The next morning the camp was broken up and everything packed away, all grabbed what food was available to break their fast, the Seers were all dressed as common folk and everyone assigned a place in the caravan. The two adult Seers were assigned one or two children as theirs and rode next to them.

Dione scouted ahead. The plan included travelling around Bircharbor to meet the trail to Needlepines and then navigate through the farms of the area missing Needlepines and crossing the trail between Farstay and Maplethorn, then around the back of the Perch and enter Hillperch from the Oxrest trail. Well that was the plan for now, to travel as unseen as possible.

---

After checking that her “child” was safe with the Single Seer, Rhea kicked her horse into a trot to join Charis at the head of the caravan of horses.

“May I speak with you for a moment?” as she turned slightly off the farmer’s pathway they were following.

“How can I help?” asked Charis pulling up her horse to stop beside her.

“You knew, didn’t you? Somehow you knew what would happen.”

“How would I know anything about the mysteries of Seers, I am at best a young peasant soldier when it all boils down?”

“Mother Superior took the opportunity to send me with you because you are Foretold; do you know what that means? Do you truly know?” her voice was earnest as if it the import was obvious.

“A venerable, honourable Lady in White once told me that, I understood that was our silly secret.” Charis tried to be as flippant and relaxed as she could, she didn’t know what the secret meant or could mean, but she enjoyed the Seer’s questing for an answer.

“It is a secret!” her voice stressed for emphasis, her head turned instinctively, looking to see if anyone else heard, “Only a few of the Mother Superior pairs even know. I only know because I was in the wrong place at the right time as they were discussing how best to transport me to Hillperch since the trails were so much more dangerous for Seers and others these days. I heard that a Foretold could be a possibility.”

“So is that all?” Charis’ voice deliberately flat in response.

“What do you mean is that all?” the Seer started yelling and then calmed as others passed them by, “After your seduction of me last night and the, shall we say, passing of my ardour and passion to my twin it seems an easy clear pathway now exists between us, where there wasn’t before. It would take half a bell to establish our link! Do you understand, truly understand what has happened?”

“So? Is that all? And by the way I did not seduce you, you approached me and considering you are the elder of us, I should be the aggrieved one in this matter. You took advantage of me, without considering the impact on my young fragile soul.”

Rhea puffed up enough to almost blow up before Charis smiled and she released.

“I shall be calling again tonight as my sister demands it.” She rose slightly in her saddle, with her nose slightly in the air, trying to declare some noble superiority as she rode off.

They were around Bircharbor and crossing the trail to Needlepines when the choice was made to make camp at a good site instead of pushing on with the remaining light. The twins reported good progress with the Single Seer and Charis accepted a caller as demanded. Some farmers where amazed when they saw them, some were angry but resisted the urged to be killed by being stupid and some were very reasonable and Charis was able to trade coin or goods for some fresh food. The odd items from the bandits making them like a travelling tinker much to the delight of those farmers interested in useful items rarely seen unless you travelled to Town.

---

“You don’t need to concentrate or so I have been told.” advised Charis.

The sun was setting and the Seer was alone, in a quiet part of the camp, shaded by brush, looking very relaxed, her eyes closed and her legs somehow twisted one over the other while she sat.

“How do you even know what I am doing anyway?” replied the Seer with a hint of superiority and annoyance, not even opening her eyes.

“Rhea you have that ‘I am a Seer talking to someone far way look’, which is easy to recognise.”

“Not so loud please no need to tell the world. Now you have broken our connection!” she hissed.

“Rhea, are doing what you have been trained to do instead of trying something different because you are now different and so is your sister for that matter. I suppose she is in some quiet, remote, secluded corner of the Temple?”

“I thought you didn’t know about the secrets of the Seers, Charis high and mighty!” said Rhea looking Charis right in her eyes now, accusing.

“I observe, I use my brain and I have been told I am an old soul in a young body, so if that is true, I also have some wisdom. I am telling you, you are different now and so is your sister so be different in everything you can. Instead of trying to be calm and serene when making contact with your sister as you have been trained, use the new enlightenment to make contact with your sister while doing other things. Can’t women do at least two things at once?”

“I am! Meditating and contacting my sister.” she declared, while Charis sat next to her.

Charis reached over to Rhea and place her hand under her robe, searching for her flesh. Rhea was a little shocked, the sun was still out and although slightly hidden in the shade of the bushes anyone could venture upon them. She was trying to decide to push Charis away or not.

“Instead of panicking at my touch, try to contact your sister.” Charis found flesh then and Rhea shivered in a slight excitement. She knew it was, well helpful, but she was a Seer and it wasn’t proper. There was equal guilt with equal satisfaction and it was the excuse of her sister “demands it” that allowed her the illusion, it wasn’t her choice.

“Don’t close your eyes! In fact relax your legs and untwine them, although it does allow my hand easy access down there!”

“Charis!” she murmured.

“I am a distraction only, contact your sister.” Rhea was making eye contact at least now and using both hands to free her legs, although they remained wide apart, which brought a smile to Charis’ lips.

Charis felt Rhea freeze for a moment and then relax, Rhea was seeing with her eyes and in contact with her sister and when asked by Charis for a kiss Rhea obliged with feeling and passion.

“Tell your sister to get up off her bottom and walk around the room she is in.”

Rhea using both of her hands slapped down on Charis’ shoulders, her teeth gritted and eyes sad.

“The connection is lost, I blame you! She was feeling what I was feeling!”

“This one attempt is practice, this isn’t one only and forever, reach out to her, connect, you are the stronger twin.” Rhea thought, how did Charis know? Then some pleasure distracted her to remind her, what she should be doing.

Rhea didn’t know, but felt her sister walking when they made contact. Her sister’s smile was warm, she felt that also. She also felt her pleasure and her sister feeling her pleasure, they built upon each other. Then Rhea saw into the room her sister was in and in shock almost lost the connection.

“Are you safe sister?” sent Raisa.

“Yes, I just discovered I can see with your eyes, you are in one of the meditation rooms.”

“Yes, although you know as well as I, where else would I be for what we are doing.”

“Then walk out of the room.” replied Rhea.

“What if we lose contact?”

“This attempt is one practice, this isn’t one only and forever dear sister, we can try again and again, Seers are good at repetition, we can practice until exact and perfection!”

The connection was lost the moment the door closed behind Raisa as she left the mediation room.

Rhea turned to Charis.

“Stop that, I need to concentrate to connect to my sister, she is now walking, no longer in the mediation room.”

“Good, but you need to learn also. So if you don’t want me distracting you, stand and walk yourself.”

Charis left Rhea as she smelt meat being sizzled and realised she was hungry.

Rhea looked around it was dusk; she stood, fixed her clothes a little and tried again while she was walking. There were moments, but not like before. She managed one word, “sit” a number of times and after some heartbeats she connected with her sister.

They could communicate, but feelings, sensations, vision was missing, it felt poorer and they both wanted richer.

“You must send me your Charis, sister, I feel the change in you, your clarity and while I have benefited from the passion you have sent me, you have truly blossomed. What are you doing now?”

“I am eating my night meal sister, engaging in some light conversation around a camp fire. Why?”

“I am in the Temple courtyard, in the dark, in the position, eyes closed trying to block all distractions, I wouldn’t even be able to tell you if someone was about to stab me!”

“Yes sister I will share my lover with you, as twins we are still one and sharing is our being. Please sister, return her as Charis is also my love I have come to realise, different to our love but no less complete and I am afraid to lose it.” Rhea quickly brushed at her eye, anyone looking would assume some smoke caused her eyes to water.

“I know, I, it was amazing, I felt your words their depth, their weight. Would it be acceptable if by some oddity that I also fell in love with her?”

“We are the same, we are twins and been living together for eighteen Death Seasons, I am not sure it can be avoided.”

“I feel your sadness, the trust between us is stronger, I will release your lover back to you, I promise.”

“How can you control her feelings? She will see in you what I should look like, how can she return to me, the scarred one?”

“Because she loves you how you are now, you must trust that her love of you is more than skin deep.”

“Yes she is extraordinary. She did accuse me of seducing her though!”

Rhea felt Raisa’s surprise, one of the few feelings to “get through”.

“How did she arrive at that conclusion? As Seers, we don’t even see the flesh of others let alone know what to do with it when we see it, with any skill!”

“We are twenty-three years and she is sixteen years, so accused me of taking advantage of her young self.”

“Six…sixteen? Are you sure sister?” she stammered, which Rhea felt as a weird sensation across their link.

“Sister, I must go, I am being distracted now by hunger, even though I am eating. I remember concentrating for an entire day, our heads touching, passing feelings and being famished afterwards. Compare those days to now sister.” continued Rhea, trying to pass over the shock her sister felt about Charis’ age.

“Yes the most talented Seers are always the most famished looking as they are always called upon first. But sixteen years Rhea, do we need to be cautious, are we sure someone so young is, well real?”

“Her touch certainly is and she appreciates any attentions returned to her and I dream big now sister; freed from what the Temple thought or teaches what is possible. I dream of being in contact with you always, every moment. I dream of sharing myself with you so when I kiss Charis you can do so and feel also. I dream of being with you when you not only need advice from far away, but also advice from someone that can stand beside you and feel and see what you do. I do not see boundaries anymore sister. This makes me afraid and fearless at the same time, I am alive and with purpose and if Charis has ignited that then I don’t see the bad in it.”

“I embrace your dream whole heartedly; you know I could feel your conviction and know it is possible. Send me Charis I wish to be ravished by her, I wish to send my lust to you as you have sent yours to me, together will we realise the true power of the Goddess.”

Both sisters smiled as one and then the link released. Both sisters were now very hungry.

They broke camp and continued on. After three days of travel they were finally on the trail from Oxrest and heading to Hillperch. They didn’t head directly to Hillperch, Charis needed to visit a good friend, a certain farmer. So they managed to find the farm long before sunset, which allowed them time to organise. Everyone was to stay in the barn, much to the disgust of some of the farm animals which called it home. Charis added Barn to the future buildings list, it was the least she could do for the animals.

Alcmene and Thyia did not stay but continued on to Hillperch to make preparations depending upon Charis and further orders. They were dressed in common clothes and walked to the gate, trying to be as plain as possible, especially Alcmene. No horses, no weapons and no trade goods they passed through the gate as vagrants looking for work in the Town. Not taking Gate Road they eventually entered the House and were surprised to find the elder preparing a meal. A little surprised it didn’t take much to add some extra and they all ate their fill.

After the evening meal Charis looked for the farmer for a discrete discussion to see if he would be able to help them.

“We need to borrow your children if you are agreeable. We need to smuggle some special children into Hillperch and would like to mingle them with yours.”

“I have always offered my farm and my family in your service. To be truthful I do not know why, I am just a farmer, I just remember that first day, as did my daughter and my wife. Somehow we share a fate, I know this as I know the sun rises in the east and sets in the west and struggles through the night sky to return to start the next day. So explain further their role before I place my children in any danger.”

“I return here because I sense that same fate and like you I cannot explain it. A White Lady Seer who chose to be burnt upon a huge pyre during the darkest moment of the night, after her death, once proclaimed me as Foretold. A Seer that travels with me now, holds being a Foretold is sacred. I do not feel any guidance, Godly or otherwise, I am just following the teachings of my father and trying to be kind to as many who will accept to make up for some of the bad things I still feel guilt for.”

The farmer embraced her, his chin resting on the top of her head and then he released her.

“Maybe it is as simple as you suggest, kindness is the key.”

“Your help is needed to smuggle three children into Hillperch, so we need to separate them, one can be the youngest child of an older child of yours, one can be the oldest with a young child and one can be a child with a brother of similar age. They would be carrying goods and chattels for us trying as much as possible to look busy. They are a Seer Triplet.”

“I understand you caution now, these are treasures to the Goddess being triply blessed. No one but you would devise a plan to separate the eggs and disguise them; most would keep them together and add more protection. There is danger but none of the pairs are what those looking for Novice Seer Triplets would expect, I like it!” he chuckled lightly to himself.

“At least one of my company will be dressed as a trader or farmer perhaps and be their boss to watch over them. They will go to town at different times so they cannot be picked out easily. If you prefer, your next child will not leave until the other child returns.” suggested Charis.

“That sounds even better; the wife won’t fret as much then.”

“I also need another small favour. I need to leave at least three or possibly four horses at your farm for emergencies. While they are here you are free to use them in the fields or to teach your children to ride perhaps as I will leave them with saddles. Is that acceptable?” The farmer knew what Charis was doing but it wasn’t a poor suggestion anyway. Horse riding was always a useful skill to have.

“I accept!”

Charis was glad, she knew he wouldn’t accept coin so this way was best.

When Charis returned to the barn she found Clymene and asked her to send to Alcmene the plan so she could make the necessary arrangements the next day. There was no immediate response or confirmation so Charis paid close attention and Clymene was occupied.

“Oh, Mistress, I am appreciating my sister.” lust was heavy on her speech, the words slurring.

“You have heard the plan well enough?”

“Yesss, Mistress, Thyia broke Alcmene’s fast in the most delightful way.”

“Can you move in that pleasurable state? Can you disguise your pleasure, so in a crowded room no one would realise the ecstasy you were enjoying?” asked Charis.

“I will try the first part now as I will seek out Helice so I can return a favour to my sister.”

Her speech sounded more normal, although Charis couldn’t tell if that was because she was controlling herself more or her sister was finished for now.

“I wonder Clymene if you could disguise your pleasure while also holding a conversation?”

“I accept the challenge Mistress, as does Alcmene and I am sure Helice will as well. Would we be due a reward when we succeed?”

Charis smiled as they parted to attend to their own duties. As soon as Charis organised the escorts, their “pack horses” and the “eggs” she allowed herself a distraction and went to keep Rhea some company.

They broke their fast as soon as first light. Otonia and Rhea rode to the Gatehouse followed by two pack horses that also sat a child each. They passed through the Gatehouse, paid a small tax on the goods and pulled up near the stable where a pre-arranged Porter’s Wagon was waiting. They transferred the goods from the horses to the wagon with the children’s help and they all sat in the wagon until they reached the Leatherworker’s Shop. Otonia directed the wagon to the side rear of the shop and it went so smoothly Charis was now concerned!

Thyia was waiting and swung the goods arm out over the wagon and lowered the net. They filled the net multiple times before all was hauled up to the second story. Alcmene who was standing back in the store room, in the shadows, contacted Clymene with the news that the first package was unloaded and delivered.

Otonia, Rhea and the two children were welcomed by the elder. The triplet was instructed to get into the loft, while Rhea stayed to watch over her and in the relative calm of the elder’s room contacted Raisa so easily and sent a message “one safe”. Otonia and the farmer’s child returned to the gate, collected their four horses from the stables, ambled through the Gatehouse and rode back, steady like to the farmhouse.

Astera grasped the reins of the two pack horses with a child on each and left the farm. Except for her walking to the Gate the three were carried by wagon to the shop and the goods unloaded. Astera visited the elder and the second triplet joined the first. Astera walked back to the Gate with the farmer’s child and collected their two horses from the stables, ambled through the Gatehouse and walked back, the child not knowing he was with his big sister and she would die before seeing him hurt. They both returned safely to the farmhouse.

Charis at this time was high in the farmer’s barn looking towards the trail to Hillperch to make sure no one was following. She couldn’t pace and watch at the same time so took to watching and fidgeting with her hands.

Next to leave were Dione and the Single Seer, with their two children. Being expert horse riders they rode and placed two children on the back of the pack horses. Charis added a third pack horse just to make them different. The goods and chattels were delivered to the House and stored.

The farmer’s child with Dione was young so she doubled up on her horse, Helice beside her on her own horse. The other horses being tethered to Helice’s horse and they rode back with some speed to the farmhouse. Charis wasn’t sure but she thought she saw a couple of riders quickly follow them over a rise and then back off quickly as they realised they could be exposed and wouldn’t be able to catch them anyway.

When Dione was in the barn Charis called out to her. By the time she was in the loft, Charis worked out a plan. All the farmer’s children were safe, all the triplets were safe. So now they needed to find out what these soldiers or guards wanted.

---

A black stallion appeared near them loose and grazing. As he approached some men they looked up and a couple ran to try and catch it, but it was skittish and ran off. When they went to mount their horses their leader said to wait. The stallion circled around and found some more discrete pasture to nibble on still within earshot.

“Do we know what they are doing?”

“No but they are up to something and the Lord wants to know what, so shut up and we will wait for the next lot. We will stop them on the way in when they need to care for their pack horses and then ask some questions. That last bitch pair were too quick upon us.”

“Why don’t we just follow them beyond the small grove and find out where they are camped and drag them back?”

“We need to make sure it is her, we don’t have any other likenesses except for the one the Minstrel drew. The last one was about the right size, but her face was shaded by her hood. Plus we need to make this clean, no fuss, don’t want anyone else taking an interest.”

The black stallion apparently finished grazing and went looking for greener pastures. Dione heard enough of their intentions to tell her Mistress.

“It seems we have caught the attention of someone important, so we will need to meet them otherwise they will always be watching us, so we may as well face it now.” said Charis.

Charis took Clymene with her so she could ask for help if required, if it was possible.

“Have you been practicing your craft Clymene?”

“Mistress, I need to find some time for sleep also, don’t I?”

“I easily sense we are heading into great danger, so I need the best from you and your sister.” Charis didn’t look to Clymene, she didn’t need to.

“We are very proficient Seers now Mistress due to your encouragement and support. Alcmene is with me seeing and hearing what I see and hear. She is in the dark, eyes closed, in the Seer position not because she has to be, but because it conserves her energy. I will remain on horse for as long as possible to do the same. I have also taken the liberty to use your name to change the plan slightly and ask Helice to join with me from the barn.”

“Your Seer ways are yours, I only glimpse your mysteries, but trust your judgement in this absolutely.” replied Charis.

“We will not fail in our service to you Mistress.”

Alcmene and Helice felt and shared Clymene’s burst of pride and confidence.

---

They both led a pack horse behind them and walked towards the Gatehouse. Given they were going to be captured they didn’t need to ride and it meant their captors would feel superior being mounted and assured those captured couldn’t run from them. Satisfyingly all of the waiting men rode up to surround them.

“We need to escort you to talk to someone very important. No trouble you hear.” said one of the men while drawing his sword.

“Well if they are very important, then we must go, we won’t need to worry for our goods then either. Lead on.” replied Charis.

They were expecting a fight or an argument, some resistance of some kind and it took a little time to register that these bitches were following them peacefully. They looked at each, but still held their weapons ready.

“Ask Otonia to get help from the City Guard once she arrives at the house, in particular the Gate Captain as soon as possible, I will delay for as long as I can.” She whispered to Clymene. Alcmene and Helice knew of Charis’ message as she spoke it, they were one with Clymene.

Dione was watching from the barn loft, witnessed Charis and Clymene being taken and quickly moved off with the remaining pack horses, helped by Otonia and Astera. Helice was staying, last moment change of plan agreed to by Charis she said. Dione accepted this at face value.

The farmer offered to help also but that wasn’t part of the plan, so Dione gently refused. She also needed him to watch Helice. She wasn’t a sister even though Alcmene and Clymene truly accepted her, so Dione wanted to be sure of her loyalty. They needed to see Alcmene as soon as possible, as Clymene would tell her anything they needed to know or do.

While trying not to look like being in a hurry, but actually being in a hurry, Dione, Otonia and Astera hastened to the Gatehouse. At that moment Clymene and Alcmene lost Helice. They were concerned and distracted but ensured their twin contact held.

Dione, Otonia and Astera waited while their goods were inspected except for three chests. For the chests they carried a Letter of Introduction from the Seers Temple that these three packages belonged to the Temple and were not to be inspected. Packages instead of people or packages instead of chests, same really wasn’t it? After all, both were to smuggle in a secret.

The Gate Captain signed off on the exception. All was loaded into the waiting three wagons by the time all the pack horses were unloaded. Dione stabled the horses while Otonia and Astera climbed upon a wagon to direct it to the Leatherworker’s Shop, rear side entrance.

Thyia was with Alcmene when she heard Charis’ words through Clymene. Thyia left the house by running down the circular stairs and through the elder’s room out onto Gate Road. She ran to the Gate House ignoring the passer byes that stopped and wondered what she was doing.

Otonia asked the wagon driver to halt the wagon as they recognised one of their sisters running towards them. Otonia jumped down from the wagon and caught the exhausted sister before she actually recognised her as Thyia.

“Charis is being detained outside the town by some Lord, she thinks it could turn nasty and she may need help from the Gate Captain and the Town Guard.” said Thyia almost out of breath.

“Help Astera with the wagons.” answered Otonia. It was her turn to run in the service of her Mistress.