Shouting and neighing horses woke the camp. Charis blinked her eyes and sunlight speared into them, causing her to roll her head away.

Oh, for Judge’s blessing, it is at least mid-morning! Charis’ rolled out of her blanket, bow in hand, dress as she slept, loin cloth beneath under cloth.

She quickly confirmed, nothing and no one attacking their camp, although metal armour clanking joined the shouting and horse neighing from the direction of the trail. The Seer, equally rudely awakened, hair dishevelled somehow, gulped down water from a conveniently placed water skin.

Uncomfortably, Charis realised no one stood guard duty, the Daughters needed the sleep. To their credit Otonia and Helice hurriedly strapped and tied on their armour.

“Good sleep Mistress, rude awakening though!” sent Helice.

Before Charis attempted to reply the Seer stood beside her, glancing rapidly around until finally settling on the direction of the trail. Decorum and etiquette prevented the Seer from grabbing Charis by her arm for reassurance, startled awake and thirsty she craved re-assurance.

After a short while Otonia and Helice assisted Charis to finish strapping her armour on, the Seer needing to move aside to allow them to assist. When armoured Charis checked with the other three and at a nod, they carefully picked their way through bush and brush towards the noise. Observing from the trail’s edge the cause of their wakening clearly apparent.

Seven head to toe plate armoured Knights rode their mounts circling three Seers of Saph offering suggestions and yelling insults. Their one out attempts, a competition of sorts between them, to grab a Seer thwarted by the superior riding skill of the Seers.

Charis ensured Otonia carried her two knives and two-handed spear. She sent Helice back to the camp to wake more sisters and help them ready. Catching the blue eyes of the Seer with her own, Charis’ hand on her shoulder they both took a deep breath to prepare for an important moment and to the Seer’s credit she drew herself up and put on her brave face.

Charis, the Seer and Otonia stepped onto the trail as one, the Knight’s rowdy game covering any lack of stealth. The Seer cleared her voice slightly.

“Sirs I would have you cease your harassment of Seers of Saph and would call upon your honour as Knights to apologise for your behaviour,” she commanded.

They wheel their horses around awkwardly, reining them in, some patting their horses’ necks, others cross armoured arms upon their saddle horns. The seven study the smallish female who dared to speak and demand they stop their fun and in fact apologise for it! The Knights formed behind their leader and remaining mounted, walked their horses forward in rough formation upon the three who interrupted their game, leaving the three Seers to freeze in place due to fear.

“We are the Swords of the Duke and we act on his authority and are his will! These are lost single Seers of Saph and as such we offered them escort, which they accepted, hence no interest of yours! Therefore, be gone before we arrest you for unlawful interference of our duties!”

Charis whispered to the Seer to contact her sister and find out if the City can confirm this, while she occupies them with conversation. The Seer returns a questioning glance.

Otonia leans over. “We know you were a pupil of Raisa and can contact your sister without silence and meditation, but these oafs won’t, so succeed while Charis distracts them.”

The Seer bobbed her head and understood; they were in danger and needed to confirm what danger.

“Be it known that I am Charis the Young, Mistress of the Daughter of the Duchess, on mission to escort a Seer to the Lonely Keep and the Duchess has given her order to protect and if deemed worthy, recruit women to our order. Therefore, I claim the lost single Seers under my protection and for you to cease your harassment!”

The leader checked to his left, then his right and smiled broadly.

“Charis the Young, if you are who you claim to be, are you prepared to put your life between the Duke’s Swords and three useless single Seers? They’re good for nothing as everyone knows when they lose their twin! Must you also be told a King trumps a Queen always hence give way or pay the price!”

“You are brave to count the cost before you judge the quality of the goods Sir! I am sure my brave companion with her Spear will be more than a match for the Knight who charges her and tries to run her down, so at least one of you will die!”

“Charis these are no Knights they learnt the Duke created his own Order and before they’re declared decided to imitate them and bully whom they like. The Duke demands their death,” whispered the Seer.

“Also, if I am lucky, I am sure I could release an arrow that would worry your life, so a second of you would fall, even if by chance you kill us all,” Charis threatened.

Not waiting for a response, Charis whispered to the Seer, “start walking back down the trail and then to the camp as we cannot protect you.”

“The Seer has some place to go I see, and I also doubt your arrow a threat dear girl!” Tapping his plate gauntlet against his plate breastplate.

“Well, I don’t think we can claim she could slay a Knight, so best she is out of harm’s way to avoid making her sister a single Seer wouldn’t you agree?” Charis focused, drawing upon the magic of her items, bending them to her will requiring accuracy and haste. She instinctively reached for the item’s magic in the past, the will and effort now second nature and the magic satisfied her need. This occasion, vastly different, the armoured knights presented a fleeting opportunity to defeat them and she desperately called upon her items to specifically enhance her.

“Yes, but in robes I don’t believe she can run far, so she will shortly enjoy our protection.” His leering grin revealing his true intentions.

“Charis your sisters are in position, we hope to predict your use of us,” Astera whispered from cover.

“You will still need to lose two of your number first Sir Dukes Sword!”

“We will see!” He struck his spurs into his horse’s flanks, beginning his charge. Unfortunately, his fellow Knights didn’t quiet charge with him and he led a charge of one. Otonia set her Spear against the single target.

Charis took aim, the target’s brown eye clearly defined, and she released with confidence. His escorts were agape at their leader’s unexpected impulse to charge pausing to shut their helm visor. Charis’ arrow took the left-side knight in his clear brown eye. The arrow shaft’s solid *thunk* drew the attention of the right-side Knight slowing his attempt to flick down his own helm visor. His eyes instead following the wooden shaft of the arrow tracing the line of flight to his regret. Charis drew a second arrow smoothly with controlled haste. Her second release took the right-side Knight in his opened, gapped mouth a moment before he slammed his visor down on his helm.

The Knight Leader didn’t realise or care about the fate of those behind him for he was about to run down a Daughter of the Duchess with his charger. Then as he watched she dropped her Spear. Eyes wide, eager he spurred his horse on! Then her arm reached back, and she released a knife! A knife against his armour! Ridiculous! He puffed up his chest, his armour would swat it away. Otonia rolled away in plenty of time, to recover and savour the surprise on his face when he discovers her harmless knife penetrating his armour and embed in his honourless heart.

Astera and Thyia sprang from the bush and brush presenting their spears and shields yelling at a fourth Knight as he was trying to decide if he was to charge with his leader or not. When he saw the two Daughters, he reached for his visor on his helm and turned to his companions to call them in on the fun. The distance would allow them to spur to half charge; more than enough.

He needed a double look to confirm his disbelief and jerked on his reins to balance, which caused his horse to rear. Panicked gripped him and he drew his horse’s reins tighter as he tumbled off the back of his horse to lay flat on his back, head smashed in his helmet and lungs emptied of air. His first look shocked him, his three companion Knights stared at him with daggers buried in their shocked faces. His second look catching the three Knights fall from their saddles revealing the three harmless single Seers brandishing a bloodied dagger each now occupying the Knights former saddles. Their eyes set like eagles following him as they would prey.

Helice sprang behind him and flipped his face guard on his helm to reveal his face. Eyes bulging, he saw his death descend upon him, breathless to protest as Helice’s dagger struck him, his last view being Helice’s smile of satisfaction. Death and blood did not bother her as much anymore.

Otonia, a veteran now, proceeded to ‘clean up’ using the horses and rope to gather the knight’s bodies together. Astera and Thyia assisted. Charis dashed to the Seers and told them to return to their horses and act suitably amazed, scared and relieved due to their rescue. They smiled at this game and the role they were playing.

Otonia, Astera and Thyia started claiming the Knight’s armour and packing it on the horses, while Helice started to convey the now unarmoured bodies to their former camp site. The plan, a simple one, convert the former camp site into a pyre, thereby covering a site of death, with some dead, their blood mixing with the blood already there. Helice’s stacking up of the Knights bodies and gathering dead wood noticed by another, the Seer took an interest and hurried to find Charis.

“The Knight’s weapons, armour and horses, what becomes of them?” asked the Seer.

“Reward for effort I would reckon. Did you have something else in mind?”

“No Mistress Charis I wonder, I assume there is wealth in this reward?”

“Oh yes. I also offered our protection to the three single Seers, which they accepted, but they wish to continue on to town and be rid of this wild country.”

“Greetings, what has happened here?” called Zoe, from the saddle of an acquired horse.

Her approach, riding instead of walking, amusing and surprising Charis, although she accepted the change easily enough.

“Who are you?” asked the Seer.

“I am trapper hunting for some game before Death Season. I will return to my task as I don’t wish to intrude.”

“Wait!” called Charis.

Zoe, slowed, considering and then finally stopped and guided her horse about.

“Would you accept a commission? There is no obvious danger, but in this world with Death Season approaching it is difficult to know.” asked Charis.

“It depends, what are your expectations?”

“I would ask you to escort these three single Seers to town, we also care for another wounded traveller with us, which we suspect was an early victim of the pretend Knights who once wore this armour and rode these horses.”

“Could I manage these by myself? What reward would I expect?”

“We would ask you to guide them by yourself and you could claim coin equal to two horses and two suits of armour in value as reward. Is the reward acceptable as the single Seers will care for the wounded Seer to help you?”

Zoe stalled, her hand reaching to cup her chin in thought.

“Yes, I accept. Please call to me when you are ready to leave.” Zoe shifted in her saddle, waiting required comfort.

The Seer caught Charis by her arm and dragged her away from her new employee. Charis chose to enjoy being Seer handled and amusingly followed.

“So how many will escort me to the Lonely Keep then? Given this recent encounter I would like to entertain some chance of getting to my destination unharmed,” declared the Seer.

“Your protection remains the same.” Charis tried to hold back a smirk.

“Are you somehow amused by my discomfort in this?”

“No, I am rarely roughhoused by a Seer, most Seers are dainty and reserved you understand.”

The Seer blushed and retreated. “Thank you, Mistress Charis, I apologise for my forwardness.”

Charis sauntered over to Zoe, a smile lighting up her face, minutely bobbing her head examining the prize Zoe managed to acquire.

“You like?” asked Zoe, patting the large black mare.

“Yes, can I ask how or from whom?”

“No need to guess Mistress Charis, the horse belonged to the Watcher, I am certain.” She reached into a saddle bag and drew out a couple of trinkets, then bending over in her saddle to hand them to Charis, straightening once grasped.

Charis examined them, white dead flesh still attached as if the two items were ripped away from the body they inhabited.

“This means the Watcher possessed nine items to conceal her evil and with two less, perhaps more of her true self became revealed, at least the fear she exuded and perhaps something more to avoid the alerts I set.” Charis spoke to herself as much as Zoe as she deliberated.

Zoe lent back in her saddle admiring her Mistress and her thought process, taking comfort the Daughters of the Duchess Mistress examined everything and searched for answers everywhere to protect them and preserve them.

“There are also many bottles and odd weapons, throwing stars? I am sure our new Seers would enjoy examining the items and make use of them,” added Zoe.

“An excellent find Zoe as this confirms the Watcher didn’t or couldn’t leave the area by horse.”

“I can confirm she didn’t return to the Horse at any time Mistress, every track led away.”

Charis absently cleaned away the attached flesh, plucking it away with her fingers and finally scratching it away with her short fingernails until the two silver circles shone once again.

“I trust we both know who is to receive one of these.” Charis handed one back to Zoe who placed it back in the saddle bag.

“It will be done Mistress.”

“I need you to lead them all to Dione and the Spur Gap.”

“It will be done Mistress.”

---

Charis met Helice before the prepared pyre.

“Inform Alcmene, she and Dione will need to wait until joined by Zoe and others, to ride through the Spur Gap together.”

“Yes Mistress, quite the victory and haul today.” Celebration oozed through the sending, Helice deliberately allowing the emotion to slip through.

“While the Watcher has been defeated, I doubt she has been destroyed and given what Zoe has found, what we fought against last night wasn’t the full weight of her evil. She will return, although I doubt, she will tell anyone important about her defeat as her evil is now unmasked.”

Helice threw a burning brand upon the pyre. Although cooling weather surrounded them the fire shortly embraced the offered fuel and began its cleansing blaze. Helice deliberately used dried wood, no green leaves to generate smoke, thus their spirits would flounder trying to rise.

Charis stared at the rapturous flames.

“They deserve to be burnt in a grave and their ashes buried under soil, to never see the light.”

Helice reached for Charis, wrapping her arm around her Mistress’ shoulders.

“They are men Mistress, misguided perhaps, surely not evil,” Helice replied.

Keeping her eyes upon the flames, Charis responded, “They are the worse type of evil, they had a choice and chose to be bullies of their own free will.”

---

Astera and Thyia diligently converted several Knight’s horses into pack horses to carry their previous riders armour. Otonia and Helice assisted them to load and tie on the expensive armour, a suit on each side of the horse’s saddle like a pair of crumpled midgets. For appearance sake the three Single Seers assisted the wounded Seer onto one of the Knight’s horses in preparation for the journey back to Hillperch and then mounted their own horses and spurred them to join the assembled horse parade.

“Take care of them,” said Charis, as Zoe mounted her recently acquired black mare.

“As if they were my own sisters, Charis the Young,” Zoe smirked, leaning her head away from the Seer to disguise her jest at her Mistress’ expense.

Once the horse procession walked down the trail, heading back to civilisation, those remaining returned to breaking their camp and loading packs and camp rolls onto to their own horses.

The Seer paused, took a step forward then returned to her efforts, paused again, opening her mouth and then closing it. Charis observing the antics confronted her.

“What do you wish to ask me?”

“That Hunter was familiar with you! Don’t deny it, I know I am right, was the charade for my benefit?”

Charis smiled, the Seer’s body stiff, her chin jutting out in defiance. A vein in her neck throbbing in response to Charis’ mirth.

“Zoe followed us as an extra precaution and in any meeting, I instructed her to act as a stranger,” Charis lent nearer, conspiratorially. “Your observation skills are excellent.”

“Well …” The Seer relaxed and puffed out her modest chest in response to the flattery.

“All is well?”

“Yes, we need to hurry though, and I need to finish, thank you,” she tweeted.

---

Charis allowed her horse to walk where it willed. The grass and uneven ground on either side of the trail a guide. Her eyes relaxed and her body slumped somewhat in her saddle. Occasionally she checked on her sisters and the lack of sleep, the effort to fight the Knights and late afternoon showed on them all, except for the Seer.

“Are you well Charis?” The concern in the Seer’s voice clear as she considered her own safety and the distance yet to be travelled.

“Perhaps a moment to rest, will help.”

“Mistress, we need to hurry, the light is fading, and we will need to use our Borrow Stones under the watchful eyes of the Seer, also if we stop, I am sure we will not start again,” sent Helice.

Charis lent heavily on her saddle horn, tired eyes reaching behind her to view Helice approaching on her horse.

“Mistress, heal my tiredness, draw on my silver circle as I placed it high on my chest to sun bath it,” sent Helice, as she grasped Charis’ shoulder, her fingers crawling to the exposed flesh on Charis’ neck.

“I will try, we are afflicted by lack of sleep, not tiredness of muscles.”

Although Charis suggested they stop and rest, no Daughter dismounted, which confused the Seer. She then observed Charis and Helice. Helice intimately caressing Charis’ neck. The other Daughters of the Duchess crowded their horses around the pair, each in turn showing a care and concern for their Mistress. The Seer envious and jealous of the display of affection and comradery, their free and uninhibited caressing, a scandal!

Raisa hinted at intimacy in her teachings, although the Seer and her twin weren’t certain what or how it would improve their Seer Skill. Their Seer training consisted of breaking out of the need for silence, walking instead of sitting and being distracted by Raisa herself. Her breath upon their necks while she talked and coached them with sweet words and then actual touch, caressing their arms initially, rubbing their shoulders and rarely, grabbing their thighs. Distractions designed to strengthen their Seer Skill or at worst allow them to make contact in less than ideal situations.

The Seer snapped out of her thoughts when Charis called to her.

“We decided to gallop to Farstay, it isn’t far, regardless of its name and then rest properly,” said Charis.

The Seer nodded awkwardly, embarrassed at recalling certain affections.

The seven riders spurred their horses to a gallop. Six of the riders slightly revived from their sleep deprivation after their shut eye rest while in the saddle. Charis’ attempt to invigorate her and her sisters unsuccessful.

Stopping for nothing or no one, dusk and the tendrils of night greeted the seven riders as they reined in upon reaching the Inn at Farstay. Charis left the now tired Seer wondering how they managed to find Farstay, let alone the Inn in the dark. Lantern light illuminated the sign above its door, a shovel lying in dirt, The Tired Shovel.

“Can I care for your Horses Miss?” asked a timid youthful voice. The speaker safely ensconced under the eaves of the stable, attached to the Inn.

“Yes, young Master,” Charis replied, a tiredness in her voice as she slipped from her saddle, grabbing at it to steady herself once her boots landed.

With a bounce in his step he gathered each of their horses to a stall in turn bribing them with an offer of an apple if they resisted.

Charis thanked each of her sisters, gently healing them of saddle soreness. Astera carried her own and her Mistress’ saddle bags as Charis struggled to and through the Inn doors. Charis waved away the offer of a meal, demanding a room and bed from the chubby Innkeeper trying to offer more.

“Helice, enjoy a meal with your sisters, ask Otonia to check on the horses and join the Seer and myself in my room. I am for bed.”

“We may fall asleep in our stew, when finished though we will follow,” sent Helice.

---

The procession consisted of nine horses. Five with riders and four hauling suits of armour, the suits squatting on either of their saddles, except one, which balanced one suit against well stocked saddle bags. Guided by Zoe the nine horses found and followed game trails to expedite their journey.

The full figured, grey eyed Assassin Seer deliberately slowed the walk of her horse until level with her assassin partner.

“Hagne, do you imagine we could wrest any information from the young huntress who leads us to safety?”

Hagne tapped the bronze circle piercing her lip with her index finger, observing the swaying black hair of the confident youth riding ahead of them.

“We can try, you ride up first and once you have her attention I will ride up on the other side.”

Korinna spurred her mount forward and wasn’t surprised when Zoe glanced back. The pace of her horses’ hooves perhaps warning her.

“How much further, sister?” asked Korinna.

Zoe smirked as her head lowered, bent as if looking around a corner.

“You see the mountains as well as I do, the Spur is clearly to the West. Ask your real questions of me.”

Korinna reclined in her saddle suitably chastised and found new respect for this apparent youth.

“We sworn our oaths, upon our lives to Mistress Charis, how far does this go? Erm … we suspect she appreciates, well females for company and would …”

Zoe smiled broadly, snorting, cutting off Korinna’s question.

“Be assured sister, the Mistress will never ask of you anything personally unwelcomed.” Korinna’s release of breath strong enough for Zoe to discern above any other trail noise.

Another former assassin joined them riding up on the other side of Zoe.

“Do you require me to repeat my answer?” asked Zoe, eying Korinna.

“No sister. Hagne, while late to the conversation will be assured when I inform her the Mistress will not take advantage of us and our oaths.”

“While our lives as assassins revealed much of the Dukedom to us, proper and improper, we are forever dedicated Seers and our Temple training forbids us to lay with men and affection is absolutely discouraged …”

“What my sister is saying, we never thought of, or considered laying with a woman and if our oath included that duty, we would need to reconsider … our oath,” Korinna finished, with difficulty.

“You will not need to fear as the Mistress will release you from your oath if you wish, although you need to make the request soon, as there are some secrets which once learnt would make such a release difficult,” answered Zoe, enjoying her role as wise council to woman easily five years older than her, maybe more.

“A most generous Mistress and while I speak for myself, I am satisfied,” confirmed Hagne.

Zoe ‘spoke’ to her stallion, which neighed and then snorted in agreement with Zoe, the Dukedom rejoices since Hagne is satisfied! She also examined from afar Hagne’s lip piercing and thought she could reposition a silver circle there, to expose it to sunlight.

---

“I wonder what they are talking about?” Alexis idly spoke the words as Hagne and Korinna flanked Zoe with their horses and the pack horses tethered behind them. When Zosime didn’t respond she paid her more attention. Distracted. Alexis reached out to slap her upper arm.

Zosime’s glazed eyes vaguely zeroed in and acknowledged Alexis.

Alexis and her Three didn’t spend enough time with Zosime to acquaint themselves, given her injuries when with the Watcher and therefore as much as stranger to them as Zoe. She considered calling out to Hagne the unofficial leader of their Three to ask if they could stop and decided not to, given their lack of travel time this day.

“Zosime!” Alexis hissed grabbing at her arm.

Zosime faced Alexis sucking her bottom lip, her eyes straining to focus.

“What is wrong with you? You don’t seem well, although we witnessed your healing … speak!’

Closing her eyes. “I am overwhelmed.”

Alexis screwed up her face, murmuring for her to explain further.

“I desire the Mistress.” Zosime lent back in her saddle.

Alexis witnessed the dampness of Zosime’s Seer Robe aligned to her womanhood and the wet sheen plastering the saddle horn and immediate front portion of the saddle and drew in a deep breath, shocked.

“I don’t know what to say, let alone know how to help. Should I call to Zoe or perhaps Hagne?”

“If I thought … they could help I would call them. It is the rocking in the saddle and I am extremely … sensitive, alive and on fire, where before the sensation became a joke and a tease in my Three when we rode.”

“Will you endure for the rest of the day?”

“I must, there is no other choice as I am sure Zoe is following our Mistress’ orders and to be true to our oaths we must obey!” Zosime knew her desire inappropriate, Seers didn’t behave as rutting animals or selfish self-pleasuring animals they dedicated their life purpose to serving the Goddess Saph and their Temple. As a Single Seer, lost and without her twin sister a lifetime of serving and abiding survived five years of assassin training as each Single Seer embraced their new role as continuing in service to Saph. The faith in the righteousness of their new service questioned and challenged by a sixteen-year-old, the mysterious Charis the Young.

This youth, in healing her, now processed her. A plain simple truth.

---

Helice guided the Seer to Charis’ room and Otonia followed the Seer in. Helice followed Astera, Thyia and Rhea into the other room in the Inn they asked for.

Charis woke mid-morning, a naked Seer kneeling patiently beside her bunk. She shivered due to a slight coolness in the air, although Charis sensed an anticipation as well. Charis slept on the bottom bunk unable to climb in her tiredness and noticed Otonia’s form shift on the top bunk above her. The Seer, Charis assumed slept on the top bunk across the room to keep the bronze loops away from her.

“Can you not dress yourself? The Seer Robe is a simple garment by design.”

“I recall, perhaps a slip of the tongue, a false utterance maybe from Raisa where she described your touch,” whispered the Seer. Warmth colouring her fair cheeks contrasting with a spread of goose bumps across most of her flesh.

“I thought Seers modest, yet here you are naked before me. What am I to make of this?” teased Charis, her voice steady.

“Raisa’s instruction called upon my sister and I to question some of our Seer Temple teachings. We knew as Seer Twins Raisa needed to teach us more and now, she is with Saph, you are the only other person she mentioned. When she did though, a smile always graced her face. Therefore, I place myself at your mercy Mistress Charis.” Standing, eyes darting across Charis’ covered form her head bowed. Her hands determinedly spread to her sides revealing her womanhood.

Charis reached her hand out, inviting, not reaching for or touching the Seer’s hand. Elpis grabbed Charis’ hand and rushing, stumbling crawling into Charis’ bunk arms and legs flailing slightly, bumping into Charis’ flesh, followed by an apology each time.

“Settle, lay easy, you are in control and as I explore your body you only need to say stop and I will stop, understood?”

Elpis nodded her head furiously and then apologised. Elpis faced away from Charis shyly, embarrassingly, avoiding her gaze nervous and energised by her boldness. Charis edged nearer, throwing her blanket back first, spooning the Seer’s shivering naked flesh offering her body’s warmth.

Charis gathered Elpis’ light brown hair and swept it back, revealing her pierced ears, a line of piercings on the ear proper, none in the ear lobe. Charis kissed Elpis’ ear lobe, a dry peck to introduce herself.

“Breath dearest, nice ear rings,” Charis said, trying to snap Elpis’ tranced, tense state.

Charis placed Elpis’ forearm and hand on her own hip and once out of the way fondled Elpis’ nipple while more vigorously kissing her ear, descending along her neck as Elpis instinctively exposed it, her head reaching away.

“Astera told me how you teased her …”

“I was bolder than I thought I could be, and she teased first … mmh.”

“Elpis?”

Elpis straightened her head to find the source of the new voice and Otonia, buxom and naked approached Charis’ bunk having climb down the ladder at the end of the bunk. Her eyes raced about the room in panic and she started to make her escape from Charis’ attentions drawing her own arm back to herself. Charis stopped, and Elpis became free, her choice, no restraint or sweet words to convince her to stay. Otonia paused showing a kind smile.

Elpis laid back, searched for Charis’ hand and encouraged it back to pleasure deciding to commit.

---

Dione rode free, her stallion one with her as they galloped freely in the night now Astera and Thyia rode back to Charis at their own pace. She collected a string of horses and troted in search of Alcmene.

By dawn Dione ambled into Alcmene’s camp greeted by Ismene, their morning watch. While Dione rested, her sisters broke their camp eager to ride to escape the wilderness and the creeping cold as Death Season approached.

“Awake Dione,” said Alcmene, shaking her shoulder lightly.

Dione stretched and pushed herself away from the warmth of her stallion’s neck and chest and as she did her stallion steadily rose and once safe shook herself awake. Dione saddled her horse in haste joining her sisters, leading them back to their base camp as haste triumphed secrecy.