There were no messages left for them when they went to the common room to break their fast.

They were walking to the arena when Dione suggested Charis would now know what a real training session will be like since she would be starting with everyone, but her warrior-sisters would graciously help her through even telling the Gate Captain to take it easy on her. Charis gave her a playful punch and they all laughed.

The four seemed settled and balanced now thought Charis, the discomfort gone with Astera trying too hard and not being included and her oath to her Mistress being such a different bond that Otonia or Dione couldn’t understand it although they now seemed to accept it. Well she hoped and then she caught herself in case the bronze loop felt her hope and probably sensed her desperation when she least wanted it to.

They started with laps around the outside of the Arena and they were joined by others. At first two or three and then fifteen or more, they became difficult to count as more joined, most weren’t in any armour and certainly didn’t carry any weapons. They didn’t know who they were and they didn’t approach or speak to the warrior-sisters, they just followed and copied. Astera slowed and then she sprinted and they followed the Ladies Three but kept a respectable distance. When the arena was opened by the Gate Captain he led them all in. First in though with a light hand drawn wagon of weapons were his men.

The others were drilled in spear and shield, while the warrior-sisters were given more personalised lessons by the Gate Captain and a few of his select soldiers.

Charis asked the Gate Captain about the others. He told her he enquired with the town fathers a few days ago about training a militia. He got the deal across the line by saying that while they were being trained they would only have to pay him and his soldiers, the militia would train for free, but if ever the town was assaulted the town fathers would have double or possibly triple the number of men at arms. A man at arms is also less of a burden during a battle because he is not a fleeing or panicking peasant. Charis smiled with him and nodded in agreement on an argument well won.

At the end of the day the warrior-sisters completed by jogging on the outside of the arena as the Gate Captain and his men were cleaning up after the large number of warriors in the making. Surprisingly many of the others followed the warrior-sisters in this final exercise. Charis managed to survive the day and took great delight in proving it to Dione in some friendly rivalry.

The warrior-sisters then walked back to the Inn and entered by the Inn’s bath room. They prepared this time by bringing a spare set of clothes in a saddle bag and they learnt to have just a little fun so they could then eat an evening meal. Some nights they would stay for the evening entertainment and others they would go to their room and sleep.

This routine continued most of the Month of Law until one morning a message was left for them. The Scribe used Charis’ false seal on her letter of introduction to seal the message so she knew it was genuine.

“The Keep past Maplethorn”

That was all it said.

“Was he heading that way, did he get there?” asked Dione.

Charis was thinking about the Keep and wondering if she would be welcomed, tolerated or hunted if she returned.

“What sort of message is that?” asked Otonia.

“Looks like the only one we have. So we need to pack for a journey. Astera please inform the Gate Captain that we will be elsewhere for a while and thank him for all his efforts on our behalf. I hope we don’t need to use it but if we do we will much better prepared because of him.” said Charis.

“Yes Mistress without fail.”

By the time Astera returned, saddle bags were packed and stocked with rations. The Innkeeper was asked to rent their room out as they were not sure if or when they would return. As a hope they would ask him to store their non-essentials, specifically their dresses and some other items. He hugged them all and wished them a safe journey and a safe return.

After the sisters left, Charis paused and walked back into the Inn after waving her sisters on.

"Innkeeper what is your name?"

He smiled and paused as he looked at Charis, a quizzical look on his face.

“Not many ask, so why do you?”

“I would like to think of you as a friend and friends share their name.”

“I would be honoured to be your friend, my mother named me Manard, well met Charis the Young.”

“Well met Manard, my friend.” Charis lent over the bar and reached for an awkward hug, which was returned and then Charis left to run after her sisters.

Charis reached her sisters at the stables in time to pay the coin still owing. They then led their horses out of the new gate being farewelled by the Gate Captain or his brother, most likely, they were never really sure. Then they mounted up.

“Mistress, I cannot ride a horse.” said Astera. While she used the time to this point to try and avoid the obvious, there was no escape, so it was just easier to say the truth, plain and simple.

There was a silence as they all considered this.

“You didn’t learn on the farm with your brothers and sisters when Dione was teaching them?”

“No Mistress I was preoccupied with another purpose, I was always with you.” Astera felt her own failure sharply; of course you needed to be able to ride a horse!

“Riding down this slope is not a good time to learn. Otonia please lead Astera’s horse behind you and Dione lead. Astera please keep up on foot. Let’s go.” commanded Charis.

In spite of herself, Charis admired Astera as she kept pace with the horses, although they were all being careful down the winding, sloping road that ran down from the town, avoiding travellers as much as avoiding a fall. Still, she could not fault her on effort.

“Now we are on level ground, mount up Astera.”

“Mistress?”

“We need to be at Maplethorn by nightfall. We can only do this if we are all mounted.”

“Yes Mistress.”

Dione immediately dismounted and instructed Astera. They practiced the mount and dismount a number of times until Astera became less incompetent. Dione then gave some instructions on riding and said she would ride beside her to assist. If Astera knew this day was coming she would have spent more time with Dione learning to ride when she was still the farmer’s daughter instead of time spent elsewhere, she cursed herself a fool. She noticed Charis waiting impatiently and felt a further weight of failure, whatever the pain; she would endure it to ensure they made the next village by dusk.

Astera slanted her shield across her back so the edge didn’t touch the saddle. The spears were in sheaths that were behind her saddle like her sisters. These were the easy things she thought.

The morning went slowly as Astera learnt mostly about the pain of learning to ride a horse. Dione was constantly providing advice and correcting poor practice. They rode through the midday meal, just taking water as they could while mounted.

Even with this they only just made Maplethorn by dusk. The village was mostly in darkness, although lamps shedding light from the Inn guided them so they could secure a room for the night. Charis was still unhappy considering the ground they covered previously as a three.

As they approached the Inn a young lad ran out to welcome them and gather their horses.

“Stable?” he asked.

“Yes thank you.” said Charis as they dismounted and grabbed their saddle bags.

They walked into the Inn and were met by a completely empty common room. Then they heard the Innkeeper running towards them. Astera was grateful for the distraction of Charis and her sisters as she painfully and gingerly walked through the Inn’s door and walked to the bar in what she hoped was the general direction of the Inn’s rooms. She leant against the bar not to relax but to hold herself from the pain, digging her fingers into the bar.

“Welcome, most welcome. We have a number of rooms, if you wish one each or we have the one large room for special occasions, which you can share. The price will be the same.”

“Do you have any food, a hot stew and an ale or cider would be most welcome.” Charis suggested.

“We can do this I am sure. Your drinks first, yes? Cider? Yes, alright please choose a table and your drinks will be with you soon.” He ran off.

Charis was surprised he did not recognise them from their last visit but perhaps it was his way or maybe the addition of Astera and their cloaks somewhat disguised them.

“Mistress I cannot sit. I have pain where I never dreamt I would ever have pain.” She was tearing as she said this.

“Come with me, we will get to the room and I think I can help.” Dione offered.

Dione resorted to slapping the bar counter to get the attention of the Innkeeper.

“Key to the large room please.” asked Dione.

Key in hand Dione and Astera went down a hallway to find it. Dione could see Astera struggle and didn’t need to wonder as Astera paused and hugged or just plain hung onto Dione every few steps. Dione realised in the hallway that Charis couldn’t see either of them and realised Astera must have been in this pain for a long time as she could barely walk.

Charis and Otonia were served their drinks. When the Innkeeper left, Charis smelt the cider just to be sure and then sipped to double check, it was alright despite the desperate nature of the Innkeeper.

They then heard yelling and shouting from the kitchen at which point they looked at each other and wondered about their meal.

Dione unlocked the door and pushed it open. She was weighed down with both their saddle bags and managed to get them to the foot of one of the beds. Astera was leaning on the door frame on the verge of crying.

Dione rescued Astera from the door frame and closed the door. Standing behind her, Dione then started to peel down Astera’s leather pants. Astera cried in pain so Dione slowed a little. Next the pants underclothes were taken down, or rather peeled away from the skin. Astera’s inner thighs and buttocks were angry red and in pain, even her ankles hurt. Astera was sobbing. Dione gently pushed Astera down onto the bed and started to rub on an ointment. Astera silently screamed.

“Please do not tell Mistress, I beg you!”

“Astera, you will not be able to ride tomorrow, she will know anyway and Charis likes honesty. You have no choice.”

“No choice about want?” asked Charis who just then appeared at the door to the room.

“Mistress I am in pain from the riding and I don’t think I can ride again tomorrow. I have failed you.”

“Dione, the Innkeeper has served us something hot, Otonia and I only think it is food.” Charis didn’t smile. “Please eat what you can while I talk to Astera.”

As the door closed Astera prepared for the worst. Charis gently set herself upon the bed and placed her face directly in front of Astera’s, they were two finger widths apart and Astera, even if she wanted to, couldn’t turn away. Her Mistress demanded her attention if not in word then deed.

“It is I who has to apologise to you. Given the training we have been undertaking and the fact we have four horses it did not occur to me to ask if you could ride a horse, you are a farmer’s daughter after all and when you didn’t learn to ride with your brothers and sisters I thought it was because you knew how. I made an assumption and that is on me for not knowing those who swear fealty to me as the oath binds both of us equally. When you told me you couldn’t ride I should have been supportive not frustrated. So I punished you. Let us see if we can fix this.”

“Mistress, I have still failed you, I cannot ride so I cannot continue with you. It is true that four cannot stand, it must be three or seven.” Her hands formed into fists with frustration, Gods and Luck. Charis touched her right fist and looked into her large brown eyes.

“You remember when you returned from your first day of training battered and bruised and remarkably you were well enough to get up and train the very next day?” asked Charis.

“I thought, incorrectly it seems now, my body was built for this punishment.”

“You must die with the secret I am about to show you. There is no other option once you know. You cannot share this with anyone.”

“Mistress you have my life if you want it.” Astera lifted her chest from the bed using her core muscles, using one arm to steady and the other to draw a small dagger on a chain from around her neck and hand it to Charis. Charis pressed her hand against Astera’s and pushed it back. Astera relaxed to lie back on the bed.

Charis got to her feet and then used her hands on all the parts of Astera’s body that were hurting, massaging and urging healing. Astera gritted her teeth and her fingernails dug into her palms, she was not going to scream in pain, she was not, every touch was pain and this was Charis laying her hands in place, if Mistress rubbed her down, which is what Dione first suggested, she would have preferred death, she was in no doubt, given the little Dione started before interrupted.

When Charis did this for the battering and bruising, she was surprised as much as anyone when Astera went to training the next day. She was curious as much as wanting to know if she really did have this, whatever this was. If she did, she knew she was in danger of being challenged by the Priests and Priestesses of Ure and whatever blasphemy they decided to choose.

“I feel no different Mistress I am afraid.”

“Lay there and sleep, we will see how you are in the morning. Yes?”

“I will do as you command Mistress, always.”

“I will fetch you a bowl of what the Innkeeper calls food and bring it to the room. Otonia and Dione will be with me, so no games for anyone tonight.”

“Yes Mistress.”

Charis, Otonia and Dione ate and drank and then paid for the fare.

“Why the sudden joy and haste when you saw us?” asked Charis of the Innkeeper.

“Very few are passing through, there are villages further up the road but we have not heard from them for some time. The Village Elder has petitioned the Duke but he has yet to respond. Something is not right, I can feel it. If you are going that way go with great care. I would want your business on the way back if nothing else!” he finished with bellowing laughter.

Charis wasn’t so amused but eventually pretended to see the humour; especially since the food was at least hot and there weren’t too may strange lumps and bumps in it.

They went down the hallway and entered the room.

“Well nice shiny red bottom and nice shiny red legs, it is not every day such a pleasant sight greets you before bedtime and already in bed, ready!” cheered Otonia.

“I must rest and try to recover otherwise I would be more than willing to wrap my legs around you Otonia.”

“Tomorrow could be an interesting day so we will sleep and rest and make an early start. The Innkeeper has promised to prepare an early meal for us so we need to be sure we are there to eat it hot, whatever it could be or look like.”

+++

With that, they all found a bed or a shared bed and slept. There were no bells to wake them. The Innkeeper though knocked on their door as he went about his preparations. They soon packed and prepared and once they broke their fast they went to the stables. All the equipment was packed already. Charis threw the boy a silver coin as a reward. He saved them a great deal of time. Dione checked the saddles of all the horses and they were good, she nodded her appreciation.

“Thank you Mistress.” Astera whispered as she mounted her horse from the left hand side. She then asked Dione to adjust the stirrups a little so she could push her feet a little more forward so the wide part of her foot was placed ideally in them. Otonia and Dione were surprised but then she did recover well after her first day of training so perhaps her recovery was to be expected. They decided that perhaps Charis applied a healing ointment from the elder.

Dione looked up at her and winked. Astera felt better already.

“The Innkeeper mentioned that there is another village a couple of days travel up the road. We will travel one more day on the trail and then swing off and shadow it. I am hopeful that Dione can play her horse trick and guide us safely on the mountain spur side so we have the shade of the morning sun concealing us somewhat. We should be able to make the village as unseen as best we can.”

The Innkeeper was right of course there was no one on the trail. Seeing this Charis asked Dione to lead them off the road late afternoon. It would be slower going but hopefully safer in case of ambush. There weren’t many fields on the mountain spur side of the trail, just low bushes and an occasional tree. Dione was riding out ahead trying to see before being seen, she wasn’t sure she was in anyway successful.

They camped before dusk to try and ensure their camp was difficult to see unless someone was searching for it and almost upon it. There was no fire and they ate cold rations and took turns at the watch. In the dark hearing was more valuable than sight, but they rested undisturbed.

+++

At dawn they started out, Charis scouting ahead on foot with Otonia, Dione and Astera leading the horses following her trail. Charis was concerned about being surprised and it felt good to scout ahead, better because she knew her warrior-sisters were at her back. Charis found an ideal camp site and while there was still daylight she decided that there wasn’t such an urgency that needed the extra haste.

The camp was the same as the previous night although there was a small stream nearby, which allowed water to be drawn and the horses to drink their full.

---

Dione heard a noise and then another. There was a rattling rhythm to them. As quietly as she could she woke Charis and pointed. She then woke Otonia and Astera. With the noise as a guide they crept to the edge of the camp closest to it. Charis though was already scouting out and investigating. They couldn’t see or hear Charis in the dark and without any other option they waited, alert.

+++

Dione went to sleep as did Otonia, while Astera started her watch. When Astera’s watch was up she tapped Otonia and went to sleep. At dawn Charis was still not with them.

“There were no screams or calls for help, Charis will be here when she can. So break your fast and prepare to break camp and be ready to leave.” said Otonia. She said it with a confidence she did not have, but travelling with Charis showed her Charis was difficult to kill.

As they set about their tasks they were too busy to see Charis return, she was also trying her best to make sure they wouldn’t notice her return as she needed to cover her relief. The night was a strange dance of avoidance while making sure she didn’t trip over her feet or anything else in the dark. She realised upon her return she could have easily died, the strange creatures were at ease in the dark and she hated the idea of being so helpless. She was more determined than ever to see if her and her sisters could move so easily in the dark.

“I followed some small creatures, only by the noise they made. I couldn’t see two arm lengths in front of me and so tried to hide not really knowing if I succeeded or not. The only thing that saved me was they took a different way back to wherever they came from. They could see in the dark as easily we see in the light. If they have a village under their threat or they have the Magistrate it would be foolish to follow them into the unknown.”

They sensed that Charis was concerned and slightly worried. She wasn’t defeated but neither was she as sure as she usually was.

“We will track them to their liar, wherever that is and mark the place well. Then we need to see an old friend and see if she can help us, trusting that a certain Bard’s information has a chance of being correct. Then we can prepare the better and gain as much advantage as possible.”

“Do you need someone with you or are you better alone?” asked Otonia.

Charis smiled, Otonia knew her so well. She missed the light hearted, happy Otonia but life gets serious when you are abducted and learn what your fate could have been except for a chance meeting, some gifted items and some desperation.

Charis returned after mid-morning and apologised for the delay but she was almost seen. It seems the ugly small creatures can also see in the daylight although they squinted a lot even in the shadow of the mountain spur. They mounted and Charis felt a tug of memory as this journey was very similar to one taken a few months back when she choose to go over the spur instead of around it. They pushed hard and made the source of a familiar stream by nightfall, setting up camp with the remaining light. Again they ate a cold meal and shared the night watch without event.

Dione tossed in her sleep, she dreamed of danger in the dark, then she realise she was in company and settled down. It was like she was out of her body and was looking at them all sleeping including Otonia who was on watch. When she awoke Dione looked around, none of her warrior-sisters seem to realise anything was amiss, so did it actually happen?

+++

The stream source was fast but shallow, although Dione piggybacked Astera on her horse and then led Astera’s horse across. Charis and Otonia rode across confidently. By late afternoon they were riding into Bearwatch. For Charis and Otonia it was a homecoming of sorts, for Dione and Astera it was just another village. Charis asked Otonia to arrange a room for the night and to stable the horses. Charis needed to meet an old friend.

As Charis approached the elder’s door, it was opening.

“Greetings, joy to you my dear! My you have blossomed; I almost didn’t recognise you, such confidence and what of the fine armour. I feel so blessed in seeing the special in you!”

She just hugged the elder; no words could express her feelings of friendship and love towards this old lady who gave her such trust. They went to share tea at a familiar table.

“Have there been any new strangers looking and asking about, since I left?”

“Yes, but they haven’t figured to look my way at all. They arrived and after some time left. With the summoning done in these parts there is no reason for them to stay. Even the stranger was long gone by this time usually; he was probably looking at other villages.”

“I need some help.”

“If I can help you I will, what do you need?”

“I need to be able to see in the dark and so do my three warrior-sisters. I think we need to rescue a village and maybe a Judge Priest Magistrate; the second is a bit of guess work on my part. There are small greenish creatures, arms and legs like you and I but smaller, ganglier and very ugly!”

“What you describe are Goblins. They normally aren’t that brave to attack humans, they normally stay to the dark. Sometimes they can be bullied into bravery but not often. They do see very well in the dark though! So I see your dilemma.”

“I have heard that name before but didn’t imagine that is what they would look like. A bard told me that there could be a spell or a potion that could allow a human to see in the dark, so I was wondering if you have either.”

“Well get my spell book, you know where it is. I can’t say I remember such a spell but no harm looking.”

The elder stoked the fire in the stove, second cup of tea time and also lit an extra lantern as dusk was upon them.

As they turned the pages of the ancient tome, there weren’t any “See in the Dark” spells for them to find. They looked at each other and this time they carefully studied each page in case they missed something the first time. There were spells for growing plants, for curing illnesses, for repairing broken bones, for healing cuts, for luck, for love, for weather and many other spells about things, mostly small things. In all it was a great collection of spells from a long family line of elders.

“I will keep looking, but it seems there is no direct spell to grant you what you need. This isn’t surprising though dear, you are changing the natural state so that is always more difficult.” declared the elder.

“I must join my warrior-sisters at the Inn. Otonia is one; I will bring them back with me in the morning so you can meet them if you can stand the excitement.”

“I can’t call you all my cousins, but I don’t care who people think you are, I would welcome the excitement!”

“They can easily be my friends from Town if you like or companions your cousins have met on the trail.”

“Charis, one more thing, I see you have become distracted and haven’t yet made it to the city to study?”

“No elder, I have become busy with Hillperch somehow. I certainly didn’t plan it, the town and some of its people just invited me in I am afraid to say.”

---

“Will you ever go I wonder?” The elder said to no one in particular as Charis was gone and walking across the trail to the Inn when she spoke the words.

---

The light thrown from the Inn guided Charis. As she stepped into the common room her warrior-sisters were not there. Charis approached the Innkeeper and asked. He just pointed down a hallway.

Charis walked down and was faced with a choice of three doors. How helpful! She was deciding on going back to the Innkeeper and asking him for a room number when Dione appeared from behind door three. Charis silently mouthed the word why. Dione waved her on urgently, relieved that her door watch duty was finally at an end.

Once in the room Dione closed the door behind Charis and they rush to a table that Otonia and Astera were already seated at. Both Otonia and Astera were signalling Charis to quiet. They all sat around the table hunched forward so they could whisper in the hope that no one else could hear.

“The Inn is full with strangers Charis, we took the last room, all the other rooms and there are ten, three downstairs and seven upstairs are full. The Inn didn’t prepare enough food, so they have all arrived today and no one seems to know why or if they do, they aren’t saying.” whispered Otonia.

“This is still a backwater village is it not?” asked Charis, more to herself than her warrior-sisters.

“Well when we break our fast it could be interesting?” Dione quipped.

“Get some sleep, since we have no hot food to eat now. We visit the elder tomorrow.” Charis said.

---

Charis instinctively held Dione as she tossed and turned in her sleep that night, she felt her captivity was still haunting her and perhaps being closer to it she was more sensitive.

Unknown to Charis, Dione was distracted by something else. She felt loneliness in the dark, she felt separated from her travelling companions, then she heard one of them snort and knew in this room somewhere there was a friend and settled.