Astera finished her training session with the Gate Captain and his men by jogging around the Arena. She completed five laps, going slower each time; the last was at a fast walk. It allowed her to cool down and allowed her heart to settle. It was how her father worked on their farm, the more labour intensive jobs at the beginning of the day and the easier jobs towards the end if he could arrange it that way.

She stood in the centre of the Arena and dressed. Not that she was naked, but to walk the streets of town she would need more than a wrap around her breasts and the leather loin cloth she trained in. Tomorrow she would start to add armour now that her fitness level was good but for today she would wear a robe for modesty. It was close to dusk so she lit the lantern she carried with her to training. She walked to the Team Rooms and looking around before going inside she check each for a message, really just checking if anything had been changed.

She was in the Ladies Three room and noticed a new non-descript rock added to the décor. Walking to the obvious and lifting it a folded note with a seal was under it. Joy! She needed to settle and act normal; there was nothing here this time either. She checked the other three rooms she was yet to visit because that is what she has done for the past week, well a little more than seven days really.

The only thing she changed was she went directly back to her Mistress. Normally she would stop at the Bathhouse first to wash off her sweat, but this was too important. As she entered the Inn none of her sisters were eating in the common room so she went straight to their room. At her urgent knocking, although she tried to remain calm, the door was opened by Charis and she was admitted and then the door was closed.

They were all in the room, Dione and Otonia were lying back on the queen bed, when Charis broke the seal and read the note.

“The message has only one word ‘Wait’, so that doesn’t help. We are trapped here now and unfortunately we are also low on coin.” stated Charis.

“When our coin does run out we will at least find out who our real friends are!” suggested Dione.

“I would prefer not to run out of coin, get the task done and get our letters of introduction and then travel to the city to start our real lives.” said Otonia.

“Astera; no offence but you obliviously didn’t visit the bathhouse first I would guess?” said Dione.

“No sister I thought the message important and I didn’t think I could open it, so I came straight here.”

“Well you can’t stay smelling like you do.” added Otonia.

Astera looked at her sisters and shrugged she also decided to take this opportunity to make another change to how things were. The bathhouse would probably be closed so she did the only thing she could. She removed her robe and used it to wipe down any sweat that was still on her. She then removed the cloth around her breasts and her loin cloth and wiped those areas as well.

Otonia and Dione were speechless as this magnificently athletic woman proceeded to clean herself naked in front of them. She was usually more reserved and modest, coming back from the bathhouse fully clothed and going to bed with loin cloth and breast wrap, disrobing at the last moment. The biggest surprise was yet to come as Charis walked to her and using a bowl of water and a cloth started to wipe her down. They didn’t notice Charis leaving, but she must have, as well as returning before they noticed. Were they that distracted!

The smell of the room improved as the water and cloth contained some sweet smelling soap.

“I can finish washing myself Mistress. You don’t need to attend me.”

“Well you may not have to if your sisters wish to assist?”

They both looked at each other and shrugged. After all they both complained so it was only fair they helped. Over ten days of ten bells of training Astera was gaining tone and muscle definition and it all needed washing down still, although they were gentle on the few bruises that remained.

When they were finished Astera climb into bed naked and promptly went to sleep. Charis just smiled, Otonia and Dione were in shock, both completely speechless.

“Well you sleep naked Otonia.” said Charis as she picked up Astera’s smelly castoffs and dropped them into the bowl of water to prevent the smell spreading any further. She then went to the door and placed them outside and tapped the door frame twice and closed the door.

Otonia and Dione still hadn’t moved, but Charis was sure they would eventually as Charis went to bed and left them to wonder.

+++

Astera was up and away to her training before the others were awake and starting naked didn’t delay her getting dressed too much. She smiled at her new family while they slept, quietly closing the door behind her as she left wondering what the Innkeeper would prepare for her to break her fast. She knew that the Inn’s staff took bets on her to see if she could finish whatever he placed in front of her. Not really volume, just different. Astera was a farm girl and she was in training so nothing so far had put her off.

Charis, Otonia and Dione woke up not much later and they followed the routine of the past few days, breaking their fast, bathhouse every second or third day and then waiting in the Inn for the evening meal and entertainment. After thinking the wait would be short, Charis was convinced that the Magistrate was waiting for something else that wasn’t anything to do with them and the task he assigned them.

So while they were seated at their table Charis decided that today would be different.

“Armour up ladies, we are to the stables, picking up our weapons and travelling the country side. No more days wasting away in the town. It seems the only one improving themselves is Astera while we just wait.” commanded Charis.

They left the new Gatehouse behind and resisted the urge to visit the farmer and in fact went the opposite direction towards the Baron’s Keep, south and then west following Charis lead.

“There should be the Village of Maplethorn up this road, normally a couple of days by Ox drawn wagon, should be only a day for us on horseback, there and back again.” stated Charis.

They rode with Dione as an out rider. The traffic on the trail was heading to Hillperch and consisted of farmer’s wagons in the main. There were also one or two travellers heading to and from town but none in the rush they were in, especially Dione who upon her stallion was setting a cracking pace. All they met went by with polite salutations.

The village was typical, most of the significant buildings on the one main street though the village and then cottages with small gardens further back on either side of the road. They went to the Inn to see if anyone was out of place but it was empty, not even a villager. The Innkeeper needed to be awakened so they weren’t brave enough to sample any of his food or drink and instead asked for directions.

Charis decided to head more north than east from the village and explore the gap between the Hillperch plateau and the spur proper. They had seen it many days ago from afar but thought a closer look would be in order, especially as it could be a useful shortcut if Hillperch could be bypassed.

Dione was again the out rider and Charis asked her to see if anything riding wise was easier or different given the silver ring acquired from the last stranger. The most impressive discovery was the increased stamina of his horse as she was able to ride out fast, explore and ride back just as fast without the black stallion hardly tiring.

“There is a huge graveyard or pile of bones ahead!” Dione spluttered when she returned.

“What are you saying, slow down Dione and take your time.”

“Charis it is like a whole lot of bones just decided to lie down and rest?”

As they approached closer, Dione slowed her stallion down to a walk and her sisters took her lead. They cautiously nudged their horses over to the area of the bones. They were on the loose stone and gravel at the foot of the plateau. Charis couldn’t think why the bones would be here and neither could anyone else. It was odd and unusual, this many bones should have been set free with flame when they first died.

“We can set these free. Start a fire under the main pile and then gather the other bones to release their souls.” said Charis.

The bones were dry and there was enough kindling so it didn’t take long to start and the bones were quickly consumed to feed the fire. They all gathered more and added them to the bonfire.

Satisfied with their efforts they mounted up and rode on. They needed to make up some time to get back to town before nightfall so they rode close to the edge of the plateau, trying to avoid the loose stone and gravel, which Dione’s horse was very good at doing. They didn’t ride for long when they found a cave entrance, it was hidden somewhat behind some larger boulders and a large wall of stone separated from the plateau. Dione’s horse led them between the boulders and followed the face of the plateau through to an area of few loose stones and little gravel, which looked like they were dropped while most were probably carried away.

The ground in this area was well trampled and on either side of the entrance was a large amount of stone chips. The cave or was it a mine now, was excavated, but not braced with any wood, just a tunnel into solid stone. Just inside the mine entrance in a large chamber, a large number of pickaxes and shovels laid, a very large number, almost a fortune in them if you could carry them and find a buyer.

Charis couldn’t make any sense of it and neither could Otonia or Dione, so they all mounted up and continued to ride; now desperately trying to beat nightfall and a certain Gate Captain closing a certain Town Gate.

They heard five bells and found the trail between Oxrest and Hillperch. This heartened them as they seemed to have made up enough time. They pushed their horses to a gallop, Dione’s horse was revelling in the challenge; both Charis’ and Otonia’s were being physically stressed. They passed a certain farm gate and Charis was tempted, but they could always return if the Gate was closed to them. Except for Dione’s stallion the horses were beat and could only manage to walk up the winding path to the new Gatehouse.

The Gate Captain was waiting for them and welcomed them home and then ordered the gate closed. They stabled their horses and left their weapons as required and heard eight bells to signal the start of night.

“I am not sure if we actually achieved anything, but I couldn’t stay one more day in town, so thank you for following.” said Charis.

“The horses and us needed a run.” replied Dione.

Instead of heading straight back to the Inn they thought they would try to catch Astera at the arena. It would be good to declare her officially as part of the family by walking back to the Inn with her. There was a separation that wasn’t actually real anymore and not necessary. The awkwardness of many days ago was slowly disappearing because they all could see how hard Astera was working, although last night was different but perhaps an ending of sorts, saying she was comfortable enough now to sleep naked.

As they walked through the Team Room area they could hear the sounds of fighting within the arena. Nightfall was almost upon them. As they looked past the doors they were stunned by what they saw. Astera and the Gate Captain were fighting for their lives! One of the Gate Soldiers was injured on one knee, while another was prone and not making a sound.

Two attackers remained, both armed with broadsword and dagger, one trying to get inside Astera’s guard and the other trying to tire the Gate Captain with sustained attack.

One was incapacitated when a lasso went around his neck and he was pulled off his feet, falling heavily onto the sand. The other was struck in the knee with one of Otonia’s round metal balls. She kept them from the trial and they were in holders around her waist, but only because she wanted to keep the look. She knew they were an interesting and unusual weapon because people always asked her about them if they didn’t know of them, although mainly new arrivals to town now.

Astera placed her spear at the throat of the one before her, he didn’t have much choice but to surrender as the lasso held him in place. The Gate Captain took the opportunity to shove his sword into the chest of the other when he dropped to one knee after his other knee was smashed by Otonia’s throw.

As Charis approached the scene there was another dead attacker.

“Who do you work for?” asked Astera

“Who do you think bitches?”

“Probably someone who doesn’t give a second thought about you now, since you are the last of your three. Was this a test to make the team? Was this part of a bigger plan?” asked Charis.

Otonia tended the Gate Soldier as best she could with a bandage to try and prevent further bleeding. It seemed his leg was badly cut; he certainly couldn’t stand on it. He was much better than his companion who was dead.

“No test, just a commission, snatch if possible spear and shield girl there. We would have too, only her sparring partners came back for some reason. Why do people change from what they did yesterday and the five yesterdays before this one? No one needed to die here today.”

“Who hired you?” asked Charis.

“You are young but you must know how this works, a man or a woman, difficult to tell these days, dropped a note and down payment in my hand. No words spoken; just a hand-off between two people passing each other in the street. So even if I wanted to I can’t tell you who! That is why I was asking you!” he laughed.

He was silenced when the Gate Captain hit him in the back of the head with the flat of his sword.

“I lost a good man today.” There was a venom and anger to the Gate Captain’s voice that surprised Charis as he was normally level headed, always. “He was the one who spotted something odd, there was a Team Room door closed and they never are. He mentioned it to me when we left the arena, so we turned back just in case to make sure everything was alright. Astera does a few laps of the arena after fight training to improve her endurance; we are normally too tired for that sort of thing.”

“They needed to chase me as I was still running a lap when they showed themselves on the sand. I was sweeping my spear across them all to make them keep their distance, but it was only a matter of time before they got inside my guard. That was when the Captain returned with two of his men and charged them. His good man was taken out by an amazing dagger throw to the eye as he was charging. The other blocked a similar attempt with his shield. It was three on three and then the Captain took down one of theirs while one of theirs struck one of ours in the leg. By this time I joined the fight and took on one of the two that was attacking the Captain and shortly after you appeared to save the day.” continued Astera.

“I will take this one to the infirmary at the Gate and send some men back for sleepy over there. Can I ask you to stand guard over him until they get here?” asked the Captain.

“It will be our honour, the least we can do for saving our sister.” confirmed Charis.

When the Captain and his wounded soldier left, Charis took Astera aside and asked if she would check for a note, while Otonia and Dione guarded the unconscious attacker. After some time she returned shaking her head in the negative. It was truly dark by the time the Gate Soldiers arrived at the arena. The Captain asked them to bring an extra lantern for them so they could make their own way back to the Inn, while they took the prisoner to one of the Gatehouse prison cells.

When they entered the Inn as a four, no one even noticed. As their food and drink was served the barmaid quipped, it was about time, most well-known secret in all of town!

They didn’t stop for the evening entertainment and went straight to their room after finishing their meal. Astera fetched a bowl of water and cloth and then followed.

“Enough waiting, this is getting us nowhere and going nowhere. We can’t just knock on the Temple Door though and we need to see the Magistrate to find out what is happening.” said Charis.

“What about the Scribe? The Magistrate knew full well we carried letters of introduction and it was part of the deal to provide replacements so he knew they were important to us. He made them part of the reward for the task.” asked Otonia.

“Yes the Scribe, we will pay him a visit. Astera see if the Gate Captain is willing to continue the training. If he is, tell him he will have three others join him and his men soon, possibly tomorrow. I have been thinking that we may have survived to date, but in the arena, once the enemy closed we gave ourselves only one option and that is surrender. Astera would be the only one now with enough skill to resist that option.” stated Charis. As Charis looked upon Astera and spoke her final words she could she Astera was honoured and humbled at the same time.

“While we are considering our weaknesses, does anyone know how someone can see in the dark?” added Dione. They all looked at her. Where did that come from their faces seemed to say?

“I was taken by two men who could see in the dark, Otonia was also taken by these same two, we must learn their secret, whatever it was. The night only allows small pinpricks of the sun through once it sets under the world and it is not enough, yet those men were not greatly hampered. Think what we could do while others could not see us?” asked Dione.

“Change of plan then. I will ask around to see who in town has a large collection of books and scrolls and see if any of them have anything on this ability. Otonia and Dione please visit the Scribe; you have my permission to threaten him with your knives if you have to. Astera please see the Gate Captain.” commanded Charis.

“While I acknowledge you as our leader Charis, what my knives can and can’t be allowed to do is my choice. Can we be clear on that?” asked Otonia.

“We are clear Otonia, I just wanted to be clear with you that whatever means you chose would have my full support, we need the Scribe to talk and nothing less will be good enough. I know you have drawn blood before and killed so you set your own boundary in this. While you both are there perhaps you could also ask him about seeing in the dark in case he has translated or copied a scroll or book recently with that information.”

“I just think that you forget that I and also Astera are your elders Charis and while we follow we can still be our own person, although we have followed your lead without pause, you seem to be more commanding than asking. We respect a partner, not sure we need a commander.” replied Otonia.

“Mistress, Otonia speaks for only herself, I have sworn to serve you, I am yours to command, always.”

“Alright only me, then.” confirmed Otonia.

“I apologise if you feel I command too much, perhaps I do at times, only because we need to keep moving forward. We are bonded because we have saved each other’s lives, I saved your life Otonia, you saved Dione’s and Dione saved both of our lives by riding skilfully and drawing a stranger to his death at our hands. In the arena today, I am sure Astera was relieved when her sisters arrived. We would all agree this is a strong bond, but if you feel you need to make your own way, I will not stop you, I would wish you well, hope your knives protect you and thank you for the time we have shared and would hope to share more time together in the future if our paths cross. For ours is not only a bond of survival, but love also.” finished Charis.

When the silence cleared they all came together, hugged, cried and rejoiced.

Then they realised that Astera stunk of sweat, but fortunately all the necessary help to correct that condition was at hand.