The sun was well and truly past the middle of the day and Thyia wasn’t beside her. Charis would need to do this alone. One of her hands clasped the other to steady a jitter, fear rose in her throat, and swallowing didn’t help. Would she use the roof if it came to that, would she have the required bravery, courage, or foolishness to do so?

Charis turned to distraction. Why hasn’t Thyia returned? Was the company in some trouble? She needed her vision; she needed to help, as an archer, if not Mistress, she would make a difference and be able to contribute. Unless blind and therefore useless and a burden to everyone. She started to open her eyelids, crossing a bridge of no return.

---

Astera located Dione and Otonia, as well as Drosis. Where did Charis, Helice, Thyia, and Dirce go and why didn’t she as Mistress know their whereabouts? Were the Daughters at war and the first casualties inflicted unknown to their Mistress? The Judge Knights certainly weren’t acting as followers of Judge that is for sure. She ensured the Gate and the Trail were under observation from the Inn, the doors boarded up, and the stables and the wagons watched. There was no one at the Inn Astera could spare to search for them as they needed to defend the Inn as their base. Pacing and wringing her hands, Astera, as Mistress, worried.

---

Charis glimpsed light piercing underneath her opening eyelids, hope flooded her, and confidence returned. She fully opened her eyes and light glorious light, blue sky, and darkening clouds greeted her. Her abdomen muscles allowed her to sit up effortlessly so she could scan the sights and scenes about her. She could clearly identify the top of the Keep, she could clearly examine the Inn’s roof and then she realised she was mostly naked. Examining her breasts in particular and her skin in general, she expected her skin to be tanning; instead, her existing light tanning was no more, the wild sun loving hunter girl was gone. Her fair complexion was now borderline white. Who is laughing at me, first blind and now pale?

Charis quickly dressed in her under cloth and climbed down the ladder to the attic and then to the Hallway. She took a moment to hitch up her under cloth and add the wrap around her pale breasts and then allowed her under cloth to fall back into place. The second floor of the Inn appeared deserted when she returned to her room, therefore alone she started to armour up and arm herself. As each piece of armour strapped into place, Charis appreciated the familiarity and purpose, not limited to the physical protection of her flesh, she felt empowered by her actions she was no longer a burden.

“Help me Mistress!” Helice sent.

The contact hit Charis’ mind like a physical force, she collapsed, felled by the strength of it; like a tree cut down in the forest with one swift swing of an axe, luckily the bed was nearby to fall upon. Strong and overwhelming due to the sense of urgency and fear behind the sending it was amplified by pleasure, pain, and guilt; a chaotic swirl of emotions. The erotic, sensual release overshadowed by killing, suffering, and remorse. The mix of pleasure and pain was a new experience for her and incapacitating.

Realising Charis was listening, Helice felt a calm envelope her, Mistress would save her, she would come to her, and she would explain.

Charis we need help, send a sister with horses for the living and the dead to this cottage, take care,” Helice sent.

Helice felt the touch of Alcmene and Clymene as they gently contacted her and reassured her they would cradle her in their love and affection. When Helice killed, she severed her connection with her seer-sisters as her brain entered fright mode, which caused her seer mind to withdraw into itself. Thyia’s lovemaking rescued her from her fear, she wasn’t alone, and it was the start of Helice’s lifeline back as Seers always responded to intimacy and reassurance. They always started their journey with a lifelong partner.

As their connection with Helice returned and they shared, Alcmene and Clymene burst into tears, they could not control themselves, Helice’s pain, and shock, raw and unknown to them they now absorbed and experienced. They maintained their contact with their sister and suffered with her, comforting her, rescuing her from her pain. Calmly this time Helice contacted Charis.

“Charis we need help, send a sister with at least six extra horses to this cottage, careful Mistress Judge Knights could be patrolling.”

Between the contacts, Charis recovered and hurried to the Common Room, it was an obvious guess. Where better to organise the defence of the Inn, where ideal to find the Mistress of the Daughters of the Duchess. Charis tried to contact Helice and felt nothing, somehow she needed to follow her own advice and duplicate what Raisa managed to do.

“Are you recovered Mistress?” Astera asked.

“I am not certain; Helice is in my mind. She needs six horses to be sent to a cottage on the mountain side of the village.”

“Rest Mistress, be seated, you appear so pale are you well? I will organise the horses and the rescue, if you can describe which cottage.”

Charis shook her head refusing the offered chair. What difference is pale skin, and who actually cares?

“I could draw a map, yet no, I have been resting too long and pale skin or not I am well. Ask an Initiate to accompany me and I will deliver the horses.”

Astera was considering pulling rank; still there was no Warrior-sister to spare except Charis. Therefore, Astera thought of Drosis who was watching the wagons and the stable, who she knew could ride. Astera hoped all those missing were together and why they would need three spare mounts neither Astera nor Charis could determine. They were to ride to them and save them as best they could and then return to the Inn as soon as possible.

While Charis organised the horses with Drosis, Astera confirmed with Dione her stallion would guard the wagons and the stable. He always was apparently. Astera returned to the stables in time to see Charis and Drosis ride off with four horses tethered behind them. Astera realised the Inn held a Ladies Three and if they wished, the Judge Knights could easily defeat them if they attacked now.

---

Dirce breathed a sigh of relief and her grip on the crossbow relaxed as she heard the crescendo of horse hooves growing louder, heading their way. Helice and Thyia were finally quiet, she was quiet, and they were away from the cottages of death and blood. Therefore, if the riders were Judge Knights there was ample time to warn her sisters, if not she could wave them down and be rescued.

Charis rode with Drosis leading the extra horses. Now the moment arrived Dirce couldn’t decide what to do first, warn her sisters about Mistress Charis or wave their rescuers down. Mistress Charis rode to save them, such an honour. Dirce placed her crossbow down and half stepped from the cottage doorway waving, until the riders changed direction towards her, relieved when they did. She then hurried back inside the cottage to fetch Helice and Thyia and found them still embraced upon the collapsed bed. Coughing slightly and keeping her voice low, she announced herself at the door.

“Mistresses, the Mistress has arrived.”

Thyia and Helice rolled over to face her, without urgency or panic; Helice appeared relaxed and calm. Thyia whispered to Helice, too quietly as Dirce couldn’t catch any words spoken. They stood naked and started dressing, clothes first and then armour, bloodied or not. Dirce stared for a moment too long, encouraged by Helice’s welcoming smile. When she finally dragged her eyes away, she spun around into Charis. Charis caught Dirce by her shoulders to prevent a collision, shaped her lips into a smile, and then ambled into the second room. Before Dirce could twig to apologise or bow, Drosis embraced her.

Charis interrupted Helice and Thyia with her arrival and without pause or salutation; hugged them both in one wide embrace their partially naked bodies contrasting against Charis’ full armour and cloak. Dirce recovered and shared a spare crossbow with Drosis, which Drosis glanced at and then cast a questioning eye at Dirce.

“They are heavy. I thought you could help me carry them to the horses,” Dirce said.

Drosis tilted her head, stood with Dirce and they stared as one. All the while, both Thyia and Helice were facing them; their eyes lightly closed savouring the moment.

As Thyia and Helice opened their eyes, they stared at Drosis and Dirce waving them to join. The initiates blinked and then stepped forward to enjoy the moment. After a few heartbeats, they all separated from their embrace with Charis, standing back a respectful distance especially the initiates.

“Well, you both will need some time to dress it seems,” Charis said.

“You can stay Mistress as we explain the plan; you would be most welcome…of course,” Thyia said.

They discussed the plan; they would utilise four horses to carry away the dead bodies, with Helice and Dirce on horses leading them. They would ride to the edge of the village and find an abandon cottage away from the ambush area to hide them in and then head back to the Inn. Charis, Thyia, and Drosis would ride back to the Inn, with one pair doubling up on one horse after clearing away any trail left by the horses. With any luck, the Judge Knights wouldn’t discover the scene until dark and by then they wouldn’t be able to figure out what happened there until morning.

“Mistress, why is your skin so pale?” Helice asked, as they started on the plan.

“Too much sun,” at Helice’s pained expression Charis continued, “I don’t seem to tan anymore. I seem to go pale.”

---

Helice rode to the very edge of the village; all of this area towards the mountains now abandoned. It didn’t seem to make sense since the most prosperous and secure farms were this way, closer to the mountains. It didn’t matter for now, before mid-afternoon, they found a cottage. Checking if anyone would show an interest in them or spot them, they didn’t note anyone. Helice kept watch while Dirce walked the horses directly into the cottage, dropped the body, and then walked the horse out. Another three times and the completed body pile rested in the middle of the cottage.

The blood didn’t seem to bother Helice now; she welcomed Alcmene and Clymene supporting her, fortifying her still. Sharing the experience her seer-sisters also witnessed the after trauma of a first kill although not all the graphic detail.

They would need to dress down the horses and clean them when they returned to the Inn. For now, they wiped down as much blood as possible using the dead men’s clothes, mounted up and rode their horses back to the Inn riding wide and clear of the ambush site.

“Mistress Helice can I ask you a question?” Dirce asked.

“I am not your Mistress. Although I know, others let it go. Call me Warrior-sister or perhaps Seer-sister or sister, and yes you can ask me a question,” Helice said.

Dirce quickly nodded.

“Sister, why was I chosen to join? Drosis wonders also. We are grateful of course and we trained at what we thought was valued, nevertheless I thought I would ask you since we are alone?”

“You must have shown Mistress Astera some quality that fit, there is not much more I can say. For me I was abandon by the Seers when I lost my twin and I wandered aimlessly within the Temple when I was escorted by Charis and her Ladies Three along with others Seers and over time they invited me to join if I liked them enough to stay with them. As you can see I am still here.”

“What do I need to do to rise from Initiate, Sister Helice?”

“Well that is sometimes difficult to know, although start with trust, loyalty, and honesty.”

Dirce’s face glowed crimson.

“Oh, that is good, thank you Sister. I thought there was, you know, something else required.” Her face flushed a deeper red, which Helice couldn’t imagine possible, although colour spreading to her neck and shoulders might have contributed to the perception.

“What have you been told Initiate?” Helice deepened her voice and raised the volume slightly to ensure Dirce would respond. Slowing her horse to a stop and Dirce doing likewise Helice twisted in her saddle to face the Initiate.

“Well, you see, we, I mean, I, Sister I thought, you know there was something else, like being with a Sister or perhaps the Mistress in an intimate way.” She finally breathed, a whoosh of air passed her lips, and there was obvious relief once she finished speaking the words.

“That is definitely by choice and if you are ever asked don’t be insulted, although ensure you say no if you don’t want to participate, there is no implied or expected obligation. Mistress Astera or Mistress Charis don’t accept Initiates because they wish to bed them.”

“Thank you Sister, I need to say no for my own reasons and glad I can.” Her eyes closed and she swallowed in relief.

“You need to accept between sisters there is a friendship, this is encouraged, and it is this friendship, which sometimes grows. Understand you decide what it grows into and how you wish to act upon it. Yes?”

“I think so Seer-sister, thank you.”

“Good, let us be on our way, they are expecting us.” They both encouraged their horses into a trot.

They rode quickly back to the Inn, it was late afternoon and the stable stalls held many horses, therefore at least some of the sisters and initiates were back. Otonia and Dione collected Astera as they ran out the kitchen door to the stable all hoping Charis, Helice, Thyia, and the Initiates returned. Dione received a full report from her stallion, which she didn’t share, it seemed all wanted a reason to welcome and be welcomed, and who was she to deny a reunion.

Charis, Thyia, and Drosis were in the stables finishing the tending of their horses when Helice and Dirce rode in leading their four extra horses. As Thyia stepped out from the stables, Astera was waiting for her and unashamedly hurried towards her. Around them, all of the sisters gathered. The initiates not sure what to do started dressing down the newly arrived horses.

Thyia returned the wide smile on Astera’s face, as they met in a lasting embrace in the middle of the Inn courtyard. Dirce and Drosis gawked at the scene before them in confusion and while not sure, joined the embrace, which caused the six warrior-sisters to laugh aloud in welcome and celebration.

Astera stepped out of the group embrace after squeezing and releasing Thyia hand for luck and bravery. Her humour gone, all others stood quietly wondering and questioning.

Astera, her body tense stared at Charis, eyes locked. Several heartbeats passed and Astera knelt on one knee, and bowed her head.

“Mistress it is with the greatest of honour I acted in your stead.” No one was able to observe her eyes, if they did their redness and tears truly indicated the depth of honour she felt. All they heard was a quiver in her voice as she squeezed out the words.

“Astera, stand…”

“No Mistress I must finish.” They all waited a moment more.

“It is with an equal amount of honour I return to you your rightful role, Mistress of the Daughters of the Duchess. I hope I honourably represented you while acting in your stead. I am now prepared to accept your judgement of my actions, Mistress.”

Warrior-sisters and Initiates continued to observe in silence, not aware this was a "thing".

“Why do you ask me this question faithful, loyal and true Warrior-sister? I never have and never will question your actions as Mistress, when you are Mistress your authority is absolute for better or worse as it is when I am Mistress there is no difference in this between us. We listen to all, in the end the final decision and therefore final responsibility is always ours. Please rise. I wish to embrace you as my equal and when you step back from this embrace I will be your proud Mistress again.” Charis’ voice, steady strong and sure, all who listened captivated by the respect and weight of her words.

Astera slowly stood, her tears gone, the redness around her eyes betrayed her though, and Charis’ heart thundered in her chest in sympathy. All the emotion and trust they both felt expressed in their embrace. Astera now the tall-bronzed warrior, Charis the pale skinned Mistress the contrast between them only skin deep, their hearts were as one.

“You will always be worthy, never doubt this, my sister.” The quiet words slowly issued from Charis’ lips ensuring Astera alone would be privy to them.

“Thank you Mistress.” Astera stepped back from the embrace then.

“Mistress of the Daughters of the Duchess is again my burden to carry.” Charis studied each of them, capturing their attention and loyalty one at a time.

“Helice and Thyia clean up sisters, wash away the blood of battle. Then decide who will watch the trail out of the village and who will prepare the evening meal.” They both smiled at each other. “Astera please keep watch on the Keep Gate. Otonia and Dione dress down the horses please.”

As Dione took the horse grooming brushes and buckets from Dirce and Drosis, they glanced at each other in surprise.

“You both said earlier you acquired pieces of armour here and about. Explain.”

They glanced at each other guiltily not sure why, a test or a real question. They were alone with the Mistress now, were they now in some sort of trouble? One thing they knew if the Mistress was Astera or Charis, they valued trust and truth, and if you failed in those areas and you would not succeed in others.

“We made ourselves known to the Keep’s servants. They were easy to bribe, which allowed us to move about the castle and we would find useful items,” Drosis said, finishing by glancing at Dirce for agreement.

“Did you make any special friends?” Charis asked.

“Not really, most leave the Keep before dusk, back to the village as they are kept busy during the day as there are too few of them. Their pay from the Lord already low, he also avoids feeding them an evening meal by sending them home.”

“Could you find any of these acquaintances in the village?”

“We could be near the Keep when they finish at the end of the day and follow them back to their homes,” Drosis offered.

“Make sure you aren’t seen from the Keep and follow at least two to their home so we acquire a choice of acquaintances,” Charis said, finishing with a smile.

“Yes Mistress.”

They didn’t bother asking why, they noted the warrior-sisters never asked why or answered back, they followed instructions. Charis and Astera may ask others about things, still when they were following through with their plan, it was orders and obeying, they did the same. They wanted to be warrior-sisters and would do anything it took. They were tired of always wondering about their next meal and the companionship and fame wouldn’t be onerous either.

Charis was concerned about Dirce and Drosis; still if they kept their heads and remained out of sight, they would be well. Helice seemed calm and recovered in the kitchen. The afternoon meal consisted of eggs mixed with vegetables, which Otonia and Dione, already finished with the horses, ate. They would relieve Astera and Thyia on watch once finished. Charis continued to pace, waiting. After a time she helped Helice in the kitchen to keep herself busy.

“Did my release turn you ghost white?”

“No dear Helice, the sun seems to have bleached me instead of tanning me or do you ask me again because you don’t believe me?” Charis raised an eyebrow and gently swung her hip into Helice’s.

Helice’s laugh and return hip bump were music and joy to Charis as they stood side by side washing the dishes in a prentice of domestic bliss. One moment there was a silent pause and then the next Helice’s arms wrapped themselves around Charis’ shoulders and Helice began weeping, her face buried into Charis’ neck. Charis held her encouraged by Helice’s warm tears falling like raindrops onto her now white skin.

“Will you stay with me?” she whispered.

“What makes you think I won’t?” Charis replied.

“I need to release my contact with Alcmene and Clymene, my magic is exhausted, and they sensed I am consuming my body and are concerned. They insisted I tell you.”

“I will be with you, have no doubt. I am also impressed.” As Helice lifted her head, curious, Charis caught her eye.

“You have maintained contact with both for most of this day, you, not of their blood?”

Helice’s doe full look warmed Charis, as she knew the humble look concealed Charis’ praise of her and the resulting inner pride. Red eyed, with teared cheeks Helice’s warm moist lips found and locked the eagerly welcoming pale pink lips of Charis.

“Farewell, Seer-sisters, thank you. I am sorry to be so weak. I will lean on Charis until my magic returns.” Helice sent.

“Remorse and sadness is not weakness, sharing makes us stronger and now we sense the joy within and your ignited passion.”

Helice didn’t break the link to her seer-sisters, it severed, she couldn’t will her body into pain to maintain it any longer as the need, which previously drove her was now gone. She could lean on Charis, although at some point she would need to talk and share more with her.

---

Dirce and Drosis hid the best they could while watching the Keep’s Gate. They found an abandon cottage yet needed to dig a spy hole through its mud brick wall to allow them to observe the Gate unseen themselves. They took turnabout on watch until they found at least two to follow.

It was on dusk when Dirce and Drosis returned. They tied their horses and ran into the Common Room. Reporting to Charis they felt the grumpy old man would be the better prospect to chat to, as they thought he would be nosier. The other servant was a quiet middle-aged woman and she always nervously fidgeted and stammered, and after the arrival of the Judge Knights, she became closed and speechless.

With some light left Charis, Dirce and Drosis rode to his cottage. Charis knocked on his door and she heard some grumbling from inside and some footfalls as he approached the door.

“Who is it?”

“Charis, a Daughter of the Duchess.”

“Well come in quick before they see you at my door.”

Charis, Dirce, and Drosis stepped inside and his cottage became full.

“We need this to be quick. If you reckon your life is forfeit if you answer, please say and we will go.”

“Forfeit, I am too old to worry about death! What do you want to know?”

“Do you believe the Knights are true servants of Judge and have you overheard any of their plans?” Charis asked.

“They dress like them, they can’t be them. The Baron has asked if the High Priest would officially proclaim him as Baron or at least wed him before the eyes of Judge and they said they must make the Barony safe first! Tomorrow morning they are calling the entire village and some of the nearby farms into the Keep for their safety. Safety! Poppy-cock! All the people should gather what is dear to them, including any food. I smell robbery, possibly death!”

“How are they going to spread the order?”

“They already sent out some riders, they plan to spend the night in a cottage central to an area and then work that area in the morning herding them towards the Keep. Early morning the villagers and farmers will be waking up and follow the commands as they will yell and scream at them.”

“Anything else you can remember?”

“Yes they keep cursing someone who is supposed to provide them with powerful trinkets and has gone missing. It is one of the reasons why they wait, they are waiting for him.”

“You have our thanks. Stay home tomorrow, yes?” Charis said.

“Oh yes I will be very sick, I won’t move out of my cottage tomorrow, that is for sure!”