In the weeks which passed Charis studied Shrines. She didn’t acquire scrolls and tomes or search dusty private libraries. Instead, using the magic of the Seer Circle she travelled to the Shrines she attuned previously and connected with them. The Seer Circle gained the knowledge as their consciousnesses, tethered to Charis’ discovered as she did.

Each Shrine projected multiple streams or links, although a maximum of seven, which she uniquely found within the City Shrine. Either side of a link, two halves of a joined awareness which Charis explored between the City Shrine and Bircharbor the single join her attuning managed to establish. The links familiar yet beyond their present knowledge to fully comprehend, which gnawed at their wellbeing, especially the Temple trained Seers. An itch they couldn’t scratch, a stone in a shoe, every step a reminder. The distraction subtly weakening the Seer Circle.

This dramatically changed when Charis visited the Shrine at Wolfwatch.

The Shrine at Wolfwatch modest as befitting a village, a single link originating as a stream flailing unbound. No Seer yet having attuned the Shrine at Hillperch to confirm the probable connection, although reason would dictate each Village Shrine connects to a Town Shrine, which connects to the City Shrine. This single link, the consciousness hovering around and about, eerily familiar to Charis. Memory seeped into her being, her core, as a reunion of sorts occurred, regret and guilt consuming her. The shock upon realisation finally paralysing her, the memory of her overpowering, sweeping away everything else.

The Seer Sisters blinked and spontaneously released their own grief in sympathy with Charis. Like any other shared Seer Circle emotion, the Seers within the Circle were one, connected. They didn’t comprehend the reason for their state of remorse, although the cause of Charis’ disconnect continued to build. The Seer Circle collapsed, Charis withdrawn trying to assuage her past failure. A flood of tears and sobs filled the room, Seers embracing each other, gathering around Charis. Charis collected herself, apologising and suspending further discovery for the day, storming from the Training Room.

---

Unexpected.

Charis barred her room’s door and her mind.

She fiddled and toyed with the edges of her robe while prostrate on her bed.

She paced.

She found a corner of her room and squatted there.

A futile effort, solely to avoid the terrible truth and secret of the Shrines. To contemplate the will and faith required for selfless sacrifice. Charis, in the moment the Seer Circle collapsed comprehended who and the reason they needed to decide the moment of their deaths. The pyres would burn their empty husks, their dead bodies, their souls already consumed for another purpose, an ultimate sacrifice before death.

From her room Charis travelled alone, returning to the Shrine at Wolfwatch. No unexpected discoveries this time, although nervous to return as she drew the calm frendly stream within her. No simple words or conversation exchanged, the familiar contact not sophisticated or intelligent. Instead she recognised an intimate warmth flow through her, one which set her on this life path to reach this point of full circle and return to an awakening and encouragement.

The White Lady, her presence within the warmth of the stream unmistakable and instead of shock this time, Charis wept freely and openly in body and mind, the break allowing Helice’s formed Seer Circle to rally around her, memories shared explaining, the realisation touching them all, eyes misting or moistening with sorrow in sympathy with their Mistress. Her sisters discovering the White Lady’s blessing, Charis the Foretold. Reliving Charis’ pained failure to return in time, a witness to the burning pyre, not a final farewell. A disbelieving Charis, nevertheless, treading the path of legend and fate. For the Temple trained Seers this explained much, a final piece of the Charis puzzle, which they shared.

Helice released her Seer Circle, mentally exhausted. Educated and trained by the Temple no preparation for the strain of maintaining the assembled Seers as one consciousness. Yet when Helice joined Charis’ Seer Circle moments after she shared in the wonder and bliss of her Mistress’ presence, reinvigorated by her excited and enlightened Seer Sisters. This Seer Circle unique in another way, the Seer Sisters within the House didn’t gather in the Training Room. They remained at task or rest depending upon their Seer Skill.

Charis drew the Seer Circle with her as she travelled to the other end of the stream, in all probability the Shrine in Hillperch. Each Seer settling into a rest position to ensure their total emersion into the Seer Circle. Alcmene and Clymene the last, pleased with themselves. Charis needed to confirm and hence know for sure her suspicions. The Shrine in Hillperch, as proper for a Town Shrine, held multiple connections. Charis contacted each stream until she discovered a presence there similar yet different, absolute confirmation. The sister twin of the White Lady.

“Is this common knowledge amongst Seers?” sent Charis. The Seer Circle’s Temple trained Seers instantly recognising their Mistress’ question belonged to them.

All answered no, until Alcmene and Clymene timidly replied.

“We were never meant to know, our snooping though delved into vaults filled with dust covered scrolls, tomes and manuals. The accounts meaningless at the time, now we know differently Mistress and we share your lament.”

They continued in union.

“Venerable Seer Twins sacrifice their souls to a Shrine, one at each end through ceremony to establish the streams we have access to today. Death before their time, willingly choosing their path in an ultimate act of worship to Saph.”

“The number of pairs sacrificed, in the few Shrines we have travelled to, why and who determines they follow this pilgrimage?” sent Niobe, full of appreciation.

“I need to inform you Mistress you haven’t attuned all the links within the City Shrine and possibly Town Shrines. The City Shrine has seven layers, one for each Duchy Town it connects to. The Town Shrines have multiples as well depending upon the number of villages connected,” sent Helice.

Charis’ frustrated anguish generously bathed her Seer Sisters in the Seer Circle. “I will need to do better …”

“Therefore, the number of pairs sacrificed is greater still,” sent Niobe, dismayed.

+++

A quiet day passed before Charis decided to continue her discovery and research.

“Is the Shrine of Saph attended during Death Season and if not is it in any condition to be used?” sent Charis.

“The Shrine is reasonably well maintained. I don’t know if anyone regularly attends to it, why?” sent Rhea, in reply.

“I want to see if the Seer Circle can send someone to a Shrine they have attuned.”

After several heartbeats of silence, a ripple of Rhea’s shock rolled over Charis utilising their Seer link.

With enough training and practice many of the Seers developed a technique to shield their thoughts the true test occurring though when the Seer suffered shock or surprise, not unlike face to face conversations. The best trained merchants, diplomats and swindlers mask their shock and surprise, maintaining straight faces or not as they require, while others fail to mask their reactions.

“Would that work? Sorry to doubt you … Shrines transport to another linked Shrine, knowledge we recently discovered did we not?”

“I believe the link or stream established from Seer sacrifice is like a Seer link as far as an anchor point is concerned. Those who utilise the Shrine need to reach out upon each stream or link to each attuned Shrine and find the right Shrine as the destination.”

“It sounds so simple when you say it quickly. Who did you have in mind?”

Needing to disguise her thoughts, Charis disappointed in Rhea’s doubt, her lover’s thoughts plainer and not so well hidden. Charis though relied upon another’s advice, whispered and suggested with contented emotion.

“I would like to ask them first and then form the Seer Circle.”

“Yes Mistress.”

---

Charis decided a face to face explanation and offer necessary, given the risk. Her search for Helice nevertheless brief, finding her sweating upstairs in the Training Room teaching dagger handling to the carpenter twins. Settling into a plush chair, Charis content to observe the various Daughters as they strain, curse and grunt while training in a minimum of clothing; loin cloth and breast wrap, appreciating their athletic forms in action.

Under Charis’ gaze, each sister exerted themselves further to impress their Mistress, their combined response causing the physical tempo within the room to bloom. Sweating heaving female forms on display entrancing Charis. Relief finally occurring when Charis caught Helice’s direct attention by patting the arm of the plush chair, Helice answering by sauntering to her.

“Did you attune the Shrine of Saph in the village of Lonely Keep?”

“Yes Mistress, as instructed I attuned every Shrine, I was given opportunity to visit.”

“I have a possibly dangerous request of you,” Charis said, holding up a hand to stay Helice’s words. “You must hear all the detail before you answer.”

Helice pouted and then answered anyway. “I don’t care what the request is Mistress, my life is yours for so many reasons, so assume the answer is yes and tell me what you require of me. It would be my honour to serve you.”

Charis, shook her head slowly from side to side, resigned, accepting Helice’s blind offer. Helice returning a beaming smile, eyes shining.

“I need to try two tests. Firstly, send a Seer to a Shrine she has attuned. Secondly send the Seer again, holding a sleeping body.”

Helice rubbed her brow, thumb and forefinger the agents. Charis thankful her Seer Sister finally decided to devote serious consideration to the request before her.

“This has never been tried before has it Mistress and you wish for this honour to be mine! I am overjoyed, I am beyond words!” She reached for Charis and kissed her passionately falling into the plush chair proper, landing upon Charis’ lap. Charis gently pressed back, sliding her eager passionate partner back onto her roost. How could Charis bring Helice to her senses?

“This could end your life if it goes wrong. What if there isn’t enough magic, what if your concentration or the Seer Circle’s concentration lapses? This is not a thing with any certainty!”

“Call the elder in and tap her magic, call all the sisters in, Seer or not and tap their magic. You will not want for magic Mistress. I am ready for this, this is my mark on the world, and I will not be denied now, I am indebted by the honour you have bestowed upon me.”

Charis, as did every Seer received Helice’s joyful news.

Helice dropped onto Charis’ lap, this time straddling her Mistress’ legs, trapping them between her own. Upon Helice’s initiative, Seers and non-Seers in the Training Room shortly joined in and as Seers spread the word other Sisters gathered as the hungry to a banquet. The sexual pleasure a reward of and in itself, although the bonding of bodies and minds, coupled with emotions and tenderness exchanged, answered a natural call or urge.

The items the Seers wore warming their body and fortifying their soul in their rejoicing, eager to reconnect to an elven presence drawing their wearer to Charis, to contact her skin, press against the locations Charis’ items occupied. The non-Seers similarly attracted, the need though not imperative, still contact rewarded with an overwhelming sense of satisfaction and correctness.

Eventually the orgy of Sisters dragged Charis to the Training Room floor, furs hastily thrown as the Daughters prepared to answer a call. Charis’ milk white limbs tugged and cajoled until spreadeagle, openly presenting her bare feminine form as writhing bodies either pleasured her or joined with her. Tiredness replaced enthusiasm and a debris of bodies languished, under, over, beside and near their Mistress. The items hummed a silent resonance, content for a moment with their cursed existence, their true potential stunted by circumstance. The items once satisfied, echoed their satisfaction to the bodies they inhabited, and each Sister slept in perfect bliss.

+++

Given the distraction, Charis called for the Seer Circle to prepare for tomorrow. That meant sunshine to recharge their magic between now and forth bell tomorrow and although this was Death Season, it was Illusion Month so perhaps the sun was there, hidden by gloom. The Seer Circle calling upon non-Seers with items to the sun also. Therefore, the next morning witnessed Daughters of the Duchess scrabbling and fussing about the House. Seers and non-Seers with items ensuring their magical possessions were sun drenched, either exposing them several times throughout the day in short sessions or braving the cold in longer fewer sessions. Either way the stove and oven became popular haunts to recover bodily warmth in front of.

Charis then visited Jocasta.

“All of the sisters, including the elder will be involved in a special magic tomorrow. We don’t expect any visitors, except the apprentice assassins, just on dusk. I need you to welcome them if we haven’t finished and ask them to wait in the Meeting Room. I need you to serve them food with a little of the elder’s sleeping ointment. Do you understand and can you do this without any assistance?”

“While they’re assassins Mistress they have been tamed by their pitiful lust, so I should be able to do as you say.”

Charis smiled.

Charis contacted her Seers, including Rhea, Raisa and Elpis at the Inn of the Scared Woman and Agatha at the Temple of Saph in Bircharbor to form the Seer Circle. Elpis and Rhea assisting an unsteady still learning to walk Raisa, into a hand holding circle in an upstairs locked room in the Inn.

Charis then embraced Helice, who wore fur lined leather boots and a large fur lined coat over her full armour. Zoe interrupted and presented Helice with additional clothes, oversized pants, shirts and thick socks. Layers she insisted made the difference between remaining warm or freezing to death. At Helice’s pout, Charis insisted she redress. Zoe surviving as a trapper in the mountains during Death Season occurred due to skill and knowledge not luck, so worth heeding.

---

Helice extended her mind, projecting a thinning strand in the direction of the Lonely Keep, draining the magic of her items with each passing moment. Her mind’s trickling silver thin thread, when in the vicinity of the Shrine latched upon the multiple “presences” emanating from the structure. Instantly familiar, a warm re-assurance like visiting a favourite aunt. The presences unattached, tendrils flailing around, the connection not sealed or finalised and out of reach, Helice unable to attach her mind's thread.

Frustrated, Helice needed to return to the Seer Circle, withdrawing her presence, the strand thickening and strengthening as she approached Hillperch, the strain she didn’t realise she subjected herself to reducing proportionately. During her despair she realised a Shrine connected to another Shrine, when a Seer attuned one Shrine, she needed to attune the paired Shrine. Perhaps if she attuned the Shrine in Hillperch the tendril would find anchor. Being near the Temples, none of the sisters were prepared to be questioned while they attuned it during the day. None attempting during the night, until now.

Helice blinked her eyes, her mind settled. “Mistress, I need to attune the Shrine of Saph in Hillperch. The link is loose and not anchored in Lonely Keep and impossible for me to contact. I am reasonably confident this is the answer, although I will need to try it now.”

“Go, this is new to us all and if you need to attune the Shrine of Saph here then do so. We will wait. Oh, you may be able to help Jocasta on your way out,” Charis smiled.

Helice raced down the stairs in time to see Jocasta lead the three assassins into the Meeting Room with a plate of food. Helice’s climbing down the stairs, her boots clomping, alerting their three guests, who scurried a little faster as they recalled Helice and her dagger. Jocasta’s wide smile and chortle disguised as a cough, hurried after them.

Helice appreciated the layered clothes, retaining her warmth and affective against the cold repelling the chill wind. Her cloaked head down, turned away from the assault. Pushing through knee deep snow tiring, although equally dangerous the smooth ice. Helice proceeded cautiously, were she to lose her footing she would end up on her back winded or the back of her head smashed. Reaching the Shrine, Helice studied the Temples and Buildings surrounding the Shrine content their windows and doors were firmly shut due to the cold. She expertly attuned the Shrine, once a Seer always a Seer she thought, thankful for Saph’s blessing enabling her to quickly succeed at night.

Although excited, she restrained herself to tread carefully, returning safely. Gone for most of one bell she entered the House and asked a waiting Jocasta about the assassins. Jocasta led her to the Meeting Room and opened the door. The three assassins were semi naked and entwined, but asleep.

“Mistress said to use only a little and put it in the food and the drink. It took some time to work as you can see, they found something to do while they waited.” Helice nodded. Jocasta’s face priceless in its condemnation of the Assassin Seer adults before her.

“Can you try to dress at least one like I am, as they may go to a place that is very cold? Can you do that?”

“I can try, they aren’t that heavy, I guess. I will probably steal some clothes from the other two. That should work I reckon.”

“Thank you.” Helice kissed her on the top of her head and left in haste upstairs. Jocasta didn’t know what to make of the kiss, Helice different somehow to the rest, very Charis focused and not many others rated her attention really. Therefore, a kiss on her head significant? Maybe her way of saying she needed one of these assassins to be ready. Shrugging her shoulders Jocasta started by untangling the easiest one and then gathering the clothes already flung about the room. Finally, flopping the untangled assassin one way and then the other as necessary to clothe her.

Helice returned in triumph and except for the Seer Circle indulging in some playful pleasure making, the Training Room appeared as she left it. Although, one oddity she noticed, Dione and Zoe shared company with each other. The Seers reformed the Seer Circle and Helice met Charis in the middle.

Helice travelled to the Shrine at Lonely Keep and located the attuned link once again as a joined tendril, anchored to the Shrine at Hillperch and traversing this with her mind near effortless. She then witnessed a tendril leave the Shrine at Hillperch and anchor at the city. There were also some loose tendrils leaving from Hillperch to elsewhere. She felt the need right there and then to tie down those loose tendrils, requiring a force of will on her part to resist the urge to run out of the House to who knows where! This influence the first time her Seer Skill wanted to control her, doubting now the idea and urgent need to attune the Shrine at Hillperch belonged solely to her.

Charis’ embrace allowed the Seer Circle’s magic reserve to flow into Helice and Helice utilised the magic to grab hold of the tendril, which originated in Hillperch and terminated in Lonely Keep. Then she willed herself there. Her mind leading the way, which then summoned her body to follow, the Shrine acting as an anchor point.

“I am here! I am here! The wind is howling off the mountains and I am so glad Zoe told me to wear layers! How do I get back now?” sent Helice.

Charis attempted to repeat Helice’s actions. She tried to visualise the Shrine at Lonely Keep and connect with it. Helice, within the Seer Circle sensed Charis’ struggle, the time, effort and magic expended. Helice considered pushing through the snow to reach the Inn and transfer back the usual way with the assistance of Elpis when Charis announced she found the tendril at Lonely Keep’s Shrine and now connected. A bead of fine sweat popped from Charis’ forehead the effort a physical one as well. Helice realised Charis consumed a significant amount of magic from the Seer Circle to accomplish what she couldn’t, should Helice be in awe or concerned.

“Helice active the Shrine and I will try to ‘catch you’ off the tendril.”

“No Mistress allow us. You have an affinity for the magic, but this is Seers work and requires Seer training and bonding. Helice is intimately ours, a triplet to Clymene and me in all but blood. Our appearances are different, our cores though are bonded, when she is on the tendril there will be no try, she will answer our summons when we reach out for her.”

Charis maintained her link to the Shrine at the Lonely Keep. She then channelled magic to Alcmene and Clymene from the Seer Circle. The twins then called upon Helice to activate the Shrine. Helice easily traced the link between the Lonely Keep and Hillperch, another phrase spoken, and she would arrive in Hillperch at the Shrine she recently attuned. She hoped beyond hope, if her sisters failed to retrieve her, the worst case would be her unexpected arrival at the Hillperch Shrine.

For Alcmene and Clymene, they utilised Charis’ link to the Lonely Keep Shrine, the link acting as an anchor or a beacon. From which they fetched Helice, very similar to the ‘way’ they transferred Seers with a Seer anchor. A soft pop sound echoed about the Training Room and Helice stood before them. The Daughters celebrated, none more so than Helice, she hugged Charis, Clymene and then Alcmene, whom she clung to for a good while.

During the hugging Charis took advantage of the skin contact. “Your method wasn’t of my original intend … and I am glad. My folly could have placed Helice in unknown danger, I apologise for assuming I knew something, I didn’t.”

“We acknowledge our Temple taught Seer Skills are rigid and archaic, the basis of them though is hundreds of years of practice. We appreciate you setting us free Mistress, to discover beyond our wildest dreams exploring the unconventional, most importantly though Mistress, our Mistress, we value the trust and belief you have in our advice.” Their Mistress received the sent reply as a blend of the three Seers and unusually for Seer communication each word carried a full worth of emotion. Charis needed to grasp them a moment or two longer, wiping her tears upon Alcmene’s Seer Robe.

Charis stepped back and returned quickly to the business at hand. “Alcmene or Clymene have you attuned the Shrine in the City and, or the Shrine in Hillperch?”

“Neither Mistress,” they answered.

Charis thought aloud. “If we send Helice, there is only me to try and catch her back and I am not going to gamble on her life. Therefore, I think we should try to use the Shrines.”

The Seers broke their hugs and paid more attention to their Mistress.

“We need a large tent around the Shrine in Hillperch, a few can, with suitable clothing be about it and clean it, purely a diversion, an act. We will need to use some pull carts to hide some Seers and Assassins in.” Charis stroked her chin, utilising thumb and forefinger, bringing silent grins to several faces observing her.

“Then Helice activates the Shrine, taking herself, Alcmene, Clymene, Niobe and the three assassins to the city. The assassins can be piled upon each other for warmth until they awake or are discovered. Alcmene, Clymene and Niobe can attune the City Shrine and it can then be activated to return you to Hillperch at which time the cleaning can suddenly be completed and all return to the House.”

Charis scanned the faces of her Seers, who acted upon sent instructions, grabbing non-Seers as required.

Helice vanished downstairs and into the Meeting Room, signing to Jocasta to join her. Together, stealing clothes from the White Room as required to dress the three assassins in layers of clothing. Alexis, Korinna and Hagne arriving to assist.

Zoe, Astera and Thyia prepared one pull cart, lining the interior with rugs and furs and then finding layers of clothing for themselves. Otonia, Kyra and Nysa doing the same to another.

Alcmene, Clymene and Niobe ran to their room to layer upon as many clothes as possible.

The assassins were loaded into one cart, while the Seers hid in the other. Zoe, Astera and Thyia pulled one, while Otonia, Kyra and Nysa pulled the other.

It took most of one bell to arrive at the deserted Shrine, a cart positioned either side. The Warrior Sisters threw a heavy canvas over the two carts forming a tent of sorts between them, the Shrine acting as a centre pole. The makeshift shelter tied down to the carts keeping the worst of the Death Season weather away.

Alcmene, Clymene, Niobe and Zosime quickly attuned the Shrine of Hillperch. The escort of Zoe, Astera, Thyia, Otonia, Kyra and Nysa pulled the assassins from the other cart and placed them at the required positions around the Shrine. The Seers stepped up to their positions and using a share of magic from each, Helice activated the Shrine and they were gone. The assassins were not. The unconscious bodies of their former guests remaining where they were placed.

Not to waste the opportunity, Alcmene, Clymene and Niobe attuned the Shrine in the city, the thin layer of snow not disguising the truth of a perfectly maintained Shrine. They triggered the Shrine to return to Hillperch with Helice. They next tried to carry an assassin each while Helice activated the Shrine and only Helice left and then soon returned disappointed.

“Mistress, we haven’t been able to take the assassins to the City. You can only use the Shrine if you are conscious, it would seem,” sent Helice.

“Wait I will ask Jocasta how much ointment she used.”

“Sisters keep a careful watch for Temple Guards and warn me if they show any interest,” asked Helice.

“Try to wake them, use the snow and maybe some slapping, if you can’t do so then return with them and we will think of something else. Bind them and blindfold them in case the wake on the return journey.”

“Yes Mistress.”

It took some time and they were thirsty when they woke, half dazed as they were physically woken before naturally due. The seer-sisters propped the assassins half-aware and half-awake against the Shrine and Helice activated the Shrine.

Those remaining cleaned the Shrine, just in case someone spied upon their activity and therefore tempted to ask questions.

At the City snow continued to fall. They wondered how the Shrine worked as they thought it must be clean to do so. When they brushed some of the snow away the Shrine was perfectly clean, almost to a polish. Helice started dragging one of the assassins to a shop awning; it at least would keep the snow off her. Alcmene, Clymene and Niobe attuned the Shrine and as Helice returned they all helped with the other two assassins.

They lined up around the Shrine again and as Helice activated the Shrine, she thought she heard a shout from one of the assassins, she couldn’t be sure. Well they didn’t re-apply any ointment in case they froze in the snow, even sheltered, so perhaps.

The Seers appeared and Astera told them to get into their cart immediately. Temple Guards were beginning to take an interest and she suspected their delay due to a search for some warm clothes before marching out. Zoe, Kyra and Nysa pulled the Seer filled cart away collapsing half the tent when Astera noticed the Temple Guards assembling and preparing to investigate.

Otonia, Astera and Thyia largely ignored the Guards once the cart transporting the Seers cleared the Square and disappeared amongst the streets and lanes of the Town. They made themselves busy while waiting to be approached and questioned.

“What are you doing there?”

Astera popped her head around the flap of the tent and gapped at the Guard, acting as surprised as her talent or lack of permitted.

“We are cleaning the Shrine of Saph,” she answered.

“Well we can see you are doing something here, but why and on whose authority!”

“We were commanded to do so, by Charis the Young, Mistress of the Daughters of the Duchess.”

He stopped to think for a moment and looked to the Guard on his left before turning back to her.

“Why did she command you to do so?”

“She is on a Geas as given to her by the Seer, the White Lady, when called to do so she must ensure the Shrine nearest to her is cleaned. She has this Geas under threat of death.”

The Guard asking the questions responded to a tap on the shoulder, turning he followed the line of sight the guard behind him wanted to follow. There stood several Mother Superior at the Temple doors.

“Wait here, I have been asked to report.”

“We are about finished but will wait until you are satisfied before we leave.”

After some time, the Guard returned, slowed somewhat as a Mother Superior accompanied him and while rugged up in warm clothes, her body shook and any exposed flesh coloured blue. She moved as quickly and as gracefully as she could to be under the makeshift tent and in the company of other bodies, trying to warm against their meagre body heat.

“Pass on our thanks to your Mistress. I have been advised of your Mistress’ Geas by a trusted Single Seer in the City that I have known for many years and she was most profound in her praise of your Mistress’ dedication.”

“I will Mother Superior. My Mistress has an illness of sorts. Mostly body aliments, like stomach upset, unable to keep food down and nothing she tries works. Then she remembered her Geas and asked us out to clean the Shrine. We hope to return to find her in good health.”

“Yes, that would be the link, a direct effect on the health, it is most definitely a Geas set upon her life. It is an unusual burden, given the White Lady placed it upon her.”

“My Mistress doesn’t hope to understand the predictions of the Seers in this, she just knows she must play her part to ensure she remains whole and healthy.”

“There was a time long ago when it was thought these Shrines weren’t just for our most venerated Seers to dedicate themselves to but could be used for other purposes. These other purposes required for the Shrine to be well maintained and kept ready, which in subsequent years fell away unless a Single Seer like my good friend in the City commits to the task as her life duty.”

“Now you talk over my understanding Mother Superior, I talk best with Spear and Shield and I do as my Mistress bids me, for I have sworn an oath of loyalty to her. She tells me to clean a Shrine, then I clean a Shrine and I will be overjoyed if this means her health is restored.”

“Thank you and I apologise for any interruption we may have caused.”

“We are happy to get out of this cold now, so we will pack up and go.”

The Mother Superior paused as she turned away.

“One last thing, the guards noticed earlier in the night someone attending the shrine, would you know anything about that visit perhaps?”

“My name is Otonia Mother Superior, you saw a follower of our Mistress, she was sent to check the Shrine and see if it was clean or not. She reported that it could do with some cleaning, hence why we are here.”

“That explains it then, thank you.” The Mother Superior peaking out of the impromptu tent reluctantly.

“Mother Superior, if I may make a suggestion, ‘layers’,” at her raised eyebrow, “layers of clothing will repel the cold and wind better than one thick covering. We have a mountain trapper as one of our number and she suggested it. As you can see, we are still cold but not terribly so. We could escort you back to the temple if you would like, we have our cart.”

“How would you lift this old woman into your cart young girl?”

“Gracefully your Grace.” Otonia following her words with a polite bow.

The Mother Superior smiled and nodded.

Astera and Thyia held a shield for the Mother Superior to step upon and as they raised the shield Otonia held onto the venerable lady’s hand and walked her into the cart. She then settled amongst the rugs and furs, while the tent was placed well forward so no melting snow could reach her. They then pulled the cart to a side entrance of the Temple as suggested by the Mother Superior. When the Guards noticed they hastened to assist.

As they were thinking how, the Mother Superior shot a quick smile to Astera.

“Use your shield man, have you no brains?” Eventually with some hints from the Mother Superior they used a Guard on each end of the shield and a Guard holding a hand of hers each. Then she was safely inside the Temple.

As they were turning the cart around the Guard Captain ran back out to them and thanked them for looking after her and passed on the Mother Superior’s thanks.

Astera, Otonia and Thyia then trudged back to the House. While their bodies were reasonably warm the snow melt was starting to discover ways into their boots. The three made their way to the Bath House and were pleasantly surprised to find some bodies in the water to warm up to.

“What do you think the Apprentices and their Mother Superior will make of them being in the City all of a sudden?” Helice asked, while savouring the sight of Astera, Otonia and Thyia removing their armour and excessive clothing.

“I did leave a note on one of them describing their ordeal. All they think they remember could be a dream or an illusion, after all it is Illusion Month. All a distraction while we, with difficulty and under considerable danger transported ‘you’ back to the city,” Charis replied, while offering a hand to assist another three sisters into the bath.

“It would have been a better Illusion if they found themselves in the outer part of the city, not near Temple Street and especially not near the Shrine,” mused Otonia, as she sunk into the water.

“Perhaps, I just hope they use the rest of Death Season to realise their potential and break free from the Mother Superior that controls them now she has nothing to offer.”

“Do you think the assassin attempts will stop?” timidly enquired Thyia, slightly overawed, sharing a bath with Charis and who the Daughters deferred to as the original companions. Thyia sidled over to Astera as Alcmene and Clymene joined after adding buckets of boiling water to the bath. Dione the sole original absent from this after mission chat.

“I don’t really know, but the more assassins we turn with … let us say enlightenment, instead of killing will be of benefit to us all, if there really is an ancient evil. Today also proved a strongly bonded sister attuned to a Shrine can take her Seer Sisters with her and so they can attune the destination Shrine. I thought a whole caravan of Seers would need to visit every Shrine like a caravan of peddlers and scare the villagers!”

“With the cleaning task today, it might be worthwhile getting the word out that all Daughters of the Duchess will actively find and clean Shrines as part of the Geas on their Mistress. That way they will be able to attune the Shrine with little interference or questioning and if questioned, they’re doing your will because of the Geas,” offered Astera, while wrapping a reassuring muscular arm around Thyia’s shoulders.

“Yes, a useful rumour, we will send it out when the roads open again,” agreed Charis.