Charis and her sisters awoke to pounding on the Inn door by a weapon pommel, probably a dagger reasoned Charis given the rapid number of times it rang out.
“Coming!” shouted Charis as she straightened her loin cloth and under cloth to ensure some measure of modesty.
Unlatching the Inn Door, the grinning faces of Moustache and Long Hair greeted her.
“Welcome to the Lonely Keep, Charis the Young, Mistress of the Daughters of the Duchess. The Lord of the Lonely Keep is honoured by your visit,” Perider announced or as Charis knew him, Long hair.
While Charis scrambled to recover from the impromptu visit, Pandros or Moustache continued.
“The Lord invites you to break your fast at his Keep and enjoy his company!”
Charis stared at them in turn and considered violence. They though, appeared happy, not smug or cheeky, patiently awaiting Charis’ response.
Charis slammed the door shut, latched it and staggered back to her bedroll. Surely one more bell of sleep wasn’t too much to ask before she faced the Keep and its important people. Her soreness from hard riding irritated her, the floorboards didn’t provide a comfortable bed and resulted in a poor sleep. These were excuses. To face the Baron meant she needed to revisit her past and with no crisis to draw her away, she expected many bells in his and his court’s company.
“We are on a mission Mistress Charis, fetch you or don’t return!” shouted Pandros.
The fastened door muffled the shouted words, it didn’t quiet them.
Her sisters recognised a hopeless endeavour such as resisting a summons from the Baron and began dressing for the final effort, the journey to the Keep.
“I need to present myself at some stage Charis, now is fitting I guess,” said Elpis.
Charis rolled over in her bedroll dragging the sheet with her, defeated. The Lonely Keep no longer a place favoured by her and the journey towards it a reminder of darker days. The Baron and possibly the Baroness to meet, chat with and endure any impositions they wish to entertain.
“Advise our visitors we are readying,” groaned Charis.
“Yes Mistress, although I will stay here, clean up and care for the horses, the poor beasts need grooming,” announced Rhea/Raisa as she opened the door and informed their visitors to wait.
“I will also stay, with the two oafs out there you will enter the Keep as a seven,” offered Otonia.
Accepting her fate, Charis stood, Helice tapping her arms with a wry smile decorating her face. Resigned, Charis raised her arms out permitting Helice and Otonia to dress her in full armour, including felt. Helice accompanied her as bodyguard, while Astera and Thyia provided an escort for the Seer.
Upon their exit via the Inn’s front door, both Pandros and Perider rose from their haunches to join them and as a seven they marched to the Keep.
“Lucky you saw reason Charis the Young, we both thought we were in danger of losing our jobs,” chuckled Pandros.
“Don’t mind him Miss Charis the thought never crossed my mind you wouldn’t accompany us,” added Perider.
“Why chipper and happy boys?”
They glanced at each other and smirked.
“We noted the saddlebags piled up on the Inn floor and we’re hopeful they contain food beyond gruel,” stated Perider. Pandros echoed the word gruel with a definite distaste and revulsion.
“A month out from Death Season and already the best the Keep can provide is gruel?” Charis stated aghast at the situation and peeking at the Seer, catching her swallowing, contemplating her fate.
“Rationing,” replied Pandros.
“Yes, rationing,” confirmed Perider, irritatingly repeating Pandros.
Passing through the Keep Gate Charis paused a moment. The Keep’s household lined up on either side of the cobbled path leading to the entrance of the Main Hall. Charis didn’t check with Pandros or Perider and continued towards the Main Hall, nodding politely and hurrying to finish with this false honour.
Two guards equipped in ill-fitting armour opened the doors and announced Charis and the Seer. At the High Table lounged the Baron, the Baroness, the Baron’s father and the Keep’s Captain. A servant stood either end of the High Table to attend them.
“Welcome Charis the Young, Mistress of the Daughters of the Duchess, we are honoured by your visit,” announced the Baron’s Castellan, his father.
Charis bowed, observing etiquette as did Helice. Seer Elpis stood somewhat behind Charis, Astera and Thyia flanking her, one step behind.
“As entrusted, I deliver unto the Baron of the Lonely Keep, the Seer Elpis.” Charis waited as the Seer stepped quietly forward until level with Charis when she bowed.
“Step forward, out of Charis’ shadow!” commanded the young Baron.
Elpis edged nearer. She knew the history of the last Seer assigned to the Lonely Keep and with the scarce food rumour a nervousness gripped her.
“Why husband, our dear Seer is a trifle uncertain in our company, we will need to go to extraordinary lengths to make her feel welcome,” offered the Baroness, her well perfected mocking tone dripping off each word.
“I suspect any woman with scant life experience beyond familiar surroundings is usually nervous the first time in new service or position,” voiced Charis.
The Baroness straightened in her throne chair, hands gripping the armrests. Before she retorted the Baron whispered to her and she stayed her tongue while her eyes told a different story.
“We welcome our Seeress to the High Table, please occupy your chair for too long vacated,” invited Baron Balius.
As the Seer trudged to her appointed position, Charis empathised, the Baron and Baroness now owned the Seer, officially attached to the household as Priestess. Her primary role, communication beyond the Barony.
With the Seer seated, Charis bowed again.
“With your permission I will take my leave, our journey arduous and we are keen to return to Hillperch before Death Season arrives.”
“Tsk, Charis the Young, Death Season is three weeks away and your journey takes a week for a company as proficient as yours, I should know having been escorted safely by yourself to my most excellent husband.”
“The Baroness is gracious, we were attacked on our way here and delayed by strange circumstances. There is also snow on the mountains …”
“No excuses!” the Baroness shouted. Pausing to sweep her long black hair back before continuing.
“I mean,” returning to a cultured voice, “we entertain few visitors and we need to celebrate when one does visit.”
“Well it seems I must speak bluntly. My company doesn’t wish to consume your meagre supplies.”
“The harvest this season while challenging, provided,” she sniffed.
“Perhaps Charis is wise, extra mouths to feed aren’t what is required, perhaps extra food, if any, is of more benefit added to the Keep’s stores?” asked the Baron.
Charis uncertain, perceived new life growing in her presence. Perhaps a pregnant Baroness? The sun bathing of the items providing enhanced awareness, improving her night sight, able to sense new life. On the trail the reward offered an otherwise hidden white rabbit or two, here the spark of life in the form of a pregnancy proved detectable.
“A portion Baron, donated for new mothers perhaps?”
The Baron stared quizzically at Charis and then threw a look at his Baroness.
“We beg our Leave and will hand what we can spare to the Baron’s Guards,” said Charis.
“Yes,” the Baron uttered, waving Charis away.
Charis, pivoted immediately and hurried from the Great Hall, Helice, Astera and Thyia followed without hesitation.
Once through the doors Charis searched for and found the two guards she trusted and waved them over while making straight for the Keep Gates.
“Well your visit short and sweet?” enquired Pandros.
Charis answered him with a mischievous smile and continued in silence until reaching the Inn.
“Astera and Thyia, prepare the horses, we leave now. Pandros the Moustache and Perider Long Hair wait outside the Inn please.”
Helice followed Charis into the Inn and shut the Inn door behind them.
“Helice, check if we can gift a couple of saddlebags of supplies and send our two friends on their way. By the time they report, we should be saddled and away.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
“Otonia and Rhea please make ready to leave,” Charis shouted, as she sprinted upstairs.
“We are here Mistress,” called Otonia.
Entering one of the Inn’s Guest Rooms, Rhea rested her sobbing head upon Otonia’s ample breasts.
Reacting to Charis’ entrance, Rhea lifted her head and wiped her eyes with her hands.
“Charis, dear Charis, I wish to stay, and Raisa wishes to stay. Sharing the one body is a havoc for us now, an inner torment and we both suspect it wasn’t meant as a lasting existence.”
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“Death Season is upon us, if you return, I am sure we can find help?” offered Charis.
“We are in contact with our Seer sisters if needed, we need time alone to contemplate our future and the challenge of managing your Inn will occupy us with the mundane.”
As Charis considered her next words, Rhea placed a finger across her Mistress’ lips.
“We’ve decided, Otonia has already tested our resolve and failed to dissuade us.”
Charis stood and with Otonia, retreated to the door, digesting Rhea and Raisa’s decision.
“I will leave as much food as we can spare, beware the Keep is currently surviving on gruel, hide what we leave with you. Search in the ash of the fireplace for a pouch of coin for emergencies.”
Not waiting for a response Charis raced downstairs catching Helice with two saddlebags.
“Leave them behind the bar for Rhea, she has chosen to stay. I will explain once we are away from here.” Charis attended to the fireplace after ransacking one of Helice’s saddlebags.
Helice turned from the door and hurried to the bar. The last to leave the Inn, she mounted to join her waiting sisters. They spurred their horses as one, galloping out of the Keep’s village trailing a riderless horse.
---
Clymene, Alcmene and Niobe waited in the Kitchen and prepared lunch, cold meats, some dried apples and pears. Daughters visited and nibbled and returned to whatever duty they dedicated themselves to. Three bells rang between leaving the assassins to consider their future and middle afternoon. Clymene considered visiting the Meeting Room to determine if the assassins were still debating or possibly requiring additional information or perhaps assurance. Explanation perhaps, they needed to choose, they are in control and no one would force them into anything they didn’t wish to!
“Excuse me Seer Sisters, we admit we need assistance,” uttered Hagne.
None of the Seers retained any presence of mind to shut their respective dropped jaws. Hagne’s powerful body defined by muscled upper thighs and abdomen, muscle laced across her chest, her small breasts resting upon the underlying muscle like a bird’s chest. Sharp cheekbones blended into her wide nose, her shoulder length black hair framing her light skinned face. A radiate smile grew across her pierced lips.
“I am appreciative of your favourable assessment of my body and I find myself oddly enjoying your gaze.” A rosy hue spread across her light skinned face, neck and chest as confirmation.
“We … we should close our mouths and apologise,” stuttered Clymene. Alcmene and Niobe enjoyed exploring Zosime body and while familiar with what to expect, Hagne’s body shape somewhat different and captivating in its own unique way.
“We find ourselves inept at pleasuring each other to orgasm. We can’t determine if this is from lack of skill or hesitation with laying with a woman.” Hagne spoke the words ‘proper’, clinical, perhaps a mechanism to cope with the subject matter. For Alcmene, Clymene and Niobe her adopted speaking style added to the mystique.
“Zosime seems willing to accept our attentions although our skill is awkward and clumsy, and we are frustrating her.”
“Lead us and we will follow,” informed Clymene, sweeping her hand forward.
“Niobe visit Dirce and Drosis, explain the task before us and fetch them if they accept, their hot sweaty athletic bodies may interest the assassins more than our soft shapely ones,” sent Clymene.
Niobe supressed a giggle in case Hagne heard and misunderstood, the assassin didn’t need her confidence damaged any further.
Hagne opened the door and stood aside to allow Alcmene and Clymene to enter raising an eyebrow.
“Niobe is fetching assistance,” answered Alcmene. Stating the obvious in face of the visage before her.
Hagne nodded her head and followed the two Seers into the Room and shut the door behind her.
“Wait until you see them nude dear sister you can really appreciate them,” sent Alcmene.
The three assassins stood in turn before the Seers, offering a choice.
“You must swear on your oaths, you accept this path and in no way are you acting against your own free will,” Clymene questioned, trying diligently not to stare.
“We swear,” they each answered in response. Clymene not accepting their naked bodies as confirmation given their strong stance on womanly pleasure.
Clymene decided upon a strategy, which consisted of laying each assassin out, contacted by each other’s head in a star formation like their throwing stars. Alexis to the North, coltish body, fair skin, short chestnut brown hair, her sparkling green eyes completely trusting. Korinna to the South, full figured body, light skin, shoulder length brown black hair, rare grey eyes darting nervously about the room. Hagne to the East her hazel eyes brimming with determination. Zosime to the West her green eyes pleading for relief.
“If I guessed, Alexis is the scout or stealth of your three, Korinna the seductress or temptress and Hagne the enforcer or warrior, am I correct?” questioned Clymene.
“Yes, Seer Sister,” said Hagne without emotion.
“I fulfilled Hagne’s role in my Three,” added Zosime.
Niobe then knocked and entered the Meeting Room, Dirce and Drosis, inquisitive, gingerly entered the room and stunned by the view, tried to capture every line, curve and shadow.
Korinna being rather buxom, Clymene assigned Dirce and Drosis to attend to her, while the shorter, softer Niobe attended Hagne, Alcmene attended Alexis while she attended Zosime.
Clymene played the scene over in her mind and drew the conclusion the assassins viewed this as a training exercise, pure and simple, to avoid the uncomfortable reality of their beliefs, the Seer Temple’s self-imposed taboo. They desperately needed to serve the Goddess Saph as Seers again and they reasoned if this womanly intimacy constituted an essential step then they would practice and train until proficient as they did with weapons training. The flawed anomaly obvious to Clymene now, a dagger is lifeless and depended upon the person wielding it, the Seer training involved other sisters, deep emotional connection and trust.
Perhaps a rethink is required pondered Clymene as they couldn’t succeed by repeatably ploughing a field, they needed to appreciate, enjoy, imagine and dream. The last thing they needed was to turn the plough around and plough the same rut again and again never to discover. Never to realise their potential as Seers, forever stuck, adhering to their assassin training regimen.
---
Charis and company left the Inn of the Scarred Lady and for the next seven days galloped, cantered, trotted and walked, riding their horses to Hillperch.
The night after the third day of travel Helice confronted Charis while setting alerts, away from the campfire and their companions.
“There is trouble at the House Mistress, Clymene apologises for not alerting you sooner, she thought she could fix it.”
Charis finished the mumble required for the Alert, willing a drop of magic from her items into her casting. As Charis met Helice’s eyes, Helice continued.
“Zosime is making progress, eager as a child rediscovering something she thought lost forever. The other three assassins are as eager, although frustrated. Try as they can they are awkward. Awkward when pleasured, awkward when pleasuring and unable to call upon their past Seer Training to recreate the forms and structures required.”
“Are they afraid?”
“I am not sure I know what you mean Mistress.”
“Each has professed a need to remain chaste, each are Seers trapped by years of Temple Taboo.”
“Clymene says they are participating, they are not learning.”
Charis began casting at another location, their conversation occurring on the move.
“There are three assassins, one will be guided by a Seer each, Alcmene, Clymene and Niobe. Each Seer must develop their relationship beyond the obvious, they must develop trust.”
“Yes Mistress, recall feelings and bonds lost. What of Zosime?”
“Perhaps Thais and Alexa could assist Zosime, they could discover together?”
“I will advise Clymene, Mistress.”
“And Helice, you know yourself, rubbing sensitive areas without emotional connection may arouse, nothing more. The assassins are following a training formula, similar to dagger training, they need to discover their feelings and emotions, they need to participate for joy and pleasure and perhaps after a time, love. Love of themselves, love for their Seer sisters and love for the Goddess Saph.”
Somehow during the speech Helice and Charis embraced, both refusing to let go of the other.
“The assassins haven’t recovered from Twin loss, they have been rote trained to be assassins and they have killed, I suspect without feeling or remorse, numb. If we don’t awaken their Seer Skill we need to at least ensure they understand they are safe, there is trust and they are valued.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
“I know the worship of the Seer at the Travel Inn saddened you and the return of the Single Seers, acknowledgement of them by the Temple occupied my mind from time to time before then. The way forward is for the Temple to discover our secret, not be told of it, hence my involvement or perhaps seduction of Elpis. She will strengthen her Seer Link with her twin and perhaps spread our technique. We made the leap to include Single Seers, so my hope is they also explore the possibility.”
“I am ashamed Mistress, know the Seers doubted your involvement with Elpis … we didn’t understand.”
“I wish I could claim all of my wisdom as my own, I can’t. The plain fact is I am sixteen Death Seasons survived, lived my life in the one small village, tormented due to my differences. I am guided by the Gods, Helice, no other explanation is possible. I am certain of this as the White Seer declared me the Foretold. The elder has told me history doesn’t treat the Foretold well, which is why I am preparing you all to exist beyond my demise …”
“MISTRESS!” Helice pushed Charis away, grabbing her shoulders, moist eyes meeting moist eyes.
“We will defend you from that moment!”
“I know, and I will not allow my sisters to pay the cost needlessly. How many sister’s lives am I worth dear, dear Helice?”
Helice pulled Charis to her in a strangling embrace.
“I don’t know Mistress, I do not know …”
“Neither do I, but I hope to when the moment comes.”
---
At dusk after the seventh day of travel Charis pushed her troupe to make the New Gate.
“You are in luck Charis the Young, a Guardsman spied you from our newly completed watchtower galloping through the village, scattering travellers before you!” said the Gate Captain.
Charis rested, hands on thighs while astride her horse on the town side of the New Gate, the Gate’s cross bars clunking into place with a finality behind her.
“I apologise Captain, desperate to be safe from the approaching Death Season and return home.”
With their weapons stowed at the Gatehouse her Sisters led their mounts to the Daughter’s Stables while Charis addressed the Captain.
“While I am sure the Temple will be generous with their reward, you risk much with each task and you are very easy to recognise now.” The Gate Captain accepted her bow as she dismounted.
Charis conscious of the amount of “skin” she currently displayed to sun bath her items, perhaps too much as her milk white skin now obvious to anyone close enough when conversing with her.
“I appreciate your honestly always my friend.”
“Stable your horse and rest well tonight in your own House Charis the Young.”
Charis strolled away content, leaving him with a smile. Each step towards the Daughter’s Stable crunched under foot, the cold announcing its seasonal invasion with Death Season a mere three weeks away. Time for the sisters to rest and train at their leisure and prepare to seek out and destroy enemies of the Duchy once the snow cleared. A smirk grew, realising the Duke would never know of her mission and the protection the Daughters of the Duchess would offer now she uncovered the nature of the enemy and possible hiding places.
Astera squatted outside the Stable door under a lantern, in full armour. The oddity of this reception double as Thyia didn’t accompany her.
Charis sensed, realised and perhaps accepted something amiss as their respective gazes met and Astera waved a hand inviting Charis to occupy the stool beside hers.
“Greetings Mistress, we need to prepare you for your return,” said Astera.
“Is this the ideal place?” asked Charis.
“Yes, away from Seers, I have pulled rank and sent all those you accompanied to groom their horses and return to the House without you and as you see I have asked Thyia to remain behind.”
“Well, the floor is yours.”
“The assassins are dangerous Mistress, the Seers have been unable to enlighten them, regardless of effort. Zosime is progressing or at least sane and calm. There is a desperation about them. They have surrendered their values for a promised reward and are impatient and frustrated.”
“I suggested each Seer take one and guide them, bond with them perhaps …”
“Yes, they welcomed the change, perhaps it duplicated their twin sister bonding, one partner. I am sorry Mistress I don’t fully understand, yet with my parents they are a couple so there is some sense in it. The Seers have now asked to take a break and the Assassins aren’t, well … happy, they talk amongst themselves, eat at their own table, exclude Zosime, all worrying signs Mistress.”
“Are they dangerous?”
“I am concerned enough to speak to you before your return …”
“Find the coin pairs, each pair overwatch an assassin. Separate the assassins somehow, perhaps weapons training at the arena, another at the House and the last shown the town. I will arrive at the House once they are under escort and will talk to them one at time.”
“Where will you spend the night Mistress?”
“My secret …” Charis hefted her smallish frame up to stand and glanced back at Astera smiling.
“How can you smile Mistress at a time like this?”
“I believe in my purpose and the Gods who guide me, I must. How else do you explain my life journey?”
“Mistress, what of death, yours and others?”
“Oh, I will fight to my last breath against that outcome and I take precautions.” Charis placed her hands on the seated Astera’s shoulders and kissed her forehead. “The assassins wish to be Seers, we have proven Single Seers can regain their Skill, so we just need to figure out the missing link.”
“What if we can’t?”
Charis stood up straight and winked. “We will cross that flow of water if we must.”
Astera closed her mouth as Charis disappeared striding around one of the many new buildings in this smelly part of town. She decided to check the Stable and then use the time it took for her to return to the House to explain Charis’ delay and cancel the surprise Clymene and Alcmene were preparing. Then command the Coin Paired Sisters to their Mistress’ task.