It was with some relief that all woke after a night of solid uninterrupted sleep thought Charis. Somehow the comradery of the three was difficult with a fourth, notwithstanding the way the fourth joined them and if Charis felt the difference they all must have.

“Otonia and Dione I would ask that you break you fast now as I have to speak with Astera.”

They looked at each other and didn’t need to say a word. Not only were they hungry, they also felt the awkwardness of their present situation. As they dressed, so did Charis and Astera, but when ready they left the room.

“I acknowledge your oath to me.”

“Thank you Mistress.”

“Why do you want to bind your life to mine? I don’t feel I deserve this special devotion from you.”

“I wish, from seeing you for the very first time to protect you, to be near you. I have played older daughter to my parents children for long enough Mistress and I want away from that life. My parents; please know they like you, as young as you are. My father still thinks you young, too young to be playing with sharp things, but he respects your decision to do so. He respects my decision to devote my life to you, or my death if that is needed.”

Charis didn’t expect the words spoken, she expected something childish, although her father’s opinion of her was surprising or was it? He was father to many children and if I was his child I would still be under his protection most likely.

“How do you think you can protect me, with what skills?”

“My body and if needed my life as well Mistress.” It was said so honestly and innocently it frustrated Charis’ argument and reasoning before it even begun.

“I do not want stupid sacrifice, in any that swear an oath to me.” Charis felt like slapping her but resisted, “the oath was equally binding on both of us and I would have you skilled first, to protect yourself, so that you can then protect me if it comes down to that.”

“I am sorry Mistress, I promise I will learn and do better.”

“When I give an instruction or order I do not want to have to explain the reasons each and every time, although afterwards questions to understand are acceptable.”

“Yes Mistress. Your word will be my Law.”

“Astera take these coins.” Charis dropped them into her open hand, “Break your fast in the common room. Do not sit at our table. I do not mean to disappoint you. I am still very concerned about your parents and do not wish them hurt because of us and you being seen with us is not a good idea. Next we need you to train in the warrior use of your boar spear. You must train to exhaustion, you must learn quickly as I am not sure how much longer we can remain here and I need some confidence in your skill to defend yourself. Take this note to the Gate Captain, he should be able to help.” finished Charis.

“Yes mistress, it will be done. At sunset I will sit dinner at my own table and follow you upstairs once a suitable amount of time has passed.”

“Good, go now.”

Charis sat on the edge of the bed, her stomach upset and hungry. She accepted that as punishment for possibly leading a fourth person associated with her to their deaths. Worse it could mean her entire family if the threat was knowledgeable and purposeful enough. Otonia and Dione were strays like her, no known family, no ties and any mourning for them well and truly done by now.

When Charis eventually went down into the common room Astera wasn’t present, so at least that part of the plan was working. Otonia and Dione both witnessed Astera break her fast without conversation with them or acknowledgement and then leave in haste.

Charis, Otonia and Dione were attired in rough shirt and pants and each carried one of the dresses that were recently made for them. They decided to be respectable ladies of the town after a visit to a favourite establishment.

Next stop was the bathhouse, where they bathed and then clothed themselves in their dresses. They even acquired lady like shoes to match. They asked for their other clothes and boots to be cleaned and returned to the Inn. One Thumb usually took care of those small details.

They then took to the streets and shopped. First were nice bonnets to keep their hair in place and provide some shade. This seemed to provide an impenetrable disguise as no one pointed them out as no one seemed to recognise them in proper ladies clothes. Being out of uniform in some respect it seemed. Dione was overjoyed, the cattle farmer girl now a finely dressed lady.

As the day wanned, Charis began to feel a little safer, so she let some coin slip through her fingers to find some answers about the Honoured Team. How they were, were they enjoying their time in the city, oh how I wished to be able to keep them company, if you know what I mean she would hint!

Rumour was that the one with the crushed throat and bloodied eye was now unable to voice properly or see from the eye. Rumour was that a replacement was being trained for next year. The hulk was fine, straightened his nose and he was fighting fit. The final one with bruised face actually suffered a cheek bone break; his trip to the city was painful as he felt every bump in the road. He should make a full recovery if he rests. She also found out that the bounty on the Ladies Three was also no more as the Honoured Three were no longer in town to collect from. Most of this was common knowledge by now and cheaply purchased, either a few drinks, time spent in conversation or both.

What wasn’t common knowledge was that the Ladies Three would be attending the Judge Knight Aspirants Ceremony, a very high honour indeed! Charis started a rumour of her own saying after the arena, she was told the Ladies Three went to the city looking for a manager and a trainer to prepare for next year and they have only returned to honour the ceremony and then they will be gone again.

By the end of the day, they felt good, ordinary citizens taking in the town and visiting shops and vendors, none were following them, well none that Charis could detect, so if they were being followed it was well done. They did discuss when to leave the town, with the greatest issue being Astera on the road and when, if ever to share knowledge of their magic. Charis didn’t see an urgency to leave and neither did Otonia or Dione, so the only consideration was Astera’s training and when their money ran out.

Evening was upon them and when they entered the Inn they went directly upstairs to their room to change first as they didn’t want to eat and possibly soil their fine dresses, although the real truth was, being dressed up they couldn’t be identified as the Ladies Three. When they returned to the common room they sat at their regular table and true as every previous day they were served.

They noticed that Astera wasn’t there; Charis didn’t feel concerned as there was still some light left in the day so she expected Astera to be using it. Tomorrow night would be their big event, the best part being not really sure what would unfold. There was an issue of trust, could the Magistrate be trusted and would they be treated as equals or just an amusement? There was also the encounter on the trail and them being quite different now and not only change of names.

They could delay waiting for Astera no longer, even though the entertainment was good that evening making the wait tolerable. A puppeteer re-enacting the arena trial, well the last part anyway and everyone waited for their reaction. Once they cheered the Inn cheered. The puppeteer was relieved; it wasn’t unreasonable to assume the patrons would have tossed him and his couple of helpers out on the street if the Ladies Three didn’t show their appreciation. The puppeteer coined the name after overhearing some rumours calling them such and Ladies Three stuck from then on. He tried to approach them as they were leaving their table; a look from Charis let him know this wasn’t a good time.

Once in their room they were wondering where Astera was and as they were readying to look for her when a weak knock was heard on the door. Otonia checked and opened it.

Astera stubbled in, there were obvious bruises so there must have been not so obvious bruises. Charis was not pleased, she trusted the Gate Captain, was this a first sign? Otonia caught her before she fell and gently led her to the queen bed, where she immediately laid down. Dione made her sip some water. They all waited for her to speak in her own time. Charis paced and Astera noticed.

“It is alright mistress, I am just tired and please know I haven’t been attacked or hurt without my consent.”

“You silly girl, I said training, not torture, what were you thinking?”

“I am training hard as you instructed, I am training until exhausted. I do not want to be a burden while I am alive and in your company.”

Charis approached the girl on the bed. She traced the outline of her bruises and kissed her gently on her forehead, needing her to suffer no pain and wishing her to be well, Charis wanted her recovered so she could reset this mistake as well, another mistake, it took only the wrong words for this mistake. She didn’t envision Astera would go to such extremes and doubted she would be able to train the next day.

Charis whispered, “What is the real reason you have been hurt?”

“I, well, I don’t want to let you down, I wish to hold my own.” she sobbed.

“No one gets this hurt willingly. On your oath what is the truth.”

“I, well, I was ashamed of myself last night, I threatened you with my death. I felt the uneasiness this morning and as you said it is not a good way to start anything.” She paused to collect herself. “I worked to prove my worth beyond what I have done. I worked to be accepted as much as you accept Otonia and Dione. My oath is my ife but I want to fairly earn my place at your side Mistress.”

“Rest and that is a command.” Charis gently cradled her head and a tear or two may have fell, although Charis denies this whenever asked.

Dione made her sip some more water and shortly thereafter she was asleep.

“This is all my fault.” stated Charis.

“You weren’t to know her dedication would be so absolute.” replied Dione.

“It wasn’t that was it Charis?”

“No Otonia, the bronze loops, the three, no, four of them basically, they seem to have a will of their own somehow, we tried to drive her away with their influence and they instead engraved her will and life onto me instead. We knew their influence was powerful, we just need to be more careful and never assume how they work.”

“Do you think the traveller’s influence is still upon them? Except for your original one they were all worn by beings of pure evil.” suggested Otonia.

“Also we seem somewhat protected from their influence because we wear one, Astera doesn’t.” added Dione soberly.

“Well not knowing if Astera is influenced differently or not by the bronze loops, we need to find out, so I suggest we try to sleep us all in a row as we will need to know in the future, when we camp or stay in smaller Inns. There is no escaping this question.” said Charis.

They re-arranged the beds so the queen bed and one of single beds were side by side, which also required moving their cupboard full of dresses and other chattels. This meant their beds could only be accessed by climbing over the end as their width extended from wall to wall of their room. This was a small inconvenience. The other single bed they positioned as far away as possible, again, in case Charis would need to command Astera to sleep away from them if this didn’t work. Astera was so tired she slept through it all.

Charis slept on the single bed, then Dione on the queen bed, then Astera and then Otonia as far away from Charis as possible so their two bronze loops were far apart.

+++

Everyone was well rested in the morning to the relief of all, especially Charis, who made sure Astera was recovered with a restful sleep. Even many of the bruises were faded and she assured Charis that she felt ready for another day’s training. She needed to keep to the same routine as yesterday.

“Astera, we will be late back to the Inn tonight, so we place the key to the room in your care. When you return eat and wait for us in our room. Is that clear?” asked Charis.

“Yes mistress, I will not let you down.” Astera then left to break her fast.

They cleaned and packed the many items they accumulated during their stay in the saddle bags they brought with them and the ones they purchased yesterday. They also purchased a saddle yesterday for the extra horse and would collect that on the way out and surprise Astera with the gift, they hoped. Charis wondered aloud how else she could include Astera and gifts just didn’t seem enough. Starting a relationship with blackmail was never a good way, at least her father never started a relationship that way and he was always surrounded by true and faithful friends. She never meant for Astera to be influenced such that blackmail was her only choice.

They were late down to break their fast. They didn’t impose on the Innkeeper and went in search of a food stall. They were in their other dress as they enjoyed not being recognised and decided to explore the town outside of the old wall. Most of this part of town was established along Gate Road. The other significant structure was the arena. There was still a large green area, the Town Common. As they approached the edge of the plateau that the town was perched on the drop was not sudden, although extremely steep. Even without a wall it would be a challenge to climb if men were in position to repel them.

They found themselves circling the arena and then continuing to circle looking for an entrance. The Team Building was open, only a small service entrance but it was an entrance. They didn’t consider any consequences as they were eager to return to the field of sand.

As they walked passed the Team Rooms towards the entrance to the battle ground they heard the sounds of battle. They looked at each other in their dresses and grimaced. At least they were armed, Otonia with her knives and Charis with her dagger.

The scene they looked upon stunned Charis.

Astera was near naked, just a strip of cloth severely tied around her chest and brief leather shorts around her loins. On her left arm was a shield almost as tall and wide as her. In her right hand was a long stabbing spear. The Gate Captain was barking attack orders and three of his soldiers were taking turns trying their best to beat Astera down. They watched as Astera tired the three soldiers and then earnt herself a rest. They were all in armour, she none, but still her endurance was admirable, perhaps working all day on the farm for many years helped.

Then the Gate Captain would call attack and the fight would be joined again. Every so often he would yell at Astera to hold the shield up or position the spear depending upon the attack. He would also remonstrate on his men as well. They each were wielding different weapon combinations, one was sword and dagger, one was two handed long spear and one was sword and shield. Charis noticed that all the weapons were wooden practice ones, which would have delivered the bruises the previous day.

Astera was defending against close attack with the opponent constantly trying to get inside her guard; another opponent that was happy to stand back and force her to close and finally another shield carrier who used every opportunity to bash her shield and try to force her back and loose her footing or balance and be open to a sword attack.

Otonia touched Charis gently on her shoulder, it was time to go and Charis seemed transfixed. In the end Dione also needed to point out that it was time to go. In more practicable terms it would be close to the midday meal time and surely they would break for that! They needed to leave or stay and be seen. In the end Charis gave way to reason and they all left the way they entered.

“Well we could visit the Gate Captain at the new Gate?” Then they looked at Dione with questions.

“He won’t actually be there for a first time, ever!” said Dione. They laughed in spite of everything.

They decided to visit the stables and check on their horses. They needed to pay for a few more days and this way their walk was with purpose. They also needed to check that the saddle had been delivered.

“I wonder who looks after the Gate when the Captain is occupied?” asked Otonia.

“Let’s go and see. We could make a demand, we must see him, it is urgent.” suggested Dione.

Charis knew they were trying to lift her up and she tried to play along since they were trying so hard. As they approached the new Gate and were about to call out to see the Gate Captain, he appeared. They all stopped, did a double take and as he approached them Dione carefully touched him to check he was real. He was amused but nothing more.

“What can I do for the Ladies Three then?” he asked.

“How did you recognise us in our dresses?” asked Dione.

“Forget that. How can you be in two places at the one time?” asked Otonia. Dione diverted by Otonia’s question was trying to think about that now, while Charis was confused and this was one more mystery to add to her burden.

“So, you have finally figured it out! Well that will close that particular bet off!” at which point he signalled one of his men and he visited all the soldiers gathered all of a sudden to pay out or not. Some celebrated and some swore.

“Please explain?” asked Otonia.

“We are twins, we have shared our entire lives and luckily or unluckily we were never discovered by the Seers so never entered the Temple to be trained and by the time we were discovered we were too old to be trained. Since then we have survived as soldiers, eventually settled in Hillperch and slowly been promoted in its service.”

“Well that explains a lot, we thank you for your honesty, although I thought the Seers were only interested in female twins?” Charis was speaking purely functionally, polite conversation to go through the motions and more relieved than ever that a mystery was solved so easily.

“Yes they are most common, but securing male twins and training them can lead to other uses, which my brother and I have heard of since and depending upon who tells the story, confirms we have been very lucky as we are free to live our own lives!”

Charis turned away and walked towards the Inn. Otonia and Dione looked at her with some concern, saying some pleasantries to the Gate Captain and followed after her.

“Astera will recover and we will see that she finds her place amongst us, she is now family.” stated Otonia. Charis looked at her with a happy sadness and briefly hugged her.

“We still have much of the afternoon left so we could work up a sweat in our room, then wash that sweat off in the bathhouse, partake of a good meal at the Inn and then be ready to go to the craftswoman for our fitting?” smiled Dione. They all approved and eventually walked through the threshold of the craftswoman’s shop before five bells. They were keen in the end to be ready.