Dione broke her fast and suitably wrapped in furs to ignore the cold fingers of Death Season reached the Stables early, slightly after first bell.
“Hello Wormy, are you and your friends comfortable?”
“Yes thank-you Miss and the horses are being well cared for as well, especially the huge stallion, although he seems to tell us when he requires attention.” A nervous smile played across his lips, while the young female with him peered about and beyond Dione while aggressively holding onto one of his arms.
Dione wrinkled her nose as she left their company, mud and horse manure a crusty lasting mix ensuring the perfume remained longer than thought possible. She knew the exact location of her stallion, his state, his needs and his ambitions for her; boss mare.
“The other two you are aware of, are not instead of you, they share a different bond to ours.”
Her stallion not only replied he also stomped his hooves in displeasure, demanding they ride far and join as one.
“I will separate from them and also ride with you, tomorrow.”
His head nestled into her welcoming arms, the feel of her hand stroking his neck complementing the warmth resonating over their shared bonded link. She would need to ask their Mistress of course, although Astera would understand the reasoning given her own Warrior Three situation. The Stallion best positioned at the Cavern to enable her to scout for the horde and due to long absence, a situation the Mistress recently, perhaps currently is familiar with, her withdrawal from a Warrior Three appropriate to avoid loneliness and heartache.
---
Zoe grabbed the offered rope and assisted by her sisters climbed to the top of the stone wall and then swung her legs over.
“Mistress they don’t burn, or they don’t burn very well. They have rolled around in snowmelt and absorbed much water into their skin and bones.”
“Not good news, oil and fire were going to even up the odds for us.” Astera’s concern doubled, her fingers entwining behind her back until another hand rested upon them, to calm and reassure.
Zoe knew the report would affect Astera, although unprepared for her reaction, body slumping and her Mistress’ big brown eyes closing briefly in resignation. She wanted to tell her about the Snow Wolf Pack Leader, a proven ally now and one who would assist when needed most to boost her morale, to help … but couldn’t, her conflicting oaths tested.
“Our Warrior Three link is like a tonic and I sense your strength and belief my sister and nothing is lost while resistance exists. Thank-you.” Astera offered her raised arms to assist Zoe to jump down off the wall. Leaping and embracing, the huntress’ lips lingered about Astera’s nape as reward.
“Know Mistress the Dark Priest is the key to this horde and his death would end their purpose and perhaps the Walking Dead themselves.”
“Alcmene send to your sisters, so they can inform us all. Call Hagne and Korinna to the wall and ask them to collect Alexis from the Main Cavern on their way here.”
Dione joined Astera at the wall, her timing perfect. The sole explanation, her stallion, perhaps smelling the Walking Dead marching upon them or more likely informing his partner of Zoe’s return.
“My stallion and I will be able to scout wide and far, quickly and then lead the assassins to their mark, Mistress.”
The excitement in Dione’s eyes, her fevered request a given, beyond assumption and unfortunately an absolute truth Astera needed to surrender to, nodding in agreement. Dione’s next request though a complete surprise.
“Can I take Jocasta with me, her additional weight a pittance and Zosime would be able to Seer to her and report our efforts, co-ordinate with the assassins?”
Astera quickly ran through all the reasons why not and concluded she needed to take risks; the Daughters of the Duchess needed to take risks. Jocasta also present somehow, bright expectant face bobbing before her Mistress, Dione obviously sharing before asking her Mistress.
“Will you take care of her before your own life? Do you swear so?”
“I swear Mistress, Jocasta will ride to freedom before I consider my own life.”
Astera searched for bravado, deception and found none, either Dione an extremely good actress or supremely confident.
“Then go with my blessing and be careful, no foolhardy risks.”
Jocasta’s smile lit up an otherwise bleak meeting, leaping into Astera’s arms, who in that moment appreciated the support of the wall’s merlon. She then jumped from the wall and rolled to her feet, racing Dione to her stallion loitering on the Cleft side of the Southern Wall. Astera rushed to the wall, hands planted, peering over to ensure the foolhardy girl survived; greeted by the laughter of youth. Dione wisely choosing to be lowered down the face of the wall using a rope held by Astera and Thyia. While the horde approached Dione’s stallion would easily gallop away before their arrival.
Dirce, Drosis and Agape arrived at the Southern Wall, their Warrior Three recently consummated and yet to be blessed in the heat of battle. Astera climbed down the embedded steps and hand grips in the wall, the design to ensure any enemy wouldn’t be assisted unless able to climb.
Astera hugged the three in turn. “I and Thyia will relieve you before you tire, two should be able to hold the width, barely more than a wagon wide.”
Dirce and Drosis nodded, while Agape fingered the trigger on her crossbow. Each passing bell would test their endurance and when tired mistakes inevitable. Some mistakes offered no second chance.
As the Warrior Three set themselves upon the wall, Dirce and Drosis guarding a crenel, while Agape took up position behind a merlon, her task to release when her Warrior Three sisters needed the assistance most. To their credit they faced the enemy with little more than a sharp intake of breath.
Astera spied the advancing horde during her time on the wall, the dusk not diminishing their numbers. Sweetears, Prettynose, Bluefingers, Thais and Alexa toiled tirelessly to construct the stone walls across the narrowest points of the Northern and Southern exits between the Cavern proper and the Stone Curtain Wall. The outward face of the stone wall consisted of a smooth angled leading edge, designed to trip up and force the Walking Dead to fall forward when attempting their assault. Those on top of the wall able to walk its length, the width allowing two defenders to pass each other, behind a narrow curtain wall topped with two crenels and three merlons. Through the base of the wall, the Goblin Sisters constructed narrow stone pipes so oil could be poured onto the ground under the feet of those in front of the wall.
Astera escorted the three assassins to the Northern Wall to send them off with an embrace and her good wishes. Their sisters lowered Alexis, Hagne and Korinna over the wall with the assistance of ropes ignoring their insistence, with rope they could walk down the wall unaided. Astera needed to fare them well and be involved, hoping above all hope she didn’t send them to their deaths, their possible fate occupying her thoughts as she returned to the Southern Wall.
A crescendo of marching feet, snow slush and rattling armour accompanied by the occasional raised rusted weapon heralded the arrival of the horde at the Southern Wall. Astera questioning why they didn’t harry the Northern Wall simultaneously to divide the defenders. She held her sisters from attacking until the enemy reached the wall as early loses wouldn’t concern them and they needed to make every strike count, be it arrow, quarrel or blade. She also realised a Dark Priest led them and from a past encounter she witnessed some of their powers, especially the fading walk. Nysa, Kyra, Zoe and Otonia stood guard in the Main Cavern as well as Zosime, primarily guarding the water flow, but also watchful for the Dark Priest, Otonia’s daggers a bane to them and if the worse somehow happened, a strong force to hopefully prevail against the evil. If the water flow ever stopped then their captive would be freed, and they would be in the gravest danger.
Lysisa kept Clymene and Ismene company in the House, on guard duty. The Goblin Sisters on standby to repair any breakages in the water trough, in the company of Alexa and Thais so they could be quickly summoned. In the meanwhile, they and the twins, shaped stone in the passageway floors to create a duplicate directly beneath the existing water trough and hopefully more difficult to destroy.
Before contact as dusk turned into night the torches set in stone sconces along the Cavern cliff face and the Stone Curtain Wall cliff face were fired to assist with targeting the enemy, especially for those sisters without a Borrow Gem.
The first wave of Walking Dead didn’t attack, they laid down in layers so those following could then step upon them and reach the wall and lay down to start another layer. The Walking Dead stacked themselves halfway up the wall when Astera gave the order to pour the oil. When finished, the Walking Dead stacked two thirds up the wall, the following wave of Walking Dead reaching and grappling to attack the defenders.
Astera grabbed a torch and lit each of the oil drains. The flames greedily charged down the drain to the ground igniting the pool of oil at the foot of the wall. The heat generated needed to exceed the fire dampening capability of the water. The pile of Walking Dead, still functional, smouldered, refusing to burst into the expected wall of fire intense enough to jump from Walking Dead to Walking Dead. With no rise of flames beyond the wall, Astera and Thyia climbed up replacing Dirce and Drosis.
Astera wielded her spear trying to stab as many as she could in the head. She received confirmation from Niobe via Alcmene the Northern Wall remained Walking Dead free. The fire wasn’t taking and the number of Walking Dead appearing exceeded the number they could dispatch. She ordered Alcmene to contact Niobe and order Latona to haul half of the oil stored at the Northern Wall to the Southern Wall and while she waited, pour the last reserves of oil down the oil drains to be fired as soon as she could.
The Warrior Sisters continued to fight across the curtain wall, eye to skull socket, with the Walking Dead wielding rusted worn weapons capable of maiming, especially tired sisters. Astera called in Dirce and Drosis as she and Thyia began to tire. While she and Thyia rested Niobe reported via Alcmene the assassins still searched for the Dark Priest. Thais, assisting the Goblin Sisters and her twin, reported good progress on the drain while Zosime, in the Main Cavern with Nysa, reported no change from silence. The House, with the evening meal cancelled echoed to Clymene’s pacing.
Latona assisted Alcmene with the additional oil, immediately pouring the fresh supply down the oil drains, lighting the combustible fluid soon after. The flames chased the stream of oil, although again nothing. Alcmene took one look at the whites of Latona’s eyes and her shaking hands and sent her back to Niobe.
Agape unsheathed her dagger, the pile of destroyed Walking Dead high enough to allow the wave of attackers to crawl on rotten limbs towards her, their heads peering over her merlon. Dark on dusk, wavering torch light, crawling Walking Dead; her mind spiralled back to months ago sending a chill down her back. Agape aimed for the crown of their heads, another remembrance. A quick forceful stab ended their un-life and they soon joined the pile, to be climbed over by the next.
No sooner did Latona return to Niobe, her sister informed her the rest of their oil needed to be taken to the Southern Wall. Together they loaded the trolley wagon and Latona pulled for all her worth. Astera determined they needed a rest and fire raging amongst the Walking Dead their last chance. The height of the stacked Walking Dead requiring Astera, Thyia, Dirce, Drosis and Agape to defend the wall or risk the wall being overrun, they needed to hold until the last of the oil arrived.
Alcmene once again assisted Latona, offering her words of encouragement while they fed the drains. They wasted no time on congratulations and lit the last of their oil, praying to Judge.
---
The Master granted him a parcel of his power, this allowed him to raise and keep active a huge army of Walking Dead, in the main skin and bones due to their age, ancient dead, hundreds of years old although occasionally equipped with the worn and rusted weapons they wielded in life. He positioned himself in the middle of the last third. His servants bearing him on his flat platform rising briefly to assess their progress and redirect the assault if required.
“Master you will be pleased, the assault begins, and your army of Walking Dead is huge! Your freedom is all but assured!”
“Finally, your rewards will be immense my Dark Priest!”
Every so often a row or column of Walking Dead would roll in the snow, to protect them from fire as much as possible regardless of the odd spectacle! When they reached the wall, they laid down so others could climb over them until stacked high enough they could just continue to walk over the wall. The neat and tidy foundation essential, after which the destroyed would add height. He also sent a small portion of the army to the other wall, only to distract and thin the defenders before the main assault.
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“Master the Cavern cliff face is clearly in view. I plan to shift to my Corporeal State and move through the stone until I find you. But I need to know how I can free you.”
“A stream of water binds me here. I cannot pass over it. It is an ancient binding that Judge imposed. The water needs to be diverted but a little, near the entrance and I will be free, so I can then return and destroy them all!”
“I will direct the Walking Dead to invade the Cavern and lay in the entrance. They will eventually stack there and disrupt any stream of water.”
“I await their arrival!”
The Dark Priest secretly relieved his Master agreed to the Walking Dead saving him instead of the alternative … regretting he voiced the option of risking himself in the euphoric atmosphere of commanding, he needed to remind himself; his Master’s huge Walking Dead army. No need to risk his own life when animated corpses and skeletons would readily sacrifice themselves.
---
Alexis, Hagne and Korinna split up, Hagne on the left of the horde, Alexis behind and Korinna on the right, the Dark Priest needed to be behind the horde in one of those positions surely!
Seven wolves found Dione on her stallion and escorted her and Jocasta to a putrid slime trail. They dashed off shortly after, returning to the pack picking off the Walking Dead trying to push and stagger through the snow to assault the Northern Wall.
Astera ordered all of the sisters off the wall, the escape made possible due to the width of the rampart. The sisters either climbing down the sunken climb holds or hanging the length of their body over the edge and dropping the final half body length. The Walking Dead tumbled over the crenels headfirst, continuing their crawl. On the rampart they tried to stand and either walked off, or those behind pushed, the fall destroying the initial numbers until the piled-up bones and decayed flesh formed a shock absorbing layer upon the stone floor. As the ever-increasing number of surviving Walking Dead tried to stand the sisters would step in to stab their heads with their spears.
Faint at first, the chilled air carried a burning smell. Dark smoke began to billow from behind the wall and then flame erupted against the darkness of the night, high enough to be seen above the wall. The sisters now heartened, quickly despatched the Walking Dead on their side of the wall and once done dragged themselves back to rest, Alcmene quickly providing water and hard rations. She then applied bandages on wounds. No one summoned the energy required to cheer; to sigh in relief easier. If nothing else the Walking Dead would have to build up their side of the wall again to reach them. How long, unknown to Astera, although the longer the better.
---
The Dark Priest cursed the defenders as he witnessed the flames consume his carefully planned assault. The losses didn’t concern him, his Master’s horde vast. The time wasted more important. He stood to assess the situation and exercise his will on the remaining Walking Dead to start building up against the wall again to create another platform to reach the top.
---
Lysisa observed Clymene pace, while Ismene checked, counted and checked again the stocks in the Storage Room. Her makeshift armour consisted of various pre-loved although available pieces and required slight adjusting every so often. Her duty for the past week or more, guard duty in the Kitchen and help when required.
Clymene placed the palms of both hands upon a kitchen table, bracing herself, her eyes tearing and a sad red colour blooming from her cheeks.
“Sister can I help in any way?”
Clymene lifted her eyes, swaying her head from side to side in false denial. Alcmene reported the latest news, the oil failing to ignite and the Walking Dead army huge, numbers beyond counting with only five sisters to defend the wall.
Lysisa huffed in response. Clymene stood and then showed off her most reassuring smile.
“As a Guard, you tend to develop a sense of when people are genuine and you dear Sister are fake.”
Ismene, fed up with counting stock to allay her own fears and trepidation joined her sisters in the Kitchen.
“Tell her sister. If you don’t, I will, surely getting the details wrong.”
Clymene’s eyes turned up as she swallowed, resigned to confess.
“We fought a multitude of enemies in the Caverns and Passageways below this House, eventually clearing them.”
“The trapdoor!” Lysisa yelped pointing, finally a confirmation. Her sisters hinted and suggested different purposes when she asked, although most suggesting the Mistress would tell her when ready to do so and until then stay with her present task.
“Yes, and a great evil returned looking to destroy us, although by good luck we have him trapped. Those few you helped dispatch, his followers trying to free him. Now a Walking Dead army is trying to succeed where they failed.” Saying the words lifted a great burden from Clymene’s shoulders, relief, no more stepping around the dire truth of their circumstances.
“I pledged an oath to defend and if necessary, die. I demand to fight. As a defender of this House my warrior skills are up to the challenge. Why do you order me to stand guard duty?”
---
The slime trail proved easy to follow once pointed out, the meagre light provided by the night sky supplemented by her Borrow Stone picked out the gooey mess mixed with snow melt and mud, the result of many Walking Dead trampling the ground. Her stallion also managed to pick the smell; the trail of slime positioned down the centre of the trampled ground.
A sharp whistle to announce her presence and Alexis cautiously revealed herself.
“Alexis, ask Hagne and Korinna to join us, I think we are on a unique trail and the only unique enemy we have is the Dark Priest,” said Dione, an excitement in her voice.
---
Astera scanned the wall while she rested. A merlon adjoining the Cavern cliff face, a crenel, a merlon, a crenel and then a final merlon adjoining in the Stone Curtain Wall. Five defenders wide, while only two crenels allowed for attack. Perhaps they would have been better served with a step-up behind each merlon or dispensing with the crenel and merlon design and make the wall height above the rampart the same along its entire length so a defender could meet an attacker at any position. In theory the merlons to provide the defender cover from missiles. Her thoughts on wall design didn’t distract her from the truth before her, depressingly she witnessed the flames wilt as time passed. The possible fuel, the Walking Dead too damp to keep it fed and the deeper ranks thereby preserved.
With the flames no longer visible above the wall Astera couldn’t sit idle not knowing. Thyia climbed to the rampart with her, unbidden, doing her duty. Looking over the curtain wall the Walking Dead marched forward again, the dying embers of the fire being snuffed out for good due to the waterlogged reinforcements. Lying down like before they started building up to reach the top of the wall, the perfect symmetry of the first effort distorted somewhat by burnt and half burnt remains.
They still needed rest so Astera took the decision to let the enemy build up, they would defend again when they reached the top of the curtain wall.
Thais and Alexa contacted Alcmene to let Astera know they and the Goblin Sisters finished the duplicate water drain and now ran to help them defend the wall.
Astera, Thyia, Dirce and Drosis lined up as a shield wall across the path. They would need to remain as long as they could. Latona called to defend the Southern Wall loaded crossbows, while Agape released in-between Dirce and Drosis to pick off the Walking Dead as they climbed over the curtain wall. The Shield Wall dealt with the remainder.
The growing stack of destroyed Walking Dead on the Cavern side of the wall allowed the Walking Dead to walk, stumble, crawl directly to the shield wall, many easily picked off, the fact remained the sisters needed to retreat.
Astera ordered the shield wall to give ground, those closest to the Cavern cliff face stepping in chilled water. The water from the Cavern stream now beginning to pool as the weight of the destroyed Walking Dead from being crushed and stomped on by those walking over them creating a blockage or at least a restriction to prevent the water from flowing away under the wall. What that would mean to them long term, unknown.
The shield wall needed to give ground every so often as the piled up destroyed Walking Dead would be trampled and the replacements standing on them would gain a height advantage. Astera then noticed arrows and quarrels trying to target the Walking Dead as they came over the wall.
As Astera glanced over her shoulder she allowed a slight smile. The Goblin Sisters built a wall from the Cavern Door rectangular stone otherwise lying idle in readiness for their true purpose. On top of these stacked rectangular blocks of stone stood the Goblin Sisters and Agape who could release over the shield wall, slowing the flow of Walking Dead reinforcements, allowing individuals in the Shield Wall to rest and slow down the need to retreat.
Then Astera realised the archer’s quivers held the only arrows and quarrels remaining to them.
---
Dione and her sisters caught up to the rear of the Walking Dead horde. She wasn’t really sure what they would do if the horde turned around and chased them! On horseback she and Jocasta would be safe, she wasn’t sure if her Assassin sisters could outlast them in a foot race.
On horseback Dione briefly spied him. The Dark Priest would occasionally reveal his head as he inspected his horde.
“The Dark Priest has been found, he squats in the middle of his horde, untouchable by any weapons we have skill in and then there is the question of what we would do if even a portion of his Walking Dead turned upon us,” sent Hagne to Alcmene.
Alcmene shouted to Astera she needed to talk and after a few moments she stepped out of the Shield Wall, leaving the occasional clash of weapons and dings behind. Astera confirmed her orders with Alcmene and returned to the Shield Wall a little gloomier.
---
Zosime paced, Seers didn’t restrict their chat and from the exchanges so far, the situation on the Shield Wall plainly desperate.
“We need to join our sisters in the Shield Wall,” uttered Zosime, her voice begging and pleading.
“Mistress has ordered us to stay, if the great evil escapes we are doomed and we are the only ones who may affect him,” replied Nysa.
Lysisa caught her breath. “Where to the Shield Wall sisters? I come to fight!”
Nysa hesitated and then pointed to the Cavern Entrance. Before Lysisa could take a fearful path, Zoe rushed to her side and escorted.
---
“Sisters return. The Shield Wall is in dire need of fresh defenders. Ask Dione if her stallion can roam and provide any information.” Alcmene sent to Hagne and she also prepared Niobe to have a rope ready to assist them over the Northern Wall.
Astera received another tap on her shoulder and after a few moments retreated from the Shield Wall once again. Lysisa with practiced precision stepped into her position, the Shield Wall shuffling back to its four-person width without missing a beat.
“I thought you could use some moments to reassess Mistress,” said Alcmene, handing Astera a skin of water.
Alexa and Thais prepared a first aid station and assisted Alcmene remove blood soaked or sweat infused bandages while her Mistress drank and considered their situation. She calculated they could retreat at least twice more before they would have their backs to the stone blocks and lose the ability to maneuverer and court easy death.
---
The Dark Priest couldn’t believe the stubbornness of his Master’s enemy. The horde still large by any standard, now substantially reduced as loses mounted up and it seemed the Walking Dead still a good distance from the Cavern Entrance, otherwise his Master would have roared by now if released. His other concern, possibly his primary concern, his position within the horde. Initially situated in the rear third, he now found himself more in the centre due to those loses. A little too close to the front as he felt more vulnerable, although to retreat further to the rear meant less protection from a surprise attack from that direction and he reminded himself he decided two weeks ago not to risk himself.
---
Astera tapped Thyia and replaced her in the Shield Wall. Astera tended to her wounds, renewed bandages on previous wounds while she drank from the water skin and chewed on hard rations. The cycle repeated until Astera once again rested after the Shield Wall retreated for the second last time. Deep in thought she didn’t immediately notice Alcmene cleaning and bandaging her wounds a third time. She kissed her bald head and stood to receive the return of Dione, Jocasta, Alexis, Hagne and Korinna. Alexa and Thais joining the gathering.
“We have slowed them, but when the arrows and quarrels run out ...” She pointed to the stone blocks. “They will be thinned no longer. Any suggestions sisters?”
“When the arrows and quarrels run out, we only have blades, so we will have to give up ground slowly, destroy as many as possible, retreating into the Main Cavern if we have to,” replied Dione.
“Mistress I will check with Clymene and see if Ismene has a reserve of quarrels or arrows,” said Alcmene.
Alcmene didn’t need to speak the reply, Astera already knew the answer.
“If we retreat too far their bodies will fall and start blocking the water flow. When the water flow stops, then the evil will most likely be released.”
“Mistress, if we can borrow some more magic, we could shape the stone to control the water flow and then use the stone blocks to protect it and the entrance,” offered Sweetears, overhearing from her perch upon the stone blocks.
“Yes, and the Dark Priest won’t know about the change to the Cavern Entrance, so hopefully the Walking Dead will walk around the stone blocks and not try to climb over, if they can climb at all. Alexis, Hagne and Korinna lend your magic to your Goblin Sisters.”
Dione said, "With your permission Mistress I will take Thais and Alexa with me and we will use slings from the Stone Curtain Wall."
" Yes sister," replied Astera, thinking, if nothing else the twins would be safe. When would the time be upon her to decide who to save and who to sacrifice to save the chosen few?
Sweetears clambered down from the stone block and before she left Astera hugged her and noticed she didn’t even have to bend down much; their Goblin Sisters had grown. She wondered why she didn’t notice before now.
With that a Goblin Sister adjusted the drain for the water flow, while the other two collected the low carts to transport the stone blocks for the doors to a new purpose, somewhat closer to their original intention. As Astera witnessed the stone blocks being relocated and restacked, she realised these formed their last chance, a physical barrier to separate the Walking Dead from their ultimate goal and possibly revealing her failure. Alexa, Thais and the Goblin Sisters should have completed the Cavern Door and not built the walls. Near the end, with the benefit of hindsight her reasoning possibly flawed. The doors would possibly keep the Walking Dead out, although while separated they would forever wait and the Daughters unable to defeat them. What if the Dark Priest blocked the water drainage or using his fading power explore the Cavern with impunity, able to choose the right moment to release his Master. She needed to console herself, both choices fraught with risk, at least this choice they could fight back before the end instead of slowly waiting for their doom.
“Mistress, what do you need me to do?” asked Jocasta.
Astera jumped, broken from her thoughts, guilty as she missed Jocasta after finding everyone a new purpose and a few moments to herself.
“Jocasta, go to Zoe and ask her to come back with you I have a special mission for you both.”
Smiling Jocasta ran to obey.
“I could have sent to Zosime, Mistress,” said Alcmene.
“I know, as does Jocasta probably, but it gives her a task and made her smile, which can’t be a bad thing.”
Astera cast her eyes over the Shield Wall. She would need to take a risk.
“Alcmene send to Zosime. Nysa and Kyra will be needed here, Zosime and Otonia will have to keep watch and alert us if the worst happens.” Astera deciding they needed to advance to the Wall, clear the rampart and hold the Walking Dead there until they destroyed the enemy, or the enemy defeated the Daughters of the Duchess. The assassins could be armed with spears and from the protection of the wall stab until tired whereas in the Shield Wall they couldn’t aid in the defence. Her stomach churned; would Jocasta be required towards the end …
---
Dirce faltered and Astera rushed to take her place, while Alcmene assisted her out of harms way and tended to her. The Goblin Sisters quivers now empty, Astera also noticed Latona gone, probably returned to Niobe on the North Wall as Agape with her remaining quarrels choose her targets carefully, protecting Dirce when she desperately flung herself to one side to dodge an attack, the clear lane allowed release of her quarrel.
Nysa and Kyra jogged around the stone blocks to relieve Drosis and Thyia. The Shield Wall to perform a half retreat, the stacked stone block which Agape used, would then occupy one position in the Shield Wall. Lysisa would remain. To retreat again would encroach on the double width where the wagons passed each other, and one side would actually be the Cavern Entrance partially blocked with stacked stone blocks, not the Cavern cliff face. There could be no further retreat.
Agape shouted, “Mistress I am out of quarrels.”
“Agape, use your dagger from there. Try to stab them in the head would be best and avoid them of course when you do.” Astera didn’t know how she could pretend to make other sisters busy, worthy and out of danger, but at least she could start with this one. No more distractions now as the Shield Wall manoeuvred for the last desperate time.