With their freedom, Charis’ first order of business was attuning the City’s Shrine to Saph. She would need to find the Common as declared when the city was nothing more than a village. Instead of finding their way out of the castle, they asked one of their assigned servants. As they reached the Main Gate, the servant lingered.
“I am assigned to tend to your needs mistress, so if you require a guide for the City I would be most pleased to be available.”
“Not today, leave us to explore, perhaps tomorrow,” Charis noticed the disappointment on her face as she bowed and walked away. Today they needed as much privacy as possible, although she expected someone to follow them, Charis didn’t want their conversations overheard.
They left the Castle and guards behind and walked the streets. Charis needed to prepare Helice to complete the Shrine attuning ritual so started sharing the words with her while they walked. She also toyed with the idea of showing Dione, she didn’t believe it would make much of a difference and would only increase the suspicion. Then of course, Dione didn’t show a great deal of interest while Helice learnt.
Charis dressed casually, boots, leather leggings and shirt top, daggers at her sides. Helice accompanied them in her Seer’s robes, while Dione wore full armour and weapons, even carrying her two handed spear! Charis testing the city guard to see if they would confiscate it or at least question her carrying the weapon.
It took most of the day to find the shrine and Charis almost regretted turning down the servant’s offer. Charis found the Shrine in a very old part of the City, certainly nowhere near the city heart. If any followed them, they didn’t see them and Charis thought they would need to have planned for the old city as most citizens here were poor, either ill health, worn out clothes or both. Most would have assumed the Ladies Three would spend the day in the Merchant Quarter. The Ladies Three also noticed the wealth difference between the Castle and the Old City.
What did surprise Charis was the Shrine itself; extremely well cared for with meticulous eye to detail, very well kept and maintained. Charis judged the Shrine easily clean enough to perform the ritual as is, although as they walked through Old City she was prepared to clean the shrine herself if needed. Helice was beside Charis, imitating Charis when a Lady in White showed. Helice, never shown this ritual as part of her studies, displayed great humility receiving this learnt blessing, especially when Charis explained who taught her.
There wasn’t much need of practice for Helice; trained as a Seer this was just another ritual for her so they completed the ritual one after the other and this time applied a small amount of magic to attune the Shrine.
“What are you two doing at the Shrine? Who are you?” asked a commanding voice.
Helice lifted her head to face their accuser and then sent to Charis, “Single Mother Superior.”
“Good Morning venerable Mother Superior,” Charis greeted her.
“Don’t Good Morning me, what is your business at the Shrine. I can understand a Seer being here to pray privately. You are not a Seer.” Charis listened as an index finger pointed at her.
Charis decided that a flavour of the truth was best, as this one seemed to claim ownership of this shrine, if only due to her constant vigil.
“I was fated many months ago with a Geas or Quest by a venerable Seer; she declared that unless I visit a Shrine of Saph when I am in a village, town or city and pray before it, I would be fated to die. If the Shrine requires cleaning then I must labour to clean it. Fortunately, as befits this incomparable city the Shrine is well cared for and clean, so all was required of me was to pray.”
The Mother Superior; corrected her posture and stood taller at the complement, as it was her who cared for the Shrine as her duty, being a single Seer.
“I care for the Shrine as my duty. I would ask the name of the Seer that placed such as Geas upon you, for she must have read your future so certain and true to make it a condition of your life.”
“I did not know her true name, she introduced herself as the Lady in White and I met her in the north at the village of Bearwatch.”
The Mother Superior blanched as Charis mentioned the Lady in White and hugged Charis as she finished her words.
“She was a most powerful Seer, truly favoured by the Goddess, only recently passed back to her, I would hold to your Geas and I will ensure your burden is known, so others do not interrupt your obligation. Please follow the steps the Goddess has planned for you.”
“Thank you Mother Superior. I witnessed her burning. She was incredibly brave as she called to her Goddess, pyre ablaze, when the night was most full and dark. The entire village paid her homage and took heart that there was at least one person in the world that held so strong a faith.” Charis felt moisture growing around her eyes.
“Bless you child, as a single Seer I was never privileged to be told of her pyre’s firing. You have made a faithful servant of the Goddess very fulfilled indeed. I thank you and double bless you.”
“She touched me and I continue this Geas with joy in my heart from knowing her.”
The single Mother Superior released Charis from her hug and wiped her tears. She crossed her hands across her chest and bowed her head and then about-faced and left.
The few people that witnessed the encounter began to talk, a few approached the Shrine and prayed in their own way to the Goddess and many mentioned the Lady in White in their words of faith.
Charis, Helice and Dione walked away as more gathered around the Shrine and they felt in the way in the end.
“Helice did you attune to the Shrine?”
“Certainly Mistress and thank you for entrusting the ritual to me, I am most honoured.”
“I know I will need to try again. Well we are here for seven days so I will wait at least three days so this visit by us will be forgotten.”
“Mistress, do you reckon it a folly to purchase a mirror, such as the ones in the Dukes’ Castle?”
Charis and Helice stopped and gawked at Dione in surprise.
“Just one Mistress, that way we can prepare before leaving anywhere, if alone, to make sure we look our best.” Her voice went very quiet towards the end, not sure of her sister’s reactions.
“We will ask the Duchess if she has any to spare, leave it to fate and the Duchess’ whim. Is that satisfactory Warrior-sister Dione?”
“Yes Mistress. It is just with my long hair I would like to braid it, like my sister and I did for each other and I haven’t been brave to ask another as I know this isn’t important in your service.”
“Well Dione you can teach me how. In the Temple, knots and twists in the hair were said to prevent us reaching our full potential, being on our head, so what better way to be a Seer and not be a Seer in the eyes of the world,” Helice answered.
As they hugged and pleaded to Charis, asking with their eyes, she relented.
“Well if it helps us in our disguise, then even if the Duchess says no, we will purchase at least one,” Charis agreed. Helice and Dione became childlike as they danced and giggled and Charis infected by their joy, couldn’t resist and joined in, even if only for a short while. After all, she escaped the Lord today, so what is there not to be happy about.
“Is that truth about braided hair within the Temple and if so why aren’t you concerned?”
“Well, you have trained us to challenge the rules Mistress and if true we can easily remove the braids. If it isn’t true it provides us with a very effective disguise, does it not?”
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They walked back to the Castle before dusk, as they wanted to be sure the guards that permitted them to leave where the same guards that needed to check them in to ensure they could return. To her surprise, no one asked Dione to surrender her very large and very dangerous two-handed spear. Charis also didn’t notice anyone following them, which could be true or someone of superior skill shadowed them once outside Old City, which was certainly frightening.
The next few days went in a routine, they would break their fast and then tell the court a tale followed by training or more to the point practice then partake of a middle of the day meal. The afternoon would either be a trip to the Merchant Quarter, a visit from a Priest or more training. Then retire to their rooms to eat an evening meal. Charis discussed with Dione and Helice the order of the telling so they wouldn’t be surprised.
The second tale was the rescue of Dione and there was much sympathy for her.
The third tale was their entry as the Ladies Three in the Town’s Contest of Three.
The day after Charis returned to the Shrine of Saph and was amazed to see more than a few worshiping at the Shrine. She appeared in her armour and arms to prevent anyone recognising her although the single Mother Superior wasn’t so easily deceived. She was discrete enough to cover her recognition so it wasn’t obvious. Charis attuned the Shrine this time, which was a relief, as she didn’t want to make a third visit. Each day their servants changed so the servant that asked to show them the City no longer served them.
The fourth tale was the rescue of the Magistrate of Judge. She recalled the story of rescuing him from bandits and finding him the sole survivor within a farmhouse and then the trip back to Hillperch. Charis used the practice of the previous three days to sell the half-truth to the court. The Throne Room was standing room only, Charis didn’t know if this was due to her tales and the telling of them or they were ‘forced’ to attend.
The fifth tale was the trappers’ enslavement in Bearwatch. This provided the court with many moments of excitement as Charis’ company of sisters, two men at arms were outnumbered and Dione and her lasso viewed with some respect.
The sixth tale was about their time in Hillperch, when the Lord of the Northern March camped outside it and how Charis surrendered. How a call of help went to the Town Guard and how at any time, the Lord could have forfeited her life and how she kept him talking until rescue arrived.
Her seventh tale was the death of her childhood friend, the sharing of this, her greatest failure, the most difficult. Charis practiced the words with Helice and Dione, them listening and asking questions, they learnt the full tragedy of why Charis left her home.
Charis paused longer than usual before the Court and they sensed something different about to unfold for their seventh and final tale. Charis recounted her childhood, her one and only friend, their last hunting trip before he would leave the Barony to be squired. She recounted her best friend’s murder and her desperate escape from forest and Baron to run away with the help of her father.
Charis’ lost the strength in her legs and tears flowed cleanly during the telling, Dione and Helice supported her in loving embraces. By the end of the tale, three chairs allowed Charis, Dione and Halius some comfort as the tale was finished seated.
Most of the court shed tears during the telling of the tale. The Duke recovered before all others around him, as he didn’t cry although his eyes appeared moist if the angle of the light was just right.
“My dear girl, word has reached us that your ordeal in the Barony has not ended. It is with further sadness I must tell you that the Baroness died of starvation; she refused to eat after the death of her son. The Baron then suffered from grief after his wife passed and is now unable to perform his duties. So his eldest son is now the Baron in all but name.”
“That is so unjust, I was always the one concerned with my loss, I did not consider the Baron and Baroness and how the loss of their son would devastate them and who were always so kind to me. I am so ashamed.” Charis looked to the Room Throne floor trying to reconcile her oversight and selfishness. Shortly after, she looked up. “I must see the Baron as soon as possible. I do not know what he will say or do with me, I must see him. I ask your leave from court My Duke?” wiping her eyes and standing then deeply bowing.
“You cannot leave just yet; fear not the delay is only moments.” Charis was about to speak and stopped before she could regret any inappropriate words.
“Charis the Young, you and your company will be granted the honour of being known as the Daughters of the Duchess, you will have noble privilege, have right of way and can only be apprehended or impeded in any lawful task by order of the Duchess herself. Further, only the Duchess can only hear any case against you. So please plead your case to leave this Court to the Duchess.”
“My Duke or should I say My Duchess you do myself and my company a great honour. I would plead to be excused from court by the Duchess as my company’s rightful noble liege.” She bowed as she finished, as did Dione and Helice taking Charis’ lead.
“I grant you leave from court as requested and may you deliver good service in the future as you have done so in the past in my good name. Please present to me,” the Duchess said.
Charis, Dione and Helice advanced one by one and bowed directly before the Duchess. As they did, she presented each with a pin baring the Duchess’s Seal and the Daughter’s Seal. To Charis she presented a Seal for her and her company to use for official business as well as additional pins for company members not present as well as possible future members.
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With that done Charis, Dione and Helice left court. As in previous days, they ate the evening meal in their rooms. Charis forbid discussion on recent events and all ordered to sleep as hard riding was ahead of them.
In the morning, they broke their fast early and while at the stables, a note with the Duchess’ Seal on it arrived. They needed to delay only a short while, as an additional rider would be joining them.
Charis took a double take as the Judge Knight approached them on foot. It couldn’t be him could it? Then from behind him appeared a familiar face.
“The Duchess thought that since you were heading to the Barony of Lonely Keep you would be able to deliver the betrothed of the Baron’s son. Something the Lord of the Northern Watch was entrusted to do yet never able to complete,” the Judge Knight said.
“It would be our honour,” Charis replied.
As the girl mounted her assigned horse to join Charis, Dione was shaking her head.
“How would you rate your skill at riding young lady?” asked Charis.
“I am competent on familiar ground with a friendly horse, although in a hurry on new ground it would be a challenge,” she replied.
“Let us at least leave the city behind us and we can judge better then.”
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The Duke sighed. Courtly business done early and even then it seemed to take forever, especially after the telling of the seventh tale by Charis earlier in morning. Such is the burden of lordship. He began planning and speculating about the hunt in the afternoon when the Duchess approached his Throne. He dismissed all servants and guards, which they expected as the Duke and the Duchess were always very private when they shared time together.
“My Lord, you are finished early so I would have some time with you before the hunt if you are agreeable.”
“What are your thoughts?”
“The Foretold business concerns me, not significantly; even so we need to be watchful so I was wondering if we should place a loyal subject within my Daughters of the Duchess Order?”
“I am not sure our Charis subject would just accept someone, she seems to be discerning if the two that accompanied her are any indication, fanatical loyalty without a doubt. We couldn’t insist as that would not suit our purpose.”
“Which is why I am concerned about her being Foretold my husband.”
“From the records they would orate and mobilise the masses, gather the seven threes and march to cleanse evil. Very disturbing to the natural order and she does none of that from what our Lord of the Northern Watch tells us. Confirmed somewhat by the seven tales she has told the Court.”
“The Seers owe us many favours now and it is rumoured Single Seers, especially the more inept, such as the one with her now are favoured. We could offer one of our noble Single Seers a position within the Castle, test her measure and then of course if suitable discharge her so she can run to Hillperch.”
“Why do we need to call in a favour? The noble Single Seers would be returned to their family and we could just call on their family.”
“Perhaps, we have a Mother Superior of noble linage that could send the next one directly to us. Such elevation in her fortunes would be appreciated and perhaps ensure the right loyalty without any family knowledge or interference. When she is confirmed as suitable she could announce to her family that she is going to try and join the Daughters of the Duchess as she is having difficulty with her grief.”
“Perhaps that is why Charis favours recruiting them, they are vulnerable and easily recruited as loyal fanatics?”
“We may have to hasten the availability, with an accident, as it would be so pathetic to wait when the Duchy could be under threat. We do have another advantage, we could threaten her family if need be to keep her loyal, end her family’s noble line if need be.”
“So ruthless dear; I haven’t seen this side of you for a while, at least a week!” They both bellowed, fearless of any who could overhear them sharing the joke.
“We also have another advantage. The Lord of the Northern Watch is chewing at the shackles we have placed upon him. He won’t forget anytime soon who is the bitter sauce on that particular meal. So if we find any evidence linking Charis to Foretold we will unleash him,” the Duchess beamed. Her hazel eyes sparkled as she licked her lips.
“I know they are yours dearest and I may create something similar, I will allow Charis to exist for at most three years regardless of Foretold or not, we don’t want her outshining us in anyway do we?” The Duke clasped the Duchess’ chin and drew her close to him. She licked her lips again in anticipation.
“You are so generous husband. I was considering this time next year; perhaps we meet in the middle and decide upon two years?” They both worked to be more comfortable assisted by the ample space in the seat of the generous, oversized Throne.
“Yes at most, very sensible. I agree with our loyal Lord that change is unhealthy so if your Daughters create too much they may have to find another leader or another order to join.” Breathless by effort and anticipation, the Duke would enjoy his Duchess as a prelude to the afternoon hunt.
The Duchess by this time was squatting over her Lord’s lap having divested him and her of certain inconvenient clothing. She would of course, have to ensure she didn’t fall pregnant. Terribly tiresome to expel them once formed. Theirs being a union of love and like mind not duty as her lineage wasn’t pure enough to bare the Duchy’s Heirs. Her Lord’s hunt in the afternoon may reveal a suitable quarry to fulfil the required duty.