Zosime and Zoe rested on their firm bottoms, side by side for warmth against the cold stone wall, which should contain the doorway to their freedom instead of forming a wall of their prison. Thirst started to encroach upon them, both reflecting upon the Goblin sister’s demonstration using precious water. Zosime’s larger muscular body enveloped Zoe’s thinner toned body trying to reassure her sister all would be well, meanwhile the quiet so complete they could each other breathe.
A hot thin spear of light hit the curved passageway wall above their heads, piercing the pure darkness, which resisted, trying to deny them hope. They nervously watched, embraced as one their heartbeats increasing as the small pinhole of light expanded. The welcome glow spreading brilliantly into the passageway, gradually dispersing the inky black and growing their hope. Under their breaths both praised the magical skill and more importantly arrival of the elder, touchy and self-absorbed, her aid couldn’t always be counted upon and yet she never failed to show when all else seemed lost.
Inwardly celebrating their rescue both Zoe and Zosime put to one side the obvious fact they weren’t told about their possible rescue, left alone in the dark and only finding out during the actual event.
Light flooded the dark and they stood, still embraced, staring at each other. Zosime on a whim hefted Zoe up and deeply, passionately kissed her finding no resistance, in fact fervent welcome. The moment broke when the light suddenly diminished, their eyes widening and both turning to inspect their new situation.
“The way is clear, Zoe and Zosime follow the light,” called Astera, withdrawing from the newly created hole.
With the return of the light Zoe and Zosime exchanged a relieved hug and crawled through the welcoming hole, into an immediate depression and then into the expanse of the Sixth Cavern lit brightly with multiple lanterns.
Astera hugged Zosime and Zoe in turn as they stood. Their eyes still adjusting, although pleased to be amongst their sisters. Zoe hung on to Astera. “Mistress Charis? I have missed my vigil!”
Astera lent her head forward and whispered in her ear. “Ismene volunteered eagerly to replace you, all is well. Our concern is about you and Zosime for now, you need not think of anything else.”
“Why the delay in our rescue Mistress,” asked Zosime, quietly, trying to understand and keep her bile in check. Nightmares recently, followed by helplessness.
“I asked the elder to construct a stone lock first, note the squared depression in front of the hole. The two trolleys carry a stone block and at short notice we can tip it into the depression and quickly block the round door. We needed to scavenge the required magic from various Items, it seems Death Season’s snow and cold discourages sisters from exposing their flesh to sunlight.”
Both Zoe and Zosime leapt upon Astera elated, their doubt dismissed. The smaller of the two Astera could’ve held away, the other, Zosime, her strength irresistible. Astera rescued when Nysa and Kyra grabbed Zoe and Zosime for a welcome back hug.
Once free, Astera addressed the gathered sisters. “Evening Shift is busy guarding the Main Cavern and they will do so until we are finished so we will take our time and be careful. For those concerned about Charis she is being well cared for by Ismene, therefore a double reason not to rush. Now form up please.”
Nysa and Kyra formed a shield wall with Zoe on the flank, Hagne, Otonia and Zosime following. Zoe and Zosime refusing to step down and rest, the elder admonishing both; you can’t get yourselves killed now since being rescued. The elder wandered off, shaking her head and unnoticed slipped away from the Sixth Cavern her task completed. Behind the two ranks, a rank of crossbows formed up, weapons held nervously by Latona, Thais, Alexa with Astera supporting on the right, Thyia supporting on the left. Helice prowling near Astera.
Clymene, Agape and Jocasta held the House.
Zoe crept through first, her Borrow Gem able to gift improved night sight when aided by other light, in this case a lantern. Nysa and Kyra followed Zoe quickly and, on their heels, Otonia and Zosime. Hagne lurked in the shadows just inside the passageway. Astera and Thyia stayed in the Cavern positioned either side of the three crossbow sisters, although due to size and the curved nature of the improvised door only Latona could rest her crossbow on the raised lower edge.
The passageway permitted two sisters to march forward shoulder to shoulder, forcing Zoe to scout slightly ahead of Nysa and Kyra. As they progressed along the passageway the tug on Zoe from her Warrior Three link played on her mind and she realised her time of loneliness with Zosime heighten due to Astera and Thyia being away from her, like now. Following the sweeping curve of the passageway, an opening appeared on their right. Zoe carefully stepped through and dropped down one step, rough and uneven underfoot, the first step of a steep and narrow stairwell. She hastily retreated to re-join Nysa and Kyra.
“Stay as a Warrior Three I will run back, we need the assistance of Goblin sisters, they read the Cavern very well and we need to know what this passageway is doing and what they know about the stairs,” she said.
---
Approaching the light of the circular opening Zoe took great pains to show herself, she didn’t want one her sisters to release their crossbow at her. Leaning through the opening, she called to Astera.
“Mistress we need the Goblin sisters, they have knowledge of tunnels and passageways, which could greatly assist us.”
“Latona, where are they?”
Latona quickly looked about, no Goblin sisters and no elder. “The elder will know, I will return shortly.”
Astera grabbed her on her shoulders, whispering, “They are your responsibility, you need to ensure you know where they are at all times.”
Innocently and without thinking, Latona replied, “They would need to come to training with me Mistress!”
Her Mistress shrugged, “They are your responsibility.”
“Yes Mistress.” Latona swallowed, closed her eyes briefly and then sprinted off, lantern in hand to locate the elder, the Goblins or perhaps both.
---
Latona shone the lantern throughout the Fifth Cavern, eliciting an angry response!
“Steady child, you almost blinded me,” yelped the elder.
“Oh elder, I am glad to find you, do you know where the Goblin sisters are?” asked Latona, slightly out of breath.
“Steady young one, they will return shortly.”
“To here? To this cavern?” Latona’s cheeks billowing sucking in air, due more to her nervousness than anything else.
The elder reached up to place a gentle hand upon Latona’s head, patting her. “Steady.”
Latona didn’t speak, she calmed her breathing and then herself, unconsciously leaning into the elder’s calming administration and gentle humming.
“Good, good control. They are fetching quarrels and arrows from the Inner Cavern, the three are well fed and healthy, so they won’t take long. You can meet them in the Sixth Cavern, although if you wait here you can follow them to the Sixth Cavern claiming you rounded them up. Such an arrival would certainly impress your Mistress?”
“Isn’t, well, it would be a lie though,” squirmed Latona.
“Mm a lie or we could think of it as our secret and who doesn’t like secrets?”
“My parents. They would cane me. My task is to find the Goblin sisters and I have succeeded, my duty now guides me, and I must inform my Mistress.”
The elder turned away from Latona, muttering. Latona stunned by the old woman’s reaction uncertain what to do or say. In the end, spluttering, “I’m sorry, I must go.”
---
Latona stood beside her Mistress, trying not to step from one foot to the other, especially after her Mistress commanded her to stop. Zoe threw her a friendly smile and like magic the Goblin sisters arrived. They unloaded the quivers behind the row of crossbow wielding sisters and carried an extra quiver to Zoe.
Astera nodded to Latona.
“Goblin sisters we need to ask for your help. We need you to go with Zoe and myself into the passageway we need your advice, whatever you can tell us and then you are free to come back here,” said Latona in Goblin speak.
“We are not brave Goblin Speaker,” replied Bluefingers.
“No not brave at all,” added Prettynose.
Latona’s shoulders slumped, her chance to truly impress the Mistress and her Goblin wards refuse. Sweetears wrapped her arms around Latona’s neck, capturing her eyes.
“No need to be sad Mistress Latona, Sweetears will follow. Sweetears needs to be brave now, not afraid like before. Sweetears isn’t skinny anymore, you no beat me, you feed me, and you ask me.” Human tears upon her shoulder, a new sensation, a pleasant sensation and live or die now Sweetears knew for certain at least one creature in the world beyond Bluefingers and Prettynose appreciated her and possibly with time, possibly love her, like family.
Bluefingers and Prettynose gasped in shock. Sweetears turned on them both. “You come also, you need to learn to be brave, otherwise you eat their food and don’t earn it. We strong now, no bones show.”
Bluefingers and Prettynose checked with each other and sighed, reluctantly agreeing to follow Sweetears.
“You need us to keep you alive, so we need to follow you or you deaded before we can get angry at you,” retorted Prettynose.
Latona straightened her back, striding towards the circular opening, Zoe keeping in step beside her a supportive nod encouraging her. The Goblin sisters holding hands, Prettynose and Bluefingers shoulder to shoulder with Sweetears. Astera admiring their bravery, entering a dark unknown without weapons, placing their trust in Latona and her human sisters.
Once across the threshold the Goblin sisters spread out, one each side and one in the middle, sniffing and touching, working their way towards Nysa’s Warrior Three, relieved themselves to be finally greeted by more than darkness.
Raising her eyebrows, Nysa exclaimed, “Mistress you don’t need to expose yourself to this danger!”
Gloom and shadowed dark surrounded them, lanterns attempting to shed light into the black ink of the passageway, the single lifeline in an otherwise repressive and unwelcoming lair of evil. An evil which stole two urchins, hiding itself and yet Astera certain still watching them. If the Daughters of the Duchess were going to risk themselves then their Mistress could do no less.
Astera’s hands seized Nysa’s cheeks. “As Mistress I refuse to skulk and wait while my sisters face danger and peril. I also believe two Warrior Threes are better than one and Thyia and I miss Zoe.”
Nysa smiled her understanding, whenever Kyra or Otonia wandered too far, for example standing vigil over Charis, she slept restlessly, a hollowness gnawing at her soul.
---
Sweetears ventured down the stairwell passageway, cautiously testing three steps and then hastily returning fright in her eyes, her body shaking. She gathered herself, be brave she reprimanded herself, Bluefingers grabbing and releasing her hand as she presented herself before Astera and bowed.
“Chieftain Mistress Astera the passageway gently rises, and someone dug it all, much, much work. The doorway, a hidden swivel now not work. The passageway with stairs is crafted, not just hit and more hit until the stone dug. Could be our Goblin tribe or another? Long, long time if the passageway goes all the way to maybe Main Cavern.”
“Would you be brave enough to continue with us?” asked Astera.
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The three Goblin sisters visibly gulped. Latona sympathised, she knew they weren’t naturally brave, formerly skinny and beaten often and as females treated poorly. The female Goblins participating and assisting the farmers of Clayvale eagerly as it meant escape from their dreary lives, constantly subjected to the whims and urges of their dominating males.
“If Mistress Latona brave, we brave,” stated Sweetears, with Bluefingers and Prettynose nodding in agreement.
“That is settled then,” said Astera, deliberately not checking on Latona as she assumed their newest sister would already be in a state, without her Mistress testing her.
An excited and wilful voice piped up. “Mistress, if they can stay then I wish to also.”
Astera’s instinct screamed no, Jocasta barely trained, too young and the danger too unknown plus the fact she shouldn’t be following them and why didn’t any sister detect her!
“She can tag along with me Mistress, if you are concerned. Agape and I will stand watch over the discovered side passageway, close enough to the Circular Door if we need to escape,” said Hagne, standing hands on hips supported by a confident smile.
Rewarding disobedience didn’t sit well with Astera and yet for one so young to remain unnoticed, creeping in the shadows following them, perhaps her skilled efforts should be rewarded.
“Stay by Hagne’s side, if you leave it and survive, I will punish you myself. We clear Jocasta?”
“Yes Mistress, thank-you Mistress!” Jocasta leapt upon Hagne, who caught her easily and held her higher and while tempted, didn’t place the junior warrior sister on her shoulders, instead putting her back down.
Zoe took point as scout, Astera and Thyia several steps behind her shoulder to shoulder. The Warrior Three of Nysa, Kyra and Otonia following close behind as reserves. Sweetears, Prettynose and Bluefingers surrounded Latona in a triangle formation, rotating themselves around its points, the third rank of the Daughters exploring force. Zosime keeping to the shadows trailing them. As planned Hagne, Agape and Jocasta stayed to keep watch over the rough stairwell entrance. Helice, Thais and Alexa remained in the Cavern proper to push the stone in place if needs be.
The passageway straightened and off to the left a cavern entrance opened. The cavern very large, possibly extremely large as the back wall couldn’t be seen via Borrow Stone sight or Goblin sister sight. Astera posted Zosime in the passageway, to remain hidden and either strike any interlopers or attempt to spy them early and warn her sisters. Three groups entered, Astera’s Warrior Three, Nysa’ Warrior Three and Latona and her Goblin sisters, the first two spreading out and exploring while the Goblins more cautious, still inquisitive. Each group drawing the same conclusion, bunk bed after bunk bed, all short and triples possibly for guards, although more likely Goblin workers. A rough count revealing the cavern could have been occupied by at least one hundred with a count of several hundred not out of the question.
The Goblin sisters bolted from the cavern a worried Latona hurrying after them. Zosime springing from the shadows to hold them near the cavern’s entrance, each shivering and trembling. Astera and Nysa met to investigate, discovering two large piles at the back of the cavern. One not normal, although amazing, consisting of hammers and chisels and the stubby remains of pickaxes and shovels. The other stunned the Warrior sisters, a huge pile of short skeletons, obviously Goblin, the fate of the skilled workers confirmed beyond a doubt.
While Goblins, Astera still needed to resist the urge to burn them, reasoning such an act would alert the evil responsible. She read in Nysa’s eyes the same resolve, they would return and ensure the discarded dead would be honoured.
---
The number of passageways, at times random in direction and length required another bell to explore, with Astera and Nysa accompanied by a Goblin sister, roving about and exploring, while Zosime, Latona and the third Goblin sister providing a home base or anchor point to return to. Continuing for a distance the three groups eventually converged upon another cavern. From this cavern multiple passageways branched off, again into dead ends, causing Otonia to swear in frustration harkening back to her troupe days for the best cuss words. The Goblin sisters gaining confidence, confirming in their own minds, due to spider webs and layers of settled dust on the passageway floors the passageways long deserted, continued the exploration, Latona in tow gleefully calling her to follow.
The mystery of the dead ends solved when the groups returned to the Central Cavern with the Goblins leading them down one passageway and then pointing up. Each passageway dead end contained a roof area consisting of quarried stone, the underside of basement floors, most likely belonging to important buildings in the township above. They all took a moment to consider the discovery, Astera needing to nudge and urge them to move on, returning to the Central Cavern. They still needed to find the two urchins.
The sisters started running when they heard screams echo along the passageways, the Goblin sisters guiding them faultlessly through the initial random passageways, never once backtracking or running into a dead end and past the entrance to the Barracks Cavern. Certain now, the humans sprinted ahead of them in full stride.
---
Astera concerned as she ran, Hagne, Agape and Jocasta watched the stairway from the passageway side so something must have approached them from the depths. Their three screams now distinctive and horrific.
Zoe led the rescue, Astera and Thyia hot on her heels; the passageway curving as they neared the stairway. She could make out the three prone, writhing body shapes of her sisters, her Borrow Stone enhancing the weak light thrown from dropped lanterns. Each with their hands over their ears, screaming for it, whatever it was, to stop. Zoe planted her boots on the stone floor, Astera and Thyia pushed her on, the three tripping and tumbling together until they entangled each other, their weapons, bodies and a few choice words announcing their undignified arrival. In response, a darkly dressed humanoid figure hovering beyond their three incapacitated sisters, smiled delightfully towards them, arms opening in greeting causing them to scream and squirm on the floor of the passageway.
Nysa, Kyra and Otonia more fortunate, able to pull up in time upon witnessing the fall of their Mistress and able to examine the evil afflicting her and their sisters. Zosime and Latona bumped into them from behind distracting them, preventing the three from retreating as the evil floated closer, the five falling to the stone floor, screaming. The Goblin sisters smaller stride placed them further back and while the evil hung back unseen due to the curve of the passageway, witnessing and hearing their humans scream provided them with ample time to halt their chase. Bluefingers and Prettynose looked to Sweetears and she like them, suddenly uncertain what to do, except to retreat. They didn’t run as each thought the other brave, the three speechless from fright and not sharing their truth, closing their eyes and placing their hands over their ears.
Those screaming and under an unknown thrall heard a sweet female voice inside their minds.
“Delicious! More dreams to feed from, the dreary stone cruelly separating us until now. I know most of you already I think since I have been in contact with your Mistress. She thinks highly of you all, but it is the Seers that are the loveliest I think, now let me explore your wonderous minds, excuse me while I rummage a little!”
The screaming instantly settling to a subdued whimpering, except for the chosen one. Jocasta screaming loud as the evil deeply invaded her untrained mind to cause her to dream her memories, the transgression like sharp stabbing pains, worse than a headache, her hands trying to sooth her head, while the rest of her body writhed in pain beyond her control.
“Oh, you have such hopes and desires young one. For one so young your memories are … to die for. Those men, do they still live? Where? What a treasure trove you are, not only your worth, also the many depraved humans you have encountered in your brief existence. I respect your survival against almost every evil and yet you are still intact. A miracle! Although I sense not the only one. You alone are worth my efforts, as long lived as I am, never have I held a mind so tortured and still sane. It will be my delicious pleasure to break your mind down into a thousand delicious pieces, savouring each morsel, although we all answer to someone and eventually he will demand you for your Virgin Seer blood, a pity, you would have been my entertainment for at least a year.”
Jocasta sobbed hysterically; her tortured mind exhausted from the lengthy intrusion. Agape screamed next.
“Young one, such innocence from a quiet observer, such purity, another virgin. You will be a pleasant morsel for my Master, where Seer blood is the main course, virgin blood always an appetiser before or a guilty pleasure after.”
Agape continued to whimper; her mind briefly visited. The evil brushed against multiple minds, eliciting a scream each time as she searched for a specific one cherished by their Mistress. She eventually found her Seer, unlocking her mind easily, like turning a key.
“Nice of you to return, the several bells we spent together, my pure pleasure, nightmare after nightmare ultimately bountiful, tasting your Seer defences, comprehending their training of you. My lack of subtly due to impatience or eagerness unfortunately caused you run from me before I could indulge. Now though I feel we are so much closer, almost sisters!”
Zosime in turn screamed, the touch and subsequent invasion of her mind brutally familiar. Oh, my Goddess Saph, she wailed, the terror different this time, her mind blocking ineffective and the false recesses quickly identified and ignored. An evil, real and sticky trampled through her mind. She threw useless, although true memories, her mother, her childhood, her mundane days of Temple existence forward, buried more valuable memories deep behind them. While her body instinctively reacted, she needed to maintain control. Maintain control. Too late Zosime awoke to the truth, the evil didn’t seek her memories, she sought total control and once gained, conversation?
“Wonderful, absolutely wonderful, a true Seer, yes your Mistress’ pure determination while you my dear are sensual and delicate in your dreams and they’re all mine now to enjoy and harvest since I cleared your objections! I am sure you won’t mind me telling you I almost lost your Mistress, after all you won’t be sane to tell anyone else! She escaped after consuming my blood and I couldn’t link with her mind, strong for one unskilled and then she descended into a deep sleep and I reclaimed her. I have your word you won’t tell another don’t I?”
She inwardly laughs, bellows in fact, chance and opportunity, such fickle things as she recalls the one with soft breasts, seriously considering finding her and possibly rewarding her! With a dismissive thought she returns to her true nature; she takes, she doesn’t reward. The evil returns her now undivided attention to fully investigate the Virgin Seer under her direct thrall, her mind now an open book, memories to be harvested at her leisure, dreams manipulated, and nightmares planted. The final mystery now to be explored, what of her Seer Link? Twin most likely, possibly triplet, hope upon hope for a triplet. The blood of a virgin Seer triplet more than double the benefit of a virgin Seer twin! The least proficient triplet Seer more beneficial that the most accomplished twin Seer and the mystery until answered a heady and exciting reveal, a pleasure like opening a Seer’s mind or receiving unexpected praise from your Sire.
“Your memories confirm you one of twins, disappointing, not unexpected. You don’t have a twin now though, the tragedy still burning bright scarring your mind with the severing of your Seer thread ...”
The evil pauses her investigation. Retracing her steps challenging and testing this thrall’s memories; leaving her mother, escorted by a Mother Superior with her twin, years of study although needing to discard the Seer’s attempt to promote the importance of the mundane and waste her time and energy, assignment to Temple, tragic loss. Loss of twin means Seer Link separation, termination and yet, in this Single Seer the link still whole … possibly strengthened. Her non-corporeal jaw dropped.
The evil returns to murmuring to herself, needing to tell herself what she is discovering is actual, is reality and not an impossible mind illusion fabricated by the defenceless Seer as a trick.
“Although, strangely your Seer Link separates into threads as if you were one of triplets. No, one of those threads branches again and separates. And another, which means more than three. Seven? How could this be? Wait, this is impossible, you are impossible my pet, there are more. This must be a trick, but no, truth, no trick. Your Seer Links extend to twelve, possibly thirteen? Could thirteen Virgin Seers, all linked, really live together in this one place? Master left you in my care knowing he could return at his leisure as I would keep you all fresh and if necessary, like now, in thrall, although if he knew the blood treasure he delayed in taking … oh my, the possibilities my darling, fortunately he returns soon my sweet Seer delicacy. My Master will ascend on your combined virginal Seer blood and when he ascends, I will follow, and the other Lords will tremble, the deadlock finally resolved and all commanded to work together and ultimately leave this blood soured world.”
She swooned in utter bliss imagining the untold power her Master would inherit and she in turn would inherit from him, her Sire. Lolling her head about, the corner of her eye catches a movement. How could that be, all around her lost in her passive thrall, reliving the nightmares of their deepest secrets, which always surface first in warm bloods when under duress, easily caught, amplified and replayed. She would need to leave the Seer; so exquisite and tempting. She plucked a random memory as her reward, the whim tickling her triumphant and celebratory bone, the savouring her prelude to the promised banquet, she hungrily devoured the Seer’s memory of multiple Seers, naked, entwined, passionate, fervent, orgasms, her Mistress administering to her again and again … until. Seers are chaste, they needed to be, otherwise their Seer Skill forfeit! The sexual enlightenment and liberation overpowering the chaste evil momentarily, her self-survival instinct trying to regain control of her body made sexually pliant and aroused by the Seers’ memory. She needed to find the one who moved, she needed to find them now, instead her body shuddered in response to another sensually deep loving orgasm. The pleasure inducing her to moan, the memory of love freely exchanged causing her eyes to ache, unable to shed the tears her Seer victim joyfully did in celebration, a normal human reaction impossible for the evil, an unexpected impasse, the resultant torture grating upon her immortal undeath.
---
The Goblin sisters yelped in shock as a small thin knife struck Prettynose in her shoulder. Bluefingers grabbed around her throat. They reasoned in their panic they found the urchins. Sweetears sprinted back to the barracks and armed herself with a pick handle. Swinging the handle like a club she hit the girl urchin attempting to strangle Bluefingers on the back of the head, dropping her unconscious. Bluefingers coughed and spluttered regaining her breath.
Prettynose rolled around with Wormy trying to avoid being stabbed or cut by his dagger again. Sweetears hovering above them both trying to follow their death rolls for an opportunity to hit Wormy and miss Prettynose. When Bluefingers recovered she jumped on Wormy and with her help Prettynose held him down allowing Sweetears an easy strike to the back of the head. He slumped, unconscious and the fight finished to the relief of the Goblin sisters.
Sweetears tied the urchins up, searched for and removed their weapons.
“Come with me my pets, it seems my minions need assistance.” The pleasurable shock of her orgasms reducing as the initial surprise diminished, her mind syphoning them away and sharing them with her three physically closest thralls, learning this technique from Zosime’s memory of her Seer orgy.
Hagne, Latona and Jocasta stood, then rigid stepping like puppets followed their new Mistress as she seemly floated around the gentle curve of the passageway. After sharing her Zosime induced orgasms with Hagne and Jocasta she awoke her own links to their minds, they became exquisitely refined, resistance cleared, she now trusted and welcomed by them, not needing to batter away their defences like Zosime to dominate them and waste so much time! They dreamt, convinced Zosime shared her love, delighted and appreciative. The evil deliberated, examining her discovery, such domination simply applied. The Seer Zosime offering total and utter submission and devotion to her Mistress yielding orgasms so strong they masked her evil and induced the Seer’s compliance in any targeted thrall. A double celebration, the unbearable ache behind her eyes suddenly lanced as drops of blood materialised from her non-corporeal eyes, a latent memory forcing her to wipe them clear with a non-corporeal hand. Where the blood splashed, her non-corporeal fingers solidified for an instant in a temporary mockery of life. A true surprise after hundreds of years of existence.