"How badly injured is she, Anyst?"

"Most badly, Second. Three of her wounds could be but fatal. We have secured them well."

Meera bent down to Sam, "Be she unconscious?"

"She is Second, but she moaned when we set her leg. It is a painful experience."

"Why have you secured her so to this board?"

"The Highest has injured her head and back, Second. No movement can occur. The back must heal or she may not move her legs again."

"Her arm is most swollen."

"It is, Second. The arm be not good. But be most likely not life threatening. I but hope the ribs touch not her lungs. They do not appear to. Have you made the traveler, Second?"

"It be ready. Can she travel so?"

"Only slowly, Second. But it be only back to Woden, and we have prepared her tightly."

- 453 -.

"We must take her to the Spirits of the Falls. They will be able to heal her more than we are able. She be of them."

"It be overly far, Second. I do not think she will make it such a distance."

"It must be so. Can the traveler be fitted across two horses so we do not drag her behind one? The path be far, but wide enough, I think. I can be there by moon rise."

"It be not wise, Second. She needs immediate care."

"Her injuries need greater care than we can give, Anyst. I, more than you, care about The Highest, and would not risk her so if I did not think it her only chance. Help me, Anyst. I need your help, but this must be done.

Please come with me and tend to her. I cannot do this without you. I have not these medical skills you seem to have. We must go quickly as I see The Highest begin a fever."

Anyst looked to Sam's forehead and saw that The Highest's face was flushed. She couldn't tell if it was the pain of the movement or a fever beginning, as Meera had said. Either way, she knew The Second to be correct.

The Highest needed more care than Woden's healers could provide. She nodded to Meera and motioned for the guards to begin setting the traveler across the two horses. Once secured, one guard placed a pole between the bit of the two horses, and joined them firmly together so they couldn't part, and did the same to their hind ends. The other guards lifted The Highest on her flat board, onto the traveler and across the two horses. It looked awkward, but Anyst thought it would hold.

The battle of Woden had been won, but at high cost of life. Meera gave the guards a message to give to Karan. She wanted Karan informed that The Highest lived, but needed much care and was being taken to the Spirit Mothers of the Falls. She wanted Karan to begin the process of rebuilding Woden's dwellings and lives that had been shattered in the battle.

And she told the guards to tell Karan that she would return soon.

The guards left. Meera went to what was left of Buron and pulled Sam's sword and knife from him. She also picked up Buron's sword and placed both upon a sheath on the horses. She resettled her own weapons, as did Anyst, and they began their long walking journey, taking the most gentle path they could. It would take them at least until the moon's rise, but Anyst guessed that it would take longer. She felt some relief that it was near a full moon, so knew that their way would be well lit.

On this eve, Jandra had gone to bed early and worried overly about Sam and Woden. She eventually fell asleep, but fitfully so. The turn had - 454 -.

been a long one in the wait. The Spirit Mothers had done their best to provide stories of diversion, but even they awaited the battle's outcome. Well after the moon's rise, Jandra and Caitha were both woken by the Spirit Mothers' noticeable agitation. They were fluttering about as if worried.

Many departed to the larger river's edge.

The Old One came to Jandra and Caitha, Sam comes. Meera brings her.

But Sam is gravely injured. We bring her in now. We will place her in the room next to this one.

I want to see her. Take me to her.

The Old One held onto Jandra so that she couldn't run to the river, We carry her in now. There is no need for you to go to her. Meera and a guard of the name of Anyst have walked a long way to get her here. Jandra, you must tend to your unborn, and you must prepare yourself. Sam is unconscious and is most injured. When you see her, you will be shocked at the extent of her injuries. Prepare yourself, Jandra.

She turned to Caitha while yet holding Jandra, Help prepare her, friend. It will be a shock for you as well. Your own companion is ill, also, with fever, but not seriously. Her guard is overly tired. We will tend to them both. Jandra, I need to let you go now. You must be strong.

I will be. Just let me see her.

As soon as she arrives, you can be in the room as we unload her from her journey.

Loudrill'n carried Sam into the room as if floating. Sam was yet bound to the board Anyst had strapped her to. Loudrill'n placed the board and Sam onto the bed. Some of the other Spirit Mothers began gently unbinding her from the board. Jandra watched and remained quiet. She feared if she made any noises that they would remove her from the room. It was as the Old One had said. Sam was indeed overly injured and wholly unconscious. She looked frail and beaten. She had defeated Buron and saved Woden, but the cost had been high.

Jandra knew that Sam could heal others some from their ailments. She now watched, hoping the Spirit Mothers might be able to do as well. They unbound her arm and felt it, as they did every injured part of her body.

When they looked at her upper thigh, they turned to Meera, You have tended well to our daughter. We have called for her Grandmother. She will help heal her. Go now and rest. The morning will arrive soon enough for you. We will also tend to you while you rest as you also are in need of healing.

Meera was overly tired and was, in truth, yet standing only because Caitha held onto her tightly. Caitha had been excited to see Meera, but her joy had been cut short at the sight of Sam. Anyst looked exhausted and began to slump down. Loudrill'n looked at her, caught her, moved her to another room, and placed her gently on the bed. Other Spirit Mothers began to tend to Anyst, silently, as Anyst slept. Loudrill'n motioned to Meera to follow her, and Caitha followed Loudrill'n, leading Meera to her own - 455 -.

bed. More Spirit Mothers came and tended to Meera, while Caitha returned to Jandra and Sam.

The Old One had tried to tell Jandra to rest until after the Woman in the Woods came and helped to heal Sam, but Jandra insisted. She wouldn't leave Sam's side. Tadan entered and stood with Jandra and Caitha. Jandra had never seen Tadan looked worried, as he now did.

When the Woman in the Woods arrives, you should leave. While Sam will remember none of the pain, this eve's healing will be most difficult on her. I fear you will think we kill her. I think it not wise you remain for this. And there be no need.

Jandra remained insistent, There is a need. Sam knows I am here. It will help calm her. And it help calms me to be near her. Worry not about my presence. She very briefly wondered why the Old One kept trying to remove her from the room, but let it go.

The Woman in the Woods finally appeared and looked upon her granddaughter. She began chanting, but Jandra didn't know the language she spoke. The chanting seemed liked singing to Jandra, and she thought it most beautiful. The Spirit Mothers began unbinding the wrappings from Sam's body. Piece by piece, they removed the bandages until Sam laid upon the bed mostly naked. Her body seemed overly half injured. The bruises went from side to side. There were scratches, deep wounds and burn marks across her entire body. Her head was swollen from its injuries, as were her arm and leg. Blood seeped from several wounds, and Sam's right arm looked crushed.

Loudrill'n received some unheard sound from someone, and moved over to Jandra. Gently, she moved Jandra and Caitha to the opposite side of the room. Jandra and Caitha watched as the Woman in the Woods touched all Sam's injuries. She moved slowly across her body, chanting the whole while. One of the Spirit Mothers turned to Loudrill'n, gave her a look Jandra didn't understand, and then turned back to Sam. Loudrill'n moved so as to surround Jandra and Caitha, but didn't touch them. It was as if she encased them within herself, but without force. Jandra felt comfort from it but knew not why or how it was being done.

The chanting continued for a long while. Suddenly, Sam's body rose slightly off the bed. Her arms hung straight out from their sides, and it was as if her whole body was supported in air. The Woman in the Woods halted her chanting and gave a loud sound that sounded like a shriek to Jandra. Sam's body jerked as if it had been snapped in two, and a scream burst from Sam that sounded like she was being tortured by demons. It was a loud, long, wailing scream, full of pain and anguish. To Jandra, it lasted forever. To Caitha, it was the scream of death.

As suddenly, the scream halted. The Woman in the Woods lowered Sam gently down to the bed and began the chanting again. Jandra felt like - 456 -.

her own heart had been ripped from her breast when she heard Sam scream. Her skin crawled at the sound, and she unknowingly placed her hand over her ears to make it halt. Caitha would later tell her that she had screamed as well, but Jandra would never remember this to be so.

Sam lay in a bed that stood high from the ground. The Spirit Mothers needed it such due to their own height. As they worked to heal Sam, they stood over her and bent only slightly. All the elements of the healing session became seared into Jandra's memory. She saw that the Woman in the Woods seemed to command all the Spirit Mothers. While they all wore what Jandra thought the same garment, she began to see differences in each. As she watched them heal Sam, she began to see that each garment was of the color of water, but as water colors vary, so did their garments.

She also saw that some wore long gowns, some wore pants and shirts, and others wore what looked like capes, and yet she hadn't noticed that difference at first. She also saw that their hair was unique across them. When she first entered their dwelling, all she noticed was that their hair flowed like water and was long enough to reach the ground. In watching them more carefully, she saw that Loudrill'n's hair was wavy and moved like the small ripples in a stream, while Strada'n'il's flowed straight as a waterfall.

She slowly came to realize their intimate connection to water. She thought of Sam's eyes and how they changed when Sam used her powers; the more she used them, the more her eyes shimmered as the sun upon water. She saw how closely the Spirit Mothers remained to the moving waters.

And the tear Sam took from me that formed our child be from water, also.

The Spirit Mothers, the Old One, and the Woman of the Woods all placed their hands upon Sam's body. They now all chanted, but clearly at the direction of the Woman in the Woods. They moved about her, in the same fashion as a dance. Tadan moved closer so that he could see better, but he didn't interfere with the ritual. They circled Sam's body, over and over. The chanting became hypnotic to Jandra, and she began to feel tired.

She felt she was floating but was too sleepy to know that Loudrill'n carried her to bed, placed a kiss on her forehead, and touched her womb to send a message of tenderness to the unborn. Tadan watched throughout the entire eve, but finally went to bed in the late after mideve.

Jandra woke, unaware of how long she had slept, or that she had done so. She rose instantly and rushed to Sam's side. No one was in the room with Sam, but Jandra saw a Spirit Mother just outside. Sam looked quieted as if her pains had left her. Jandra held her left hand but saw that Sam slept deeply.

A Spirit Mother came in; one she didn't know, Sam sleeps deeply in her own realm. We have healed much of her pain and wounds, but cannot wake her. It is - 457 -.

up to her if she will leave her unconsciousness for your realm or remain in the place she now rests in. You can talk to her Jandra. She will hear you and later remember. She can't respond to you, though, so do not become frustrated.

Jandra didn't know whether to be frightened, grateful, or angered.

What have you done to her?

We have begun her healing and we have placed her into a place where she feels no pain. Her injuries were most severe, but she fought bravely and well. She will take a long while to heal. We have slowed down all the functionings of her body except for the healing process. If and when she wakes, it will have seemed like only a few turns to her body.

It is up to her, now, Jandra.

Jandra sat by Sam's side all morn. Meera and Caitha came in, checking in on Sam and Jandra.

Good morn, Jandra. How be Sam?

She sleeps in a deep unconscious sleep. The Spirit Mothers have removed her pain and have begun the healing processes, but they said that it be up to Sam whether she wakes or no.

Meera touched Sam's forehead, Perhaps it for the best. This one would want to rise the moment she be conscious. Woden has much to do, now, and is able to tend to its re-building without her, for now. She will awaken in her own moment, Jandra. Sam wants to be with you and see her child.

Caitha moved Sam's hair off her forehead, She looks much improved from last eve. I have never seen a sight such as that. How is it she lived through such?

Meera shook her head and frowned, She has a deep will to live. The injuries I saw were most overwhelming. I am grateful that Anyst was with me to prepare Sam for her journey here. I would not have done as well as Anyst.

Jandra looked to Meera for the first moment since they arrived, How is Woden? Am I needed more there than here?

Meera made a neutral expression so that Jandra could make that decision herself, Woden won their battle, but lost many lives. We have many buildings that need re-building, including most of the fishery huts and boats. The dock is a mess, most of the shops sustained some type of destruction, many of the paths require rebuilding.

Even your dwelling, Jandra. Yours and Sam's, requires rebuilding. And the former Highest's dwelling has been demolished. Woden is missing their Highest now, Jandra, but you are also needed here. The decision is yours alone to make.

Jandra looked to Caitha, Help me make this decision, Caitha. I can't. My heart is here, but Woden needs a leader. And their leader lies but here. Can I be this selfish to remain here? But I want Sam to be not alone.

Caitha looked sadly upon Jandra, It is a most unfair decision for you. But the Spirit Mothers have told you that Sam will sleep for a long while. If you worry about her being alone, then let me remain with her and you leave with Meera to Woden. When you feel that Woden is settled enough, have Meera return with you. In the meanwhile, send messengers everyturn if that would but help. I can send reports with them and you will - 458 -.

not feel so worried for her. If you are needed quickly, you could leave one messenger here for me, just in case. Anyst could use the rest by the looks of her, and she but earned it.

Jandra knew Woden needed her, but she didn't trust the Spirit Mothers enough to leave Sam. Allow me a few moments to think on this while Meera prepares to depart.

Caitha and Meera nodded, and then left.

Jandra asked Li'el'in'tiln if she might speak with the Old One. Within a short while, the Old One came, looking nothing at all as the Old One, but like one of the leaders of the Spirits of the Falls. What may I do for you, Jandra?

We have many seriously injured men and women in Woden. The Spirits of the Falls have great healing powers. Woden has much need of these if we are to recover.

The Old One looked at Jandra and smiled patiently, We do have these powers, as you say, but this be a most unusual request. I will speak of it to the others, and we will do what we can.

Jandra nodded, Thank you.

She looked at Sam, noticing that her swelling had been much relieved, as had her fever. She looked quiet and peaceful. The Spirits had cleaned and clothed her, and placed a soft covering on top of her to prevent chill.

Jandra held Sam's hand and spoke to her for a long while. She spoke of her love for Sam, of their unborn child, of Woden, and how proud of Sam she was, and that no one could have done as much for Woden. And then she told her that Woden had won their battle, but much rebuilding was needed, so Jandra was needed. She gently told her that she would return within a small portion of a moon's passage, and to remain peaceful and secure in their love. She also told Sam that she needed to remove herself from this unconsciousness. When Meera and Caitha returned, Jandra was ready to depart with Meera, but was glad to have Caitha remain and tend to Sam as well she could. She kissed Sam gently, then left, her heart breaking more with every step.

Caitha remained with Sam so that Jandra could return to Woden to provide the leadership it needed. Tadan went with Meera and Jandra to help in the rebuilding. Anyst remained with Caitha to provide a messenger to Caitha, if one were needed. As much as Jandra knew that Sam would have it so, it made it no easier for Jandra to leave her side. As they returned to Woden, Meera told Jandra about the battle in Woden, what she saw at Sam and Buron's battlefield, how many lives had been lost, the prisoners even Meera decided to let live, and the overall condition of Woden. Jandra listened with half-interest. She was pleased that Woden had won its battle, - 459 -.

but also now knew that Fornaith, Apien and New Harborage would all require Woden's assistance to rebuild and reorganize, or others would take over, such as Buron had. She also had begun to suspect that the main battle yet raged between the Woden's Spirit Mothers and the Spirits of the Valley.

Tadan was excited to help rebuild Woden. He knew of his mother's thoughts about relocating the shops, and thought this would be a good moment to unite Hengist and Woden in more beneficial ways and patterns.

Throughout the journey back to Woden, Tadan described his plan in detail to Jandra.

As they entered Woden, Meera led Jandra to what had been the former Highest's dwelling. It had been destroyed in the battle, but was now a make-shift camp and the center of Woden's rebuilding. They rode up to the tent and dismounted. The guards had announced her return, so all of Woden had come to greet her.

When she dismounted, all knelt and bowed their heads and said, "Highest."

Jandra hadn't noticed the gathering crowd upon her entrance, so was startled at their welcome. But quickly recognizing what they had called her, she became angry, "I don't care the laws of Woden. I will not have this so.

Stand and address me only as Second. The Highest be alive and healing, so there be no need for such as this."

Karen rose and went to her, "But Highest, it be the law."

"NO! No longer. Think of The Highest as visiting elsewhere. I command this and will have it no other way. I will hear no more of this. Everyone, rise."

They did and looked at Jandra, well surprised. They had never heard her so angered, but saw that it was not at them, so returned to their rebuilding of Woden.

She turned back to Karan, "Tell me of what occurs presently."

"The animals and farms were unharmed, so our supplies be safe, except for the fisheries. Janel and Briggon think we can but build some smaller boats quickly to begin the fish trade soon. In the meanwhile, many companions must live with other companions until their dwellings be rebuilt. All help the builders in the after midturns to rebuild. Everyone becomes but a builder now. Hengist was unharmed and not entered, but they lost many lives, as Woden, in the battle. They also help us to rebuild.

Every after midturn, all of Hengist comes to Woden to help rebuild. Life continues with the same patterns in the morns with everyone tending to the Woden and Hengist duties in the gardens and farms and such, then in the after midturn, Woden becomes rebuilt."

- 460 -.

"Tadan has some ideas about relocating the shops. It is as The Highest wishes. Please make certain this occurs. I would like a meeting with all the advisors this eve. Where can such be held, now? I know not which location remains."

On the turn following Jandra's return, in the late after midturn while she was overseeing the rebuilding from the center tent, a large commotion occurred.

Karan ran over to Jandra, "Riders come, Second."

Jandra turned and saw that Meera and her guards were ready. She stood, just waiting to see who the riders were. As they neared, Jandra saw that it was their Spirit Mothers. The horses came charging up to the tent, creating a cloud of dust and dirt as they halted. As the Spirit Mothers dismounted, all the women of Woden that were near, knelt and bowed their heads, including Jandra.

Li'el'in'tiln came up to Jandra, Jandra, please rise.