Lanterns lit the White Room, the flickering light reflected from the walls brightening the room beyond the normal expectation of four lanterns.

Charis approached the doorway; Niobe occupied the bunk to the right. Sweat pasted her long black hair to her neck, her short body on top of the bunk sheets. Her hazel eyes captured Charis’ and lit up in celebration. Weak as she was Niobe stretched her arms towards Charis. Her Mistress gently descended to the bunkbed, the reaching arms of the Initiate immediately enveloping her.

Niobe shuddered within Charis’ embrace, instinctively Charis held her away to check.

“Your embrace is intoxicating Mistress, your skin on mine pleasure I didn’t realise existed before now.”

Charis realised Niobe’s shift was her loose blanket and when they embraced meeting each other half way it slipped down to her hips. Perhaps deliberately, although Charis couldn’t imagine an innocent Single Seer would be so, well, deliberate. Charis’ arms and hands embraced Niobe’s flesh; while Niobe’s bare breasts, kissed Charis’ separated by Charis’ thin underclothe. Charis realised the healing affect was upon Niobe. Charis wanted to swear, she spent a pinch of magic, the cure more to do with the elder than her.

“Niobe, do you suspect the target of the poisoning could have been Raisa, due to Seer jealousy or internal politics? Raisa was entrusted to train twin Seers?”

Silence. Charis was about to ask again.

“Yes Mistress, to split powerful or favoured Seer pairs they can be assigned to dangerous or faraway places. Rhea was entrusted to train a Seer triplet, so between them they would gain substantial influence if successful.”

“Are you well Niobe?”

“Yes Mistress, perhaps I am still recovering.”

Charis lowered her gently to the bunkbed and drew Niobe’s shift back over her body covering her hardened nipples on her full breasts, the available light revealing her flesh clearly. As she did Niobe’s upper chest, neck and face reddened. Charis also caught a whiff of Niobe’s woman scent, which confirmed her condition. Niobe tried to comprehend the sensations and pleasure her body fed her mind, fantastically new to one sheltered by Temple and taboo.

Charis approached the next bunkbed cautiously, from the head position instead of the feet position of the patient. A sheen of sweat covered Zoe’s light brown skin her black hair similarly pasted onto any exposed flesh. Zoe bent her resting arm at the elbow her hand searching and her long fingers easily wrapping around Charis’ hand.

“Thank you Matriarch, you are blessed to be able to heal, and I am honoured to be deemed worthy.”

“Rest Zoe, I am glad you are recovering, although you need to thank the elder, not me.”

“Matriarch,” a question formed on her lips, she glanced at Charis and then decided, “I am filled with a desire to lay with you, I don’t understand…”

“The urge will pass. Perhaps my helping the elder has influenced your emotions.” Charis withdrew her hand and reluctantly Zoe released it, nodding at her Matriarch accepting if not fully comprehending, although overjoyed to be alive.

Ismene’s nakedness greeted Charis as she quietly stepped across the walkway to the other row of bunkbeds. As Charis approached, Ismene crossed her arms over her chest and set her jaw.

“You are upset, although recovering?” Charis said.

“I did not expect to be placed in danger while eating a meal under your House!”

“I don’t accept we were the target although when slain or ill it doesn’t matter who or why.”

Charis positioned herself beside Ismene on her bunk, avoiding physical contact.

“I thought my life would be safe here, I thought I escaped this…” Ismene unfolded her arms and punched out at Charis, who allowed a couple to land before she easily captured the flailing limbs.

“Talk to me, explain to me, I will listen,” Charis pleaded.

“I needed to escape the intrigue Mistress. My family is successful, so successful we were able to purchase our noble title a couple of generations ago. The true Nobles are jealous of our wealth, our favour with the Duke.”

Struggling one of her wrists free, Ismene’s now free hand grabbed and flicked her long golden brown hair away. Charis allowed Ismene’s wrists to join each other.

“This is my curse Mistress, my hair, with this hair I can pass as a True Noble. Others of my family aren’t as cursed so True Nobles can snicker at them and call them false, which keeps them satisfied.”

Charis waited for Ismene to continue, the hurt and venom in her voice not yet run its course. She placed her hand upon Ismene’s not sure if she welcomed the comfort.

“After losing three taste testers, none would accept the position regardless of the money offered. I almost died from poison once before. I agreed to marry the Lord because his Barony is a backwater, away from court and away from my family.”

Ismene’s eyes popped open when she realised a possible meaning of her words.

“The Barony is prosperous in its own way Mistress, so your investment is sound.” Ismene turned to face Charis reassuring her by grabbing her arm.

“Waiting for my Lord to show in the Inn I overheard others discussing the Daughters of the Duchess and how they were unofficially recruiting. The protection of the Duchess tempted me and I decided to approach your house and asked to be added to the list of candidates.”

Charis reached for the jug of water and poured a mug to hand to Ismene who drank deeply from it.

“How did you realise I thirsted?”

“Continue,” answered Charis.

“Your recent visit to the Duke’s Court caused a stir and you were gossiped about for days and weeks after. If I could swallow the loss of my noble ways I thought the Daughters a better refuge, then I thought I couldn’t cope to lose my noble privilege, you tested me severely Mistress. It was only when I faced the Lord did clarity strike me, strengthening my resolve. To be poisoned again, when I thought myself safe …”

As tears pooled under her eyes Charis embraced her in a comforting hug realising the difficulty this could cause, although unable to leave Ismene hurt and alone.

“Would you mind your hair being black?”

Ismene broke the embrace; her face twisted trying to understand. Charis freed a hand to reach within her hair and grasp a black feather. She lightly touched Ismene’s golden brown hair with the raven black feather and after mumbling some words and concentrating, she grinned at Ismene.

Ismene inspected her hair and her blue eyes sparkled. She couldn’t stop herself; she inspected the hair around her womanhood, embraced Charis and passionately, deeply kissed her. Ismene opened her eyes wide when she realised her impulsive mistake, breaking away from the kiss. Charis placed a finger across Ismene lips before she could tumble out any excuses.

“Passion is wonderful, passion is healthy, I am glad I could help. There is no wrong in your part here. I thank you for explaining your circumstance and it is my part of the oath where I value you also, my solemn responsibility.”

“Thank you Mistress.”

Charis lowered Ismene to lie on the bunkbed and drew a sheet over her naked body.

“Rest and recover.”

Charis stepped away slowly, relieved. Ismene didn’t demonstrate any obvious sign of being healing affected; her reaction a relief, appreciating her change of hair colour. With some hope she approached Agape’s bunk.

---

The fourth patient waited for Charis sitting up in her bunkbed. Her slender body apparent, adjusting the sheet around her body for the umpteenth time in preparation to receive her visit. She spied on Charis’ other visits and knew Charis would offer her comfort, or hope Charis would offer her comfort, after all she was but servant stock. How could she compare, Niobe a Single Seer, Zoe a Huntress and sworn to Charis as her Matriarch and finally Ismene her former Noble Lady. Still she hoped.

Charis recognised the eyebrows curving down; the lips curved up and in Agape’s case her green eyes overflowing in adoration. Charis witnessed the same in Dirce and Drosis and barely lowered herself to Agape’s bunkbed when Agape leapt upon her in a hug. Tears streamed down Charis’ back, although Agape wasn’t sobbing.

“Mistress, thank you. As I bent over in pain I knew, poison. I served as a Maid with a certain Noble family long enough to witness the results. I, well, I, didn’t expect to be worth saving Mistress, I am nothing, a servant and I accept my place. You saved me Mistress, you saved me!” Agape hugged Charis tighter surprising Charis with her strength considering her small slender body.

“What is your name?”

Agape paused, confused, and then slowly answered.

“Agape, Mistress you named me.”

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“It is your new name for your new life, you are no longer a servant, and you’re an Initiate of the Daughters of the Duchess. Your life is an important as any other of the Daughters. I would rather not place you in any danger. If I do I will save you if I can, although the elder saved you and your fellow Sisters this time, you should thank her.”

“I love you Mistress,” pausing to consider Charis and the doubt on her face, “I am a girl your age Mistress and I know my heart. As a servant, I am skilled at observing, and I note how others desire you, a word of encouragement, a touch, and a look and have you noticed your effect on those you hug?”

Agape swallowed. Her nerves on edge before her Mistress, who embraced her and patiently listened to her and her Mistress wonders why the sisters love her when it is obvious.

Agape confessed, “I was bedded by a certain Noble Lady’s father when I was fourteen and deflowered. I also rolled in the hay a couple of times since with another man.”

Agape’s breath on Charis’ neck quickened, the hug taking on sensual meaning, fingers caressing, hands smoothing the skin under them and arms adjusting exploring for additional and more sensual contact.

“Never has my desire to lie with anyone been stronger, all consuming as now, in this embrace my skin on yours, your blood pumping, your heart pounding, and the scent of your body. I spied upon you attending the others and I imagined this moment while waiting as you approached closer and closer.”

“I don’t wish to diminish your feelings. Still I must tell you while the elder is responsible for your recovery, my healing can cause a side effect, which can instil desire and passion in those healed. What I am saying is your feelings and passion will pass.”

Charis gently grasping her wrists started to lift Agape’s arms away from around her shoulders, Agape, distracted considering Charis’ words allowed her. Then Agape’s body shuddered, her head fell forward onto Charis’ chest, nestled sweetly upon Charis’ breasts Agape’s warm breath separated from Charis’ breasts by her underclothe. Charis realised too late. Unwrapping Agape’s arms, holding them by the wrist, she placed them by Agape’s sides inadvertently caressing Agape’s upper thigh, buttocks area.

Charis’ state of shock ended when she realised Agape, perfectly positioned on her chest, planted numerous tender kisses on her throat skipping her way up to her chin. Charis drew back, revealing Agape’s puckering lips and closed eyes, which quickly opened when her lips found air.

“Your touch is enough Mistress, I plead you release me from this state of desire.”

Charis pushed back Agape’s black hair from around her face, gathering it together and then gently forcing Agape to lie down. Agape trembled, did she ask too forcefully, did she ask for too much? Was Mistress tucking her into bed like a child? Then her Mistress loomed over her … Agape squeezed her eyes in anticipation, hope, and rampant desire.

Using the back of a finger Charis traced the outline of Agape’s face, travelling down her slim neck to dance on the flesh above her breasts, teasing, promising to visit further down, and never doing so. Then the contact drifted off and Agape’s closed eyes opened startled.

Agape moaned as Charis skimmed the back of her finger across Agape’s inner thigh, almost to her womanhood, then gone, to treat the other thigh. Then gone again, this time Charis’ open hand grasped her outer thigh, raced under her shift and paused over her belly button, her hurt, her pain. Agape sensed a warmth, the remaining tinge of pain drawn away and her desire subtly increased.

Her Mistress’ hand then slithered over her stomach and savagely cupped her small breast and skilled fingers teased and twisted its hardened nipple. Agape convulsed and shuddered more than once. Charis removed her hand, lent down, kissed Agape gently, warmly on her lips, and stalked away, guilty.

Charis knew about her healing and its affects, and although indirectly this time it proved the difference between life and death as it did for Dirce and Drosis. Charis convinced herself the affect would be temporary, a few days at most. The falseness of the desire disturbed her the most and in silent askance, she screamed out, she needed to make sense of her gift before it became a curse. Realistically how long, before those with healing induced desire become jealous of each other and destroy the company from within?

She made a decision and strode directly to the elder’s room. The elder’s room appeared vacant forcing Charis to climb the ladder to her bed to make sure. Her sight permitted her to confirm the elder’s shape under the covers and she considered leaving the elder, returning another day, another time.

“I’ve been expecting you dear.”

Charis grabbed the elder’s bed to prevent herself from falling off the ladder.

“I didn’t mean to surprise you dear. Lucky your reflexes are still sharp.” Then the elder released a low cackle and sat up.

“Can we talk? Do I need to stay on the ladder or can we sit at your table?” Charis asked.

“Make yourself comfortable on the ladder as punishment. Been keeping information from me haven’t you?” The elder raised an eyebrow.

Charis exhaled like a punch to the stomach and eventually repositioned herself, her bottom on a rung and her legs through it, trying to make herself, as suggested by the elder, as comfortable as possible.

“Well this is your confession so start,” encouraged the elder.

“It is my healing.”

“I suspected of course, please continue.”

“I healed in the past, small injuries or pains, I will or urge an outcome and depending upon the injury or pain it usually took overnight to actually heal. At the Keep, Dirce and Drosis were mortality-wounded blood everywhere. Seeing them so, I panicked out of concern and fear of losing them. I am still haunted elder, I cannot suffer a third loss.”

The elder placed a hand on Charis’ cheek and then shoulder.

“You will need to accept the possibility, one day you won’t be there to save one of your Daughters. A conversation for another time, continue.”

“I poured my magic, my will, and my healing into both of them at the same time, I didn’t know if I could, I tried and hoped to succeed. I succeeded, beyond the skill of Ure Priestess’. Please forgive the blasphemy. Not only did I heal their wounds and save their lives, for Dirce I healed childhood scars. Now they’re devoted to me beyond their self-control.”

Charis paused; she needed to reposition her buttocks. The elder didn’t grant her any reprieve either, as she lay flat as a board staring at the ceiling, presumably listening while in the comfort of her own bed.

“Tonight I aided your medicines and healed lightly after and depending upon who I healed the reaction varies from pleading devotion to seemingly no affect.”

Charis waited and at one point thought the elder was actually asleep and then she asked a question.

“Did you sense your magic exhaust after either of these healings?”

“Mmm, I stopped my healing of Dirce and Drosis when they began to stretch their limbs and open their eyes, confirming their recovery when they leapt upon me. My magic wasn’t exhausted. When I healed tonight the amount required was minute, some for your herbal potions and then a pinch afterwards when they were in their bunks recovering.” Charis finished, quietly as she knew she snuck in the extra healing.

“Why did you heal them in their bunks? I heard your voice fade, some guilt, or another reason?” accused the elder.

“When you said they would recover in a few days I hoped to shorten the time, they’re Initiates and require training so they can defend themselves, they can’t lose any days …”

“Who witnessed Drosis and Dirce’s healing and explain why no sisters openly or otherwise discuss it?”

“I swore them to secrecy …”

“Well none of this is a surprise I guess, the items are attuned to Nature, Life and Purpose. Therefore, this is how I interpret them. The herbal potions I applied tonight are mainly herbs of course allowing your magic’s nature element to enhance them beyond normal. Given you cured also, the affect is possibly equal to the flesh and blood curing you worked on Dirce and Drosis. The curing is the Life element. The Purpose element has been present since you obtain any item, your need to surround yourself with people, for you to care for them and them to care for you. This single purpose binds your sisters to you and you to them. Why did you recruit more Initiates?”

“I sense many battles in our future. You were there when I explained.”

“Did you need to recruit more? Why didn’t you improve those already in your Company? Lead a strong seven hunting for these strangers and one at the House to co-ordinate for example?”

“Heck elder this step is uncomfortable,” stated Charis, wiggling her bottom again.

“Answer the question Mistress of the Daughters of the Duchess.”

Silence.

“Answer the question my dear,” the elder whispered.

“Since I started running, I thought it was aimless, to me at least it was aimless, just trying to survive. As days rolled by obstacles appeared in our way and fortune favoured us. None of this I planned. Some invisible hand guided me. A Mother Superior told me I was Foretold and I am here for change. Perhaps this is who or what guides me and I knew I needed to recruit more and didn’t realise until Alcmene told me people were asking. I could have said no there and then. I didn’t and I can’t work out why.”

“Oh my dear girl,” the elder sympathised.

The doom in the elder’s voice sent a shiver through Charis and the silence, which followed, doubled her foreboding.

“My spell book describes the Foretold. They’re always the same, wise men rallying the Towns and City Threes crusading against evil often rallying many peasants to their cause they head west, never heard of again. The call is difficult to resist, it depends upon the charisma and oratory of the wise man who is a fanatic of Judge. Then next Death Season there is much death as too many peasants leave on Crusade and there are not enough left to plant and gather the harvest. You my dear are an exact opposite; you are working quietly with your company and most importantly not upsetting the natural order of things, in particular the Nobles and the Duke.”

“What is the aim of the Foretold?” asked Charis using a nervous childlike voice unable to gather her bravery.

“Destroy the ancient enemy of course. And no I don’t know who or what the ancient enemy is, although these strangers of yours seem to be part of an evil scheme, so your plan this afternoon could be for the best.”

“What, what if I fail?”

“Then you will walk in well-trodden footsteps, my family’s spell book notes four previous crusades. Each time, they refined a spell to resist following the Crusade. If your Company are part of a Foretold Crusade then I could cast this spell to disillusion them and they would lose interest. Therefore if you wanted to abandon whatever this is, I could possibly help.”

Charis’ first thought was the promised freedom and at that moment of thought her soul emptied of purpose and meaning.

“I am chained to this purpose elder. I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t walk this path.”

“Good, good my dear, clarity of purpose is always strength.”

Charis placed her hand on the elder then.

“This was a test then?”

“Well yes, of course. You don’t always plan your next step even so you have done well Charis the Young. You need to trust in yourself and in the fact for some reason your path of the Foretold doesn’t follow the path of the four Crusades, which failed and brought calamity upon the Duchy.” The elder laughs then, a quiet surprised laugh as a thought springs to mind and a coin drops. Charis stared at her and waited.

“I wonder if Judge has been placed in the barracks for this battle.”

“What do you mean elder, you aren’t making sense?” said Charis, frustrated.

The elder’s eyebrows drew together in thought defying the deep wrinkles on her face resisting.

“The past four Crusades we know about, and probably many before have been Judge’s Foretold, a rally of the Three’s and a following of peasants and all failed. Now you, a completely different type of Foretold to any previous, therefore your sponsor can’t be Judge otherwise you would repeat the past.”

“Perhaps it is Saph, given her Mother Superiors are aware of the Foretold.”

“Yes, I assumed they always were being Seers. Be a dear and grab my spell book, time we were both comfortable sitting at the table drinking tea. Moreover, I’ve punished you enough now by sitting on the ladder. Which brings up a thought, can you heal yourself?”

“Yes and no.”

“What sort of answer is that? Help me down first please, tea and then explain.”

Neither spoke until the tea finished brewing and both held a cup while seated at a chair around the elder’s table.

“I can renew my energy when tired,” Charis said, her face reddening.

“I’m aware of where your energy sometimes goes, no need to be ashamed in anyway. I also know you have no real control over the situation, as your magic is nature and life attuned. What is more normal in nature than procreation? Before you mention you need a male and a female, you being unblessed has confused that requirement and as a result the Seers made a discovery and such a reward cannot be ignored. Then there is the purpose and it is clear you created an open honest bond between those within your company.”

“Thank you. I cannot heal my flesh,” Charis revealed.

“Well then I best improve my herb lore. Now, time to study this musty old book.”

“Tomorrow should be quiet. It isn’t as if we can investigate Seer Raisa’s death as we will never be permitted in the Temple of Saph as both Helice and Niobe suspect the agent is either in this town’s Temple of Saph or another.”