"Life is a choice - as is how you handle the pitfalls along its bumpy road."

Julie Donner Andersen,

from What My Widowed Husband Has Taught Me

Marcus set on the rail outside the inn with his arms cross and looking so solemn. She felt the weight of his stare yet she did not lift her gaze to him. “Woman are you insane? Do we need to make a trip to Sardar? " He stood up right and growled “it’s a mistake I tell you. Go to the plains… what do you know of that world?”

Lowly her words came in a softness she could give when she desired to do so. Marcus, my mother is their blood. I am part their blood. What would have me to do? Wait for Tristram to decide to come back? Or to go looking for Zo? I do know something, and I can learn the rest.”

“If you live to even arrive on the plains. Who is to say they won’t enslave you? Wont skin you and hang it up to dry over their fires? “
Her stormy eyes found him at once. “Stop that. You have little faith in me? In them? You judge them as if you know them. “

“Watch your tone with me woman!”

Her chin lifted higher as she stared to the silver haired man. “I need to follow this path. “

“Why? “ As his arms dropped to his side. “Because of a dream? “

“I need to know, if I don’t seek this I will never know. “ A shrug rose then settled. “She hid me in walls, though not with my siblings...why? I need to know. Am I crazy? Perhaps but I still need to know.”

He drew in a long breath then spoke even toned. “I will escort you to the plains. This I will do as my vow was to protect you. I will see you there. I will return to Rarir after that.”

She nodded. “Then I will first go see Emma. I need her to draw up the forms for the businesses, the ships. Anything else I need to give to her , to Alaura, and Tristram.”
“And to the brothers?”

“They have their own life. The women are my worry, though I know my sisters will live well.”

He grunted then looked to the sky “Best get sleep if we are to begin traveling in the morning woman.”

The small woman looked to him again then nodded before entering the door. Enough was said for now.

make me mind up

Its been nearly a hand since I spoke to the Tuchuk at the arena. His words did tug at my heart every night the sun set and allowed the tree moons to rise. Could I give up everything to go back where my blood is? Could I prove myself worthy? Am I strong enough to do this knowing I will see Alah as nothing but some slave to me?

There are questions I need to think on, to understand. I need to seek a vision in my dreams. I need to know that those who gave me life gave me the backbone and blood in my viens to be who I am. This I must do before I write Tristram with my decision, and set all my land to his and Emma's hands.

This is something I must decide alone with the winds.....

Oh, Great Spirit,

whose voice I hear in the winds

Whose breath gives life to the world, hear me

I come to you as one of your many children

I am small and weak

I need your strength and wisdom

May I walk in beauty

Make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.

Make my hands respect the things you have made

And my ears sharp to your voice.

me wise so that

I may know the things you have taught your children.

The lessons you have written in every leaf and rock

Make me strong--------!

Not to be superior to my brothers,

but to fight my greatest enemy....myself

Make me ever ready to come to you with straight eyes,

So that when life fades as the fading sunset,

May my spirit come to you without