The three companions established a new campsite and prepared the end of day meal, quickly eaten, an excited buzz unspoken, shared between them. Charis fetched the messenger’s pouch; the silver ring and bronze loop stored within to prevent early absorption of the items, allowing Dione to control the when. Charis remembered her pain, particularly the silver circle when she accidently absorbed her three acquired items a couple of months ago. Charis thought Dione could absorb the bronze loop first during the day and then the silver ring the following night, except walking while your toe throbbed in pain would have been, well, painful.

Charis showed Dione the bronze loop first, surprised by the face she pulled. Slightly flushed, head down slightly, a smirk playing across her lips.

“I know where to place the bronze loop.” She stared at the bronze loop unable to look at Charis. “When you need to look away from a naked person, like Otonia, you tend to look down, so I noticed Otonia’s bronze loop many days ago.”

“Well, naked is best, no rush for the morning chamber pot and all your clothes air out while you sleep.”

When Charis and Dione realised Otonia was serious they snickered until they realised where they were and were trying to be hidden. Dione slipped the bronze loop over her right foot’s big toe and stomped her foot back into her nice leather boot, the pair recently acquired from a log cabin full of choice.

“Don’t gainsay it until you try it, is all I can say,” scoffed Otonia, as she sauntered off to water the horses.

Charis returned her attention to Dione. “The silver ring needs to be placed and your finger is too small and would be easily spotted there if someone looked for it.” Charis looked briefly after Otonia, although she was gone now. “So, we think your breast would probably be best.”

“I am not sure. Does it have to be inside me?”

“They seem to tend to want to be, although the bronze loops aren’t really,” Charis said.

“My breast?” Dione’s face slightly flushed.

“Well mine is underneath the nipple,” said Charis.

Dione slowly undid the laces tying her shirt and looking around, revealed the flesh of her breast.

“Although seeing your nipple …” As she sized the silver ring above Dione’s nipple.

“It probably won’t …” Charis finished lamely.

“Too small I know. Well they’re normally fuller and perkier, but starvation tends to change some things.” Dione hitched her chest, about to sob.

Charis realised her insult and hugged her, their heads resting side by side and Charis endured the tears rolling down her neck reminding her.

“I am sorry sister. I don’t know your pain, but I am more than ready to listen.”

Charis felt Dione take a deep breath.

“It was horrible. They started by slapping me, not just once, but many times during the day and then they would throw some food on the floor and the only water I could drink was what they threw at me when I would stink too much,” she sobbed.

Charis just held her and later when Otonia returned to them, Charis waved her over to join them. She thought it was a mistake when Dione stopped talking but as Otonia wrapped her arms around them both, she continued.

Charis being young, she felt an affinity with Dione and as she told more of her ordeal, Charis bawled with her and held her tighter. Otonia, although slightly older, wasn’t immune to the sadness either. When Dione finished, Charis still held her for several heartbeats longer and then kissed Dione lightly on her forehead and lightly swept away some of Dione’s light brown hair from her face with her slender fingers.

“I am sorry I went on and on,” Dione wailed, sweeping her own hair away from her face, “but I couldn’t …”

Charis placed a finger across Dione’s lips. “We are sisters. We will always be stronger together.”

“Thank you, my sisters.”

“We are a three, Charis, Dione, and Otonia,” declared Otonia.

Even in the dark they could imagine the smile on Otonia’s face by hearing the joy in her voice. It took some time, lying quietly side by side starring at the night sky but eventually they fell asleep. That was until just before dawn when Dione woke both of her sisters, moaning, her toe in pain. They held her again and eventually, just in time to break their fast the pain faded. Otonia started laughing and it wasn’t until Charis and Dione looked, they realised why. Dione slept through the night with her petite breast naked to all.

“Well just a few more clothes off and you will equal me, although I do wait until I am indoors, I am not as brazen as you are.” The fun in her words clear. Now Dione’s turn to playfully punch Otonia.

“Well, all I know is we were to finish a task last night and only half got it done,” Charis said.

“I am sorry Charis.”

“It was time well spent sister. We can travel closer to town today and then we can attend to the silver ring at dusk. You are much more important, you both are, never doubt that. I can never …”

Charis turned away from them both then, it must have been from listening to Dione last night, her emotions still raw. She teared and couldn’t stop.

“We will not die Charis, we promise.”

Somehow, they both spoke the words together and she turned to face them, betrayed by the two tear tracks running down her cheeks.

“You better not.”

She marched past them pretending the horses needed grooming. She crashed to the ground as both Otonia and Dione tackled her.

“You don’t get to walk away from our love, we are sisters together and know you best, your loss, the pain it causes and fear you hold. We understand, we will be careful,” Otonia said.

“You are my family now, I have no other, so you don’t walk away hurting,” whispered Dione.

Dione paused to climb over her own pain, adding, “I know of pain and took my first steps to heal last night I think, so we are here for you now and always.”

Charis didn’t say anything; she didn’t need to, as the three companions laid side by side watching the sun rise slowly in the east.

---

Otonia reached over Charis to poke Dione in her arm, lying back quickly, smirking. Dione protested to Charis and the peace broke. After serene sky gazing followed by playful wrestling middle of the morning passed them by when they eventually broke their fast, packed their camp and led their horses further along the Spur. High up in the Spur, traversing shallow valleys greatly slowed their progress towards the Town of Hillperch. In contrast the number of travellers on the trail below them increased, probably more locals thought Charis, but none seemed to look up to the Spur or if they did, they didn’t keep looking. By late afternoon they were in shadow as the sun started to set in the west behind the Spur.

This camp they set close to a small stream, deliberately ending their hiking early for the day so they could conveniently refill their water skins and water the horses, to help with their recovery. The grasses were also plentiful, so their care of the horses became easier and recovery more certain.

At dusk after the evening meal, Charis asked Dione to place the silver ring on the underside of her breast. Charis then bound it in place by using the breast bindings they always seem to carry. The ring was much larger than the silver circle and Charis wondered if Dione’s breast was a suitable location after all, given her still recovering body. Charis decided that they would remain where they were until Dione could move the ring by force of will like the elder insisted Charis did.

They settled into the night, with Charis and Otonia close to Dione in case she needed their help like the night before. Not much time passed before they heard Dione whimper in pain. Both Charis and Otonia held her and spoke to her; the pain would remain for a while and then once her body absorbed the ring the pain would subside.

“I am in so much pain sisters. I would welcome you slicing off my breast.”

Both of her hands were cradling it in some forlorn hope of easing the pain. They held her and whispered the pain will pass with time.

Charis and Otonia discussed the possibility of Dione’s pain. They agreed that they wouldn’t call upon their combined bronze loops to influence Dione; they wanted their friendship to remain as natural as possible and flourish, if that was the word, by its own means. They discussed the possible issues that could surface the next morning if the bronze loops were used and thought the price was unacceptable. They were family after all and that needed to be enough.

Then Dione screamed. It seemed to be so loud and they thought it echoed off the side of the spur announcing to all where they were. Otonia kissed her passionately on her lips to distract her, which silenced her for an instant, Dione in shock, pulling her mouth away. Then she reconsidered and kissed Otonia back.

After some heavy petting, she pushed Otonia away.

“It is not you Otonia, the pain. I know my flesh is being torn to make way for it.”

“Suck on this glass stopper Dione.”

Although she didn’t get a chance to refuse as Charis wiped it on the inside of Dione’s cheek.

Silence followed.

“What did you do Charis?”

“I hope I found and used the elder’s ointment, the sleeping one. Given Dione is now quiet I think I have.”

Charis and Otonia lay on either side of Dione, trying to sleep.

Early in the morning all three were exhausted from different causes. Dione the first to wake, with the morning sun shining sunlight on her exposed breasts. She dimly remembered tearing off her shirt at the height of her pain. She sat up slowly and peered at her breast. Heavily bruised on the underside, the dark contrasting against her light skin tone. In a slight panic she woke Charis and Otonia and initially felt odd as they both inspected her, gently lifting and shifting her breast.

“I am so sorry Dione, the size of the ring.” Charis faulted slightly. “I didn’t realise.”

“You knew it would be difficult though?”

Charis couldn’t look at Dione so Otonia changed the subject.

“I distracted you while Charis found the elder’s ointment, which seemed to help,” she said, brightly.

“While in unbelievable pain, I do remember your passionate kiss Otonia.” Dione fidgeted, uncertain. “I see now how Charis and you, well, appreciate each other.”

Charis managed to look at Dione. “I know of no other way I am sorry.”

“I am very thirsty.”

Dione jumped to her feet abruptly and strode to the stream.

When she returned, they quietly broke their fast, with only polite pleasantries spoken between them.

“We need to stay another night,” Charis announced.

Both Otonia and Dione looked at her, faces blank.

“I need to teach Dione how to move the ring within her body. It saved me once and it could save her and this may not be the last item she gains, so she needs to learn to move and hide them within her.”

Both Otonia and Dione accepted the dictate and worked to make the camp more comfortable, although Dione devoted a great deal of effort to ensuring nothing touched her right breast. She also felt a certain dread about moving what had inflicted so much pain, hiding her anxiety from Charis and Otonia. Convincing herself she needed to follow their lead, their assurances.

They tended the horses ensuring they were well watered from the stream, moved on to new grass and groomed. When the sun was behind the mountain spur and they were in its shadow Charis began the lesson. She copied the elder exactly, as she knew nothing else.

The ring was much larger than the silver circle, so it was buried deeper in Dione’s small bruised breast. It also remained a ring when forced to move whereas the silver circle tended to un-circle and move like a snake. Attempting to move the silver ring triggered extreme pain. Charis stopped the lesson. Dione after much effort and pain moved the ring slightly in her breast and then moved it back to where it originally settled. She could sense the flesh in her breast stretch and drag resisting the attempted movement.

Dione reached for Charis and hugged her for some time.

“I know you mean to teach me and help me, but I cannot stand the pain, it hurts even now when at rest,” Dione whispered, in despair, pleading.

“We will stay another night to allow Dione a chance to recover and it will probably be dark before we make the town gates if we leave now in any case. I am sorry Dione. I will not ask this of you again. It was stupid to make you try, I … I hope you can forgive me?”

Dione spent the rest of the afternoon grooming her new horse testing to see if the silver ring made a difference beyond the normal person and beast relationship, trying to justify the pain she suffered. Charis approached her and gently hugged her, no words were spoken, just tears exchanged, Charis silently wishing Dione good health and wellbeing and determined to protect her from as much pain as she could, a warmth growing in Charis' breast in response.

By evening they were settled in and sleeping well. By morning, they were locked together in a three-way embrace of arms and legs with Dione in the centre. A heart-rending act of comfort and apology, renewing their bond as sisters and releasing some of the tension given their recent experiences together.

After breaking their fast Charis and Otonia discussed their sleeping arrangement with Dione, being young and while her recent introduction to men, truly horrific, that didn’t mean she automatically liked women now, or at least they didn’t think so. Dione wasn’t sure either. She would need to meet a man that respected her first. Until that happened, if it ever happened, she would embrace their love as sisters and if that developed further then she would consider that if and when it happened. Charis relieved Otonia led the discussion this time, as she proved the most accomplished of the three in the matters of the heart!

Charis further thankful Otonia and her didn’t need to use the bronze loops as their use would have made their relationship confusing. It seemed to make sense now why the carriers were always loners; they used the bronze loops as tools to gain advantage, to manipulate and achieve their evil purpose. Charis wondered if they used them amongst themselves, was that just as evil in some context, if the use influenced their relationship beyond what most, thought normal. As clear, the certainty that if they surrendered them, they would place themselves at a huge disadvantage. She just wondered where their use would lead them.

Dione led the way down the mountain spur to see if her new mount performed any better given the silver ring melded into the flesh of her right breast. She didn’t put the horse in any burrows or soft ground, although they were going carefully, so she couldn’t determine if her skill or the silver ring or both made any difference. When they broke from the fields onto the trail, they needed to follow it some distance as it wound around most of the island spur the town perched upon.

Once around the island spur a small village appeared, probably more of a hamlet, its main feature being the Wanderer’s Arms Inn and Stable. From there a stone paved road gradually snaked up the front slope of the Hillperch Spur. The road providing sure footing for all traffic, mostly farmers carting in produce but also important people, itinerants and travellers of all kinds. While three young ladies on horseback, trailing a spare horse seemed unusual they were simply glanced at in case they were in another traveller’s way and no more.

As they approached the gate the main duty of the guards required them to disarm anyone trying to enter the town. The wall at this point was only a gatehouse with a small length of stone curtain wall to either side. In fact, if it wasn’t for the guards at each end of the unfinished curtain walls anyone could have just walked around the gate! Obviously, the start of a bigger planned wall.

They were asked their business and Charis advised she needed to meet with her Master’s agent to be escorted to the city. The guards accepted that well enough but still required them to deposit their weapons at the gatehouse for collection when they left. Then Dione joined the conversation and started to toss her gold coin in front of the guards. She was asked to put the coin away and they would need to talk to the Gatehouse Captain.

A grizzled old veteran, clearly occupying his retirement job, and therefore determined to perform his duty diligently as his days of swinging a sword in anger were over and best left to younger men. He accepted that they were agents of the Magistrate or at least favoured by the Magistrate. Otonia ordered to conceal her knives. Charis still needed to surrender her bow, although she could keep her dagger if she concealed it. Dione didn’t carry any weapons, so it didn’t matter to her. He also pointed out the stables close to the gatehouse and advised all must stable their beasts there, none were permitted within the town walls proper.

They noticed that the town did in fact have a wall, it was much older and must have only surrounded the town proper, whereas the new one was surrounding the entire island spur the town and its immediate surrounds where built upon. It would make the town difficult to assault when completed as no army could assemble before its walls, they would have to march in file up the road to the very gatehouse that now stood to repel them. Before they left the Gatehouse, Charis asked about an excellent Inn and a competent Scribe and where to find them.

Stabling the horses, the first order of business and since only one Stable existed near the Gate and given no choice, they paid the asking price, the owner fully aware of his location and the demand. The Inn the second order of business, the Faithful Friend as recommended by the Gatehouse Captain. Apparently easy to find, located near the Town Commons, just outside the old Town in front of the walls, recently built and well appointed. The Scribe was in the old Town behind the walls on Temple Street.

The Gate Road linked the new Gatehouse to the old Gatehouse is an unerring straight line. The road two wagons wide and paved with stone and at this time of morning all sorts of carts and people were making their way to and from the different gates. The farm lots immediately past the New Gate gave way to completed or near completed new buildings as they walked closer to the Old Gate. They looked at each other when they noticed a stable being built midway between the two gates. Probably due to the smell or eventual smell of such an establishment, the stable foundations stood well back from the road.

The completed buildings provided shop fronts for all manner of human essentials, clothes, shoes, tools and the like. No making shops though, so no dressmaker and no blacksmith for example. Keeping the Gate Road clear of mess, seemingly deliberate and planned, which surprised the three arrivals given the stable currently under construction and the possible smells it would share with the immediate neighbourhood.

At the end of the Gate Road, first building beyond the Old Gate, Charis propped, eyes wide open at the grand and fine Inn of the Faithful Friend. Dione gapping, mouth wide open the building truly impressing the farm girl and most others as occasionally people, probably new to Hillperch like them, would stop and gawk; shake their head and move on. Otonia smiled widely, appreciating the two country bumpkins and their reactions.

“I would be concerned walking in with dirty shoes!” Dione sighed, inspecting her boots.

“Yes, I think we find another. Perhaps I should have asked for affordable and clean when I asked about an Inn?” Charis replied.

They strolled through the Old Gate, escorted by a pleasant fragrance of flower scent, the townsfolk about them upbeat. The gates drawn open and no guards stopped them and, on either side, running the length of the wall, well-tended flower beds, a welcoming smile of sorts. On the other side rested probably the former best Inn in Town, named the Knight’s Rest.

Showing its age, now well maintained rather than gaudy, an Inn more in line with what they required, without having to worry too much about dirty shoes or boots. As soon as they crossed the threshold they were greeted by a most jovial balding man, large although not overweight, a broad smile flashing his white teeth.

“Welcome, most welcome young ladies! Be assured that at the Knight’s Rest you will have your privacy, hearty food and drink for as long as you stay.”

“What would you charge three ladies to share a room, for possibly a week, maybe more?” Charis enquired.

“Well that would have to be the Queen Room, it has a queen-sized bed and two smaller beds, so you may have to discuss sleeping arrangements,” he finished with a friendly laugh.

“The price, well, could we say Sixty Silvers for the week?”

“Throw in dinner, basic fare would be good enough and you have yourself a deal,” Charis haggled.

“Being so young, you are new at this, which is my good fortune, but I am a fair man and will include a drink with each meal, on the house as well.”

He whispered to Charis, “As a word of advice, start asking for more and then give up concessions.”

He then turned to all of them, “Oh and before I forget there is a bathhouse in the street behind the Inn, let them know you are staying here, and you will be due a discount.”

“Welcome ladies to the Knight’s Rest!” he finished loudly.

Charis’ eyes darted about the interior as various patrons and bar flies took notice of them.

At that, a boy took their saddle bags and asked them to follow him up to their room. They tried to take the bags back to help but at one look from him they stopped trying. He placed them just inside the room and paused looking at them. Otonia was first to understand and placed a silver in his hand. The wide smile in delight he returned indicated she chose the wrong coin.

“Call me night or day and I will be there to help however I can. Remember call for One Thumb!”

He held up his two hands as fists his two thumbs standing out proudly and his left-hand thumb slightly shorter and then he left quickly closing the door.

“Well, we have three beds, who will be claiming the queen bed?” Otonia asked.

“I think it only right that the two lovers share the queen bed. I know we are family, but you two are like a married couple so this farm girl will be happy with a bed of her own and covers! Never been in a bed with covers before!” Dione said and then she dived to flop on her bed!

They settled in and while they left most of their possessions in their room, they still held on to their coin and daggers. Their next stop, the bathhouse with a fresh set of clothes.

The lady of the bathhouse, welcoming and indeed gave them the promised discount. They were shown into a large bathroom, which contained eight large bathtubs, each carved from tree trunks, hollowed out and impressive. Privacy curtains could be drawn between each of the bathtubs, so Charis treated them all to their own bathtub and ordered a fourth so they could make a private room by drawing all the curtains back to see each other. One female attendant kept up the hot water and soap.

As the three companions finished up the attendant approached them to assist with towels.

“Excuse me ladies, may I be so bold to suggest that you could dress so much better at a reasonable price. I know of a seamstress, who since Gate Road was established, hasn’t garnered the business she usually did and would be most willing to measure and dress each of you.”

“Who is this seamstress? And where is her shop?” Otonia asked using her most polite voice, the bath having refreshed her after scrubbing herself clean with soap and of course happy, don’t forget happy.

“The seamstress is my mother and she will visit you at the Inn if you wish.”

“Yes, would she be available mid-morning tomorrow? Tell her the Queen Room at the Inn of the Knight’s Rest. Is that an acceptable time?” Charis asked.

“As you wish, I will see my mother there and thank you.”

They arrived in time for an early dinner at the Inn and claimed a table with a wall behind it and an ideal view of the inn doors, just in case not really knowing why just trying to be careful and streetwise. The Innkeeper, true to his word supplied delicious generous portions of roast lamb and stew sides and an apple cider for each to chase it down. Dione’s head swam, overawed by the cider and Charis and Otonia escorted her to their room. An ideal time to leave as more patrons arrived at the Inn for dinner proper. The three ladies were noticed since they weren’t regulars, clearly alone and scrutinised by each arrival; for what they didn’t know.

Charis and Otonia shared the queen bed and encouraged by the warmth from the cider enjoyed each other’s company, a tender embrace leading to a rapture of love and lust, falling asleep very exhausted. Charis still found herself in a pleasant dream, all pain gone, surrounded by love and loving in this dream warmed by sunshine and bathed in the fragrance of flowers.

Otonia awoke late into the night, early morning when Dione slipped into the queen bed.

“I felt lonely over there and I can fit top to toe if it doesn’t disturb your sleep, which is how we fit many in one bed on the farm,” she said. Charis still deep in her dream and Otonia too tired to talk, agreed and rolled on her side to go back to sleep.

Charis arose aroused, very aroused and Dione the source of her delight. She looked across at Otonia who slept oblivious, snoring occasionally. Between gasps of pleasure she smacked Otonia at random intervals in random locations trying to wake her. She called to Dione to no avail, her mind focused and her head buried. She could have slapped Dione, refraining due to her companion’s attentions and the pleasurable reward, selfishness overcoming her good sense. Plus, she thought to herself she wanted Otonia to witness the goings on to make sure, Dione’s activity wasn’t part of her dream.

Eventually Otonia awoke surprised. She managed to catch Charis’ face between attentions and shrugged her shoulders in response. Dione seemed to notice the movement and immediately devoted her attentions to Otonia. Caught between the promise of delight and taking advantage of this change to try to regain some sense in Dione, she chose the latter much to her own disappointment considering Charis lolled around in pure ecstasy.

Gaining Dione’s attention required some time and even then, Dione insisted on continuing to kiss them both, conversation continually interrupted but eventually they managed to piece together her condition. Dione started to fret while alone in her bed, remembering her captivity and then decided to settle in a top to toe position in the queen-sized bed between them. Otonia dimly recalled agreeing to her request. She fell asleep, but only lightly and started to dream of Charis and Otonia attending to her in the most pleasurable ways. Gradually a lustful urge built up, an overwhelming love and desire to make her dreams a truth, to join with her family more wholly and intimately than ever before. Dione’s rapture single minded and unbreakable so Otonia replaced Charis. At daybreak Dione, utterly exhausted fell asleep.

An aroused Otonia shook Charis awake. After a protest, Charis, bleary eyed, questioningly stared at Otonia.

“What happened?”

Charis rubbing her eyes to wake-up, answered, “The paired bronze loops, sleeping between both, my right toe, your left toe overwhelming. I am guilt ridden due to her traumatic experiences, rescue from torture and the pain caused by the silver ring, not to forget her young age. We are responsible for leading her astray.”

Otonia, pulled back the bed cover to reveal Dione in all her naked glory, nodding towards her loins.

“Compare you to her, me to her even.” Otonia splayed her legs to ensure an easy comparison could be made.

“I see, so you think she is older than fifteen Death Seasons?”

“I think a small scared girl, used whatever means she could to convince two well meaning rescuers to adopt her. I know farming folk grow up fast, but fifteen years and driving cattle and add to that her horsemanship …”

“She displays a luxurious crop, far greater than mine, rivalling your own.” Charis passed Otonia a cheeky smile.

“We will know for certain if she ever confessors her true age, although I suspect she will need to trust us a great deal before she does, or by next Death Season. A fifteen-year-old will continue to grow and I am willing to bet several coins she won’t grow much taller, most likely remaining at her present height.”

“You’re convinced she is older than fifteen then?” Charis still searching for assurance, she didn’t want to believe she led an underage child astray, even if by accident of circumstances.

“Yes, her ‘skill’ more than someone of only fifteen and while I admit, my loins, yours and hers are the only comparison I have ever made, the similarity of hers to mine instead of yours, undeniable.”

Charis slowly nodded, convincing herself as much as agreeing with Otonia.

Otonia hugged Charis. “We need sleep while the morning is still dawning.”

---

A gentle and timid knock on the door woke Charis. She quickly wrapped herself in a bed sheet from one of the other beds and as she walked to the door, she raced back to the queen bed and ensured the covers were over the naked sleeping bodies of Otonia and Dione.

Carefully opening the door an older lady stood there, possibly old enough to have borne a certain bathhouse maid.

“Greetings good lady, how may I be of assistance?” Charis whispered.

“My daughter suggested I attend you and your two companions to dress you in garments more suitable to your positions. Was she correct?”

“Yes, we just need a moment.” Then she remembered some special help and called One Thumb. Within moments the boy appeared.

“Go to the kitchen and see if you can obtain some cold food and drink as it seems we have all slept in way past a respectable time of the day.” With that instruction One Thumb left.

“Just wait a moment more good lady, if you would.” Charis closed the door.

Charis hurried over to the bed and disturbed Otonia and Dione awake and told them to be quiet when they thought to protest. They hurried to be clothed and when ready, Charis opened the door.

If the seamstress thought anything amiss with their accommodation and familiarisation, she didn’t say anything, but then she wouldn’t thought Charis as this was going to be food on her table, honest craft for honest pay. Charis planned to be generous with the money she acquired from the agents they defeated and felt better when good folk benefited. The seamstress assured them she would work, day and night and return as soon as she could. Charis sensed that the seamstress’ bathhouse daughter would need to assist her to meet this promise.

After tipping One Thumb and paying for the food and drink the three collapsed on the queen bed joyfully tired. Not one of them, although Otonia came closest to wearing a fine dress, ever owned a fine dress! They asked the seamstress to use fine cloth for one for each and average cloth for two more for each. This luxury would be fleeting, an indulgence really, but the coin was there, and they felt rich at least for this month.

Starring at the ceiling of the room Charis returned to discuss Dione’s delightful, though unexpected behaviour. Checking to make sure they were both awake, she took delight in flicking Otonia on the ear to rouse her before she started talking.

“So, Dione,” Charis said, holding back a giggle. “Explain yourself please!” Charis reaching the conclusion Otonia’s judgement correct in the case of Dione’s age, the alternative, difficult.

“What do you mean?” Dione slightly worried, relieved when Charis finally giggled.

When she finished Charis lent over and planted a long passionate kiss on Dione’s lips. Dione was trapped by the bed but didn’t resist and returned the kiss.

“Was that by your own free will?” Charis asked.

“I think so. My emotions are so mixed now that I cannot really tell there is a line anymore.”

“Would you two, mind playing along a bit? Otonia, could you shuffle back onto the bed properly, with your head on the pillow? Dione, could you lay on the bed, top to toe like you did last night? I will shuffle back like Otonia?”

They shuffled quickly into position and lay there; both Dione and Otonia eyeing Charis and giggling.

“Dione how much do you love Otonia and I?”

“I love you both on many levels,” Dione stammered surprised by the question.

Charis reached over to grasp Otonia’s hand and knowingly look at her.

“I would like you to love us like you did last night, I would like you to prove your love,” Charis demanded.

“I need your love more Dione, I still remember last night so after you have proven your love to Charis, I need you to love me just like last night,” Otonia demanded.

Dione standing on the bed; stripped off her clothes, slowly at first and then with a flourish throwing her clothes to the floor. She then found Charis and unlaced, untied or unbuttoned her clothes so she could attend to her pleasure. Charis returned her attentions and whispered kissing and cuddling would be ample proof. Otonia followed Charis’ lead and the passion and lust receded from Dione and she soon came back to her senses.

“Do you trust me Dione as I have an unusual request?”

“Yes, always.”

“Take our feet with the bronze loops about their big toes and caress and kiss them please,” Charis requested.

Dione hesitated and then realised she agreed to trust Charis, so gently reached for one and then the other foot. Charis and Otonia noticed the passion in Dione rise and looked at each other and quickly withdrew their respective foot from her gentle grasp. Dione instantly shocked and saddened until both Charis and Otonia reached out and embraced her.

“I know why the strangers wear the bronze loops in their ears. There, they’re close to influence those with whom they speak to and try to influence,” Charis gasping, not waiting for her loves to answer.

Both Otonia and Dione looked at her, questions across their faces.

“We have put our best chance of help, as far away as possible, on our big toes.”

Charis grabbed them both, one in each arm to hug.

“So how do we relocate the loop to somewhere closer? Or do we learn to stand on one leg and ask them to hold the other!” Otonia suggested, wide smile across her face.

“Both Dione and I have moved other items, although I fear the bronze loops are too large if the silver ring that Dione tried to move is any guide. Also, it seems that Dione’s bronze loop doesn’t protect her much from the dual bronze loops we wear Otonia.”

Dione’s face recalled the pain easily, so they all accepted that as truth.

“Before we continue, I must say sorry to you Dione. You see the bronze loops that Otonia and I wear are a matched set and together their former owner used these with cruel unshakable purpose and influenced many to their deaths or worse. I am concerned the family love you have discovered for me and Otonia is being intensified by the bronze loops, to be much more, probably more than you intended.”

“While I can understand what you say, my heart is completely given to both you and Otonia and I can’t think of ever breaking that love.”

Silence as Dione’s awkward confession stole all conversation. Charis broke this by pouring each a glass of cider and winking. They laughed as they knew where cider could lead them!