Ismene issues her order to Astera, full of bravado and bluster! “Fetch the rest of the sisters we need to pleasure the Seers, therefore completely sharing their lust, while in their Circle!”

Ismene resumes her tending without waiting for Astera’s reaction. Inwardly awaiting reprimand although trying to convince Astera with her immediate return to Charis’ nether reaches there exists a real and urgent obligation to comply. No immediate rebuke from Astera encourages Ismene to double her efforts and attentions resulting in Charis orgasming shortly after. The rippling wave of murmur and satisfaction radiating out amongst the Seers didn’t mute the hurrying, fading steps of Astera’s warrior’s boots leaving the room.

Ismene noted her efforts weren’t rewarded with ground breaking, tree splitting groans and yelps of pleasure although her Mistress orgasmed often and easily. Distant shuffles and scuffles on stairs and finally into the Training Room announcing the arrival of Astera’s accomplices. Ten non-Seers attended to the smorgasbord of ten Seers, Kyra, Nysa and Otonia pleasuring Alcmene, Clymene and Helice. Dirce, Drosis and Dione pleasuring Thais, Alexa and Korinna. Astera, Thyia and Zoe pleasuring Hagne, Alexis and Niobe. Leaving Zosime for Agape.

The sounding of the last town bell of the night intuitively triggering a pause in the Training Room. The Seers now non-responsive, sweat covered and hearts hammering, finally able to find rest. Ismene rallying her non-seer sisters to finish and leave, to allow them.

As the non-Seer Sisters tip-toe away, Astera catches Ismene on her shoulder. Ismene’s eyes staring directly into Astera’s in response.

“Did Mistress ask you to organise this task?”

“Not exactly,” confessed Ismene. Refusing to shift her eyes from Astera’s.

“Explain not exactly,” said Astera, her hand now gripping Ismene’s shoulder firmly. Ismene refusing to wince from the pain or backdown from the threat, leveraging her Noble right to rule to maintain her authority.

“For two weeks the Seers engaged in nightly pleasure, taking turns, carefully dancing around who likes whom strengthening their Seer Links. They performed a special Seer feat tonight, of which I am not sure, unless it has something to do with an apple with a bite in it …” Ismene smiled, trying to lighten the mood, encouraged when Astera’s grip lightened.

“They celebrated by driving Mistress to orgasm and for reasons uniquely understood by Seers, Mistress’ pleasure spread to them all. So, while they were occupied, I continued to pleasure our Mistress, with the same result. Then I thought, if the other Seers could be pleasured, each would share it, wouldn’t the sharing improve their Seer Links?”

Astera rocked back on her heals and folded her arms. Tried a couple of times to open her mouth and on both occasions ended up with her scratching her chin and returning her arms into a folded position.

Astera’s indecision unimportant with the return of Otonia and Dione to the room. Several other non-seer Sisters following with wash cloths, several with buckets. Disrobing their Seer Sisters completely, washing sweat and other bodily fluids from them, remaining asleep and oblivious throughout their care. Astera and Ismene the last two to finish their subjects.

“It is done now, and they live. Mistress will inform us tomorrow of any consequences,” uttered Astera, throwing her wash cloth into the remaining bucket with a splosh and striding from the room.

Ismene, picking up the bucket added her washcloth. About to chew on her thumb nail, catching herself instead and forcing her hand to her waist. Taking a step forward, deciding in an instant nothing to worry about, following Astera confidently from the Training Room to prove it.

+++

The Seers woke as one late in the morning with a mighty hunger. The aroma of freshly seared meat invading their nostrils and sending them into a salivating frenzy. Rushing around the Training Room locating three essential items of clothing, Charis joining them, clearly, she needed to set an example. Dreaming of rushing naked to the Kitchen, she couldn’t!

“You set a fine example Mistress!” sent the Seer Circle, several Seers responding, their ‘mind voices’ merging into one. Charis pausing in shock, quickly gathering Alcmene, Clymene and Helice about her.

“Mistress drop your Seer Circle links. We are amazed they remain in place still!” whispers Helice.

With a snap of her mind the links drop.

“How?” Charis’s eyes darting to each of her Adept Seers.

“Perhaps we need to ask Ismene?” offers Helice. In response to questioning stares, she continues. “She stood present during our Seer Circle experimentation.” Their four growing stomachs reminding them of their hunger, and they hurry to the Kitchen.

Being the last to arrive they peer curiously towards the Kitchen and to their relief spot Zoe’s waving hand, signalling them forward.

“Welcome Mistress and my Seer Sisters.” Zoe places a plate before each, a generous serving of seared rabbit flesh to fill their bellies.

“Where … is … Ismene?” asks Helice, between bites and chewing.

“Perhaps I can answer your questions?” offers Astera, looming over their table.

Charis lifts her head, the rabbit flesh finally sating her hunger, chasing an answer also.

“Where is our Sister Ismene?”

“She is avoiding you for now Mistress as she took a chance,” said Astera.

“Explain please,” Charis asks, frustration surfacing in her response.

“She observed your Seer celebration and the resulting lust driven attention you received. Your pleasure spreading across the Seers and knowing the aim of your training sessions in the previous weeks trying to attain the same, she continued attending to you and then enlisted other Sisters to attend to the Seer Sisters and perhaps attending until exhaustion, her concern.”

Charis slumped in her chair not sure of the appropriate response. On the positive side they survived, and their Seer links form at a thought and maintenance of them near effortless. Clearly demonstrated by the maintenance of the Seer Circle overnight while the Seers slept exhausted. Were they in any danger? Exhaustion perhaps, delightfully so!

“She is ... observant, and I am glad she took a chance.” The mystery solved, and her stomach satisfied Charis remembered one additional task, no two.

“Rhea, please confirm if the Keep’s Seer Elpis can visit the Inn tonight?”

Charis expected a quick response, concern rising as the moments passed.

“M … Mistress …” sent Rhea/Raisa.

The sending ‘sounded’ delirious?

“Are you safe Rhea? Can I help?”

“Mistress, Raisa and I are still recovering from the orgy of celebration the Seer Circle sent us last night and afraid we ate more than we should have this morning. There was no warning!”

“Yes, apologies, the Seer Circle survived without warning also, next time we will warn you, I promise.”

“Thank you, Mistress, Elpis will visit when requested, I refused her last request to visit due to our business.”

“Perhaps you should have eaten more of the apple?”

“Perhaps.”

There was no humour or mirth in the reply, perhaps warranted as Charis and the Seer Circle abandoned her, mostly likely in a pleasure induced stupor, exhausted and not waking until mid-morning the next day. Anyone approaching the Inn able to force entry unopposed, possibly placing her in danger.

With a thought Charis established the Seer Circle.

“Ensure you rest and take turns to Sun your items, we are trying another experiment.”

Charis sensed the excitement and then with a thought extinguished the Seer Circle.

While the Seer Circle recharged their items Charis invited Clymene, Alcmene and Helice to her room and they squatted in a circle cross legged facing each other.

“I would ask to learn and practice the object transportation technique,” announced Charis.

“The skill built up over months Mistress, we are not sure if we can teach you easily and quickly,” said Alcmene.

“We can try though, can’t we?”

“Yes Mistress,” answered Clymene, reluctantly.

+++

Charis formed the Seer Circle the next day, shortly after the House broke their fast. If her plans succeeded, they required time. The connection to Rhea/Raisa effortless, while Elpis’ connection required more concentration and magic to maintain. Charis confirmed Rhea/Raisa and Elpis were alone, both positioned opposite each other at one of the Inn’s many tables.

Gathering magic from the Seer Circle, Charis channelled her Seer Skill through Elpis, seeing Rhea seated before her, tugging on the strand which linked Elpis to her. Alcmene, Clymene and Helice in contact with their Mistress to support and guide her Skill in the transfer. Instantly Rhea stood in the centre of the Seer Circle gloriously naked displaying her scars.

“I didn’t expect you totally naked Seer Sister?”

“I suspect I am ready without delay to enjoy some company. I recall receiving much last night and I will enjoy returning the favour!”

The Seer Circle enjoyed her body while she visited, her pleasure rippling throughout the Seer Circle including Elpis. Once satisfied, Charis channelled through Elpis and once again visualised the table in the Main Room of the Inn. Drawing on the Seer Circle’s magic, guided by her three Adept Seers, Charis sent Rhea back to the Inn, materialising on top of the table, instantly. Rhea delighted and Charis’ relieved. Proof of what they could do, which gave the gathered Seer Sisters extraordinary confidence in the Seer Circle and Charis.

“Elpis you’ve witnessed the Skill of our Seer Circle, for you to continue I request you swear an oath on the Goddess Saph, your allegiance to me as your Mistress. Do you accept?”

Charis and the Seer Circle detected her internal struggle. Serving the Temple of Saph, an oath sworn when first rescued from her suffering parents and another when completing her and her twin’s training and finally the last to the Lord of Lonely Keep. Could she bare another oath?

“Your oath to me offers no conflict, your oath to me swears you to secrecy, I acknowledge you owe service to the Lord of the Lonely Keep and to your Mother Superior.”

“I accept. Do you wish me to swear now?”

“No, we will summon you.”

Elpis stood pushing her chair back staring at Rhea, speechless. Her? Could they transfer her?

Using Rhea as an anchor, Charis summoned Elpis to the House drawing on the tether which held and joined her to the Seer Circle.

“Remove your clothes, you must swear naked before me,” demanded Charis.

“I have … well … I am a Seer … you embarrass me, how can I?”

“I’ve seen you naked, your eyes need to focus on me.”

Elpis untied her Seer Robe pausing after allowing the robe tie ends to fall loose. Her eyes caught Charis’, patience, no sympathy. Her being transferred to Hillperch amazing, unbelievable, she stood in a new room, in different company, her nakedness the price and of course her oath. She swallowed, her hands assisting her robe to fall off her shoulders to pool at her feet.

She slowly unwrapped her breasts. Charis glanced at them and Elpis appreciated the appraisal, her loins stirred as others around her expelled a breath, the thoughts of the Seers shared around the Seer Circle, which included her. Elpis' breasts weren’t large although they rested upon her powerful frame and stood proud. Her generous loin cloth next. Easy she convinced herself, the size planned to dissuade any appreciation of her firm buttocks and toned abdomen. Her and her sister didn’t loll around idle between any learning, they teamed with Temple Guards to improve their fitness and their spear skills. Their hope, defend themselves, prevent their own death and to avoid the sorrow of leaving a Single Seer. Choosing to rely upon weapon skill and effort to deflect such a fate.

Untying her loin cloth, her hands fought her instructions to them. The unknown covered for a few moments longer, panic rising within her. She closed her eyes, her hand clutching the loose cloth to her loins. Her fingers opening, and her hand floating away from her body, allowing the now unrestrained loin cloth to fall. The large intake of breath answering her trepidation, opening her eyes to face her audience.

“You are Noble born Elpis?”

“Yes Charis, claimed from my family by the Temple.” The golden-brown curls of her loin hair unmistakable. She managed to darken her head hair enough to a light brown to provide enough doubt, a feint dash of noble blood, probably a Noble Sir impregnating a commoner maid a generation or two ago. The instant summoning and swearing her oath naked completely defeating any deception she could possibly prepare at short notice.

“Swear your oath.”

“I, Elpis, Seer of Saph swear upon the Goddess Saph who I worship and hold sacred that I will honour the commands and orders of Mistress Charis as long as they don’t conflict with any other oath. Further I swear I will not reveal any secrets learnt or told to me by Charis and the Daughters of the Duchess.” Elpis held her position, head down, back bent before her Mistress’ feet.

“I accept your fealty to me and oath of secrecy. I promise in return to value your life and protect it as much as possible to the limits of my power and ability. Further I will never ask you to do anything that would dishonour you or me.” Charis then reached out encouraging Elpis to stand, hugging her when she did.

“Thank you, Mistress.”

“Your Seer Sisters wish to welcome you. You understand and accept what is to happen next?”

“Yes, Mistress, Rhea prepared me, recalling the events of last night. Can I beg a favour and you attend to me first …? I am aware of your blessed attentions.”

The Seer Circle enjoying the sharing and giving with Charis pleasuring Elpis and Elpis pleasuring Charis their reciprocal orgasms flowing through the Seer Circle and establishing a minimal link to and from Elpis with the members of the Seer Circle.

With the Elpis’ summoning Charis sensed the Seer Circle’s item magic reserves low and Charis still needed to contact Elpis’ sister, uncertain if enough magic remained.

“Ismene, please ask the elder to visit I need to borrow her magic.”

“Yes Mistress.”

At the mention of another Elpis reached for her clothing. The Seers in the Training Room quickly following her example, dressing to ensure upon the elder’s arrival they respectfully presented themselves. The elder still a mystery to most.

---

“Come on then, I am busy you know … in your service!”

Charis, drawing upon the elder’s magic, travelled to Bircharbor consuming a phenomenal amount of magic to locate Agatha. Once Charis found Agatha, she released her grip upon the elder who hastily exited the Training Room. Charis instructed Elpis to contact her sister and prepare her for what to expect. With no lack of volunteers to pleasure Charis, the attention enabled her to release to Agatha and establish a connection. The Seers then sun bathed their items in the afternoon to ensure they contained enough magic to send Elpis back to the Inn of the Scarred Lady.

Late afternoon with dusk approaching, Charis using Agatha as an anchor sent Elpis to her sister, in her private room inside the Temple of Saph at Bircharbor shocking them both. Using Elpis as an anchor, Charis summoned Agatha to the House and Charis demanded she swear her oath, head down, back bent before Charis’ feet. Her presence resulted in the required sharing of mind and body, enabling the Seer Circle to establish a connection to her matching her twin.

Elpis described what would happen upon her arrival, Charis pleasuring her and Agatha reciprocating, the Seer Circle establishing the minimal links. The warning paling into comparison with the real event. The teasing of her Sister and the Seer Skill she developed while engaging in her sexual partnering, her tinkering finally satisfied. Now her sister’s equal, wanting more, savouring the true connection and awakening of her Seer Skill, a revelation and the stories and legends of past Seer Skills now possible, not the impossible. Agatha in a final throw of passion, willing to sacrifice more if demanded, shocked when the Seer Circle replied in agreement.

Anchoring upon Elpis, Charis sent Agatha back to her Temple and then summoned Elpis back to the Circle. Charis needed to ask the elder to return once again, to the Training Room to draw magic from her items to ensure Elpis’ safe return to the Inn. Finally, using Rhea as an anchor Charis sent Elpis back to the Inn.

An oath of allegiance from Elpis and Agatha wasn’t difficult, they were part of something never thought possible and they wanted to participate to learn and develop their Seer Skill. Increasing your Seer Skill drew you closer to Saph, allowing you to serve her fully. From discovery by the Temple until graduating, the Mother Superiors instilled a total devotion to Saph in their wards ignoring other urgencies and imperatives.

+++

Charis next turned her mind to the mystery of the Shrines. The White Lady insisted Charis attune Shrines, which required a now proven ritual, therefore she needed to learn the Shrine’s hidden purpose. Amongst Seers the Shrines remained a mystery, why place them outside the Temple? Why build them identical, although some still incomplete! The duty to care for them eventuating over the years from the increase in Single Seers searching for a purpose beyond the Temple. The Single Seer’s efforts often rewarded with patronage and survival.

Charis, using the Seer Circle link taught the Seers including Rhea/Raisa, Elpis and her sister, Agatha the Shrine Ritual as taught to her by the White Lady. She also required her Seer Sisters to attune every available Shrine in the days ahead. The Shrines tended to occupy obvious and prominent places in towns and villages, hence the Seers performing the rarely known ritual prayer during the day subject to view and possible enquiry. Due to the number of Single Seers in Hillperch, Charis considered night time for them to attune the Shrines, to avoid observation and awkward explanations.

In the following days a routine developed, the Seers energising their items in the morning sunlight, summoning Elpis if she could gain her freedom from the Keep without raising too much suspicion. To ensure some warning time, Rhea relocated their summoning room to the second floor behind a locked door. The Non-Seers would assist in pleasuring the Seers, organising shifts to ensure several remained available to guard the House. The inclusion of the non-Seers ensured every sister felt part of the success and the achievement.

Agatha and Rhea then complained about neglect! Niobe agreed to swap places with Agatha able to concoct a reasonable excuse, for example, she arranged to visit Agatha and waited for her return from Temple business. Fortunately, privacy within a Seer’s Room within Temple near sacrosanct and discovery unlikely. Alexis being the stealth assassin agreed to swap places with Rhea able to stalk within the Inn and remain undercover.

The Assassin-seers also taught the sisters their skills, the Seers via their shared link and others face to face, especially dagger skills including the subtler skills such as the garrotte and sneaking up on a target to attack, rather than pure silence. The Warrior Threes continued their training and training other sisters, while Charis, Zoe and Agape taught their respective archery specialisation.

Towards the end of the Month of Magic, snow fell; the Death Season stealing days. The House stayed reasonably warm, the number of occupants, the constant exertions, the warmth from the oven and the stove and the magic the elder used to strengthen the walls, floors and ceiling of the House. Each part of the total contributing to make the House a rather tolerable place to spend a cold Death Season. Jocasta used the underfloor to shelter several of her street urchins and via them the Daughters of the Duchess still received the occasional piece of news.

+++

“I lament our separation as Death Season grips us,” sent Rhea/Raisa.

“I will miss your warmth also as the Keep grows colder.”

“The joy of birth hasn’t lifted the spirits and joy of those within?”

“No, although the Lady of the Keep’s fussing distracts them from requiring my presence, allowing me the freedom of your company.”

Zoe instructed the sisters to wear layers of clothes and furs against the cold, as a consequence Rhea/Raisa waddled around the Inn out of habit, securing the window shutters and doors while Seer linked to Elpis. Charis tried in vain to experiment and send the elder to the Inn to strengthen the floors and walls of the Inn in preparation for Death Season. The candidate utterly unwilling, rejecting the hint and then suggestion. Her recalcitrance infecting the non-Seers, they also hesitant. Charis deliberating, curious if the Seer Circle capable of summoning a non-Seer; Alcmene, Clymene and Helice unaware of any written accounts and equally unwilling to try, to the satisfaction and vindication of the elder.

“Is she showing yet? Such a small framed girl I half expect a yes.”

“Oh certainly, and this gradual evidence of her condition propelled the entire Keep into further accommodations for her care.”

Moments passed by and Elpis received no reply from Rhea/Raisa. Their Seer Link remained strong confirming her Seer Sister wasn’t injured or unconscious. Maintaining their Seer Skill Link as natural as eating after days upon days of shared love and pleasure within and without the Seer Circle.

The light footsteps in the snow drew Rhea/Raisa’s attention from the Inn’s side window as she checked the shutters. While not a blizzard, the wind lifted and blew flurries of snow about and anyone under prepared, danced with death challenging the wind chill. The footprints approached the Inn’s front door, although Rhea/Raisa weren’t called to the door by any knocking.

Her curiosity and concern propelling her towards the front door of the Inn, opening it, a freezing breeze greeting her. The door opening easily as a small body propped against it flops into the Inn proper. Rhea/Raisa drags the body in further and then slams the Inn door shut, lowering the cross beam to keep it secure.

“Can you view through my eyes Seer Sister?” sent Rhea/Raisa.

“Yes, yes, poor child!”

Rhea/Raisa hauls the semi-frozen body towards the Inn’s fireplace, tucking the body into furs and then striking the flint to bring the fire back to life. With the fireplace ablaze Rhea/Raisa add their body warmth to the freezing one under the furs.

“Sister her soul has left, we warm a husk!” sent Raisa.

“How do you know?” sent Rhea in reply. Their mind conversation weird and comforting at the same time.

“I tested, sister, I can enter her body…”

In panic and excitement Rhea contacts Charis.

“Mistress, we need your assistance, observe through my eyes!”

“You believe Raisa can return the body to life once she occupies it?”

“You yourself suggested the possibility with her own body, I see no reason why we couldn’t attempt the same with this body. Mistress we are desperate to separate, we are merging and require conscious thought for each of us to retain ‘ourselves’.”

“What do you require from me as it seems you are determined to follow this path?”

“Your blessing and your healing, the body has been exposed to the cold…”

“The Seer Circle is ready, and all now witness your situation. You have my blessing as the girl’s soul has left her body.” Charis kept as much emotion out of her words as possible, an acquiescence, nothing else, based upon the information available. Charis felt guilty in some sense, at the very least the body deserved burning to carry the girl’s soul to Judge should it not?

The Seer Circle buzzed with excitement, a mission, an actual mission to assist one of their own!

Rhea/Raisa enveloped the girl’s body. In an instant Rhea celebrating relief as her sister’s soul left her body. Raisa shivered, an involuntary response. She then strained to drag a breath into her new fragile body.

“Sister, pump my lungs for me!” As Rhea drew back to observe her sister’s new body, her face turning blue under her gaze.

Rhea laid her sister’s body out and pressed down upon her chest, alternatively blowing breath into her lungs.

Raisa drew in a deep breath to the relief of her sister. Her soul restarting the body’s heart the moment she took procession, desperate for air to supply her newly reawakened organs.

“Place your hands upon her flesh Rhea!”

An easy ask as Rhea’s hands held Raisa’s face, one on each side. Healing passing through Rhea a moment after.

“I am sorry my sister, your scars will heal, although not entirely as I concentrate upon Raisa.”

The Seer Circle shuddered in reaction to Rhea’s pain, her reconciliation finally settling as her sacrifice benefitted her Seer Twin and their separation at this time necessary. Both sisters shared cold tears. Raisa apologising to her sister for her sacrifice. Rhea sharing her happiness in their physical separation.

The deathly cold gripping Raisa’s body retreating due to the warmth of the Inn’s fire, Rhea’s body contact and finally Charis’ healing. Neither of the first two though could heal the beginnings of the frostbite or the frozen flesh within her lungs, Charis’ healing soothed and nurtured where needed. The Seer Circle caught an inkling of her healing sensation. Dirce, Drosis and Zosime though savoured and fully remembered.

Rhea and Raisa now joining them, feeling the calm, the beauty and the warmth of the healing as Growing Season sunlight upon a field of flowers opening to accept the offered sun blessing exuding their perfume, a forest full of life and procreation, bees gathering honey and birdsong triumphant celebrating the restoration and return of their bodily heath, whole and hearty.

“Thank you, Mistress,” sent Raisa.

“Thank you, Mistress,” sent Rhea.

Each sister smiling, happy their thanks were separate and sent a half a moment apart.

“Who was the girl before? Where are her parents or guardians? Questions requiring answers and possibly confrontations yet to arise,” sent Charis.

“Our explanation Mistress is prepared. Near death I welcomed Judge, he instead returned me afresh and renewed, although my past forgotten.”

“May I suggest an alternative Sisters?” sent Alcmene in reply.

An assent rippled through the Seer Circle endorsed by Charis, Rhea and Raisa.

“During our aimless search for purpose and information gathering while within the bosom of the Temple there existed accounts of Seers and others who in an instant, generally at death, assumed the identity of another. They, although mature and knowledgeable in their own way, proved entirely new to our language and customs. Parents, relatives and friends recognising their flesh, never their minds and personality.”

“I have no understanding of another language Sister and therefore I will fail such a test.”

“Yes sister, of course, perhaps your explanation is best. The written accounts always fascinated me, are there other places unknown to us?” sent Alcmene.

Raisa tried to stand and promptly fell over, flat on her face.

“It looks like I will need to learn to walk, eat and many other things again.”

“Raisa, are you well? There is nothing amiss except for what has been said?” sent Charis.

“Yes Mistress, I will need time to train my new body, nothing more.”