Charis awoke to a gentle knocking on the cottage door. The elder didn’t stir from her sleep, she must have been tired still from last night’s vigil or was it research Charis didn’t really know.

Charis was dressed in her cloth under armour so she rolled of off her camp roll and went to answer the door. To her relief it was Astera, spear in hand, shield on her back, magnificently presented in her armour. Slight concern on her face, she knew because her eye brows would draw together and her skin would scrunch on her forehead in an Astera sort of way when she was. Charis resisted the urge to use her hand to straighten it all out.

“You must come to the Inn Mistress; Thyia is not pleased about not being sworn in as a warrior-sister.”

“I will go with you now; I may be able to break my fast at the Inn, which will leave the elder to awaken when it best suits her.”

Walking across the trail to the Inn, Thyia burst from behind the cottage and leapt at Charis with a knife in hand. Astera moved to intercept and with shield, slammed it into Thyia, knocking her senseless to the ground.

“Let me know when she revives, don’t encourage it with water or such, I should be able to break my fast before I need to talk to her again.”

---

As Charis sat to eat, Otonia let her know that the two guards that escorted the Lady in White left immediately at dawn. She could see the Merchants and their guards breaking their fast in the common room. That left the minstrel and the two lost warriors to be accounted for, who stayed the night and either, slept in or crept out in the night to avoid payment to the Innkeeper.

“Dione, Thyia is laying bashed near the elder’s cottage, before you become concerned, Astera needed to protect me from her. How was she last night?”

“Raving when awake and reliving nightmares when asleep. Being captured and hoping to be rescued while depending upon someone else to be fed is difficult. It took much love and probably a lot of magic for me to recover even though my burden was somewhat … exaggerated?” She said the last word quietly, still ashamed of her lie.

“New start Dione I will hear no more about your past, but I wonder are you willing to help Thyia in the same way you were helped? I am not sure how we share our love for each other anymore, we have little privacy now. While Alcmene and Clymene have sworn to me they still need to earn my trust. Where are they by the way?”

“I think they are a little scared of Thyia, so stayed in the room.” answered Otonia.

“Please fetch them. They at least need to know we will protect them from any attack from anyone if it is within our power.”

---

Charis finished breaking her fast and watched as the twins started to eat.

“You never need to fear, while in our company.” They both looked up and nodded and then froze.

Astera was escorting Thyia roughly before her. Thyia was limping slightly and very angry. The dust on her face revealed dried tear tracks.

“Sorry Mistress, I needed to correct her behaviour when she recovered.”

“She punched me and then kicked me in my ass! Even they didn’t do that!” spat Thyia. There was some general snickering in the Inn mainly from the Merchant and his companions. Thyia couldn't turn another shade of red her face already glowed as much as it could, so her body just locked up, all her muscles going taunt.

“Did your behaviour earn that attention from Astera?” asked Charis.

In a rational moment of thought it occurred to Thyia that no answer was going to help her so she stayed silent, the red angry flush of her face still visible through the dust.

“I understand you were upset at not being asked to swear fealty to me. Is that correct?”

Thyia nodded and remained silent, finally her mind was engaged again and she kept her mouth closed by setting her jaw and not moving it and finally relaxing her muscles, which were starting to burn in any case.

“When someone swears fealty to me I need to know they mean it, truly from their heart mean it. All I saw in you yesterday was a thirst for revenge. While I haven’t experienced your pain I understand your need, so I will give you time, you need to reconcile your past, you need to realise it wasn’t your fault, there is no blame with you. You didn’t have any say in how they treated you. If we make you one of us and we train you to defend yourself and if needs be kill to survive or kill following my orders I need to be sure your past won’t come back to enrage you and put all our lives at risk.”

“What about Otonia yesterday?” said Thyia yelling and crying at the same time, dismayed.

“You need to worry about you and no one else. Understand?”

“I need to find justice! You do not know what they were saying and threatening!”

“None of it was your fault, no one blames you but you, no one judges you but you, you were powerless and you must come to terms with that. It will take time.”

Thyia threw herself at Charis’ feet still crying.

“I will fight for you, I will do as you say, I promise!” pleaded Thyia.

Charis didn’t say a word, just signalled to Astera. The bronze loop was too close to Thyia so Charis didn’t want to empower it with word or thought while Thyia was prone at her feet.

Now standing before her Charis answered her question.

“Train hard, learn, prove to me you are in control of yourself and then we will speak again of fealty.”

“Thank you for this chance.” she replied.

“You do not need to follow me. There are others. In fact if you wish you are free to go, I have no hold on you.”

“I have nowhere else to go and I do not want to return to my family, they would send me back to Parium, back to the Duke’s Court. Men would then tell me what to do.” she replied plainly. With that said Thyia found a table in the Common Room for herself and sat in thought.

Taking this opportunity the Merchant and his wife walked over to Charis’ table.

“I admire your charity, but rarely is it rewarded.” He drawled. Thyia overheard him and harden, wiping her face and placing her hands to each side of her body tightening them into fists.

“That is probably for me to decide, but I am sure you have something more important to discuss?”

“Yes, I hear you have some items you have acquired that could easily be disposed of here and now with me instead of later, after you have carried and protected them down the trail?” he enquired.

“Possibly, when would you want to inspect and make an offer?”

“Well it needs to be this morning as my Trapper acquaintances will be returning today and I don’t think there will be time to haggle once they return.” He smiled as he finished speaking, holding it.

“So very true Master Merchant, well give me some time to get the goods presentable and I will send word when we are ready.” replied Charis.

“Very well, mid-morning perhaps, you will know where to find me!” He looked and pointed to a chair in the Common Room. Turing back to Charis he glanced at Thyia and smiled, not in a kind way.

When he left their table Charis casually got up and signalled all to follow her to their rooms, both of which were downstairs although not the one the mothers were killed in, as the Innkeeper’s wife continued to work to remove the blood.

She chose the one furthest away from the Common Room.

“Dione, gear up for battle, ride and scout the Trappers to locate them and their number. They shouldn’t be expecting anyone to look for them as yet, but do not take any chances! Find them and return.” ordered Charis.

Dione was bunked in the other room so left to gear up. They wouldn’t expect to hear from her until much later.

“Thyia, clear all of your gear and Dione’s gear from the other room, into this room please. When done please help gather the collection into the other room.”

“Yes.” she whispered in reply and left Charis' sight.

“Otonia take Alcmene and Clymene and gather all the collection of gear into the other room please. We have some odds and ends at the elder’s cottage as well.”

“Astera, with me.” They were the last to leave the room.

“Yes Mistress.”

“We need to find some down and out warriors and see if they would be interested in some temporary employment.”

She went to see the Innkeeper first and eventually, with a little coin found out that they were working for a farmer out along the east trail. To find them and return as quick as possible they saddled their horses and prepared two spare horses. Astera moved slowly to the task.

“You need the practice Astera and it won’t be a long ride I hope!”

They only went to the second farmer along the east road and found them. The farmer wasn’t pleased they were being interrupted so Charis threw him a coin to pay for their time. Charis deliberately stayed mounted to provide height and also position the bronze loop as near to them both as possible.

“Are you enjoying farming or would you like to be warriors again?” she asked.

“I am not sure a warrior is a warrior if commanded by a girl!” the moustached one laughed.

“Well a warrior has become a farmer so I would say anything is possible.” She replied. He stopped laughing and scowled slightly.

“What my sword brother is saying is, it is difficult to be a warrior when you don’t have the equipment of a warrior, be your commander a women or a man.” said long hair.

“Well then you will appreciate my offer. You will be granted the use of these two spare horses, you will be granted the selection and use of a modest amount of equipment we have accumulated that we are preparing to sell, before we sell it. If you prove loyal and trustworthy, you will be allowed to keep the horse and equipment you have been granted use of.”

“What is going to stop us from just running off with the gracious gift you are considering to bestow upon us?” said the moustached one.

“Your honour.” replied Charis.

This time he thought upon her answer.

“Why do you feel we have honour enough to hold us to your offer?” asked long hair.

“You have chosen to work instead of rob or threaten and by the way the farmer was upset at our interruption you must be providing him a fair days work for a fair days reward.”

“What would we have to do and for how long?” asked long hair.

“We are about to meet an unknown number of unfriendly trappers. I am hopeful our numbers will be more than theirs and they will back off as they have a deal to conclude with the Master Merchant. Although they could make the mistake that being women we don’t count for much even though we killed two of them without much effort. They may still decide they can kill more us than we can kill of them, so I am here hiring, adding strength to my army.”

“Why didn’t you say win, someone has to win? That is battle! That is War!” asked the moustache one.

“When someone dies no one truly wins, someone is going to mourn them and seek revenge and continue the bloodshed.” replied Charis. She remembered these words from her father whenever he made a blade instead of a plough and sighed. The elder said something similar; it must only be the old that remember the folly of vengeance. Charis didn’t know what she would do if one of her warrior sisters were killed, so she worked hard, so she didn’t have to walk that path.

“I would then expect you to hang around for a day or two and then I need you to run a letter to Hillperch for me. I need your decision now, so yes or no, on your honour?” Charis finished.

“Yes.” said long hair.

“Yes.” said moustached.

“I need to hear you say ‘Yes on my honour commander’” asked Charis solemnly.

Moustached looked away and swore under his breath. Charis felt he was going to be the first to run, but he did place a value on his honour, so if he swore on that he would then be honour bound to stay.

“Yes on my honour commander.” said long hair.

“Yes on my honour commander.” said moustached through gritted teeth.

“Mount up and say goodbye to the farmer, don’t ask him for today’s wages as I think what I am offering will be reward enough and will leave him in a better mood if you ever need to ask him for a favour in the future.”

They both nodded and rode off, soon to return after saying farewell to the farmer. They then rode to the Inn and stabled their horses. Still no trappers in sight and no Dione, which meant they could make further preparations. Charis led the found warriors to the equipment room and offered them to select what they could use.

“A good collection to choose from commander, thank you. Although I do like a shield, tends to stop nasty arrows, so let us hope the trappers don’t have and use bows. Can we equip all areas with armour?” asked long hair.

“I need you to be imposing; it is worth more to me now than any coin I could get for selling it. So I will let you decide.” answered Charis.

As they made their selections they equipped at the same time, trying for size and sometimes discarding. They chose Sword and Axe as weapons.

“Can you fight from horse?” asked Charis.

“Only if you consider riding up to a foe and then leaping from the horse!” jested long hair.

“No I was thinking horse and spear, but it may not come to that with a little luck.”

“Those you killed would have relatives, I am sure they would want revenge.” said moustached.

“Do you have any relatives that would morn your death?”

“Yes, I have relatives, they would morn me, they know I am a warrior and I dice with death every day, so no revenge. Unfortunately the trappers aren’t soldiers so they think of revenge.” replied moustached.

Charis nodded to him and when they were ready she led them out, with Astera following. As Charis passed through the common room, she called to the Merchant that they would have to haggle after the trappers arrived.

“Look who is fighting for the girls! The man-girls themselves!” shouted one of the Master Merchant guards.

“Prove them wrong with deeds, do not waste your breath trying to convince them otherwise, use your controlled anger for the possible fight to come.” whispered Astera.

“I would still like to plant my fist in his mouth, but what you say is wiser.” agreed long hair. He didn’t know the young girl beside him, but he was impressed. Her horse riding wasn’t good, but on two feet, spear in hand and the armour these women wore, her good height, her entire body was sprung tight ready to kill. Her braided hair curled upon her head and sat like a modest crown although it was plain the other one commanded.

Otonia, Alcmene, Clymene and Thyia were waiting for them at the front of the Inn.

“Alcmene, Clymene and Thyia please wait in the elder’s cottage, I do not want to be concerned with your safety and if things go wrong you may be able to rescue or save us later.”

Alcmene and Clymene were about to speak until they caught Astera’s eye and hushed quickly and did what they were ordered to, she maybe this was like Temple they thought. Astera decided they would need to understand what taking an oath meant. Thyia protested loudly until Astera threatened her with her shield and then she retreated to the safety of the elder’s cottage. Only violence seemed to work with her sighed Astera.

Shortly after, Dione rode in along the trail and pulled up in front of Charis.

“They are on the edge of the village. I have perhaps angered them as I was able to use my sling from horseback and let loose many stones, I tried to avoid the head as I didn’t want any deaths if we have a chance of talking to them. There are seven of them. I will now ride the other direction in case they have another group. I will return shortly.” reported Dione. Charis knew Dione was revelling in her duty and responsibility as her stallion was eager, stomping its hooves, wanting to be on its way. What one felt, the other felt as well and the stallion didn’t know how to cover its emotions, it wasn't human enough yet!

Eventually three of the trappers walked up the middle of the trail towards Charis and her warriors. The middle one clearly the leader, he was escorted by another either side all covered in furs. Charis wondered how much what they wore was worth and then remembered they were here to probably kill her not sell the furs off their backs. They stopped out of bow range and a rumble of words began.

“We seek revenge for the deaths of our kin,” he paused to look around as if announcing a fact, proclaiming the righteousness of whatever actions followed, “callously murdered at the hands of she bitches.” said the very large man in the middle of the three, almost a man mountain.

“Their actions chose their deaths and if the one that lived told you any different, then he has not accepted his role in their deaths.” replied Charis.

“Would you meet with me in the middle of the distance between us to discuss?”

“I do not know you or your honour, with your size and strength I would be at the mercy of your honour. Would you accept if our positions were reversed?”

The three sort of snickered between them; well she isn’t that stupid at least but they thought it fun to try. After all she was just a she.

Charis knew he was playing for time so she warned the two warriors to prepare for attack from the one side; at least two would have circled wide around the cottages. She instructed Astera and Otonia to prepare for the other side. Dione was still away, Charis thought she should have been back by now or was she just worried and needed to see her for her own comfort.

“We have punished him for his role in their deaths and now we need to punish you. We cannot leave our kin un-avenged. We would kill you take your processions and give these as death price to his widow who now has no means to survive without a husband and a son to provide for her. It is a tale of sadness and woe. Your hand has removed from this world all that she loves.” he paused to take a breath.

“Surrender the she bitch and we will let all others live. Man Warriors why do you side with such a sneaky bitch, she uses a bow that is no manly weapon, when you kill, when you die you need to see your enemy and stare at them in their death!”

“Prepare, he is starting to swear and demean, his men are close.” warned Charis.

“You other women, you can be mated with a real man and know true loving. Surrender her and be free of her witchery it is only her that we want. Surely you see the justice in what we ask. We are humble fur trappers; we have no need to kill folk, only bargain fairly and then return to our hunting grounds. We have never killed unless provoked. Surrender the she bitch and all of you will live. I swear!”

“On whose honour do you swear as I believe you have little? Your honour in fact is small to balance the fact you are a big blowhard that prefers to talk instead of battle. You fear my arrows, you fear a small frail girl, you are not a man, you should give back your balls to your mother as she is probably braver than you, as she needed to survive your birthing, you big blowhard. Talk instead of fight, what man does that? I will tell you; a man afraid, a cowardly man!”

That did it. He charged, his face was red and his nose was sucking in the air as he propelled his huge body to a charge. The man either side of him hesitated, this wasn’t the plan. What was he doing! They looked at each other and with no other choice followed him.

Charis needed to aim as she knew she needed to get this exactly right; the following releases could be hits, this release though needed to be deadly accurate. She gathered all her will and her need under the sun.

Enraged he charged in a straight line, axe in each hand yelling his insults. He even managed in his rage to keep his head at the same height and slightly forward lining her up like a bull charging. Charis released. It was like slow motion as the arrow appeared before him. He couldn’t change his course, he just accepted his fate. His head, neck and shoulders were one when he charged.

The arrow pierced his left eye, which was destroyed by the iron tip and with his momentum and the pull strength it continued to travel into his skull, eye flesh joined brain flesh to mix. He continued forward for seven steps and then toppled, like a wide tree felled in a forest. The ground didn’t shake but there was a crashing noise when he landed.

The two men either side of him stopped, staring at the impossible the man now laying on the ground had survived many bear attacks but one little girl with one shaft of wood killed him. The mighty beast of their family felled. They were soon brought back to the present. One received an arrow in his upper leg and he screamed. The other looking at his companion, started to run and he also received an arrow in his upper leg. They both crashed to the ground and after looking at each other started to bandage around their own arrow to prevent any further blood loss.

Charis then became aware of the clash of weapons behind her. She turned to see Otonia and Astera holding two on one side, while the two warriors were doing the same on the other.

“Surrender before you die! Your leader is dead. You need to see him to the gods and find another leader!” she yelled with all the voice she could muster.

“Never! You are a cowardly she-bitch with a bow and we are close enough now to reach you and kill you!”

Charis signalled Dione, who was now waiting back, behind the line of battle. She now charged with her two handed spear. Otonia was watching her and at the right moment rolled away from her opponent who then smiled as he reached to slash her with his axe. She could see his eyes wide, licking his lips, tasting his victory, the Axe in a high arc ready to descend and split her in two.

He felt his chest explode and then no more as the spear point impacted him with the force of a charging horse. Dione then jumped from her horse and tried to retrieve her spear while Otonia was now helping Astera with her opponent. He could only retreat or be surrounded; his will shattered by the destruction of his trapping partners' chest, some splatter of his blood on him. They called for his surrender, he refused out of instinct; he still wasn’t thinking when he was asked.

“They have another three coming from the west. I delayed them a little, but they will be here soon.” shouted Dione.

There was a scream from the side the warriors were fighting and Charis soon realised what was happening. Thyia was on the back of one of the trappers and stabbing for all she was worth into his neck and shoulders with a couple of small daggers and as he succumbed and fell to the ground she continued until she was wearing a lot of his blood and laughing!

The warriors turned to the remaining trapper who was backing away from the horror as much as trying to avoid being surrounded. Even the warriors were a little concerned at the raging butchery and the joy within the murderer. What horrified them the most was her red painted smile and her white teeth being painted with each strike!

“THYIA, STOP NOW!” yelled Charis. Thyia heard something or someone; she paused in her madness and looked up. The one who yelled, her face was familiar, it was blank, cast in stone. Her eyes though, her eyes were wide, the whites clearing showing, something was wrong. Thyia looked at her hands and the daggers held in them were flung away, too much red, then she started to scrap the red from her hands, then her arms, too much red. Then her clothes; tearing at them, too much red, no not red, blood she finally accepted. She realised she snapped and all the revenge that was bottled up was released in that moment.

As Charis turned one of the wounded men that flanked their leader was behind her, she didn’t even hear him limp towards her as she was intent on watching the battle, in particular Thyia and her madness and trying to talk her down. As he raised his axe she tried to roll away from the stroke, but she knew she would be too late. Trying to shield herself with her arm for the blow moments passed and nothing struck her. She looked to see Clymene with a stone, a little patch of blood on its underside.

Charis then looked for the other man that flanked the leader. She thought the wounds would have kept them out of the battle so they could be their new leader and learn that to fight was to court death. She saw him leaning against the Inn wall; he left the arrow in the wound and bound some cloth around to stop the bleeding. Good she thought, smart survivor; that is the type of leader they need. She then turned to the fight behind her after telling Clymene to go back to the cottage after thanking her.

She saw Alcmene wrap the near naked Thyia in a blanket or cloth of some type and shepherd her back to the elder’s cottage.

The three trappers from the west were now considering their options. Charis needed this to end before any more were killed.

“Your leader is dead as are some of your kin. The fight is over unless you wish to continue with It.” yelled Charis. To emphasis this Charis stood atop his dead body.

“Place your weapons on the ground and come forth, you will not be killed.”

“Don’t listen to her.” said the trapper fighting the two warriors, they couldn’t hit him, so it would only be a matter of time before he killed them.

“We welcome you to the fight if you wish to join.” She then released an arrow that dropped just short of the three. Unfortunately they thought she missed, so hearten, they charged. Her next arrow caught one of them in the shoulder, the following arrow caught another in the leg, and the final arrow caught the third in the arm. Their charge faulted and stopped. They then threw their weapons away. This also took the heart away from the other two trappers still fighting, who stepped back and threw their weapons away and showed their empty hands.

Dione on horseback rounded them up to be near the wounded trapper that escorted the leader at the very beginning of the fight. Otonia and the two warriors picked up all the weapons and placed them in a pile across the trail from the prisoners. Dione and Astera roped the dead and dragged them towards the prisoners so they could see their reward in terms of death and waste of life.

Alcmene was already attending to the wounds of her warrior-sisters and the warriors, most of which were slight cuts and bruises as Charis instructed them to hold their opponents at bay, death would be delivered by others if it was required.

“They have their furs with the women just beyond the edge of the village.” stated Dione.

The men looked up with concern. That was a prize of an entire season of trapping and curing; if that was taken they would be hard pressed to survive the next season.

“Ride to them, tell them their men are hostages, bring all their goods with them. If they don’t we will hunt them down after killing their men.”

Charis did not allow any of her warrior-sisters to attend to the trappers. She allowed them bandages and water as requested. Astera with spear and shield and Otonia with throwing daggers pacing about, the prisoners were covered. Charis went to find Thyia, who was in the elder’s cottage hiding in the loft. It helped that the elder was at hand to let Charis know.

“I command you to come down and face me!” ordered Charis.

Thyia slowly stepped down the ladder, she couldn’t refuse otherwise Charis would cast her out. She faced Charis with eyes cast down, ashamed. Her hands firmly gripped on the bloodied blanket that now clothed her. In the moments since her mind returned to her and even she was shocked by what she had done, her body only now becoming exhausted as the adrenalin affect wore off.

“You will never do that in a battle again. A battle is life and death and madness is not wanted or needed. You need to be trained in weapon skills and you need to be trained in your mind. For your mind to be an effective weapon you must be in control of it at all times.”

“Yes Charis, I will obey.”

“The only reason you are to be given a second chance is because I do not know what your captivity did to you, but this latest madness of yours will be an end to it. No third chance.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Will there be a third chance for Thyia?”

“No, there will be no third chance.” sobbed Thyia.

“Stay here for a while longer, clean yourself and dress. I will send the elder in and perhaps she can impart some of her wisdom to you.”

“Yes, I will listen to her.”

With that Charis left the cottage and the elder entered. Now she needed to find Clymene, which wasn’t difficult as she was tending to the wounded and bringing food and water. Her sister was beside her they were joined at the hip it seemed.

“Clymene, please attend me.” As Alcmene turned to join her sister, she caught Charis motioning no with her head. Clymene looked at Alcmene but both obeyed the commands issued, they were used to that in the Temple; to obey was faith and honour. They thought they now had a choice but Astera soon explained they didn't.

“I truly appreciate what you did, how could I not, but I promised to train you before you joined us in battle and I feel I have failed you to cause you to join battle before you should.” Charis reached out to touch her lightly on her shoulder as she spoke. Clymene shivered a little, touching was being too familiar and Temple didn't permit familiar, the rules outside of Temple would take some effort to learn, their Mothers didn’t have much time to teach them sadly.

“Mistress I will serve where and how I can. The elder suggested that from behind with a big rock would assist you and not put me in much danger. Especially since both Alcmene and I were beaten if we made any noise while we walked, as the Temple prized silence above all else to increase the chance of transference, so I was sure with the added noise of battle he would not detect me behind him.”

“In that case I truly accept your actions, not only because I must because it saved me from death or at least a grievous wound, but mostly because you thought about what you were going to do.”

“Thank you Mistress!” her face burst into a brilliant smile and overjoyed she hugged Charis and then pushed off her in shock. Then Charis reached for her and hugged her, she was relieved and excited by this closeness. Touching in Temple was severely frowned upon, it was a distraction. To touch a Mother Superior would result in a beating, she could have been deep in concentration and to break that could have wasted hours of effort.

Just then Dione returned and said they were following far behind. At this time the Master Merchant and his wife appeared at the doors of the Inn. Behind them their guards spilled out around them. The warriors stared at them and they turned their eyes. While they didn’t say, they would have looked on as the fight was fought.

They both approached Charis; they both were bandaged lightly but moved well enough after surviving a fight. So she walked them away from everyone else before they had a chance to speak.

“We have helped you win a significant victory it seems and you are about to cash in with the delivery of a season of furs, so we were wondering what our share would be?” asked the moustached one.

“What makes you think, given you have known me for even this little time, that I would see a tribe of people left poor and starving?”

“But this is battle and this is victory, when you win you get the spoils!”

“My reward is survival and seeing my companions survive. I don’t need to see my enemies ground down.”

“Women don’t know the rules of war. We are victorious we claim what we want!”

“You are under my command, you swore on your honour. It is my victory, it is my prize. So let me know if your honour is worthless. NOW!” Charis ended with the last word in a loud clear shout. She didn’t mean to say it as loud as she did, but their demand was the straw that broke the anvil as her father was want to say on occasion.

All looked towards them.

“I am yours to command, on my honour.” said long hair.

“I am yours to command, on my honour.” said moustached through gritted teeth, he didn’t seem to be able to talk to Charis in any other way when called to heel.

“I am honoured to be your commander. I hope by the end of this day to have you on your way to Hillperch, which will conclude our agreement.”

---

They needed to wait some time and as she turned Charis saw a depressing sight. There were many loaded pack animals, each being led by a woman. There were a number of young male teenagers, only a couple of Death Seasons younger than her armed with axes and looking angry, who seemed to be in command. They were shocked and couldn’t wipe it from their faces when they saw the men of the trappers lowered as they were.

“Drop your weapons please and walk on, leaving them behind.” demanded Charis.

They resisted at first and then they looked at their fathers or uncles or teachers and dropped their weapons and walked over them.

“Who is the oldest woman among you?” asked Charis.

A middle aged woman walked to the front.

“Has your husband been killed today or perhaps a couple of days ago or is he still alive?”

“My husband is dead, he died bravely fighting a large black bear last Death Season. I found his body and set it high upon a pyre so his spirit could reach the sun. He was a good man and always provided for me and my son. My son was killed today as I do not see him amongst the living.”

“It was battle and I am a warrior, death is a consequence of my chosen profession. I don’t believe a trapper should ever be killed in battle. The reason they entered into battle is because they believed their opponent weak, only women. Even though they fought and lost lives two days before against those very same women. Where was their wisdom? Now I claim all of the season’s furs as my victory prize. I turn you and yours away poor and possibly starving.”

“Please, you can’t it is all we have left. They were unwise, they felt slighted; we were told that you weren’t honourable and killed from behind and tricked them. They would take you today and reveal you as the dishonourable person that you were.”

“It was battle and I am a warrior, I am honourable, I defeat my opponents because I think and plan first. They chose to use their opinions about women, their overconfidence in themselves and did not plan well for battle. It takes a woman to think about all the consequences of any actions.”

“I accept you are honourable. As an honourable person I beg that you allow us to keep our Season’s furs.”

“That is the wisdom of a woman speaking. If the trappers acknowledge that their leader will always be from now and for ever a woman I will allow you to keep your season’s furs.” declared Charis.

The women in front of her dropped to her knees and looked to the men in askance.

“We agree to your terms we swear to it on our ancestors and the Gods.”

“Can these oaths be trusted?” asked Charis to the woman kneeling before her.

“Oh yes, they would not betray their ancestors or the gods.”

“Then I need all the women and children to swear the same oath. After all, boys grow into men and we have proof that men let wisdom slip from their grasp as easily as water when it suits them. I would also decree that as soon as any trapper survives twelve Death Seasons they swear the same oath. So each come forward and swear before me.”

They each stepped forward, the women more easily than the boys, but then they were urged by their mothers or they would be the first to starve when the tribe went without. Charis then permitted them to tend to their injured men. Once that was done she allowed the Master Merchant to approach, who until then was standing by, pacing eagerly, waiting to discover who actually owned the furs so he could conclude his trade.

Charis lent over to the woman and let her know that she should bargain strongly as furs have become fashionable in the city this season, well that is what a certain bard told her anyway, so he should be willing to go high. She can also use the fact that with few men they would need to purchase more supplies to ensure they can survive.

Once the Master Merchant was concluded there, he assessed the value he was willing to pay for Charis’ arms and armour and three horses. She drove a reasonable bargain and gave the letter of credit to the long haired warrior.

“I need you to take this letter of credit to a certain Master Leatherworker, with this Letter of Request to this same Master Leatherworker in Hillperch. Once you have discharged this duty our agreement is concluded and your armour, weapons and mounts are yours.”

“It will be our honour.” replied long hair. They left that moment as there was still enough daylight to see them to the stream at least.

The trappers fired their dead on a single large pyre and then loaded their wounded onto the horses that carried the furs into the village and left Bearwatch. They would not have made it too far away but then they all weren’t filled with good memories of the village so didn’t want to stay. The only sad person was the Innkeeper who saw valuable trade walk away, but then they did tend to destroy part of his Inn also during their celebrations.

The Master Merchant, his wife and his guards left immediately after concluding the deal with Charis. They led away their own train of mules loaded with furs, armour and weapons.

Charis kept some of the coin that they made from selling the arms, armour and horses to the Merchant as she wanted to treat the warrior-sisters to separate rooms since the Inn was nearly vacant. The only one that could be there would be the Minstrel, although no one seemed to remember seeing him in the past two days.

Charis took the top seven rooms, one each. The twins asked to share the one room as they found it difficult to be apart after being so many years together, so six rooms. After that was settled Charis checked to see if the elder was joining them on their journey in the morning and found to her delight she was. The elder used Charis’s magic to strengthen herself and then Charis left for the Inn, bed and sweet sleep.