Astera calmed her nerves as she strode through the Great Hall by steadying her breathing, clenching and unclenching her hands on her two handed spear. Then she was through its large iron strapped solid hardwood doors. The one Keep Guard on duty ignored her, too busy trying to adjust his ill-fitting hard-boiled leather chest armour, which unknown to Astera, he recently acquired.

She needed to project a commanding presence before she entered the Daughters assigned barracks. Astera failed to convince herself, her stride lengthening as nervous energy propelled her quickly. Fortunately, Astera met Thyia as she entered their barracks. Instinctively she greeted her with a hug, hanging on to steady her nerves and the realisation of her new role. Other times she knew the role was temporary, at least within the boundaries of life and death. This time Charis’ blindness could be permanent and neither of those options valid.

“The sisters are asleep … Mistress,” Thyia said, her voice low and questioning.

Astera snapped out of her own thoughts, releasing Thyia gently, clasping her cheek briefly, and taking a dignified step back.

“Good. We need some sleep before we start drilling the Keep Guards and possibly some of the Militia. Are the horses stabled and cared for?”

“Yes Mistress.”

“Time for us to do likewise; we need to trust the Militia and Keep Guards to keep us safe while we sleep,” Astera replied.

---

Helice woke to Alcmene and Clymene reporting they couldn’t find the elder and discovering the middle of the day threating to pass her. Helice needed to wake the sisters. Astera asked her to make sure they woke for the middle of the day meal and to maintain their sleep patterns.

Helice climbed out of their shared bed, Charis not moving or reacting, fast asleep. Her long neck and thin face noticeable due to her short height, on a taller person they would be normal, on Charis, alluring. Helice, butterflies in her stomach, used her index finger to fold Helice’s hair gently behind her ear or the remains of her ear.

The ear cut neatly taking off the top, for the other ear Charis must have struggled, the cut on it being uneven. The letter stated Charis’ mother did this out of love, and if you accepted that, the reason must have be life-threatening, nothing less would condone such disfiguration. Helice turned away to dress, breaking off from staring; she wanted somehow to fix them, her cupped hands hovering above the one ear she could sympathise with, tears starting to well up knowing she held no such power.

She exited the Seer’s Room and as she turned to secure the door, a hand caressed her shoulder. Helice, thinking of Charis didn’t physically react, surprising the one who touched her.

“The Baron wishes to talk to Charis,” the betrothed requested.

“She is sleeping, although as soon as she is awake I will ensure she seeks out the Baron.”

“The Baron will not be pleased.”

“Inform the Baron the attackers are dead bodies walking, hungry to kill the living. The Daughters of the Duchess used fire to destroy them. They kept coming, no matter how many they destroyed. Charis’ plan was to keep sending Daughters, Militia, and Keep Guards to the farm until they stopped coming or we grew tired. In the meanwhile call for help.” Helice didn’t known why she raised her voice, helpless to heal Charis probably and taking her frustration out on the betrothed.

“I will tell the Baron. Thank you,” the betrothed said, quickly about-facing and leaving.

Helice watched the betrothed leave, a certain air of confidence about her, impervious to her harsh words. So different from the young girl they escorted to the Lonely Keep only days ago.

Helice walked the hallway, noticing the family portraits, only one painted with a modest circlet, a previous Baron perhaps. The hallway ended in a sweeping stairway into the Great Hall matching one on the other side. She then left the Great Hall and the Keep proper, hurrying to the Daughters’ assigned barracks.

Testing the door it was unlocked, although it seemed stuck so she used her body to force it back and as the gap widened, she stopped when a crescendo of clattering and banging startled her. Helice shrugged and continued to push the door open.

“Sisters, do you need for me to wake you?” Helice said, peeking around the half-opened door.

“No sister, return to Charis we will begin our duty,” Astera called.

---

Astera didn’t need to wake them, the door knocked over the pile of pots and pans balanced carefully on the bunk achieving its objectives of delay and alarm.

“Thyia, please line up those militia and guards willing to start some drills after you have something to eat.”

“Yes Mistress,” Thyia replied. She wasn’t sure where Charis was, probably still with Helice, but she knew, as did everyone else that in Charis’ absence Astera was Mistress.

Astera grinned, followed with a throaty laugh, finishing with hands on her hips. Thyia turned concerned about her Mistress' sudden change of mood.

Otonia stood beside her bunk, naked, head turning, quizzical look on her face. Dione joined in, laughing as loud as Astera. She did assist in her sister’s search by pointing toward the back of the barrack. Thyia concentrated on her own tasks and preparation, feeling awkward.

“Sorry sister, you slept so soundly and seeing your naked body is always a joy.” Dione managed to say.

"Well, while not sure I can handle the pressure of my sisters admiring me, I certainly like the attention." Otonia retorted.

Otonia sauntered to her clothes and armour, with Dione cheering.

Astera needed to command now although Otonia presented before her undressed, her clothes, and armour bundled in front of her, while Dione stood beside her near fully armoured, a distracting contrast.

“Dione and Otonia, ride to the farmhouse and report back everything you see and everything you conclude. If there is no danger pick up any useful equipment we left behind, otherwise make sure you don’t take any risks and return safely. Agreed?” Astera ordered.

Thyia breathed easier, hearing Mistress Astera return to her commanding self. She was gone from the barracks then to attend to her own duty.

“Yes Mistress.” they replied. They finished dressing, Astera and Dione assisting Otonia. Finding their horses ready and rested, Otonia and Dione saddled them, and were out of the Gate by early afternoon.

Astera armoured and armed with her spear; shield on her back left the barracks and strode over to support Thyia who finished a drill as Astera joined the line. Two more militia then joined.

When Thyia glanced up, she knew the two who joined the training and she felt her face burn red and tried to control it.

“Don’t be concerned girl, we are not here to judge, we are still thankful to your Mistress for giving us the chance to earn our honour back,” Perider Long Hair said. Beside him his partner Pandros, leaned back on his heels, smiling.

Thyia started another drill, the five Keep Guards, four militia and two ex-militia followed. This continued for a bell and Thyia rested them before sorting them into pairs to start casual sparring to test their drills.

“Why have you decided to pick up the spear?” Astera asked Perider.

“A warrior can always learn more weapons and a spear keeps a foe further away and useful against charging opponents. Also if we are using our swords against spears we will have some idea of what to expect.”

Astera was about to reply when distracted by a commotion at the Main Gate. A Keep Guard on the wall started waving his arms and calling to anyone who would listen within the Keep Walls.

The two Keep Guards at the Gate stood back from the Gate opening as Astera, Thyia and all those at practice strolled over, as one, jaws dropped, overawed as mounted, plate armoured horsemen rode through. All standing agog either assessing the expense of the armour and the trained warhorses, the magnificence of the plate armour and fine swords or the disciple of the riders, all contributing to the spectacle.

As she approached, she witnessed three sevens of Judge Knights riding passed her. Probably everyone they could muster from Hillperch, so perhaps they requested reinforcements from other towns. They seemed to travel without a baggage trail, unless it was still to catch up. Without a baggage trail, she wondered about food for them and with a sinking feeling realised this wasn’t going to be the joyful moment it at first seemed. Were they actually being saved or imposed upon Astera wondered?

The wonder didn’t end as she witnessed two stable hands accompanying each seven diligently stable their horses, dress them down, watered, and fed them from supplies they didn’t own!

She approached the High Priest, the cut and quality of his robes giving away his self-importance. He seemed to be in charge, certainly he ordered everyone else about. Astera didn’t recognise him, although she only knew one Judge Priest from Hillperch.

“Welcome, High Priest of Judge, I am Astera, current Mistress of the Daughters of the Duchess.”

“I am here to discuss important matters with the Baron. Tell him I will meet him at his leisure in the Main Hall and would appreciate some food for myself and my Knights we have ridden far and fast to be here in your time of need!”

Astera still needed to look up into his face, so him looking down at her, sneering while barking an order seemed very natural to him and annoying to her.

“I am sure one of his retainers will organise this for you, perhaps the guard on the gate? Also I am sure you witnessed the state of the farms as you rode in and the village itself, they do not store enough food to support you and your men so you will need to supply from your own baggage trail.” Astera spoke more confidently than she felt, although required for this game of bluff, something Charis tended to easily accomplish.

“We have a minimum of stable hands and have arrived to drive back the evil, feeding us while we defeat the enemy is a minimum of appreciation we expect. The farms on the trail in looked respectable, they will feed us when their lives are in danger. When I talk to the Baron he will understand this girl.” He then swished his robes and strolled past her to the Keep.

If the farms were respectable then they must have travelled from the west and Hillperch as anything south was devastated thought Astera. She didn’t believe this was going to be a friendly partnership and looking at the Keep, there wasn’t going to be enough distance between them and the Knights. The militia wouldn’t be able to hold their own given the over-confidence, weapons, and armour of the Knights, so her first thought was protection of the company and the militia.

The knights were mainly near the stables ensuring the wellbeing of their horses and one by one drifting off to follow the High Priest. The High Priest was already in the Keep, the Baron’s Judge Knight Priest meeting him at the main doors and escorting him inside. Astera took this opportunity to start a strategic retreat and hurried back over to Thyia.

“Thyia, get the Daughters packed up, including our baggage trail and move into the Inn. It will definitely need some cleaning up. Our horses in the Keep’s stable need stabling at the Inn also. Ensure you avoid any conflict with the Judge Knights when you do.”

“Why are we moving out for those tin suits Mistress?” Thyia asked.

“We aren’t important, the Barony and its people are, and they don’t need us and the knights arguing about barracks and stables. Quickly and quietly, get this done. While you pack I will talk to the Innkeeper.”

“Yes Mistress.” Greatly relieved Astera her Mistress realised a danger and barked the necessary orders. Thyia smiled to herself, satisfied.

Astera turned to Perider, who managed to speak drawing her attention.

“I understand somewhat why you and yours are leaving the Keep, but surely there is enough room in the barrack for all?”

“Where is your Sargent, I need to talk to him urgently?”

Perider just pointed to their assigned barrack. Astera strode over to the barrack, and knocked on the barrack door. Perider followed her over.

One of the unknown to her militia answered. At her appearance, he opened the door wider and allowed her in. The Sargent was walking towards her, probably reacting to the commotion, and getting ready to investigate.

“The Militia need to leave the Keep as my Sisters and I am. Judge Knights have arrived and once they see the Baron they will command in the Keep and I am sure they will use you and the Militia how they see fit. The High Priest was … shall I say unfriendly.”

“Well friendly or not, we can consider the Judge Knights being here means the Keep is secure. The food from the wagons is unloaded; we will pack and be ready to leave within a bell. We wish you well. I hope you will look after the two fools that went with you last night. You are welcome to them!”

Astera bowed, turned, and left.

She went to the stables and avoided any direct contact with Knights or their Stable Hands, saddled her horse and rode out of the gate heading towards the Inn.

---

“Sister we have found the elder,” Alcmene sent.

“Thank you sister, I am not with the Mistress, but will be shortly. I will let you know when I am.”

Helice took the rising stairs two at a time, some urgency now for her to return to Charis. Helice turned the key, went into the Seer’s Room, and found Charis still asleep, bedding barely covering her nakedness. A restless sleep then, it seems judged Helice.

She searched for Charis' mind, while kneeled at the side of their shared bed.

“Mistress, wake, the elder has been found.”

The sending a gentle featherlike caress on her Mistress’ mind, Helice rewarded with a bright wide smile from Charis. This followed by an extravagant stretch of her body, which pushed off the remaining bedding, although her eyes remained closed.

“The elder is with Alcmene and Clymene now Mistress.”

Charis described the events leading up to her blindness and Helice relayed them.

“Only the Borrow Gem, perhaps it has affected your eyes, although she would expect the same for all of us as they were given to all at the same time and largely used for the same amount of time. Unless Charis’ holds a flaw,” Helice said, relaying from Clymene and the elder.

Helice distracted by Charis’ nakedness attended to her.

“Don’t worry Mistress I can do two things at once,” Helice sent.

“She didn’t think the sensation of evil you felt would have been a trigger as all with you eventually felt it. She suggests time and just to be sure, don’t use the Borrow Gem again, even if you think you must. You will have to rely on others,” Helice answered breathlessly.

“Well I guess I am in your care sweet Helice, since the elder has grounded me,” Charis breathed out heavily, grabbing some bedding in her hands, throwing her head back.

“I would suggest we need some supplies if we are to survive without leaving this room. Perhaps I should visit the kitchen.” She gently withdrew her touch from Charis and stood back from the bed. Charis knew she was deliberately teasing her, but resisted the urge to pull her back to resume where she left off as Charis suffered the pangs of hungry herself at the mention of food.

Charis barred the door as Helice left the room and dressed in her under armour cloth after fumbling blindly around to find it. She wasn’t as comfortable now being naked unless with trusted company, under bedding or somewhat dressed. It took some time for her to find her pile of armour. She decided there and then she hated being blind and alone, it meant vulnerability and she returned to a time she was in the forest and recalled that same feeling.

The thought of being blind forever began to pick at her, the fear of being useless gnawing at her. As each heartbeat passed, the thumping within her chest became faster, her hands shaking. Then she opened her eyes, everything remained black and her hands went to her face to catch her tears. She didn’t know if it was day or night, she immediately needed to feel the sunlight on her skin and knew she couldn’t leave this room to do so.

---

Helice discovered the new visitors to the Keep very early on, as the servants were running about fetching and carrying food. She realised it was the food the warrior-sisters supplied to the Keep and certainly a vast amount of food. Who were these visitors? She heard them before she spied them. They occupied the Main Hall taking ownership, over twenty of them, all Judge Knights and a High Priest of Judge for good measure, as he seemed to be ordering the Baron’s Priest about.

From the sweeping stairs Helice glimpsed the young Baron and his father, she couldn’t see any further in case someone noticed her. The Baron displayed every one of his young years, his face drawn back, and his hands grabbing the arms of his throne for security. He did at least note the visitors consuming the lavish feast with gusto, his eyes darting from one plate to another. Helice pitied him as you do a trapped and tortured beast.

The Castellan, the Baron’s father, silent, and she hoped thoughtful, as his face didn’t give away any clue whether he accepted or expected the Keep’s guest to behave in the manner they currently were. Helice blinked trying to believe what she surveyed and then spun away and slowly climbed the stairs. With no warrior-sisters in the Hall, where was Astera?

She fled back through the Keep and out the servant’s entrance via the kitchen. The cook was looking after multiple pots and spits and looking deeply concerned. She ran faster, eventually finding Thyia in the barracks preparing to leave, wagon trail ready to go. The militia and their waggoneers were already moving through the main gate.

“Where is Astera?”

“She is preparing for us to take over the village Inn. She felt ‘us and them’ being in the Keep would lead to too much friction, so best to avoid the situation. As you can see the Militia have already left.”

At that moment, Astera rode to meet them.

“All is prepared; we will need to do some work, although we should fit in the Inn as it is empty. Our supplies, such that we can save will provision the Inn well enough for us, although hay for the horses will be a concern and the village green isn’t in the best shape for grazing. Helice inform Charis of my actions and depending upon her assessment, we may or may not have to send for more supplies from Hillperch. I will stay with the sisters in case I have to scare off any Knights.”

“That should be easy enough. They are feeding themselves on what food is still available in the Keep’s stores, which are our supplies. I see the sense in making our own base of operations. I will let Charis know. I will need help once you are settled.”

Astera knowingly nodded. “I understand,” Astera replied.

Helice went back through the kitchen and politely asked the cook for a few portions of meat, which she waved away, she was too busy.

“Girl put that food back now!” an authoritative voice, boomed.

Helice looked over to the doorway, she would need to pass through and saw a plate encased Judge Knight standing there. His face was fair, with black hair shaved less than a finger width down to the skull, a wrathful smile revealing his teeth while he confidently swaggered at the top of the four steps, which then descended into the Kitchen proper.

“The food was supplied to this Keep by the Daughters of the Duchess, which I am one. You eat at our leisure sir. So the food is mine to take to my Mistress and you have no right to stop me.”

“My sword says different little flower,” as he tapped its scabbard with his left gauntleted hand, “I will not ask again. Return the food. You are nothing now we are here.”

The servants looked at the cook and she waved them to her and then whispered to one who ran off.

Helice placed the food back and then threw a kitchen knife at the looming plate encased knight before she ran through the kitchen door, which lead to the yard.

The knife bounced off his armour with a clang, causing him to pause slightly bringing a thin smile to his face as he drew his sword with a flourish. He advanced into the Kitchen taking each step carefully. Helice exited the Kitchen before the Judge Knight entered, it didn’t matter to him, the one exit, easy to follow, and he did like a chase!

Helice waited for the metallic clanging to approach. His sword sheathed on the left, so right handed most likely, therefore, he should look right first, so she positioned herself on his left hand side at the doorway.

As he shuffled out of the doorway and looked right, Helice jumped up and landed the handle ends of both of her daggers on the back of his skull. He paused for a moment, and then his body took over, leaning forward the weight of his plate armour propelling him towards the ground. He fell heavily, flat on his face.

“You are a disgrace and should be no Judge Knight!” she uttered in disgust at his prone body resisting the urge to spit, trying to still her shaking hands with false bravado and relief he fell.

She was back in the kitchen to the amazement of the cook and her flock of servants, picked up the food she previously put down and raced to the Seer’s Room by the servant stairs. She knocked rapidly and lightly on the door and Charis eventually opened it. Helice heard her stumble at least once and swear. Charis quickly barred it when Helice was safely inside.

“Judge Knights and Priests of Judge have arrived; they are currently eating all the food in the Keep it seems,” Helice said in a rush.

“Tell Astera to remove our sisters and whatever is left of our baggage trail to the village, we need to separate ourselves from them,” Charis stressed.

“Astera must read your mind Mistress. Maybe you are secret Seers. They were just about to leave when I talked to them. Our Base will be the Inn once set up. The warrior-sisters will return for us shortly. Also I needed to subdue a disgraceful Judge Knight in the kitchen, so there may already be an incident Mistress.” She lowered her eyes.

Charis couldn’t see her face, sensed the silence, fumbled for Helice, and drew her into a hug.

“There will be no incident as these are Initiates and Aspirants; they are looking to prove themselves honourable, to be one day, the one, The Judge Knight of the Duchy. If he hasn’t acted honourably, he will be called upon to answer for his behaviour. I hear the concern in your voice; I assure you there is no need to worry.”

“Yes Mistress.”

“Let us eat; we may not see any more of our supplies from the Keep’s stores but these.”

“Are we staying Mistress? If we are Astera suggests we contact Hillperch to organise some more supplies, if not for us, at least for the common folk that the Knights say they are protecting, while not being concerned about them starving.”

“Yes contact your sisters. Also, ask them to contact Rhea, time to test our patronage with the Duchess and see if she has any real influence. Ask Rhea to contact the Seers in Parium and inform the Duchess that Judge Knights led by a High Priest of Judge are currently helping to quell evil in the Barony. They seem to be doing so without regard for the care of the people. Perhaps it will take a High Priest from the city or probably the Judge Knight himself to make them aware of their honour. Her Daughters will see to some food in the short term, although Death Season is approaching and I am sure they will return from where they came leaving the common folk to starve.”

“Yes Mistress, as we eat I will contact them.”