Charis awoke in her own bed, not remembering how she got there and immediately tossed her head one way and then the other to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. She remembered lying face down on the Inn’s cot, naked with Helice massaging her. As she surveyed her room she fixated on Helice approaching her with a jug and cup. Her parched throat and general dehydration overpowered her other needs and she drank deeply. Charis knew why she thirsted, trying to decide if she should be angry or well, angry.

As her anger gathered she awoke, regaining her senses and realising a more important task awaited her attention. The assassins and the need to act against the them, the traitors, who were even now riding to call doom upon them. She tried to get out of bed and the moment she moved, Helice leapt upon her. Followed by Dione, Otonia and Astera adding their weight or holding a limb. Alcmene, Clymene and Thyia were around the bedsides in case she improbably made an escape.

“We were worried Mistress, so when called we knew we needed to protect you,” Astera whispered.

“I must act, the assassins will be our doom, I shouldn’t have trusted them I was too overconfident, it was my fault, don’t you understand. We are in danger from them! I have failed you all!” Charis screaming, eyes wide, trying to free her arms, settling for biting her bottom lip. A futile response, to punish herself.

“We are with you regardless of the danger, we don’t care about the assassins. We care about you and whatever happens we will defend you and defend our House. If this costs our lives, it costs our lives.” Those holding her down murmured their agreement to Astera’s words.

“We cannot hope to survive, let alone win against a Mother Superior of Saph, who recruits and trains assassins that are totally loyal to her!” The screaming replaced by voiced desperation.

“She will find after she loses the first few threes sent against us, it will cost her too many lives to continue with her other plans.” Astera replied in a level, even and soothing voice, like her mother would use to calm one of her brothers or sisters.

Charis’ breathing steadied. “So, you are all content to wait upon fate in this?”

They nodded, focused on her face displaying predatory smiles.

“Yes, and if this is the last time we can fully relax in our House then I believe we are going to take advantage of it.” The three seers spoke the words as one while assisting each other.

Astera cupped her hands around Charis’ face, soothing and reassuring, finding herself alone clothed, all other sisters naked and slinking towards Charis. Charis stripped naked before Astera, although narrowly, measured in heartbeats. They all took a piece of Charis and sent her into sexual delirium. Some releases she kept while others she sent to Helice, Clymene and Alcmene and enjoyed the pleasurable shock on their faces. She then felt their thoughts and enjoyed their surprised when some of her thoughts were received by them. Admittedly they were thoughts of a most carnal nature, but success was still success, helped she knew by body contact. The three Seers then asked to be pleasured in turn by Astera, Thyia, Dione and Otonia releasing back to Charis in quick succession.

Charis knew making love with and to Alcmene, Clymene and Helice would be bliss, their shared seer link enhancing their intimacy and pleasure. Knowing instantly what, where and why each touch and each sensation meant to each other.

What Charis didn’t expect was discovering the love making rhythm she shared with Astera and Thyia. There was no shared link, the pleasure given and taken an understood co-ordinated flowing dance.

Charis, with effort broke from Astera and Thyia, both of who stared, dismayed at her.

“Astera and Thyia grab your daggers,” Charis commanded. The Seers, Dione and Otonia broke from their activities and formed an inquisitive audience lying naked belly down on Charis’ bed. Astera and Thyia climbed out of Charis’ bed and searched for their daggers amongst their clothes and armour, hesitant, glancing towards Charis occasionally.

“I am trying to determine if I have discovered something sisters, don’t be concerned,” answered Charis to their questioning looks.

When they were ready, Charis positioned herself between them.

“Alcmene, Clymene and Helice, arm yourselves with daggers, ensure you are Seer linked and spar with us when ready.” Dione and Otonia chased them from Charis’ bed with a smug smile.

The three Seers circled their prey with seamless co-ordination and attacked, feinted and double teamed with perfect timing. Dione and Otonia gasped as Charis, Astera and Thyia met them at every challenge, although their attacking opportunities were limited.

“How?” spluttered Alcmene.

“Our skills and our co-ordination should have ensured victory,” finished Clymene.

“If we used our spears and shields sisters you would be battered and bruised,” triumphed Astera.

“Does our miracle have anything to do with the warmth I am feeling from the half coin in the nape of my neck?” Thyia asked.

“They always warm when we spar.”

“Feel my belly button Astera and Thyia,” suggested Charis, hands indicating exactly where unnecessarily.

Dione and Otonia burst out laughing, Astera and Thyia retreated, both glaring at the audience.

“You must admit, observing two naked women carefully and cautiously prodding another naked women’s belly button is …” They were interrupted trying to escape their perch as Astera and Thyia in perfect synchronisation leapt upon them.

“So childish.” The Seers then piled on.

Charis revaluated the timing of her discovery, perhaps she could have waited. Throwing her daggers to join those of her sisters, she then added her naked body to the entwined pile on her bed.

---

Once all were exhausted and resting Charis contemplated her next action agreeing to wait. To be fair the Initiates would be told of the possible deadly danger and if they requested, their oaths could be taken back by them without any disrespect. Satisfied, the sisters allowed Charis time to recover, stretching and stealing off their Mistress’ bed and sauntering out of their Mistress’ room.

Helice lingered. She rolled towards Charis their two naked bodies in contact, aroused and covered in a sheen of sweat. Helice offered her lips, yearning for Charis to reach for them, relieved when her Mistress did. Breaking the kiss Helice’s nose caressed her Mistress’. Helice’s green eyes locked onto the clear blue eyes staring back at her.

“I am sorry I called the sisters to us Mistress, I was worried. You always prepare before any action and I only sensed desperation and I know this isn’t you.” Helice gently closing her eyes trying to capture and hold the tear trying to escape the right one.

“Open your eyes Helice, trusted seer sister.” Charis pushed back a loose dark brown strand of hair that escaped one of Helice’s braid a casualty of their recent activity. Waiting for Helice to comply.

“Helice you protect me, and I accept your judgement without reservation, even if you have to protect me from myself.” The relief on Helice’s face plain, she sighed heavily, her eyes bright and glistening.

“I believe I owe you something that you gave away to your sisters.”

Helice’s eyes went wide once again.

“I would have screamed down the Inn Mistress otherwise and my care is always for you,” confessed Helice.

“I know, now be open while I take you and no sharing with your sisters.” Charis grabbed Helice by two of her braids and tugged her closer.

Reaching into her items, Charis willed to enhance her caresses, her kisses and her whispers. Charis pushed her mind into Helice’s who accepted the link and poured carnal thoughts through the link overwhelming Helice with sexual desire. Finally, Charis healed Helice, body and soul increasing her arousal causing Helice’s back to arch while screaming out her release.

It was middle of the morning when Charis finished with Helice. Both exhausted, Charis cheated and cured them both a little, although this was to allow them to break their fast, not for any further activity.

Helice lolled about on her Mistress’ bed gazing at Charis’ pure white complexion, raven black hair in stunning contrast and toned lithe muscles rolling under her smooth skin as she reached for her loincloth, breast wrap and then underclothe.

“Mistress,” Helice’s lust thick voice called, “last night while you were sleeping we introduced Niobe into our Seer-three. It would be good to make it seven and then, we may be able to transport you on a moment’s notice to anywhere you want to be.”

“Well we have the twins and perhaps Rhea to add yet, although I know you have said the twins could take some time and work.” Charis raised her underclothe over her head while speaking.

“You are forgetting one other Mistress.” Charis looked at her confused, “You Mistress! Charis the Young.” Charis released her underclothe and instead of it falling away, a naked Helice caught it, to ensure it draped over her Mistress’ body perfectly.

“I am not a Seer Helice.” Helice placed her finger across her mouth, “We have your training well underway and it seemed to bare some fruit and pleasure recently did it not?” she smirked.

Helice kissed her forehead to her Mistress’, connected to her Mistress’s mind and replayed some of their lustful play. Charis appreciated the envy of Alcmene and Clymene, present and freely open in their unbridled desire and lust.

Helice broke the physical contact to dress herself, her athletic body aglow and flattered as Charis shared her observation of her bodyguard via their seer link. Her braided dark brown hair upon fair skin, shining green eyes on either side of her turned up nose revealing her sensual cupid’s bow lips. Sending commentary, Charis would never speak aloud.

---

Charis and Helice stepped down the circular stairs to the Training Room to break their fast. Charis decided to wait until the evening meal, when the twins returned from work before making the important announcement. She ensured the training continued and gave some thought to changes, although realistically it would take weeks as it was, to ensure the sisters were at least competent in the training they were attending to now.

Conferring with others Charis estimated seven days of travel before the assassins reached their patron. The sisters coming and going for meals was one risk they needed to remove so the Kitchen and the Store Room became the new priority, perhaps the twins could assist.

When Ismene rested from dagger training, Charis called her over.

“Yes Mistress?”

“How are the stores going are we prepared for the Death Season and a little extra?”

“Yes Mistress, we have most of the supplies now, I sent agents out early to the villages to pre-pay for the food and goods we needed. Sometimes if the farmer knows he has already sold his crop it turns out to be a little less cared for, but I have assured them that those who do that won’t be asked next season as I keep complete records of what is ordered, what price, what quality and what farm. It is a little more expensive to start until you build up the relationships with the farmers Mistress.”

“We are not cheating these farmers, are we?”

“No Mistress, the only one that can be cheated is us if the farmer supplies poor quality produce.”

“Well done Ismene you have represented the Daughters with honour and secured the supplies required you have my thanks.”

“Thank you, Mistress,” she whispered, her noble demeaner forgotten as she goose-bumped.

Next Charis caught sight of a dirt encrusted Jocasta wearing her filthy cloth shift running to the Bath Room. Pausing, trying to figure out what it meant Charis followed her, entering the room to discover Jocasta squatting happily in the bath like a frog on a lily pad, minus the lily pad.

“Where have you been girl?”

“Oh, Mistress you made me jump!”

“Where have you been?”

Jocasta replied, eyes wide and voice excited. “I have been making friends with the local children, some have families some not and those who are hungry I have been giving them food. I asked Ismene to order some of the food they like, and she said she would.”

Charis thought this over, perplexed, considering a reply when Jocasta spoke again.

“She does like being with you, doesn’t she? I asked Agape and her face went red but told me she has never seen Ismene so satisfied and happy, she was not always happy before even with her money and nobility.”

“Wait, leave Ismene. The children, I am very pleased with your display of kindness ... why?”

“You told me that I needed to use my most dangerous weapon, which is to think. I can’t wield a weapon to help but I know the streets, this town is different but the same, so my friends should tell me anything that goes on, if not first at least soon after they tell someone else. If I feed them during Death Season that will mean more survive for next year to help.”

Charis needed a couple of heartbeats to interpret the full meaning of Jocasta’s words, talking of life and death, matter of factually.

“You are definitely helping us and in fact I have a specific question you can ask your friends, don’t sound keen or eager of course, just casual, yes I see it in your face, you know what I mean, I apologise. There could be some assassin’s looking to do us harm, you remember the ones we held a few nights ago, you remember how they were dressed and their weapons?”

“Yes Mistress I remember them, especially the one with tits smaller than mine! See!” as she stuck her budding breasts over the edge of the tub and then back down again.

“Yes, yours are definitely fuller.”

“Mistress?”

“Yes?”

“Will I have to wait until I am sixteen years old to have the same fun with you as Ismene?”

“I would think so, it is generally better.”

“What about Dione, she is young.”

“Yes, what about her, she was extremely hurt, in a number of ways … when I found her, and comfort went further than it probably should have.”

“I didn’t mean to make you sad Mistress.”

“Not sad Jocasta, just remembering a scared girl who was saved and who is now much better. Same as I hope for you.”

“I am happy, I get food every day!” she splashed back into the bath smiling widely.

“Bathe well and I will see you a little later.”

“Thanks Mistress.”

Before she could leave the Bath Room, Niobe approached fingers intertwined at her waist and then determinedly placed both hands apart resting at her hips.

“The Seers have instructed me to lay with you as part of our bonding Mistress. I only ask this because they insisted I must. I don’t wish to demand or insult.” She then bowed her head wondering what the outcome would be.

“It is a game they play, but according to them it is required. I will visit you tonight perhaps.”

“In the White Room Mistress, won’t others see … us? I mean I thought we could be a little more private, like Ismene?”

“Ismene is behind walls but all know she is enjoying herself and how she is enjoying herself, so the walls don’t make that much difference and you must also remember she walked naked amongst us for many days, so she is not ashamed of her body. But we can use the Meeting Room if you like.”

“Thank you, Mistress,” Niobe said, walking hastily away.

Charis’ eyes followed her leaving confused, did Niobe forget their encounter in the White Room? Perhaps returning there and realising the lack of privacy has triggered this, whereas under the influence of the healing, there was not much thinking of consequences or reputation.

Jocasta, eavesdropping, resisted the temptation to speak her thoughts. Instead swishing easily in the bathwater, she dreamt of her time, her turn.

Charis then searched for Zoe, she wasn’t in the Training Room so must be learning to ride with Dione. She would have liked to try the small bow, perhaps tomorrow.

Mildly disappointed Charis headed for the elder’s room. Would she be in residence or not, Charis hurried to find out. Wonder of wonders the elder reclined in a chair at her table, relaxed, seemingly waiting for someone or something.

“Thank you, Helice saved me again, this time from myself,” confessed Charis.

“It is as you have said many times, you are stronger together.”

“You need to tell me that letting them go, or more so, trusting the assassins was not a mistake that could be an expensive blood bill to pay?”

“I think you sell yourself and your gutfeel short. Your decisions have been sound so far and well it is said you have a wise head on young shoulders, perhaps the Goddesses also guide you. Get the Kitchen finished I will strengthen the floor and we will be able to withstand a siege!”

“What about water, not just bath but drinking?”

“Well start hoarding some now while you have time and only use it last when no other water can be easily found. Maybe the water from the roof when it rains could be caught and collected, see if your Master Carpenter has any ideas, the walls are very strong now, so they should be able to hold anything.”

“Well I need to see the Master Carpenter about the Kitchen, so I may as well go now and ask about that as well. Yes, I will call Helice to me.”

Charis climbed the circular stairs and knocked on the Seer’s door to no answer, they must be at their middle of day meal. So, she walked on and collected her armour and weapons and went to the Bath Room. As she entered she looked towards Dirce and asked for help to get ready. Dirce and Drosis got out of their bath and quickly dried and helped Charis in a very well-practiced way of dressing her in her armour and cloak.

“Drosis, find Niobe please I was just talking to her.”

“Yes Mistress.”

Charis was just about dressed when Niobe appeared. She took in the naked flesh in front of her and couldn’t help but look, which encouraged Dirce to arch back deliberately to display her body, while Drosis just rubbed up against her while tying a final piece of Charis’ armour on.

“Niobe, your Seer-sister. I need Helice to me now. Understand?”

“Yes Mistress, I will try.”

“Niobe do you understand?”

“Yes Mistress, I will not fail you.”

Charis was ready and thanked them and left for the elder’s room, with Niobe following.

“Is she ready Niobe?”

“Yes, Mistress she is waiting outside for you,”

Charis nodded, not trying to open the door now, she approached, and the door opened for her. Helice waited outside, armed and armoured and fell into step with Charis as they walked up Gate Road.

It was late afternoon by the time Charis talked to the Master Carpenter.

“When can the Kitchen be completed? Also, I have another hole in the roof!”

“The Leatherworkers Shop is near completion, some internal walls to finish, so with their leave I could start tomorrow and finish in perhaps five days. The oven and the stove are here now.”

“What could you make on the outside of the walls to catch water from the roof when it rains so it goes into a barrel?”

“Why do you want that for?”

“To catch the water when it rains, why else?”

“Just get water from a well, like everyone else?”

“Do you want the job or not?” Charis asked slightly frustrated.

“Yes, sorry, I am always looking for work. Do you want to drink this water?”

“Yes possibly, how much more difficult does that make it?”

“Well you need to make sure no extra taste is added, like raw wood or pitch, so we could use wood to hold some pottery shaped the same on to the walls under the eaves and if it was glazed all the better. Let’s go talk to a potter.”

The potter wasn’t too far away; it was another messy business that wasn’t wanted in the old town walls anymore. She was an older woman, with a couple of helpers. When Charis described what was wanted the elderly potter thought for a long while, Charis on the verge of asking if they should come back later and then she spoke.

“Do you have a significant fall height?” she asked.

“Yes, the building is two stories, so the water catcher could fall one complete floor or near enough, so it ends up in a barrel on the ground floor,” Charis answered.

“Then I could make half circle catchers, glaze them and then stack them one into the other so the water falls from one to the other until the end, which will be a barrel in the air on the side of the building. Then that could overflow into a barrel inside the building, which could overflow into another and so on until ground level perhaps, does that sound like it will work Master Carpenter?”

“Yes, I think so, the overflow from each barrel could be difficult especially if too much rain falls.”

“What price for the rain catchers?” Charis asked.

“We will work on a time basis as I don’t know how long it will take, but it will be a fair price because if it works others may want it also. Agreed?”

“Yes,” Charis answered.

“Will you accept the same terms for me?” asked the Master Carpenter.

“Yes. Thank you both, now when can you start and more importantly when can you finish?

“Today,” replied the Potter.

“Tomorrow,” replied the Carpenter.

“I assume I will need to seek leave on your behalf from the Master Leatherworker?”