Triel scanned through the shard of names and the corresponding faces that went with them. She only needs to do it once, the many Cycles of similar Tasks honing her mind to remember such details. But this time she skimmed through the shard two more times out of nervousness than actual need. True the list of targets was triple the amount of most Cleansings, but she was confident in her skills.

No, the nervousness was the fear of failing the many Houses funding this venture. Many of whom lived within the Giver chosen Towers. Triel had never seen so many of her title grouped together before, dozens of them stood in wait in the surrounding buildings waiting for the signal for the Cleansing to begin. She found the number of them unwarranted, their targets were low cast, a particular surprise considering the rumors about the Founder that called this estate in front of her home. Many of the rumors sounded outlandish, but the sources of such talks came from those truly high, so the facts had to be close to accurate. This very Host around her was proof that those within the Towers believed that a Givers Chosen was being held in some manner here, with the lowly.

Triel watched as the shift of Guards around the perimeter changed, she scanned each one closely. She found the mark on one of the guards standing in front of main the Gate, the signal was finally given and she Signed to her fellow Faceless. They waited for the message to be passed along, then after receiving the reply signal they waited one Sequence before chanting the sounds away from them and headed out the door. Normally they would be subtler than this, not hurrying into the open for so many to see, but the Newborn inside aiding them was in the majority. The Guards parted even opened the doors for them as they drew near and entered. She out of habits scanned theirs faces looking for any that match the list of targets. None did, which meant this was an organized coup rather than a number of small factions trying to remove each other.

A strike of alarm coursed through her frame once she entered and found another pack of guards waiting for them, males were in their number. But the woman in charge Signed to them that they’re aids as well. Triel still kept an eye on them, sons were commonly attached to the Mothers of a House, and normally guarded them feverishly. Yet here some stood not even with the slightest looks of shame. Instead, they appeared impatient, annoyed that her sisters weren’t already out lurking the halls.

More women entered the entrance chamber, not a note of sound following them as they Chanted, the channels on them vivid. Triel had been told this was a new House maintained mostly by lowly servants and Newborn, but that wasn’t what she was seeing. Instead, all she saw was Seniors, the channels they displayed were ones only those with many Cycles could offer. But what was more interesting, and alarming as they all matched. The channels varied some, but broadly it was the same. If these were truly Newborn Triel understood why so many above wanted the Founder that called these halls home.

“The Targets are well dispersed around the estate.” Signed the leader of the women “But most are secondary, the Prime Maidens Younna, Zulae, Unthee, and Sothsea must be removed above all else.”

Triel recalled the list of names, found the four and the images that went with them. ‘These are the Prime Maidens?’ if she'd been younger, new to this Task, she would have allowed a slight laugh to leave her lips. It was absurd, these women were lowly, not near the bottom, but still to be the Primary runners of the House? ‘Even these supposed Newborn were well beyond their Mothers. It must be infuriating to have to answer to such worthless pests.’

The women continued to Sign, “I will guide the most skilled of your number to them, know that Unthee is the only one to be concerned about, the rest should fall easily enough.” Gesturing to the women to her sides “my sisters here will guide the rest of you, many are” she paused, pain surfacing “Soulless, they’ll give you no trouble.”

‘So it’s true’ Triel thought ‘The Founder that so many wanted, that refused the calls of the Towers, laid with Soulless.’ Triel couldn’t help but wonder how this estate was still standing. How the Chosen themselves hadn’t come down, clean this slight and whisk the misguided Founder away to where he belonged. She was missing something, the rumors must not hold all the details even with how ridiculous they already were. Something kept the Chosen from acting in accordance to their right.

A matter for another time, as she put her thoughts aside and followed the head women into the halls that led deeper into the estate. None barred them as they traveled soundlessly down the halls. Every child seemed involved with this Cleansing, keeping watch, and guiding them away from any Servants heading in their direction. A blessing this, for the Matriarchs of the Households above had been clear that none of the Founder’s children were to be killed, and if possible, harmed. Those on high were serious with this charge. Threating all that whoever in their number did fail to follow this rule would be offered up to the Founder dead, or alive depending on his wishes.

The child guiding them signaled for them to wait, as another of the Newborn appeared from a room ahead. She looked over to them, towards the girl leading this venture, and Signed to her. One of their targets was in the room. The Newborn leader replied then turned to them motioning for the Faceless to begin.

Her sister formed a Chord, the realm going silent as they moved forward, blades unsheathed. The Hearts embedded in the hilts pulsed to life, as did the ones in their armor they wore under their cloaks. They gathered around the door, then as one pushed it open and rushed in. The women, Zulae by the looks of her face, hastily rose from her chair, knocking it back. Her eyes were wide with fear, and she raised her arms to send a chant at them, Triel saw Zulae hands shaking. Their Target only got a single wind blade out that hit Triel sister to the left, it would cause no harm other than ripping the cloak she’s wearing.

Triel and two other of sister crashed into their target, stabbing their blades into her abdomen while they all smashed onto the floor. They held her there, screams echoing only as far as the sound bubble, before muting out. They stabbed Zulae repeatedly, rather than a quick death to the skull or throat. No, these lowly ones had to pay as would all of them by this Rotations end. The woman died half a sequence into their assault. Triel felt annoyance course through her, she had wanted it to last longer. They rose, while Chanting the blood from them, and exited the room closing the door behind.

There their guide stood giving them looks of impatience, telling them so in Signing “You are to make it quick, true they deserve to suffer, but we don’t know how long we have before our Founder decides to wander the halls.” They inclined their heads to the Newborn in understanding, which was enough appeasement for her, as she strode past them, motioning them to follow along. ‘With the number of sisters here, we could easily contain, even apprehend this Founder and take him to a Tower.’ She thought, but she kept it to herself if that was what those above wanted they would have told them so. No, the Chosen wanted one of their own to come to them at his own volition. Triel couldn’t see that taking long, once freed from the clutches of these lowly women, who by some ill means corrupted his mind.

Their pace slowed as their guide had them travel down more frequently used paths, then into halls used primarily by Servants. Servants whose souls were far larger than someone of such title should have. The Servants with vivid souls let them pass, even gave information to the guide, revealing the locations of targets nearby. Even one of the prime targets, Sothsea, who apparently frequented this section of the estate often. Along the way they encountered three lesser targets, Soulless, those individuals froze in place when Triel and her sister came into view. It’d been an easy kill, the Soulless to afraid to even run, and lacked the means to even fight back.

Servants with vibrant souls took care of the mess her sister left behind, some of them were letting anger take and guide them. Rather than quick strokes into vital areas, they took their time stabbing in locations that would cause harm but alone weren’t fatal. The act got their Guide to reprimand them again. Not that Triel or her sisters cared, this ventured was sanctioned and funded by a multitude of the highest Houses. But Triel remained polite, these Newborn were making the Task almost effortless, which consider the cost of failure was blessing enough that she would overlook any irritation on their Guides part. She just hoped her sisters had the same thought in mind and didn’t let temper convince them to hurt or threaten the child.

For now, none did falling back into formation behind their Guide. Who lead them down a few smaller halls before Triel ears pickup screams of pain. Accompanied with screamed threats and accusations. The volume was to the point that if Triel and her sister had been inclined, they could have snuck up to their target without the use of a sound suppression Chant. The Guide pointed to the door signed that Sothsea was within by the voice raging inside, and stepped back to let them pass. As before her sisters formed around the door, but this time they didn’t rush in. They instead moved the void dome around the door and lightly pushed it aside, not a note of noise reaching the ears of the target, who was facing away from them. Two Soulless laid on the floor, beaten severely and were either knocked unconscious or dead. The Target, Sothsea was working on her third Soulless, beating the Servant with a metal whip. Sothsea only became aware of them when Triel and two of her sisters plunged their blades into the target lunges. The screams of rage was quickly replaced with the desperate hacking of blood.

Sisters pushed the Target to the floor where the woman continued to squirm. Sothsea placed her hands over the wounds, at least the ones in front of her chest where the blades exited out. It didn’t change anything, nor could the target save herself, even if Triel were to allow it. No breath, no Chant, it was the best way to deal with Chanters, the preferred way when situations allowed it. Triel and her sisters ignored the Target, instead, they inspected the three Soulless. One was already dead, the other two quickly following suit as sisters cut the Servants throats.

Triel noticed that their Guide had entered the room, and wasn’t hiding the satisfaction she was experiencing. They let the girl have her moment, waiting with her, watching the Maiden slowly die.

--------------------------

Younna placed down the last Shard of this Rotations collection. They had plenty of Worth to spend, still, she wasn’t one to buy recklessly, even with Sothsea sending her sites of things Younna would find interesting. No, she had to make sure everyone was cared for first. The list of ever growing children becoming a burden that her Heart didn’t seem to care about. Their Newborn couldn’t provide nothing forever, the family had to grow if it was to survive the attention of Houses far above them.

Younna found the silence flowing from the Houses unsettling. There should have been an attempted on some of their lives by now. Even with sons posted at every entrance the Faceless always found ways to slip in, and at least get in reach of the determined target before being disposed of.

Yet in these passing Arcs, there’d yet to be a single one, not even towards Sothsea who was the most vulnerable when she was out on her Task collecting intel. The Watchers remained but that was a staple, expected when a House had someone of enough Worth. Younna could only think that the Shards bearing her Hearts message had been enough to keep the Chosen from acting. Not forever, but it was the Founder himself who told them he wasn’t interested in the offers provided. There was nothing any above could do about that. If it had come from Younna or one of her sisters it would have been an easier matter to resolve. A Chosen or someone of high Worth would have traveled to the estate in person and made sure the offer was displayed to her Heart.

A position that Younna was finding a better alternative to the situation she’s in now. She was egotistical, not even in her grandest dreams would she have thought herself Worthy of being a Bondmate to her Heart. She wouldn’t have even dared look in his direction if he’d been so blessed from the beginning. She’d been of more Worth than him when they first met, a fact none would believe if it were to be told.

Now her Heart was likely one of the most blessed in this Sanctum, without considering the Elders. Every renewal she worried her Heart would come to his senses. Notice the multitude of lesser that surrounded him, and have them all removed. Younna worked herself to exhausting every Rotation in hopes that a growing House would keep him satisfied, but she wouldn’t be able to keep this up forever. Not with children loafing about instead of proving themselves and bringing Worth to the family. As of now her Heart, by his own immense Worth alone was keeping the House funded. Another situation she didn’t expect to continue long, though her Heart claimed he was unbothered by this setup, the rest of them weren’t. More than once Zulae had offered plans of them moving the lesser of his children out to a smaller jointly used estate. Once far away from him, those children would finally be forced to service themselves for the benefit of them all.

Younna had brushed the offer aside out of fear. It would only take one more time for them to earn their Hearts displeasure, for them to find themselves banished from the House they helped build. But now as the costs continued to rise, Younna was forced to reconsider, to push her fears away and return to making deals behind her Heart once more. It was all for his benefit, even if he didn’t see it as such. But he’d kept them in charge of House matters and Younna wasn’t about to fail that Task. Once the Newborn from the Soulless came of age, she could move the older Servants over to the smaller estate. Have them lay with lower individuals spreading the family out. The Worth from it would be sparse at first, but once enough eyes studied her Hearts lowest sons and daughters, more will come. Houses once shy, or thought they couldn’t offer enough to gain part of the family will change their minds. Lesser offers will come, instead solely from those from on high.

‘That will have to do for now’ she thought, maybe in a Cycle or two they, or maybe Unthee could change her Hearts mind about coddling his Newborn. That would resolve many problems, allow them to shed unwanted. Though her Hearts seed was potent, like all Houses some were Worthier than others. Those blest needed more attention and care, better training. Something that would be easier to provide if enough of the lower were gone, or contributing to the House coffers.

Sighing Younna rose ending her line of thought before it spiraled out of control, these were matters best discussed with Zulae, then the others. Younna wasn’t looking forward to Zulae subtle prods that she was right. That they should have taken these steps Arcs ago. Before the House grew so large that it was needed for her Heart to lay with women every Tempo. If they wished to continue expanding.

She collected the Shards she observed, the details would be useful to Zulae as much as it had been for her. Once they were done figuring out the details of their plan, she would have to send Sothsea out. Maybe with some of their older daughters to find a jointed estate that they before ignored. Hopefully, the Giver would bless them and find some still available. The population had likely doubled the last time they did this search, and it wouldn’t be a cursed thought to think that all estates were taken. But Younna would hold out hope, things always seemed to work out for the best when it came to matters that affected her Heart.

She scanned the table one last time before heading for the door and out her personal chamber. Outside she found more sons and daughter guarding her chamber than required, another sign their House had too many idle hands.

Children were now looking for any place to put themselves to look useful. She stifled a sigh, she would not show discontent in front of her Newborn. She didn’t want them to worry, perhaps think that they might be moved or Tasked to something best avoided. No, she would let them think all was well, till everything was in place and word wouldn’t reach her Heart. Once the unwanted Newborn were out of the estate, things would become much easier to manage.

As she left, heading for Zulae chamber, she heard the falling of paws behind her. A quick glance let her see that the newborn in their desperation to look needed, sent a daughter and two sons to accompany Younna in her own halls.

‘At least they're trying.’ That was the best she could hope for, they couldn’t venture out on their own until their first full Cycle of life. Another thing Younna never expected to become a burden. Though it wouldn’t be if she could send these Newborn out to do lowly tasks. The rumors about the situation outside was troubling, but also a boon if only her Heart would let them use it. The Worth earned from those Tasks now wasn’t something to scoff at. True the dangers had doubled, perhaps tripled, but their Newborn, even the lowest, were far above the common masses that applied for such Tasks. Younna was sure most of the Newborn they sent would come back if not, it wasn’t a loss. Not with her Heart literally growing in Worth every Rotation by merely existing. His soul growing larger and brighter constantly, and now with a clear blessing from the Giver. Skin that resembled the Wards, glowed with the same power that protected them all.

The cost for it had been rather high, her dear Bondmate rushing off and emptying serval Hearts in order to bring about the Givers blessing. Yet another expense added to the already elongating list, now that it was required to maintain at least a handful of Hearts within his chamber. It wouldn’t do well for her Heart to have the rush to off again in the search for more souls when the Giver came with blessings. Younna will have to demand more from the offers sent to them, an addition of Hearts to go along with or replace others gifts. None would scoff at her demand nor find offense, not with the soul her Heart had. Already the Worthiest of the new offers sent to them, made the previous ones seem slim. Word was spreading, tales of her Hearts Warded skin would be known to all.

Something she wasn’t sure she really wanted, they already had enough eyes watching them, it won’t be long before the Towers sends another offer, or worse a threat. A soul of her Heart caliber was well above the needs any Younna or her sisters could provide, they lacked the connection for easy dealings. More than once Younna had to pay double for services, or make offers just to get in contact with people who knew someone that could provide the proper training for their children. Younna had never had children of such Worth, even the lowest had the ability to go anywhere in the ranking of Titles if they had the proper training. Younna would make sure they did, eventually, once their financial woes were stable, and unlikely to be unsettled by any surprises that might come.

Again Younna had to stifle another expression of weariness. The Rotations of endlessly working herself to the brink of collapses was taking its toll. Her mind unable to remain focused like she was used to, now requiring brakes or times where she would find herself staring absentmindedly at the table or ceiling. She’d needed to talk with Sothsea soon, her sister would have the needed elixirs and concoctions that help Younna right her mind. Perhaps keep her body going long enough that the worst of the Task was finished. Once that was done sh-

Younna stopped, her ears flexing as the trained part of her mind sent pulses of warning that something was wrong. It took her a few Breaths to notice the lack of noise coming from the hall ahead of her. Something Unthee trained them to notice, made them in truth, even when they protested, which didn’t go over well. But now those grueling Tempos of training were showing its Worth. It was easy to spot after an individual was trained to keep track of the constant hums of noise that permeated the realm. There was no true place free of sound, not naturally. Like now in front of her, down the hall was a blanket of silence. Younna hesitation didn’t go unnoticed, her eyes widened as five Faceless raced out of rooms heading her way. Younna herself froze in panic, her body didn’t, it acted on the many Cycles of practice. Hands raising, her throat spinning her soul into use, priming it to let loose the Giver wrath.

The Chant never came, as from behind arms clasped around her own, forcing them to the side, then an arm began to choke her, breaking the rhythm of her hymn. Younna fought desperately, for a Breath that was her single thought. Till the Faceless were on her, and a pair of daggers went sinking into her chest. It was over after that, her body going limp from the pain, and the inability to draw breath. Younna began to choke on her own blood, while Faceless kept ramming daggers into her. Younna couldn’t even whimper, even as the pain from being stabbed surged through the whole of her body.

She had a small thought, wondering how this was happening. How so many Faceless were able to get inside and so deep within the Estates interior without alarms being raised. The answered came to her, as she weakly fought, the grip around her throat loosening and she the felt a mouth press close to her ear.

“Just die, Father is in far better hands now, we’ll make sure he’s properly taken care of.” It was one of her Daughters Younna realized as her sight went dim, and thoughts fading. Hands once crushing her throat moved around her head, Younna knew what was going to happen, she tried to struggle, but her body barely moved. The snapping of her neck was the final sound her ears picked up before everything went black.

------------------------

Unthee heart was racing even though on the outside she maintained a calm demeanor. She’d let the warmth and comfort of being within home walls blind her. But there was only so many times she could notice children watching before her training finally forced her to notice the obvious. She wore a bored expression, even as her body ready itself, her muscles itching to act. The hardest thing right now was making sure her ears didn’t flex as she listened to the sounds around her. Again she picked up on the small steps of paws following behind. Then the change of air pressure of someone looking around a bend to get eye confirmation that the target was still in place. As of yet, the only people in the house that weren’t watching her as a target of execution was the Soulless, and children she, and her sisters brought from other men they laid with.

Everyone else, all the children from her Beloved were keeping a very close eye on her. Unthee stilled her breathing, kept it at a calm even pace, even as her lungs screamed for air, and her heart pounded loudly in her ears making her task more difficult than it should be. Unthee had never been the one on the receiving end of a hunt, only made worse that it was happening in her home. The safety blinding her long enough that it was possible her chance of escape was already obstructed. If she could have gotten away from the estate, hidden in the many safe grounds she’d made over the Cycles, Unthee was confident in her ability to survive. To outlast the still unknown threat, it had to be Faceless that was a given, but how many? How well funded? Was there a time limit on the completion of the Task? So many unknowns, so many things she wasn’t costumed too.

Unthee didn’t think herself prideful, nor pompous enough to think she was above most around her, or that she was special. She knew her place far better than her sisters, which ironically helped caused this problem. Unthee had been too lax, no one had ever wanted her dead before, she wasn’t high enough to warrant such attention. Not till her Beloved stepped into her life, she thought themselves safe, so many Worthy children at their call, able to help guard the estate.

Unthee noticed another of said children watching her. A servant this time, one of newest born earning her keep by cleaning until the child’s training was complete. A Newborn, yet her channels spoke differently, as did all the children from her Beloved. The Newborn watched her the entire time, her eyes slightly pulled towards Unthee, enough that it was a clear giveaway, at least to Unthee who has Cycles worth of experience over the Servant. Unthee didn’t need to move her eyes to see everything in front of her perfectly, Cycles of training culminating to the point she could watch people while appearing to be examining a shard or indulging in some Task. The Newborn had a long way to go, and if it were any other time, Unthee would have called out the Newborn. Now she ignored the girl and strode past, when she did and was far enough way, Unthee felt the air change again. The Newborn she’d passed was Signing to someone down the hall behind her.

Sadly Unthee couldn’t tell what, as that was beyond even her ears to decipher. But it was easy to speculate the broad strokes. Her location, the possible path, and chamber she was heading, if she’d noticed being watched or not. Every child from her Beloved was taking part, the resource Unthee had thought would keep them safe had become the threat. Perhaps that should have been obvious, but Unthee never had children above her in Worth before. They weren’t even a Cycle old yet, normal children didn’t even have channels till at least two or three. But that was from Unthee position in life, those above in Towers or sections near them could be drastically different.

Now that lack of understanding was going to get her killed. Unthee forced her face to remain neutral, as she recalled her Beloved when they first met. A Chanter matching her Worth in soul, completely lost in the passion of communion. It had been so easier to wrap he claws around him, the incense doing all the work for her and her sisters. It been a pleasant surprise to find he wasn’t claimed already, and practically homeless from the stories he told of his relation was his Mentor. Such an easy catch did everything he was told, rarely complained, and when he did it was for the oddest things. Such a catch, perfect, and now a poison killing her.

Unthee should have left Arcs ago, his Worth leagues above her, the attention that was to bring was something none of her sisters would survive. Yet she stayed, even after he was given one blessing after the other. She remained, she had to, it was a need now. Unthee didn’t want to live without the warmth that emanated from him. Couldn’t in truth, for being away from him for too long made her body begin to tremble. It was a blessing in its own right that her Beloved was so eager to embrace people. Willing to shower them in affection when allowed. Something she indulged in at every turn when she could.

Unthee stopped, the scrapping of paws behind her did so shortly after. She had been heading for her chamber, planning to hide in the little alcove she’d made with her own hands. There was enough supplies hidden in the room to last her three Rotations, and enough width to allow her to put up a defense if any outside intruders found her. But that been made with the assumption there would be only one or two Faceless she’d be forced to deal with. With her Beloveds, Newborn lending aid to the hunters there was no idea how many would be coming to find her. Her body made the decision before she did, already taking her down new halls that led to her Beloved’s chamber. There was no place safer, and the Faceless would be hesitant to act rashly if he was in proximity to her.

He would protect her that she was sure of, he had faults but loyalty was not one of them. Already her Beloved was trained enough to accept her over others, even if the choice was a detriment to him. He was a soft one, easy to mold as long as his needs were met.

Unthee quickened her pace as more echoes of steps sounded behind her. Her trackers becoming sloppier, perhaps fearful with her abrupt change in direction. If the Newborn were involved, they most of all wouldn’t want her Beloved to know, not till the Task was done, and they showed themselves Worthier than the ones removed. That wouldn’t go well if they failed to accomplish their task of removing rivals, doubly so, with so many of them involved.

Unthee had a brief wondering if one or more of the lower Maiden’s had a hand in this before brushing the thought aside. Any coup from them would be folly, their Worth so low that Unthee was positive even her Beloved would find offensive if such mundane women being his Prime Maidens. No it was the children, one of their number must not have been properly trained, not broken enough before being built back up. A mistake that caused Unthee shame, it had been her Task after all, as it been with all the other children she’d sired.

‘If I survive this Rotation I’ll have to retrain myself, pour over my teachings again.’ Some part of her training methods were lacking and she had to found where, before more children were born. But that was a problem for another time as Unthee began to run down paths. The echoes from her pursuers had steadily grown in weight and number. The hunters knew what she was up to now, and were racing to stop her. Unthee hummed the noise she was making, it muted, then disappeared. She began heading down random paths, she knew the layout of the Estate better than anyone. She knew every shortcut and hidden path that led to her Beloved. Unthee could only offer to the Giver that the children weren’t as knowledgeable.

Unthee ran into a storage chamber, only half glancing at the interior before she hurried to the back moving crates aside that hid the small pathway. She restacked the crates the best she would once she was inside, and shuffled down the thin hall. It took her past a few rooms, and let her bypass the most frequented tunnels. At the end of her hidden path she took deep breaths readying herself for the tense jug she would be forced to endure while maintaining her chant.

Carefully Unthee pushed supplies that laid over the entrance and entered a servant chamber. The Giver blessed her for Unthee found it empty. Hurrying over to the door Unthee placed an ear and palms against the surface feeling the vibrations that traveled the stone. There was small echoes and shufflings but nothing that was enough to indicate people were outside the door waiting for her. Nor was there the soundless void that would accompany a Chant the Faceless loved to use. Slowly Unthee pushed the door open, her ears flexing for any change in air pressure. Nothing, and when she finally looked outside she found it bare. Unthee wasted no more time and ran. The Giver blessed her a few more times before a curse marked her. A newborn, one of her Beloveds was rushing about looking down tunnels and rooms before she saw Unthee. The Newborn eyes bulged and before Unthee could hope to get near, the child took off sending out an amplified clap.

Unthee brows scrunched as the child ran down passages Unthee needed to take to reach her beloved. She was about to stop and head in another direction, but as she turned to do so, she caught sight of a group of Faceless racing towards her.

She cursed, and headed after the child, her heart pounding madly, panic slowly working its way through her. As she moved around the final bend saw the door that opened into her Beloved chamber and stopped. A group of Daughters stood there, a Barrier up blocking the path. None of them seemed pleased, and even through Unthee could see them chanting away sound, they glanced at the door regularly.

“You ungrateful vermin!” Unthee screamed hand raising, a hymn leaving her lips as she prepared to let loose the Givers will. She screamed in pain as a throwing dagger lodged into her palm, more following stabbing into her side and exposed shoulder. The impact of them forced her into the wall, where she slumped down to the floor as another two punctured her leg. Unthee turned her attention to the Faceless rushing forward hands filled with more daggers. She aimed her good hand the best she could towards them, and began to hum through the pain. The effort for that attempt was a dagger sent stabbing into her throat. Bleed spurted out, as Unthee began to choke. The Faceless throw more daggers that punctured her body, and by the time they were near Unthee was barely conscious. She felt a blade ram into her chest, rupturing her heart before everything went still and her body turned cold.

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Tealhun breathed a sigh of relief when the final major curse mark damaging their House was gone. Her heart was still pounding, she and her sisters glanced at the door to their Papa's chamber. Tealhun did her best to relax, to stop the nervous ticks that were affecting her hands. The sound Barriers had held, her Papa was still unaware of the events taking place. Unthee the sadistic little harlot nearly ruined everything, which Tealhun had to admit was clever on her part. Unthee was supposed to head for her chamber where a hidden chamber was somewhere held within or a passage that led to outside. Her sisters hadn’t been able to find out which, only that Unthee would disappear even though people kept watch and made sure she never left the room.

Tealhun could only assume Unthee had figure out she was being followed, even at their best Unthee had been their trainer, there was plenty of tricks that tramp likely left from them. Tealhun was just happy they made it time, and guessed correctly where she was heading. Yet another sign from the Giver they were in the right. If not Unthee would have got Papa’s attention, the Giver herself would have carried Unthee words to his ears. Afterword, well Tealhun didn’t want to think what would have happened if that woman got her lips near Papa’s ears. The lies she would have told, it wouldn’t have surprised Tealhun if they would have been sent outside, homeless and marked for the Front.

But that had been prevented, so she pushed the cursed thought from her mind and focused on the still uncomplete Task. For starters Unthee couldn’t be left here.

Signing to one of her compatriots “Carry this corpse to the others, dear sister.” Her sister didn’t reply, only nodded her head, the shock of near failure still affecting her, as she chanted a spell lifting the body and floating it away with her down the hall.

Tealhun envied her sister some if it weren’t for the fact she at the moment was in charge of this endeavor she would be leaning against a wall. Waiting out the worst side effects the fear that claimed her earlier. But she couldn’t and was thankful that Signing allowed her to hide the nervousness her voice would have showed.

Turning to the Faceless, some of whom were busy picking up their knives “If you follow me, I will lead you to the remaining targets, Soulless mostly it will be quick.” Thankfully quick, for after the Faceless left she, her sisters and brothers had plenty more to get done before displaying themselves to Papa. Most of the Faceless, moved to follower her, but some looked towards her Papa’s door. Worry began to swim in Tealhun’s gut, she Signed hastily “Any Offers the Houses on high wish to present will be given to us, The Founder must not be disturbed.”

The ones looking towards the door, slowly turned their attention to her when those of their rank repeat the Signing to them. Tealhun could feel them judging her, likely all of them, noticing and remembering key details of the estate and their ability to defend it. Tealhun and her bed sisters were no fools, these Faceless would turn on them at some point if the orders had been given. A risk they all had decided was worth the risk, the failure of their coup would have been far worse for them.

“Lead the way” one of the masked killers Signed, and Tealhun was quick to move them on, away from Papa. They don’t understand, haven’t seen what he could unleash if he was threated enough to begin chanting. They all would be dead within moments if her Papa was inclined to do so. He would never, of course, his warmth for them was a certainty, but the Faceless? She couldn’t let that happen, it wouldn’t cost them anything, as Faceless weren’t considered real. But the anger it might occur from those above was not something her sisters were ready to deal with.

The Round passed swiftly, the second group of Faceless killed most of the lower targets, by the time Tealhun group joined with them and dealt with the rest. They hadn’t been subtle about it either, with the Prime Maidens gone they could be as brazen as they wished. None of the lower Maidens even if they survived had the Worth to rally support to stop Tealhun from taking control. By the end of the Round Tealhun was finally able to guide the Faceless out of the estate.

The few people around during this late Round kept their head down and hurried off. The Faceless strode away, quick to get back into the shadows, or hidden passages, they’re a group that disliked being in the open. Tealhun waited for the last of them to disappear before closing the main gate. The whole of her body relaxed as she pressed her forehead against the cold metal. The vigor of the cleansing seeped from her, and Tealhun wanted nothing more than to collapse right then and there and sleep. But there was so much more to be done.

A pair of hand wrapped around her waist as someone pressed themselves against her back, moving her ear to the side and whispering. “Are you alright Sister? We can do the rest if needed, I know how you’ve worked yourself these passed Tempos.”

“No,” said Tealhun as she relaxed into Sounness “Just a momentary break, I’m ready now, besides we have more cleaning to do, and I didn’t want the Faceless to see how many we’re going remove.”

“The ones not of our blood then?” asked Sounness

“Not quite, the ones with our Mothers blood in them only, from other men they laid with. They’re a liability we can’t allow to remain.” Answered Tealhun as she pulled from Sounness embrace.

“Quite a few,” her sister said, “it will leave us taxed in maintaining our House, are you sure of this?”

“Yes, it’s unfortunate, but we can’t risk any of them trying a coup of their own. Better now while they’re still confused and unorganized. We're far above them in Soul, it will be easy enough to remove them.” Tealhun said as she played with Sounness hair, a habit she should stop, but her sister’s hair was so smooth, and it helped calm them both.

“The Corpse collectors won’t be happy, they prefer whole bodies not scattered remains.” Sounness said as she Signed to sisters to prepare for the second part of the restructuring of their House.

Tealhun let herself laugh, basket in the moment her work for her Papa was displaying. “They’re going to get plenty of fine corpses as is, they can stand for some fragments. Now come. We have to get this done and things cleaned up before freeing Papa from the vile curses our Mothers have shrouded him in.”