“Did I do well Mistress?”

“Yes Jocasta, Hagne didn’t suspect or detect those spying upon her.”

“Mistress?”

“Yes …” Charis held the child with her eyes.

“The third one is different, you need to visit her.” As quick as a whippet Jocasta bolted through the elder’s door. Charis stood amused, not certain what to make of her reaction, perhaps she didn’t think it her place to advise her Mistress.

“Elder I suspect you eavesdrop, I will visit the Arena.”

“Yes.” A weary voice replied.

---

Stalking the Team’s Entrance, no clash of weapons or grunts of exertion are discerned by Charis. She noticed one of the Team doors ajar and crept towards it.

“Your skill with the dagger is formidable sister.”

“I suspect in an open battle your spear would skewer me before I could strike with my dagger!”

“We don’t always wield the weapons of our choice …”

With the pause in conversation Charis entered the room.

“Korinna, upon your oath to your Mistress you will stand, arms by your side, releasing your weapons to the floor!”

Korinna swung around cautiously, rising smoothly as she did, dropping her daggers as commanded. Dirce and Drosis remained cross legged on the sand floor, dropping their daggers before quickly recovering them admonishing their ineptness upon the arrival of their Mistress.

“Forewarned perhaps by the actions of the other two?” said Korinna.

Charis placed her hands on her hips and relaxed her stance. “Perhaps. You don’t seem as distraught.”

“I wish to rediscover my Seer Skill as eagerly as Hagne and Alexis, I am aware of my special deficiencies and accept I will never embrace the blessing of the Goddess again.”

Charis detected no remorse, no sadness. Statement of fact and acceptance.

“You’ve given up?”

“My role required me to lure men. Most believe my best assets were my breasts, men certainly, Hagne and Alexis at times during mission planning. I needed to distract, position or remove them without striking. This required them to enjoy my body on occasion, males defiled my body Mistress. I am lost.”

Again, statement of fact, acceptance.

“You need to explain defiled.”

Charis noticed Korinna’s ears glow red. Embarrassed?

Clearing her throat. “Not unlike the two sisters with me, exploring my body.”

“You’ve seen two dogs defile each other or maybe two horses?”

Korinna crossed her arms over her breasts and shuffled her feet. “No, Mistress.”

“Drosis, make your way to the Training Room entrance and quietly call for Jocasta. When she answers ask her to find a bitch on heat and a male dog and deliver them to you.”

Drosis lent her head to one side and then shrugged, leaving the room to obey.

“Wait for her return she won’t take long.”

“Yes Mistress.”

Korinna glanced around awkwardly. “Is this a lesson Mistress?” A false laugh followed her words.

“Dirce and Drosis introduced you to our affections I am told.”

“Yes Mistress.” Her folded arms tightened, and she stabbed the sand with her foot.

“Were you receptive or perhaps hesitant due to another reason?”

Charis caught Korinna checking with Dirce who lifted her eyes to return her interest.

“Dirce please assist Drosis, the two dogs may be large.”

Dirce couldn’t figure how, if Jocasta delivered them?

Charis shut the Training Room door and asked again. “Were you receptive or perhaps hesitant due to another reason?”

Korinna paced for many heartbeats while Charis silently observed.

“Dirce and Drosis remind me of men, as do Hagne and Alexis, muscles, calloused hands. Dirce and Drosis were aggressive and their co-ordination eerie and creepy …”

“What of Clymene?”

“She … no hair Mistress, unusual and our time together always interrupted, she needed to attend to her House duty, fulfilling her Oath to you,” said Korinna, her eyes peeking up under her eyebrows.

“You can speak plainly Korinna, we are here to solve a mystery, which concerns you and only you are able to reveal the answers. In this safe place please explain.”

“I prefer girls Mistress, we all did,” noticing Charis confusion, “my Seer Sisters, we were Triplets Mistress.” The words momentarily caught in Korinna’s throat.

“Unlike Hagne and Alexis, my surviving triplet and I were allowed time to grieve and provided with counselling to recover from our loss. We knew though one of us would be next as our sister’s death proved wretched.”

Charis allowed Korinna time to collect her thoughts and compose herself, her pacing stopped, and she shied away.

Without facing Charis, Korinna continued.

“Her assignment to a new Keep, Water Watch, far to the South, at the juncture of a great river emptying into the sea. Her journey the shortest and she worried for us! My assignment, North Watch and my other sister, Lonely Keep. Three far flung towers within the Duchy.”

Korinna about faced, tear filled red eyes, her arms strangling her breasts. Charis loosened Korinna’s arms and forced them around her. The taller woman rested her head upon Charis’ shoulder, Charis placed one of her hands within Korinna’s hair, behind her head, while the other hand gently stroked Korinna’s back. Charis realised too late as Korinna’s breasts pressed upon her, above her own breasts, restricted her breathing slightly.

“I received word at the Saph Temple in Northreach, while my sister did in Hillperch and we then needed to retrace our journey. Several weeks of counselling and grieving and we were assigned again, myself to Northreach and my sister to Marbleknoll. When I arrived at Northreach they informed me in quick time my sister’s death, then my options within the Temple of Saph and outside of the Temple. Choose, a Single Seer no longer revered, certainly a shock when I belonged to a Triplet mere months ago.”

Korinna released her embrace and nuzzled Charis’ neck, a long slim neck, unusual.

“Then a third option arrived as a whisper, followed by a meeting and an offer to protect the Duchy and honour Saph.”

“Five years later and you are in my Company.”

“No Mistress, Hagne, Alexis and I lost our twins in the same year, seven years ago, in the last two years missions were assigned, mostly assassinations of evildoers, or so we were told.”

Charis broke their embrace and held Korinna’s eyes with her own.

“Five-year assassin apprenticeship and two years together, why aren’t you closer, if you know what I mean?”

“Hagne and Alexis adhere strongly to the taboo and they aren’t my type,” she paused, “can I kiss you Mistress?”

“Why?”

Korinna stepped back as if burnt, eyes lowered. “I didn’t mean to overstep or offend Mistress.”

“I am not offended, I need you to answer the question.”

Korinna’s breathing steadied, realising in a moment, her panic unnecessary.

“I am shamelessly attracted to you Mistress, your listening embraces, your genuine care,” her face burnt red with the words she intended to say, “my, yearning, desire!” She exhaled her breath.

Yipping and yapping approached the shut door and Korinna, guilt ridden and reluctant, faced it. Charis studied her oath sworn assassin seer, while realising Jocasta made her delivery in quick time.

Dirce and Drosis entered and placed two dog occupied cages at Charis’ feet. They both threw Korinna approving leers, assuming her harried appearance meant the obvious as they both enjoyed Charis’ companionship and appreciated the reward. Dirce and Drosis withdrew from the room at Charis' direction.

Charis placed the cages to face each other and raised the gates on both. The male, penis engorged, pounced upon the bitch. Korinna peeked through her fingers as her hands covered her face at the sight of the dog’s exposed bright red penis!

“Given your reaction, safe to say you haven’t been defiled by one of them,” pointing to the dog’s inflamed appendage, “on any of the men you had to, what did you say? Yes, distract, position or remove them without striking?”

“I’ve not been defiled Mistress.” Her brain engaged, and her elation took over.

“I haven’t been defiled!” She launched herself at Charis and kissed her fully upon her lips pushing her gently to the sand floor. Charis dimly remembered the rattle of the cages and then silence as Korinna fumbled at the straps and buckles tying her armour to her body, denying Korinna’s attentions. She snorted a few times in frustration, slowed and worked to purpose.

Charis placed a hand either side of her face and forced her to pay attention. “Korinna!”

“I don’t enjoy being naked on sand, sand tends to find its way into places a woman finds irritating.”

“Yes Mistress, sorry, I am not myself, I apologise, did I say I was sorry?” Parking her arse on the sand floor, she wrapped her arms around her knees and rocked. She restrained herself from withdrawing her face when the back of Charis’ hand caressed her cheek. Boldly leaning into the offered warmth and comfort, a shiver of lightning bolting down her spine.

“I didn’t say no, I told you I don’t enjoy sand. Let’s find Dirce and Drosis and return to the House.”

Korinna’s grey eyes glistened with moisture as she stood and dutifully escorted her Mistress, oblivious to every distraction, observing every minute movement, gesture and breath of a woman ten years her junior yet many more years complete.

---

Charis asked Dirce and Drosis to enter the House, while positioning her arm in front of Korinna, preventing her.

“I set into motion sympathies for your assassin sisters and I am not sure of the result, if any. So, I need to ask you to postpone any designs you imagined or prepared for our return.”

“Yes Mistress, I serve at your pleasure and will honour my oath.”

Charis didn’t expect a formal reply and raised an eyebrow involuntarily in response.

“You enlightened me Mistress, I never knew such promise could be on offer and know Mistress, assassins are capable of patience if the mission plan requires it.”

With that said they both strode through the elder’s door, met immediately by a pacing and impatient Clymene.

“Mistress we are certain you should not roam the Town alone.”

“Clymene ask Thais and Alexa to instruct Korinna. They are young, and she is inexperienced.”

“Yes Mistress,” said Clymene.

“Mistress, are you sure such a pairing will develop Korinna? The young twins aren’t trained Seers?” sent Clymene.

“She doesn’t need a trained Seer for now, she needs to develop a loving, trusting surrogate triplet.”

“As you command Mistress. The other matter, Mistress, our concern is genuine, the elder telling us once we directly asked her! Helice should escort you at least,” sent Clymene.

“Yes, I needed to understand Korinna, and in my defence, I am certain Jocasta shadowed my every step.”

“Jocasta! She is a child! Mistress you will drive us to despair if you don’t take more care.”

“A child certainly, she would report when, how and who assaulted me and if I lived, where I am being held. Enough, Korinna will wonder at my faraway look, even while sitting at the elder’s table. I promise to do better.”

“Korinna is in my care Mistress, and is oblivious about your distraction, I would not place you in such a situation.”

When the elder’s room cleared Charis appreciated the silence. Then the chair opposite became occupied.

“Different, wasn’t she Mistress?”

“Why did you scurry off?”

Jocasta twisted her body slightly in a girly guilty way before replying.

“Mm, I wasn’t sure I could tell you to do stuff … but since you did then it must be okeydokey, yeah?”

“Yes Jocasta, as long as you don’t mind me not following your stuff occasionally.” Charis reached out to lay her hands upon Jocasta’s and after making contact withdrew them.

“You are Mistress.”

“Yes, I am Mistress and I depend upon others to help me and guide me. Also, thank you for stalking me today. I should’ve taken Helice with me I guess.”

Jocasta giggled. “Mistress annoyed Clymene, she paced back and forwards, muttering. It was funny, mainly since I knew you were safe.”

Charis lent down on the table, her eyes in line with Jocasta’s. “Why didn’t you reassure her?”

“She thinks I am a kid and ignores me Mistress.”

“I could talk to her?”

“No,” wistfully, “I will make my own way, I always have. I must go Mistress, things to do I can’t chat with you all day!”

“Right.” While considering a clever quip Jocasta rushes through the elder’s door, interestingly it opens and closes for her. Charis glances up at the elder’s bunk unable to locate its usual resident, certain the elder responsible.

A sweet cooking aroma wafts pass her and draws Charis to the Kitchen. Upon entering, the eyes of every Daughter of the Duchess fixes upon her and they cheer a welcome.

“You escaped your welcome yesterday Mistress,” accused Alcmene.

Perhaps Jocasta is smarter than Charis thought, her task to delay with conversation until the surprise ready. Charis tried to will away the warmth from her cheeks without success.

Each sister approaching her, sinks to one knee reaffirming their oath in a solemn procession. They then fetch a plate from the Kitchen. By the end Charis is the sole Daughter without, learning the desert is warm apple pie, with freshly whipped cream, a delicacy.

“Mistress you need to earn your portion, this punishment is due to you worrying the House Seer. You accept your punishment?” said Astera.

Charis scanned the faces in the Training/Kitchen Room and discovered smiles, laughs and at least amusement.

“If I must, I accept my punishment, gracefully.” Charis bowed at the waist.

“Approach each sister ask her price for a portion!” announced Astera, flinging both of her arms wide.

Charis paused a moment and once decided approached each sister in the reverse oath order.

They learnt from each other and accumulated common requests co-operating shortly after the initial random demands. From a kiss, to a piece of armour, to exposed flesh. Charis finally approached Alcmene.

“Trade the under cloth you wear for this Daughter’s Robe and you may sample a portion of cream.”

Charis’ forehead wrinkled, why exchange, she assumed another outcome to their plan. She lifted her under cloth over her head, revealing her loin cloth and breast wrapping. Alcmene held the arm hole on her right and then the arm hole on her left and tied the three toggles at the front of the robe to secure it. Charis placed her hands in the deep pockets, low, below the hips and noticed the Daughter’s Seal sown on the robe above her right breast. She leant forward offering her open mouth for her reward, quickly delivered, licking her lips.

Charis approached Clymene and her sly smile screamed mischief.

“I demand your loin cloth for my forgiveness.”

Charis stepped forward, kissed Clymene lingering many heartbeats and then opened the bottom toggle of her robe.

“Remove it sister, I am safe in your hands.”

Clymene managed to repay Charis’ kiss and fumble loose her loin cloth, which dropped to the floor discarded.

Charis approached Helice, her face neutral.

“I demand your breast wrap to convert it to new purpose.”

Charis opened her robe, allowing Helice to unwrap her breasts. Helice then allow her Mistress to retie her robe before grabbing a wrist and tying one end of the wrap to it.

“Take the other end Mistress and tie it to my wrist to ensure I never leave your side.”

A tear sprang from Charis’ right eye as she firmly embraced her sister, releasing her to do as bid.

Astera wrapped an arm around Charis and her other around Helice. Releasing them both and facing the assembled sisters she addressed them.

“We welcome Hagne, Alexis, Korinna and Zosime to the Daughters of the Duchess, sworn oath sisters. We have our duties to attend to and hopefully they will keep us in Hillperch for the duration of Death Season to train and prepare.”

As the sisters milled about, officially embracing the Assassin Seers, Charis called to them.

“Wait Sisters! Astera what is your demand of me for my reward?”

“I am rewarded every day in your service Mistress, I don’t wish to make a demand upon you, I wish you would make a demand upon me to relieve you of any burden as we push forward finding and destroying the evil, which afflicts the Duchy.”

The former farm girl standing before her, armoured, competent and steady, her mettle previously tested to lead in their Mistress’ absence.

“I expect challenges in our hunt and I willingly face them with you at my side, to pick up our cause if I fall, ensuring the fight will continue, guided by your capable hands.”

The sisters cheered and enveloped Charis and Astera embracing them, joy on their faces.

On the spare of the moment Charis decided upon another surprise. The Month of Magic upon them an auspicious time for her plan. Grabbing Ismene by the shoulder she whispered an errand into her ear.

Charis stepped out of the embraces and naturally her sisters curiously paused to question why.

“I need to deliver another speech, a largely impromptu one.”

Ensuring she held their attention she continued.

“I welcome each one of you to the Daughters of the Duchess, I embrace your life journey which delivered you into our company. Unfortunately, I presume I am still a target of assassination. Therefore, I will still place you in harm’s way, please take care and stay vigilant, always. I momentarily discarded this advice today and swiftly reminded!”

Clymene didn’t find any humour, others did.

“In different ways I am proud of each one of you and given this is the Month of Magic and recent events I am beginning to believe it does offer us meaning. Some received special gifts due to need or through circumstance. Due to ever present danger and the opportunity of Death Season to train, instead of hoarding these gifts and waiting for sisters to join as warrior-sisters, I will grant them now as we need to train fully equipped.”

Her sisters momentarily forgetting to breathe in anticipation, the Initiates leaning forward drawn into the mystery.

“All the Seers will need silver circles to power their talents and provide a reserve of magic. I hope they provide the spark for our new Initiates. Please step forward Alexis, Korinna, Hagne, Zosime, Thais, Alexa and Niobe.”

As each stepped forward, they received a silver circle. The assassins disguising their curiosity for now.

“Now unlike us first timers please attune the silver circle while the sun shines upon the area of your choice and you will endure no pain. Please request assistance from a Daughter!”

“Thank you, Mistress.”

“Please step forward Dirce, Drosis, Jocasta, Ismene, Agape and Nysa this Red Gem should improve your weapon ability.”

Charis noted Zoe’s disappointment and hoped for her patience.

“Thank you, Mistress.”

“Please step forward Astera, Thyia, Alcmene, Clymene, Niobe, Thais, Alexa, Alexis, Korinna, Hagne, Zosime, Dirce, Drosis, Jocasta, Zoe, Ismene, Agape and Nysa this Bronze Loop will encourage those you meet to a treat you as a friend, unless you are clearly hostile. Chat to Otonia about how these saved her life.”

“Thank you, Mistress.”

“I also offer three special Red Gems. These are special, they possess an affinity for the Coin Pairs gifted some time ago. It makes sense when you think about it, the Gem forms the third and they were found together.”

Charis paused as she didn’t discuss her chosen sisters with anyone including the recipients.

“I don’t know which Red Gem links to which Coin Pair, it will require some training and testing. I wish to gift these to Dione, Otonia and Zoe.”

The sisters cheered and if one of the recipients stood nearby hugged them.

“The choice of the recipients a selfish one, entirely my decision. The Gems should provide coordination and intuition with the half coins. Zoe as an archer, able to release into combat safely, confident she wouldn’t feather one of her partners. Otonia able to wield her knives, thrown or otherwise. Finally, Dione, her sling obvious, use of her lasso perhaps not and therefore provides the opportunity to capture an attacker.”

Charis caught the reactions of each as she announced them, and Zoe seemed overjoyed, while Otonia and Dione accepted without much excitement. They each approached and accepted their Gems.

“Since the attuning and removal is painless, the three can swap their Red Gems and team with a pair more suited to their fighting style. Any difficulties please discuss with me.”

Strangely, relief showed on the faces of the Coin Pairs, they apparently determining already who should join as their third.

“I am also removing the restriction on Initiates in the House, at least until Death Season is over otherwise, we will feel trapped. Plus, the Seers need to spend as much time together as possible to strengthen their links. The rest of this day is yours. Please don’t hurry up to the roof at the same time to sun bathe otherwise the roof will probably collapse. Another option is to ride to the farm, please ensure you travel in Threes and no smaller number.”

The Seers peeled off first, Thais, Alexa and Korinna, Alcmene, Clymene and Alexis, Niobe and Hagne and finally Helice and Zosime. The Coin Paired Sisters followed, Astera and Thyia, Kyra and Nysa and lastly Dirce and Drosis. Dione, Otonia and Zoe followed the Coin Paired Sisters, an encouraging sign Charis thought. Agape attended to the Stables and grooming of the horses and Ismene continued her stocktake.

Charis celebrated the quiet alone time and managed to reach her room. Her robe slipped effortlessly to the floor and for the first time in many days, if not weeks she lay in her own bed and sleep took her quickly discarding the slight guilt she held using the influence of her Bronze Loop to nudge and encourage the Assassin Seers to view their respective situations differently. The Silver Circles the inspirational ‘extra’ and hopefully the catalyst to allow them to succeed.

A routine developed in the House over the next week, mainly building relationships with the former assassins learning to belong, accepting their partnerships as partnerships, their Seer Skill not the primary reason merely a possible benefit. They needed to accept their sisterhood first and recognise they now belonged to the Daughters of the Duchess, past affiliations dissolved.

+++

As sisters hurried to their duties after breaking their fast one morning, Ismene approached Charis.

“It seems the day is ours Mistress, perhaps you need me to report on our supplies, goods and chattels?” Ismene sided up to her Mistress petting her hair.

“How did you figure out to gather and store supplies for twenty-two sisters?” asked Charis.

“Easy Mistress, I allowed for twenty-eight sisters.”

“Oh! Are we going to survive Death Season?”

“Yes Mistress, including the horses and with some reserve. I can show you to each Store Room and my stock take and calculations if such would please you?”

Charis knew the exercise unnecessary, Ismene being beyond capable. The more important aspect though, Ismene needed affirmation her task held as much importance as any other, consequently Charis agreed.

Ismene and Charis visited the Stables and to ensure she didn’t incur Clymene’s wrath, Helice and Zosime accompanied them. Helice insisting on full armour for the tour. The two Store Rooms they inspected on their own. Ismene insisting on robes, removing their armour once they retired to the House. The inspection concluded late afternoon before dusk as they exited the Ground Floor Store Room.

“Am I too bold to ask for a reward Mistress?”

“We can discuss reward in the Meeting Room, I suspect Jocasta and her friends don’t require inappropriate education before they need to.” Charis followed Ismene as she headed towards the Meeting Room.

“Oh, certainly Mistress, I cherish the Meeting Room ...” Ismene stopped her response abruptly. Charis swivelled, eyes narrowing.

“Continue …”

“I supplemented the furnishings Mistress, they arrived while we were on mission and I needed to arrange them properly as our sisters, were confused …”

Charis shook her head slightly and hurried to the refurbished Meeting Room, Ismene following, chewing her thumb nail.

Charis’ assessment of the Meeting Room needed to wait. Wrapped in plush, luxurious furs the naked bodies of Helice and Zosime writhed fervently, grasps and moans escaping. The light brown skin of Zosime contrasting with the fair skin of Helice, an amazing entwining of flesh.

Ismene led Charis into the room and quietly shut the door. Charis numbly followed her actions and recognised the ‘told you so’ look. Her robe slipped easily from her shoulders, revealing her fair skin, no loin cloth or breast wrap required. Taking advantage of her Mistress’ momentary inaction she untied the toggles binding Charis’ robe and slipped it from her thin athletic frame by pushing the edges back and over her shoulders, allowing it to cascade to the floor.

Charis realised her nakedness and ignored her condition. The room! Plush furs hung from the walls, a continuous sumptuous lounge commenced at the doorway and followed the four walls of the room to return to the doorway, leaving enough wall free to allow the door to fully open and latch against the wall if required. The lounge at each corner gave way to a sunken square table, presently the corner near Helice and Zosime contained a carafe of wine and two drained goblets. The floor covered; layers upon layers of furs.

“Mistress join us …”

“Mistress join us …”

The verbal invitation and sent invitation finally snapping Charis out of her trance. Slow steps. Her feet enjoying the carpet of furs, her toes curling to swim through the luxury. Her mouth open and her brain unable to construct a coherent sentence, wildly trying to comprehend the cost against her wonderous appreciation and the sensual surprise.

“Ismene lead the Mistress to us please,” purred Helice.

“Helice? Have I broken her?” whispered Ismene, taking Charis by the hand.