Helice waited outside of the elder’s stone cabin, not due to lack of interest. The cause? Her growing frustration with each passing moment and her inability to conceal her dissent in anyone’s company except her own. Ismene arrived running and Helice hoped her presence meant Charis would soon be lured back to the House. Time passed and without Helice needing to try, their three voices, loud and excited, easily overheard. Her final hope lost upon eavesdropping on Ismene’s agreement to stay with the elder.
Charis, rubbing her hands together, eyes full of joy and discovery greeted Helice. Helice tried. She convinced herself she tried. She stood by and allowed her Mistress to celebrate, happiness good for the soul surely and she seemed recovered, more than recovered.
“Come sister we will leave these two and re-assure our sisters with our presence.”
“Yes Mistress.” Helice managing to keep the frustration from her voice although she doubted Charis would have picked up any, as her Mistress seemed newly energised, elated even. Perhaps the promise of this mystery being solved pushed her other concerns to the back of her mind and brightened her mood and demeaner. Helice couldn’t Seer Link to Clymene or any Seer Sister for guidance to share this change in Charis.
---
Charis grinned mischievously, near child-like at Helice and held her back from the upper entrance of the Inner Cavern. She then snuck around and observed, finally waving Helice forward. Helice strained to make sense of her Mistress’ behaviour. Did she expect to spy upon her sisters? Helice needed to grab her now, needed Clymene’s support to convince Charis of her condition, another chance, another possibility should present itself if Charis insists, they visit the Main Cavern. Helice would bide her time, she decided, she needed support.
Their short wait rewarded when the Goblin sisters strolled into the Inner Cavern, chatting incoherently and smiling. They began organising and cleaning the armour, so quiet and so intent they attended to four sets of armour before secretly noticing themselves being spied upon. They continued their endeavours for a little while, muttering together in short clipped sentences until one broke away bravely or perhaps simply encouraged by her sisters, to approach and address Charis and Helice.
“Right, Wrong soon by horse sister?” She needed to think about the last few words, otherwise a reasonable attempt thought Helice.
“Continue your work,” responded Charis. Charis and Helice repositioning themselves to the back of the Inner Cavern to relax upon the bunks to take their ease. Helice searching for the right words to match the moment of solus they shared to explain why Charis needed to return to the House. Helice finally decided on the words and about to speak when the Inner Cavern welcomed two visitors.
The three Goblin sisters finished the last set of armour and most of the weapons when Dione and Latona entered the Inner Cavern via the upper entrance.
Latona inspected their efforts, piece by piece, whispering ‘right’ if certain, showing the piece to Dione if not and either whispering ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ as decided by Dione. From the very thin smiles on the goblin sisters’ faces it seemed they passed inspection. Latona thanked the Goblin sisters turning to return to the House, when she noticed Charis and Helice and stopped dead in her tracks. Dione made aware also, when Latona dropped to one knee. The goblin sisters copying her immediately. Charis slid from the bunk she and Helice shared and ambled towards the gathered sisters. Helice aghast, when did Charis amble anywhere, she walked with purpose and determination, she led with certainty and her sisters followed?
“Welcome Mistress, I hope all meets with your approval?” said Dione.
Charis nodded towards Dione. “Latona rise and approach me please,” commanded Charis.
As Latona approached, Charis inspected the armour and weapons herself. “Report.”
Latona cleared her throat. “As Dione said we hope their efforts meet with your approval, Dione has assisted me greatly and I appreciate her help.” Not a single stutter, perfect, thought Latona as she relaxed her hands.
“Yes, the goblin sisters seem to be very responsible and very competent,” Charis agreed, waiting.
With the silence mounting and after glancing at Latona, Dione replied, “Too early to tell yet, but they can follow instructions and work to what is expected. We will know more when the Head Goblin returns and see if they try to re-join their tribe or not, even if the tribe believes they’re dead.”
“Yes, the slightly taller one, talked to me before, slow but the words made enough sense. Fairly sure she drowned us in buckets of water when most required.”
Latona managed a thin smile and just as Charis began turning away, spluttered a few words. “She is named Sweetears, Mistress.”
Charis smiled in acknowledgement and strode from the Inner Cavern.
---
“Why didn’t you answer the Mistress, part of being in command of a responsibility is to report,” asked Dione. Charis made it clear in no uncertain terms Latona commanded the Goblin sisters, Latona’s failure to reply to a question made it necessary for Dione to.
“I am sorry, nerves, my throat dried up and the words stuck, please forgive me?”
“Next time for sure?” enquired Dione. The Mistress didn’t call her out for stepping in for Latona, perhaps a minor infraction? Lucky this time or perhaps the Mistress’ mood different in some way? Dione didn’t want to take the chance next time, she needed to ensure Latona prepared beyond normal, extraordinarily in fact.
Latona nodded. The Goblin Sisters finishing off the remaining weapons, noticing, although acting like they showed no interest.
---
Striding down the passageway, Charis and Helice spied Astera gazing intently into the Main Cavern from the Guard Post, Thyia not in sight. As they closed the distance the new size of the Guard Post opened before them capturing their interest.
“Not quite a great size, although useful,” offered Thyia, stepping into the Guard House proper from a recently added blind alcove.
Without paying the new arrivals any attention, her eyes fixed upon the Main Cavern, Astera added, “The elder spares us some of her time occasionally, although not too much more is required, and we will be able to use the area for training.”
“Thank-you sisters,” said Charis as she hurried past and entered the Main Cavern. Helice caught out, didn’t Charis want to ask Astera anything more? Helice rushed to follow, her anxiousness plain as Astera cast her a questioning look.
They quickly greeted Alexis, Charis’ intent clear, donning several layers of furs and venturing to the other side of the Stone Curtain Wall to inspect the tribute drop made by the elder, confirming, regardless of the weather it functioned. They hurried back, the weather getting worse; chilled and icy wind driving heavy snow, chasing them. The Stone Curtain Wall in front of the entrance to the Main Cavern shielding the worst, although not all and while their armour, felt and cloak warmed; not all sisters were so equipped. Each of the posts held furs for those on duty and Helice wondered if these would be enough especially if the weather deteriorated any further. She noticed Charis lean against the Stone Curtain Wall for a moment and then she pushed away, smiling.
Charis raced through the Main Cavern and rapidly climbed the passageways, a single-minded purpose etched across her face; the only concern for Helice, who otherwise encouraged this change of direction and pace.
---
Half-way between the Elders Cavern and the Water Cavern, Charis lent against the passageway wall again this time her breathing laboured and body weary. She used what little magic remained to her to recover from the trip beyond the Stone Curtain Wall and as Helice embraced her, she searched and upon touch found Helice’s Items equally exhausted. Neither having sunned themselves for many days.
“Lean on me Mistress, step by step we will make it out of here.”
Helice urged her Mistress to step forward, having to shake her at times. Near the entrance of the Water Cavern Helice realised she heaved a dead weight, her Mistress completely overcome by her tiredness and deeply asleep. Helice teared in dismay, the cause beyond the physical struggle to include the swings in energy and mood of her Mistress, concluding she must be under an unknown influence their being no other plausible explanation.
As the Mistress’ bodyguard Helice sworn at herself for her weakness, she could’ve done more, shouldn’t done more to protect Charis from herself. The inspecting and chasing after coins unnecessary, easily delegated to another. Warning signs obvious upon reflection without the distraction of her Kitchen games with Clymene for example. A deep stone-cold guilt settled in her stomach causing her to dry heave, almost dropping Charis to the unforgiving stone passageway floor and thereby symbolically discarding her, prioritising Helice’s need. A stark reminder of her failure.
Alone, isolated from her Seer Sisters, Helice searched for explanation in the cold grey “Borrow Stone” vision of the passageway ahead or the cavern entrance to the right, the returned silence giving up no clues or secrets. Determination steeled her to her task, once rested the former Charis would return, Helice needed to believe, to continue.
The passageway curved upwards and unable to struggle any further the left behind bedrolls in the Water Cavern lured Helice in. Charis could rest and after a short rest herself, surely, she could carry on and save them both. After further fight Helice landed Charis upon one of the bedrolls with a relieved grasp of effort. She then rested herself, flat on her back, breathing deeply and regaining some muscle strength all the while emotionally twisting and agonising over the peaceful vision of her Mistress’ face. An image of serenity instead of utter anguished determination, the tinkle and trickle of the running water soothing and calming, convincing Helice if the Mistress needed to sleep anywhere, this cavern easily as perfect as any confirming her forced choice.
A minute niggle ticked away at Helice, spoiling her settled mind; contemplating the possibility of Zosime’s strength in this situation and her own failure to carry her Mistress Home.
Helice observed Charis’ chest rise and fall in perfect rhythm. Could she afford to rest? The Evening Shift, yes, they would be running by in a bell or so to relieve Day Shift and they needed to notice her and Charis to rescue them. The passageway clipping the entrance to the Water Cavern meaning most who ran by ignored the cavern and anyone within, Fifth and Sixth Caverns similar. Helice’s mind awake enough to wrap itself around that truth, so how did she hail them, how did she make them stop?
Gathering loose stones Helice fashioned an arrow from them pointing inwards at the Water Cavern entrance. She could see it in the dark with the enhanced Borrow Stone although it would soon fail as Helice lacked any significant store of magic in her items. Helice, concerned with her Mistress’ health and distracted by temptations failed to perform some basic upkeep on her Items, cursing herself the fool. She hurried, the darkness would be her prison walls shortly, absolute and oppressive. As a final attempt to draw interest, Helice took a blanket from her bedroll and laid it out in the passageway beside the stone arrow tail, hopefully one leading to the other.
With moments of sight to spare she prepared the second bedroll in the Water cavern for herself and waited. Her eyes flickering to stay awake, gradually gaining a heaviness lulled by the water babbling and gurgling behind her. Her final resistance futile once her eyes went dark, the “Borrow Stone” failing due to lack of magic. Eyelids open or closed surrounded by black, the water thunderous as her sense of hearing tried to replace the deficiency. Her eyelids closed for several heartbeats, flitting open occasionally in defiance and then remaining shut. Her mind eased to sleep by the rhythm of the trickling water occupying the Cavern.
---
The Evening Shift fully rested and running late, bolted at record pace from House to Main Cavern. Thankful they were able to relieve the Day Shift before the eight bell, as expected. The Day Shift, returning to the House, chose a more leisurely pace.
Astera called a halt at the entrance of the Water Cavern, noticing firstly the blanket and then the stone arrow. Shifts returning to the House on the upwards journey always required more effort, hence slower and more strenuous than the downward journey and therefore Astera’s discovery more likely by far.
After some caution the Day Shift entered the Water Cavern, all trying to comprehend the reason for the two sleeping bodies before them. Astera tried to wake Charis with no success, she didn’t know about Helice’s technique, nevertheless, content she tried her best. Helice required a couple of slaps on her cheek before she woke, startled and effectively blind in the surrounding darkness.
Astera calmed her and offered her water.
“Steady sister, recover first and then tell us your tale.”
Helice nodded and sipped on the offered water. “The Mistress after returning from the Main Cavern became extremely tired, sleepy tired or perhaps sleepy and bodily tired, because she tried to energise herself as she does. Our Items magic exhausted, yes, I remember now. Mistress couldn’t cure herself and I couldn’t use my Borrow Stone. Enough sight remained though for the arrow and the blanket. Thanks, sisters, for noticing.”
“Enough for now, Alexis and Zosime help Helice to her feet and escort her to the House. When you can, contact Clymene, Korinna and Niobe and let the Seer Sisters know what has occurred.”
While helping Helice to her feet, they wrapped her cooling body in a blanket from her bedroll and the one from the passageway.
“Astera we will need to add blankets to Charis’ bed, Helice is cold and I assume Charis will be also,” said Zosime, a trace of concern in her voice. Alexis took Zosime’s cloak, adding hers and passing them to Thyia as they walked Helice from the Cavern.
Astera nodded, then reached out to Zosime to hold Helice in the Water Cavern for a moment longer.
“Helice!” When Helice opened her eyes, Astera continued. “Did you need to wake your Mistress most mornings?”
“Some mornings, yes, but not all mornings,” replied Helice half asleep.
“Well when rested you need to change from bodyguard to nurse for the time being and ensure the Mistress isn’t disturbed except to eat and ablutions. You understand?”
“Yes, erm, we will need a chamber pot.”
“Yes, and you need to decide if this is the best place for her recovery or somewhere else. If it is the best place, then what do we need to do if anything to improve it.”
“Yes Mistress, I will not fail.” Her last response stronger in tone and conviction than any previously since waking.
Astera released Zosime’s arm. “Thyia and Zoe you need to stand guard until Helice’s recovery or relieved by other sisters.”
“Yes Mistress,” answered Thyia as she wrapped Charis in the offered cloaks, checking Charis’ skin temperature and fully realising then why Zosime showed concern.
Zoe hesitated. Helice, the bodyguard of the Mistress addressed Astera as Mistress. Thyia also and they obeyed without questioning?
“You look uncertain Zoe?”
“No Mistress Astera. Well yes, sort of and this is only a question.” Continuing at Astera’s prompting. “Why are you Mistress? I mean I know you are when the Mistress isn’t here, but the Mistress is here isn’t she?”
“The Mistress is so busy looking after and worrying about everyone else, she fails to look after herself at times. It is up to us to know when that happens and ensure everything is well and looked after until she is ready.”
Zoe chewed her next thought over before saying anything, deciding she needed to say the words anyway. “Given we both lost our honour and Nysa didn’t, why isn’t Nysa Mistress?”
Astera calmly replied. “Why do you think?”
Zoe blinked, not expecting the question. “I don’t know.” Astera continued to look at her offering no answer and as the silence between them extended she tried to find an answer as Astera seemed to be waiting for one from her.
“The Mistress likes you and trusts you more?” she suggested, grasping at the most obvious.
“Trust is part of it, but more importantly, acceptance of responsibility. Mistress knows I will accept this responsibility and command in the best interests of the company and more importantly the company knows that. Does that make sense?”
“Nysa isn’t fit to command?”
“No, it doesn’t mean that. You don’t need to think less of a person to explain why they aren’t chosen. Nysa could be ideal, better than I, better perhaps than even the Mistress. For now, though we don’t know that do we? Are you suggesting Nysa is ideal because of one battle? Is that all we need to consider, is that the only thing that is important when running a company such as the Daughters of the Duchess?”
“I think I understand now, thank you Mistress. It is sort of like the largest bravest trapper was always our leader but the Mistress proved that the largest and the bravest isn’t the only thing you should be to be a leader, which is how she defeated him and well, the trappers current leader is one of the oldest and wisest woman they have and they seem to be doing better.”
“Now I need you to stand guard with Thyia.”
“Yes Mistress.”
As Astera turned to leave, Zoe said, “Mistress we will need to lay beside Charis, she will need our body heat the cloaks alone will not be enough.”
“Do as you think you must, I will return when I can.”
---
Astera raced upwards towards the House catching Zosime and Alexis assisting Helice. While wanting to help, Astera instead asked them to lean to one side of the passageway while she continued to take broad strides until she arrived in the Kitchen of the House, bent over, hands on knees taking in huge breaths.
“What is the matter sister?” Clymene’s voice laced with concern.
Astera held up a flat hand, waving her question away. Clymene hurried and fetched water from the Kitchen Water Barrel arriving as Astera finally managed to stand, gratefully accepting the mug of cool liquid.
After a swig, Astera said, “Charis is resting, well in a deep asleep and we can’t wake her. Helice will be here shortly, Alexis and Zosime needing to assist her so please stoke the oven, she will require warmth.”
“The stove and oven are already stoked, I am on the verge of preparing your evening meal, waiting for you to bathe.”
“Yes, certainly, sorry. Where are the twins and Latona?” asked Astera.
“They have bathed and eaten and are now training crossbow with Agape in the Top Floor Training Room Mistress, I am correct am I not?” Clymene’s eyes searching for confirmation on Astera’s face, rewarded when Astera’s jaw clenched.
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“Yes.” Astera exhaled the answer, confirming to Clymene and resigned to the fact herself.
Clymene stripped Astera of her underclothe and herded her into the Bath Room to quickly wash the sweat and grim from her body. Letting Astera soak for a short while and then helping her climb out, drying her and wrapping her body in a fresh Daughters Robe.
“Thanks sister.”
Astera and Clymene then assisted Zosime and Alexis pass Helice up through the Kitchen Trap Door, the coolness of her skin prompting them to lay Helice beside the oven on an impromptu bed of loose blankets scavenged from short sheeting the bunks in the White Room.
“Zosime offer to your Mistress to replace Thyia, her Spear and Shield partner should be with her,” sent Clymene.
Without hesitation Zosime offered her services as a replacement. “With your agreement Mistress I will return to the Water Cavern to replace Thyia so she can attend to you.”
Astera needed to drag her eyes away from Helice, fretting given Helice’s condition, wondering if leaving Charis in the Water Cavern, such a good idea.
“Yes, Zosime, greatly appreciated. Please ensure you take several blankets with you I am concerned about our Mistress.”
Zosime nodded and hurried to her task.
“I have advised Korinna and Niobe on Evening Shift of the Mistress taking a rest. Others such as Elpis will be enquiring before long …”
“We have no secrets, please inform all the Seer Sisters, even the twins training upstairs,” said Astera tucking a blanket tightly around Helice.
Alexis, requiring no prompting from Clymene sort permission from Astera and dashed off to assist Agape in the Training Room and to advise their students they probably wouldn’t have two handed spear practice tonight.
Astera dropped to the floor beside Helice and started stroking her hair. Many things to organise and yet this menial task seemed the most important. The gentle scrape of a chair announced Clymene’s intention.
“Helice will recover once warmth and rest take hold and you need to ensure you look after yourself. We don’t need to lose a second Mistress due to ill care.”
Astera looked from Helice to Clymene and sighed, resigned to obey as Clymene lent the chair slightly forward waving the back rest at her. She slowly climbed into the offered chair and shifted it closer to Helice.
“Charis visited Day Shift and seemed well. What do you mean about ill care?”
“I suspect this rest is one Mistress has needed for months, she doesn’t always sleep whole nights if you know what I mean and pretends to be refreshed. We will know more when Helice wakes.”
---
Thyia and Zoe sandwiched Charis between their two bodies joining the two bedrolls in an overlap and rolling Charis to the middle, the chilled skin on her face a concern.
A bell later, a visitor.
“My Mistress, my Mistress!”
The only warning as Ismene screamed out her distress, legs and arms crab like taunt, stopped at Charis’ feet, a statue of concern leaning over her sole person of interest. Unable to comprehend Charis’ incapacity and therefore unable to solve or cure her condition her position locked like her mind by distress and panic.
Thyia and Zoe stunned, paralysed by the unannounced intrusion and hysteria coupled with the fact they didn’t want to move now given Charis’ condition.
Ismene yelped, sprouting two extra arms and now floating above the cavern floor.
“You will be silent and calm, or I will throw you out of the Cavern. Do you understand?”
Ismene nodded, answering difficult, her lungs compressed under Zosime’s bearhug embrace.
“You are sure you understand?” Zosime loosened the embrace, although not freeing her.
“Yes, Sister I am concerned …”
“As we all are. Thyia I need to trade places with you, Astera calls you to attend to her.”
Thyia examines Charis and glances at Zoe, finally settling on Ismene.
“If you wish to help Ismene, throw the two furs you have wrapped around you to Zosime. She can keep them warm while sliding in under me to keep the Mistress as warm as possible.”
Ismene didn’t answer hastening to offer up the furs instead. “Can I offer my body warmth as well?”
The sisters present couldn’t answer, they wanted the House Provedore to keep performing her duties! Zosime replaced Thyia and Thyia then lent over and distributed the two furs more evenly over the three prone bodies, carefully adjusting, fussing, to avoid tearing. Their Mistress, terribly cold, Thyia and Zoe contemplating Charis’ fate, Zoe the most experienced with a person caught out in the snow; found freezing and their chances of survival. Zoe refusing to confirm the worst or the best.
“Ismene, with me and you can ask your Mistress about your future duties.”
Ismene blinked, slowly dragging her eyes away from Charis’ covered body trying to comprehend Thyia’s statement. Ismene’s Mistress lay before her, didn’t she?
Thyia waited hand on hip at the Cavern Entrance, her words spoken with a growl. “Ismene, with me.”
“Go with Thyia, Ismene. You are in shock and need to return to the House,” urged Zosime.
Thyia wrapped an arm around Ismene’s shoulder and herded her into the passageway and then along the passageway, the Cavern Entrance receding behind the two sisters.
---
Astera paced. Charis would require watching, training needed to continue and guarding the Main Cavern couldn’t be forgotten. Zoe and Zosime would watch and warm Charis for now, although they would need sleep for their Day Shift. Perhaps Agape could replace Zoe as she trains mainly in the evening, only assisting during the day. Were the twins too unskilled? Perhaps they could be the Seer contact in the House and Clymene join Day Shift. Who would replace Thyia and herself on Day Shift if the Mistress always needed to be available?
Perhaps training didn’t need to continue? Perhaps Charis resting in the House would be more ideal? Helice please recover quickly, I need your guidance thought Astera.
Astera paced towards the Circular Stair, poised to about face stopping in her tracks instead. Jocasta bolted down the stairs, perhaps on an urgent errand or break from training, nevertheless clear determination on her face, somewhat satisfied upon spotting Astera.
“Why aren’t Zoe and Zosime training me anymore?” Jocasta demanded, in a harsh tone.
“They aren’t training any sister for a while I would think. I have determined this is best for us all for the time being.” Astera’s voice even and controlled, regardless of the obvious disrespect.
“Well we were working to a plan and now we can’t!” Jocasta raised her voice a little.
“If the plan included learning several weapons to defend yourself with and defend your sisters then I think you will be well trained with your new teachers.”
“There was going to be more than weapons, other skills, skills that I would need to be the Mistress’ bodyguard!” Jocasta’s tirade continued, unashamed.
“I am sure those other skills can be taught, for the moment though allow me as Mistress to rearrange the order you thought more appropriate.”
Jocasta took a double take at the mention of Mistress. She swallowed and gave Astera some space by taking a half a step back. Colour drained from her face as a new understanding dawned upon her.
“I apologise Mistress, I have overstepped.” Jocasta knelt on one knee. “I offer no excuse and accept any punishment.”
“Would Charis exact a punishment for your behaviour?”
“I, well, that is to say Mistress Charis knows of the arrangement so I probably wouldn’t be here making a fool of myself.” She cast her eyes down.
Astera used her hand to lift Jocasta’s face up and hinting for her to stand.
“We are talking about your behaviour now, not the way you arrived at it.”
“A Mistress, any Mistress would not allow such behaviour to go unpunished,” confessed Jocasta.
“Would you respect me more if I punished you or less if I punished you?”
“I don’t know. I just expect to be punished.”
“What if I don’t punish you?”
“I don’t know, you are confusing me now Mistress. I expect to be punished.” Jocasta clenched her hands her young face contorted in confusion.
“I want you to learn the right way to ask a question because any Mistress needs loyal sisters to think and question. I want you to realise that the company is the priority not the individual. As you can see, I am the Mistress, for whatever reason and I am determined to ensure the company will continue.”
“Yes Mistress. What will my punishment be?”
“Can you do your letters and words?”
Jocasta straightened her back. “Yes Mistress.”
“You need to write a letter to convince your Mistress you understand the right way to ask a question and secondly why the company is more important than an individual.”
“I, well, Yes Mistress.”
“Three days I give you.”
“Can I ask for help from my sisters?” Jocasta sulked.
“Yes. It is good to be part of a company and not alone.” Jocasta’s head shot up, eyed Astera and realised the lesson being taught or reminded of when she thought more fully about her own past.
“Thank-you Mistress.” Jocasta dashed up the Circular Stairs to return to her training.
“Jocasta looked deep in thought?” said Clymene.
“Yes. I have been tested by Zoe and Jocasta recently. I hope I have done as well as Charis in my explanations.”
“I am sure you have, that is why you are Mistress.”
“I have a difficult question and perhaps request for you.” Astera raised an eyebrow at Clymene’s smiling face. “Why are you smiling?”
“You are asking? Your body language, the tone in your voice everything is timid. You are Mistress, we have sworn an oath to serve you. A Mistress of the Daughters of the Duchess commands. So? What is your command Mistress?”
Astera took a deep breath while studying the straight and orderly floorboards of the Training Room trying to gather composure and for the first time really consider herself Mistress. Past times were temporary or with Charis’ explicit blessing. This time everyone expected her to be Mistress, everyone except herself perhaps as she went through the motions of exercising her authority imagining what Charis would do and trying to do the same.
“Would the twins be able to manage the House, one in the House and the other beside me for at least one shift?”
“Deposing me from my role Mistress?” Clymene placing the back of her hand upon her forehead, her eyes rolling up to the ceiling.
Astera’s jaw began to drop until Clymene cackled in laughter.
Clymene drew her face back together, business like. “They are young Mistress, although they won’t fail you. If I maybe so bold, what is your plan?”
Astera reached out and hugged Clymene, not realising until now how well the bald twins must have supported Charis, with their humour, advice and acknowledgement of her right to command. They never doubted Charis and a sudden weight descended upon Astera in response, would they or any sisters doubt her? Astera remembered and smiled inwardly, the twin Seers useless with weapons, almost defying any efforts to train them and yet she couldn’t easily release Clymene from her hug. Yet she did, reaching deep down to discipline and commanding herself to do so.
“If Charis is to remain in the Water Cavern, Zoe and Zosime will need to be replaced on Day Shift. I propose you and Agape, while the twins do turn about by my side and resident Seer in the House. That way, I would be able to stay on Day Shift and command the Daughters.”
“I am at your command Mistress, although if you seek my opinion, your plan is sound as Thais and Alexa wish to grow beyond being the carpenters of the Daughters.” Clymene’s face blushed slightly. “I know this to be true Mistress as I have taken the liberty to confer with them during their training and they are eager to serve and prove their worth.”
Astera cupped her chin with her hand. “I will need to be mindful of speaking my plans to a Seer as it seems my thoughts are soon checked and analysed.”
Clymene’s eyes widen slightly, Astera isn’t Charis. “I didn’t mean to overstep Mistress, I thought it important you knew as soon as possible their wholehearted agreement.”
“They are mine to command are they not? Being their Mistress.”
Clymene considered seeking advice from her Seer Sisters despite the slight delay, instead she replied. “Yes Mistress, I apologise for overstepping.”
Clymene now aware of one key difference between Charis and Astera. Charis would consult, if required, with the Seers at the speed of thought, a combined wisdom of sorts, while Astera couldn’t. Clymene and the Seers would need to ask before they did, if they didn’t, Astera could come to believe the Seers were secretly working towards their own goals and the divide between the Seers and Non-Seers would germinate or worse grow.
“While no Seer, your knotted brow and you chewing your inner cheek reveal much. I am aware of the advantage Seer, shall we say, chat provides, I only ask the Seers do so at my bidding unless an emergency or clear advantage requires you to act and you inform me as soon as possible. Agreed?”
“Yes Mistress.” Clymene relieved and satisfied even more now with Charis’ appointment of Astera as her second in command. While not Charis, Astera brought her own strengths to the role.
“Well, we should prepare some food as Day Shift still needs to be fed.” Astera halfway to the Kitchen when she noted Clymene yet to follow and turned, her face questioning.
“Mistress, I … took the liberty of advising Zosime and Alexis to take rations with them.” Clymene then thought of a reason and hurried some more words. “I prepared meals for the sisters being trained, so all is ready … Mistress.”
Astera didn’t reply immediately as a warmth, a homecoming spread over her.
Thyia appeared through the Training Room Trap Door, glancing towards Astera and then following her Mistress’ eyes, Clymene; uncertain what she interrupted.
Astera broke the awkwardness. “Do you have a preference for dinner Thyia?”
Thyia shrugged, “Same as last night? After a bath perhaps?”
Ismene followed, quiet and self-absorbed.
---
The last bell of the night sounded and Astera the last awake checked Helice before her bedtime. Warm and still asleep, breathing steady, good signs. When Evening Shift finished Korinna and Dione would relieve Zosime and Zoe guarding Charis, then Hagne and Otonia from Night Shift and so on, Astera assured by Clymene the Shift’s Seer would be informed.
A loud bang caused Astera to jump. The Trapdoor into the Training Room slapped back against the floor and Zosime sprung through, her robe torn and tattered, her hands rubbing her head trying to pull her own hair, thwarted due to its shortness.
“Get out!” she yelled, fully voiced and demanding, stumbling onto the floor and curling into a ball. Astera reaching her, placing the Seer Sister’s head upon her lap, gently pushing the distraught Seers hands out of harm’s way.
“You are safe Sister,” soothed Astera. A naked Alexis and Clymene joining Astera, racing down the Circular Stairs shortly after. Thais and Alexa, in their robes, peeking around the doorway from the White Room added to the audience.
Astera studied the Seers, their eyes upon Zosime, although unfocused. Clymene the most convincing Seer, her eyes appearing almost natural and concentrating. Thais and Alexa drifted towards Zosime seemingly in a dream, all Seers in physical contact with Zosime. Helice joined the throng of bodies, ignoring her own discomfort, somehow recovered.
Clymene the first to speak. “Zosime’s mind has been invaded, tortured.”
“What has happened to Zosime?” The question flashing across the Training Room from the lips of Jocasta gripping the handrails of the Circular Stair hesitating, upon the final step her body shivering.
“Why are you up girl?” asked Astera.
“Zosime is in good hands,” assured Clymene.
“I heard Zosime shout, the pain and the hurt. I wanted to comfort her … she is my friend. We are friends and you don’t ignore a friend when they need your help.” Jocasta’s bottom lip trembled. Would they send her away, send the child away while the Seers did their Seer business thing and her new Mistress did her protecting the child thing.
Jocasta couldn’t, wouldn’t tell them of the horrors she needed to witness and escape from in her short life, while on the streets. They judged her based upon their own life experiences, lives subject to occasional traumatic events, not lives trying to survive day by day until the struggle became a ‘norm’ each day and night, easily rolling into the next. Her personal struggle easing when she gathered others like her to her, although then she needed to worry about them and each loss telling until she learnt to numb herself to each loss, the accepted and expected cost of survival for those who still lived, they couldn’t afford to cry. To cry while escaping could mean capture or worse death.
Now, joined to the Daughters, she relaxed, supposedly safe, making attachments. Zosime especially, Zoe to some extent although the Huntress a loner by nature and skills. Dione a training partner and no more, thinking them both underage pretending it truth although knowing it false and therefore unable to be closer to her. Dione’s illusion of her age well known to Charis and therefore not influencing her right to become a Seer, too young to sex! The Daughters wouldn’t be able to appreciate the years her gang avoided and warned girls and boys alike of certain respectable men who would capture them for their depravities and then release them, damaged physically and their minds fragile or broken. Initially she would risk herself, sneaking into the Master’s house or estates, trying desperately to free them and in the end only witnessing the horror inflicted. Agreeable and willing sexing with a Seer Sister a doddle compared to her original understanding of sexing, pain and torture instead of pleasing and care confirming their shared love for each other.
“Come Jocasta, I am certain Zosime would appreciate her head resting upon the lap of her dear friend,” offered Astera.
Jocasta didn’t hesitate, overjoyed to take up her Mistress’ offer. Astera for her part needed to find out why and how Zosime reached her current state. She positioned herself beside Clymene.
“Does Zosime reveal anything Clymene?” Deliberately addressing the Seer Sister, gaining her attention and making her aware of the question she needed answered.
Without taking her eyes off Zosime Clymene responded, “She dreamt or more probably became entangled in a nightmare. The dream urged her to rape Charis, overpower her Mistress with her strength …”
Zosime’s eyes snapped open.
“I resisted and the dream turned upon me, back to my punishing training, my near-death wounds returning, although through that pain some relief as the vanquishing of the Watcher an interruption somehow, which I took advantage of running clear of the Water Cavern without explanation. Poor Zoe, deserted. I closed my mind, focused upon running, returning to the House.” Her hands enclosing around Clymene’s neck drawing her lips down and passionately kissing them unashamedly.
Jocasta claimed Zosime lips next, less passionately, sisterly, being careful not to break any unwritten rule or taboo set by these adults despite her own worldly experiences and truths.
“I heard your pain and am glad to comfort you, my friend, Sister Zosime,” whispered Jocasta, her eyes moistening.
Helice coughed to clear her throat. “My dream one of tiredness and once my Borrow Gem failed me due to lack of magic the darkness surrounded me, I succumbed without resistance. Only recovering in the warm company of my sisters and the House, which I am grateful for. Zosime’s scream helpfully waking me and calling me back to my duty.”
“We need to relocate Charis from the Water Cavern.” Astera proclaimed her thought aloud.
Night Shift, bleary eyed, invaded the Training Room and Kitchen expecting to break their fast before their shift. Otonia, the exception, quick to respond to Astera’s statement.
“Her room has been attacked more often than the cavern and it is fairly well midway between the House and the Main Cavern, with most of the armoured and armed warrior sisters in the caverns, not the House,” offered Otonia.
“Attacked is still being questioned sister, Helice and Zosime, both Seers subject to nightmares while guarding Charis in the Water Cavern. What this means for Charis we aren’t certain,” responded Astera.
Meekly Jocasta spoke, “We are being trained in the Top Training Room, so could offer our lives if Charis is attacked in her room.”
“Helice, what say you since you know the Mistress best?” asked Nysa.
“Both Zosime and I are trained Seers, the Mistress isn’t and what Otonia says is certainly true. If needed we could, in an emergency carry Charis down to the Main Cavern and escape or up to the House and defend the Trapdoor.”
“I will defer to you Helice and therefore we need to make the Water Cavern more hospitable and defensible. Thoughts?” asked Astera.
“Perhaps a stone cabin like the elder,” said Thais.
“If we found more wood, we could fit a door with cross beam,” added Alexa.
“Oh, and a bed of course, that stone floor is freezing!” suggested Zosime, coming alive with the conversation.
Astera paced and commanded. “Thais and Alexa assist Clymene to prepare meals for Night Shift to break their fast. Otonia select a bed from the White Room and as many blankets and furs we can spare for transport by the Night Shift to the Water Cavern.”
“I will wake Ismene, Mistress,” shouted Jocasta, excited.
As those gathered, turned towards her, she explained. “Ismene knows what we have and where,” Jocasta stated plainly. Astera nodded and Jocasta bolted to the White Room.
“To me Thyia, we need to visit the elder.”
Thyia, stepped down the last step of the Circular Stair, sheepish.
“Why are you hiding back there?”
“Sorry Mistress, I didn’t want to interrupt … disturb your trail of thought.”
“Is that so, even considerate perhaps, although I expect you by side, always.”
“Yes Mistress.” Thyia handing Astera a spear and shield, Astera smiling and questioning as she did.
“Our armour is with the Goblin Sisters so we must make do Mistress.”
Ismene and Jocasta entered then, arms full of blankets and the occasional fur.
“My Mistress will wake and recover before the cabin is finished and we will all look foolish,” said Ismene.
“Better foolish than not prepared we say,” retorted Thais and Alexa, to the amusement of all gathered as the carpenter twins rarely voiced any strong opinion. A night of a few firsts apparently.
---
“Zoe are you awake?”
“Yes Mistress.” Zoe’s voice hushed in reply.
“How is Charis? Sleeping well? Has she come to at all?”
“No Mistress, nothing, sound asleep. So deep in fact when the elder visited and ordered the bedding rearranged the disturbance didn’t wake or bother Charis.”
“The elder visited?”
“Yes, I don’t know why, although she quickly offered an explanation for Charis’ condition. Too much magic has passed through her from the Seer Circle, not being trained it accumulated and finally claimed her. We all knew she used the magic differently she muttered as she left.” Zoe’s final words quietly said as if the elder would spring out at her, punishing her for revealing a secret of some sort.
“Perhaps, although we have two Seer Sisters, Zosime one of them, who have experienced something wildly different.”
“Zosime run out of the cavern without explanation, is that what you speak of Mistress? I, well became fearful alone and yet except for the water gurgling away nothing changed, although I am thankful for my borrow stone, total darkness in a cavern or upon a snow-covered field is lonely.”
“I will ask Thyia to stay with you, until Evening Shift arrives to relieve you.”
Thyia about to speak, remaining silent, remembering her Mistress spoke and she wouldn’t want to be alone in the same circumstances or nearly the same as she recalled her time in a certain cage and involuntarily shivered.
“Thank-you, Mistress. I have been dripping water into her mouth and when possible some soaked bread. She is restful, no tossing and turning, so at this stage I am not concerned, although I, despite my, well efforts I haven’t been able to warm her as much as she needs. Two bodies pressed against her again should help.”
Thyia prepared to join Zoe, spreading out the blankets and the couple of furs she and Astera hauled to the cavern while her eyes forlornly followed Astera leaving.
---
“Do you ever sleep?” Astera yawned after asking the elder the question. After knocking on her door, the delay to answer not due to the elder waking and getting ready; due to interrupting her latest series of experiments or practice, well one of them, Astera not entirely certain as the elder grumbled the response.
“Too busy for sleep. What do you require of me Mistress?”
Astera took a step back, raising an eyebrow. “News travels fast.”
“Interesting. You didn’t send them then?”
“Send who,” enquired Astera, more than curious.
“Those green-yellow ones Charis has adopted. They gibbered and yabbered when I caught them wandering around. Perhaps a diversion only, I didn’t take the chance and visited the Water Cavern and found Charis and poor Zoe. Young girl scared out of her wits, I couldn’t believe you adults left her alone, so I reassured her, distracted her by helping her to rearrange the blankets and what not.”
“We adults didn’t leave her alone. Zosime went screaming from the cavern, a mess when she finally made it to the House. Thyia is with her now until the Evening Shift has finished.”
“Alright, I wasn’t to know. Settle Mistress.”
Sensing the time right, Astera asked her favour.
“We need to enclose Charis in a stone cabin similar to yours.”
“Are you sure you aren’t Charis in disguise.” The elder eyed Astera suspiciously knowing her outburst meant she owed the new Mistress some sort of amends, although appreciating Astera’s innocent and confused look.
“I can fashion it, although send those nice twins, they can help an old woman, fetch and carry and so on. Also organise those Goblin Sisters they can fetch the scree and deliver it to the Water Cavern and don’t take any guff from them, they know the meaning of hard brutal work and the trolleys will make it easier any rate.”
“Won’t they suffer from the cold?”
“Furs and boots and they should be fine, and I doubt they will complain given the way you and your sisters have fed them and provided a safe bed to sleep in.”
Astera considered the elder’s offer and she would need to change some rearrangements to make it happen, including Helice to escort her instead of standing vigil over Charis. Probably for the best given the Cavern's influence upon Seers.
“During the Day Shift one of the nice twins will be able to assist you, the others will be needed elsewhere.” Astera noticed a small victory smile dance upon the elder’s lips, so one twin enough then for whatever plan she decided to cook up. Good enough, win-win, then.
“Agreed!” the elder said, more of a cheer then acquiesce confirming Astera’s suspicions. Astera thinking back to Charis and how this old lady always seemed kindly and helpful and yet as demonstrated she worked to and furthered her own designs along the way, a truism never in doubt.