Astera, Otonia and Dione were up early, well Astera shook them awake just before the first bell as the day was dawning. They were dressed in their cloth undershirt, felt and leather armour then broke their fast shortly after in the common room. Finishing quickly at Astera's urging they were away to training. The Gate Captain and his men weren’t there so they were locked out. Astera encouraged her sisters using pleas and guilt to do a warm up run around the outside of the arena, they managed five casual laps before the Gate Captain and his men arrived.

With the Gate Captain came the weapons, since civilians weren’t allowed to carry heavy or ranged weapons within the town, which now started at the new gate.

---

When Charis awoke the room was empty. She noticed their armour gone so guessed correctly they were already at training or on their way to training. There was an advantage to being in the single bed, when everyone else got out of bed you weren’t disturbed. The other advantage was if your warrior sister or sisters wished to attend to you she could do so easily without disturbing others. Charis felt a little selfish then but quickly dismissed it as her relationship with Otonia especially but also Dione was established well before they met Astera.

She geared up, with cloth undershirt, felt and leather armour like her sisters as she would, regardless of today’s events end up at training with her warrior sisters, she didn’t relish too many make up bells on the trail with Astera!

While in the common room breaking her fast, Keos arrived also, the same time as yesterday, just past second bell, if she was the first he spoke to yesterday that is. He was actually eating here, so she wondered where he spent the night. She made the effort to remove all the extra chaors but one to try and ensure he sat close to her right hand side.

Charis waited for him to finish and start his ‘look around’, which she met with a smile. He didn’t need a second hint and was at her table after a casual walk over. While he was walking over she place her left leg over her right, crossing high up her right leg.

“So we meet again, do you follow me about town?” he asked.

“If I did would I be surprised where you slept last night and perhaps guess it wasn’t an Inn?”

“A gentleman, even if a bard, never tells, good lady.”

“I don’t need to follow you, this is the Inn at which I stay and this is the common room that I typically break my fast in. So you are the visitor following me good bard.”

“You continue to surprise, perhaps that is what I was wishing for when I returned this morning to break my fast.”

“I have another surprise for you then. I need to know if you know or you know of someone else who knows how two, now dead men, could see in the dark well enough to abduct and almost kill two of my friends.”

“Direct and to the point I like the change good lady!” he clapped his hands lightly together, “Most um and ah and say a little of this and a hint at that.”

“A little like you are about to do now?” she smiled. Inwardly Charis was willing him to answer her question connecting to her bronze loop while she did.

“Perhaps but I need to earn a living. Now what do I know and how much would that information be worth to you. Do I know of any others and if so, how much would that be worth to you?” he paused while he pretended to think and consider.

Charis knew this was part of the sell or show and her being patient and content was the key to winning this game. She used this time to call upon the bronze loop so the more he delayed the better she felt about her chances of success, hoping of course the loop didn't backfire in some way.

When he realised she was under no urgency he continued.

“I would willing part with the information I have for a single passionate kiss on your lips.”

“What if I deem the information worth only half a kiss or are you guaranteeing I will be satisfied with the value and worth, as I do appraise my lips highly, which has caused many to swoon.”

“You are very young to make that claim, or very young looking? Perhaps you are a witch that has been alive for many life times and lure honest hard working men like myself into false bargains to laugh at us when we leave?”

“Perhaps given the unknown value to each of us of what is on offer we negotiate after I have heard what you have to tell, on my word as an honest lady that I will pay you fairly, such that you consider the bargain fair.” she offered.

“Well said lady and good enough.” Charis was whispering, calling upon her bronze ring to influence her new friend and be satisfied with whatever price she was willing to pay.

“I know that in times past when Elves walked amongst us, they could see as well in night as day, it was said they could take the little light of the sun that the night let through and use it to see clearly. They were said to pass this ability on to their children. Some of which were born to human women, who have passed this ability down their line although it wasn’t certain to be inherited and it wasn’t certain to match the ability of the elves. If you have encountered any in your short life then consider yourself special because in my long life I have seen none, in all my travels.”

Charis pushed her tankard to him so he could take a pause and a drink, while she smiled and willed all the more.

“The most venerable God Judge would allow his most devoted to cast a miracle that would allow them to see in the dark. Only the Priests would know why and no follower, be they, Priest or Judge Knight can do so today since magic went away. Magicians would have you believe that they can cast a similar spell, but again since magic disappeared, it is difficult to know for sure, although I do know of some who can cast other magic at great personal risk still.”

“I am impressed by your knowledge worthy bard, please continue.” as she moved closer to him by shuffling her chair closer while trying to not fall off, which she managed.

“As for people who know more, obviously if you can find any elf kind, unfortunately that way will only benefit your children. The Priests if they could; would work miracles but you would need to devote yourself to Judge and they take years to recognise any such devotion. Magicians are perhaps your only choice, one, somewhere may have a spell and then you would need someone willing to expend their life energy in the casting and then who is to say how long the spell would last. There could be some hedge wizards, herbalists and potion makers that could provide you with what you want, although I would suggest it would only be a temporary solution.”

“You have quite charmed me with your knowledge and payment of a passionate kiss is truly the equal of such knowledge. Do you require payment now?” ask Charis.

“It is I who feel most charmed as I never speak in such plain terms and so directly and in the one visit. Perhaps I was right when I first sat down.” His brow was deeply furrowed in confusion and worry, “You are a witch, but not to maintain your youth, but to extract knowledge from others so easily and so comfortably. I must go," he push back his chair as he stood, "I will consider collecting payment at some later time. I trust your word is good, I just don’t trust myself at this moment to not reveal any more of my wisdom for so little payment.”

With that Keos left almost running from Charis and the Inn.

“What a nice informative fellow.” Charis said to no one in particular. Luckily Charis knew a venerable hedge witch with a spell book, which just might contain the spell she needed. If not a spell, perhaps a potion could be brewed that would serve just as well. She needed to journey back to Bearwatch and visit her dear and lovable elder.

Charis approached the Innkeeper and before she spoke he leant over to her and whispered.

“It seems you have bested the bard, he looked a little shaken when he left. Did you manage to extract every secret from his very soul?”

“Something like that, he was very knowledgeable I will give him that. He was to collect a passionate kiss from me as payment, but decided to leave instead.” she laughed.

“So you will need another couple of baskets of food and drink for the workers?”

“Only the freshest left overs, our coin is slipping away I am afraid. Probably not a good thing to tell your host, but the truth is the truth.”

“Coin isn’t everything lady, you have been more than generous these past weeks, I am sure we can work out a discount to keep you under this Inn’s roof. After the trial your presence here introduced my Inn to many more patrons and some of these still visit, so that has worth to me and hence for you.”

“Would I be able to beg a favour then?” at his nod, she continued “Would we be able to have a bath prepared in the evening? We are training until our limbs burn and while the bathhouse is close it also costs coin, so we would be looking for something plainer and cheaper here?”

“Now that is a good idea, there is a storeroom out the back that has only odds and ends in it now as we acquire our essentials as fresh as possible from the markets. We didn’t have those daily back in my father’s day, so we needed to store goods from week to week. We could buy in three large tubs, put up some cloth to separate and provide a little privacy and then build in something more permanent as time goes by.”

“To start, we would only need cold water, hot water is good of course, but the months are warming and cold water is easier, there is no risk of fire getting away and your guests can fairly much look after it themselves if fresh water is provided every so often.”

“Yes, I think I will see to that today, to see if we can have at least one tub available this evening for the Ladies Three or is it Ladies Four now?”

“I know we are four now, but we will try and trick luck and continue to call ourselves the Ladies Three.” Charis suggested.

“Unfortunately good lady, luck is the one that does the tricking and luck only recognises three or seven so I don’t envy your dilemma because if you don’t reduce or increase your number then bad luck will and you would be best to act soon as you only have one month until the Month of Luck.”

When the two baskets of food and drink where ready, Charis dutifully carried them to the arena, still thinking about the number four and trying to see if it would easier to make the number three or seven. She would need to decide to lose a warrior-sister or gain three others that she may not be able to trust. By the time she arrived at the arena she was determined to not let these thoughts bring her down after the information the bard delivered so easily. Finally the bronze loop making something easy.

Training proceeded much like the day before and at dusk Astera made them all do laps to the point they needed a rest before they started the walk back to the Inn. Charis didn’t tell them about the possibility of a bath in case the Innkeeper encountered any problems. As they were approaching the Inn, One Thumb ran to greet them and grabbing Charis’ hand, led her and by association her warrior-sisters to the back of the Inn. In front of a double door he paused and while they trusted One Thumb, all but Charis were wary of going into a room they were unfamiliar with.

One Thumb knocked on a door and the two doors were suddenly flung open, One Thumb just managed to dodge out of the way, which resulted in him swearing as he got back to his feet. The Innkeeper apologised quickly, but his excitement could not be contained as he waved in his special guests. The area was lit by multiple lanterns and 3 tubs were in place with only cloth separating them. Charis and her warrior-sisters were surprised. Charis appreciated the effort he went to, all in one day! Charis expressed her gratitude and stood around for a little while, looking. The Innkeeper took the hint and shushed One Thumb out and closed the double doors behind him. Charis placed the cross bar in place to ensure some privacy.

Otonia and Dione were already looking about and feeling the water.

“Oh well not heated but then given the weather, not freezing cold either! So we sharing or just picking one, any one of them?” Dione asked.

“I am not too sure but I think as we are the first to use the Inn’s bathhouse we would be expected to try all of the tubs, so let’s get started!” said Charis.

“Found soap so I am set!” cheered Otonia.

The three climbed in a tub each. Astera was standing there undressed and waiting.

“What are you waiting for Astera?” asked Dione.

“There isn’t a fourth and I am not sure where I belong.”

“Astera, you have a choice, but I would be honoured if you joined me.” Charis stated.

Astera smiled joining her Mistress. The water was surprising mild! What wasn’t realised by the Innkeeper was the kitchen stoves and oven backed onto the storeroom to keep it dry most likely in the original design. This warmed the water slightly while it sat in the tubs.

Astera started by washing her mistresses’ back and then wandered to other parts of her body throwing in the occasional caress and kiss.

“Astera, there is no need for you to do something you feel your uncomfortable doing. It is certainly not owed because of your fealty to me?”

“I know. I wish to Mistress. I have witnessed the love you share with Otonia and Dione and I have urges and wants, my training is a diversion,” she stopped washing Charis, “to take my mind off them, Mistress.” Her voice went quiet, embarrassment, perhaps thought Charis. She was probably wondering what her Mistress’ reaction would be.

Charis turned to face Astera, which was an exercise in itself, as their legs tangled and needed to be wrapped around each other and it was all new and awkward, which spoilt the moment as they were somewhat afraid to touch each other and then they weren't, it took too long and they needed to try again and ... well it lost all the sensitivity of the moment. As Charis was finally able to look at Astera she could tell any seriousness was lost. Not only did Otonia and Dione laugh as they had watched the ineptness from start to finish they got out of their tubs and lent over the edge of their tub.

“Mistress I believe you were about to say something?”

“Yes, although perhaps the moment could have been better done.”

“It is enough to know that you can accept my love.” As Astera lent forward she noticed Otonia on one side and Dione on the other side of their tub looking critically and Astera paused while distracted by each of them. In that moment Charis stole a long overdue kiss.

Otonia then joined and started to wash Astera. Dione wasn’t to be left out. It took some effort to fit them all but they needed to be together so they made it work.

“We are sorry Astera, we should never leave a warrior-sister standing alone, we are one and we will always be one.” murmured Otonia who was being washed in a particularly pleasurable location by Dione.

Charis did then wonder what they would do when they became seven warrior-sisters. It didn’t seem the four would become three.

“Time to have dinner?” said Astera.

As they all looked at her and then at each other they decided by mutual understanding to stay a little longer to enjoy each other.

They were about to get dressed when they noticed large cloth over coats. They grab them and while not the most flattering, certainly maintained the required level of modesty. They gathered their gear and snuck through the kitchens and discreetly up the stairs to their room.

Once inside they throw off their special coats and continued from where they left off. They then missed their evening meal, so luckily they were in training otherwise they would have been starving. Well that is what Astera told them when they complained and she was promptly piled upon.