Many weeks had gone by since her house arrest. The coin situation was in the balance when Charis finally received the summons to the Town Council Chambers. It was a double edged sword, relieved that it would be settled one way or the other, disappointed that her life could be forfeit once again at the hands of a noble.

The Dukesman was appointed by the Duke and was now in town apparently, along with both the Emissary and Mystikos so the Council was ready to sit. The summons announced that the Council would sit on the 3rd Day of Earth Month and she was to present herself at the Council Chambers, at second bell. Well at least the long wait was over, since a date and time was now confirmed.

Three nervous nights were spent being comforted by her sisters. In between this time she tried to think of all the different ways this could go. Finally the realisation that the Council was assembled struck Charis. They were now ready to discuss the proposed expulsion of her from the town, expulsion; it sounded so loud and final thought Charis. Charis needed the Ladies Three to present to the Council and the first thing she organised was for their armour to be cleaned and polished. The Master Leatherworker was only too pleased to help.

The Ladies Three assembled in the elder’s room. They were appointed in under cloth, felt and polished armour and carried no weapons or helm, their hair was raven black and sharply cut using Otonia’s knives. Dione and Otonia maintained shoulder length hair while Charis still sported the cut out to allow the sun to reach her neck.

All the sisters including the elder and Rhea were there to see her off.

“I am not allowed to walk with you.” said Rhea, eyes red and beginning to tear. Charis hugged her.

“That is to be expected.”

“I will be in the Council Chamber as a small delegation is attending from the Temple. So I must be away now.” Rhea left immediately, staying any longer would have been too difficult.

Charis looked around at her sisters.

“This is just a first step, hopefully there is enough Council Support that the Lord’s request is denied. When it is, we can return to our purpose.” said Charis trying to sound convincing, not sure if she succeeded.

They all hugged her, including the elder. Charis looked at Otonia and Dione and they all knew it was time. They walked out the elder’s door and looking at each other started the walk down Gate Road, which was even called Gate Road in the old part of the town.

As they walked down the road a couple of people noticed, more importantly one or two townsfolk in the Knight’s Rest noticed, although that was to plan as they were watching and waiting. The Inn emptied as patrons spill out onto Gate Road, ordinary people, farm hands, a baker, serving maids, stable hand, a couple of off duty towns guard and a journeyman carpenter to name a few. They looked determined to Charis as she halted to wait to see what was going on.

The Innkeeper pushed his way through the crowd and laughed loudly.

“Do you think we would leave you walk alone, girl! If that is what you think then you don’t know how much the clientele of the Knight’s Rest Inn support the Ladies Three!” He then swept his arm forward encouraging Charis, Otonia and Dione to lead them down the road.

Behind her Charis heard cheering and words of support and she felt so much better. As they walked they gathered more, all respectful and falling into line behind them. They cheered even as they rounded the corner and paraded into Stewart Street. On either side many town buildings, but at the end stood the Council Chambers.

The Council Chambers was unique amongst the Town’s buildings being made totally of stone. The other buildings of stone were mainly Temples. The building was entered by four doors; the main front door, the left door for the accuser, the right door for the defendant and the back door for the Councillors and their support staff. All doors were higher than needed, wider than needed, sturdy and guarded. They were expertly carved and told the story of the town in pictures, not that everyone realised what the older pictures actually meant. You would need to read the histories of the Town to fully understand them.

The entrances were designed so that the opposing parties were directed to their own side door entrance, so they didn’t need to acknowledge the other or engage in small talk not that either were ever keen to do so. The Council learnt long ago to separate differing points of view for as long as possible, so the decorum of the proceedings could control some of the more extreme behaviour.

The main doors though clearly showed the Town Charter being granted by the Lord Duke of the day. The right for the Town to exist; afforded their right to govern their own citizens and offered the protection of the Duke in times of need in exchange for fealty and taxes.

As Charis approached the Council Chambers she took more of this detail in while the building overshadowed everything around it including the sixteen year old girl walking slow and hesitant toward it. She kept walking because of the two sisters beside her and the cheers of the crowd behind her. For Otonia this was a different stage, but still a stage and she was relaxed within herself, she was concerned for her Mistress, her best friend in her new life. Dione felt every one of her young years and wished her stallion was with her now, but continued to walk with her sisters.

The Town Guards approached Charis. They looked to the crowd behind the sisters who were still noisy in their support. They didn’t try to speak, just directed Charis and her sisters to the right hand side of the Chambers. The crowd stopped walking towards the Chambers to the relief of the guards. They then just sat and waited, it was still early morning and the day was pleasant.

The Town Guard then rushed across the street, in an orderly manner of course as the Lord of the Northern Watch approached. They were shocked that his retinue was modest. If the crowd turned they would not be able to control it. The Gate Captain wasn’t there, so the Sargent sent one of his men for him and more reinforcements. The crowd didn’t move or otherwise react to the Lord’s arrival. In fact they didn’t need to as food and drink vendors moved amongst them. Then his Guards called the vendors over and purchased some treats regardless of the look he gave them!

How was he going to explain his panic to the Gate Captain as he watched the Lord and his small retinue walked easily and unharmed into the Council Chambers by the left door.

Charis and her sisters were led to a raised dais; it was designed for one person, so Charis was instructed to stand in it, while Otonia and Dione stood to either side. The side opposite was still empty. The Council chairs were slowly filling. They were on a raised dais also but significantly it was high enough that even seated those sitting there looked down upon the accuser and defender. On the raised dais each of the Council sat on chairs with high backs, positioned behind an impressive solid, heavy looking wooden table, the width of which was a great deal more than the reach of long sword held by an angry plaintiff!

The table was a wall between the Councillor’s and the others. To each side of the table were men at arms as well as additional men at arms around the entrances of the Hall, on the Chamber side. There were no others in the Hall; this was a closed meeting to decide the fate of one of their own. A late change that held many outside of the Chambers and either they found a position with the crowd, near the crowd or they just left.

The Lord entered and was escorted with a minimum number of sycophants thought Charis and only two guards. It seemed he was confident in his safety and confident in his petition. He also allowed the ruler’s red dye to fade from his now revealed light golden brown hair. Charis couldn’t help but stare for a moment, the lightness of his hair denoted a pure noble blood line, it didn’t take too many tarnished ‘browns’ as they were called to begin to dominate and darken a blood line’s hair. The lighter the hair the brighter and more noble appearing it made the red from the henna. She recalled his family held the post of Lord of the Northern Watch for over two hundred years; it was a long time to keep your bloodline pure.

Charis also learnt that the red dye called henna was death if you were found with it, especially so if it was in your hair as it denoted a ruling noble and all the difference that meant. The Lord not wearing it confused her, perhaps he wanted to appear to be closer to the common man as many on the Town Council would be.

The Dukesman was unusual in that he wore a full head of sandy brown hair, with light brown full beard. Charis didn’t know much about the nobility of this Dukedom, she knew enough that the Dukesman originated from a reasonably pure noble blood line. The Lord seemed very pleased that one of his more pure peers was actually the Chairperson of the Town Council. It seemed that he knew this Chairman of the Town Council.

To his right were seated Apelles, Magistrate of Judge and the Gate Captain (the other one), to his left three strangers sat, at least to Charis, she didn’t know who was who but assumed the Emissary, the Mystikos and Burgher.

One leered at her, his small face, sharp nose and sharp chin, reminded her of a rat with lips that looked like he was ready to eat her. She guessed he was the Sponsor of the Honoured Team and the Emissary of the Council. She felt she needed a bath and was thankful their negotiation was done by correspondence because face to face she wouldn’t have been able to!

The Magistrate and the Gate Captain were neutral and rarely looked at Charis; they were concentrating on the Lord and the Dukesman. The last two were confusing but she was sure one was female, which she didn’t expect. Her clothes, if she was female were masculine. The other was definitely male as he sported a small black goatee and slicked back black hair, perhaps he was the Burgher.

The Dukesman looked over the room; to his left and his right, satisfied, he slammed down the gravel to bring the room to order and started the proceedings. Then the Town Bell tolled twice, second bell right on time.

“First we will hear the charge made against one of the Town’s citizens and then the citizen can defend the charge.” said the Dukesman.

The Lord didn’t actually speak. He engaged a smallish woman, who displayed great confidence and spoke with a fluid voice. This was demonstrated as she completed her very long speech without noticeable break and used voice inflections that highlighted the important points. As she spoke Charis knew she was in trouble.

“My Lord contents that Charis the Young has ways and means beyond which her years and skills would allow. She has no Noble family to support such a lifestyle and my Lord further contents that it has been his experience that such wealth is usually supplied to agents of the ancient enemy to allow them time and means to infiltrate good society and beguile or bribe those in power to accept them as equals and grant them access where their station in life would otherwise not allow. They first build up a reputation as a force for good and build a trust around them and when strong enough they then work in small ways to undermine the society they have previously demonstrated support for. My Lord has placed careful watch over Charis the Young and in the time he has kept vigil she has demonstrated a life and way with very little means of support. My Lord has been patient as he suspects her funds for this lifestyle must be very low indeed and she will need to contact her unsavoury allies for additional funds or be forced to leave Town chased by debt collectors. My Lord also states his very presence has ensured she has not committed any acts to either build reputation or chip away at the society that protects her for fear he will be there to hold her to account. This disruption of her plans will have consequences when she next meets her true masters. My Lord also feels that the Town owes him a debt for this vigil and an appropriate reward would be to expel this false citizen so he can truly hold her to account for the evil she is secretly in league with.”

“Very succinct Lord.” replied the Dukesman.

When Apelles was about to make comment, the Dukesman waved him away.

“I was appointed by my Lord Duke specifically for one purpose. He has claimed his right as Charter Holder of the Town to overrule the Town Council in matters that he considers specific to him and specific to the protection of the Duchy.”

Many were becoming animated by this turn of events, none more so than Charis as she felt her future slipping away from her. What of the promise of the Seers? The Lord was smiling broadly.

“The Duke has decreed that I and I alone will judge the accusations being made by his trusted servant, the Lord of the Northern Watch and if in my opinion they do relate to My Duke and protection of the Duchy I am to invoke his Charter Right.”

He ignored the looks of those opposed to him, concentrating on the looks of those supporting him. Finally he looked at Charis.

“The person known as Charis the Young will be held and escorted by the Lord of the Northern Watch to be brought before the Duke unharmed and whole upon his honour and his family’s honour to be judged by the Duke himself.”

The Lord let out a joyous roar of victory! Others were not so enthusiastic, most especially Charis!

“You have one week to place your affairs in order. You are allowed two retainers to be witness to your treatment and see you safely delivered. If they are in any way responsible for your escape they will be immediately put to death with no trial and your escape will confirm your guilt and you will be hunted throughout the Duchy until your death. I speak for the Duke in this matter and there will be no contest to his will.”

The Dukesman looked around and all were silent. No contest meant no contest or in reality protest. The look Apelles gave Charis was of resignation and possibly a hint of sympathy, even he was silenced. The Lord obviously outmanoeuvred them all as he realised fairly quickly the Council would not give up one of its own. So his only recourse was to remove the Council from the decision making process.

The Lord bowed before the Council table and retired from the Hall, confidently swaggering. Once outside the Council Chamber he waited for Charis.

“I will see you in seven days hence and we will enjoy a pleasant trip together to the city. Until we meet then, yes?”

Charis didn’t reply as she was already working on protecting her future and also her legacy.

The Lord was quickly away from the Council Chamber with his retinue, not that he was running, he was extremely happy and full of energy. The crowd watched him go and jaws dropped. Then Charis appeared and they stood, lurching forward ever so slightly to hear from the Ladies Three.

Charis needed to hold her emotions, she wasn’t done yet, while she lived there was hope and she hung onto this while she spoke.

“I have been ordered by the Duke to appear before him. The Lord of the Northern Watch will see me safely there upon his honour. I appreciate your support. I wish you all to return to your homes and hug your loved ones and go in peace. The Lord on his honour is to escort me to the Duke so don’t fear for me.”

The crowd murmured and Charis thought their anger may rise, but the Innkeeper led some of his patrons away and the rest of the crowd followed his lead. Charis was relieved and looked to Otonia and Dione. They held their emotions in check as difficult as that seemed. They walked proudly, heads up, back to the Leatherworker’s Shop. It was the longest journey of Charis’ short life.

When they returned to the Leatherworker’s Shop, Charis stumbled through the door, with Otonia quickly closing it behind them. Charis was on her knees in the elder’s room and she burst into tears, all bravado gone. All of her sisters were present including the elder. They helped her up to stand tall and hugged her and brushed her tears away. Otonia and Dione sat off to one side, they were emotionally exhausted. Thyia noticed Dione and went to her and gathered in Otonia.

Charis looked up and realised Otonia and Dione were hurting also and went to them, then all the sisters formed a circle, arms around waists.

“Thank you sisters, I have decided this will be the last time I am going to be judged by nobles.” She paused for a moment and reached for some anger and growled out the next words, “I will face this Duke, I will win him over and I will gain his protection somehow, I. Will. Not. Be. Quiet.”

Charis looked at each of her sisters and she held their look until they nodded their agreement.

“To the Training Room we need to plan for the future, all possible futures. While I am determined, I am not going to be a fool and hope for flowers and songs. If they do see me dead, then I want to make sure you continue what I have started.” She paused a moment.

“Do not sadden, I am going to fight to live, but I also want to ensure our sisterhood doesn’t fall apart, so let’s go and plan, dead or alive we will see them humbled.”

---

Charis considered many options, the first and safest was to go with the Lord as all other alternatives resulted in being hunted until killed or killed immediately. The next was to appoint a Mistress to replace her and possibly a second. So if the worst did happen there was a leadership structure left behind that would guide them to continue her legacy.

Her sisters were leaving the elder’s room before her as she paused to consider these thoughts. An unexpected visitor called by, well maybe not that unexpected.

“Hello Charis.” announced Rhea.

She turned to her and hugged her, seeing Rhea was like a lifeline to Charis at the moment.

“The Mother Superiors assure me that there is nothing to worry about. The Duke is making sure the Lord cannot take out any frustrations upon the Town. He is making sure the Lord is being overruled by him and not being frustrated by his inferiors.”

“The Lord didn’t see it that way, he was confident of the outcome, the only one not surprised by the result it seemed to me." she paused telling herself to be brave, "While I do trust the Seers, I must still make preparations in case all have been made to see a result that ensures compliance until the true outcome is revealed. I have witnessed my father being manipulated while trying to ply his trade and I don’t think being a Lord or Noble makes any difference as far as poor behaviour to your fellow man is concerned.”

“Yes it is always wise to prepare for the worse and I would not advise you otherwise. I was specifically requested to relay that message to you to provide you with hope and to ensure you do get to see the Duke and don’t try anything foolish that would jeopardise that. You must see the Duke, in his Court, you must do everything you can to ensure this happens, you understand?”

“Yes. That was my plan. I will be a good girl. Can you escort me to the Training Room, I am about to share my thoughts about our future and you would be most welcome? Then afterwards I would like to be a bad girl.”

Rhea smiled at the mischief in Charis' eyes. “I was supposed to return immediately, but if I don’t they would be aware of why and probably expect it.”