Jandra, Meera and Caitha had come up after the community meeting.

They sat, unnoticed by Sam, for a long while. Finally, when Jandra could see that Sam was tiring, she walked through all the people listening to Sam, which now numbered fifteen-fold the amount that she had begun with, and went up to her. Jandra placed out her hand for Sam to take, as if bidding her to stand.

Sam rose and took Jandra's outstretched hand.

Jandra turned to all the women, men and children, and smiled, "The Highest be overly tired now. She has been telling you stories for the entire after midturn."

Jandra began to pull Sam gently away, but all the people knelt and bowed their heads to Jandra. Then they rose and one-by-one went up to Sam and introduced themselves. They looked much improved from when Sam first went into the former Highest's dwelling, more like a people with hope and dreams. Each bowed their head to her, said 'Highest', told her their name and their craft, and thanked her.

When all were done with giving their respects, Sam took hold of Jandra's arm and began to walk back to their dwelling, while the arrivals went inside their temporary dwelling.

- 403 -.

Jandra looked at Sam and could see that she was tired, "What were you doing with them, Sam?"

Sam halted and looked at Jandra, sadly, "They are so beaten. They are afraid of anything that but moves. The poor children were abused so overly young. These evils must be halted, Jandra."

Jandra kept Sam moving and waited a little while to respond. When she did, she measured her words carefully, "Sam, you take on the entire realm's sadness. You can't do this. Woden and I don't want to lose you.

We will accept those who come to us, but we can't be sad for all The Realm. All you can do is but try to improve it, as we do. You worry overly at some moments, but worry does nothing. Only action will change it, and sadly, it will cost Woden many lives in this battle."

Sam nodded. While she was sad, she was also contented that perhaps she had eased the new arrivals hearts a little.

"How did the community meeting but go?"

"I will let Karan and Lillon tell you."

Jandra halted and turned Sam to her, "Sam, Highest of all of Woden.

I want to tell you how very proud I am of you. You are the best to ever happen to Woden. But I am afraid I will lose you because of your selflessness. I am often grateful that I carry your child, as perhaps that will make you keep your sense of self about you. You know your unborn needs you.

She needs you more than she needs me. I can't tell her of her Spirit Mothers. You are more like this child than I can be. When you think you do not enough for Woden, think again of your unborn. But know this Sam, I am proud of whatever you do and am most grateful to be your companion. My heart dances at the sight and sound of you. No other has ever led Woden such as you do. None such as you has but existed. No Highest has ever sat on the ground among their people and told such stories. These things I want you to know."

Sam looked sad, "It must be but a bad report from the community session."

Jandra placed her arm around Sam's shoulders and guided her gently back toward their dwelling, "Allow Lillon and Karan inform you, as you commanded of them."

They walked the remainder of the short way back in silence. When they arrived, Jandra opened the front door and motioned for Sam to go to the meeting room. She did, and saw that in it were all the advisors from Woden and Hengist. None were smiling. Sam now knew the report to be bad. She went and sat down, heavily.

They all knelt and bowed before her, "Highest."

"Please rise."

They did so and sat down.

- 404 -.

Karan rose, "Highest, would you but like our report now?"

"Yes. I might as well."

Karan nodded and looked serious, "The community discussed the issues you but presented for a long while. While the discussion was open and with no hostility, as you but wished, there were conflicting ideas across all."

Sam nodded. It was as she hoped it would not be. A divided Woden.

Fear had overtaken her people. They would now not move from their own spot of thinking, but chose to become more isolated.

"Many ideas were presented and discussed. The men and women looked at the strong and weak points of each. They were patient and would have made you but proud of them, Highest. They struggled all the midturn and after midturn with them, in order to please you, but I am afraid that there was only one point on which all agreed. Although it be only one point, Highest, it is important to note that every community member, all of Woden Falls, agreed on this one point."

Sam shrugged and wondered what it was, but already felt defeated.

She had thought her people more open and accepting than this, but The Realm was a harsh place, so she would have to understand and accept it.

"What be the point they made, Karan?"

"Each woman and man of Woden Falls agreed, after long discussion of all the issues you but raised, that they were able to place their total trust in you to make the correct decisions for the future and peace of Woden Falls. They say to tell you that whatever you wish for Woden, they will support you. They say to tell you that the issues be yours to deal with, and they trust you to be wise and informative. And they say to tell you that they wish you well in your decisions, and they know that you will take care of their safety, peace, and freedom now and in the future."

Sam looked up, fully surprised. Then all the advisors began laughing, smiling and standing, slapping each other on the back for the joke they played on Sam. They had fooled her into thinking she had lost her ideas.

Karan asked, "Be you surprised, Highest?"

Sam stood, and smiled, dumbly, "I am all surprised. It is but a shock.

It is but a gift from Woden."

Karan smiled at Sam, "They say to tell you also that they have never trusted a Highest so, but know that their trust be well-placed."

"I am but fortunate."

She turned to Jandra, "You but fooled me as well."

"All I said was how proud of you I am. I spoke truthfully, Sam. I am proud of you. I have never prior witnessed such a demonstration of love and respect as Woden has for you."

Lillon stepped forward and requested silence, "Highest, Karan does not speak entirely truthfully. There was one other item the community but - 405 -.

agreed upon. When they reached the agreement on the point Karan made, then they reached one more."

Sam nodded, and waited, and stopped smiling.

"They agreed that this eve will be a celebration inside Woden, at the park for the beginning of a new Woden. They agreed to all bring food and wine, and the musicians and singers will entertain throughout the eve. You be the guest of honor. And they are also currently inviting all the new arrivals, as well. Highest, you need to prepare. Since you be the guest of honor, your presence is requested. As we speak and detain you, the celebration begins."

Lillon looked to Sam for approval, but continued, "Woden would like you to know, though, that they know this may be their last celebration for some moments in Woden, and hope you agree to it. The guards and sentries will trade off throughout the eve so that all can attend. Highest? What say you?"

All the advisors looked to Sam. They hoped her answer would be positive, as all of Woden was excited about their decision and good work this turn.

Sam looked at all her advisors, and then she turned to Jandra. She didn't smile, and her advisors were beginning to think she was upset or angry, "What think you, Jandra?"

Jandra smiled and took Sam's hand. She knew Sam well enough to know she was returning the jest, "I think you should wear your comfort garments this eve, at the celebration."

Sam nodded, yet not smiling, "Good choice. I will change."

Then she finally smiled, and all laughed. She couldn't believe what Karan and Lillon had told her. It was as a gift. The best gift of all.

"Will Hengist be here this eve, as well?"

"All. All will be there, Highest. Woden is now united, because of you, and all are pleased."

The advisors left quickly so that Sam could prepare.

Jandra followed Sam to their bedroom to tend to her, "Are you pleased, my Highest?"

Sam held her, and kissed her gently. The kiss turned more passionate and Sam led Jandra to their bed. Jandra gave but a moment's thought to the celebration, and then decided that The Highest could be a few moments late.

After their pleasures, Jandra pulled Sam up out of the bed and got herself and Sam ready. She then pushed Sam out of their dwelling and took - 406 -.

her arm. They walked to the celebration in the park, near the former Highest's dwelling. As they were walking, Jandra saw that Sam looked contented and pleased.

"Your training sessions begin in the morn?"

Sam nodded, "Do you but attend?"

"I do."

"What about our unborn?"

"I have worked it out with Caitha and Meera. I will learn basic defense for now, and Caitha will make sure that I do not overdo. I will also well learn the bow and arrow, as that will not be overly hard on this unborn. On the other hand, Meera is going to exhaust you in your preparations."

"This I know. She will make me but run around all of Woden. I need it, though. I be out of shape, and I need much endurance for this battle.

Meera will make it so that none us tire during a long battle. It will be hard training so that the battle will be easier."

"It be good, but let us not think of battles this eve. Your people want you to know how much they think of you, Sam. Never prior has Woden trusted their leader so. You should be most proud of yourself."

"It be enough that you are but proud of me."

"This is not the Sam I know. But I thank you for it."

They arrived to the celebration that was already in full loudness and fun. Dancing and music were occurring, and everyone was eating from the long tables on which they had placed their donations. Lillon saw Sam arrive and took her to the place of honor. Some small tables and chairs had been placed near a patio, and Sam and Jandra were to sit there.

May came up, with helpers at her side, and delivered five plates of different types of foods, and two flasks of wine, with cups, "Here, Highest.

Enjoy. Some fresh beer is finding its way to you from somewhere. It should be here soon."

Shallan came up to Sam, with her Birth-Mother. Shallan pointed to Meera's stomach, which didn't yet show signs of an unborn child, "Be that where you child is, Highest?"

Sam lifted Shallan into her lap, and laughed, "How do you know of this Shallan?"

"One of the nice guards told me so, Highest." She pointed to Jandra, "Is that the best Second in all of Woden's past?"

Sam nodded, "It be the very Second I spoke of in my story. Introduce yourself to her, Shallan."

Shallan got down off Sam's lap, went to Jandra, and climbed into her lap. She looked at Jandra and said, "I be Shallan. You are Second. Are you going to beat me?"

- 407 -.

"Only if you don't have fun this eve. But I jest, Shallan. No one in Woden will beat you. You are to have fun and grow into a healthy member of Woden. Go eat, Shallan, and find some other children your cycle."

"I love you, Second."

Jandra looked at Sam and shrugged, not knowing what brought that on.

Sam looked to Shallan's Birth-Mother, "What are you called?"

The women paled and spoke softly, "I be but Shaland, Highest.

Thank you for being kind to my Shallan. I have never known of such kindness from another."

Sam stood and placed her hand upon Shaland's head and sent a message of safety. She hoped it would be enough, "Go and enjoy the eve, Shaland."

Shaland bowed her head, "Thank you, Highest. Second." She turned and left.

Jandra was eating and urged Sam to do the same. They watched the dancing, listened to the musicians as everyone enjoyed the celebration.

When she finished eating, Jandra rose and held out her hand to Sam, "Come, Sam. I wish to dance with you. Drink your wine when we but return."

Most of Woden's dances occurred in small to large circles of dancers, with the dancers holding each other's hands to form a closed circle. As at the festival, they traditionally danced around a fire circle. This eve was no different. In a celebration such as this, most of the dances were quick and lively, with the dancers going round and round. During the dances, though, there were some that required pairs that stood apart from each other in long lines and would come together and separate in various forms. Sam had never danced much during her cycles, but would now gladly do as Jandra wished. All of Woden was pleased to see their Highest dance. Caitha dragged Meera over next to Sam and Jandra, and they all danced together for most the eve. The music was good and the musicians were in fine form.

Extra tambourines were passed out to the dancers, and much laughter and merriment occurred. Even the children danced around their own small fire.

After Jandra tired, they all returned to the tables and sat the rest of the eve watching, listening, greeting Woden's members, eating and drinking their wine.

As late after-mideve arrived, Meera turned to Sam, "It will be most difficult to rise at sun's rise early next turn. Be you prepared?"

"I am never desirous of such because of its purpose, but I will be there. We must prepare."

Meera and Caitha rose and took their leave.

- 408 -.

Jandra looked at Sam and Sam noticed that she looked tired, "Jandra, let us go to our dwelling. It be overly late, and it has been but a busy turn."

"You just want to do as we did prior to this celebration."

"That was but a preparation for the eve."

Elsewhere, across The Realm The High Queen was in her gardens staring out across her lake, when she heard her messenger arrive, "Give Me a good report. I have heard enough bad reports this turn to last Me a lifespan."