They were led before the Mother Superior of the Temple.

“Welcome. Thank you for the safe; if somewhat unorthodox method of delivering our sisters to our Temple and our care.” she announced.

“We were entrusted with this task and were honoured to complete It.” replied Charis.

“We have been informed that you are intending to travel to Hillperch are you not?”

“Yes, that is our original destination; our trip to Bircharbor was to gain additional honour with the Seers of Saph.”

“Which you most certainly have and we freely acknowledge such. We would ask an additional favour if you would agree. We would appreciate you taking a holy sister to the Temple of Saph at Hillperch.”

“We would be further honoured in your trust of us, with your sister. We would ask that some well-worn children clothes and well-worn adult clothes be provided. As you can see from our most recent delivery we needed to make do and while it worked that was perhaps good luck and not good planning.”

“All will be arranged as you request. Please follow our most trusted guard-sister. Thank you.” and like at the monastery the conversation was over.

They went out the front doors. The Guard asked Otonia to wait at the bottom of the steps. She took Charis around the Temple and they were heading towards the servants area she thought.

“Servants area?” she asked.

“Yes.” replied the guard.

“I didn’t know the Seers allowed female guards?” asked Charis.

“I lost my twin,” she paused for a moment, “the Goddess offers other opportunities. I chose to be a guard. We are here.”

A woman in dark cloak, with hood drawn over, emerged from the servant’s door. Glimpsing inside deliberately Charis noticed there were no servants to be found. She carried a large bag and fell into step with Charis handing her a backpack. Charis accepted it with a wry smile. The guard remained behind, closing the door behind her as she entered the Temple.

Charis met up with Otonia and then a couple of town blocks later Dione joined them. If their package was disturbed by them joining Charis they didn’t notice with her face covered and her body betrayed no hints. The next challenge was handling seven horses between four of them. They collected their horses from the stable; their package was comfortable tethering two to her mount, so Charis tethered one to hers which left Dione and Otonia free to respond to any challenge. Charis choose not to stay overnight in Bircharbor, leaving immediately, just in case the Temple found another package.

They made good time, the package was an excellent rider like all Seers seemed to be, so they stayed at an Inn a wagon’s day travel from the town. They stabled their horses, all seven and then went to see if there was a room or two available for the night. The Innkeeper was happy to say they could have the last. Charis looked at the package and she nodded in agreement so it was settled.

They went to the room and threw in some of their trail equipment and found the room was fitted with double bunk beds. So they conveniently had a bunk each and went to the common room for an evening meal. Their package ate, her face always shrouded and any questions were answered with a minimum of words. They retired to the room for the night.

---

Astera was nervous although she didn’t admit it to anyone. In charge, acting Mistress, whatever she was called and Charis chose her. The farmer’s daughter, of all the sisters Charis could have chosen, although to be realistic the Seers and Thyia would not have been an option, so perhaps she was the only choice. No she convinced herself, Otonia could have stayed behind and Charis could have taken Thyia or even herself if she wanted to. Confidence, she needed confidence in herself, at least as much as her Mistress had shown her.

Just before dusk Astera allowed a small cooking fire, a hole was dug first and the fire set in it. With the surrounding huge tree stumps it seemed unlikely it would be seen unless close. Astera combined some salted meat with carrots and the like recently liberated from the bandits adding in some of their herbs to make a reasonable mix. They even used trenchers to eat it from.

With the Seers in casual clothes the triplets almost looked like any other children. The single Seer though looked sad, no matter the meal or the company. After all had eaten the only service she helped with was to tuck the child triplets into their bedrolls for the night.

Astera met with Clymene and they started their watch, marking a place along the game trail during the day and returning to it now. It was pitch black so they both sat in the dark, both missing be able to see in the dark like they did when hunting goblins.

Thyia bunked down, getting some sleep before the late shift. Alcmene let her know she needed to attend to her ablutions but would try to talk to the single Seer, so there was no need to be worried if she didn’t return immediately.

Alcmene noted where the single Seer set her bedroll earlier so it was easy to find, just on the opposite side of the same large cut tree trunk as the child triplets.

“My name is Alcmene.” The single Seer turned to look at Alcmene and there was just enough light left to notice her features, especially the long black hair and smallish nose.

“Why are you talking to me?”

“I thought to introduce myself that is all. We have many days ahead of us together and it is best to be able to talk with the company we keep.”

“There is no point talking to me I have no future.”

“You are travelling to Hillperch are you not? There must be a reason for that, surely.”

“Yes it isn’t the Monastery and it isn’t Bircharbor.”

“What is your plan beyond not being in Bircharbor?”

“I do not know.” It was dark now and Alcmene thought she heard a sniffle, but couldn’t be sure the noise could have easily been a scuffle.

“Would you like to join our company? I mean I can’t offer you a place but perhaps you have some skills our Mistress would value?”

“I am a single Seer, what use am I? Even my Letter of Release from my Temple is unflattering. It reads ‘She is dismissed from the Service of Saph.’ I am twenty years old, my Seer Link with my sister,” she paused a moment, “was very strong. We were well advanced and my sister was sent on her first posting, she was in daily touch with me beyond Temple duties for weeks and then our link was gone. I ran sobbing to the Mother Superior.” She went quiet and Alcmene was tempted to touch her, but didn’t. “She offered token sympathy and then next day, the Letter of Release, no seven days of mourning. She thought it best I was sent to the Monastery to recover to avoid upsetting the younger Seers! Now I am here, they couldn’t heal me of my loss, so they have discarded me.”

Alcmene instantly hugged her. She pushed back and rejected the embrace.

“Touching is forbidden, why did you do that?”

“Because you are in pain and your Temple no longer values you, so why do you concern yourself with their rules?”

There was a silence between them and then she spoke.

“Why are Seer Twins allowed to be in this company? Why aren’t the Mother Superiors of every Temple questioning your freedom?”

“We have sworn an oath of loyalty to Charis and whereas you and your sister were the pride of your Temple we were the mediocre and poorly gifted in ours. But you are right, we are yet to be held to account by any Mother Superior.”

“Aren’t you concerned about punishment?

“We will trust our fate to our Mistress Charis. She has won much favour with the Temples of Saph and will win more if we can deliver the triplets to Hillperch so perhaps she will request our release; after all we were the last and the lessor of our Temple. Not much value at all, but we do like the freedom of our current company.”

“I see, so you really think the Seers will give up a pair? Even poor Seers they will find a place for so I don’t think your freedom will last very long at all.”

“You could be right? For now though do you wish to reconsider the hug?”

“I will survive without a hug, I think.”

“I envy your strength then, able to survive by yourself, I don’t know about twin loss but I would be sad and reach out for…” Alcmene felt the sting of the slap. She wasn’t sure how the single Seer managed it, but she was slapped with anger across the cheek. She imagined it red now.

“You have no right to talk of twin loss! You, who have your sister and your temporary freedom, the Mother Superiors will drag you back to serve. They will not let a pair, even a poorly pair escape their manipulations that is for sure!”

Alcmene, encouraged by Clymene recovered quickly, although Clymene actually formed the words.

“I can hear the pain in your voice, talk to me, explain to me.”

“Yes that was their solution as well. They would roll out Single Seers, is what they called them. Recovered from their loss, to explain how they continued and how it was expected. I rejected it and that is why my Letter of Release is, well, brief and why they sent me out as soon as they could.”

Alcmene hugged her. She tried to escape and push back but Alcmene was prepared this time and trapped her arms as well. She struggle for many heartbeats but finally realised she couldn’t escape. Alcmene realised the Single Seer was being polite when she struggled, no biting, no head-butts, just moving her upper body and trying to break her arms free. That was no way to fight for your life, either that was the height of her anger or she finally accepted the hug.

“I will release you now. I would like to hug you again but only if you accept it with the kindness it is given with.” There was no response and just a small shrug as her arms were returned to her.

“Would you like a hug?” asked Alcmene as she gently reached over to her.

There wasn’t a no. So the hug was competed and Alcmene gently embraced her and felt no resistance.

“It won’t be alright but hopefully it will be better.” said Alcmene.

“My sister and I would hug when younger, before we were finished our training. I am sorry,” she sobbed, “it just reminded me of the one thing we cherished and shared. Once we were finished our training we couldn’t sneak any more hugs as we were separated or watched when we weren’t.” She sobbed then without stop and Alcmene held her slightly tighter.

After a few heartbeats Alcmene laid down next to her, letting her arm be used as a pillow and they went to sleep.

---

“Alcmene awake, it is your turn at watch!” sent Clymene.

Alcmene was awake instantly. She carefully moved the Single Seer’s head off her arm as she sat up.

“Please don’t go. I miss the warmth of my sister and in the dark I can imagine it is her.”

“My sister can replace me if you wish, but I need to do my duty. I would not fail my Mistress.”

“Yes, yes that would be nice. Is she as nice as you?”

“We are identical; in appearance as well as kindness you will know that soon when she visits you.”

Alcmene stumbled a little in the dark and woke Thyia and together they met Clymene and Astera near the fire pit. Thyia took the lantern, mostly shuttered and led Alcmene to the guard spot, which Astera had declared during the day.

Clymene noticed Astera climb into Thyia’s bedroll, shrugged and thought at least it would be warm, not that the night was very cold anyway.

Clymene eventually found the Single Seer by tripping over her. She wasn’t asleep, so she didn’t yell as Clymene was quietly calling out as she stepped closer. It was mostly Clymene that was hurt, if you count a couple of scrapes on the palms of her hands. She accidently needed to touch the Single Seer in various places as she scrambled back into her place, apologising each time she touched somewhere that was sensitive for various reasons.

“Were you and your sister failures due to clumsiness or just you?”

“I am sorry. It is dark, I am doing my best and I apologise, my sister did say you were afraid of being hugged so as soon as I touched you I withdrew, which caused me to stumble some more.”

“That is not true. She hugged me easily!” To prove it the Single Seer reached over to Clymene and hugged her briefly.

“Alright, it must be long hugs you are afraid of then not short hugs, but that is alright you are still controlled by your Temple ways even though you have been Released by them.”

Clymene felt her dragged to the Single Seer then and returned the rather aggressive hug.

“You can be a little gentler if you like.” Clymene managed to whisper out in spite of the constricted chest.

“Oh, sorry, I just wanted to prove that I am not afraid to, well hug. Your sister was wrong for saying so.”

“It is alright. I am a little tired, so I am going to lie down. My sister said you were comforted when you used her arm as a pillow so you can do the same with me if you want.”

The Single Seer placed her head on Clymene’s arm and settled in beside her.

“I am going to draw you to me for a hug if that is alright, sort of like a good night hug if that is acceptable.”

“I….Oh!” as Clymene didn’t really wait for a definite response, she rolled her own arm to her own body, forcing the Single Seer to roll in as well. The Single Seer’s head ended up beside Clymene’s, so Clymene kissed her on her forehead. The rest of the Single Seer’s body followed and ended up close and touching Clymene’s body. Then the Single Seer was released. That made her gasp, not sure from shock or surprise but at least it registered thought Clymene. Clymene then went to sleep.

---

Charis was wakened by some noises, feminine noises and looked across at two figures writhing around on the bunk bed across from her. Dione and Otonia deciding they needed to attend to some urges. Charis noticed the bunk above her move and the package toss and turn, with an occasional huff.

At a flick of Charis’ head towards the door Dione and Otonia left to break their fast first, taking their equipment.

“You do not stop them rutting like animals?” asked the package.

“They love and trust each other, why would I want to put a stop to that. Love and trust is so difficult to find in this world, so when you see it displayed perhaps it is you who needs to re-evaluate what to stop and what not to stop?”

There was no answer and they continued to prepare to leave and then break their fast in silence. Charis paid the Innkeeper some extra coin for the food and the hospitality.

When outside and ready to mount, Charis was surprised when the package spoke again.

“Why do you pay more than you are required to?”

“Because I believe in goodwill and as I have done some terrible deeds to survive in this world and still very young I need to balance the scales quickly and often. Also if I am ever back here again and down on my luck he may let me work for food and board instead of chasing me away. Let’s go.”

They were at the stand of trees by mid-morning and it was satisfying to see Thyia challenge them before they saw her and Charis praised her on her skill.

Charis met with Astera and asked for an update. Charis was concerned when Astera informed her that the Twins were on Seers business last night and for Astera not to interrupt. Seers business to the twins normally meant seduction. She would need to speak to them once she was sure the camp was safe. They would stay only one more night she decided. One thing she noticed was that all the other Seers including Alcmene and Clymene yielded deference to the new package, subtle but it was there. What is so special she wondered?

---

“Why do you take their honour away and mine by forcing us out of our Seers Robes. I obeyed because the Mother Superior commanded me to, these others, you have no command over them.” questioned the package.

“I have the command of life and death over everyone in this camp, you included and if I require someone to dress differently they will.” She called Astera to them.

“Astera, if I needed you to die right now to save your sisters would you do it?”

“It would be my honour and duty, for I love them above myself.”

“Thank you, I would honour your sacrifice and see it was valued by all.”

Charis turned to the package then, which was clearly in shock as her hood slipped a fraction, revealing to Charis just a glimpse into her pain and allowed a little more understanding so she wasn’t as harsh in her reply as she was going to be.

“It is safer for you and your sisters to travel this way and on your safe arrival I have pledged my honour, which I value as much as Astera just demonstrated.”

Late afternoon Charis finished relieving herself and noticing the package, possibly praying, she didn’t notice Charis as she approached. Charis observed her for some moments before either she finished or she noticed Charis looking at her.

“You cannot see what I hide no matter how long you stare at my hood.”

Charis provided the simple answer for that as she gently took the hood back. The package didn’t resist, she was paralysed with fear and Charis didn’t know what else. Whatever struck her was hot, probably boiling, she lost most of her hair forever, the side of her face was covered in smooth spread skin and it continued down her neck to who knew where. Charis touched the perfect side of her face with the back of her hand and she flinched. Charis tried again and she stayed.

“My father tried to ruin me and my sister so the Seers would not take us. He thought being disfigured we wouldn’t be any use to them. While we weren’t in anyway trained then this sort of pain transcends everything and my sister felt my pain and fled before he could apply his cure to her also. Only a few days later a Mother Superior came for us. A few days later! That was the difference between normal and hideous for me!” She pulled the hood back over and cried. Charis wrapped her arm around her to comfort her until she stopped crying. The hurt was deep as Charis expected her hug to be rejected and was pleasantly surprised when she wasn’t.

“We all have imperfections; it is no great matter that yours are visible unless you make it a great matter yourself.” Charis left her with that thought and went to find the twins, time to see what they were up to before night fell and they continued without Charis knowing.

---

“So you are telling me you are seducing the single Seer?” said Charis astonished.

“We are making her a friend. She needs our sympathy she has been terribly rejected by her Temple and considers she has no future. We would like to be given permission to invite her into our company if the opportunity arises, Mistress.”

“We are seven, so I am loathed to break that number.”

“Mistress, we are working on a theory. Given that pleasure has awakened much of our Seer Skills, skills we were abysmal at, we were wondering if we did the same for her, could she bond with us. Stop looking at us like that. She was considered one of the most attuned to the Goddess, Mother Superior for sure. In fact we suspect her twin was probably exposed to certain danger so one would be lost. No pair, no Mother Superior, someone threatened by that would be feeling comfortable again.”

“Well she has no binding on her as far as the Temple is concerned as her letter of introduction to me was the briefest – take her away, anywhere will do. So she would certainly be lonely and looking for company. Please don’t abuse this though; she would also be vulnerable and possibly fragile. You are playing your games on a real person not a play thing.”

“Yes Mistress, you understand that she wasn’t allowed to mourn and was removed from her Temple quickly, she is already fragile. She needs us to understand.”

“Report to me every day and with every truth.”

“Yes Mistress.” They continued quickly. “Given this trip will be a few days, we thought we would provide some instruction to the Three as well, stop that judgement, we were looking to demonstrate to them, not have them participate in our way of connecting to the Goddess just making them awake that love between women does not offend the Goddess.”

“You both push my trust in your judgement don’t you? Be warned they are children and they are prized by the Seers and while my heart says no, my head says yes given what evil I have seen in my short time. If you spoil them in some way you will pull all of us into an inescapable danger.” said Charis.

“What were you doing four Death Seasons ago, were you still a child or were you entering adulthood?” they asked. Charis didn’t answer and just walked away. She and her best friend in the world at that time were exploring the world together and travelling to a place others were afraid of, free to grow as they wished, maybe these girls needed to travel to a place they were afraid of as well.

Food was organised, some cheese, salted meat and apples, all courtesy of the brigands and they all ate well. There was no fire, so as the sun set so did the camp and all except those with plans went to sleep. Charis did a final walk around and set alerts, with the final light of the day she headed back to camp.

“What are you really doing? You stop, wave your arms, mumble some words and then move again and repeat. If I didn’t think it was possible I would think you were casting magic?” asked the package.

“I am protecting us all.” replied Charis.

She threw her hood back and even in the fading light you could see the pain she must have endured. Then her cloak dropped and underneath was nothing. She took a step towards Charis; she wasn’t any braver for another step, although she did look up to see if she would be laughed at, ridiculed, slapped or any other manner of rejection.

Charis was before her and tracing the line between skin and melted skin on her shoulder. Then she kissed her and it was returned with a desperate need and passion. Charis broke away for a moment and laid out her cloak and started to remove her armour. The package helped as best she could, eager. She needed to see this honourable, sensitive and intelligent person naked and in all her glory.

“Will your true sister be upset?” Charis asked.

“I will not tell her, in speech or in mind.” Charis knew this was probably not possible but kept quiet because as the twins demonstrated a loving link strengthens a Seer, it doesn’t weaken.

“I need to hold for a heartbeat and ask. I am surprised at your offer. I am led to believe Seers are forbidden to touch and yet, you are here, beautiful and naked before me.”

“Another time, I, we need to do this before I turn coward, please.”

Rhea came easily to Charis’ well practiced touch on her virgin flesh. Rhea was surprised by her own reaction, apologetic and almost embarrassed and started making excuses. So Charis just occupied her with something else and this climax was more satisfying and longer lasting. Her third climax was peaking and she was frantic about the noise she was making and how her world would end and this wasn’t her, what was she doing! She was a well-regarded, honoured Seer, why was she submitting like this, but she couldn’t escape the river of lust she was drowning in and worried about her soul.

“Send it to your sister.” Charis held her as her instruction to her took some time to sink in.

“Send your carnal pleasure to your sister. Find her in your mind. Draw upon your link.”

“Send your orgasm to your sister. Use the connection you have made.” Charis repeated again.

“Send it now! Now!” Charis whispered commandingly in her ear.

“Oh.” was all she said. Charis imagined her surprised face and kissed her gently.

“I gave it away as if it never was. It was the strangest sense of loss.”

Rhea was then aware that she should offer similar to Charis and started to kiss her.

“You will be busy soon. You will need to talk to your sister.”

“I will not be able to talk to her I am too far from calm, I am alive … with pleasure and desire.”

Then her look changed and Charis knew she was away with her sister. Charis calmly dressed, smiling to herself while she did. She quietly walked away while two siblings sorted out a new discovery about themselves.

---

“Won’t either of you be required for guard duty?”

“No we have explained to our Mistress we feel obligated to see you are cared for.” said Alcmene.

“Both of you, I am a little, I am not sure. None have ever seen me as worth their time after, well after.”

“Our Mistress is different, she cares deeply for us and since we care for you she has allowed us the freedom to explore our friendship and if that helps with your loss then all the better.”

“I am overwhelmed, thank you, both. Oh!” They still surprised her as they both reached across and hugged her, releasing her after both kissing her on different cheeks.

“You touch a lot don’t you? I … well don’t say it is a bad thing.” She hurriedly finished.

“It is the one thing that the Temple was so against, so every chance we get we defy them because we know loving touch heals and shares, provides comfort with happiness and is just wonderful.”

Alcmene was surprised then when the Single Seer clung to her, desperately hugging.

“I have been so lonely in my grief, touch is so welcome, I tried to deny it all last night and at dusk I thought to steal a hug from your sister lying so serenely beside me. I miss my sister, but I am glad to be in your company.”

Alcmene hugged her close because she knew what she was about to say could be ill received. Clymene moved closer to stroke the Single Seer’s hair and kiss her gently.

“I don’t mean to be hurtful, but we need to ask a hurtful question.” asked Alcmene.

“Why would you do that? Now.”

“Because you have been still, no future and no hope and we wish to try and offer you hope but it could be a painful journey. Are you brave enough to try?” It was dark so the Single Seer’s emotions were her own. Alcmene and Clymene waited. Then a warm tear dropped onto Alcmene’s cheek.

“I am prepared to accept your hurt. I need a future as my plan was to jump from the cliff that Hillperch sits on.” Instinctively Alcmene and Clymene hugged her tightly.

“When, when … your sister was lost, do you still reach out to her with your mind?” Alcmene said the words slowly, heartfelt, quietly. They both felt their captive tense and Alcmene felt more tears fall on her cheeks.

“It is like an armless warrior that still feels he has an arm. My mind searches for its twin, during sleep and the quiet it is, the most disturbing. It was only with your company last night that I have been able to sleep soundly for the first time in a long time. It could have been the nervous distraction or just simply the warmth of your comfort. I didn’t care, you made a difference and I am grateful.”

“Ask now sister, see if she accepts our invitation.” sent Clymene.

“We need to rearrange our hug. It will possibly feel strange because we aren’t sure ourselves. Are you still brave to try?”

“Yes.” Alcmene couldn’t even sense any doubt, was that commitment?

“Clymene and I will lie side by side, you need to climb upon us and be able to look at both of us face to face. Being on top you will be able to, well, leave if it proves too much.” They separate from each other but keep in touch given it is dark and none can see each other. Alcmene and Clymene lay side by side and draw the Single Seer upon them.

“We will turn our heads slightly to each other; place your forehead on ours. We do not know if this will work but we sense it could.” They touched, Alcmene and Clymene used their arms to embrace the Single Seer and she breathed heavier, this extensive contact was so taboo she smiled, she was rebelling!

“Reach out with your mind, form your link, like you are going to contact your sister but reach inside our minds instead.”

“What are we doing, this doesn’t feel right.” she wavered.

“We are trying to be your new Seer sisters.” They felt her start to rise on her arms.

“Don’t leave, be brave. It will either work or it won’t.” She paused and then touched their foreheads again.

She formed her presence within her mind and then she oozed it out. Being so close she didn’t need to make it thin, thin was required when her twin was far away, it thinned and thinned at those times, so the more accomplished the further you could make contact, it was a sign of your strength as a Seer. They joined, they found each other because they knew each other and that was the natural ways of things, same found same.

Helice touched Alcmene’s mind, she brushed it lightly. There was no connection but she knew Alcmene’s presence was overwhelming. Helice was proud of her accomplishment and her twin’s as a Seer pair, but her presence was like the size of a pumpkin seed, while Alcmene’s the size of the pumpkin itself, possibly much more. She brushed against Clymene and it was the same. She withdrew; she couldn’t talk and maintain her presence at the same time. This saddened her but she had so many questions!

“How?”

“We love each other and are loved by others.” They replied in perfect unison.

“Teach me, teach me, I wish to learn I wish to be reborn, I wish to be saved. Anything, I say anything is not too much!” Her breathing increased, she couldn’t hold this discovery, couldn’t comprehend what these Temple failures or rejects had learnt. Could a Single Seer join them? She was determine to try and try again and if that failed try again.