Charis lay on her bed, looking at the ceiling of her room. There was much to consider and too much time or possibly too little time to consider it all. It all depended upon when the Council convened.
Charis considered Astera’s words and decided what had been done had been done, she needed to put her energy into the future and let the past go after all she couldn’t change it now! Any future item attuning would just have to be better watched and probably items handed out one at a time instead of everyone at once, after all, unless you were Astera it was unrealistic to be holding an unknown treasure and not to try it to see if it makes a difference soon after you receive it!
The waiting for the Council was the real trial thought Charis, which was for her to worry about. Her sisters she needed to keep busy and as far as the Lord was concerned she was his target so Charis’ sisters could at least leave Hillperch daily. So Charis started by finding Dione. Charis let the elder know she was heading to the stables and received a “Yes, of course.” in response as she smiled and left. The day was still cool so she went out in full armour, arms and cloak; although she left the helm behind and glad she did.
Walking down Gate Road she felt the warmth of the sun on her neck and was distracted by it. A few passing her by waved, it seems they still remembered and wondered if they were land owners and would vote for her if it came to that. She thought the Lord would stop at nothing to see her dead so some coin would be a small obstacle to him. She stopped at a stall and hers fears were confirmed, she was being shadowed by a dress. The dress looked fine, expensive and seemed unusual for an assassin to be wearing, but perhaps that is what made it perfect.
Charis increased her pace and then ducked around a building turning each of its corners to appear back on Gate Road and was satisfied to see the dress looking side to side, taking uncertain steps.
“Dagger at your waist so keeping looking forward and don’t turn around otherwise you will taste its blade.”
Dress immediately froze in place, head leaning slightly forward with a release of breath.
“Why are you following me?”
“Because we were worried about you Mistress, you shouldn’t be alone. Can I turn around?”
“Yes sister.” As she sheathed her dagger, with some relief as she didn’t want to explain a wounding or worse a death, not with Council about to sit.
“You know that dress doesn’t exactly fit, where it counts don’t you?” said Charis, slightly amused, her humour covering her concern, so it wasn’t noticed.
“I borrowed it off Otonia and well we know we all can’t compete with her around the chest, but Dione was there to ask, although I doubt I would have fit in her dress anyway and …” Helice stopped talking when Charis held up her hand.
“I appreciate the disguise, but who is we and why should you all be worried?”
“The Lord, Mistress, Clymene overheard the Gate Captain say the word assassin. And we are your Seers; we have invested in your, well, education and would not want to see our efforts go to waste if you died.” Charis’ lips parted slightly in a smirk, “Oh and we love you of course.”
“Well Helice seer-sister, how do you expect to defend me in a dress?”
Helice opened and closed her mouth a couple times trying to think.
“We were thinking of disguise Mistress because everyone knows how clever you are at spotting people. We didn’t actually consider what we could do, if we needed to.” said Helice.
“Stopping laughing Alcmene and Clymene, I am looking like the fool in front of Mistress!” sent Helice.
“They need to stop laughing at you Helice, remember you are one, when blame or cheer is to be handed out.”
“Did you hear us Mistress?” the excitement in her voice; bubbled over and then she was trying to hush for no reason.
“No unfortunately, but it was easily guessed, they think they are safe at a distance. Never mind, as odd as it will look escort me to the stables. It will be part of your penance as people wonder who you are and start rumours to explain it. The hat looks nice on you if it helps, but don’t lean over your breasts will be clearly on display as the dress won’t trap them.” Charis laughed then at Helice who suddenly looked down and realised.
“That is why that vendor was offering discounts on his goods and made me bend down to look at them! Can we go back so I can stab him Mistress?” searching for her concealed dagger.
“Well no and as you can see a dress is not the best when you need to find a weapon. Come on.”
They walked easily to the stables garnering a few looks, which made Charis smile at Helice’s discomfort.
“How much grooming does one horse need?”
“Never enough according to him, I do make him jealous by grooming our other horses though.”
“I was wondering if you would like to take some horses to the farm and train some of the Farmer’s children perhaps, if nothing else, you will be able to take your stallion for some exercise.”
“Certainly Mistress, although are you aware of the damsel keeping you company? Did you tell her the dress she wears needs better fitting in one area in particular?” They both turned to look at Helice, she didn’t enter the stables, couldn’t dirty the dress. They made sure she could hear when they spoke and the damsel leant on one leg, hands on hips, poking her tongue at them in a very non-damsel way gathering their laughter as a reward.
“I best take my damsel back. Given the day is near done, perhaps see the farmer today if you want to set it all right for tomorrow.” Dione nodded and Charis left the Stables with her damsel.
As they started walking along Gate Road a smile spread across Charis’ lips and she turned around. Helice realised where they were going.
“No Mistress, not the Gate Captain, not as I am, there are too many there and they walk a wall, I would be on display.”
She just followed, vowing never to wear a dress again!
Then to her relief they went off Gate Road and down a side street, not many buildings but there was one. It was a humble two room building, with a needle and thimble painted on the door.
They were greeted at the door and welcomed in.
“Miss Charis, welcome, welcome, you are most welcome. Your generosity allowed me to setup a new shop, not quiet on Gate Road but not too far off. How can I help?”
Charis turned and showed her the problem.
“Yes I remember this dress, you are taller than the lady I fitted for it and I see the issue. Never mind this will take but a moment, we all can’t be as blessed in that area.”
“Please make sure we can unpick any temporary fix please.” asked Charis.
The seamstress refused any payment and she soon chased them from her shop. Not long after they were before the Gate Captain and confirmed that they were welcome to join in the morning for training as and when they needed. Charis then walked her damsel back to the Leatherworker’s Shop, although she had to order her to refrain from entering a certain shop on the way back. As soon as the outside door to the elder’s room was closed Helice undressed. She was careful, but it came off and she carried it upstairs. Charis watched her go, loin cloth only.
“You can wear your under cloth under the dress you know.” she called after her.
“I was in a hurry Mistress.” Charis burst out laughing. Then the elder gave her one of those looks so she finished laughing and went to find Astera.
Charis knew they picked up the intensity when she entered the Training Room. So she made herself comfortable and watched until they realised she was staying for a while, wondering if they would come back to their senses and a proper pace. They decided to take a break instead and walked to her.
“Yes Mistress.” said Astera as Thyia wiped the sweat from her body.
“Do you feel the coins are helping in anyway?”
“We haven’t attuned them as yet, perhaps tonight Mistress?” Charis smiled.
“Certainly. I have met with the Gate Captain and if you wish you can train at the Arena with the Militia and the Town Guard when you choose to.”
“Thank you Mistress, it is permissible for them to know about Thyia?” said Astera as she wiped the sweat from Thyia’s body.
“Yes, she is known to the Journeyman Carpenter so those few won’t matter and her training is more important.” They nodded and returned to training, while Charis imagined tonight.
---
Charis broke her fast at the Inn of the Knight’s Rest and she dragged the elder with her, she needed to make sure the elder ate as she feared she wasn’t. Charis also needed to factor in all the sisters eating here as the food they liberated from the brigands was running out, the easy items at least. The ones that required your own stove or oven were still in good supply though. Charis felt it was good reward for the Innkeeper and his loyal assistance when they first reached town although she would need to watch the coins even more.
She also heard some news of Keos; he was now at the Town of Southreach as she remembered she still owed him a kiss and was eager to pay to see if he held any more valuable information he needed to share as she smiled to herself. Occasionally news was delivered to her by sealed letter that the Council was still not able to sit.
As Charis and the elder left, she noticed Helice finish as well. She was at another table and this time she was dressed in her leather armour, although no cloak or helm. Charis walked the elder back and then turned to find Helice beside her.
“What skills do you have to protect me with?”
“I will take Astera’s example. Apparently she said she could use her body, so if that was good enough for her…”
“Well possibly but I think we can do better. In the meanwhile two walking around is better than one, although I do miss the dress.”
They visited the Temple of Saph and paid the usual fee to send a message. Charis needed to send a sealed parchment. A secret correspondence making an offer to a certain Town Emissary to see if they could be friends and how that could be arrived at. The Seers suggested Charis return at the end of the day for a reply so they returned to the shop.
Charis thought about Dione’s plan they had discussed earlier. Taking four horses to the farmer, she could train his children to ride and groom, which would be four less to pay stable fees on. Every little bit would help. Dione planned to go for most of the day and return daily to ensure the lessons were being absorbed and their horse riding and horse care skills increased.
“Helice I think you and the Seers should rotate with Dione and visit the farm with her. The Lord is still camped nearby and it would be good to have someone there in case he made a move against the farmer and his farm.”
“Yes Mistress, we are here to serve.”
“I figure you could practice some of your long range Seer skills but also possibly teach the farmer’s children to read and write as much as time permits. It is one skill I have treasured from my time at the Keep.”
“Yes Mistress we should be able to teach them to read and write their own name and possibly more if they are adept and we have the time. Although since you have said nothing, you haven’t heard from the Council yet.”
“No not yet.”
“We will need to work around Otonia Mistress. She is teaching us to throw knives and daggers. She tells us that is how she grew her breasts but we know this is a joke, right?” Charis smiled.
“Well I know my breasts aren’t as full as Otonia’s, so maybe she is right?” Helice looked at her and smiled and pointed a finger at her.
They ended up in the Training Room and there they were training, Otonia, Clymene, Alcmene, Astera and Thyia. Charis spent the day training with Otonia or sparring with Astera and Thyia but really it was a diversion, she was waiting for dusk to return to the Seers and hope for a reply. Mid-afternoon she went for a bath and refused company as she thought of something else to do.
She changed from her armour and cloak and borrowed one of the Seer robes. The material was very light, smooth, all white, she noticed that the trims were different between Seers but never thought to ask what they meant. She had borrowed Clymene’s she thought. She eventually reached the trapdoor above the circular steps and unbolted the trap door and pushed it up, its hinges caused it to fall open leaning against a wall. As she reached the roof it was actually a walled platform with a decent view of the old town, the old walls were too tall to see past them.
The sun was glorious, there was a gentle breeze and it wasn’t very smelly! She placed the fur she carried with her down on the platform like a blanket of sorts and laid down, opening the robe to reveal her loin cloth and breast wrap to any who could see over the walled platform. The warmth of the sunlight upon her flesh was exhilarating. She was soon asleep.
---
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“Mistress! Mistress! Mistress!” sent the three Seers, yelling with as much of their minds and will as they could.
Charis felt someone calling and then realised she was a little cold and instinctively drew the robe about her for warmth and sat up. Then she remembered where she was and what she was doing and felt a wellness and calmness despite her sudden awakening. She climbed down the circular stairs, bolted the trapdoor and found her worried sisters in the Training Room.
“I am sorry sisters.”
“I am not sure you should be wearing that robe Mistress, after all you are not a Seer and that robe belongs to another.” said Clymene.
I guess I could check with the Temple of Saph in the morning she thought as they spent the rest of the night together.
---
“Well it seems I missed the invitation.” Rhea’s voiced betrayed the half happiness of finding her warrior-sisters naked and half disappointed of not being one of them.
Her voice disturbed them to waking, the various arms and legs moved snake like back to their owners so they could stand, slowly and demurely some grabbing their clothes, some stretching first, all of them glorious in their own way Rhea thought.
Charis didn’t bother and walked naked and alluring to her love.
“Want would my reward be for a certain message?” asked Rhea.
“If it’s about what I think,” as she grab at Rhea’s hand holding a piece of parchment, “then almost anything.” as she missed, as Rhea’s hand flew backwards. Charis acquired it when Rhea embraced her.
“It seems the Emissary will be arriving early so we can discuss matters.”
“Are you chasing his vote with some bribery perhaps Mistress Charis?” asked Rhea.
“Well, early days as they say, we will see if we can come to an accord at the very least. Now do you need to be somewhere or can you stay a while?” said Charis drawing Rhea close for another kiss.
---
Astera and Thyia were ready quickly after the night with their sisters and pleased Rhea intruded so they wouldn’t be late to the arena. They still needed to fit in at least one or two laps around the arena first! It helped that Astera and Thyia shared the same room now so they could assist each other getting prepared.
Dione and Clymene left for the farm as they could break their fast there with the farmer’s family. Otonia, Alcmene and Helice dressed, broke their fast at the Inn and then returned to start knife and dagger throwing practice.
A knock on Charis’ door interrupted her and Rhea shortly after Otonia and her sisters returned from breaking their fast.
“Enter.”
Helice entered and once inside, smiled, Rhea was dressed in her Seer’s Robe, which was easy of course, while helping Charis to get dressed in her full armour and fumbling a little.
“Sorry Mistress, I need to tell you the elder is disturbed,” Charis inwardly smiled, “the Journeywoman Carpenter is at our door and doesn’t seemed to want to leave until she talks to Astera. She seems a little excited Mistress.”
“Thank you Helice, I will be there shortly.” Helice nodded and before leaving helped Rhea.
Charis walked Rhea to the elder’s room and when she opened the door to the outside the Journeywoman Carpenter rushed in!
“Oh I sincerely apologise Miss Seer.”
“I will leave you to your business Mistress Charis.” said Rhea as she looked somewhat amused at the rather excited visitor.
“Oh Mistress Charis, sorry I called you Miss when we met, I apologise, I didn’t mean any offence. I mean I am good talking to the wood, but with people I am not always, so aware, my father would always say, you need to be able to talk to the customers. That is part of …”
Charis held her hand up. The Journeywoman took a small look up, realising that she was again looking down and, well it was true, her eye line was observing her benefactor’s breasts.
“What have you got to tell me that is so urgent and must be told?” asked Charis.
“Miss, erm, Mistress Charis the Master agreed, I will build your Stable and he has given me three other journeyman and three apprentices. When finished, the stable will be assessed as my Master work. You have made me so happy, I am greatly indebted to you, I have been dreaming of this chance and I will prove the trust you placed in me.”
“You can put me down now Journeyman.”
“Oh Miss Charis, I am sorry I just never thought this day would happen. Oh,” she grabbed the hem of Charis’ armour under cloth and pulled it down over her womanhood and promptly turned red in the face, “I am sorry and well sorry!” She turned and ran from the elder’s office.
Charis stepped forward and closed the door shaking her head. She then sat at the elder’s table and thought about their coins. She counted the coin it would cost and what they still held and factored in the meagre savings from stabling their own horses in their own stable with some spare stalls to earn some coin from others. They should be able to afford it. She considered if they prepared their own meals, if they would save some more but that required a kitchen.
Charis then decided to repeat yesterday, all the sisters were busy enough and it wasn’t as if she wasn’t tired…..
---
Charis woke just before dusk this time and secured the wrap around her breasts and then the robe around her body. The more skin touched by the sunlight the better Charis felt, invigorated even.
“There you are!” said the elder. Charis was walking down the circular stairs.
“I am sorry elder, but I find it soothes me when I allow sunlight on my body.”
“Well that might be true. I need you to try this.” She placed one of the small gems Charis had given her some days ago in her hand.
“You need to hold it in your hand and push some magic into it.”
“Oh, what have you done?”
“Sorry, wait a moment.” The elder turned down the lamp in her room so it was near dark.
“That is better, it is the borrow spell, but how?”
“I visited an Alchemist and procured a preserving fluid, normally for animal organs and the like, although other things I am told. Anyway, all the sets of goblin eyes we had left I placed them in the fluid. I then experimented by casting the borrow spell into the gem, sometimes the attempts would fail, sometimes the eyes would fail, eventually I struck a balance but it must be the gold ring you granted me. The spell is imprinted in the gem so the holder needs only push some magic into it and the spell is cast.”
“How many elder?” the elder visibly deflated a little.
“Of all the eyes and a few cracked gems you hold one of four only. I am sorry Charis I could do no better. Towards the end they were all failures, I just didn’t have enough magic, I probably should have called you to me and drew what I needed from you.”
Charis still hugged her.
“Four is better than none and we will just have to look for some more goblins, I am sure the land has some more!”
The elder’s outside door opened, Astera and Thyia stepped in. Sweat mixed with sand and slightly tired they suffered the looks from the elder as they tramped through her room.
“I have a date with those two, so I will follow them for now. I am grateful elder, this will be a great help.”
“You are welcome my girl. I have some plans for that door as well. It seems too easy to come and go through my room!”
By the time Charis entered the Bath Room both Astera and Thyia were almost out of their armour. So she helped them finish and joined them. Charis ended up washing them down and dressing them and they spent the evening at the Inn. They needed to leave before any other sisters arrived so as soon as they finished they left and returned to the Leatherworker’s Shop.
Astera and Thyia placed their coin at the back of their own neck, tying it in place with a cloth to attune the half coins. They and Charis retired to their room for the night. The coins were absorbed and melded into their skin like every other gift so at least that was consistent. The pain while they were attuned was bearable, made more so with Charis’ presence and her attentions.
When they woke in the morning they left Charis sleeping. Astera and Thyia were keen to join the Militia and the Town Guard in the Arena to see if the coins could make a difference. When Charis woke, she laughed out loud. She was amused that finally some of her sisters had other priorities.
Charis looked in the Training Room and while the Seers were being training by Otonia, Charis thought to return to the question she asked Helice. Protecting Charis and using her body to do so, it wasn’t a good answer. So she left the Leatherworker’s Shop and made enquires and began planning for them to learn some other skills, although finding a master teacher was proving difficult, even the Gate Captain didn’t know of anyone, well anyone that he trusted.
---
Charis’ Council campaign started well, she didn’t get to meet the Town’s Emissary even though she knew he had arrived and was in Hillperch. They continued with correspondence, using the Inn as a middle ground to exchange the notes. After an offer and then a counter offer she sealed his vote by agreeing that neither she nor any of her company would compete in the Trail of Three for at least seven years. Charis would have preferred three years but he would not budge and he was the one with the stronger hand, so she agreed in the end for a down payment and then a modest payment each year she honoured the arrangement.
The amount would make a difference to her, would hardly impact his commission as Manager and stipend as Town Emissary. If he ever lost his Emissary position on Council the payment would be cancelled, so there was incentive for Charis to not disturb his status quo. By Charis’ calculations that secured three votes of six, although she wasn’t sure what would happen if the votes were even for and against. Her hope was that the Dukesman, with the Seers influence perhaps, would vote for her.
---
A sealed letter was dropped to her while eating an evening meal at the Inn. The courier was no one special, certainly no one she recognised. It was an offer to meet to discuss training in knives; she was to come alone at dusk, to the arena. She prepared for the meeting; ensured that the Seers were in contact with her and Charis wore her armour, full kit, including cloth, felt and cloak. Sheathed two daggers and for good measure carried the Borrow Gem and the healing salve the elder gifted to her so long ago. Alcmene, Astera and Thyia made ready to come running at the faintest hint of betrayal or danger to their Mistress. All were at the half built stables; Alcmene, Astera and Thyia were equipped with Borrow Gems as it would be dark when they would need to act.
Charis left early so the sun was setting with just enough daylight to walk easily to the Arena. She identified herself with a small black feather bound within her armour strapping as requested and walked around to the team room door area. The Gate Guards and Militia were just retiring. Astera and Thyia didn’t attend this day, so the Gate Captain actually stopped to ask Charis about their absence and she mentioned they were on a task for her, but should be back tomorrow. Clymene, Helice, Dione and Otonia, with a distracted elder were back at the Leatherworker’s Shop holding the fort ensuring all entries were barred, especially the elder’s as she was so distracted these days and nights.
There was a single torch above the Team Room entrance, which Charis ensured was lit before dark overcame dusk. She then retreated to a shadow just beyond on the glow of the torch and powered her borrow gem and waited and listened. She was back to her hunter aspect and revelled in the memory of it. She scanned the area carefully, trying not to give away she could actually see, but more she was trying to listen. Ten bells long passed before she caught a slight sound, which she steadfastly refused to act on, or prepare for. Then through the light cast by the torch walked a cloaked figure. Charis turned to face them and took three paces back into the dark. She heard a feint noise again, so above her was another it seemed.
Charis then walked towards the approaching figure and into the light and noticed a similar black feather.
“You don’t keep your appointments very well do you?” Charis quipped.
“I don’t need to, I just need to test the need of the one interested in my services.” was the reply.
The voice sounded masculine, but she wasn’t absolutely sure. There was no definition in the person facing her that indicated male or female, only that he or she was much taller than Charis.
“Why do you need to learn knife or as it would seem now dagger fighting?”
“It is not for me, I have at least four pupils who need training to stand a chance of surviving this cruel world.” answered Charis.
“What if I only have the time for one?”
“Then it will be one and my search to have the others trained will go on.” Charis knew that four to begin with, to teach the basics would be possible and only as the training became more specific would the numbers trained at once need to be reduced. She wondered if the Seers would count as one at least for the initial training. Towards the end of their training given the link between them, could reveal that Helice was linked to Alcmene and Clymene, which may be too high a price to pay regardless of the amount of coin. Maybe they could be trained only using their link?
“What would my pay be for this service?”
“You are the trainer, you tell me, what is your skill worth?”
“How do you know I am a trainer of quality? I could make a high demand and then you would feel cheated. How about we test each other now so you can see what you are purchasing?”
“Very well, but I am not an expert, so I hope you don’t take advantage and prove your skill with my death? So I would ask an oath from you that you will stop when I ask or signal?” asked Charis.
“What makes you think I will keep such an oath? I could swear it and kill you anyway!”
“True, but I would have your oath anyway, if for no other reason than to curse you at my death as an oath breaker.” The other smiled at that remark. Charis thought that was a good sign.
“I swear to not kill you in this test of skill with daggers. Do I satisfy your request?”
“I normally like a god or two to be named but it will be good enough for me to curse at you as I die. So shall we be limited to the circle of light as our arena?” smiled Charis.
“Agreed and prepare for my first attack.”
Charis felt a clumsy oaf at the end of the demonstration, which did not last very long and demonstrated that a dagger fight was as much about what else as well as the daggers. Her opponent used forearms to block, one odd looking dagger to capture her dagger and twist it out of her grip and a parry to hold her dagger and then use that fist to tap her chin, or the cross guard on the other dagger to stab out an eye as they held and closed upon each other.
“I felt the possibility of death at every engagement so I acknowledge that you are certainly more skilled than I.”
“Why do you not considered being trained? While not wishing to insult you, you certainly could benefit from such training.”
“I have other skills and if I am ever in a dagger fight for my life then I have made a serious mistake and probably deserve death.”
“Then why risk your life in an encounter with someone you know nothing about?”
“I need to secure a trainer so I accept the terms and hope that the person is honourable and I understand the precautions you have also taken!”
“What precautions would they be?”
“Your partner and possibly others that are above us on the arena wall, for example.” There was a quick flash of surprise and then it was gone.
“I was asked to this meeting and to be alone, so I am alone.” replied Charis.
“I am not sure if you are brave or foolhardy, but you are here so I will require payment of forty coins per day and when the number of students is reduced due to skill improvement and more exacting training is required the daily rate will remain at forty coins per day.”
“I will take your advice and join the training, although of the four originally proposed, we will start with two, so your initial class will be three if that is acceptable?”
“For the same daily rate, certainly, although for the initial training my partner will be the trainer, alright?”
“If they can land and sneak as well as they use daggers then yes.” replied Charis who felt rather than could actually confirm with any of her senses that someone was behind her.
“We begin tomorrow, arrive with the others that train at the arena and then walk into your team room from the Trial of Three and we will train until dusk or until your students have decided enough for that day.” He or she smiled.
“I agree!” Charis waited for her visitors to leave first and then she walked to the Leatherworker’s Shop. By the time she was there so were Alcmene, Astera and Thyia, who arrived by a different route.
“Why only three Mistress?” asked Astera.
“We will see if the Seers can at least pick up the basics by mind link, it will develop them as a team as well as any other training can and I don’t want anyone knowing that Helice is part of their twin bond and this would soon be revealed once training went beyond basic as they would make the same mistakes and probably same improvements at the same time.” answered Charis.
So at dawn the next day, Helice, Otonia and Charis appeared in the former Ladies Three team room at the arena. Waiting in the shadow of one corner was their teacher, clearly female and clearly prepared for a long day, with food and drink and a number of blunted daggers.
“You will learn the basics, how to hold a dagger, how to defend with a dagger. I will provide you with blunted daggers, eventually you will need to purchase much better daggers then you currently have equipped yourself with. There is a certain weapon-smith that I will send you to who you can procure the correct daggers and types of daggers. He will also judge the correct weight and balance for you. For now please choose a dagger from those I have with me and we will start with the basics.”
This continued for six bells with only a couple of breaks. Astera running them around the arena proved beneficial as the endurance they developed from that allowed them to complete the first day until the very end. This earnt the begrudging respect of their trainer who, although clearly visible, wore a face covering, she even ate under it throughout the day. Charis asked the elder to provide Helice with a little health boost to help her with that first day and then reduced it each day that followed. This annoyed the elder a little, you are disturbing my studies! Charis felt it necessary.
Dione purchased some extra daggers from the nominated weapon-smith for Alcmene and Clymene and they felt they were progressing just as well as Helice using their mind link and in fact co-ordinating well together working as one also seemed to improve their Seer link. After a few days passed, Otonia, Helice and Charis picked up daggers for themselves and they were weighted and balanced by the weapon-smith and also expensive.
The training continued and there was an emphasis on using your natural strength hand as well as your weak hand. With Helice her right hand was strengthened by her mind link with Clymene who was also right handed and her left hand was naturally proficient as Alcmene was left handed and instead of weakening their co-ordination like it did when they were trying to practice archery as equally balanced twins, with their triple bond being so strong now and a domination of right handedness with the addition of Helice, it strengthened their co-ordination and skill. The trainer was clearly impressed with Helice’s ambidexterity. The next day the master trainer joined them to specifically train Helice!