“The Magistrate of Judge requires your attendance. May I enter to present the invitation?” he announced through the door as discretely as one can when trying to be heard in the situation.

“How do we know you are an emissary of the Magistrate and not an agent of our deaths?” responded Charis back through the door.

“I swear on my honour as a Judge Knight Aspirant that I speak the truth now and will forever do so to those whom I have sworn to protect!” came the reply, stern and forthright.

Charis turned to Otonia and Dione and decided this is one serious person. No one wishing them harm could say that and maintain their composure could they? So reluctantly, Charis opened the door.

“It is an honour to meet you.” He then bowed and gracefully held her hand and kissed it gently.

Somehow he grasped her hand before she could react, taken by surprise by his action and wondering how she felt about it. She decided to ignore the gesture and her feelings about it as she needed to pay attention to why he was visiting.

He wasn’t dressed in full armour, although his sword was still on his hip. Why does he get to wear a sword she thought? She was certain that he or someone that was in remarkably similar armour met her many weeks ago, they then rode off and left her standing by a certain stream.

“Do you remember leaving me standing by a certain stream while you rode off?”

“My honour would not have allowed me to leave a damsel in distress. My memory of the event was different to yours I suspect. I was leaving a very capable woman who was determined to rescue her friend regardless of any advice to the contrary.”

“Well thank you, I guess.” Charis found herself tongue tied a little considering his response, insult? Was he flattering her? “You still could have helped instead of riding off.” Charis knew she was on weak ground but he was so honour this and honour that it was annoying.

“I apologise, although I see you are none the worse for the experience and in fact I would venture to say much better. Please accept this invitation and it is expected that you will attend and you will attend in attire suitable for the event.”

She actually thought a small smile escaped his serious no nonsense face. He turned immediately and left, so she could have just mistaken it given the light and shadow playing upon his face. He closed the door behind him.

Charis turned to her companions, snapped the seal and read the invitation.

The Ladies of the Trial are invited to the Magistrates Holy Celebration of Judge Knight Aspirants.

We salute the bravery of Charis the Archer, Otonia the Acrobat and Dione of the Lasso.

Grand Hall of the Temple of Judge, Temple Road,

7 Bells, 7th Day of Truth Month

“Otonia the Acrobat? Looks like I impressed someone!” cheered Otonia.

“As did we all it seems and I thought we would move quietly and largely unknown towards the city and begin our real training so we can hunt down the ‘them’.” replied Charis.

“I am glad to be ‘of the lasso’ instead of ‘the headless’!”

“I hope our dresses are in the cupboard!” asked Otonia.

“We will need more than just dresses, we will need shoes, what about our hair?” asked Dione.

“We probably need to know some manners and ways of nobles as well. It wouldn’t do to turn up and not show any refinement.” said Charis.

“Can you teach us Charis? You spent time with a Baron?”

“Dione my sweet, I was tolerated because of my friendship with their son, but I didn’t eat at their table. Occasionally I would be thrown some food from the kitchens, so we all need to learn.”

“Are we sure it is that kind of event?” ask Otonia

“Good question, I wonder if our Gate Captain will be able to tell us exactly what we have been invited to.” answered Charis.

“Well not much we can do about that now, but we can still celebrate!” shouted Otonia and with that she threw back the sheets. They played together for most of the evening before falling asleep tired.

+++

The next morning was a slow start and it was mid-morning when they visited the New Gatehouse.

“We can talk in private, in my office ladies.” suggested the Gate Captain.

His office was towards the town side of the Gatehouse and while smallish, was practical enough for its function, although there was only one visitor’s chair, which Charis claimed. Once all were settled Charis slid the invitation across the Captain’s table. The Captain looked at the document without picking it up.

“I am impressed; they don’t normally invite others to their Holy event.”

“We are wondering if you can help us answer the question ‘attend in attire suitable for the event’ as we may have guessed inappropriately.” asked Charis. Dione was a little nervous as she really wanted dresses and nice things.

“Sorry Dione, this is a celebration for the martial worshippers of Judge, they expect you in battle dress and Dione you best include your lasso young one.” Dione didn’t in anyway conceal her disappointment as she dropped her bottom lip and stamped a boot like a child, which at any other time for any other fifteen year old probably would have been truthful. For Dione she could no longer be considered a child regardless of her age.

“Also ladies there won’t be much food, there will be mostly ceremony and drink, so eat before you attend. Be sure not to draw any weapons, at any time, it will not be tolerated, ever, in a Temple of Judge, more so I would imagine during this particular ceremony, but I am only guessing, never having attended myself.” There was an unspoken, ‘unlike some others standing before me who are about to’. His weathered face didn’t reveal any grievance though because in truth he didn’t care, the further he and his where away from Priests of any sort the better. He did wonder what those very same Priests would ask of these young and hopefully not too naive girls.

His response concerned them and made them nervous but they relaxed after he smiled widely and roared with a deep belly laugh. Charis snatched back the invitation and playfully punched the Gate Captain on the shoulder. Then she turned and left; a slight smile on her face.

“Remember this, you will need to! There won’t be many laughs for you ladies in two night’s time where you are going!” he managed between his own laughs.

Charis took the humour in good spirit. She appreciated the Gate Captain. For some unknown reason she trusted him, it could have been he reminded her of her father, but that wasn’t it because they hardly looked similar in any way. The Gate Captain being a tall wiry framed man, while her father larger and physically stronger. Maybe she just felt his honesty, without really knowing if it was true and while she and Otonia could have influenced him using the bronze loops she preferred the uncertainty and the need for him to continue to show his true self.

It was time to visit the master craftswoman again that supplied them with their magnificent armour to see if some enhancements could be added. It wasn’t difficult to find the non-descript building, especially since there was a huge sign above it now and a fresh coat of paint to brighten it up, details that were missed on their first visit during the dark night.

As they stepped into the shop there was little space. Then customers recognised who was with them. Many stared in awe, many others shook their hands and all were suddenly happy and not at all disgruntled that they were spending most of their day waiting to be served. They remained for the rest of the day, allowing all the customers to be served and remain happy. They were told many times how they were there at the arena and personally witnessed how Dione’s armour turned the blade of that dishonourable man. They all took a look at the mark on her armour.

The master craftswoman locked the shop door as soon as the customers cleared, the sun was just setting.

“I only open for three days of every seven in the hope that the luck will last forever! The rest I use to fill the many orders.”

“We don’t wish to impose upon you Master and if we are going to interrupt we can leave.” said Charis.

“How could I turn away the three Ladies of the Arena? Whatever you ladies require will be my honour to provide. I am under an obligation to you as we have discussed before; look at the success of my business!”

“We must attend, err, we have been invited to a ceremony.” Was Charis at a loss for words thought Otonia surprised!

“Oh Charis, just spit it out! We are going to a ceremony, the Magistrate’s Judge Knights Aspirants thing! Tomorrow at Seven Bells.” declared Otonia.

The craftswoman dropped to both knees, crossed her hands across her chest and looked up! The Ladies of the Arena wondered and involuntarily took a step back as one.

“I feel so blessed Lord God Judge to know these women and to have my craft on display inside your Holy Temple!” she stood, then turned to Charis and hugged her, “my dear ladies I am forever in your debt again. If you are attending the ceremony then we must add to, polish and make impressive my humble, functional armour so we can demonstrate the quality at first sight and not wait for the first fight!”

“We appreciate your offer; we are here to see if you would be able to polish the armour at least, but whatever else you could do in the time available would be appreciated.” Charis looked at Otonia for some sort of rescue.

“No I must do much more, leave the pieces here. Return just before you are to leave for the ceremony, say five Bells and I will ensure the fit is perfect for each of you.” Her eyes were darting around and they could feel the excitement they kindled in the Master craftswoman.

The level of sincerity and earnestness in the craftswoman’s pleas could only reward her design. Charis, Otonia and Dione removed their armour that was crafted in this good workshop including the other pieces on her insistence. They looked a little odd, no armour only felt and under cloth. They did feel slightly cooler and appreciated the removal of weight. When the craftswoman returned, she carried three black surcoats; they each displayed her makers mark in white on the shoulders, but otherwise were plain and tidied up their appearance. They said their farewells and with no other demands on their time went back to the Inn.

Waiting for them at their favourite table was the farmer’s daughter. They paused as they weren’t sure why she would want to be seen with them as it could endanger her family. They caught the eye of One Thumb and whispered to him and then went directly to their room.

There was a knock on the door, a fast, light eager knock. She was supposed to wait longer. Charis sighed as she looked to Otonia and Dione. Charis didn’t have a choice as her knocking would attract attention, so Charis opened the door and Astera flooded into their room, any happier and Charis suspected she would burst.

Each received a hug, each received a passionate kiss.

“I know you said to stay with my parents, but I want excitement, I want adventure, but mostly I want to be with you.” As she said these words she was sure to catch each of them in the eye, lifting their faces with both of her hands to make sure they knew her dedication and devotion.

Charis wasn’t sure she needed to be responsible for another. It would also mean their number was not going to be three, if you believed in such things. Charis always took the view every little bit helps, more to do with self-improvement not another person. She knew there was no way to persuade Astera to return to her parents, given her fervour was heighten by the bronze loops, the three of them; or four if you counted the one on Charis’ right foot added so long ago in the forest. To reverse it would probably take time and some cruelty. Still she needed to try. So she gathered Otonia under one arm and Dione under the other.

“Kneel before us and place your head on the floor at our feet.” she did not hesitate, “you must return to your parents. We love you dearly and we know you love us, but to be with us will most assuredly lead to your death.” Each called on their will, connecting their minds to the bronze loops to influence this child of the world, even if she was old enough to be a woman here.

She did not lift her head for a moment. Charis felt a little hope. Then she stood. Her eyes looked hard and unflinchingly at Charis. Her teeth ground ever so slightly and her fingernails indented her clenched fists, the pain to give her clarity as she resisted whatever persuasion they were trying. Instead of pushing her away their influence committed her more fully than ever she thought she could.

Determined, she unclothed herself above her heart and while doing so held a small slim knife, barely a hands length and held it to her heart using both her hands.

“I will offer my body and my life as sacrifice now, to demonstrate my devotion. If you feel I would be a burden to you alive, then in my sacrifice I wish to be your willing and devoted messenger to the Gods to request they aid you in your purpose!”

The small knife drew blood from under her ribcage before Dione and Otonia each grabbed an arm to stop her. Charis wrestled the small knife from her grip; most of the blood was on the blade, a small amount was on the handle from Astera’s bleeding palms.

“I do not like being blackmailed by sacrifice; it is not a good way to begin anything. So I am not sure what this will be. For now you will do exactly what I say, when I say and how I say. If you fail in this I will ask for you to sacrifice yourself. Do you understand?” demanded Charis.

Both Otonia and Dione were shocked and tried their best to cover up their emotion not really knowing how successful they were. They didn’t seem to matter anyway as Astera’s eyes were firmly fixed on Charis as Charis’ were fixed on Astera’s. She paused only a little moment before answering, elated and collecting her thoughts it seemed to make time slow and then pause for all of them as the silence stretched.

“I know hard work and hard times; I am a farmer’s daughter. I promise devotion and to obey, even if it leads to my death as my life was yours from the moment you prevented me from sacrificing myself in your name. I either serve you in life or I serve you in death, there is no other future for me, this I promise.”

Otonia and Dione didn’t know what to say or do next. They appreciated Charis and some of their bonds were formed by shared experience and probably influenced heavily by the bronze loops but in that moment they knew they would not be able to utter such a binding oath on their lives.

“I accept your bond of life to me and I promise in return to value your life and protect it as much as possible to the limits of my power and ability. Further I will never ask you to do anything that would dishonour you or me.” Charis then reached out and hugged her. Otonia and Dione then regained as much composure as possible and hugged them both. Their hug just following Charis’ lead but they were still recovering from the shock of the event they just witnessed to be truthful. What does this mean for them all?

Charis was present when the Baron’s men swore fealty to him and she never forgot the shared devotion in the promise spoken, the obligation was on each and not only one way. She felt he was special in this as most of his men were loyal and dedicated in his service. She couldn’t remember the exact words so hoped her version was close enough. She really couldn’t think of any other way to handle the situation, never before having anyone offer their life in service, even the Lord Baron’s Oath was one of fealty, not a death promise.

The biggest problem was now trying to sleep four in the room, at least for tonight. Charis was not prepared to allow Astera to sleep on the floor, although she offered, given her oath to obey, it didn’t mean unequal as far as Charis was concerned. She wasn’t prepared to let her sleep with them or at their feet. Instead they moved one of the single beds as far as possible from the queen bed, both in opposing corners now and ensured her pillow was as far as possible away from them.

Looking directly at Astera with locked eyes, her hands on either side of her face Charis spoke.

“You will sleep on the single bed, you will not move the bed you will not sleep facing any other direction. Do you understand?”

“Yes … yes, Mistress.” Astera’s voice was shaken by the stern, absolute order, she wondered but did not question.

The influence of the bronze loops concerned Charis so she took as much precaution as possible. So that is how they slept to protect Astera from something she didn’t know about and would not, in all likelihood influence her now. She definitely resisted and in some ways rejected their influence when they tried to dissuade her from remaining with them. The backfire was outstanding and extreme even Charis realised that, their control over this particular item was erratic to say the least and she for one didn’t know how to improve it.

It was an exceptional night in that they all slept the entire night, the first in a long time. When they awoke hunger overtook them. The arrival of Astera the evening before meaning they all missed dinner.