No true worshipper of Judge or any of the Gods for that matter chanced with their life on the first day of Death Month in Death Season. No risk taken and no work performed as the bells tolled through the morning, afternoon and evening. The weight of death upon each living person crushing as families huddled together fearful of losing their soul forever on the most cursed day of the year. The bravest in any village, town or the city, the Bellman. He or she required to toll the bell, to mark the passing of the first day of Death Month, the wind howling, ladened with snow and sleet calling to them to surrender and submit to the wind chill.

The mood in the House of the Daughters of the Duchess equally subdued, matching the rest of the Dukedom and no amount of talk or distraction could change that, surely? Training cancelled, leaving the House forbidden and all partaking of cold rations for their meals.

“Jocasta how are the urchins, I worry for them at this time?” Charis asked.

“No need Mistress they have survived previous Death Season’s and the under floor is protected from the wind, which is their main killer, plus they have warmth from the oven and food from us, they don’t need much to survive, just something rather than nothing.”

“I trust your judgement in this,” said Charis, looking over her eyebrows.

Charis trusted her judgement, first day of Death Month or not Jocasta’s elation and pride couldn’t be subdued, a broad smile graced her face.

The Mistress of the Daughters determined to check on every resident during this day, to reassure them and herself, to keep herself busy. In years gone Charis and her father told stories and remembered the events of the past year and discussed the future, after Death Season, the hope of survival. Charis excited to renew her hunting trips with her companion, the second son of the Baron, the same each year, except this year. This year, unknown to her and his family, tragically different. The blood escaping Halius’ throat flashed before her eyes still a vivid memory …

“We will be careful Mistress, don’t worry,” said Niobe as she approached Charis in the upstairs hallway.

Charis reached out and embraced the surprised Seer Sister, clawing for the present, recovering from the encroaching sadness. The warmth of Niobe’s body reminding her of her current duty and strengthening her.

Niobe stroked Charis' short black hair tucking a stray wisp behind her Mistress’ ear, over the attached silver jewellery, which made her ears appear whole. The silver ear extensions an accepted natural adornment none remarked upon as they knew their Mistress’ story. Niobe rose upon her toes and quickly pecked at the corners of Charis’ eyes with her rosebud lips. The gathering salted tears cleared away before they could fall.

“We are here for you as much as you are for us Mistress, please remember and share your burdens. I couldn’t have survived without trusting Helice, Alcmene and Clymene.” Niobe’s head lent to one side, eyes open searching Charis’ face for acknowledgement.

With a brief enclosing and release of their hug Charis stared at her saviour, resisting the urge to scream her mourning and regret across the entire Seer Circle. Helice, Alcmene and Clymene teaching her well, to hold her thoughts and guard them. Somehow this hiding wrong, given the openness achieved within the Seer Circle, a gift non-Seers could never obtain and yet Alcmene and Clymene insisted, supported by Helice with the explanation – Temple Politics. The Daughters weren’t in a Seer Temple, were they?

“Thank-you for reminding me, especially on this day.”

Niobe bounced away from her Mistress, delighted, smiling. Charis resumed her search for Ismene and unknown to her, Niobe paused at the door to the Seers Bedroom, studying her Mistress’ weighted steps deciding in the moment to inform Helice, Alcmene and Clymene since her Mistress resisted her friendly sending invitation during their embrace.

---

Ismene would know about their supplies and how they were lasting. Charis eventually found her in the Store Room on the ground floor, which looked much emptier than it should be for this time of season.

“Will we have enough supplies to see us through Death Season and a little beyond into Birth Season?”

Ismene jumped in surprise and turned to face her questioner, immediately losing her annoyance when she recognised who questioned her. The question asked at different times, from different sisters during Death Season and Ismene needing to reassure them of their situation, time and time again.

“Sorry Mistress, you surprised me, I was checking on our supplies.”

“Do you have anything to tell me?”

“Supplies wise, yes. I needed to store some supplies in the Store Room upstairs and it is probably time they were moved to here, so sisters stop asking me about supplies. The meals will be fairly ordinary from here on in though Mistress.”

“You have done an excellent job then. Ask for some help and move the supplies, but make this tomorrow, not today.”

“Yes Mistress.”

Charis then went looking for Dione. It didn’t take long as a regular dull sound could be heard from within her room. The door ajar Charis poked her head inside. Dione threw a pointed object at the wall, retrieved it and threw it again.

“What do you have there?”

“Hello Mistress, the assassin sisters call them throwing points, they’re good when they hit flesh, they’re not as effective against armour, but they’re quick and silent.”

“How are the stables?”

“My stallion is bored of course they don’t get much exercise, although the Carpenters are doing their best. They will all need some conditioning when Death Season breaks.”

“Well that is to be expected. Thank you, sister.”

Another throwing point hit the wall with a thunk as Charis closed the door.

---

The screaming and yelling filtered upstairs and Charis responded by sprinting towards it, taking the circular stairs two steps at a time, Dione following. As Charis met others, she barked orders to return when armed and armoured and not come back until they were. The panicked howling echoing from beneath the ground floor Training Room.

Astera there first, bending over and flinging the trapdoor open with a crash against the wooden floor.

The light from the Training Room acted like a beacon, showing the path to salvation as a boiling of scrawny children burst into the Training Room. Astera lifted them out, grabbing for raised grubby hands as they appeared, the lightest flying across the Training Room to be caught by gawking sisters before they hit the floor. The warrior sister not tempering her actions in her haste.

They all screamed “Dead People!” Their catchers then embraced by their skin and bone bodies and almost gagging on their stink.

Charis knew what they meant as did several other sisters and stood impatiently while being dressed in armour. A circle of spear armed sisters surrounded the trapdoor waiting to strike, even though the spears were fire hardened tipped, proper spears forbidden by the Town Council within the town. Zoe positioned beside the warmth of the stove ready to release a torrent of arrows from her mini bow if required. Kyra and Nysa made ready to wield with their wooden swords and advance as opportunity presented itself.

The first day of Death Month, a chill lanced down Charis’ spine. She wouldn’t permit any to die this day, she couldn’t. Perhaps close the trapdoor and ignore the threat? To attack this day would mean a planned attack, the townsfolk reluctant to risk their lives, the walking dead ignorant of the snow and wind chill, ever jealous and reaching to slay the living.

“We are one Mistress, you lead we follow, regardless of the danger we trust you now and forever …” The Seer Circle, led by Helice, supported primarily by Clymene and Alcmene and strengthened by the remainder broke through to her thoughts. The emotion and weight of the contact greater than the words, their absolute belief in her holding Charis high, the Seer Circle adding their strength, their confidence and their determination. The enemy to the living can’t be ignored!

“Stab them in their heads or use fire although we don’t want to burn our house down!” commanded Charis, newly energised to purpose. The non-Seers snapped to attention at once, resolute and determined, the momentary indecision of their Mistress forgotten. The Seers overflowed their joy, bathing their Mistress in their shared emotion shattering the concept of reserved Seer contact as taught to many of them by their Mother Superiors.

“We have a bucket brigade to the Bath Room Mistress, so we are prepared,” informed Ismene.

The first walking dead’s head appeared above the floor level and Kyra accurately impaled its eye socket. The body slid back down through the trapdoor, deactivated, the evil magic animating it severed. The dried dead husk devoid of blood as none escaped via the wound.

“Mistress! Mistress! Wormy made it out of the secret entrance,” shouted Jocasta.

Charis turned her attention towards Wormy who rapidly gibbered incoherent and panicked words.

“Jocasta, what does he say?”

“They’re packing under the floor boards, he thinks they mean to push up from underneath.”

The strength of the elder’s charm on their House would be tested this day, although Charis decided to assist. The one chokehold through the trapdoor easily managed, a destroyed floor probably impossible.

“Zoe, warm clothes, carry lamp oil and fire up some arrows and look to target some through the secret passage, Wormy will show you where. Niobe, Ismene and Agape prepare and go with her. Dirce and Drosis Spear and Shield to protect them. Your purpose to prevent them from gathering. The floor boards should resist fire to a certain level, so don’t allow any oil to be splashed on it. Go!”

“Keep me informed sister,” sent Charis to Niobe. The return confirmation delayed and laced with doubt, her Mistress reassured Niobe, she knew this enemy, she had survived this enemy and Ismene and Agape trusted her to see them through.

The walking dead kept appearing through the trap door and between Kyra and Nysa they kept stabbing at their heads. During the occasional miss hit, either Astera or Thyia speared them in place for Kyra and Nysa to try again. Zoe and her team were ready and signalled to Charis. They took the tent with them to try and reduce the wind chill if they could set it to stand against the gusting wind.

After another bell sounded the walking dead appeared with burns, still clawing through the trap door to be destroyed by the warrior sisters lying in wait. After another bell the number appearing slowed considerably.

Niobe and her team made their way back into the Training Room, cold and tired although still eager.

“Direct your team to stand by the oven and stove for warmth, your warrior sisters have the trapdoor covered,” sent Charis, relieved with their return, the nagging prospect of loss taunting her on this cursed day.

“Mistress, the numbers of burnt and dead outnumber those still trying to move so they can’t do whatever they were planning to. We didn’t try to burn them down as the dead bodies would assist us, so they shouldn’t be able to add anymore into the space to do anything,” reported Zoe, while warming herself beside the oven.

“Wormy says they came up out of the ground,” added Jocasta.

“Where did they come up?” Charis grabbed Wormy by his shoulders making him jump, his eyes wide as round shields focused entirely upon Charis.

“Not too far from the hatch, everyone tried to escape using the secret way, but all couldn’t in time and as they came forward, we ran around them screaming to get to the hatch, which quickly opened, and we climbed out to escape,” gasped Wormy, relieved when Charis release her grasp.

“Poor buckets of water down the hatch, it will create a natural run to the hole. Once that is done, we will follow with oil, so none splashes away staying to burn under the floor.”

They poured water for at least half a bell and then commenced tipping the oil down the trapdoor. Five barrels of oil satisfied Charis and she threw an ember from the stove through the trap door. The oil ignited with a flash and quickly blazed along the oil stream leading away from the trapdoor. A billowing waft of smoke escaped through the trapdoor, forcing Charis to close it. As time passed Charis checked the heat of the floor with her bare hands and found no hot spots. She then opened the trapdoor and waited. Nothing appeared, not even smoke. She stooped to look down, but didn’t get the chance, as both Astera and Helice pulled her back.

“No Mistress,” shouted Astera.

“No Mistress,” sent Helice.

Astera threw a lit torch down first and then peered over the edge of the trapdoor.

No movement and before any could stop her, Astera dropped through the trapdoor. Helice handed Astera another torch as she waited on her haunches, crouched down to detect anything approaching her. Peering at each corner through the gloom, duck walking away from the trapdoor to be sure of her throw, she threw the torch to the far end of the under floor. Burnt dead husks remained. Helice suspended her legs over the edge of the trapdoor and then jumped through with another torch.

“It seems clear Mistress, pass Astera’s shield down please, wielded sideways it will block any attack under here.”

Astera found the hole; larger than she thought possible. Helice passed Astera’s shield to her, angling it sideways to protect her cramped body, peering over its long edge for a change.

“Send Thyia down Mistress, spear and shield, the hole is huge, we should be able to have at least four descend into the space below it. Prepare Kyra and Nysa to be next. Ask Thyia to fetch more rope.”

Helice relayed Astera’s message to Charis and tapped Astera on the shoulder.

“Don’t jump, we will use the rope you asked for.” Helice flashed her teeth in a cheeky smile, teasing Astera by stating the obvious.

Astera’s deadpan reply immediate. “Thanks sister your wisdom most welcome.”

---

Thyia and Helice anchored the rope between them, slowly lowering Astera through the hole; shield on her back, relieved when she touched the floor of the cave and no violence done to her. As she grasped her spear being passed down, she felt safe again, at the very least able to defend. The meagre light from the torch above her meant the size of the cave remained unknown, shadows surrounding her and while nervously waiting concentrated on listening.

Kyra and Nysa joined Helice and Thyia at the lip of the cavern, the three easily lowering Thyia next as she placed one foot in a loop at the end of the rope, using one hand to grasp the rope and the other hand to hold a torch. Spear and Shield passed to Thyia, shield slung across her back, torch in her left, spear in her right hand, tapping Astera’s shoulder with it when ready to move out. The newly arrived flickering glow pushed back the dark and with a torch bearer behind her, Astera moved forward. They were in a sizable cavern, dug out to hold a large number before a final push perhaps. There didn’t seem to be an easy way up from the cavern floor, like stairs, through the hole and into the underfloor. A mystery for another time.

With two standing guard in the Cavern, Helice knotted the rope along its length and tied it to a support post under the House. Each sister then sheathed their weapon and slung their shield across their back and clambered down into the cavern themselves. Astera, Thyia, Kyra and Nysa assembled in the cavern. Charis and Helice joined them with more torches. With six torches searching the extremes of the cavern they discovered a hidden passage of sorts. A carved stone wall extended out in front of the passageway forming a blind to the direct opening. From the cavern a narrow man-sized passage led away and downwards. Nysa led with wooden sword and shield, while Astera and Thyia followed trying to support her with spears raised high in one hand to strike passed her and a torch in the other, their shields on their backs.

They found some burnt bodies, which were stepped over, with Kyra stabbing the heads through their eye sockets to be sure. The passageways turned back on themselves as they went lower to limit the slope, any oil now burnt away, marking its fiery passage on the stone. Charis marvelled at the amount of work and time this would have taken. Were dead men instructed to dig it out? They would have needed guidance though, so if they did, some intelligence was required behind the effort and they would be meeting it soon, she thought. A tingle of doubt surfaced, did they need to confront evil on this day, especially this day.

The passageways were cut through solid rock, what type she did not know, although satisfied she finally found the source of scree in Spur Gap. The quantity of scree vast and the labour of many, for a year, two years, perhaps three, if not more, her guess an uneducated one. An occasional cavern interrupted their descent, although these seemed to be opportunist, an already existing cavity slightly enlarged, mainly to hold tools, many of which were worked to uselessness. They approached these carefully finding none with any movement in them and any dead discovered, eye socket stabbed to be sure.

Charis wondered at the cut passageways and caverns. No smoothing; walls, floors and roof all with chip marks, multiples ad infinitum. The passageways width enough now for two human sized persons to walk side by side or pass each other easily, the height taller than a human, perhaps as tall as someone swinging a pick axe over their head. She shook her head, amazed, a great deal of effort to burrow into their House!

A sweet smoke aroma greeted them, wafting up the passageway and warning them of a change ahead. Charis heartened as her warrior sisters paused as one, checking their purchase on weapons and torches alike and once focused marching on in their formation.

The torch light spread in an arc before their advance into the cavern proper. A huge cavern, the exit obvious, although blocked by a burnt melt of many bodies jammed together as if they were assembled and then caught fire and bumped into each other spreading the fire further until they could walk no more, several collapsing at least to their knees, others still standing held erect by others packed around them. They must have been ordered to escape, but their numbers just crushed and crammed partially burnt bodies into the narrow passageway exiting the cavern.

With the passage leading down further blocked Charis decided this cavern would provide the ideal site to rest and plan. Discarded wooden handles were gathered to start a fire to provide light to relieve the torch bearing warrior sisters, allowing them to wield weapon and shield. Charis contacted Clymene to send more sisters packing lanterns so the smoke would be reduced and cart water to drink, oil to use in the lanterns or on any walking dead. With the fire started, dead dry bodies were added, burning quickly with little smoke. The purpose being to clear the blocked access to the exit passageway as well as produce light.

When reinforcements appeared, lanterns were setup and positioned so the entire cavern was under light. The fires single purpose now to burn down the multitude of bodies. Charis deliberated upon how long this final break through would take, enough time for her to retrieve her Elven gift and return perhaps. She reasoned the unknown intelligence behind this elaborate long-term plan someone or something special and perhaps her Elven bow and arrows a bane. Perhaps Otonia and her knives would be needed also.

“Niobe stay and report anything amiss. Astera please command the defence of the passageway. Helice with me, I need to fetch something from my room. We will be back as soon as we can.”

“Yes Mistress.”

The walk back up the winding passageways strenuous, the slope testing every muscle and the exit from the top cavern in doubt until Ismene heard them call and lowered the knotted rope.

“Why are none at the exit?”

“Sorry Mistress, there is an attack on the town. Many walking dead are pushing on the New Gate trying to open it. The Town Militia is attending to the defence and calling for oil to burn them. I was seeing how much we could offer to the defence.”

“Where are the Seers? Did any go with our sisters to the wall?”

“The Seers contacted Rhea and Agatha to see if they are under attack and if not, to warn them. The Assassin Seers, Dione, Otonia and Alcmene went to the Gate to help the Town Militia when no one could contact either yourself or Helice. Clymene didn’t think you would want everyone to stay in the House with the Town in danger.”

“Did they at least wear layers of clothes against the cold and the wind?”

“Yes, Mistress they listened to Zoe, especially when she survived going outside the House to kill those walking dead under the House!”

“Good, who is left to defend the House?”

“Clymene, Thais and Alexa with the assistance of Jocasta and possibly the urchins, who are still in the Training Room trying to recover, also the elder, they should be more than able to defend the House.”

“Prepare to follow us back,” ordered Charis.

Charis sprinted to her room and retrieved her gifted Elven Bow and Arrows. She and Helice couldn’t contact Niobe, neither of them where aware of any substance, let alone rock that could prevent two Seers being able to contact each other. Charis and Helice raced with renewed urgency to return to the bottom cavern.

---

“Help us please! Helice? Alcmene? Clymene?” sent Niobe. None replied.

---

Niobe’s fearful panic clear and strong as Helice approached the final passageway to the cavern. Charis sensing Niobe’s distress also sending back assurances. Niobe reported many walking dead, why so many?

Charis and Helice rounded the final corner into the cavern and witnessed Astera, Thyia, Dirce, Drosis, Kyra and Nysa holding the line against numerous walking dead, both whole bodies and skeletons. The walking dead an irresistible force pushing forward making room for more of their kind, regardless of the occasional fallen husk around them.

With her sisters tiring, Charis took a lantern and threw it on the burnt down pyre and then followed up with throwing a few remaining dead on it to fuel it. Helice, Zoe, Agape and Ismene assisted. Ismene releasing fired arrows from her Zoe designed smaller short bow, Agape doing likewise from her hand crossbow. Neither successful as the battle ebbed and flowed too rapidly while trying to ensure they didn’t hit their warrior sisters. Zoe though positioned herself behind Astera and Thyia. A rhythm or dance between the three of them developed and her fired arrows struck the walking dead unerringly.

Charis decided this wasn’t enough and instructed Agape and Ismene to kneel on all fours, allowing Zoe to climb upon them and release at height her back hair brushing against the stone roof of the cavern. Her arrows struck well to the back of the mob and started them burning. Charis and Helice fetched more dead near to Zoe starting a new pyre beside her, Helice then able to rapidly pass fired arrows to her.

The warrior sisters holding the line then commenced a push back, step by step, shields leading forcing those walking dead on the outer back into those on fire. As they pushed towards the passageway, the cavern narrowed, Astera ordered Dirce and Drosis out of the line to rest. Charis took water to them and left it with them. The circle tightened and Zoe couldn’t target any more cleanly so jumped off her sisters, thanked them and helped them up. Next Kyra and Nysa retired from the line to rest and quench their thirst, while Zoe sniped with her bow between Astera and Thyia, the three resuming their dance.

Charis asked Helice to touch her arm. Charis grabbed the necks of Dirce and Drosis and started to heal with the magic she could muster. It wasn’t overwhelming but it was enough, they both ran to the line and relieved Astera and Thyia who were well and truly spent.

Lying on her back trying to recover Astera still needed to report.

Astera sighed, “The remaining number blocking the passageway must have been few, the new ones pushed and burst past them with numbers and while we were cleaning them up more followed. It took some time to form a defence, which is when you showed Mistress. Welcome back by the way! We are lucky though as most don’t really have any weapons, just rotted skeletal hands.”

“Do we fight them and push them back or do we collapse the passageway somehow and seal it?” Charis asked to no one in particular.

“If they dug this out, they will dig past a cave in, we need to eliminate them somehow Mistress,” answered Niobe. “They need to be destroyed forever.” Her voice quivering and her eyes darting around the cavern. Niobe remembered them from before and this situation, an unpleasant return to the nightmare.

“There are more attacking the Town at the New Gate. I suspect that is where we should have been when the others rose up under the House, but the presence of the urchins alerted us to them. I suspect this is a deliberate attempt to attack us or me.”

“This digging would have taken a long time Mistress and while I would like to think us enough trouble to go to this amount of effort, I don’t think so, sorry Mistress,” replied Helice.

“Always bursting my bubble of self-importance and making sense Helice, perhaps you are very much right, and I am very much wrong. Even so, how do we destroy them?”

“They must have a source,” offered Astera, finally sitting up. “They can’t create themselves, so we need to find their source.”

“Yes, and it is time to help our sisters in the line,” Thyia said.

Charis examined their stalemate; they could hold the line and kill the occasional walking dead, unfortunately, their number seemed unlimited and her sisters would tire. The floor of the cavern consisted of solid rock, chipped by hand to be somewhat level, therefore smoother than a natural cavern and consequently offering no possibility of digging a trench to trip them in, or set up stakes to impale them. They could release some and use bow and arrow to fire them, but their arrow supply would be less than their number.

Charis settled on a wall of dead bodies. The plan was to release a few through the line and then they would charge forward and stumble upon the wall and as they fell, they would be dispatched. The release would be closed again with the spear-sister pairs fighting back to back, two towards the passageway and two towards the cavern until all the walking dead in the cavern were dispatched. Kyra and Nysa would assist the other sisters to kill off the walking dead that were let through.

Charis allowed the tactic to continue for some time until she judged her sisters tiring. She asked Astera and Dirce to hold and let no more through as the cave was beginning to fill with dead bodies in any case. When Kyra and Nysa were sufficiently rested, they took over holding the passageway while the two spear and shield pairs rested. Not long after they called to Charis. The walking dead stopped coming; the passageway clear and dark.

As Charis approached, first Nysa and then Kyra were pushed back with considerable force. They were laid flat on their backs winded and above each a humanoid shape, once possibly human, now with blackened skin, all their teeth long and pointed, long fingernails, almost claws poised to strike.

Astera struck one; only a distraction and Thyia struck the other, again only a distraction. Enough though as Dirce and Drosis dragged Nysa and Kyra away from their pending doom. The walking dead then returned, Dirce and Drosis rushed around the newcomers towards the passageway to block their entrance using spear and shield. Any which escaped their attention being struck by burning arrows and quarrels from Zoe, Ismene and Agape. Nysa and Kyra struggled to catch their breath, helpless and cold to the bone.

“Mistress, our strikes do them no harm,” yelled Astera. “I know I have delivered at least two killing strikes.”

“Astera shield bash and then roll away, I will be ready.” Twenty-one heartbeats passed and then the creature momentarily stopped, stunned as Astera rolled away, its snarl of frustration haunting her. Charis willed her release to hit the creature’s heart, or where it would be if human. The shaft penetrated and the creature rocked back surprised, possibly, it was difficult for Charis to tell given such an ugly vicious face. Then the creature toppled backwards and didn’t move, the elven arrow standing proudly within its chest.

The creature opposing Thyia grabbed her shield and flung her to the side, smashing her against the stone wall of the cavern. Her body sliding down the stone wall unconscious. Without an obstacle the creature advanced upon Charis.

Charis, after the first use of her Elven bow, first release of an Elven arrow joined her kind. She reached a state of oneness with her Elven bow, the Items connecting the living gift to the half-elf in a celebration of life and awakening, the undead horror before her an abomination, simply needing to be destroyed. The creature’s claws poised above her, descending, its mouth open, razor sharp teeth ready to snap shut and rend her living flesh, ignored. Enlightened and connected an Elven arrow smoothly and easily readied as she drew back on her Elven bow. With calm poise she released the Elven arrow, caught the creature in the eye and staggering, it stepped back. The evil magic binding it and the creature’s body out of sync, its final attempt to snarl lost amongst the other clashes of arms in the cavern as it crashed to the cavern floor.

Her mind’s eye soared free, she remembered the way, blue sky, vast forest until reaching its centre, dominated by the majestic and ancient One Tree. Finally, a reunion and a return! The living wood of the bow made from the branches of the One Tree, freely grown and shaped to purpose the final finishing crafted by the Elven princes, her Elf Lord. Perhaps her Seer Skill enabled her to detect him within the essence of the bow? She understood now, half-elf, joined to elven faerie magic within the items, embracing the One Tree within the living Elven Bow. The Elven Bow a bridge between Charis, not a human and not an elf with faerie magic unable to grow and be nurtured into their final living forms to serve the One Tree and the Elven princes. Both halves incomplete, now discovering reconciliation from past torment and new purpose, a crusader and destroyer of evil beyond the leafy eaves of the Faerie Forest, equipped with a weapon eager to serve tuned to her heart and soul to be wielded, singing a song of destruction to the undeath.

Helice struck its head from its shoulders for good measure. As she bent to retrieve the arrow Charis sensed her reaching, breaking from her revelry, sending her a command to stop. Helice fought against the unfamiliar owner of the command, pushing back an instinctive response, until she realised her Mistress called to her. Helice required several moments to recognise her Mistress, her Seer link tentative, exploring and then welcomed. Faerie magic bloomed and shined bright across their Seer link connecting to each item within Helice transforming her items from passive sources of magic to active joyous servants keen to join Charis in her purpose.

---

Astera tended to Thyia, while Kyra and Nysa lay prone and incapacitated unable to relieve Dirce and Drosis defending the passageway. Charis recovered both of her arrows and placed them carefully back into her quiver. While Helice cut the head off the creature Charis slew through the heart.

“Helice ask Ismene and Agape to assist and burn their heads and bodies in two separate pyres while I tend to our warrior sisters.”

Helice called upon Ismene and Agape as instructed.

Charis smiled upon Thyia who weakly returned her Mistress’ notice. Thyia’s head rested across Astera’s lap with Astera’s using a damp cloth on her forehead whispering to her to ensure she didn’t sleep. Astera more aware than Thyia, inhaled deeply as Charis’ lips clamped down upon Thyia’s. Thyia’s brown eyes widening with each passing, although rapidly increasing heartbeat.

A Seer link provided an intimate one on one connection, the items within both Seers recognising the pathway, leveraging the bridge. For non-Seers, flesh to flesh touch the accepted method in the past, primarily for Charis’ healing gift. Charis’ items realised her purpose and an inner voice eagerly suggested alternatives. Charis inwardly smiled when she initially hurried to Astera and Thyia, the first required the practitioner and the patent’s respective items to break the surface of their skins so they could touch and make contact. Considering the position of most items, both Charis and Thyia would need to be naked, not the most appropriate condition in the present circumstances. Another involved wrapping Charis’ lips around an item embedded within Thyia and commanding it to break the surface of the skin, somewhat troublesome when fully armoured and on a battlefield.

Upon asking a third time, Charis accepted the intimacy of a passionate kiss with her patient. It provided the skin to skin contact, the exchange of saliva and breath. Three contact mediums to enable her healing to transfer to her patient. Thyia’s items knew her body intimately, grafted to her flesh providing a store of magic and gifting subtle enhancements. While Charis provided her gift of healing, Thyia’s items specifically directed the healing flow to best cure what afflicts or ails her. Charis senses the faerie magic required is slightly reduced, although different injuries are difficult to compare, the more important benefit needs to be asked about.

Breaking their lip lock, Charis asks, “Do you wish to lay with me now Thyia?”

Thyia glances at Astera and then back to Charis, sitting up and spinning to face Charis across Astera’s shapely toned thighs and legs.

“I would accept the invitation as would any amongst our company, it is a oneness we all feel towards you,” half whispered Thyia. “If you are asking if I am compelled, like Dirce and Drosis once were or Zosime now seems to be … then I am sorry Mistress.” Her brown eyes searched for another pair of brown eyes, these glistening with moisture, threatening to tear. Instead Astera lent forward and Thyia, well-practiced met her lips half way. They savoured the moment for several heartbeats before realising Charis waited upon them and broke apart promptly, nodding by way of apology.

Charis reached across Astera to capture Thyia’s pointed chin in her hand.

“I am glad. I wish to heal, it is a great gift, I don’t wish to enslave. Dirce and Drosis were fortunate, being non-Seers their devotion passing. Zosime though …” Charis released her grasp and graced Thyia and Astera with a relieved smile, another burden lifted.

“I thank you for healing Thyia Mistress, as I recognise brain stunning from when I was a child. A man checking my father’s cattle was kicked in the buttocks and everyone, including the man laughed. We didn’t know his head struck a buried rock when he landed face first, his face covered in mud. He walked to the stream waving away any help and never returned. We found him after a time, his head slightly swollen and his eyes askew.”

Astera stroked Thyia’s short black hair.

“Thyia suffered the same and my heart leapt when her eyes widened during your kiss as they wandered alone prior and reminded me of her possible fate.” Astera reached towards Charis and ignoring her Mistress’ protest, wrapped her arms around her love’s saviour.

Charis heard Kyra’s cough, pivoting in time to observe blood trickle from her lips. Nysa feebly reaching out with her hand to comfort her. Without further hesitation Charis knelt beside Kyra as she grasped and coughed, no blood this time, trying to inhale her breathing short and shallow.

Charis locked her lips upon Kyra’s and within moments her breathing steadied, tasting her coppery blood a small price to pay. As Charis continued, an inner voice whispered to her, do not exchange blood. Several additional voices joined in, beware blood magic, powerful, seductive and you will be forever lost. Charis continued her kiss until Kyra’s items cast a pulse of faerie magic to signal her to break the kiss.

Kyra’s eyes blinked and she drew herself up into a sitting position. Her eyes then locked upon Nysa, following Charis’ movement towards her warrior sister. She then drew back slightly as her Mistress locked lips with Nysa and while confused, at Astera’s prompting; her finger across her lips, remained silent.

Nysa’s items welcomed Charis’ healing as Kyra’s and Thyia’s before her. Something else made its presence known, awaken maybe, strengthened perhaps as Nysa’s items utilised Charis’ healing to mend her body and spark an inner truth, which rested dormant, many years dormant.

Charis needed to wrestle Nysa to maintain their kiss, a futile action as Nysa’s muscular body grouped her muscles in a co-ordinated action to lift and lever Charis above her, no craning of Charis’ head and neck could resume their kiss. Astera and Kyra approached either side, while Helice watched amused.

“Well don’t just stand there Helice, tickle her or something!”

“You seem to have everything under control though, you are on top so you must be winning!”

“Helice!”

“What if my efforts startle her, Astera and Kyra are nearer than I and they do nothing.”

“Well I will ask Niobe to rescue me since my bodyguard seems somewhat amused and indecisive.”

“Don’t be hasty Mistress, after all two out of three isn’t bad?”

“What do you mean by that? Oh, funny, very droll. Thyia and Kyra healed, Nysa healed and somewhat changed?”

---

Dirce and Drosis advanced into the passageway proper at Niobe’s urging, Zoe, Ismene and Agape in support, finishing off a few stranglers, half burnt and re-animating when the sister’s living flesh baited them to attack. Satisfied they cleared the immediate threat, they decided to return to the cavern and the safety of their sisters. Zoe talking sense to Niobe pointing out Dirce and Drosis needed rest and ignoring Ismene and Agape’s support of the seer sister’s preference to slay them all!

Zoe lurked in the shadow of the passageway just beyond the cavern exit, crouched and on alert. Dirce and Drosis strode into the cavern proper before stopping in their tracks; Niobe, Ismene and Agape running into them muttering under their breaths until they worked their way around their warrior sisters and likewise stood transfixed by the scene before them and of the same mind as Astera and Kyra undecided what to do, their waving eventually attracting the attention of Thyia who shrugged her shoulders, frustrating them all the more.

---

Her Mistress’ kiss a welcome relief. Nysa knew at least two of her ribs broke when the creature flung her away, fortunately they didn’t puncture her lungs, like she suspected happened to Kyra. Her head ached, concussion, perhaps cracked skull she didn’t reach to confirm, the smell of her own blood a hint. She remembered trying to wave her arm at Kyra and then nothing. Judge Knights were taught first aid by the Priestess' of Ure and to attend to the silent ones first, if wounded were screaming, they told you without looking they were alive, at least for now, those without a voice were the mystery.

She couldn’t blame Charis, coughing up blood, certainly an in your face, I need help sign to the untrained. Nysa resigned then to pass silently, hopeful her sisters would burn her body high upon a pyre so she could join Judge. While unconscious descending into death she felt his presence, he embraced her with his godly love and light and then regaining her senses due to Charis’ healing he faded, his love gone first and then his light dimmed. Tears streamed from her green eyes, a torrent of lost hope. Her one desire to reach for and be anointed by Judge, his servant to smite evil and right wrongs, protect the weak, be his judgement among mortals, slipping away.

Nysa didn’t forget the pleasure of Charis’ kissing her and the lips upon hers now seemingly familiar. Confusion though, since when did Charis need to kiss to heal? Nysa discarded the want to determine the why, what, when and how, prioritising the need to stop it, while she still felt his light within her.

She held her Mistress away, ignoring her seeking lips. Still the light faded until without a whimper it became nothing. She felt his love and light, near to her death certainly and when she died would she sit beside him? She wouldn’t know, her Mistress healed her, brought her back from death. The word death echoed around her, deepest Death Season, the first day of Death Month Judge would be at his weakest? Between the first day of Truth Month and the last day of Law Month during Birth Season Judge is strongest.

Upon reflection, Nysa discarded the sensation of love and light she desperately yearned for at Death’s Door, it would have been illusion she convinced herself. Tears continued to flow, this time due to temptation, saved due to the woman she held aloft and away from her. Resigned to her fate she quietened herself, steadied her breathing and reached for her inner soul. Judge Knights were trained to tap their inner soul, reach for Pure Truth and Just Law and make Judgement. For the first time in a long time, since her candidate test in fact, she made judgement tasting the evil around them, spreading her judgement in an ever-widening circle. Finding nothing, no evil doer, no single entity responsible.

Disappointment, her belief in herself never stronger, surrounded by companions who believed in her and supported her. Judge’s blessing bubbling up within her, she called him to her, utterly convinced of this truth and yet, empty. Time to lower Charis and release her, once again defeated despite her devotion.

Lower! Yes lower, you fool she admonished herself!

Her confidence returned, almost overwhelming her, excitement, she would find truth, absolute belief fortifying her. Nysa spread her judgement, this time to lower levels, downwards whereas before she spread out level from her.

She previously read evil, a hidden or camouflaged evil, fleeting enough to trigger her judgement, not enough to deflect all the naysayers and doubters, a female Judge Knight with the blessing of judgement, impossible! If you have succeeded once, you can succeed again, can’t you they taunted and challenged her? Well go on try, demonstrate your judgement to us. Doubt crept in, they were right a female Judge Knight, never heard of, never recorded in known history, they were right she knew she would fail, and she did.

This time the evil pulsed strongly, no disguise, no camouflage, lower, another cavern or two further down perhaps. Her judgement concentrated upon it, rolled it around, examined it. Blood magic!

The air exhaled rapidly from Nysa’s lungs a heartbeat after her epiphany. Such an occurrence likely to happen when you drop your Mistress upon yourself.