“Warrior-sisters and Initiates, Daughters of the Duchess one and all I must announce that I have made a decision that could place us all in danger.”

The assembled sisters randomly shifted a foot, held the hand of the sister beside them to steady their trembling or cast their eyes down in anticipation of their Mistress explaining further. Charis for her part tried to capture each of their eyes with her own.

“I thought I won the loyalty of the assassins. It seems my intuition in this regard has failed me. I can only assume they’re riding to the Mother Superior now to tell her about us, especially me and how we interfered in their mission and held them prisoner.”

She paused. There wasn’t any comment or response, so she continued trying to ensure they comprehended the possible danger they were exposed to.

“I fear I have placed us all in danger, which may cost us our lives. I have checked on preparations to resist any assault on this House, but I need to offer all the option of release from their oath if they so choose.”

Silence enveloped the room. When Charis didn’t continue, the quiet started to become awkward. As Charis observed each one they returned her gaze confidently. Astera stepped forward.

“I believe you have your answer Mistress. No one is leaving here, leaving you. I think I am right in saying all sisters are stunned you would even doubt their loyalty.”

Tears started to well in her eyes and she couldn’t stop them seeping out. The weight of the very real danger she alone placed them under and the relief seeing her sisters support her, overwhelming. Her tears turned to a flood as they all approached her in turn and renewed their oaths, including Jocasta.

“Don’t weep Mistress, we are one, let the world try and separate us, I dare them!”

Then a cheer went up, the passionate and earnest words spoken by their youngest resonating with them all. Charis’ white complexion revealing to all her deep appreciation and love as she glowed red.

“I am sorry I doubted you, I never will again.” Charis wiped the tears from her eyes, exposing to all, her sixteen years of existence, in many ways too young and questioning her suitability. Now responsible for so many.

Charis straightened her back, standing tall, she needed to discard her misgivings and believe two Goddesses held her close and essential in their ultimate plan. She hung on to this new faith, as it provided an explanation to her and instilled a confidence like a lifeline erasing any doubt.

“Given what we could be facing I need to grant some special gifts. Please step forward Nysa and Kyra. I have two items, one for each of you. These items will bind your fighting styles such that as you practice more you will know each other’s moves and instinctively work together. Do you wish to be bound together this way?”

Nysa and Kyra embraced, two warriors trusting in their partnership and able to face combat together confidently reassured they would protect each other to the best of their ability.

“Yes Mistress,” replied Nysa.

“I was not sure if I fit here, but I know I do now, so I will be honoured to be bound to Nysa in the service of the Daughters of the Duchess.”

“When you attune these there will be pain, so please choose someone to share this pain with you. Placing these between your shoulders is probably best, but I leave it to you to decide.”

They solemnly received the half coins, each bowing their heads slightly and joyfully hugging each other after they stepped back. Charis paused to allow them to celebrate before speaking again.

“Kyra please step forward once again.”

Kyra’s arm fell away from Nysa’s shoulders and she faced her Mistress, unconsciously tugging her lip, wondering.

“Not to worry Kyra, this is a celebration. I return to you all the items you owned prior to joining the sisters and thank you for your loyalty and service and may you serve us better with these items restored to you.”

Charis handed the four items to Kyra and embraced her.

“Thank you, Mistress.”

“Dirce and Drosis please step forward. Ever since the first battle you have been inseparable, and I have noticed your dedication in training with spear and shield. So, I make you the same offer to be joined as one in combat.”

“Yes Mistress,” they both answered at the same time, which caused everyone to laugh.

The warrior-sisters then dispersed to do their own thing. Emotionally exhausted Charis trod up the circular stairs to her room to hang up her cloak and take off all her armour and lay naked on her bed. Staring upwards, wishing she could see the sun through the holes in the night sky through a hole in her room’s ceiling. Charis cleared her mind and rested calmly for a few bells to allow the night to mature and then proceeded downstairs to call upon Niobe.

Charis stood naked beside Niobe’s bunk bed, no one else awake it seemed. Charis reached down and nibbled her ear and kissed her on the cheek. She woke with a start and then she realised who it was and reached for her one blanket and pulled it up under her chin, trembling.

“So, you have changed your mind? I thought the seer-sisters discussed with you what was needed?”

“They described I should welcome your attentions Mistress, they didn’t go into too many details,” Niobe quietly squeaked.

“Will you share your blanket with me?”

“I, I, am uncertain, nothing in the Temple has prepared me for this, although I do remember our embrace after the poisoning …”

“It is probably best we try this another time, you are free to say no. It is important you embrace this intimacy if you can and it is equally important you reject it if you can’t.”

“Yes, um no, maybe just lay under the blanket with me to start?” Niobe caught between wanting answers and crossing a line forbidden since entering the Temple as a child. She remembered her mother’s loving embrace as did her twin, her dear sister. As twins in the Temple they weren’t permitted more than polite embraces as the Temple Seers enforced separation to supposedly develop the need in Seer Twins to connect with their minds to replace physical contact.

The night after the poisoning, the need, want and desire for human touch ignited a fire within her. Alcmene and Clymene only hinted at the mystery she needed to explore and solve. Helice was an enigma, Alcmene and Clymene treated her as an equal, a single seer their equal. Niobe knew the life of a single seer and at best single seers were tolerated within the Temple, gathering sympathy at best, pity at worst. All the rules were different in the House of Charis the Young. Her being young and not an elder for instance.

While distracted trying to sort through what she knew Niobe realised her Mistress now lay beside and sharing her body warmth. In an instant her panic broke when Charis murmured.

“It was lucky we provided wide bunks, two fit neatly don’t they.”

Niobe awkwardly grimaced relieved Charis wouldn’t be able to see it in the dark, not yet knowing her Mistress could see well enough to appreciate the situation Niobe found herself in and the reason for her response.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bump you or touch you there. I am so nervous now whereas before I was … bolder and the desire …” she whispered. Touch a taboo in the Temple, the sensual heat now radiating from Charis’ body inviting and her memory after the poisoning surfacing. Needing comfort when younger she and her twin would embrace, once in Temple the human contact with her sister brief and polite, then they were separated after six years and only met in their minds, no other human contact permitted.

At her sister’s death Niobe resigned herself to never embracing another, never experiencing the touch of another as it wasn’t the Seer way. Alone, who could she trust? Men were unknown to her, taller, larger and stronger and cast as an untrustworthy villain in Temple teachings. Now this, the twins and Helice encouraging her to embrace this planned encounter with her Mistress who she swore an oath to serve. Was this service expected? How often? Her Mistress encouraged her to say no if she didn’t want this, whatever this was. They didn’t explain why, she needed to trust them or decide here and now not to.

Charis touched Niobe’s face and ran her fingers over Niobe’s full rosebud lips and felt them inquisitively search and caress her fingers. Charis then ran the back of her fingers down the side of her neck and felt Niobe shiver and tense. Charis then went lower and felt the under cloth, so she found a dagger of Niobe’s and slit the under cloth down the middle the blunted back of the dagger running between her breasts and then down to her groin and with a flick, parting the underclothe to her knees. The dagger returned to its sheath and in the same motion the blanket was tossed to the floor. Charis felt rather than saw Niobe turn her face towards her.

Niobe’s senses overloaded, the caressing, even the cool steel travelling down the length of her body, all this new to her. The warm comfort of Charis’ body beside hers reassuring. Charis’ presence inviting, human touch exciting and Niobe desperate after so many lonely years.

Charis kissed her fully and passionately on her lips, while her hand strayed to her breasts and nipples. Niobe tried to gasp but couldn’t, Charis skilfully trapping her mouth with her own. Her hand then travelled through her lower hair, searching and finding a certain pleasure point. Niobe turned her head away from Charis, so she could gasp this time. Charis used her lips and tongue elsewhere while her fingers strummed a rhythm where they were.

Niobe tried to suppress her pleasure noises unsuccessfully. At each escape she was embarrassed. Charis whispered it didn’t matter and continued to make sure she made enough noise to compete with Ismene. No one paid her any attention, no one yelled at her to be quiet and all she heard were words of encouragement from Charis. Niobe realised she wasn’t in Temple anymore. Charis’ body and its heat enveloped her, Charis’ skin touching hers a revelation causing it to tingle. Human touch, she realised she craved it after being forbidden from it her entire Temple life. Suddenly she crossed a threshold and not only physically enjoyed what was happening to her, but free of guilt and open within herself she embraced the experience.

She needed to kiss the one tending her, so she did. She needed to explore the body of the one tending her, so she did. She needed as much body contact with the one with her, so she wrapped her legs and arms around the loving warmth beside her, under her, on top of her, deliberately crushing her breasts into her Mistress’, seeking out her Mistress’ lips to explore them. Touch she demanded touch, flesh upon flesh, so long denied her. Niobe discarded any reservations, her craving so long denied now available, freely, openly and encouraged, she demanded more, insisting as would anyone as thirsty and starved of human contact as she was.

Niobe was a pleasured ball of sweat when Charis left her, suddenly realising the gulf she crossed and lamenting her life as a lonely single seer and sad she couldn’t share the knowledge of this joy with her twin. She lay awake, excited with her enlightenment allowing her mind to relax now she truly accepted the safety of the House, her Mistress’ love and her place within the Daughters of the Duchess. Niobe knew she belonged, she found her new home.

Her mind drifted reaching out with her Seer ability celebrating, instinctively trying to connect to her twin to share, such her peace and sense of belonging. The thin, narrow tether not responding, the search for her blood twin fruitless, severed at her twin’s death. Her heart ached as she instantly relived the loss. Her mind scattered her seer sense searching for ‘others’, she skimmed the minds of those in the White Room, and sensed excitement, lust, inner calm and like her, belonging. She knew her Seer ability was strong, which is why she knew her, and her twin sisters’ bond was deliberately destroyed. While exploring with her mind in this way, tired her, she enjoyed the discovery and exercising her Seer skill once again. What a gift you have granted me Mistress!

Niobe reached out, discovering several sisters in the Meeting Room, pain. She expended a portion of her inner energy to help and soothed them, dulling the edge of their pain overjoyed when their minds cleared enough for her to sense their relief. Niobe made the decision to search for Alcmene and Clymene, her energy low, she refined and narrowed her mind’s reach using her eyes as a guide to pierce the floor above her. She knew initiates couldn’t walk the upper floor, therefore her only chance of visiting would be with her mind.

She skimmed a mind, immediately confused by the contact. Her eyes widened, her hands reaching for her head as four minds joined as one revealed themselves to her. She expected Alcmene and Clymene, she didn’t expect their seer strength, they both dwarfed hers and Niobe paled in fear and promise. Helice the single seer then revealed herself and Niobe became delirious, the promise revealed, far greater than she imagined, the fear evaporated, Helice’s connection to Alcmene and Clymene strong, solid and although not of their blood far surpassing any triplet Niobe knew or secretly whispered about.

Then the weakest of the four revealed itself. Niobe weak and near drained dropped her contact due to the shock. With relaxed ease she welcomed and embraced Clymene and Helice caressing her mind, her energy low they seemed to be able to tap an endless fountain.

Clymene shared her arousal and pleasure, while Helice shared her technique both saturating Niobe’s mind. Without warning a burst of pleasure released upon her, Niobe arched her back and silently screamed due to shock as Clymene’s release washed over her, consuming her, with Helice’s satisfied joy behind it. She remembered Alcmene hints and word dance, understanding flashed through her.

While recovering Alcmene appeared naked next to her climbing into her bed and tending to her, as she was about to release Alcmene told her to send it Helice, make her scream in pleasure she urged. It was so very easy to do; she slipped inside Helice’s inviting mind and released her pleasure through the offered channel instead of vocally and physically within her body. She released to Clymene and Alcmene in turn and then Helice released to her. Alcmene showed her what she liked and instructed her and when she was ready Niobe was overwhelm when Alcmene released to her. By morning they were all tired due to lack of sleep and exhausted from pleasure. Alcmene was still sleeping in Niobe’s bed when everyone broke their fast at dawn.

Niobe defied her tiredness, a single Seer in name only, she reached out to Alcmene, the body contact allowed easy contact the Seer tether narrow, surprising her. One night of ‘sharing’ to achieve years of training with her twin. Alcmene asleep, rejected her Seer attention. She reached out to Clymene, it helped she remained in her bed. Clymene seized her mind and Niobe arched her back in extasy.

“Find Helice Seer sister,” sent Clymene.

Clymene named her, Niobe, Seer sister, her body goose bumped in response, which Clymene acknowledged and held their connection unbreakable. Niobe realised there would be no secrets in that moment. Niobe gritted her teeth, she needed to prove herself worthy and form an active second link, could she? Only triplets could perform such a circle, although how could she explain Helice.

“Yes sister, how do you explain Helice? Now find her without further delay.”

---

Nysa studied the four items in Kyra’s hand, amazed.

Kyra called Dirce and Drosis to her as the sisters started to disperse after Charis’ speech and the offer of half coins.

“I propose we help each other through the attuning of the Mistress’ gifts and if all agree I propose we meet shortly in the Meeting Room.”

“Shouldn’t we include another, to care for us if the pain is too unbearable?” Dirce asked.

“I propose a pair attune first and then once the pain is bearable the other pair then attune,” suggested Kyra.

“When you attuned your four items was the pain unbearable?”

“I didn’t endure any pain, I can only guess the High Priest played a part. An unusual display of kindness for an evil man if he did.”

Dirce confirmed with Drosis sharing a nod and they all embraced united in the task before them, honoured to be gifted these special items and eager to discover their power.

Ever since Ismene’s use of the Meeting Room or perhaps since she was the Provedore the Meeting Room contained a large lounge covered in furs as well as the expected table and chairs. The warrior sisters appreciated the additions as they would add as much comfort as possible to their task.

“I know Mistress suggested we place the coins between our shoulders, I propose another place.”

Kyra effortlessly and unashamedly removed and neatly stacked her armour and underclothe, the only one in the room naked.

"We are all women and we are all warriors," she stated, in answer to their apprehension.

Showing the bronze ring, “The bronze ring piercing my eyebrow, encourages those who meet me to be friendly, so needs to be at head height and displayed to be most effective. I think my version of this item is unique.” Kyra threads the bronze ring back into its former place.

The three sisters stood speechless. Dirce and Drosis cringing as they noted the healed wounds, one through Kyra’s upper arm and another high on Kyra’s left breast both knowing how and who dealt them. Nysa appraised the tall lanky warrior before her purely in terms of martial prowess.

“I bare no grudge sisters, battle is survival.”

Dirce and Drosis mumbled apologies nevertheless and their faces coloured.

“I will wear the red gem behind my belly button as it improves my combat and weapon skills, so it is placed within the core of my body. How much it improves them I do not know. I will buried it in my skin now, so removal is more difficult, previously it was on the surface resting on my belly button like a piece of jewellery.”

Kyra observed her warrior sisters, Dirce and Drosis seemed interested in the lesson and like eagles stared at her belly button, probably ensuring they would avoid sighting her wounds. Nysa stood back, reserved and stony faced.

“The next two items I will place in a female place.”

Calmly and skilfully Kyra threads the bronze ring and then the bronze circle.

“The bronze ring you can see provides an unknown enhancement to my agility while also providing a deterrent to any male who may try to make use of me. The bronze circle although not as strong is similarly placed and helps me resist any sweet and false words so I can distinguish false friends from true friends.”

The three warrior sisters were encouraged by Kyra to examine the obviously effective placement of the items. Dirce and Drosis now witness to the proof of how a lone female could stay unmolested amongst a troop of false Judge Knights. Dirce knew of chastity belts of course, Kyra’s ‘arrangement’ more secretive and evidently just as effective.

“I propose we place our half coins above our fleshy mounds, at our feminine core and centre of being.”

Silence.

Kyra, flashed her teeth, laughing, realising she managed to shock her warrior sisters.

“If you believe this location to be the most effective then I agree,” stated Nysa. She tried to limit the articles of clothing and armour required to be removed to reveal the ideal location and no more, the attempt at modesty failed. She checked each of her warrior sisters with a stolen look and proceeded to undress until naked. Each sister in the room a warrior-sister she convinced herself.

Dirce and Drosis reached for and plonked themselves on the lounge. Kyra more familiar with athletic prowess admired her present and future martial partner. Green eyes and a face framed by untamed shoulder length dark brown hair didn’t distract from the well-toned and muscled body standing before her. Her light brown complexion unusually interrupted by a large fair skinned birthmark, which slashed across her womanhood, starting just above the right-hand side and ending just below the left-hand side on her inner thigh. Nysa volunteered an explanation, the one thing she always avoided although in the present company she sensed awe and curiosity, not derision and spite.

“I took a fellow candidate to bed when I was young and newly chosen and he also judged me and my birthmark. He refused me and unknown to me shared his knowledge of my birthmark with others. I was bullied and teased not knowing why, my touch was like a disease to them and they avoided me. If I did touch one of them, they would try to pass it off onto someone else as a cruel game. Eventually one of them when drunk revealed the reason for the teasing. Instead of breaking me I craved justice for all my silent tears. Over the next four years I called out and bested all the men who bullied and teased me to eventually see them promoted above and away from me. Apparently, my justice was not Judge’s justice.”

Dirce and Drosis wept.

“Warrior sister Nysa we are both in a far better place and in far better company.”

Nysa’s green eyes welling with tears rose to meet Kyra’s. She extended her arm and with a grip of iron clenched Kyra’s forearm, Kyra returning the warrior’s hold. Kyra’s tall lanky body an opposite in some ways to Nysa’s, surprised when Nysa drew her towards her and embraced her with her free arm.

“You will need to lesson your embrace if you wish to allow me to breath,” gasped Kyra.

Releasing Kyra, Nysa whispered, “It has been a long time since I have found someone worthy and honourable to embrace, I apologise for my enthusiasm.”

A smile flickered on Nysa’s lips, her eyes only for Kyra her warrior sister partner. Their moment broken when Dirce and Drosis enveloped them both.

+++

After breaking their fast Thais and Alexa, with the elder’s door cooperation, let in the Journeymen Carpenters and the Master Carpenter, they went directly to the Training Room and started removing floor boards. When they replaced the flooring, they built up the floor level utilising thicker floorboards criss-crossed to increase the load carrying capacity. Charis asked for a hatch door into the building space below the floor as this would be needed to find a certain buried pot.

They were done in five days as promised but needed double doors from the Store Room into the Training Room installed, so the stove and oven could be easily moved in and fitted in place. Meanwhile some experimentation on the rain catchers was completed and it seemed to work when some rain fell and a barrel at ground level on the outside of the House contained some water in the morning. They needed to replicate this on the other side of the House and then work out how to implement the cascading barrels.