The messenger could tell that her Queen wasn't pleased about something, but knew not at what. "Good morn, my Queen. They become companions."

She sighed, "Pity. I find myself thinking about her lover. I wonder where she was born. Have you found nothing on this as yet?"

"There is nothing in all of Woden, Highness."

"What makes this lover so special?"

"Just looking at her and her beauty makes everyone desire to be near her, and to be loved by her. I have seen many horses come up to her on their own, and many birds and children. It is most unusual. Yet no one seems to notice as such."

"Is such difference so accepted as this in their tiny Woden?"

"It would appear as such, my Queen. Her lover begins her morn illness, now."

"So soon as this? But I forget. This is our Promised One. She will grow quickly. Anything else?"

"No, my Queen."

"Then leave Me, and report back to Me soon."

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- 410 -.

Chapter IX.

Woden Prepares for Battle The next morn came even prior to early, as Sam and Jandra had to be at the training fields at the sun's rise. After preparing in silence, they left for the training fields, which were just outside the west gates, close to Sam and Jandra's dwelling. The target bales were being placed into position as they arrived. It was an open area just before the farm and gardens, and Meera had already prior sectioned it off into different training areas. Keddi had been placed in-charge of bow and arrow training. Margeria had been placed in-charge of knife training. Meera had assigned herself to sword training.

Ahkna had been charged with overseeing spear training. And Briggon was in-charge of slingshot training, all sizes, as well as filling in for Meera as necessary.

Sam had spoken to Jandra and together they had determined that Jandra would train only lightly. She would learn to throw and use a knife, a sword and a bow and arrow. Apart from that, she wouldn't participate.

Sam had both her sword and knife with the stones newly embedded, and told herself to remember the strength now a part of the weapons. She didn't want to injure one of Woden's.

Now that Meera was in-charge of all the defense of Woden Falls, she commanded that all the guards and sentries, except for the ones on-duty, be in attendance. She began the training by having everyone run to the western boundary and back. She offered a prize of a new sword, made by Ivers, for the one who first returned. Sam sighed, and took off running with everyone else, including Meera. Jandra remained behind with Caitha, and waited. They were to be the judges of who arrived first.

After a long enough while, the winner returned, easily ahead of the rest. The winner was a young guard from Hengist, in his 17th cycle. The rest arrived in staggered patterns, Sam and Meera near the front.

While running, Sam noticed a woman of middle-cycles, "Who is that near the front, Second? Is that Anchen?"

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Meera was panting heavily, as were all of them, "She is truly amazing, this one. And her sword abilities are beyond most of the guards."

Sam glanced over to Meera, "Is she from Woden?"

Meera shrugged as they continued to run, "Not by birth. She but says that she came from New Fornaith. But this was many cycles prior. She would be quite the warrior if she but desired it as so."

As everyone returned, Meera assigned them to groups, and the training began. After some practice and training on a particular weapon, Meera would have the groups shift to another. Sam had practiced with Keddi on bow and arrow, then on knife with Margeria.

She was particularly anxious to begin sword practice with her new stone-enhanced sword. She practiced on basic moves and worked with the stone's power. Meera practiced with her and saw that Sam could now easily swing her sword with much more power than any other. Meera was trying to think of ways that Sam could practice with her sword while not injuring any other, when a horse and rider appeared.

Sam saw that it was the Old One, and she went to her and helped her down from the horse. They greeted each other, and then the Old One told Sam what she must do with her sword.

Meera listened without interrupting until she heard the Old One say, "You must learn to throw this sword as you would your knife."

Meera interrupted, "She can't throw her sword. This be impossible. It weighs an overly amount."

The Old One just looked at Meera, and then replied, "Make it not impossible. She must be able to throw this sword as she would her knife.

And at a great distance."

Meera looked surprised, but asked, "How does one throw a sword?"

The Old One nodded, "It is a fair question or I would not bother to answer you. Two ways she must be able to do so. Over her head from her back, straight out, using both hands and arms. And by either hand, by the hilt. Either way, it will turn end-over-end, so she must practice her aim, strength, distance and landing."

The Old One turned back to Sam, "You must learn this quickly as the moments but run out. I am here to teach you the ways you will need in order to defeat Buron. He but grows overly strong. You must gain your powers."

The Old One made a mark on a distant large tree and returned, "You will not halt this turn until your sword enters this tree. You will begin by trying the over-the-head throw. With each throw, you will run to the tree, retrieve your sword, and run to return. When you tire, draw on your inner powers to ignore the pain, and focus. You are to teach yourself to feel no pain. You have been given this ability. You must now learn to use it. I - 412 -.

leave to go to your dwelling to eat and drink. I will know when you hit your target."

The Old One left, and Sam sighed to Meera, "Any ideas on how I am supposed to do this?"

Meera shrugged, "I know not of this, but will oversee it. Perhaps I can gain some idea while I but watch. This will be most tiring, Highest. I have never seen nor heard of such a thing, prior."

"Does nothing come easy?"

Meera laughed, "The ones I am about to make run again to the border and back think not. I will return in a while, Highest, to check on you."

"At least I do not run again this turn."

"I would rather run than do what you must learn."

Sam held the sword over her head and down behind her back. She then took what aim she thought she could and threw the sword forward. It was an awful attempt from the beginning. Sam had arched overly backwards and had lost her balance as she threw the sword. The sword left her hands overly early and flew high into the air. As it landed, far from its intended mark, the ground exploded with a small bursting sound, and a small fire began. Sam ran to her sword to recover it and saw that where the sword fell into the ground was now a hole the size of a small child. Sam shook her head, ran back to the start, and tried again. Jandra and Caitha watched from a distance, wondering when Sam would tire. Over and over again, Sam threw the sword. Jandra and Caitha tired of watching after a while and continued with their knife-throwing practice.

Throughout the midturn, Sam continued to practice. Meera watched and made note of some improvement but had need to train the others.

Jandra and Caitha moved to training on bow and arrow. Meera had no idea how Sam continued to have the strength to pick up the sword and throw it so. She saw the impact of the sword upon the ground and wondered what would occur when Sam finally did hit her target. By after midturn, when Meera concluded the turn's training by making everyone run once again to the border and back, Sam hadn't yet hit her target. She felt sorry for Sam, but went on the run with the others. Jandra and Caitha continued to practice with the bows and arrows, but took moments to watch Sam. They noticed that her throws were now longer, but yet not close to her target, nor accurate. With each throw, they saw that Sam would stand, stare, as if in thinking, take a stance, and then throw her sword again. With each landing, the ground exploded.

After the runners returned, Meera dismissed them for the turn. They would begin their training again at the next turn's sun's rise. All were exhausted and sore, and all gratefully returned to their dwellings. Meera, Caitha, and Jandra sat together and watched Sam practice. Occasionally, - 413 -.

Meera would go to her and offer some possibilities for improvement, and then return.

Jandra asked Meera, "How does she continue to lift and throw the sword?"

Meera shook her head, confused at Sam's effort, "In truth, I know not.

I could not do so. Sam is a driven one. It is like she knows something we know not. It is as if she knows that our success but depends on her, solely.

She knows not that life exists at this moment, she be so overly focused."

Caitha asked, "How long will she but practice?"

"The Old One said that she will remain here until she but hits her mark."

Jandra's eyes were narrowed, "I know not why we trust this one so. I, for one, do not."

Caitha rose, "I leave to get us food and drink. I will return. Jandra must eat."

Caitha returned and they ate their meal. Sam wouldn't leave her practice, so Meera but fed her some bites and gave her some drink. The late after midturn turned into early eve. Then into eve. And yet Sam hadn't hit her mark, nor had come close. Sam continued to practice, never halting to rest. As late after-eve began to approach and the sun's setting began, Sam's throw hit the tree. Although none of the three had been watching, they heard the explosion and saw the tree fall over, consumed in flames. Sam just stood in her spot, staring and unbelieving. She had finally done it. She fell on her knees to the ground and continued to stare as the tree burned.

She could barely lift her arms further.

Jandra got up and went to her, "Sam, you did it. You must rest now.

You have done enough."

Meera and Caitha came over as well, and Meera went to the tree to retrieve the sword. She couldn't get close enough to get it, as the flames were all around the sword.

The Old One had arrived, "It be late enough. What took you overly long?" She looked at the tree and then to Sam, "Go retrieve your sword.

Protect yourself with your inner powers."

Sam looked at her, yet on her knees, so about equal to the Old One, "I will but burn."

"Do not speak back. You have the ability to avoid such. Go." The Old One pointed to the tree, "Get your sword. Only you will be able to remove it from there."

Sam struggled to rise, exhausted. She walked to the burning tree, focused and then reached into the flames to remove her sword. She pulled it out easily, and then returned. The sword was almost red hot from the flames, but the Old One smiled, "Finally, you begin to learn. You are a - 414 -.

slow one. But worry not; these other humans such as you are even slower.

Go rest and eat. You begin again in the morn. You will continue this practice until you can do this upon each throw. I will mark another tree for your next turn's practice. The Spirit Mothers will come soon to help you with but another ability you must have in order to fight Buron. Where do I sleep this eve?"

Caitha placed her arms around the Old One, "Would you like to come with us this eve? I will make you a special meal and give you some fresh beer. I have a nice spare bed you may use. Would that but suit you?"

The Old One considered, and then nodded. She turned to Jandra, "I will spend part of my turn with you in a few turns. I have much to share with you."

Jandra looked at her, frowning, "Forgive me if I anger you, Spirit Mother, but how do we know that the Spirits of the Valley or queen you speak of truly be our enemy?"

The Old One's eyebrows wrinkled into a deep frown, "You do not believe easily, Birth-Mother. And you are intelligent. I will speak to you of this later, and will try to answer your question so that you feel you can trust us. Will that do for now?"

"Until then."

Sam could barely walk to the dwelling. She felt old and tired. Jandra walked beside her, concerned, but knowing she could do nothing except be supportive. When they arrived to the dwelling, Jandra had Sam sit at the kitchen table and made her eat. May had returned so that she could make part of the meal fresh for Sam. Jandra had a hot bath prepared for Sam while she ate. When Sam finished eating, Jandra helped her to remove her garments and helped her into the hot bath. May entered and began massaging Sam's upper arm muscles and back. Jandra brought a plate of food in with her while she sat next to Sam's bath so that she might eat as well.

When her soaking bath and massage were completed, May placed Sam's bedshirt on her, and Sam fell into the bed, asleep as she hit her pillow. The eve flew quickly by, and Sam found herself being awoken by Jandra just prior to the sun's rise. The turn went as it had prior. Meera required that Sam warm up her muscles prior to beginning her sword throwing, and the Old One nodded her consent. After Sam stretched out her muscles, and although Sam could barely move her arms, she practiced throwing her sword over and over again.

The Old One had marked another tree. This tree was smaller and a little further away. Jandra wondered why Sam was so intent and focused in her practice, but had no opportunity to speak with her. When Sam was not practicing, she was eating or sleeping, and was so exhausted while she ate that she was almost sleeping then, as well. The Second turn of practice - 415 -.

went the same of the first turn's. All practiced and ran, and Sam spent the turn throwing her sword. Her distance improved, but her aim was yet poor.

Throughout the turn, Sam practiced. As everyone else returned to their dwellings at the end of the training, Sam was yet throwing her sword. Once again, Meera, Caitha, and Jandra sat and waited. As prior, Meera offered pointers as she could. As the eve came, Jandra looked up just at the moment Sam's sword found its mark. As the turn prior, the tree fell over in flames. Sam recovered her sword and the eve became yet another repeated pattern.

Sam's arms hung at her sides as if broken. Her back was so sore she could barely rise from her bed the next morn. Yet, the Old One marked another tree. Once again, more distant, and once again, smaller. The turns passed the same, with Sam becoming stronger and more accurate. By the fifth turn, Sam hit her mark just after midturn. The Old One came and marked another tree, and made her continue. By early eve, Sam hit her Second mark of the turn.

The sixth turn showed greater signs of improvement. Sam's back felt stronger and needed less of her inner powers to mask the great pain she felt. She had been in such pain of late that she could barely breathe, let alone speak to her friends and companion. At the sun's rise of the sixth turn, and just after the Old One marked another tree more distant and smaller, Sam threw her sword once, and hit her mark. The Old One continued to mark trees further and smaller all morn, and Sam continued to throw the sword and hit her mark within a few tries. Her stance had improved to the point where her aim, strength and endurance could now be consistent. Yet, the Old One yelled at her whenever she missed.

"You must not miss. EVER! You must not. Each throw must be accurate. You have but one chance. You concentrate not enough. You use not your powers to see. You use your eyes. Each throw much be perfect.

You will practice this turn until you are able to hit ten consistent marks."

Sam listened and showed no emotion, although she was overly exhausted. Meera used her as an example whenever her guards and sentries complained. They would look at Sam, shake their heads in disbelief, then remain uncomplaining for the remainder of the training session. Meera had increased their running to longer distances. She made them move quicker in their practice and she made them move heavy objects from one spot to another, and then back again. She also insisted that they strengthen both their arms equally.

Meera's voice was raw and hoarse from shouting her continual demands.

By late midturn, after all the others had completed their practice, Sam had finally hit her mark ten throws in a row. The Old One then made Sam - 416 -.

hold heavy rocks in her hands, straight out from her sides. She told Sam to raise and lower them 100 up-and-down moves.

Jandra began to protest, but Meera halted her, "Sam will need this strength, Jandra, if you want her to survive."

"It be overly much, Meera. The Old One is overly hard on her. It is as if she hates her and wants her to fail."

Meera shook her head, "No, Jandra. In truth, the Old One wants Sam to succeed and pushes her so that she will. This will be no easy battle for any of us, but it will be most difficult for Sam. If you want her to live, you must not protest. Sam must become stronger. She must pass the point of pain."

Jandra stood, angry, "Woden seems to overly trust this Old One. I have heard no reason for such trust as this. We have always made our own way. It doesn't seem they do us any favors. But what choice do I have?"

On the seventh turn, Meera began the training session by having all the trainees run the perimeter of all of Woden. It would take the turn, but she cared not. She went with them. Jandra and Caitha continued their knife and bow and arrow practice, and watched Sam as they rested. Woden was quiet these turns, as most were occupied with training for battle. The other women and men worked together to keep the farms and fisheries up so that the stocks of food would be safe. Woden was focused on the upcoming battle, and few new projects were being started.

Soon after Meera's group began their run of the perimeter, four horses arrived, with riders. Sam had few around to help battle them, if necessary, and hoped it would not be needed. As she looked to the horses, she saw that they were not as Woden's horses. These were special horses, almost magical. They ran swiftly, but it was as if their feet didn't touch the ground, and yet they made great sounds as they approached. As they neared, Sam saw who it was, and knelt and bowed her head. She waited in that position until they arrived and dismounted. Her Spirit Mothers had come to Woden to help Sam gain the strength she would need. The Old One also saw them come up and went and stood next to Sam, saying nothing. She waited patiently. The Spirit Mothers dismounted and went to Sam and the Old One.

Nothing was said between them that Jandra or Caitha could hear.

Li'el'in'tiln laid her hands gently upon Sam's head, Our daughter. It has been long since we have met. Rise and meet us.

Jandra was stunned as she looked at the Spirit Mothers, if indeed they were as such. They were very tall, and flowing. She couldn't understand the flowing part, but it was the only way she could think to describe them.

Their garment colors were the colors of water. Their hair was the longest she had ever seen prior. All four of them seemed to have the same height, hair and garments. When they walked, it was as if they floated.

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