticed how sad and depressed you seem. The children be afraid and the adults be listless. You are now safe in Woden, so why be this so?"

- 399 -.

No one answered. Sam thought that perhaps they were afraid of her.

She walked in-between the people, to the middle of them.

She then sat down, "Please gather around so that you may all hear me speak."

The arrivals did so and formed a circle around her. They were quite afraid of her, and wanted to maintain their distance.

"I know not your past. I know not what you faced in Apien or New Harborage. I have heard the stories and I see the effects upon you. Woden fights now to rid The Realm of such violence, but fighting against such is also violence, is it not?"

It was not a real question, as she was just speaking so that they would get accustomed to her. She planned to speak for a while until they felt comfortable enough to provide some answers.

"Woden faces a battle against a man called King Buron. We will accept the battle and fight for our ways. Do you know of our ways, practices and beliefs?"

Some nodded. Some did nothing but look at her. Some kept their heads bowed to her.

"Woden believes in peace. Woden believes in truthful speech. Woden believes in freedom in thinking and life, to the point possible within a community. We fight for our beliefs. I know not why you seek to come to Woden, but I but think you come here for these reasons. Be that so?"

More nodded. Sam continued, "Peace, in this realm, seems to demand much fighting to protect it. I am but saddened to think of the lives we will but lose in this battle. But that does not concern you at this moment. Your concerns are more immediate, I but think. Be this true?"

Most nodded this moment. One woman spoke, "Highest, how do we but address and speak to you?"

"Such as you do this moment. Speak. It be the way of Woden. The women and men all but speak freely and truthfully to me."

"What if you do not like what they say? Do you not have them beaten?"

"Beaten? Why would I do so to my people? I am but their servant. If I do not have their truth, Woden is but lost. Ask these guards that surround us if you believe me not."

They looked at the guards, but said, "They are at your service. If you beat people for such, you would have them beaten as well."

"With such attitudes, it be useless for me to try to speak with you.

Why did you but come to Woden if you fear me and us so?"

A man spoke up, "Highest. We mean no disrespect of you. It is that we have been beaten so often and brutally that we have little trust left. We come to Woden because we have but heard of your kindness and generosity - 400 -.

for all. It be but difficult for us to believe in such after what we have been through. All of us have been shackled for most our lives. We know not how to live without them. Tell us what you would like of us, Highest. We will but comply."

Sam motioned for the guards to sit. She stood and began to walk around a bit, so that all could be close enough to her to see she was not evil.

"What would I but like of you? I would like you to become what you would like for yourselves. What trade would you like to provide to Woden?

What hobbies might you take up for enjoyment? What friends might you become loyal to? What fun might you take to enjoy? What festivals might you attend? What companionships might you begin, or continue, to provide and embrace of another in a caring manner? What would you do to enhance Woden so that you might live in a better place? I cannot tell you who you are. You must seek that for yourselves. I want you to be productive in Woden, so that Woden is productive in you. It is but a mutual relationship."

Another woman spoke, "How many children must I bear?"

"As many or none, as you wish."

Another man spoke, "What if I wish to leave Woden?"

Sam shrugged, "That be your choice. We will wish you well."

A child stood, "What if I kneel not low enough to you?"

Sam went to the child and lifted her up, "How many cycles have you, little one?"

"I know not."

"What are you called by?"

"Shallan."

"Were you beaten, prior, Shallan, when you did not kneel low enough to someone?"

She nodded, "Manthar made it so because I did not place my forehead on the ground. Would you do the same to me?"

"No. You have my word. I would not or do not do as such. I wish no one to bow or kneel before me. It is something Woden does, but is not required. Why would I wish to see the tops of everyone's heads and not their faces?"

Sam placed a hand on top of Shallan's head and sent a small message of peace in hopes that the child felt somewhat safe. She placed the child down. She moved to a woman-with-child, bent down, took her hand, and bid the woman to rise.

As the woman did so, Sam asked, "I am here for you, young Birth-Mother. What would like from Woden?"

The woman knelt and bowed her head, "Safety for my unborn. To live quietly."

- 401 -.

Sam placed her hand on top of the woman's head and sent the same message to her as she had to Shallan. The woman sat back down and smiled up at Sam.

Sam moved to a man, reached her hand out to him, and bid him to rise.

He did so, as she said, "What would you have of me and Woden?"

"A chance to live unafraid, have a family, and enjoy life and others."

She smiled at him and motioned for him to sit.

She remained standing, "I cannot make you trust us. That will come through the moments of observation and experience in Woden. Woden meets at this moment to determine what we should do regarding a third community. One of mixed relationships. All of Woden Falls will make that decision. As for now, I can see that you cannot trust me. Go back to your dwelling, in peace. When the women return to Woden, you have my leave to explore Woden. Please remain within the gates until we can determine where you will be best placed. Thank you for listening to me. I wish you well this turn."

Having released them, Sam began to move out of the circle. Hearing no sound of movement behind her, she turned around and looked at them.

No one was moving.

She saw that they yet looked frightened. "Would you yet like to remain here for a short while longer?"

They nodded.

Sam felt that perhaps she had rushed them. She returned to the middle of the circle and sat, allowing them their pace. She waited. A small child left her mother's arms and went to sit on Sam's lap. Sam just let her and stroked her hair. She yet said nothing. The child rested her head against Sam. Another child moved close to Sam and sat down beside her.

Shallan came beside her, along with her Birth-Mother. Both sat close.

Sam smiled at the children, "Have you ever heard the story of the beginning of Woden?"

The children shook their heads. Sam began to tell the story of Woden's early start.

"They were brave women, men and children."

More children moved closer so they could be near her while she told the story. Then she told the story of the Spirits of the Falls.

"A turn's ride from here be a most beautiful waterfall. It be as tall as ten or eleven women, and the water is crystal clear and blue as the sky."

One of the children asked, "As blue as your eyes?"

Sam nodded and laughed, "Even bluer than my eyes. There is a pool at the bottom of the Falls that you can swim safely in. It is not very deep, but you must be careful as the water is cold. In back of the waterfall is a - 402 -.

long and large cave. And at the end of the cave, the cave opens to a beautiful but hidden valley, and that is where our Spirit Mothers but live."

Shallan asked, "Do you like them? Are they mean?"

Sam shook her head, "They are not mean. They can be mean if someone is mean to them, but they like to live in quiet and peace. They have been here in this realm for longer than most of these trees."

Sam told stories of Oisin and her sea battles, and of Meera and her fighting abilities. She told stories of all of Woden and Hengist. She told stories of wonderful Jandra and Caitha, of Karan, and all the advisors. As she told these stories, she didn't notice that the women of Woden were returning from the Sacred Stones. The Woden Women heard their Highest telling stories, so they also sat down and listened. More of the new arrival children crowded in to be next to Sam. No one seemed to tire of hearing The Highest tell the stories of Woden's past, present and future. Sam told stories of the best Second in all of Woden's past, Jandra. She told stories of the healers, of May, of the guards, of Keddi, of Margeria, and Rundle, the brave dog. She told stories of evil people but how the good people won over them. She told stories of how people walked here from Apien, and how brave they were. She told stories of Woden's food, their horses, their gardens, their fisheries, their crafts and trades. She told stories of how proud she was of all the women, men and children who lived in Woden Falls, and how brave and selfless they all were.