Once Emi and I are next to her, Sophia begins, "Hello Emi. We, your friends, have decided to surprise you today. Emi, welcome to your wedding."

"But, but..." she sputters.

"Lets begin. Sixteen days ago I met Mark for the first time, I thought him a polite young man at the time. As the days abroad ship progressed I learned that he is also intelligent, witty and honest. When we arrived on Haven he helped me find what I had come seeking. That evening I met Emi for the first time, I found her to be a polite young woman. I soon learned she is intelligent, industrious and wise. The next day, after retrieving my luggage from the ship I ran into them both, I notice right off that they were infatuated with each other. This, I later learned could be because of their biology and the fact that nether had seen a person of their species not related to them in many years. The next day, after be together for most of that day, Mark purposed to Emi and she accepted. Due to work obligations Mark must leave Haven, not being able to return for many weeks. We, the friends of Mark and Emi, wish them all happiness and in order to speed their married life along, we give you this ceremony."

"Mark, Do you love Emi with all your heart? Wishing nothing more than her happiness. Will you, to the best of your ability support her and any children you two may have? Protecting her, providing for her?" She whispers,"say I do."

"I do." he replies in a loud voice.

"Emi, do you love Mark with all your heart? Wishing nothing more than his happiness? Will you, to the best of your abilities support him in his efforts to support you and your future children, Loving him, helping in all ways?"

Emi, having recovered from the surprise, responses with, "I do."

"I understand that your species exchange tokens, Mark do you have a token to give Emi?"

"I do. Emi my love, this is a temporary ear ring, and as you are unable to wear it at the moment, let me place it on your finger." He takes her left hand, sliding the woven gold band on her finger.

I step forward, opening the cloth, removing the ear ring which I place in Emi's right hand, then step back.

Emi looks down at her hand, then at me then Mark. I smile at her, mouthing 'Go ahead.'

"Emi, do you have a token to give Mark?"

"I do. And as you are unable to wear this token as it should be worn please allow me." She takes his left hand in both of hers then places the ear ring over one of his fingers.

Sophia takes the hands wearing the rings, one in each hand then says," I, Sophia, Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom , do declare to those assembled that Emi and Mark are hereby married. I bless this union, may it be long and loving." She takes their hands, clamping them together, bringing them to her lips she kisses their joined hands. As she does, Mark and Emi take on a golden glow. She tells them, "Well, are you going to kiss or not?" Releasing their joined hands, she steps back.

Mark looks Emi in the eyes, "My love." Takes her in a hug and kisses her. She soon is returning the kiss, her hands grabbing his butt.

The assembled people break into cat calls and cheers. I have tears flowing down my face, I always cry at weddings.

When Mark's hands undo the frog above Emi's tail, I say,"Unless you intend to allow your friends to witness the consummation of your marriage you had better calm down." He starts, breaking the kiss, then looks around. He redoes the frog. I heard him tell her,"Later love, later, I promise." They turn, their tail intertwined , then walk hand in hand into the crowd.

As the happy couple accepte the congratulations of their friends, we migrated to the other side of the inlet, where Tilly has cooked our dinner. Tilly and Abbey are preparing the dishes as we gathered around, sitting on the hill side above them.

"All right you lot, Emi and Mark get served first, then Sophia and the queen, after that just line up. Molly will you assist?" Molly gets up from where she was sitting with the other maids. Soon Molly, Abbey and Tilly were bringing plates of food and pouring cups of tea to the people sitting on the hill side. On each plate was piled sea food of all sorts; fish, clams, oysters and shrimp. Along with some vegetables, carrot sticks, beet greens and pickled beets.

As I picked up a clam, it's shell reminded me of something, I need seashells to make chalk out of. "Please don't throw your seashells away, I have a use for them." Laying my plate to the side, I stand then trotted down to where the buckets lay, picking one up, bringing it back to the group. I placed it near the center of the group,"Put them in here, Please." I sat back down and resumed eating. The maids and Abbey were looking at me strangely, the others just continued to eat, it's not like they haven't see it before.

As we got close to finishing, Tilly stood, going to the pannier. Reaching in she pulled out several large cantaloupe. She proceeded to cut, clean and slice them into wedges which were places on a platter and carried around. We all take a few slices of the sweet golden goodness, biting in to them, the juices dribbling down our chins. When I finished eating I started tossing my shells toward the bucket, I missed the first few times but soon get better. Shortly it is a contest to see who can put theirs in from the farthest away.

When all the shells are finally in the bucket, Emi and Mark stand, facing us all. "Friends, Emi and I would like to say thank you for your kindness this day. With special thanks to Rufina, who thought of doing this, to Tilly, for making this wonderful meal and to Sophia, for the blessing." As he finished, they both bowed low, holding it for fifteen seconds before rising. They come over to me, pulling me up and embracing me. They soon do the same to Tilly and Sophia.

I fetch another bucket, this time filling it with seawater before returning. Placing it by the pannier, I then retrieve my plate and utensils. Dipping them in the bucket, giving them a scrub with my hand then laying them on a cloth to dry. Soon others were bringing their plates to me to wash, which is alright with me.

As I am washing dishes Christina, the youngest of the maid, starts to sing. A beautiful song of love, soon the other two joined in. When she finishs her song Molly starts a new one, a slow ballad. Soon Emi and Mark were doing a slow dance, tails wrapped around each other as they dance. Tobias asks Tilly if she would dance with him. She took his hand and they danced away. Then Aden and Helen followed by Eliza and Kalvin were soon dancing. Sophia joined the singers, adding an alto to their voices.

Abbey comes and sits beside me, I think she is going to ask me to dance but instead she asks, "You are an reincarnate, aren't you?"

I am taken aback, I haven't had much contact with Abbey. Se has been in the kitchen a few times when I have talked with Tilly. "What makes you say that, Abbey."

"It finally fell into place after Sophia blessed Emi and Mark. A god has come to Haven. Why? Because something has changed. What has changed? The queen. How has the queen changed? She is now polite, knowledgeable and very out going. Why would she be all those? Because she is no longer the queen we knew before. She is a reincarnate. Minster Lian succeed in his attempted murder and you came."

"That's a very good line of reasoning, Abbey. You are correct, I am a reincarnate, I did come because Lian succeed. The only part you haven't figured out is that Sophia brought me here. I would ask you to not say anything about me and the fact that Sophia is a God to anyone not present here today. There are only two others that know, mistress Nora and Harry the potter."

"Whoops, too late. I have spoken to Molly about my suspicions already. The other two may have their own thoughts on what happened."

"That's alright, they will probably be in the know soon anyway." We continued to chat, I learn she has been Tilly's helper/apprentice for three years, is seeing a young man in town, is working on her dowry chest and really likes the swimsuits that we are wearing. I tell her some of my background, of my hopes for the kingdom. I explained the salt ponds when she asks about them. Our talk is cut short when Aden ask her to dance.

I ask Helen if she will help me take some tea to the singers. As we do I her know what Abbey figured out and she can probably sell Abbey some underwear and a swimsuit for her dowery chest. I ask Helen if we should put together a dowery chest for Emi. Did her species even do that? She asks what it is? After I explained, she said she didn't know about Emi's species but hers didn't do it, at least she hadn't had one.

The singers take a break, their voices are getting tried, even I can tell. After serving the tea, Molly asks to talk to me. I have an idea what it is going to be about so said of course, even inviting her to walk with me. As we walk down to the beach and out toward the tip of the peninsula she asks the same things Abbey had. I tell her my tale, asking her to keep it quiet, to let the other maids figure it out on their own. I ask her about herself. She tells me she is married, has two children, usually goes home an hour before supper to spend the night with her family. She is curious about the swimsuits and the small clothes we made, I tell her they are copies of what is worn on Earth, the world I came from. Would Helen make her some if she asked? She would.

We walked out to the point of the peninsula, which is the farthest I have gone in that direction. As we stand looking out at the sea, I ask Molly if she knew of another place like this inlet, a place with a beach, in a protected place that didn't get large waves. She does, there is another inlet just over that rise to the east,. Why did I want to know? This place is for making salt, not for swimming, we need a new swimming place. We start back inland, chatting. I ask if she is teaching her children to read, write and to do sums. Her children are ready to move out of the house, finally, but she had taught them sums and how to read and write.

The sun is approaching the horizon, it's about an hour to sunset, when we arrive back at the party. The dancers are laying about, chatting. The bride and groom have disappeared, along with Eliza and Kalvin. Tilly is packing the pannier with the remains of supper and her cooking tools. I go down to where the lift is and start collecting tools, also. I pickup the buckets, shovel and hoe, taking them up the hill to the other pannier. I lay them near it then collect the bucket full of shells, placing it there also.

I decided that I might as well change so find my clothes then entering the cabana, quickly changing into them. I help Tilly finish putting things in the pannier. The others, seeing Tilly and I, start changing clothes. "Tilly, thank you for inviting the maids and Abbey, I didn't even think to inviting them. With them working with Emi for so long, they would have been very unhappy to not be invited."

"I figured you would feel that way once you found out. It worked out too, with them bringing the fresh water and the seafood."

I looked around, the two couples were still missing, "Shall I whistle up out missing friends or shall I let them have their together time?"

"Let them be, they are all adults and know the way home. You may want to put a torch up by the cabana though. Emi and Mark wouldn't need it but Eliza and Kalvin will."

"Alright. One torch coming up."

Walking over to Tobias, "Tobias, could you make a torch for me, please. We need to leave a light for our missing couples."

"A long lasting torch is hard to make princess. Would a fire be alright? I can make a fairly small fire that will burn a lot longer than a torch."

"Just make sure it wouldn't spread. I don't need a forest fire started."

Tobias asks Aden, Helen and Sophia to help him carry some stones up from the beach. A ring of stones is constructed not far from the cabana, about a meter across with the grass inside removed. Tobias lays out the wood then transfers the flame from the cooking fire, which Tilly then extinguishes. After helping with the stones Aden starts saddling the horses, leaving four unsaddled. I ask Sophia to check that the four were alright and if she could, send a message to them.

"They are fine. You and I can barely hear each other, they wouldn't be able to hear at all."

"Okay. It was just a thought."

Once the fire is going to his satisfaction, Tobias assists Aden with the horses. They lead one over to the panniers, lifting them up and securing them. I realize the maids and Abbey would need to double up with someone so, "Alright ladies, who is riding behind whom? Mabel, Christina, Molly and Abbey, who would you like to ride with?"

"May I ride with Sophia?" asked Mabel.

Christina comes and stands by Helen. Molly and Abbey looked at each other then nod. Abbey walks to me and Molly to Tilly. When we have that figured out, Tobias and Aden helped us mount. When we are mounted we slowly make our way to the palace. Abbey acts like she hasn't ridden much, which she confirms when I ask. She rides with her face in my back and her arms hugging tight. At one point I have to pry her loose so I could breath. Once she relaxed a little our ride went much better.

When we get to the palace and start unloading, "Everyone, before you leave, Please come to the study. I have a gift for Emi and Mark I wish you all to sign." Once inside I get out the certificate along with a pen and the ink. Sophia signs as presiding official and as first witness, I sign as Queen and second witness then everyone else signs as witnesses, making sure to leave several of spaces for Aden, Tobias, Kalvin and Eliza. Emi and Mark each have a line to sign, being the principles.

Soon Sophia and I are the only ones in the study. Tilly and Abbey are in the kitchen put things away and washing up. Everyone else has either gone home or to bed.

"Sophia, will you wash my back?" saying. "I will reciprocate."

"Of course, Dear one."

So I fetch a pitcher of hot water while she gets her robe and slippers. When I get to the head of the stairs, Helen and Sophia are there, in their robes. Helen leads the way as she has the candle, lighting a couple more when we get to my bedchamber.

We bathe each other, scrubbing each others back and feet. We put on panties and a chemise, then cuddle up on the bed, me being the body pillow for both of them. They must be tired as they both fall right to sleep. I lie there for awhile, reviewing the day before I finally joined them is slumber.

* * *

During the night, Rufina enters her dream space library. Sitting at one the computers connected to the the internet she starts researching the different types of spinning wheels. As she begins browsing different sites, pictures and videos, Sophia comes through the door leading Helen.

"My goodness, this is a bright cheery place." Helen says, looking around at all the strange things visible. Rufina starts as she is not expecting them. She gives Sophia a questioning look as they approach.

"I noticed you had entered dream space after I had brought Helen in to speak with her so came to see what you were doing." She said out loud but in her head Rufina heard, 'I need to speak with you and Helen was with me.'

Rufina glanced at the screen, an idea forming. "Helen, would you like to learn about spinning wheels?" When Helen nodded, "Here, sit down." Rufina then gave Helen a quick lesson on how to use a computer browser and search engine. Once she was navigating on her own, Rufina and Sophia cross the lobby to the sitting area so they can talk.

"You didn't notice but I checked what killed the mate, massive brain hemorrhage. It was like every vessel in his brain ruptured at once. I have been meditating on how that could be done. I believe I have figured it out. Someone with a god given power has weakened the vessels over time, then when they want them to die they cause a spike in their blood pressure. When the excess pressure hits the weaken vessels, instant massive stroke."

Sigh, "So we have someone with minions who if captured can be eliminated before they can be made to talk. But what do they want with Haven? Or is it me they want? If so, why?"

"You are the last heir to the kingdom, if they remove you who would inherit Haven? Your father was an only child so it could it be his mothers kin? Or someone related to your grand parents?"

"I have no idea. I will need to ask Aden. Any idea which god is involved?"

"No idea. Too many gods have given powers to people over the years. Some were given to the person themselves, others were items of power. This could be a person using an item of power or a person with a personal power or both."

I sigh, too many variables, too many gods, relatives or others. All with unknown motives. They could have been doing this for awhile, long enough to attack father and my brothers. If a god or godly power is involved couldn't they have effected Father and Burnard or even sinking the ship Jared was on? The crime shows I watched claimed that most crimes are committed by people that know the victims. The only people Rufina knows are the the ones here on the island and her relatives on the mainland. Other than Lian most of the people on the island like her (she hopes). Her relatives, on the other hand, are a bunch of assholes.

"I would bet money that it's one of her relatives. Which one is a mystery though. Looking at her memories, the few she has met are grade A bastards. Even as a child she could tell that. We can assume that they are in or near Calvi as the mate was based there."

"How do you figure that?"

"I asked Captain Jones if the mate had join his ship just before sailing, he had. The previous mate only gave a short notice before leaving. The mate was recommended by the Calvi harbormaster so unless the harbormaster had been bribed the mate was from there. On second thought, the harbormaster probably was bribed, the chances of the mate get three ships in a row coming to Haven would be pretty low. So who ever is doing this is in or near Calvi and has enough pull to either bribe or influence the harbormaster."

"Logical. So one of Rufina's relatives from Calvi or the surroundings, rich and or powerful politically."

Rufina remembers three branches of relatives in the vicinity of Calvi. Her mother's, grandmother's and great grand mother's families. Though who is next in line to inherit the domain of Haven, that is the question. "I wonder if Aden knows who would be next to inherit the island? Also is there a family tree some where? I need to sit and go through the library, I have no idea what is in there."

We sit thinking for a while then I get up going to speak to the librarian. She gives me another login so I can use another computer. Once I am logged on I search for board games. I feel we need more games we can play. It presents some of the older broad games, which I write down. Then I see one that I have played and enjoyed, the one that you have a stack of wooden pieces that you move to the top one by one until the stack falls down. I am jotting a note about it when Sophia comes saying, "Tilly is here to wake us."

"Did you find any thing good Helen?" I ask.

She is about to answer when I fade away.