With Charis’ support and well wishes Ismene sprang to her feet, leaving Charis and Helice alone in the Inner Cavern, staring at each other.

Her Mistress’ eye lids shadowed her eyes. “Tired?”

“An odd tired. When we were clearly considering passionate activity my body felt energised, eager. While listening to Ismene, I needed to force myself to pay attention, even though the mystery intrigued me.”

Helice’s green eyes danced with mischief surrounded by laugh lines. “Of course, you were interested Mistress, I have no doubt, a plain simple fact for certain.”

Charis lightly slapped Helice on her upper arm, smiling, while Helice’s cupid lips remained closed and serious.

“About time we found Astera and perhaps Nysa as I need some council.” Charis grabbed Helice by the arm, pulling the lingering miscreant after her.

---

The aroma of the Main Cavern, an understated mix of death, blood and decay greeted Charis and Helice as they rounded the last switchback before entering.

“Welcome to Hotel Cavern, Mistress and Helice,” announced Astera, bowing extravagantly trying to project humour into their pitiful situation.

“Yes, perhaps the fresh bodies of the waggoneers, despite the cold are beginning to announce their passing,” replied Charis.

“Actually Mistress, there are a combination of wonderous smells, and you are correct to start with the waggoneers, although their odour is due to excrement and urine. Otherwise some of their cargo is responsible for the more traditional smells of decay, the cold weather not as effective in a Cavern with several live warm bodies walking around. Finally, we reveal an unpleasant reality, the clear floor area opposite the stack of bodies is in fact blood soaked. I have never seen stone blood soaked, although granted, I am young, I wonder how many have lost their lives there and been drained of blood.” Astera shook slightly at the end of her report.

“If you have any ideas, I am keen to listen, although Nysa could be helpful since she has lived and trained in a Barracks before,” said Charis as she scanned the Cavern for any sign or trace of her.

“They should return shortly, Nysa, Kyra and Otonia went to survey the other Caverns and determine if any were suitable for other uses and to estimate how many corpses would need removal. While we wait … tea, Mistress?” enquired Astera.

Charis glanced at Helice and then nodded in agreement, her face brightening upon being offered. Perhaps the tea would clear the fetid taste threatening to dominate her taste and smell.

“Starting without us,” quipped Otonia; Nysa and Kyra in tow behind her.

“Certainly not, these three cups are for you, certainly not myself and my two accomplices, erm, guests,” replied Astera.

They all settled around the indoor or perhaps cavern campfire fuelled by the endless number of pick-handles to found within the caverns. The kettle refilled from a bucket by Astera and placed upon the campfire. The modest smoke a welcome change from other odours.

Nysa briefly pointed at the bucket. “We may not have to walk all the way to the House for water, one of the caverns, the fourth, has water seepage, which pools nicely below on the floor in a stone hollow, which must also leak in a fashion, as it doesn’t spill across the floor.”

“I hope the elder will be able to advise us how to best leverage it, one mistake could flood us out, although if water flowed through the caverns it could solve a number of issues,” said Charis, finishing with a smile and chortle.

Helice peeked sideways to confirm Charis tried to make a joke, failing of course, but …

“Don’t be amazed Helice, I can joke occasionally.”

“Oh. Personally, I did wonder myself Mistress, thinking water would be our strategy, good to know … it isn’t,” offered Otonia, straight faced.

Kyra gently tapped Otonia’s wrist in rebuke. “Of course, Otonia, so obvious a joke.”

Folding her arms, Charis replied, “Alright, no jokes, no attempt at jokes …”

A chorus of laughter broke out around her causing her to break off her confessional.

“It has been some time Mistress and we know the danger we are in, your concern for us and the burdens we don’t know about or understand, but we are here for you as you are for us,” said Astera.

Charis looked each in their eyes in turn and found love and support returned.

“I will try to improve my jokes, from now on …” Charis squeaked. Another round of laughter exploded, attracting the attention of other sisters in the Main Cavern, who joined, were offered tea and contributed to the conversation. Charis exchanged hugs and words of encouragement with each sister individually ensuring she didn’t miss one. She yearned for the contact without realising it, the first to embrace her, Thyia, who approached Charis and after parting the need surfaced like a long-lost friend. With each contact Charis’ outlook brightened, and the problems became challenges and the challenges were broken down into tasks. Sisters concerned about impossible challenges eagerly accepted a task, which they could wrap their mind and will around and get done.

Astera took charge of organising the defence of the Main Cavern and the ambushing of any visitors. A triple would be assigned to a shift and each triple assigned an Assassin Seer to assist with communication. The shifts would bunk in the Inner Cavern, once cleared of corpses.

Charis would discuss options with the elder, while Helice talked to Thais and Alexa about the long list of carpentry required.

Clymene would remain in charge of the House, with Ismene concerned with supplies and investigating the coin mystery.

---

The impromptu meeting over, Charis reached out to Astera.

“We will need to do something with the bodies, the most putrid are best placed outside in the cold for now were they and their smell can be frozen,” suggested Charis.

“Yes, we can stack them on the wagon and haul them out. We will leave them on the wagon once outside, tidy up later when our priorities reduce.”

“Agreed.” Charis placed a hand on each of Astera’s shoulders, Astera leaned forward and their foreheads met.

“We will survive this sister,” said Astera, a confidence in her voice. Charis returned a weak smile and strode off, Helice a shadow on her heels.

---

The climb up the passageways and caverns long and arduous, dodging piles of corpse husks a constant requirement. Charis calculated the effort required to haul them, well where? The most obvious place being the Main Cavern and then? As they dried, they created damp stuffy air around them, spoiling air already stale from being underground. Perhaps the corpse removal needed to be prioritised further up the list she conceded.

Observing Charis on the journey up Helice concluded someone, mostly herself of course, although others as well would need to constantly escort their Mistress. Her energy and her drive seem to wear rapidly. In the Main Cavern surrounded by her sisters Charis came alive, her old self. Alone now, she struggled with the climb or perhaps deep in thought, few words were spoken between them and Charis didn’t check the caverns. Helice would have expected Charis to check the caverns from personal interest, to know the lie of the land in case she needed to know for future use or plans. It was her way. Nothing, no deviation, total focus on reaching the House.

The Top Cavern! Helice celebrated, over the top celebrated grabbing Charis in a hug and spinning her around slowly. Charis rewarded her with a smile and she gradually improve her mood. Helice almost thought Charis was going to push her away, fortunately she didn’t, a good sign.

“Hello Mistress. Hello sister Helice,” the twins said the greeting in unison. They continued to pack away their tools, behind them the handrails for the new stairs reached up into the House, strong and secure.

Helice knew she was to discuss carpentry with the Twins and while loathed to leave Charis to continue unescorted, she didn’t see how she could excuse herself from their plan. She chose Plan B, not overly concerned if her Mistress “overheard her”.

“Clymene, the Mistress returns the House, don’t let her out of your sight, she has discovered her jokester side lately,” sent Helice.

“Well perhaps we can play some jokes on her,” sent Clymene.

“Thais and Alexa, we need your help, your carpentry skills and any ideas you have for a couple of challenges would be really appreciated,” announced Helice. Helice tried to lend gravity to her voice to ensure the twins knew their importance and any ideas of theirs would be valued.

They nodded in reply with grins and bright eyes.

“Yes sister, oh yes, whatever, wherever …” sent the twins, clapping their hands at the same time.

“Work first, play later young ones,” sent Clymene.

“Oh, Oh!” The face of each twin turned bright red against their fair skin.

“They known their priorities sister,” sent Helice, while winking at the twins. “Perhaps we speak instead?”

Both twins speechless, nodded.

Certain she held their attention, Helice informed them of the mountain of work before them. She assured them they could ask for help, from any sister and any good ideas certainly put them forward. Helice finished by grabbing them both in an affectionate bear hug. Upon release they returned to packing their tools away. Helice climbed the stairs into the House to find Clymene.

---

Charis greeted the stairway into the House as salvation and attacked the climb with the joy of someone returning home. Warmth greeted her, welcomed her and wrapped around her the moment she stepped into the Training Room. Then she wasn’t in control of herself. Niobe and Ismene started removing her armour and as she protested Clymene hovered by to slap her hands away playfully.

“No Mistress, time for some relaxation,” purred Clymene.

Naked they led her to the Baths and with soap and sponges reached for and scrubbed her down in every nook and cranny. Once done, they towelled her off, and dressed her in a fresh robe, taking good care of her armour and arms, especially avoiding her elven bow and arrows, which Charis placed to one side.

The aroma drew her out of the Bath Room, quickly being seated at a table in the Training Room to devour the prepared, piping hot stew waiting for her. To the side, rested a chilled cider. Raising one eyebrow in askance, Clymene flicked her head to indicate outside and they both laughed.

“Helice?” asked Charis.

“Never you mind. We shared the discussions using our Seer Skill and we know our burden and in particular your burden Mistress, so a little pampering is well overdue,” replied Clymene.

Charis didn’t detect another approach, the visitor betrayed by Clymene’s subtle recognition and acknowledgement.

With an undertone of humour, Charis snapped, “Why do you need to approach your Mistress?”

“Mistress! How did you know? My best sneaking, just like Zosime taught me.”

A high voice protesting, belonging to their youngest.

“Because, you were betrayed,” Charis squealed, mimicking Jocasta’s protest voice, nodding her head at Clymene.

Catching a confused Jocasta to her, Charis answered, “You Seer Sister’s eyes welcomed you, gave you permission to enter.”

“No fair Mistress, I will have to sneak up on all the people in a room, friends or not next time.”

“So, what do you need to discuss with your Mistress?”

“While I don’t want to, we are all needed to deal with the ugly cavern thing, so my training needs to wait. Then I can help and so can Zosime and, well Dione, although she has been busy anyways.”

Charis hugged her, nodding. Whether she drew her own conclusion or overheard other sisters discussing the effort required Charis welcomed Jocasta’s offer. Her training was briefly raised, and Charis accepted it could continue for now depending upon the number of visitors.

“Can I assist the twins?”

“Certainly, they are should be downstairs or not far along.”

“I asked them to wait for her Mistress, they will welcome a younger sister,” sent Clymene.

Jocasta bolted down the stairwell with the fearlessness of youth and gone from the room in an instant.

“We all wish to help Mistress.” Clymene teared, covering her condition by wrapping her arms around her Mistress’ shoulders, Ismene and Niobe joining moments later.

“Aren’t you supposed to be chatting with the elder? Instead I find you slacking off, bathed by the looks, fed most definitely and acquiring affection most wantonly!”

Charis snuck a sly peek at Helice, admiring the curve of Niobe’s breast restrained by her robe when she did. “Well I blame you for my current state!” retorted Charis, not moving and certainly not relinquishing the loving embrace she currently found herself in.

“I will wait, then will I? Wait until you are predisposed to acquiesce to fulfil the task of import recently assigned instead of dallying with delightful self-indulgent feminine designs!”

The four sisters subject to the weird, barely understood word conglomeration Helice tried to sell to them as a sentence broke away from their clutch, straightening to stare agog at their Seer Sister.

“What was that?” Charis asked, evidently on behalf of all present.

“Oh, nothing really. So now you are available, I believe we need to chat to the elder?”

Helice maintained her straight face throughout the brief conversation, unwilling to explain her ridiculous sentence any further.

“Thank-you sisters for your hospitality and considerations as it appears, I must be on my way,” said Charis, who stood and bowed slightly as she left the Training Room with Helice.

“You surprised me sister,” sent Clymene.

“This will sound juvenile, but I believe we must keep our Mistress entertained and in company, always. I will delay her as much as possible with the elder. Prepare something for her return to the Training Room.”

“She will need her armour, so we will have time. Take care of her sister.”

---

“Who were you chatting to?”

Helice twigged immediately, too many words, short sentences are required, flicks of consciousness to send, little concentration required.

“Clymene trying to get me to explain my sentence before,” replied Helice, shrugging a shoulder as naturally as possible.

“Possibly, although you don’t usually, shrug … come on then let us chat to the elder.”

Opening the door, Charis leading into the unsurprisingly, vacant elder’s room.

“Do we wait?” asked Helice.

“Wait for what?” A shrill winsome voice greeted them from above, next the elder’s head looked under her hanging bunk.

“Sorry elder, I didn’t realise you were sleeping,” acquiesced Helice.

“Sleeping? I am not sleeping young one, I am researching. Who said I was sleeping?”

Helice wondered if her rising voice meant anger or accusation or just plain trouble. Then Charis saved her.

“Tea elder?” asked Charis.

“Yes dear, wonderful helpful when studying of course as you well know.”

“Study and good conversation and to ask friends for favours,” said Charis, eying the venerable lady spritely descend the bunk’s ladder, noting her pause when her feet met the floor.

“Favours is it,” queried the elder, while accepting her brew and sitting opposite Charis at her familiar well-worn table.

“A favour for a favour or perhaps a promise?” answered Charis, playing the game. Charis knew as a certainty, if she asked the elder for assistance it would be given, the game was played because it was a game. Another reason so everyone else in the House knew the elder’s time was valuable, so valuable even the Mistress needed to bargain. Otherwise there would have been elder what about this and elder what about that. Easier to ask then figure it out for yourself and learn how to learn.

“Well I claim first favour.” The elder placed four Borrow Stones on the table, fetched from some hidden pocket within the folds of her plain brown dress.

“Proper eyes?” The elder nodded. “The rest?” The elder nodded. “Good.”

“Since most of you like caves and the like now, can I take-over another room in the House as this one has too much traffic.”

Charis caught the logic flaw in the elder’s request but chose to ignore it and instead guess what she was really asking for.

“Possibly, a question first. Would you be able to make an indent in the stone that would be able to carry water along the length of a passageway so water could travel from one cavern to lower caverns?”

“Why do you intend for someone in the House with a bucket to pour water into it to reach the bottom?”

“Well yes to the purpose, no to the method.”

The elder rubbed her chin, then took a sip of her tea, finally looking up.

“It could be done … the stone melding spell, push back into the stone, the excess juts out proud to carry the water, like your water catchers on the side of the House. It would take days and magic, much magic and if the angle is not just right the water will gather too much speed and overflow and be wasted.”

Charis smiled, reaching across the table petting the elder’s aging thin hands with the bones at the joints poking out more than she remembered.

“I suspect the gentle climb and switching back of the passageways will help, they would have been required for the living dead as they can’t handle steps very well, so am hopeful that same consideration will allow the water to flow at an acceptable pace to not spill. Plus, we will place water barrels within the caverns so they can stop the water for use, before it overflows and continues its journey. Could be best if we make you a bed down there, save you returning to the House for rest?”

“Yes, I will need rest, mighty task you have in mind. What if I were to find one of those dreary caves down there, which I liked, would I be able to relocate to it?”

Charis lent back in her chair. “The House has lost it appeal already?”

“I can make a noise in a cave that few will be concerned about, no questions when I explode something as there are a couple of spells I would like to try.”

“Don’t start a cave in.” Charis eyed the elder carefully. “I would suggest the Third Cavern, it will have water if your magic is successful and two caverns down is the Cavern exit, if you ever require escape.”

“Agreed!” The elder raised her arms in celebration and then slapped her hands on the weary table between them.

“What do you know about water soaks? The fourth cavern wall weeps water, which we hope to use.”

“They are usually dug out and used as ponds or if on the side of a mountain the start of irrigation by running it down to the fields, like you are. Have you considered the source of this water, considering this town sits on top of a huge rock, give or take?”

“Erm, no” Charis gulped.

“The water probably comes from snow run off, it melts, and I suspect underneath the town is a huge cavern which collects the water, given you have some caverns, there must be others as well. No one has ever mentioned water falls in this town, so this cavern where the water is collected must be huge to not have overflowed yet. Could be challenging, almost can’t wait to start.”

“And yes, you did say that!” said Charis. Holding each other’s hands across the table they both burst into laughter.

“Do you know what you are doing my dear?”

Somehow her words sobered Charis up, the real meaning behind them, obvious.

“No. I mean short term yes, prevent any evil from using the caverns against Hillperch. After Death Season I am more uncertain.”

The elder stared at her, inviting her to consider more, say it out loud reveal it to the light, squeezing Charis’ hands to encourage her.

“To make the caverns safe, could require years of work as I suspect evil creatures know of its existence, how could they not, it would have been years in the making.” Charis paused in thought.

“During that time possibly a sanctuary for them if injured or a stopover on the way to somewhere else. Ultimately its purpose a bane to destroy Hillperch as a frontal assault would be futile given its location and security of food and water. If Bircharbor was an example of other towns they would fall to a traditional siege, so the capture of the passageways and caverns an important victory, one that didn’t seem to bother the Evil, so did he consider it a simple matter to retake it and how long would it take before he was back?”

“Now you are thinking.”

“You aren’t concerned what we have to face?”

“When we met, you were determined to learn magic and then destroy evil. I tried to dissuade you, saying this is something you needed to do now, and I let you go. Fate, it seems agrees with me dear and for that I am sorry. I will help, but my time has passed, so you must find a way and perhaps this cavern is the first thorn this evil has experienced, perhaps he is overconfident like most bullies and tyrants. One day at a time dear, one day at a time.”

Charis squeezed the elder’s hands this time, not ever wanting to let them go.

Helice rested her hands upon Charis’ shoulder, support and a hint they needed to leave. Helice didn’t realise Charis would stay with the elder for so long. So much for delaying her here.

Charis craned her head to smile at Helice. “Time for other duties, it seems elder,” said Charis.

“Yes, we will both be busy during Death Season.”

With effort, Charis rose from the elder’s rickety chair, pushing the tea cup back towards the centre of her venerable table and followed Helice from the elder’s room, wistful and glum to leave.

Helice executed a side step, revealing the Training Room and the welcome party to Charis in one snap change of view. Clymene, Niobe and Ismene swayed before Charis, arms locked around each other’s waist. Astera and Thyia joined from the Bath Room, there robes wrapped around them, while Zoe and Alexis claimed a table.

“Welcome Mistress!” announced Clymene.

Charis, taken a back by the reception failed to make any reply.

A robed Seer rose from Zoe’s and Alexis’ table, sensually swivelling, flicking her robe’s hood back to reveal a renewed Rhea. Her scars softer, her black hair now thinly growing, cut close to her scalp on both sides of her head, while the centre grew long and spilled either side, long enough to hitch behind her ears.

“Someone you are acquainted with visited and convinced me my scars shouldn’t define me and after some internal negotiation and soul searching, I agreed, well, to this small step at least, thanks to you,” Rhea said, with confidence and clarity.

“When you are ready, I will help,” replied Charis, flabbergasted and elated.

They embraced and with pent up passion kissed. When their kiss broke for a breath, all the sisters in the Training Room crowded them, cheering, squealing and hugging.

Rhea related to them the visit of the Elven Lord and the placing of Raisa upon the Pyre Mound. The Seers knew of the visit, although Rhea, desperately upset after the loss of her sister unable to reveal most of the detail. Recovered, stronger and confident her sister would be cared for in a better place she covered off on every detail and answered every question without remorse or sorrow. The confession cleansing and cathartic for Rhea and the tale of recovery heartening for the sisters gathered around her.

Astera gave Rhea a final hug. “We must return to duty, carry our share back now we are refreshed. You are as strong as I have ever seen you.” Astera finished awkwardly, not sure what to say as Rhea was always in Charis’ company, although not always the most sensible, regarding risks and danger. She noticed Helice’s reservation during the evening, remaining at best polite to Rhea, which decided the issue for Astera.

“Yes, I must return also, Elpis’ absences from the Keep are drawing the ire of the Baron and especially the Baroness.” Rhea nodded to Clymene who started to form the required Seer Circle, inviting Charis, who declined, embracing Rhea and retreating down the stairs to return to her duty and the caverns.

“I know we have been apart, although I am glad to see you strong and accepting of your sister’s situation, so, perhaps after Death Season we can renew our relationship?” sent Charis.

“Yes, I know I haven’t been fair to you, I am happy to be here and thanked Clymene many times. After Death Season will be ideal and I look forward to our reunion,” sent Rhea, laced with peaceful emotion.

At the bottom of the stairs Charis paused as Astera and Thyia were about to leave the Top Cavern. Astera’s carried two buckets of water on a yoke across her shoulders, while Thyia’s hauled three sacks of supplies.

“Wait! Helice and I will escort you with what remains, no one travels empty handed,” said Charis.

Helice nudged Charis pointing at the sign; Top Cavern on a wooden sign, hung at about the height of the twins. They shared a satisfied, knowing smile.

---

After shuffling around corpses on the downward journey, Charis and her sisters welcomed entering the cleaned out Inner Cavern, quickly and quietly placing their loads beside the dwindling stockpiles in place. They left the Inner Cavern, four of the eight bedrolls occupied by sleeping sisters and still undisturbed.

The Main Cavern completely different. The twins with Jocasta helping were dismantling a wagon. Zoe and Alexa operated a long narrow four wheeled cart, the wheels repurposed from the smaller front wagon wheels, currently empty heading towards the Inner Cavern.

“Welcome Mistress.”

Charis stood hands on hips gobsmacked. The twins giggled in response.

“We are making beds now, some of the wagon boards are too soaked with blood, so we used them to make the carts. Others we have shaved down. The wooden stays for the wagon sides will make ideal legs for the beds. They will be wide beds, so hope the sisters don’t mind sharing,” the twins snickered. Jocasta caught on quickly a warmth rushing to her cheeks.

Charis thanked them with a curt nod looking up in time to acknowledge Korinna, her brown black shoulder length hair swaying behind her heart shaped face wearing a warm smile and her arms poised to bear hug her Mistress.

A slight pause and Charis stepped into the welcome.

“Nothing to report Mistress,” whispered Korinna, as she released her Mistress. “Dione is on the Wall, Dirce is robed as the Priest and Drosis stands ready near the Chest of Coins position as you can see.”

Charis compared the Cavern Entrance with where the twins worked. “Won’t the twins be seen?”

“Their work will be, not them as they will be in the passageway leading to the Inner Cavern, Mistress. We figure the waggoneers don’t stop long enough to know what to expect in the Main Cavern, at worse they will be inquisitive and die quicker.”

“The odour has improved also,” mentioned Helice.

“Yes, the recent dead have been relocated to the cold … erm … we sat them up around a cold campfire, so anyone finding them may do a double take and open to surprise.” Korinna smirked and pointed to Drosis.

“But there were a few …”

“Some are pretending to be logs for the others, sister, after all finding logs in this weather would be troublesome.” Korinna chuckled, no longer holding back.

“Two rabbits with the one arrow, clever,” nodded Charis.

Drosis joined the impromptu meeting and immediately received thanks from her Mistress.

“Since I am in such high favour, can I request a modification to the Main Cavern Keepers Mistress?”

Charis flicked her head towards Astera, Drosis taking the hint.

“Sister, we would like to request a Seer on the Wall and a Seer in the Cavern proper, so we would have plenty of warning. The Seer in the Cavern would have the honour of wearing the robe.”

“Oh, wonderful, such an honour,” exaggerated Korinna.

“The change would mean the triples could ambush or defend, Zosime, Niobe and Alcmene would be available, yes, Korinna I will ask you to advise your Seer Sisters.” Astera turned to Korinna and hugged her, patting her back.

“Thank-you sister for another honour.”

They chuckled and laughed with her, Charis the first to speak.

“Seeing the wagon dismantled, would we be able to use one as a wall or barricade and mount the two large crossbows we acquired on it or in it?”

“Korinna advise the Seers they need to bring the crossbows and more supplies with them. In the meanwhile, I will have a word to the twins,” replied Astera.

Nysa, Kyra, Otonia and Hagne fully armed and armoured, Otonia wearing multiple of layers of clothing joined the throng of sisters, ready to start their shift.

“Hagne change of plan, can you please watch from the Wall, relieve Otonia of her extra clothing, either Zosime, Niobe or Alcmene will join your shift so you can contact them to provide early warning,” said Astera.

“See what happens when you sleep,” said Otonia, undressing and handing her clothes to Hagne.

“We can swap about every couple of bells, it won’t be so bad, same as when we tracked the living dead around Hillperch,” replied Hagne.

The night shift, with the addition of Zosime swapped positions with the evening shift. The twins immediately pounced and asked for assistance to carry the two completed beds to the Inner Cavern. When the twins made to help, they were waved away and encouraged to complete a third bed if possible, which they gladly accepted as a challenge. Dione lingering behind approached Astera and Charis.

“We need to relocate the horses, we can supplement their water by melting and warming the snow, but there is no substitute for hay, otherwise we would be doing them a favour by slaughtering them and salting their meat for Death Season.”

Charis paced a moment. “What if we did the reverse, hauled hay from the Farm to the Main Cavern, how long would that take, if possible, in this weather?”

Dione’s face lit up, excited. “Two days and a night Mistress as the horses would be out of condition. Also, we would ensure we camped well, out of the wind, and I would like to take two others, perhaps Zosime and Zoe?”

“Zosime could be replaced by Alcmene tonight, Agape could replace Zoe on the Day Shift and Helice or I would replace you and the additional Seer on the Evening Shift. Settled, you leave first thing in the morning.”

Dione raced off.

“Zosime, the robes become you, although there is a slight change of plan. Can you escort Dione in the morning? I have asked her to bring some hay to the Main Cavern from the Farm.”

“Yes Mistress, although can I request Jocasta is included, we can call it training if you like, we will watch her of course and tie her to her saddle, she needs to see something beyond the walls of a town.”

“As soon as Alcmene relieves you, ask Jocasta to go with you to the House to join Dione as I am sure Dione would have already collected Zoe on her way up.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

Helice grabbed her Mistress by the arm and led her to the House, determined Charis would sleep in her own bed tonight as evening shift tomorrow would guarantee a sleep in the Inner Cavern.

+++

Charis met Clymene in the kitchen and broke her fast on a porridge of some sort with Helice and Agape, the highlight being honey, to sweeten the meal. Dione, Zosime, Zoe and Jocasta entered the kitchen to break their fast as Charis and Helice finished up with Agape, Charis wishing them well and safe journey.

The trio, manhandling supplies and water, met the elder starting on the water carry from her Cavern working downwards to the Main Cavern. Her Cavern lit with two lanterns hanging from stone moulded hooks, although none of her possessions moved in, yet empty of corpses.

Charis and Helice quietly dropped off the supplies and water they lugged down in the Inner Cavern. Shortly after, arriving in the Main Cavern. The horses were hobbled to keep them in place and braying, probably hungry, although the stack of dead bodies beside them didn’t help. Some scattered hay lay on the ground, but only some loose escapees. The buckets of water were either upright with water, empty or knocked over laying in spilt water.

“Welcome Mistress,” said Otonia.

“No unexpected guests or visitors?”

“No Mistress. The horses seem to be suffering the most.”

“Dione should be here by tomorrow evening if nothing goes amiss. She will have feed for the horses, although more horses to feed.”

Otonia digested the news, more horses meant more melted snow, an unpleasant task. She considered suggesting the horses be slaughtered for meat, although they were fine wagon animals and probably more valuable alive than dead.

“We are dressing the Seers in the Priest Robe to greet anyone as suggested. He didn’t have much in the way of personal items and we have left them as they were in case someone has visited before and know them. He did get his living dead to chip out an interesting bed shelf though! Also, there is a great amount of dried blood nearby, so he was doing dreadful evil of some kind.”

“That confirms we have to make sure no one evil escapes, otherwise it maybe a more organised attack against us when they return.” Charis chewed her bottom lip, the real danger the Evil returning and if no small evil reported about the Cavern, her one hope to delay his return. The Cavern, one huge trap.

“You are concerned Mistress?”

“Yes, on the move, we have the advantage as we can choose the battles, here we are on the defensive and those that know us and don’t like us know where we are.”

“We are preparing as fast as we can and with the Season, surely that many can’t travel here?” Otonia answered.

“So, during the other Seasons we will still need to be here in case of unwelcome visitors. At least in town we could leave the House with only a couple of sisters and know we could return to it as we left it.”

“What are you thinking Mistress?”

“Perhaps we should pack up and go to a certain Inn next to a certain Keep and turn this over to the good Council of Hillperch.”

“We have all sworn an oath to you Mistress, so we go or stay at your command.”

“Well we will need to stay here until Death Season is finished, so no options for the time being, so we need to be careful. We will have fifteen sisters just protecting here instead of training and improving themselves and their sisters, more importantly resting and not on constant guard.”

“I see now Mistress, we thought this would be some adventure, but you are right after ten weeks, this will become tiring.”

“Just be careful, retreat if you have to, we are not defending anything here worth dying for.”

“Yes Mistress.”

Charis with Helice walked back up to the Inner Cavern, it wasn’t a significant distance, so was ideal to support the Main Cavern, but until she knew the threats she didn’t really know. The twins were finishing a bunk in the Main Cavern and Charis was surprised to count four completed in the Inner Cavern, good progress, the twins must have toiled through the night! She needed to stand aside when Astera, Thyia, Alexis and Niobe claimed right of way, each pair carrying a mattress.

“A shift wakes Mistress and takes a meal in the House then carries back a mattress, the relieved shift will take a meal in the House, bath and bring back supplies,” stated Astera, plainly answering Charis’ questioning look.

Astera’s shift then prepared for their duty. Agape bidding Charis and Helice goodbye to join them.

Observing her sisters Charis still thought this wasn’t the ideal place to be, her vision for the Daughters of the Duchess completely different to this trapped claustrophobic nightmare, waiting for doom.

Charis and Helice met the elder half way between the Inner Cavern and the Third Cavern, probably call it the Elder’s Cavern in time she thought if they stay and the next cavern the Water Cavern perhaps. Luckily the twins are too busy making beds to make any signs.

The elder handed off several Borrow Stones to Charis, taking the opportunity to stand and stretch while Charis supported her.

“This is trying an old woman’s bones, but the twins made me a little stool at just the right height, and it has made it a little more tolerable. Do you mind if I grab some magic from you? There is no easy way to reach sunlight down here so the magic returns slowly to the items?”

“Certainly, I will go to the roof of the House after and see how long I can stand the cold.”

Charis stood behind her for at least four bells just touching her so she could draw the magic and then Helice did the same, although Charis left, even though Helice protested. Charis thought it more important to catch the last of the sun if she could as they both needed to be ready for evening shift. When Charis left, the water carry was completed between the Elder’s Cavern and the Inner Cavern.

Stopping at the Water Cavern for a drink Charis noticed several wooden buckets stacked there ready for the next shift to carry water down to the Main Cavern. The elder must have increased the depth of the stone bowl as a bucket easily fit to be filled with water, which Charis proved for herself.

Charis met Clymene in the Training Room and Ismene in between Storerooms carrying goods from the upstairs one down to the other. Charis reached the trapdoor to the roof and tested the cold. She didn’t want to continue but knew she must. She kept low to stay out of the wind, although flurries of snow still landed upon her. She experimented and relocated her Items across her belly, giving up on the bronze loops as they gifted her with pain. Those near, located in her breasts for example or perhaps just smaller slid easily and almost totally pain free. When her belly region couldn’t handle the cold any longer, Charis repositioned the item higher towards her breasts and covered the formally exposed belly region from the cold.

“Charis the water-carry is now to the Main Cavern, the elder asked for barrels from the wagons to be placed in the Main Cavern, Inner Cavern and her Cavern to catch the water. She is resting now as we are both drained of magic. She plans to catch a shift when it finishes and use their magic so she can connect it to the Fourth Cavern with the water pool in it. So, it might be finished tonight!”

“Thank you Helice, also the Fourth Cavern may as well be known as the Water Cavern and I am leaving the roof, whatever magic I have regenerated will have to be enough I am too cold, so it would be good to be with someone.” sent Charis.

“Yes Mistress, I think I know of someone although aren’t we rostered for Evening Shift?”