Elpis deeply drew in a breath, her naked chest heaving, nipples firm and erect from their recent stimulation refusing to relinquish their proud position. Charis patience and Otonia supportive efforts driving her to multiple heights of ecstasy. The journey from shy nervousness to enthusiastic participation short, although difficult.

Raisa prepared Elpis and her twin well to accept the touch of another, to accept the touch of a woman. After a lifetime of repression under the watchful eye of the Temple’s Mother Superiors, the off-limits wall high, the mountain of taboo impossible to conquer until Raisa. Charis like a catalyst shattered the wall and flattened the mountain. Elpis accepted her fallen state, freely and willingly seduced and played with until pleasured to exhaustion.

As Elpis built up to her first all-consuming release, guilt stomped upon her soul as multiple images of past Mother Superiors flash before her, springing eagerly from memory calling her out on her wanton behaviour, inhibiting her self-discovery. Elpis’ resistance encouraged Charis and Otonia to greater attentions and on the edge of her release Elpis opened her mouth and reached for a deep guttural scream. She blinked, concerned and bit her lip to resist, tasting her own blood and stabbed by a spike of pain. She realised all would learn of her shame, her breaking of the taboo, her discovery an announcement to any within listening range.

In a moment of clarity and desperation, like all Seers she reached for her twin. Two halves united, any burden shared, support unconditional. The surety and comfort relaxed Elpis and her orgasm consumed her free now from naysayers, her scream of release safely echoed down the Seer link to her sister, more than the scream, the release itself flooded her sister’s senses, new, unexpected and pleasurable. Elpis satisfied she didn’t scream out loud, her immediate concern for herself, maintaining her chaste and reserved reputation.

Charis and Otonia drew Elpis back to the Inn Room, their attentions driving her to a crescendo and Elpis now actively registering Charis’ whispers about loving her sister. Perhaps Charis’ murmurs, a subconscious trigger for Elpis to find the moment and reach out to her twin Seer.

Her tether to her twin received her pent up second release as a deliberate effort, a dam burst of guilt free, taboo crushing pleasure. Elpis fully in control, savouring and celebrating the consumption of her twin in her release, her paralysis due to pleasure, her mind overwhelmed and expanded and invaded by the sender, their Seer connection further clarified. Elpis sensed Agatha trying to question her and swept the queries away as release followed release drowning her sister. Elpis’ exhaustion forced a halt.

“Sister, we are out of balance, your connection to me, your presence is as if I am standing beside you. To me though you are far away, how will I return to you? I am lonely somehow sister although awash with pleasure.”

“I will explain, and I will return to you,” sent Elpis, effortlessly.

---

“The Seer is yet to leave the room?” quired Astera, cocking an eyebrow and pushing her finished stew bowl to the middle of their shared table.

Before Charis answered, Thyia offered a reason shocked by the obvious.

“Mistress broke her of course!”

“Your crass comment is not welcome sister, it is traumatic for a Seer to realise her full potential and the path yet travelled,” hissed Rhea.

“I apologise Sister, to a non-Seer the acceptance of the path by a Seer seems sudden and taken with gusto, while we others need to explore our feelings and come to terms with our partnership over time.”

Charis held up her hand to quieten discussion. The Inn Main Room contained the odd barfly, unexpected at mid-morning and therefore not the place to discuss their business.

“Astera, fetch the Seer, carry her if you must, we face another day of hard riding to reach the Trail Inn before dusk,” Charis commanded.

Otonia, Rhea and Helice hastily finished breaking their fast, while Thyia followed Astera. Charis paid the Innkeeper, his ruddy rounded cheeks matching his chubby body.

“I didn’t make sense of your discussion although your mention of Seer caused more than one ear to bend in your direction, be cautious …”

“We are women, we are always cautious, although I appreciate your advice,” replied Charis, handing over the required coins.

“You are young, although respected it seems by those you lead, that would cause interest in you, thus I wish you well. Your survival guarantees my Inn generous coin upon your return!” he chuckled.

Charis returned him a cheesy grin and strolled out of his Inn to join her sisters, Seer now present.

---

Zoe and Hagne reined in their horses and held up their hands for their company to follow suit and then stared at each other, wide smiles exchanged.

“You heard a horse neighing?” asked Hagne.

Zoe nodded in agreement as she dismounted grabbing her bow and once on solid ground, stringing it.

“We are rather adept at stealth sister Zoe,” offered Hagne, astride her saddle.

“I hope to find whomever first and then ride a path to avoid them. While I am away, prepare for my hurried return and possible rescue.” With that Zoe crouched low and stalked between the brush and occasional leafy tree, sensing the incline of the land beneath her boots. The were now in the foothills.

Zoe advanced cautiously upon the neighing and now the horse’s hooves, clopping loudly and openly. Who displays such confidence, unafraid to attract attention?

A huge black horse burst through the brush to find the game trail Zoe utilised to investigate.

Zoe dived away, not to avoid the beast, to avoid being seen, as her hearing warned her of the beasts rushing approach. Although sprawled out, Zoe quickly gathered herself and whistled. The stallion wheeled around adroitly for a large animal and galloped at Zoe, now standing on the game trail bow ready.

As the black stallion charged at Zoe, its rider stood in the stirrups and then balanced on the saddle, finishing by flinging her arms wide as the galloping horse slowed to a walk until within reach of Zoe's outstretched hand. Zoe obligingly patting its forehead.

“You don’t travel quietly do you sister?” questioned Zoe.

Standing high and proud upon her stallion’s saddle, Zoe surmised Dione again sun bathed her silver ring. The confirmation missing, her body still clothed.

“I informed Alcmene I would scout ahead and what better way to clear the path!” The joy in her voice a celebration of freedom.

“Well I assume your sisters are further away from here then those I travel with. Therefore, we meet here?”

“A race then?” Dione’s eyes alight with the possibility of a contest.

“Of course, Warrior Sister Dione, a humble Initiate will try her best.”

As Dione galloped off, Zoe snickered and shook her head. Well before Dione’s return, Hagne led their procession to Zoe’s small camp fire off the game trail.

“We answered your whistle and followed your trail sign, yet I don’t see any other sisters?” asked Hagne.

“They will arrive shortly, in the meanwhile we best prepare a meal to feed them when they arrive.”

Zoe observed the conflicted expression on Zosime’s face and glanced at Alexis, her caretaker, receiving a shut eyed minimal shake of the head in response.

Off to the side of the camp site, Alexis assisted Zosime to dismount her horse making the mistake of too much contact and needing to force Zosime away from her, physically and when her strength failed, she stared Zosime in the eye.

“We are Seers. This behaviour is not proper, you’ve been tainted by the Mistress’ healing!”

Zosime blinked and then dropped to her knees sobbing. Alexis resisted hugging and comforting her, Zosime strength able to easily overpower her once embraced.

“If I could not ride a horse for perhaps a day …” She pleaded searching for Alexis.

“I will chat to Zoe, although I fear she won’t retain any authority once our group joins the other.” Alexis would try though, sympathetic to Zosime’s plight, Zoe first and then whomever in the other group.

---

“Sister, where are you?” sent Clymene.

“We’ve found Zoe’s group with the assassins and are riding to them now. We are tired from hiking, the child certainly, we will stop and rest regardless of the daylight we waste,” sent Alcmene.

“Will you need to convince anyone to agree?”

“Possibly Dione, perhaps Ismene. I will ask Dione to scout to satisfy her and Ismene is an Initiate, I don’t foresee any voiced disagreement.”

“The Mistress agrees Alcmene, rest if you must. Approaching the Spur Gap, you need to be alert,” sent Helice.

Alcmene joined with Clymene and invited Helice, the effort required tiring her slightly due to Helice not being her blood and her no longer able to draw from a silver circle.

“Sisters, Dione and Zoe discovered sun bathing the items empowers them,” sent Helice.

“I know, I travel with Dione and she has informed Niobe and I.”

“Mistress, erm, educated the Seer Elpis we are escorting with our mystery.” Helice allowed the communication to hang between them. A debate circled the three, this meant the first non-sworn Seer knew their secret. They needed to accept Charis did this for a reason, it still hurt as the secret belong to them and now it could escape.

“Kyra and Nysa are competing with Dirce and Drosis to convince Thais and Alexa to adopt their fighting styles. The twins ran away feigning the elder needed them.” Clymene decided to change the subject, although nether Alcmene or Helice took up the conversation. Clymene tried again.

“When do we reckon Niobe’s Skill will enable her to join us in our communication circle?”

“Helice, an accomplished Seer apparently, joined us readily enough, although we did spend many hours together …”

“Thank you, Seer Sister Alcmene for the compliment, perhaps my success was due to my teachers!”

Laughter infected them, which broke the sombre mood and they parted without answering the heavy question.

---

Charis wished either Dione or Zoe accompanied them to scout ahead, although Otonia proved willing and accomplished. They needed to reach the Travel Inn before dusk as it represented the last scrap of civilisation. The Seer complained most as Charis pushed them, eating from the saddle and resting only if the horses required it.

“Why push us, the Lonely Keep isn’t going anywhere?”

“The Travel Inn is our last comfortable bed, after that, two days of camping and then hopefully by the end of the third, Lonely Keep,” replied Charis.

“We don’t require haste to tire us and we don’t require a bed Mistress Charis?” The Seer attempted a husky alluring voice.

“Why are you keen to break your taboo? I must apologise for my forwardness I discovered Seers are sworn to celibacy.” Charis needed to encourage the Seer, she didn’t need to confess or explain to Elpis why she knew their seducing of her enhanced her Seer’s Skill.

“No, you mustn’t feel any guilt, I could’ve decided at any time to leave, you didn’t restrain me to remain in any way.” A sultry smile flashed across Elpis’ lips.

“I must return to my sisters for comfort, Rhea in particular who has recently suffered and as much as I wish to gaze into your sparkling blue eyes, I refuse to tempt you into breaking your vow, again.”

“No, you misunderstand, the vow is specifically men, no mention of women …”

Charis rode away from the Seer without answering, leaving her dumbfounded. Elpis tried to entertain Otonia in the possibility of continuing their liaison without success and then she remembered her playfulness with Astera before leaving Hillperch.

---

Hagne introduced the assassin seers to Alcmene and her group as Zoe tended to her trap line. Alcmene heeded Alexis’ suggestion about resting for the afternoon and the night to her relief.

“We’ve some experience with the after effects of Mistress’ healing. Niobe and I will tend to Zosime and determine if we can offer some relief,” suggested Alcmene.

Alexis nodded cautiously not sure what Alcmene meant, although satisfied with the confidence Alcmene exhibited on the subject.

As the camp formed, Alexis noted Niobe, Ismene and Agape shared their personal space with each other, comfortable and relaxed. They also seemed to oversee a female youth who accompanied them.

Alexis joined Hagne and Korinna, setting up their bedrolls adjacent to each other, head to toe in a triangle, each with a view, covering the blind angle of each other.

Zoe returned with a bumper catch of rabbit and with well-practiced efficiency prepared them for afternoon lunch. With lunch consumed the sisters rested, while Zoe threw in the remains of the rabbits with some wild vegetables to prepare a stew, leaving it to bubble away on the low camp fire.

When Alcmene enquired about dinner, Zoe slipped the silver circle into her hand.

“Charis apologises for what was necessary.”

“We are in her sworn service,” answered Alcmene solemnly. She hurried away to conceal her mixture of delight and relief, quickly informing Clymene and Helice and determined to attune it while the sun could bath her flesh and the silver circle.

Zoe located a convenient stump to lounge upon allowing her to tend the camp fire, its low flames licking away at the pot of stew, keeping it slowly bubbling over. The flavours lured sister after sister like bugs to a flame with Zoe happy and satisfied to dish out a portion upon request.

A bell before dusk Dione approached and smiling broadly accepted a bowl, nodding in agreement, after a few slurps.

“I hope your patrolling is protecting us from strangers, sister,” asked Zoe.

“Of course,” manipulating her spoon to catch a spill of stew on her chin, “my stallion and I are ever vigilant.”

“Who is patrolling now?” Zoe stirred the contents of the pot.

“The three assassins offered, although the image of them creeping around in their white Seer Robes remaining unseen is difficult to believe. I must go, they were to return upon dusk.”

“And hearing you and your stallion crashing through the bush and undergrow isn’t?” Zoe smirked.

“I do what I can do, they determine what they can do.” Dione marched off playing and twirling her eyebrow piercing, a curiosity not an item.

As Zoe swivelled back to the pot of stew, she held her breath in surprise. Alcmene and Niobe stood side by side silently, patiently eyeing her expectantly.

“Has Zosime eaten as yet?” asked Alcmene.

“No, Seer Sister,” Zoe said cautiously, Alcmene a Warrior Sister, a Seer and one of the few who knew Charis from the beginning. Seer Sisters held a secret and this secret set them apart. Niobe deferred to the younger Alcmene, as age seemed meaningless, Charis the prime example of course. The assassin Single Seers bowed to Charis and they were elders in comparison! Seer Robes or not, the three patrolling the camp reassured a born and bred hunter such as Zoe as they personified stealth.

When Zoe surfaced from her thoughts both Seers deserted her, the bubbling stew and the warmth of the camp fire.

---

On dusk Charis reined in at the front gate of the stockade. The Travel Inn surrounded by rounded timbers driven into the ground, shaved points atop them. The gate similarly made, wide enough for a single mounted rider, no more. Charis remembered scampering across the foothills further North during her escape, her encounter with the Lord’s Patrol a short distance further along the trail.

“I asked Astera to demand the Gate opened Mistress.”

Charis swivelled in her saddle to catch Helice’s worry.

“Remembering sister, nothing of concern I assure you.”

The creaking of the gate announced them, welcome. The metal hinges the sole part of the entire fortification not wood and leather bindings.

The guard eyed them one by one, doffing his leather helm in surprise as women rode by, women! He removed his helm and bowed his head as a Seer of Saph rode through the open gate.

“May Saph guide you,” intoned Elpis, placing her hand upon his balding head. Distracted he didn’t pay any attention to the last to enter, except to note her facial scars.

Quickly shutting the gate and placing the top, middle and bottom cross beams he waved to his slowly approaching night relief to hurry. Deciding he urgently needed to be elsewhere.

The Stable Girl or Stable Woman lent against the solid wooden post agog, seven women riders and she thought her father insane. A father who insisted his family assisted him to operate this place, male or female, youth or child.

The first to rein in her horse, smoothly lifts her leg over her saddle and dismounts, the huge shield hanging across her back impressive. Could she wield the weight in combat? Transfixed by her soft features, the guest removed her long spear and saddle bag.

The second rider deliberately intruding on her line of sight, the rider’s gaze never flinching. Snoween, Daughter of Swarborne, Proprietor of the Three Ways Inn stepped back, bracing herself behind the stout post, aware harm now threatened her.

“Don’t mind Thyia, she doesn’t bite,” teased Astera, hefting her saddle bag across her shoulder.

“I am not so sure,” replied Snoween, peeking around the post.

Astera held out her horse’s reins, out of reach, forcing Snoween to step away from the post to grab them. Astera then passed Thyia’s horse’s reins to her also sensing the Stable Woman’s tension. Snoween quickly stabled the two horses returning to grab the other reins now on offer. The cheerful buxom one next, followed by a scarred one, proud and defiant. The fifth shifted slightly in her saddle, observing, her pale white skin eerie, contrasted by raven black hair. The sixth’s braided dark brown hair artistry, Snoween running her fingers through her own dark brown hair, both from common stock, common amongst common and this leather clad female warrior held her head level, not high and proud, not low and timid, she considered herself an equal to everyone.

Each of these women fulfilled a part of a future she dreamed about and then she dropped to one knee, eyes staring at the boots of the Seer, who approached her without notice, Snoween distracted by her inner thoughts.

The weight of the Seer’s hand nestled amongst her generous flowing locks of dark brown hair.

“May Saph guide you,” intoned Elpis.

Snoween’s father enforced the following of the Seven Gods, observance and adherence with any dissent tempered with his strap. They survive here due to the Gods and Goddesses blessings, no help from the wall or the constant vigilance, Snoween scoffed, rising, head bowed still.

“Thank you for your blessing Seer.” Snoween then froze. The Seer’s index finger under her chin pushing her head up until the Seer’s sparkling blue eyes, noble ancestry of course, captured her common as dirt green eyes.

“Your age?”

The two words didn’t register for a moment, Snoween still coping with the soft finger and thumb of the Seer caressing her chin while rising to her feet bewildered.

“Seventeen Death Seasons Seeress,” she finally managed, “eighteen if I survive the next.” Snoween cursed herself idiot! Of course, the next is eighteen, common and now proven stupid!

The Seer, released her chin and smiling warmly, handed over her horse’s reins and treaded the same path as the five before her towards the Inn door. Snoween envious of the Seer’s light brown hair, near enough to straw, noble.

“Don’t be too impressed, we are all human and we all suffer our faults.”

Snoween, swivelled to the sound of the voice, remembering the white skinned one.

“You carry weapons, you wear armour, you are free.” Sadness pervaded her last three words.

“From the highest noble to the lowest commoner no one is truly free, responsibilities and burdens demand our attention. If you envy our weapons, then don’t, weapons mean others are drawn to test your ability with them, for a woman this is more often as men don’t expect or always tolerate our choice.”

Snoween thought this woman, or perhaps girl, she seemed the youngest of them all, younger than herself, recruited women to her lifestyle, not moderating it with stark truth, dissuading her.

“Still seems appealing compared to shovelling horse shit and obeying a father or punished with a strapping. At least I am birthed from his first wife my half siblings suffer worse, his wives after functioning as cows, necessary for breeding. His loved died with my mother, fortunately the baby died also, her life not worth living considering my half siblings and they weren’t directly to blame.”

Snoween realised the truths she spoke, the family secrets and now dumbfounded not comprehending how easily this creature before her relaxed her into revealing the family’s dirty laundry. This stranger then leant forward, Snoween could’ve escaped! The embrace warmed her body and amazingly her soul, a confidence permeated her from the ends of her dark brown hair to the tips of her boot enclosed toes.

“I always need to check on you don’t I Mistress, we can recruit no more, please release her,” sent Helice, mirth clearly lacing the contact, while standing in the doorway to the Inn proper observing her Mistress.

“I am not recruiting, I am empowering.” Indignation returned tenfold.

Charis released her subject, cupping her hands on Snoween’s cheeks and kissing her on her forehead.

“With care you can be more, but,” Charis waved a finger before her, “don’t throw your life away.”

“My father sees me fit to merely muck shit in the stables and I don’t imagine his purpose for me changing.” The matter of fact defeatism in her words regretted the moment after.

“What will become of the Inn when your father dies?”

Snoween’s mouth formed a perfect O.

“No, I don’t mean for you or anyone else to kill him, someday though he will die and then what?”

“Everyone assumes he will live for ever the crusty old bugger,” she mused.

“Perhaps, in the stables, on the outside looking in you can prepare your family for that day and ensure they leave or stay as it suits them and decide if your father’s Inn will exist afterwards.”

“I am a girl and not the eldest, how?”

Charis smiled cheerfully and voiced a laugh.

“I am a girl and not the eldest, yet who is respected as their leader?’

Charis strode away heading to a patiently waiting Helice, leaving behind a woman considering her future.

The Inn invited you in, a blazing fireplace spreading warmth and an ale or mead served quickly, brought to your table by a youngster on hurrying feet. Charis examined the Inn beyond the obvious. A small male child tended the fireplace, seemingly fixed in place. Two teens, a male and a female ran the drinks, a male serving the Daughters of the Duchess, never the female. She served a couple of the other tables, both with males sitting at them. The farmers at one table respectable and polite. The travellers adventuresome.

A nuggetty tallish man, sporting a balding pate surrounded by long unkempt hair approached the traveller’s table and quiet words were exchanged.

“The Innkeeper Mistress,” offered Astera.

“He wields a firm hand, a hand which sometimes grasps a short club,” added Thyia, no amusement in her voice, white knuckles grasping the edge of the table they surrounded.

Charis imagined he considered his bar as his throne room, able to survey the Main Room from its vantage point. Approaching their table, Swarborne, Proprietor of the Three Ways Inn opened his arms wide, welcoming them upon Charis’ entrance.

“Welcome to the Three Ways Inn, your last haven before your journey to the Lonely Keep! Whatever you require I am sure we can negotiate a price, don’t be shy!” He planted his two massive hands on the table, leaning forward picking Charis out as the person in charge, no doubt in his mind.

“We thank you, your establishment is magnificent and well appointed,” replied Charis. She accorded him latitude, the location of the Inn in the middle of nowhere, for the strong, which preyed upon the weak.

He straightened, a beaming smile revealing a missing eye tooth as he took a step back. Elpis approached the table and the moment after the brawny Innkeeper, forearms roped in muscles swiftly dropped down on one knee as if struck by a hammer, head and eyes down.

“Seeress you honour my humble establishment with your presence, your wish is my command. Anything, please ask your humble servant day or night.” His voice oozing respect, worshipping her presence.

“May Saph guide you,” intoned Elpis, her hand resting longer than needed on his bald pate.

“I’ve never witnessed such wide spread devotion Mistress, I am saddened I will never be revered as Seer Elpis is,” sent Helice.

“A cause always exists Helice, although he is genuine in his devotion, I’ve no doubt.”

His hands wrung within his apron as he stood. Tears! Tears rolled down his cheeks as he strode back to his bar.

The Inn’s visitors didn’t pay Elpis any more attention. Others, which Charis now knew were his offspring furtively stole glimpses, eyes wide wishing to approach, clearly prohibited from such a transgression.

“Elpis call the Inn’s servants to you, one at a time of course,” suggested Charis.

They each answered her invitation, kneeling and bowing their head, receiving the Seer’s blessing. A pause eventuated after four older children, five teen aged children and three younger children attended to the Seer’s summons. The Innkeeper ecstatic beyond joyful normal.

An older woman, early twenties perhaps stepped down the stairs from the upper floor, a toddler on either side of her, their hands held in hers. She checked quickly with a peek towards the Innkeeper. His fists formed on the bar and then a decision. He stepped from behind the bar and approached Elpis while the mother still negotiated the stairs handicapped by the toddlers.

“Seeress, she who approaches isn’t worthy of your blessing and I will remove her from your presence.”

He waved to a couple of the older boys to intercept her.

“She courted a boy from Clayvale, fell pregnant, not once but twice when I forbid her. Everyone from there is strange, a well-known fact and we wonder what her children will become.”

“Would they not fair better if blessed by Saph?”

“My daughter is unwed and rebellious and after many years she still needs watching, and her room’s window barred. She snuck out with her belly full before the second birth. Her babies survive, as does she, regardless of her carelessness, it isn’t right. How can it be, when others … aren’t thus blessed no matter how sincerely you love them?” The anguish in his voice real, his torture fresh as the day it happened, reminded by his daughter and her survival and her total disregard of caution.

“Father.” She placed her hand upon his shoulder, easily within reach as he knelt beside the Seer. Her action rewarded by being slapped away. Her other hand rubbed her wrist, her two children stoically standing beside her drawn into the moment.

“I am not to blame the Goddess Mara blessed me with fertility and desire. All those in this Inn are my relatives and travellers are dangerous, my remaining choice Clayvale.”

“Don’t you realise I am protecting you, behind these walls we are family and we will defend each other!”

“You trap us father, some need to discover and remaining here is torture for them. I wish to stay as I am my mother’s daughter and like her I am fertile, and a fertile field needs ploughing, sowing and reaping!”

He stood, his face twisted in anguish, his fists balled into weapons and he swung. His daughter shut her eyes tight hoping he killed her this time to free her. Certain her sisters and half-sisters would care for her children, who were blameless, and surely her father would allow them to live and work for him regardless of their father’s origin.

Thyia prepared, realising his strength and held his drawn back arm with both of hers in a lock. He still drew her forward.

“Innkeeper, you will not strike your daughter!” Elpis hissed rising from her chair pushing it back harshly causing it to fall and clatter on the stone fall of the Inn. Then silence. The air still waiting for permission to resume, the farmers and the travellers drawn, mouths agape at the unfolding scene.

The Innkeeper relaxed, defeated, slowly crumpling to his knees his hands reaching out to grasp Elpis’ booted foot and kiss her there, unworthy to reach for a higher level of apology.

“Her presence is a torture Seeress for she is her mother’s daughter in the ways she describes and also appearance.”

“She is blessed by Mara and I am sure you worship the Seven Gods reverently and perhaps her future requires guidance. Kneel Daughter of Innkeeper Swarborne.”

Her father stepped back, helpless and weak in a turmoil of conflict, his daughter’s familiar appearance, her Mara blessing and the Seeress’ forgiveness.

“May Saph guide you,” intoned Elpis, placing both her hands upon the Innkeeper’s daughter and drawing her head forward to lay it against Elpis’ lower stomach. Her children stared up, curious.

Elpis placed one hand on each of the Innkeeper’s Daughters children. Like an arrow release the Daughter’s hands darted around Elpis’ waist, awkwardly landing upon Elpis’ upper buttocks and secured her head on the Seer’s lower belly, keeping the contact firm to receive every portion of blessing on offer. While the devotion unheard of, Elpis continued.

“May Saph guide you,” intoned Elpis, first to the taller girl child on her right and then to the shorter boy child on her left.

With this final blessing the tension in the room released, the fire place crackled as fresh faggots of wood fed it and the air freshened as guests released their held breaths. The Innkeeper nodded despairingly towards his daughter and returned to his bar, his safe place. His daughter slowly stood, and in a poor attempt to disguise her actions she fumbled, grasping the Seers waist and upper arms to stand, a sacrilege unobserved by her father. Elpis bent over slightly to compensate as the daughter lent on her to steady herself, which placed the daughter’s face over Elpis’ shoulder. Leaning her head towards Elpis she whispered her proposal.

“I smell your desire and lust Seeress, your juices. I will expect a visit tonight.” The implied threat wasn’t spoken. Seers didn’t desire, and they didn’t lust, they are undeniably the pure chaste heralds of Saph. Those who revered her could easily turn upon her if she didn’t live up to their expectations as only a pure chaste Seer can commune with the Goddess Saph, an absolute, known to all. Elpis’ blood ran cold.

“What was said Mistress?” Helice noticed, before Elpis disguised her shock.

“We may never know, although I suspect at worst a threat of some kind perhaps, we need to keep a watchful eye on our escort tonight.”