“Can you hold the team I must go rescue my Mistress?” yelled Zoe, her voice at fever pitch.
Jumping from the wagon and sprinting towards the non-gate her bow and her quiver at the ready.
Three figures stood over and around Charis; Nysa, Kyra and Otonia. Nysa and Kyra unrecognisable without their shields. Their stances unbalanced, almost lumbering as their left arms searched for something to hold and do. Otonia straddled Charis, one boot either side and a plain dagger in each hand. In a semi-circle about them white coated wolves stalked growling and sniffing, their eyes checking on the three, while primarily focused on Charis. As Zoe closed the distance, she spied Helice attending Charis for the first time.
Zoe raced past them, arrow nocked and then swift release, she repeated this several times. Nysa and Kyra in awe at her speed and grace. As wolf after wolf felt the sting of her arrows and they retreated back howling. Zoe didn’t for a moment think they left, satisfied at least they knew their prey would cost them some of their blood before they could feast. Zoe cautiously stepped back to Charis and the sisters protecting her.
“Any broken bones or bleeding?” asked Otonia while eyeing the retreat of the snow wolves.
“No, although there could be internal bleeding and until we see the blood under the skin, if we do before she dies, none of us would know,” said Helice, chewing the inside of cheek contemplating her own words.
“Instead of the hay bale, why didn’t you lift Mistress out of the wagon?” accused Zoe, glancing at Otonia and Kyra in turn, settling on and staring at Nysa until her eyes turned towards the approaching crowd.
Gaggling and murmuring villagers halted on a dead straight line, not a single booted foot crossing an invisible boundary. Amongst them the tall Village Priest stood like a giant, heavy black boots covering from toe to knee, thick woollen pant legs tucked into the tops. His body wrapped in a heavy black robe, any additional clothing beneath a mystery. His head wrapped in plentiful untamed and tangled shoulder length black hair, decorated by sprinkles of snowflakes. His mouth about to open to speak, revealing large white teeth and not getting the chance.
“You have a protection miracle around the village?” asked Nysa, somewhat in awe.
He smiled, looking first left and then right at his flock, spreading his arms wide while speaking. “How could we, miracles are impossible since the Gods left.”
Two of the villagers rolled a shield each towards the sisters. Nysa and Kyra recognising them immediately and strapping them to their left arms, somehow whole again. A few villagers nodded to themselves, confirmation of something perhaps and then casually returned to the interior of the village, presumably returning to their warm homes! It seemed strangers arriving in the village only interested the younger villagers, others preferring comfort once the visitors proved friendly enough.
“Your impossible has prevented our Mistress from entering your village,” protested Helice an edge to her voice.
“Then she must be ...” He trailed off realising aggravating well-armed strangers not in his best interest. His villagers having returned to their homes once witnessing Judge’s symbol on the face of the shields rolled out before them and then professionally equipped by their owners. Knight adherents of Judge most likely, dangerous most certainly, probably visiting the Priest they concluded.
“Yes, she must be evil or in her case evil tainted. Don’t you recognise her?” screamed Helice, springing to her feet and advancing upon the Priest, face twisted in anger and despair.
The tall man in black surrendered his hands, palms facing Helice, which slowed her advance allowing him to step beyond the village boundary. Raising his eyebrows and nodding his head in the direction of Charis, he sort permission to advance further. Helice lowered her head, a curt nod.
He bent down to examine the tightly wrapped body and then suddenly stepped back.
“She is or was, who really knows now, Charis. Yes, I remember her, how she was and the deed she did this village. I am not sure why she is here though as you can see the village rejects her.”
Helice and the Village Priest now level with each other, facing opposite directions, required Helice to look along her shoulder. “We, her warrior-sisters determined that you are her last hope. We know you have the ability to perform miracles, before you deny this, it is confirmed by this circle of protection around the village. I assume the fence type wall contains some protection magic or miracle or is possibly just a marker. So, with this power we were hoping you could perform a healing or cleansing miracle on our Mistress.”
His laughter rang out, bending over and shaking his head side to side, eventually circling back to confront Helice face to face.
“If I could perform such a miracle, I don’t have any knowledge of one, even the protection miracle was only discovered by accident and faith in a time of dire need. You ask what is beyond me. I always pay my debts, so I would help if I could, you must believe me, but I just can’t see how I can I don’t have the knowledge or the skill for the task you have asked of me.”
Once Helice’s face crumpled in defeat, he cast a sobering look at each of the other sisters.
“Do you have a cottage or barn that is just outside of your protection?” asked Nysa.
“Yes, there are a few because protection is centred on the village church, I don’t know why it can’t be moved from there, but it can’t. Everyone huddled and prayed there, so it seems to make sense from that point of view.”
“Can we go to one that is the minimum distance from the village church?”
“Yes, there is a cottage row cut by the protection circle, there are three available, a fourth we demolished to ensure clearance each side of the fence.”
“Was the owner upset?”
“No, he and his family died very early on. Let us go there now.”
“Wait. Otonia can you fetch our wagon, we should, with luck still have our supplies,” Nysa said, throwing the Priest a hard look.
The Priest shrugged and walked on the inside of the fence while the sisters followed on the outside. Helice carrying Charis, while Zoe scouted for wolves, which shadowed the sisters keeping their distance. Nysa leading, with Kyra trailing behind Helice.
Three squat cottages presented themselves on the Lonely Keep side of the village. Nysa choose the cottage with a view of the trail to the Lonely Keep. Kyra climbing over the fence and venturing back into the village to find Otonia, their horses and wagon.
“You are welcome to stay given your wagon is well stocked, although I can’t offer your Mistress the blessing you seek for her. I am sorry as I would like to repay her kindness.” Without waiting for a reply, he drew his robes around him and stomped off, trampling the crusted snow, near enough following Kyra’s footsteps.
Once inside the cottage, they discovered an abandoned, empty, although previously well-maintained building. The base of the walls stone with hardened mud sealing the gaps and cementing the stones together. Mud bricks continued the walls to the roof, allowing for windows braced by wooden beams. The roof beams exposed, supporting a high sloping thatched roof.
Charis rested in Helice’s lap, now seated on the cottage floor. Zoe checked each of the other cottages searching for furniture, a bed her primary need. Nysa searched for wood to fuel the pot belly stove for warmth.
Horse neighing and tack rattling announced the arrival of the wagon. Some calling and shouting occurred and shortly after Otonia entered the cottage with their supplies. After several return visits, Nysa conquered the pot belly stove, a raging fire glowing within, Kyra adding three different chairs and a smallish round table to the cottage.
Helice content to wordlessly stare at the activity around her, slowly sinking into a helpless despair. A time occurred when the interior of the cottage contained Helice, Charis and silence. Tears unbidden flowed down Helice’s cheeks.
Helice felt the weight on her lap lighten and then disappear, absorbed in her own misery she gasped when she realised, Otonia held her Mistress. Before she could protest, Zoe’s hands surrounded her cheeks.
“Come sister, we found a bed and have prepared it for you and Charis.”
Helice numbly nodded while standing with Zoe’s assistance. The cottage consisted of two rooms, a larger main or living room and a smaller cosy bedroom. Helice climbed into the bed and Otonia laid Charis beside her. Zoe then unwrapped Charis, thoroughly checking their Mistress for broken bones and any swelling under the skin, once satisfied spreading the blankets and furs across both of the occupants to share their body heat. The single window in the room closed, the leather hinges still in working order.
Zoe cast a final look at the Warrior Three and then spread her bedroll beside Charis’ bed, leaving those still awake to talk through what they will, she needed sleep and the wolves would be kept at bay by the cottage itself as long as they didn’t offer any clear opportunities.
Nysa forced her eyes to stay open, while Kyra and Otonia broke out some trail rations to break their fast as morning greeted them three bells ago and their stomachs started to growl and rumble. Eating in silence, the overcast sky filtered in weak rays of sunlight through the two East facing windows adding to the dreariness of their surrounds. Finishing their modest meal, Kyra boarded up the cottage door using the convenient cross beam as Otonia threw their bedrolls down near the stove. Nysa climbed in first and quickly fell asleep, followed by Kyra and finally Otonia.
---
Otonia relaxed as arms embraced her, calmed by the whispers of her newly acquired bedfellow.
“I hope you don’t mind sister?”
“No, you are always welcome in my bed.” Otonia smirked. She knew the visit wouldn’t be for the obvious and therefore tried to lighten the mood, knowing success when her shoulder received a light smack.
“I seek your company, not your flesh you wanton wench,” said Helice, exasperated.
Otonia added a playfulness to her voice. “Well don’t blame a girl, I am just ensuring the welcome mat is out.”
Helice’s arm tightened around Otonia, her breath feathering Otonia’s neck as they lay side by side, Helice spooning Otonia.
“I am worried about our Mistress, the Village Priest, always an unknown, now confirmed he has no miracles to offer.”
“We haven’t played our surprise as yet, the Holy Books, certainly we are gambling on them and the enlightenment they could offer him, although Charis always thought them a rare find capable of many changes. Only a pretend High Priest not native to the Duchy would think he needed to carry a complete set to confirm his authenticity, when in reality, like our friend the Magistrate its more about costume and demeanour.” Otonia’s words strong and reassuring.
Helice remained silent and Otonia happy to wait on her, the intent of her words to make her Seer Sister think and consider them and hopefully take some heart.
“The Village Priest demonstrates a dedication to Judge, otherwise why would Judge grant the village a circle of protection, therefore perhaps he lacks only a higher Priestly education, which the Holy Books could, no should provide. Thank-you sister.”
Helice’s lips lingered over Otonia’s neck, lightly kissing her in appreciation.
“I thank you for the pleasant reward, although I sense this is a farewell gift?”
Helice’s breath exhaled. “Am I that obvious sister?”
“You are devoted to Charis regardless of any comments to the contrary, so I expect you have a plan in mind now and urgently wish to see it to fruition. So, go sister with my best wishes and always remember when you take on one of us, you take on all of us. Without Charis to bind us together with her presence we must work a little harder to keep our dream alive.”
With a last passionate kiss Helice rolled away, meaning to stand in one fluid move, when Otonia’s hand reached back to her.
Otonia’s words blurted out. “I am considering gifting my twin bronze loop to Astera.”
Helice reached out and with her hand grabbed Otonia’s shoulder and drew her sister’s body to her until Otonia lay on her back, the last glimpses of sunlight highlighting her thoughtful pale green eyes as she sheepishly looked upon Helice.
“Why?”
“I think the Daughters of the Duchess needs such an Item in the possession of their Mistress.” After a weak smile Otonia added, “It’s not as if we can remove the bronze loop from Charis’ toe.”
“Do you doubt Astera?”
Helice noticed Otonia’s eyes dart quickly towards Nysa.
Otonia replied, “No I am concerned about others.”
Helice gently petted and then held Otonia’s hand while sitting upright her legs crossed.
“I thought a Warrior Three were, well bound somehow … I mean Zoe misses Astera and Thyia when they are separated and I thought, I thought the same with you.”
Otonia closed her eyes, gathering her thoughts. “The emphasis of Nysa’s Warrior Three is martial prowess, well was, erm, probably still is I guess, but more now, it includes an almost utter devotion to Judge and while as a God I believe in him I don’t feel devoted to him as Nysa does and Kyra is striving for.”
“Oh sister, you are bound, as in, unhappily married …”
Otonia smiled, realising Helice’s explanation or interpretation of her situation probably simple, to the point and apt. Charis encouraged her to join Nysa and Kyra, although the option to leave always available. Did her offer of the bronze loop to Astera come with a “string”, which she didn’t plan on, but subconsciously worked towards. Ugh! The noble offer now tainted she thought.
“A marriage encouraged by Charis and I feel the only one who can break it …” whispered Otonia feeling the pangs of a conspiracy.
“Ask Astera for an annulment, she is Mistress now and she will understand I am certain.” Both of Helice’s hands tightened around Otonia’s, fingers interlacing, trying to reassure her.
“You believe the gift of the bronze loop will be seen as a separate issue, one not dependent on the other?” Otonia’s eyes searching for guidance.
“There hasn’t been a reward for favour from any Mistress of the Daughters of the Duchess, so I don’t expect such a thing to happen now. Ask your Mistress, talk and explain your reasons.” Helice lent down and kissed Otonia on her forehead, Otonia’s second hand joining her first sincerely clasping Helice’s. Her head nodding as Helice withdrew from the kiss.
“The bronze loop could be a poor gift in Death Season in any case,” mumbled Otonia.
“Why sister?”
Otonia let slip a knowing smile. “You Seers use the Items with little understanding, even after Dione and Zoe found their secret. Imagine the Items are like a money purse, sunlight fills the bag with coin, while using the Item’s magic or influence costs an unknown number of coins. Why did you think Charis and the elder make you sun soak when they needed to use the Item’s magic? There is a balance and Seers tend to never save any coins for an overcast day.”
Helice’s shoulders slumped and her mouth stayed open for an overly long time, speechless.
“When did you become so knowledgeable?”
“I observe now, maintain a quiet presence amongst my sisters … I am Charis’ first companion.” Otonia shut her eyes, chewed her lip. “Most would believe I have certain claims due, because of that, although I am grateful Charis has never seen fit to propel me any further than I wish to go. I owe her my life several times over and if I wish to leave her side I would only need to ask, and she would wish me good fortune.”
A wind howled around the cottage to break the deep silence. Helice not willing to. At times a friend needed you to be there and being there meant sitting quiet and listening, allowing them to unburden themselves perhaps or share their fears or concerns. This takes no skill, just patience to invite them, to welcome them, ideally the first time they feel brave enough to share.
Otonia opened her eyes, determined to finish. “I ran away from home with a traveling troop, I ran away from the travelling troop with Charis … I survived death while in her company and everything became serious, the real dangers of this land curing my fanciful carefree misunderstandings.” Otonia flashed a sorrowful smile at her sister. “I am sorry for my laments.”
“You are my dear sister and I am here for you.” Helice patted Otonia’s hands affectionately.
“I miss the happy and fun Otonia, my ample cleavage able to defuse any serious situation, especially if I could manipulate men at the same time.” A joyful laugh and a glint in her eye rewarding Helice’s concern. “I am changed now. Situations of life and death have tempered my joyful nature and so we return to the Items. They are our edge sister, we must understand them, maintain them and judiciously utilise them to defeat our enemies. Recharging them in Death Season takes a great deal more sun baking time than Birth or Growing Seasons so we must use the Items more intelligently.”
Helice followed Otonia’s eyes which now rested upon her big toe, the bronze loop sitting within weak afternoon sunlight peeking through a gap in the cottage’s door.
Capturing Helice’s eyes, Otonia continued. “I hope the bronze loop has a full bag of coins although I don’t know. I do know whenever I can I expose my toe to the sun.” Otonia raised her eyebrows at Helice, questioning.
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Helice realised immediately. Charis and herself fell when their items were allowed to run low of magic. Charis unable for whatever reason to recharge her items like she knew she should and Helice too distracted to save either of them from that folly. Another bitter failure.
“Ouch!” yelped Otonia.
Helice eased off her grip, her inner rage of disappointment punishing her sister, the messenger instead of herself.
“Fix your Items Helice,” said Otonia.
Helice curtly nodded.
“Now attend to our Mistress and follow through with your plan.”
Helice bounced up in time to hear a solid knock on the cottage’s door.
Otonia sat up, sock on foot then boot on foot, while flicking her head towards Nysa and Kyra. Helice taking the hint and waking both of them.
---
Opening the cottage door, the Village Priest occupied the doorway resplendent in a white robe covered in multiple Symbols of Judge. The golden yellow symbols shimmered in the fading afternoon sunlight causing Helice to blink.
“I wish to invite Worshippers of Judge to prayers tomorrow morning at first light to greet His rise even in the gloom of Death Season!” he bellowed, a smile resplendent, thumbs tucked into his belt while rocking back on his booted heels.
Helice beat a hasty retreat and ushered Nysa and Kyra forward, the Priest content to wait outside.
Barely through the doorway, Nysa and then Kyra received a gloriously happy hug from the Priest. “Glad to meet others as devoted!”
Recovering, they quickly returned a half-hearted hug.
“I invite you to join in the Worship of Judge at first light!” The snow and wind chill easing in his presence, his words clear. Coincidence?
Nysa and Kyra exchanged a quick look and numbly nodded their consent.
“Good! Your presence will instil a religious fervour in the village to see us safely through Death Season.”
With his one-sided conversation done and his invitation accepted he turned on a heel and strode away.
“Do represent the Daughters of the Duchess with dignity and honour sisters,” smirked Helice as Nysa and Kyra re-entered the cottage slamming the door closed behind them.
Nysa homed in on Helice. “We should take Seconds as Knights in the past did, more impressive, Otonia to attend me and you to attend Kyra?”
“I would hate to take any honour from you, being but a bumbling Seer,” replied Helice.
Nysa huffed, fetching cheese and hard tack before crashing back into her bedroll. Kyra shrugging and following suit. A purposeful Helice gifted Otonia one last hug before joining Charis and Zoe.
+++
Before dawn, Nysa and Kyra armed and armoured themselves while Zoe prepared a stew on the pot belly stove, which they hastily ate once ready. Zoe then roused Otonia, who somehow slept through the morning preparations.
Zoe fed, watered and groomed the two horses in the dawn light and a bell later led the team to the village stable. When Zoe arrived at the stable, she offered coin to stable their additional couple of horses with their four other horses Otonia left the day before. Those four the only horses currently stabled, content, lying down in their stalls. Zoe agreed to leave all the hay and feed there, so the village stocks didn’t need to be used.
“Where are your other horses?” Zoe asked.
“We decided at the start of Death Season to slaughter them and salt down the meat,” replied the stable hand. When Zoe’s face hardened, he added, “You have feed and you have paid me so your horses will be safe and cared for.”
She left the stable half re-assured and decided the sisters would need to visit often just in case the village thought the horses were food if no one showed concerned for them.
---
Otonia offered Helice stew after waking her, receiving a nod of thanks. She returned with a clean loin cloth for Charis, cleaning and tidying as required, throwing the soiled cloth into a pre-dug hole outside the cottage, shovelling soil into the hole until covered. Helice dripped water into Charis’ mouth while Otonia took away Helice’s empty bowl, returning with a diluted bowl of stew, more a gravy soup, which they took turns feeding to their Mistress.
Once done Helice positioned Charis under the now opened window, the weak dawn sunlight streaming through, exposing both of Charis’ breasts. The Northern wind curling around the open East facing window although bearable. Helice laying beside her, exposing one of her breasts.
Otonia smiled and returned to clean up the dishes and tidy up the cottage, eventually idling the time away throwing knives at the underside of the table, which she had leant against the cottage wall.
Helice connected with her silver circle, bringing the Item through the surface of her breast. Plucking the secret treasure from her breast she held the straight silver thread to her forehead above the bridge of her nose, between her eyebrows. While in contact with her skin she connected to the Item like an old returning friend, their bond and synergy re-established quickly. The thread piercing painlessly beneath the skin. Helice covered her breast while scanning both of Charis’ intensely.
Each of Charis’ breasts held a circle. Like Charis, starving, although they searched for sunlight and their circular shape clearly proud under each areola, surrounding her nipple.
Helice lent forward and suckled Charis’ left breast, drawing a drop of magic from her silver circle to attune the circle in Charis’s breast, forcing and therefore dominating Charis’ now weak hold. The circle in her mouth she straightened and placed her mouth above Charis’ eyebrow and released her attuning and waited.
Thunk and thunk. Repeat. Again, and again. Otonia’s knife throwing marking time as Helice waited. Like water drops the circle moved in bursts or pulses, slithering off Helice’s tongue until eventually gone, Helice relieved and her mouth tired. One of the longest kisses delivered in her life, rolling on her back and exercising her lips and mouth, resting. The experiment a success, demonstrating the Items gained an affinity and loyalty to those persons they attuned to, something similar to a pet-master relationship perhaps. Helice covered Charis’ circle free breast before she closed her eyes.
“Sister? Sister!”
Helice awoke to Zoe’s voice and gentle shoving of her shoulder.
“Time to arrange my return to the Cavern I would think?”
“Yes sister, I will contact Clymene and make arrangements for tonight, thank-you for reminding me.”
“Why is Charis’ breast exposed?”
Helice smiled sleepily. “I am trying to expose Charis’ Item to sunlight.”
Zoe touched her forehead by reflex. “Yes, I have relocated my silver circle to my forehead, although I feel the Item is wasted on me as I only magic my Borrow Stone.”
Helice’s brow knitted. “Zoe can I borrow some of your magic?”
With Zoe’s consent in place, Helice retrieved Charis’ second circle, attuned the Item to her and then held the circle with her tongue to Zoe’s circle siphoning magic from her Item into Charis’ Item not terribly surprised with the ease of transfer. Helice stopped when Zoe’s Item seemed less responsive, self-preservation of a sort perhaps. Placing her lips above Charis’ other eyebrow the transference required the same amount of time, again Helice rolling on her back to rest and exercise her mouth and lips to the amusement of Zoe who laid back in comfort, the entire time, observing.
“Do you think a piercing in Mistress’ eyebrow would be fashionably responsible?” asked Helice.
“Kyra seems to think so, why?” replied Zoe, slurping another spoonful of stew and then offering Helice the same.
Swallowing, Helice answered, “Charis holds a silver ring in her right breast, you can see the bump under her fleshy breast, trying to succour on sunlight.”
“The circles are more discreet and suitable and even if you do extract the ring how are you going to force Charis’ body to reabsorb such a thick unbreakable circular Item? Also, I thought we hid them so their former owners wouldn’t recognise them and therefore us?”
“Yes, two very good questions, which I don’t have the answers for. Yet!”
---
Nysa and Kyra marched to the Village Church in the light of the false dawn, inspecting the Shrine of Saph along the way. Ready for use, concluding the villagers must maintain and clean the ancient stone construct. Rugged up in furs to ward off the cold, both sisters shortly questioning the need, did the circle of protection around the village also ward against cold, or perhaps the nearby Church the source of their reprieve from the weather.
The villagers gave way to them as they entered the Church, a young neophyte rushing to their side and guiding them to seats beside the Priest’s pulpit and altar. They would be front and centre in the Priest’s morning Sermon of Worship.
The Priest’s words typical, extolling Judge’s reason for being, how worship will benefit his flock, his mighty sun will cleanse, and he will pass judgement on their souls. Nysa and Kyra were venerated for escorting an ailing woman on a pilgrimage to redeem her illness by saving her soul. Turning to the more practical ensuring the village the visitors carried enough provisions for themselves and their horses. The stable hand shouting out confirmation and flashing a few coins as proof.
The Eastern windows of the church lowered to allow the rising sun to shine through like slabs of brightness, each long bench seat aligned perfectly. The sunlight upon the pulpit, altar and nearby seats equally strong. Each villager approached the Alter to receive a blessing from the Priest and then filing out of the church proper to continue with their day.
“I asked the villagers to attend an early Worship in your honour, their Worship strengthens the Circle of Protection, revitalising and reinstating the miracle. Normally the cold is bitter if we delay longer than three weeks and I suspect the Circle would collapse if we waited seven weeks, a guess only mind as I don’t wish to test the theory!” he bellowed.
“You denied the miracle when we arrived?” questioned Nysa.
His laughter stopped cold dead. “I sense your holiness, you are a true believer and your apprentice is bubbling with holy fervour and desire to serve Judge, never have I witnessed such a pair as yourselves, you rekindle my faith. Those with you though …”
“One of those with us is my mortal Mistress and I am sworn to see her recovered and while you deny the skill, you can’t deny your devotion or am I mistaken given the words you have spoken?”
“No devoted Warrior of Judge, I know you aren’t a Judge Knight, but I can’t deny your holiness as much as I can’t deny my dedication to serve our God Judge, The Justice, The Purifying Sun and the King of Gods.” At the utterance of each epitaph his chest swelled with pride.
Nysa paced, placing her finger on her chin and then tapping it.
“What are you contemplating Holy Warrior? I am devoted, my flock trust me, my village is protected by their will and my channelling of it.” The Priest’s voice wavering at each justification, uncertain now about these devoted strangers and their deliberations.
Kyra broke his doubt. “Nysa, Judge Knight Adept is considering if you are worthy of a unique gift, so hush while she considers.”
“Judge Knight Adept? Is that a new rank from the City?” he whimpered, a laughable weak squeaking from such a large man.
Kyra placed her finger across her lips. Nysa continue to pace feigning deliberation, instead trying to detect or discern evil. The large bulky Priest quivered and trembled, needing to settle on one of his Church’s bench seats.
“How many books or perhaps pages do you hold in trust in your Church, Priest?” asked Nysa.
“I am but a humble Village Priest, none. I know the Temple of Judge in Hillperch maintains possession of several pages, which I do pilgrimage to during Birth Season to renew my devotion to Judge.”
Kyra added, “You would feel blessed indeed if my Judge Knight Adept teacher could gift you an entire Holy Book of Judge.”
The Priest shook his head from side to side, the disbelief on his face plain and almost dismissive as he shifted his gaze between Nysa and Kyra and back to Nysa. Nysa’s face stern, emotionless and deadly serious causing him to cough an apology. Afterall what did he have to lose, if they possessed such a book, they were considering gifting it to him and if they didn’t, he wouldn’t be any worse off.
With this sudden epistle the large bodied Priest threw himself to his knees shuffling towards Nysa and falling forward and kissing her booted feet, his face slowly rising to greet hers.
“I would be considered especially blessed if such a book were bestowed upon me. The Temple of Judge in Parium has but a partial book, so a whole book, I am truly humbled.” His breathing heavy enough to plainly hear, his eyes pleading.
Nysa knew by bitter memory what lay in the Temple of Judge in the City and quickly dismissed the emotion. They needed to ensure the Priest knew the books were theirs to gift, they would be his benefactor and he would owe them and leave no effort unexhausted to find a holy cure or holy cleansing for Charis.
“We can gift you several High Priests books and manuals of Judge.”
The Priest’s eyes rolled to the back of his head and his body tottered, likely to fall, instead suddenly righting itself, his hand reaching for a church bench. “Several …” His voice quiet, hushed. “Praise be to Judge.”
“We would hope they contain enough knowledge to learn the required ritual or miracle that would cleanse our Mistress of the evil she is being consumed by,” Nysa finally announced.
The Priest dropped to the floor on both knees before Nysa, deeply bowing. He considered himself a city and town reject, sent to live out his days helping the unwashed, quietly and diligently without demands or requests for favour and now this remarkable turn in fortune.
“A most stupendous gift to a backwater Village Priest if what you say is true, of course your words are true, which is all the more incredible.” Somehow, he sweated, while his eyes betrayed his excitement and elation.
Taking a deep breath, placing his hands on his knees to reset himself, he sobered a little. “Did you have to kill to acquire them?” His eyes fixated upon Nysa’ face.
“Yes and no. We killed an imposter High Priest who did evil deeds while pretending to be a faithful priest. I assume he either killed a true Priest of Judge to obtain them or gave up his faith and turned to evil,” answered Nysa.
“It is difficult to stay on the path, especially when the Gods leave, and Priests aren’t able to answer the pleading of the people without Miracles to demonstrate the power of faith,” the Priest mused.
“Except here of course.”
“Well yes, but purely by accident and in our time of need, as I have said many times now.”
“We will carry the books and manuals we have to your church later today, is that suitable? We would urge you to study them as fast as possible as I have to admit to you our Mistress weakens with each passing night. Dark Month is an ideal time for this evil.”
“Yes, I will be diligent and dedicated to the task you ask of me.”
Nysa and Kyra strode from the church, not looking back once. Certain the Priest would be still trying to comprehend, why me.
---
“Sister do you have the Holy Manuals and Books?” sent Helice, drawing the magic from within herself.
“Yes, dear Elpis ‘sent’ them over the proceeding few days and after much searching amongst many discarded chests and trunks in the Inn found one suitable to hold them all. We will need to form a Seer Circle to transfer them to you sister I feel, if you wish them today,” sent Rhea.
Helice remembered Charis gifting Elpis with a silver circle, although perhaps not Rhea, once Charis’ lover and then not, especially when she lost her sister, although she didn’t and then she did. Would Charis think her reliable after and during her trauma, only stable now due to Elpis’ influence.
Helice searched for Elpis, “Sister are you free to chat?”
Helice repositioned Charis ensuring her forehead and right breast remained in the sunlight as morning faded to middle of the day. She repositioned herself as well.
“Yes sister, although I must be quick. The Baron and Baroness are highly suspicious of me and my, well loyalties. I am thankful the Baroness is with child otherwise she would be my shadow in the Keep. It was for that reason I moved the books one at a time over several days as I am sure my room is searched whenever I am absent from it. If the chest disappeared there would have been awkward questions,” sent Elpis.
“Rhea is suggesting we form a Seer Circle to move the chest in the Inn …”
“Yes, Charis didn’t gift her any Items, probably rightly at the time, not very helpful now. I will have to make an excuse to visit the Inn and assume I will be followed and perhaps the Inn searched.”
“Can’t Rhea be the anchor and we relocate the chest?”
“I would not be guaranteed of any privacy in the Keep, whereas I could wander around the village, visit a Blacksmith, exit via a little used door and then visit an Inn. Instruct Rhea to relocate the chest to the Inn’s second floor, we can lock the Inn’s doors and then the door to the room to give us enough time.”
“Yes sister, what of you and Rhea?”
“We will be drinking tea and I will be consoling a distraught friend if found together.”
Helice contacted Rhea and set their plan in motion. She then carried Charis to the other side of the cottage and a West side window, the sunlight about to pass over the cottage. During this time Helice checked Charis for soiled loin cloth and then tended to her with water and soup, watched by Zoe.
“Can I assume your Seer talk concerned me and my return to the Cavern?” asked Zoe.
“Sorry sister, I will ask Clymene now to expect you.”
“Do I need to stand to be sent by the Shrine?”
Helice suspended her contact with Clymene to consider Zoe question. The person needed to be conscious, alive, positioned correctly, standing or sitting didn’t seem to make a difference.
“I don’t believe so.”
“Perhaps I could leave Farstay crouched down low and when I appear in Hillperch I will be hidden by the Shrine from the Temple Guards and just sneak away without creating a fuss. Especially since we were so recently there, cleaning the Shrine.”
Helice placed her hands behind her head contemplating Zoe’s words. They made sense, especially another wagon load of sisters visiting and once there, if she was seen they would assume they didn’t see her approach the Shrine.
“I will let Clymene know to expect you, without a welcoming committee at the Shrine.”
---
Nysa hesitated at the low stone wall. Once past this point, they would exit the Village Circle of Protection and an unexplained comfort she felt while within the circle. The Temple also radiated welcome and home, a feeling never enjoyed by her in the City Temple of Judge. Draw the sword from the scabbard quickly she thought, as she launched herself at the low wall, half jumping, half climbing over the barrier.
The other side hit her heavily, wind chill, sleet, although no worse than when they arrived, only worse than the other side of the wall.
“Oh Judge! Let me return to the village,” said Kyra, echoing Nysa’s unspoken thoughts.
Grateful for the furs they wore, Nysa and Kyra found the cottage door and thumped upon it, Otonia soon unbarring and opening it, allowing the two sisters to enter; quickly closing and barring it again. The smell of freshly made stew greeting them, Zoe quick to serve them each a bowl and they huddled around the pot belly stove for warmth. Did the village warmth and protection really spoil them?
Noticing Helice tending to Charis, Nysa asked, “How is the Mistress?”
“You tell me, do you sense her evil growing still?”
The spoon in Nysa’s grip hung suspended.
“Don’t be surprised, you have been acting standoffish around Charis, the cottage has two rooms, Charis is the second, the wagon, lifting out the hay bale instead of Charis and I can go on.”
Nysa slowly placed her spoon in her bowl and her bowl on the cottage floor. Approaching Helice and therefore also Charis across the main room in the cottage.
“I am conflicted and because of this the choices I make aren’t my own. I am resisting the most important one though. You must understand my position, it is not one I wish to be in, but I am, and I am doing the best I can. Do you forgive me?” Nysa knelt on one knee and closed her eyes.
Helice couldn’t deny Nysa’s sincerity, her face twisted in anguish, Helice once believing her face showed her disgust of the evil within Charis, now accepting she waged an internal battle between serving her God and serving her Mistress.
“I forgive you sister, although fair warning I am sunning Charis morning and afternoon, which means for half the day she will be resting in the Main Room.”
Climbing to her feet Nysa answered, “Fair enough and what of our treasure?”
“I am waiting for Elpis, the Baron and Baroness have grown suspicious of our Seeress, her movements are watched, and her room searched often.”
Picking up her bowl of stew, deep in thought Nysa asked, “Is she safe? Can we do anything to help?”
“She says no, wait … I must prepare.” Helice placed a hand on Charis’ forehead, reaching up behind her as she slid to the floor sitting cross-legged and closing her eyes. She accepted a Seer thread from Elpis and another from Rhea forming a Seer Circle between the three of them. Helice then visualised the Chest through Elpis and Rhea, ignoring their surrounds. Helice sensed Elpis visualising the Chest resting before Helice, an imaginary ghostly outline, a place holder. Draining their magic, Helice converted the real Chest into a gradually fading image while Elpis collected and projected Helice’s fading image into her imaginary place holder forming a solid Chest.
The transfer complete, Helice looked upon a distraught and sobbing Rhea, while Elpis’ hand, held a cup of tea to Rhea’s lips encouraging her to drink. Then the door of the room burst open with a loud crack as the lock shattered free. Two armed guards stood back while the Baron’s father stepped forward. The image of Inn’s room fading as Elpis and Rhea withdrew from the Seer Circle, needing their thoughts and wits for their immediate surrounds.
“Guards burst in upon them, including the Baron’s father. I don’t know anymore, although the Baron’s father seemed delighted somehow,” uttered Helice deeply concerned, Zoe’s arms quickly around her comforting her.
“I hope the cost of these books doesn’t include Elpis and Rhea’s suffering or worse,” said Nysa as she glanced at Kyra signalling her to help with the Chest.
“You plan to take the Chest to the Priest now? This moment? What of Elpis and Rhea?” asked Otonia flabbergasted.
Nysa looked up from the Chest, a tiredness evident, not limited to her eyes. “We can’t help Elpis and Rhea and they both knew they were being watched and took as much caution as they could. We can help Mistress Charis, the sooner we deliver these books to the Priest the sooner he can fulfil his pledge, which I fully intend to ensure he delivers upon.”
“I am sorry sister, of course.” Otonia dragged herself to the bed and flopped upon it. This cottage allowed too much time to be alone and to think. Knife throwing used to be so cathartic for her, now the act of throwing and retrieving so automatic, she could think of other things and throw. Her stray thoughts taking her down possibilities frightening and fatal, the possible loss of Elpis and Rhea too close a reality.
Nysa and Kyra grabbed a handle on the Chest each and lugged Charis’ possible salvation to the cottage door, which Zoe unbarred and opened. Once the Warrior Sisters were outside, she quickly closed and barred the door.
Heaving the Chest on top of the low wall, both sisters climbed over and once on the other side were embraced by the Circle of Protection. An energy washed over them, the Chest became lighter and their steps certain regardless of sleet or snow. In less time than expected they hammered on the Village Church door with the pummel of their swords. The noise alerted the priest and he appeared like magic to open the church doors. The sisters assisting the Priest to relocate the books and manuals to his office at the back of the church. After profusely thanking them he quickly shut and barred the doors of the church and hurried to his office his excitement unchained and raw.
They now needed to wait in the cottage for the Priest to return to them with an answer. Nysa joined Kyra and grabbed some sleep. Otonia and Zoe searched for more wood in the fading light to ensure the stove would keep them warm overnight. Helice tended to Charis, water and a weak broth, ensuring she stayed warm.
Helice positioned her head to be in contact with Charis’, returning to Clymene and Alcmene’s early introductory lessons they gave her. She projected a Seer thread towards Charis’ mind tenderly searching for a reaction or a response. Helice found her Mistress’ Seer awareness gone, sensing feelings or emotions of sadness and sorrow, and worse, a wish for death.
Shocked, Helice decided upon a routine. Water and Soup or broth as often as possible. Expose the Mistress’ Items to sunlight, however subdued as often as possible if wind chill could be avoided, Helice following suit.
In the dead of night Zoe escorted Helice to the Shrine of Saph. With a minute application of Helice’s magic Zoe disappeared from Farstay, none the wiser as Helice rugged in furs hurried back to the cottage, Nysa awake welcoming her.
“I sense the evil within the Mistress has stabilised and cautiously I advise, I don’t wish to offer false hope, receded slightly.”
Helice leapt upon Nysa overcome by joy and relief. Maybe the Elven Items would cure her Mistress, the more magic they contained the stronger they would be able to cleanse.