On Astera’s shout the Shield Wall stepped forward to shield bash the Walking Dead into a halt. The pause long enough for Astera, Thyia and Drosis to step away and Lysisa to half-retreat, who as the sole defender remained watchful. Nysa and Kyra slipped by, with an eagerness beyond Astera’s state of mind to return, settling on an encouraging half grimace.
Drosis fell into Dirce’s embrace who gently lowered her to the ground, while Thyia wrapped an arm around Astera who glided them both to sprawl beside a stacked stone block. Drosis drank from the water skin Dirce held to her mouth, deliberately spilling a portion to lighten the mood and cool down her body. Astera shook her head and waved her hand to Thyia, insisting Alcmene attend to her Warrior Three partner first.
Astera observed the tired and drawn faces before, their armour scratched and ragged wondering how much longer they could repel the evil. A shake developed in her hands and she clasped them together and lay them across her stomach, to be certain no sister spied her weakness, although Thyia would know and possibly Zoe.
The night air filled with screaks and shouts, Astera slowly turned her head back to the Shield Wall. Her thoughts turned to doubts, the round shields of Nysa and Kyra would be a risk, the short reach of the sword would bring them closer to the Walking Dead. Did her judgement fail her again, please Judge no.
---
Zoe waited for Jocasta to run for her bow and quiver of arrows, tapping her own bow against her thigh counting the moments. She would join the battle! Nysa and Kyra sprung to action and headed for the semi-blocked Cavern Entrance. How? Why? Zosime’s sympathetic face the only answer, confirming the Mistress summoned them also. Jocasta sprinted from the passage into the Main Cavern, racing past Zoe caught in thought.
“Why you young one!” yelped Zoe, pivoting quickly to follow.
Dread enveloped her, reaching down to bone, her Warrior Three partner bereft of hope, overwhelmed by guilt. Zoe double timed, cursing the hindrance of the protective stone blocks at the Cavern Entrance, needing to manoeuvre between and around them. She spied Agape and made a leap to join her, scrambling up with her legs. Jocasta greeting her with a smile, Agape having just helped her climb up.
---
Thyia, lost in her own tired thoughts recalled the Bell tolling at dusk, the last of this day, timing almost perfectly with the Walking Dead’s first assault. No such announcement marked time since and with the distortions of time due to battle she didn’t really know how long they stood in defiance. Grateful for this moment though, Alcmene’s kind face urging her to drink from an offered water skin. Astera’s woe and the shouts and screams broke the moment, Thyia diving for Astera to protect her from the vulnerability and failure which crawled across their Warrior Three bond.
---
Nysa and Kyra, after so many bells of not being in the fight, slid past their respective sister earmarked to be swapped, the small distance of separation and the shield bash providing precious moments to position and set themselves. As if shot out of a sling the tide of mindless creatures surged forward still intent on reaching out for their targets now gone, stretching out to grapple with the now non-existent retreating sister. Nysa aimed to strike the head of the decaying creature, now overreaching forward with outstretched bony hands. Her striking blade met no resistance, overbalancing and stumbling forward, she recovered by half turning and exposing her back releasing a half curse and waiting for the worst.
Oddly a presence brushed past her cheek, dust swirling unnaturally in place for a moment and then gone. As she continued, straightening, to regain her stance a flash of feathered arrow whistled past her shoulder. The arrow slipped through the target, slowing slightly as if to bisect an apple, the trajectory continuing into two other Walking Dead packed behind.
Kyra shield bashing to protect Lysisa witnessed the same miracle, yelling at the top of her lungs in celebration. Once sword, arrow or shield struck animated flesh or bone, the assault continued without resistance through a collapsing, powdering corpse. The touch of the blessed weapons triggering a shattering ripple throughout the entire skeletal frame, and withered flesh, aging the abomination rapidly to dust. The unnatural swirling dust falling to ground while a released presence reached skywards, even though night shrouded them, and Death Season persisted.
In slow motion Astera caught in the corner of her eye Zoe and Jocasta scramble climb to join Agape on her stone block. Swinging her head around to face her pending doom heralded by her screaming sisters, her jaw dropped instead. Then Thyia grappled her in a protective hug. Witnessing the miracle of swirling dust and vanquished Walking Dead, Astera swamped the sweat soaked body of her sister in light kisses finally reaching the wide-eyed face and planting a deep passionate kiss on her lips. Thyia’s mind confused, perhaps if doom beckoned and her Mistress chose this way to call an end, she could think of worse ways.
Nysa and Kyra co-ordinated their shield bashing with sword stabs. The first pushed through and more often than not collected the next Walking Dead packed in behind, jawbone a jibber, bony hands unable to reach around, until propelled forward by the dusting of the Walking Dead in front, which in turn resulted in its demise.
Nysa and Kyra harvested the Walking Dead faster than the horrors could scramble over the wall, clearing ground before them advancing toward the stacks of the destroyed.
The euphoria of salvation from destruction evaporated from Astera as Nysa and Kyra reached above and over the stacks of corpses, exposing themselves in their joy of Holy retribution. Springing from Thyia in unseemly haste, leaving puckering lips behind she rushed to the stacked stone blocks, leaning on one, looking up to her archers while shouting.
“Zoe and Jocasta release only to save a sister or prevent a breakthrough and collect your spent arrows to see if they can be recovered and re-used.”
She advanced to the front line, patting Lysisa on her back, encouraging her to rest while she could.
Astera’s voice shouted above the battle. “Judge Knight, steady, there are many and you are one of a pair. Let them come to you and harvest them without revealing yourself. Let the Dark Priest believe he sends them to victory not destruction.”
Nysa paused, breathing a wide smile, her eyes searching for Kyra who nodded in reply. Both retreated and waited patiently beyond the last stack of corpses, the plan to stab as they tried to recover. The sisters enjoying the respite to observe the spectacle of the Walking Dead reach over the wall by crawling, eventually standing on the rampart only to charge across their destroyed former horrors and typically stumble and fall, crawling once again until past the pile of crushed ancient bone and flesh. Then while attempting to stand receive a weapon strike from the Shield Wall who returned to their work. Nysa and Kyra walked the line while Dirce and Drosis guarded their flanks in case of a rush with Zoe on oversight, ready to release if the situation required.
Astera checked on Jocasta. She didn’t hold her bow, she instead withdrew arrows from her quiver and handed them to Zoe. Their task not to fill the battle with arrows, their task to snipe and avert tragedy, Jocasta readily accepting the reality of Zoe’s archery skill and instead recovered or handed arrows.
“Jocasta, did you take your Spear with you to Farstay and did it accompany you throughout the ceremony to ordain Nysa?”
“Yes Mistress,” said Jocasta, proudly.
“Go fetch your weapon, I have a special mission for you sister.”
Delighted she squirrelled down the Stone block and sprinted off to her bunk in the Inner Cavern. Her sisters taught her the basics, how to grip, how to thrust and how to parry, never thinking she would wield her spear in battle so young!
“Zoe, make sure you save your last arrow. We may need it if ever the Dark Priest shows and if so, take your chance and release.”
“Yes Mistress.”
Astera knew with Nysa and Kyra they could hold the Walking Dead, occasionally Dirce or Drosis would need to slay which would leave a corpse underfoot. She noticed Nysa stab a destroyed Walking Dead and nothing happened, confirming her worst fears, Nysa aware as well. Their enemy must be struck when active to be released. Her other concern; Nysa and Kyra could only be on duty to the limit of their duration and then other pairs would need to replace them, eventually forced to retreat once the destroyed Walking Dead accumulated around them once again.
“Reporting Mistress!” Jocasta said, breathlessly, the spear and shield readied, smaller although still effective for Astera’s plan.
“Thyia and I will return to battle shortly and I need you to return with us. My plan is to pin one of the Walking Dead with my spear to allow you to strike with your spear to destroy it utterly. Now I don’t want you advancing beyond me and Thyia and you will know when to strike as I will yell to you. Understand?”
“Yes Mistress, thank you for the faith you are placing in me.” She closed her eyes and swallowed, called upon by her Mistress in their moment of need! Excited, scared, the immortally of youth shining through, her return smile wide and beaming.
Astera needed to call Jocasta to battle to help, but also needed to make sure she didn’t become too overconfident. Regardless of her ability, the Walking Dead would be able to easily knock her small body down and once down she would be at their mercy.
“Mistress, we could grab the bodies and toss them over the other wall if it would help,” offered Prettynose.
Astera looked upon the content smiling faces of the three Goblin Sisters. They finished the drainage and stone blocks and were now before her asking if they could help some more.
“That would be most welcome, but you need to be careful and not get in the way or attacked or accidently struck by one of your sisters.”
“While we are not so small anymore because you feed us well, we will be careful and only remove the ones that are safe to be removed.”
“Thank you, Sisters.”
Each of them grew a little taller with pride. Three little words, one more important than the other two. The Mistress of the Daughters of the Duchess named them Sisters in the heat of battle, not Goblin Sisters. Accepted as equals, important to them beyond measure; unrealised and unknown to Astera.
“What would you have us do Mistress?”
Astera needed to believe they would survive to dawn, if not then the Daughters of the Duchess would need to exist in one form or another. The three assassins not equipped for battle and the nature of the enemy favoured those attacking with longer weapons than daggers.
“Three tasks remain, I will allow you to decide who does which. One shadow Sweetears and her sisters and at all costs save at least her if not all and with them seal the passageways in as many places as your remaining magic will allow, recharging under the sun and descending again. One return to the House and prepare to pack everything light and of value in case we fail, to start again in the Inn of the Scarred Lady. The third needs to relieve Alcmene, so she can join her sister in the House and if necessary, together they can establish another Seer Circle after fleeing with second.”
“Nysa and Kyra, look to prevail Mistress, surely the tide isn’t endless and victory inevitable?”
“In that case I send you on useless missions and we can toast my folly, afterwards …” Astera looked over her eyebrows reinforcing her will, uncaring if the precaution proven a waste of time.
The three Seers decided between them without verbal discussion, Korinna assisting the Goblin Sisters, Hagne assisting Alcmene tend the wounded, while Alexis hurried to the Main Cavern and beyond.
Astera and Thyia then strode into battle replacing Dirce and Lysisa. Nysa and Kyra continued, learning a simple touch of their blades would suffice, no heavy blow required. Jocasta followed her Mistress in looking to strike at those the Mistress wanted her to so she could destroy them.
The rotations worked well enough, Nysa and Kyra would walk the line, another pair protect their flanks, Jocasta backing up with strikes on command. The Goblin Sisters and Korinna would dash in and drag corpses back, typically from the pile in front of Nysa and Kyra and load up a wagon and one would cart it away, while the remaining two and Korinna loaded up the second wagon.
Hagne and Alcmene tended to the Warrior Sisters as they rested from the battle, binding new wounds, checking bindings on older wounds, fetching water and rations. Once the pattern became established Hagne relayed to Alcmene, Astera’s order, and with a glance to confirm, Alcmene hurried to join her twin in the House.
Astera spied out an unknown source of sling stones, many missing and striking the Curtain Wall. Thais, Alexa and Dione on top of the Stone Curtain Wall, she realised. The poor display of skill from Thais and Alexa of course. Somehow their fun while in the battle practice infectious bringing a chuckle to her lips, her sorrow exhausted long ago, and perhaps, just perhaps …
---
“Master, the horde must be at the Cavern Entrance, the numbers which have assaulted your enemies many, overwhelming and the night is almost spent. The water should be pooling, but I cannot see from where I am. Master I urge you to leave your sanctuary now, this should be your moment of freedom!”
The Master effortlessly sat up in his stone depression sanctuary, swung his legs over and stood half crouched due to the low ceiling clearance, the thin lip of the shelf under the heels of his superbly crafted black leather boots. The shelf by design and placement unable to be struck by daylight from the Cavern Entrance and therefore the Master unable to inspect the success or failure of the Dark Priest, needing to transform. He contemplated falling from the shelf in his true form, after all nothing could harm him, except his pride and age wouldn’t allow such an entrance. He would need to tolerate a slight deficiency in immunity while in bat form and due to his age, the bat form equal in size to his normal form with a wingspan twice his height. Therefore, a flourish of an entrance with a rapid change to his true form. He would have to put on a show!
His age allowed certain concessions, his bat form radiating a subtle fear, enough to give the brave pause, the cowards a tipping point to run and in that moment enable his change of form. Two guarded his prison. Two! They both remained unmoved during his arrival, curious and distracting. His sonar picking out three objects as his form changed to his true self, immediately radiating out his full ancient and powerful fear.
With grace he spoke. “I am prepared …”
Burning Holy Light of Judge pain tore, seared and tormented his body. He refused to scream. He, an ancient, did not scream! Three sharp murderous points of pain wracked his body, lower left leg, now too weak to stand upon, upper left shoulder immobilised, his left arm incapacitated as a result and the final location incomprehensible, deep within his groin and the source of his greatest agony.
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Three more spinning objects targeted him, in response he fell, prone on his left side to avoid at least two of the missiles, pain firing through him the cost, while the third he caught in his able right hand. Unavoidable, and the reason he threw himself down. His combat instincts from two thousand years of existence easily trumping the skill of the sapling girl trying to do him further harm, now alert and humbled. Preparing to return the unusual missile to its owner, two points pierced his fine soft leather gloves to contact the flesh as his hand wrapped around, his right hand exploded in pain. Without aim or skill he recklessly flung the object back. The damage done to his hand, scarred, burning with pain while he swore vengeance for the hurt. He tore a similar missile from his shoulder and returned it and finally the same with the weapon in his lower left leg all the while pushing himself into the darkness of the Cavern, using his healthy right leg and booted foot to scurry back.
His vengeance somewhat satisfied, survival his next priority and he willed himself to ignore the pain in his groin and rolling to his feet stumble in retreat to the back of the Cavern eventually sliding down the cool stone wall to rest on his bottom. How undignified, how humbling they will regret their actions he swore to himself. Holding the leather fingers in his teeth he ripped off his right-hand glove to inspect the damage. The scarring on the palm of his hand matching the shape of the missiles. Subdued pain throbbed within his ankle and shoulder and he needed to ignore the pain in his right hand as he extended his fingernails and sliced into his groin. Digging into his otherwise whole flesh, searching for the missile, the burning pain of sunlight upon his flesh within him, almost unbearable closing in on his tolerance level. The single thing keeping his anguished howls in check? Any display of vulnerability utterly intolerable to his sense of pride.
He gasped an unrequired breath, a throwback to his mortal origin. The bloodied missile dug out, blood sizzling away on its surface before his eyes, immediately choosing to fling the vile thing away in disgust. No wound healed, every wound a varying level of aching and burning pain; groin particularly on fire. The right hand burnt to the bone and now useless, an ever-present reminder of his folly.
Where did these blood bags secure such blessed Holy weapons of Judge? For a moment, a mere half a heartbeat, the fear of destruction flowed through him.
---
Otonia and Zosime stood vigilant as the giant bat glided towards them, down through the inky darkness. Their two entombed prisoners behind them radiated a sudden eagerness and anticipation within the evil they projected. A mind a feared, naturally incapable of detecting such a subtle change. Minds filled with the Light of Judge, immune and calm, became alerted at once and hence on guard awakening them to their duty. As the evil transformed into its human form, they felt no fear, Judge wrapping them in his Holy protection.
“I am prepared…” Three words spoken by the Master and no more.
Zosime flicked out three of her throwing points in anticipation, well before he spoke any words. The evil descending in his bat form and she needed to estimate the position of his final humanoid shape, allowance for distance and the travel time required for her throwing points. His size as a bat assisted and as her eyes followed her cast, she knew he finished more to the right than she allowed for, although the first throwing point didn’t strike his body as much as became embedded within it as his shape change happened around the missile. The next cast three heartbeats later struck his fully formed body in his lower leg and the last, three heartbeats later again in his upper shoulder.
Otonia’s jaw dropping as she followed Zosime’s throwing stars dart across the Cavern. His tightly closed eyes and grimace elated Zoe and Otonia celebrating his pain, which meant they could hurt him. Somehow, he thought they would passively listen to him before reacting, probably assuming both scared stiff by his projected aura of fear.
“Otonia he may be of an ancient age, but he is still an overconfident male and they always need to express their superiority by telling you first, assuming you will wait for them. Given what Nysa and Kyra were able to do with the Light of Judge within them and on their weapons, I just took my opportunity and hoped to be rewarded.”
The torch and lantern light in the Cavern not doing Otonia’s bright smile justice. Zosime’s move reminded her so much of Charis and what she would do. She wished Charis stood with them to bare witness, Zosime in action.
The first throwing point hit Otonia on her shin, a point piercing the hard-boiled leather and the steel plate beneath, drawing blood, ripping into her muscle literally scrapping past her bone. It couldn’t penetrate any further as the armour held the cross of the point. Unknown to her or Zosime the evil applied no skill to the throw, pure strength, no shape, the point hitting purely an accident of fate, as the flat of the star could have just as easily struck her. The force behind the throw needed to be expended and so her leg flew from under her causing her entire body to cartwheel. Her traveling troop days automatically returned to her and she gathered in her body and limbs and landed rolling in a ball instead of a splat against the stone floor. She lay still, like a sleeping child as Zoe reached for her.
The second throwing point hit Zosime square on her chest. The hard-boiled leather and the steel plate beneath saved her from wounding, the underfelt absorbing some of the direct impact although enough force remained to throw her back off her feet, the plate curling inwards pressing against her chest, restricting her breathing severely.
The third throwing star flew over them unnoticed, to embed itself in the stone wall behind them.
“Sisters to the Cavern, Otonia and I are struck.” Zosime concentrated on shallow breathing unable to move. Powerless to check on her sister, silent and unmoving, blood oozing from her leg.
---
Several bolts of pain shot down their shared blood link, the Dark Priest flung onto his back, momentarily breathless. At the last the Dark Priest sucked air into his lungs, his head tossing and turning checking his surroundings, confirming he lived. Then a new agony. Power ripped itself from the Dark Priest’s body and mind, rushing back, necessary, essential. His Master withdrew from their blood link. Beyond those two base communications, nothing. A power vacuum created around him, resulting in a backdraft of agony and hurt, which he urgently needed to stem before facing his own destruction. He drew upon the strange Items gifted to him, draining them in a couple of heartbeats dampening the thirst of the void, he bled his hand, feeding the demand further while Walking Dead collapsed, their strings of animation cut, their un-life severed starting with those furthest away from their creator.
He fought, he needed to feed magic until the demand from the Walking Dead reduced as more fell and returned to their rest. The spell which called them demanded constant feeding and when the Master withdrew his power the horde still called upon the Dark Priest, their demand for magic a debit system, magic first before more existence and they yearned for more.
The Dark Priest at once realised his bloodletting excessive, what other choice? His own power could maintain seventy Walking Dead and gathering them to him he hastily marched from the field of battle. His Master surely lost and now his own survival paramount.
---
Dione in the company of Thais and Alexa the first to witness the collapse of the horde. Those climbing over the wall falling motionless, a localised mystery not an indication of the wide-reaching failure. The three sisters screamed and shouted their delight, drawing the attention of their sisters below, currently trying to understand the Walking Dead falling before them and no more climbing over the wall.
“The Walking Dead horde has collapsed, only a few protect the Dark Priest! Hagne to the Northern Wall as my Stallion has the enemy in sight! Nysa and Kyra over the wall and pursue him!” Dione waved her arms high to ensure she attracted their attention, shouting her joyous instructions. All seeing and all-knowing from her high viewpoint.
“Hold, all of you!” counter ordered Astera. Her voice, strong, certain and final. Every sister including Dione blinked, holding their position.
Nysa looked to Dione.
“Nysa, Kyra and Zoe return to the Main Cavern to watch the Evil, we still have the next day to worry about.”
Dione stood close to the edge of the Stone Curtain Wall, still confused by Astera’s order, almost walking too far forward without thought, surely enough sisters could answer both priorities? The enemy flees and we standby, and watch!
“Nysa look at you and your paired sister, you are exhausted. If I was Charis, I would heal you and cheer you on to your purpose, but I am not. I consider us extremely lucky to survive this night. I don’t know the reason for the Walking Dead before us collapsing but am thankful.”
Nysa still hesitated.
Astera vented her frustration. “Obey the command of your Mistress, honour your oath!”
Indecision and confusion cleared from Nysa’s face at the mentioned of her oath, turning away from Dione and marching towards the Main Cavern.
Nysa and Kyra both pained in their left leg, although quickly fading, their attention now consumed by their Warrior Three connection to Otonia. Otonia! They sprinted for the Cavern Entrance slipping between the crooked gap in the stone blocks placed by the Goblin Sisters.
“Mistress we must save Zosime and Otonia. They attacked the evil and were injured!” shouted Hagne.
Confusion. Astera’s voice overlaid the indecision with calm.
“Hagne and Korinna with Nysa and Kyra, tend to Zosime and Otonia.”
“No! The enemy is close, escaping while we dally! Mistress we must pursue now!” Dione’s shout echoed throughout the gap between the Stone Curtain Wall and the Cavern cliff face, eventually bouncing into the Main Cavern.
Astera ignored Dione for the moment, addressing the Goblin Sisters.
“Clear the corpses Sisters, throw the filth beyond our walls and in the coming days under the light of the cleansing sun put them to flame.”
“Yes Mistress, we hear and obey.”
Thyia and Lysisa stood either side of Astera. Agape rested upon her stone block, her legs daggling over the edge, while Jocasta crouched low in the darker shadows of the Stone Curtain Wall. Dirce and Drosis inspected the recently fallen Walking Dead, not caring about sides and in truth awaiting orders from their Mistress. The carpenter twins distanced themselves from Dione, holding each other, uncertain due to this strange contest of wills.
Astera’s voice broke through the silence, steady and calm. “We know Dark Priests dislike daylight, so if nothing else he will be slowed or hide after dawn and I am yet to see someone escape the tracking skills of Zoe, especially if they’re accompanied by Walking Dead.”
She paused then for affect as she held the attention of all by this time, including Dione who stood arms folded above them.
“I shouldn’t need to remind you all that I am Mistress, for good or for ill, therefore I command. So, you need no other reason than that to do as I command.” She deliberately looked at each of the sisters, targeting their eyes until they looked down and subconsciously acknowledged her right to command.
“We need to ensure the safety and health of Otonia and Zosime, which is where I should be now instead of explaining an obvious truth. If and only if their future is clear will I release sisters to pursue of the Dark Priest. We have other responsibilities, which need attending to such as warning the Priest of Farstay, and housekeeping.”
A hand rested on each of her shoulders, she knew one belonged to Thyia, the other? She couldn’t afford to look.
No sister noticed Dirce and Drosis and their apparent disinterest, perhaps disrespect for their Mistress. Astera knew the truth; their separation from Dione and inclusion of Agape into their Warrior Three a welcome change, their loyalty in no doubt.
“Jocasta, you will stand guard upon the wall with Dirce, Drosis and Agape until dawn to ensure the evil stays quiet assisting with the disposal of the corpses.”
“Yes Mistress,” said Jocasta quietly.
Agape kicked herself free from the stone block, landing at Astera’s feet. “My Warrior Three hears and obeys Mistress.” She then held her hand out to Jocasta and once received jogged towards the Southern Wall to join Dirce and Drosis.
---
As the sisters obeyed Astera’s orders, Dione began to pace crossways on the Stone Curtain Wall, confirming the horde now beyond the reach of her Borrow Stone vision, escaping. She glimpsed a few survivors, which Nysa and Kyra would have dealt with easily, she braced her head between her hands and stomped about. Pausing, she noticed the carpenter twins also gone from her side leaving the chill wind blowing from the north as her only company.
Why didn’t they understand, enemies needed to be dealt with when the opportunity arose before they did harm? If after, too late to prevent their worst; best to be slain and destroyed before, never able to haunt you in your dreams, their torture of you paid for in blood and death. If he escaped, he would return to do harm, evil always does.
Her head fell into her hands, trying to think, trying to change this. Astera didn’t understand, she grew up safe on her farm, loving parents, infatuated with adventure, with Charis. Only Dione knew the real pain of the world, the select few who would treat others as their playthings where only the strong could make them pay, bring them to regret. Administer judgement and then justice. With her stallion, Dione now commanded strength, able to pursue evil and hold them to account.
Her stallion obeyed, returning from spying on the horde to meet her at the Northern Wall, where squeaky Niobe and timid Latona wouldn’t interfere, wouldn’t stop her from doing what needed to be done, neither willing with argument nor able with force.
---
The carpenter twins poked their heads out of the Cavern Blind, expectant, uncertain. Would their association, all be it brief with Dione mark them? Would their Mistress call them to task?
“Excellent timing sisters,” called out Astera, her face calm a quiet smile greeting them.
“Yes Mistress, your orders?”
“Take Lysisa with you to the Northern Wall, she can keep Niobe and Latona company while you craft a ramp through the wall to allow the passage of horses as we will have the need in the future, possibly the very near future.”
They remembered to breathe again, glancing at Lysisa.
“Thais and Alexa how do our sisters fair?”
They both jumped at the mention of their names and needed to concentrate to answer their Mistress’ question.
“They live Mistress and the evil is quiet, the darkness being watched while others attend to Zosime and Otonia.”
Astera nodded and the twins hurried off to do their Mistress’ bidding, Lysisa obediently following.
Astera tried to locate Dione on the Stone Curtain Wall, failing. Perhaps Otonia’s bronze loop would serve her better on her finger and not her toe she thought in that moment.
As Mistress she needed to be present, with Otonia and Zosime. Would they understand her duty lay elsewhere? Dione couldn’t wait, to leave her now would place her loyalty in a precarious position and Astera wouldn’t return the Daughters to Charis less one sister. Dione didn’t follow the carpenter twins, so the kinder slope near the Northern Gate would provide the only other way down from the Stone Curtain Wall.
---
“No sister!” shouted Niobe.
Latona backed away from the conflict. While Niobe stood her ground, her hands shook ever so slightly, sentences with more than five or six words spoken with a tremor. Dione short, Niobe shorter and her defiance not appreciated.
“I don’t need your help, just stand aside,” growled Dione.
Under the light of the torch Lysisa held high, Thais and Alexa slowed their pace, Lysisa matching their stride, brow knitted.
“Dione acts without orders, we must support her,” said Lysisa, a matter of fact and obvious tone to her voice.
The carpenter twins looked to her and gulped.
“I am right in this, Thais fetch our Mistress, Alexa you don’t need to say anything just stand beside me,” said Lysisa.
Lysisa marched forward still holding the torch, Alexa following a step behind. The flickering light alerting Dione and Niobe. Lysisa not certain of course, although Niobe seemed relieved at their arrival.
“Sister Dione what are your orders after the battle?” called Lysisa.
Dione glanced her way and then dismissed the enquiry, reaching for the rope, needing to push Niobe aside.
“No sister, you can’t!” Niobe dropping upon the coiled rope, her confidence returning with the arrival of Lysisa and Alexa.
“Dione, your orders?” Lysisa said, now standing near Niobe and confronting Dione.
Dione’s sneering face turned to the Daughters of the Duchess Novice. “Who are you to question me Novice? Don’t you realise who I am?”
Lysisa lent on her spear, cracked a slight smile, rewarded when she heard Dione’s teeth grind.
“I am a sister asking about your orders, perhaps I could assist. Mistress has assigned me to protect this Wall, while Thais and Alexa craft a horse gate. How I don’t know, and I don’t need to know after all the Mistress orders, and we obey. Isn’t that the truth of it, loyal sister of the Daughters of the Duchess?”
Dione opened her mouth to speak and then slowly closed her mouth.
“I am told the huge black stallion in the Stable is beyond loyal to you and perhaps you are here to assist Thais and Alexa to craft the horse gate to suit him?”
---
Astera and Thyia waited patiently at the gentle slope, unsure if Dione still loitered upon the Stone Curtain Wall or not, when Thais, short of breath, sprinted to a stop before them.
“Mistress come at once. Niobe has stood up to Dione and now our newest recruit is foiling Dione’s poor judgement with wonderful argument.”
“She intended to leave?” said Astera, an underlying venom lacing the words.
“Calm Mistress, if we confront Dione now the situation could be beyond saving. How did you intend to tell the Priest of Farstay?”
Astera checked her response, chewing over Thais’ words, uncertain if she expressed her own wisdom, her twin sister’s or part or whole of a Seer Circle.
“Before dawn, depending upon Otonia and Zosime’s health, I planned to send sisters using the Shrine of Saph, claim our horses stabled at Farstay and hopefully be in position to lay in wait for the Dark Priest.”
“Perhaps a highly motivated and skilled horsewoman should shadow the retreating horde to ensure they don’t go off course?”
Slowly, Astera nodded. “Perhaps, although how would the scout communicate back to her sisters?”
“Seers are accomplished riders Mistress. We just need to find a volunteer …”
Astera grinned. “Well I doubt Niobe would and the accomplished Seer would need to double with Dione on her Stallion.”
Thais whistled drawing in breath. “Perhaps her mission is one to keep her busy and the communication unnecessary as Farstay would be the likely destination?”
Thyia quietly chuckled.
---
Confronted and challenged by multiple sisters, multiple witnesses, complicated her plan. Niobe and Alexa present, therefore Astera would be certain to know her whereabouts unless another emergency took her attention away, perhaps Otonia or Zosime’s condition worsening. Dione expected their Mistress to arrive shortly.
“Perhaps I could assist as my watch upon the Stone Curtain Wall is at an end, the horde is beyond my sight now.”
“Beyond your sight?” asked Lysisa. “Do you see in the dark beyond the range of a lantern or torch?”
“Mistress needs to explain,” said Alexa, replying quickly.
Lysisa needed the explanations sooner rather than later, although she tucked this mystery away with the rest under, testing her loyalty, however frustrating.
Niobe stood up, dusted her robe off and asked, “Alexa how do you propose to allow horses to pass through the wall?”
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“Now is the time to make your appearance Mistress, Dione is ready,” said Thais.