“Is the Mistress resting?” enquired Clymene.

“I left her with Ismene, so perhaps for now, maybe not later,” replied Helice with an envious smirk.

“Helice, we agreed, the Mistress needs rest!” replied Clymene with her hands outstretched, muscles taunt, poised to grab and possibly shake Helice.

“Ismene deeply cares, she spent most her time caressing and patting Charis to sleep. I apologise if my reply led to any other conclusion.” Her eyes shy in askance for forgiveness. Clymene relaxing her arms in response.

Astera joined them at their table, still drying her hair having quickly finished bathing.

“Has she recovered Helice?” Astera direct to the point, eager to know.

“The simple answer is yes, although it wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye and an ear out. It seems with her tiredness, she went into a deep sleep and relived some of her past, some of which she thought reconciled.”

Clymene waited patiently and then unleashed. “You are both missing the point sisters. How did she become so tired, so easily and so quickly? The tiredness is the source of her change, we need to investigate.”

“Perhaps her tiredness is due to the elder draining too much magic these past few days,” offered Astera, who on Day Shift witnessed remarkable change performed by the elder draining a continuous chain of sun baking Seers, the Mistress included.

Helice and Clymene conferred and then checked with other Seers still awake and contactable, especially those involved with the elder.

“The consensus is, possibly. They reserve some doubt as no other Seer has suffered fatigue as great as the Mistress,” said Clymene.

The three dwelled in silence for several heartbeats, broken when Agape set a plate before Astera.

“Thank-you sister, a welcome sight after a shift,” said Astera, a slight deadness to her voice, her Mistress’ condition still on her mind, even after suggesting a cause to the Seers, which they honoured her by actually conferring and considering.

“Stay and reassure Astera, I will help Agape dish out the meals,” sent Helice.

Clymene nodded in agreement clearly deep in her own thoughts.

As the sisters of Day Shift filed out of the Bath Room and claimed tables, Helice dropped a plate off to each of them.

Interrupting the feasting the Night Shift popped up through the trap door, Nysa and Kyra first in their Daughter’s Robes, closely followed by Hagne and Alcmene in their Seer’s Robes and lastly Otonia.

“I best assist Agape and Helice,” stated Clymene leaving Astera’s table, Thyia grabbing her now vacant, although warmed chair.

---

Ismene crept down the circular stairs searching for quick eats, not expecting an almost overflowing Training Room of sisters. Contemplating turning back, she couldn’t, her Mistress needed food and it seemed too late to, anyway.

The low chatter quietening to absolute silence in the Training Room, upon Ismene’s entrance causing Ismene to pause, her cheeks reddening, both of her hands drawn together and clasped in front her. Looking up, it seemed every set of eyes of every sister in the Training Room bore into her, scrutinising her, examining and judging her behaviour? Presumed ownership and domination of the Mistress’ time and attention? Every negative insecurity and frailty her mind could dredge up. She crinkled and crumbled under their examination.

Helice rushed to her side wrapping an arm around her shoulder propping her up as they advanced upon the audience of sisters and whispered to her. “Brave heart.”

Ismene leaned into Helice’s embrace advancing towards her judgement and found her brave heart. One quick glance into Helice’s kind eyes, then reluctantly drawing away from Helice’s safety she crossed her arms and scanned the room. “I am who I am, I like what I like. I am here because there is no judgement of a Warrior Sister unlike my previous life or that is what I thought.” Ismene spoke calmly and carefully, chin level.

Each in the Training Room sort to hide from Ismene’s blazing eyes and deep conviction, except one.

“We are glad you spoke first, because we don’t wish to judge, we wished to celebrate with you for finally being who you want to be. We know you are committed to the Mistress, we have always known, we are just glad you know and are happier for it and I, who knew you before am especially happy to see the real you,” cheered Agape.

Helice rolled her arm around drawing Ismene to face her, so her tears could be masked, failing miserably and fooling no one. Recovering, encouraged by Helice’s words of support, she wiped her eyes as best she could, opening them to receive the warm smiles from the gathered Sisters.

“There is also the matter of making sure we have food during this harsh Death Season, everyone appreciates your skill in this, especially our satisfied stomachs after every meal,” Astera said, scanning over the gathered sisters and calling for another cheer. The room of sisters followed up that cheer with three shouts. Ismene blushing crimson, right down to her fair bosoms due to the high praise and passionate recognition.

Ismene released Helice and head held level sort the safety of the Kitchen and Clymene to escape being the centre of attention. Helice for her part joined Astera and Thyia.

“How is the Mistress?” asked Thyia.

“She is resting according to Ismene, who is here fetching some food for her when she wakes,” replied Helice.

Astera picked at her food, considering her next statement, acting Mistress or not it would be ideal for Helice to keep their Mistress appraised of any changes.

“We need to train more in Crossbow as it appears to be the ideal weapon for the Cavern Blind.”

“Candidates?” asked Helice.

“Thais, Alexa and Latona with Agape able to train them, assuming Ismene has a crossbow or two and quarrels secreted away for a snowy day,” Astera offered.

“If you are asking me if the Mistress would approve, we both know you need to ask yourself. Charis has always maintained you are her second and when she is absent or indisposed, Mistress. Her current state is not so confused or lost she would discard your right of authority in this case.”

“You aren’t prepared to pass this by her?”

“No. I would see her rest and the only assurance I would issue is Astera is a capable Mistress and able to hold all sisters to their duty.” Helice grabbed at Astera’s hands, in easy reach surrounding her bowl of stew and gently squeezed them.

Thyia for her part reached an arm around Astera’s shoulder, dragging her attention away from the dark answerless depths of the stew, winking and smiling. “Mistress,” she cooed.

---

Charis welcomed Ismene’s return to her room. The cheese and salted meat she rescued from the Kitchen equally appreciated and quickly devoured.

“Astera is acting Mistress, my Mistress and all agree another day of rest and recovery would be most agreeable for your health.” Ismene spoke the words eyes cast down, fishing for agreement perhaps and tempting her Mistress to remain in her care by espousing the supposed will of other sisters.

The Mistress of the Daughters of the Duchess decided for herself in the end, and by happenstance this agreed with Ismene’s wishes. Charis needed to examine her past and work through some of the things she couldn’t now change and accept that condition utterly and totally. If not, she would always be distracted by them, which could prove fatal in any number of ways. The meeting of Latona and her flashback to the young Apprentice Magician for example and while not fatal certainly a distraction, which required Helice to intervene and alert her. The freshest example, Halius’ murder, her vivid return to the scene, worse though her return to her body, repeating every action unable to escape, change or prevent the result. A prison of inescapable torture as the dream went beyond illusion, Charis convinced she really lived through those moments again, her view of the events from her own eyes within the dream, not an overview looking in.

She decided to make use of Ismene’s comforting technique. Rest her head between her pillowed mounds, accept her gentle caressing and be subdued into a deep sleep, although this time testing early to ensure she could break from the dream when required. She desperately needed to negotiate and reconcile her past, not simply move forward trying to outdistance herself from it.

Ismene placed their plate outside Charis’ door and then prepared spare blankets, she knew the exact ones, the two bright blue dyed wool covers from the top floor Store Room. A small jug of wine nearby tempted her; strictly acquired for special occasions or celebrations and that very fact convinced her to leave it. As the Provedore, she needed to set an example and not betray her duty.

Folding her Daughter’s Robe neatly after removing the garment, she climbed upon her Mistress’ bed naked trailing the two covers.

“Is this your dedicated effort in your care of me?” asked Charis, admiring Ismene’s naked form stalking her.

Ismene ignored the question, removing Charis’ Daughter’s robe, folding it and placing Charis’ silver ear jewellery upon the still warm attire, drawing in her Mistress’ heady scent from the garment. Securing pillows, she placed them behind her upper back and neck and invited Charis’ head to return to her fair skinned chest between her mounds. The excitement of setting up the theatre for the event stirring her to an intoxicating high of intrigue, manipulation and desire. The fact her Mistress insisted she needed to rest her head upon Ismene’s chest a heady mix of importance and function, reality as their flesh met. Ismene, the single Sister able to lull Charis into a perfect serene state and Ismene, the single sister with the flawlessly sized breasts and technique to ensure success.

Her Mistress knew well Ismene’s manipulations and took advantage and rewarded in equal measure. Charis ensured her breathing would gently exhale across Ismene’s nipple as her head lay in position. Her own breasts resting sensually against Ismene’s fair body and at least one of her hands straying and finding comfort within Ismene’s exposed golden-brown crowned loins.

Charis dreamed and lost all sense of time. Ismene cared for her needs; meals, ablutions and sensual administrations.

+++

The first bell of a new day woke Charis from her slumber and her dream, the timing of the ringing aligning with an invisible hand of fate lifting her chin and examining her worthiness. She shivered in reaction to her spine tingling; a higher power presiding over her actions and life, inexorably linked to her being Foretold an utter certainty, no room for doubt. Resigned to her fate she opened her eyes and considered her efforts over the past several days and nights. Rewarded as she reached a place where her first thought or memory of Halius involved happy playful recollections, the celebration of his life. A long way down the list a begrudging acceptance of his murder as fate and herself blameless.

Ismene remained deep in her own dream, moaning, her body rocking subtly. Charis encouraged Ismene’s bodily responses by tending to her body’s sensual and sensitive erogenous zones, until she woke in ecstasy, pleading for her Mistress to continue.

“Again Mistress, I beg you. Your natural bodily perfume is intoxicating, this room is you, this bed is you and every time I breathe, I smell you, inhale you and plummet helplessly into my dream of being totally owned by you, your plaything, your touch a trigger to fire my loins into a writhing mess.”

The newly confident and self-important Provedore refusing to disguise her desire or needs any longer, embellishing her invitation with sexual and seductive words as lures. Her desire or need triggered after many bells of one on one company; unintentionally by Charis’ smooth gliding touch, her loins afire, helpless as her body ignored her will, releasing and screaming her delight, until her Mistress satisfied her dominated partner, ample reward for services rendered.

Without further distraction, Charis armoured and armed herself, determined to face this day as Mistress of the Daughters of the Duchess renewed and invigorated. Ismene in contrast lay wanting and yet thrilled by her Mistress’ discarding of her, a new sensation, a by-product of headstrong renewed purpose.

“To me Helice, armed and armour I will await you in the Training Room while I break my fast.”

“I have won the race already Mistress, um … busy assisting Clymene,” sent Helice.

Mid-morning their Mistress and a warm meal greeted the Night Shift. Charis’ renewal a wonder and boost in morale, moving between the couple of occupied tables, chatting to the seated sisters with energy and enthusiasm.

“Sister where are your arms and armour?” asked Charis.

Nysa and Kyra exchanged knowing smiles. “The Goblins Mistress. The armour is cleaned and polished, the weapons sharpened, Dione has taken charge of them. While training Latona she included chasing the goblins, giving the goblin sisters a routine to follow, eventually she will just need to check from time to time she believes,” replied Nysa.

Clymene placed a plate before Charis. “You look well Mistress.”

“I feel recovered from whatever it was. Where is your helper?”

“Oh, Agape, she is training Thais, Alexa and Latona in crossbow, to assist with the blind, apparently.” Clymene paying special attention to Charis’ reaction, prepared to call her Mistress out if the reaction anything less than “the old Charis”.

Otonia chimed in. “Yes. They have finished what they can as the wood from the wagons has been used, except for the final one, which has another purpose now. After all it would be difficult for me to throw a knife from there. Niobe and Alexis are in a similar situation. During Death Season there have been no visitors during the day, during other Seasons I don’t think that will be the case, so we need to prepare.”

“Excellent.” Charis wolfed down her meal and once Helice finished assisting Clymene they descended into the Caverns together.

---

The Top Cavern accumulated furniture and bedrolls from somewhere, the two bench seats probably from one or two wagons, full to overflowing with well-fed skinny children as evidenced by fattened faces, skinny legs and flat bellies. Wormy greeting Charis at the foot of the stairs near two small wagons. He reported the urchins in good spirits, some now out and about in the snow on lookout, although most townsfolk stayed indoors, which meant those who did venture out, usually worth following.

The next two Caverns checked out empty, their entrances attached to the passageway and therefore no need to travel through them to continue down.

Next, the Water Cavern and Charis stopped and stared for a time at the miracle of the spring, the water expertly harvested by the elder’s manipulation of the stone and then redirected to carry it to the lower levels, plentiful and steady. A couple of bedrolls remained, although no personal items nearby so perhaps spares? Charis frowned.

“What Mistress?”

“The bedrolls.”

“We placed them there so you could rest comfortably on the journey up, hopefully with your recovery they won’t ever need to be used again.”

“Oh, yes.” Charis brushed over the misplaced memory, turning her face of dismay away from Helice by leading her out of the cavern.

The elder’s cavern the surprise of her return tour. Constructed within, an attached stone room and when Charis inspected it under protest from its owner, it seemed to be an exact duplicate of her original room in the House and very similar to her cottage in Bearwatch. The elder never straying far from a proven design! Charis invited herself and Helice to a cup of tea, annoying the elder and then pleasing her when Charis explained they intended to visit for a short while and not request any additional labours from her.

“I needed to separate myself from the sisters, sleeping, waking, talking, coming and going, needed some quiet and privacy.” She informed Charis as she completed her inspection.

“You must do what you must to further your studies,” Charis replied.

As Charis and Helice exited the elder’s room Latona, Thais and Alexa raced by. They were then followed by Dione and Korinna. Dione waved Korinna on while she drew a breath before Charis, hands resting on her knees.

“Full training Mistress, the runs are the same we did around the Arena, then weapon drills, sparing and a ranged weapon. Drosis teaches two-handed spear, Korinna teaches dagger and Dirce teaches crossbow before they start Evening Shift, while Agape teaches crossbow during Evening Shift,” advised Dione.

“That is an extraordinary responsibility for the Evening Shift.”

“Yes, Mistress it is. The other shifts take care of supplies, while Evening Shift doesn’t. Thyia continues their two-handed spear training, while Alexis and Zosime take turns training them in dagger during the Evening Shift. Then they fall into bed. We were concerned with the Cavern Blind that we need more to learn crossbow to properly take advantage of it and we don’t have any.” Dione now straightening.

“What of Jocasta’s training?”

“We can train her with the others although Zosime is attending to it when she can.”

“What of Latona? Nysa tells me you have taken the duty upon yourself to master the Goblin Sisters.”

“She …” started Dione, until Charis looked over her eyebrows.

“Latona was lost Mistress, too young and while she can speak to them, they treated her as their soft gentle mother and easily took advantage of her … they needed discipline and routine …” Dione’s words fading towards the end as the full weight of Charis’ scrutiny made her doubt herself.

Charis’ eyes narrowed. “You are younger than her are you not?”

“Younger in years, wiser for being in your company Mistress.” Dione bowed her head slightly, slowly closing and opening her eyes, silently congratulating herself for her quick-thinking response.

Charis inwardly smiled at the obvious flattery, still unpersuaded by Dione’s reasons for usurping Latona’s charges. Sensing Charis’ hesitation, Dione continued.

“Latona requested my advice when I taught her care of the horses and then somewhat relieved when I took the lead in training the Goblin Sisters … Mistress.”

“We do help each other always, therefore given you have set a fine example and demonstrated proper methods ensure your involvement fades and Latona asserts her command over them. I appointed this duty to her and either she accepts the responsibility or speaks to me of any doubts.”

“Yes Mistress.”

Charis detected a sulkiness to the reply, well so be it. Dione definitely initiating this change herself, otherwise she would have mentioned Astera if another arrangement would have been discussed. Charis nodded nevertheless and with Helice and Dione strolled further downwards, accompanied by a waist height, steady silent flow of water and an absolute lack of conversation.

Helice paused, Dione following her lead, allowing Charis to enter the Inner Cavern alone to discover the layout and organisation of the bunk beds, the tidiness and cleanliness and be suitably impressed. Then she spotted the Goblin Sisters. Small hands furiously cleaning, while bare feet held various items of armour in an ideal position to facilitate their endeavours. The pieces would be armour and weapons from the Evening Shift as the training used wooden versions of the weapons at this early stage. They reminded her of the urchins in their child-size clothing and small boots.

One set of dark goblin eyes turning to her goblin sister beside her, yabbering in their goblin tongue, stopped talking mid-sentence, mouth dropping open. Her two sisters now alerted and immediately every activity stopped by silent agreement followed by slow, careful placement of what they held on the ground beside them. Silently they oozed into an almost prone position, their heads bowed to the floor and backs bent, spine exposed.

Charis uncertain what to say or do, the hesitation causing the three bodies prostrate before her to visibly shiver and shudder.

Charis whispered smoothly, “I appreciate the work you have performed, thank-you.”

The goblins cringed protectively. At Helice’s gentle nudge Charis led Dione and Helice from the Inner Cavern. Once in the passageway Charis strained to eavesdrop, not a single sound. Shrugging, she continued down the passageway Helice beside her. Sprinting towards them, Korinna led Latona, Thais and Alexa.

“I will take my leave Mistress and join Korinna in training.” With that said, Dione cut in behind Alexa.

“Were you too hard on her Mistress? The Goblins know their duty,” sent Helice.

“Possibly, although Dione’s nature changes when her stallion is close and I don’t expect much from the Goblin Sisters, so a great opportunity for a new Sister to grow and learn. Asking questions shouldn’t lead to anyone losing their commission, otherwise they will doubt their self-worth and become a burden instead of a help.”

“We are at fight or die Mistress?”

“Yes, he will return and only the when remains uncertain. Consider his scrawny priest, which we slew, enraptured with virginal Seer blood and we can strongly assume, consumed by dreams of power from reaping its bounty. I wonder and shudder what would be the result if he is drenched in our blood?”

Helice shocked and frozen in place by Charis’ analysis, recalling the overpowering dread feeling he radiated causing her and her sisters to lose their honour before their Mistress. His dismissal of them, tending to other “business” first, such confidence and hubris. Did the Daughters of the Duchess rate so insignificantly? Her Mistress’ moist lips brought her out of her misery.

“While we have some will, we will fight and we are somewhat prepared, our fate resting upon afternoon sunlight I suspect.”

“He ignored it Mistress!” A tear gathering in Helice’s left eye.

“Be brave my sister, you forget Otonia’s knives, they kill anything.”

Helice’s eyes brightening. “And yours Mistress, should we fetch them, so they are handy?”

Charis knew the sense in Helice’s suggestion, one of those knives though were still stained with Halius’ blood and while she accepted, she wasn’t to blame, the constant reminder on her hip would sorely test her.

“While I don’t wish to sweep away your good mood, they slay the living and if the bitch we slew until dust is any example, he will be a living dead like her, and the others raised by the dark priests.”

“Oh Mistress, you have doubts?” Helice’s cupid bow bottom lip trembling minutely drawing Charis in to kiss her now wilting sister. Helice the Seer Sister, Helice the Mistress’ Bodyguard bordering on dismay, such a condition can not stand, Charis needed her voice of reason and gentle questioning returned to her forthwith. Finally, everyone needs a solid rock, an unfailing resolute partner to just be there and Helice ably filled that requirement for Charis.

“I have faith. In an early dream, I visited a huge tree, take what you imagine as huge and double or possibly triple what you imagine. The Elven Lord who gifted my Elven Bow and three Elven Arrows needed to test the strength of my Elven Kindred before he gave them to me. One Elven arrow, expertly crafted from this One Tree pierced the heart of the Watcher bitch and destroyed her, no beheading, no fire, straight to dust.”

Helice rushed to hug her Mistress, childish of course as tears glistened upon her cheeks, unrestrained as the offered hope irresistible. The need to live stronger than ever and the need to trust in the promised salvation desperate.

Charis felt the thump of Helice’s heart, somewhat an expert now given her time with Ismene, not releasing their embrace until she couldn’t feel it any longer. Diving back to passionately kiss her Bodyguard, who returned the sincerity with frantic devotion.

“Brave heart,” whispered Charis.

---

As they navigated the final switchback approaching the Main Cavern, they noticed Astera and Thyia in a new recess, carved out of the stone wall of the passageway. It contained a stone table and a couple of wooden chairs to suit, which they slumped down in until they observed Charis approaching. They scrambled from their chairs rushing Charis and Helice, hugging them both in turn, jumping and dancing in circles. Enjoying their greeting, Charis didn’t fail to appreciate their bored facial expressions and lifeless bodies prior to her arrival.

“Guard duty not to your liking sisters?”

Thyia snuck a look at Astera who held Charis’ inquiring gaze.

“We asked the elder to carve this alcove to wait in for comfort and ensure we didn’t block the passageway Mistress, even so, seven bells go slowly,” said Astera.

“Perhaps we expand the alcove, so while one sister watches she is also kept awake by the other sister training a third?”

“If we expanded back along the passageway, we would still maintain an alcove edge to view around the final entrance into the Main Cavern and be able to view our false priest, could work Mistress,” said Astera, considering the possibility aloud.

Smiling broadly, Charis stopping only to speak. “I will leave you to ask the elder.”

Astera groaned slightly before quickly recovering as Charis and Helice strode towards the Main Cavern.

Entering the Main Cavern proper, they noticed the corralled horses and while not well fed, didn’t appear to be starving either. They couldn’t recognise who acted the role of evil priest as the distance and disguise concealed their identity despite glorious late afternoon daylight spilling in through the Cavern Entrance. Closing the distance, Alexis welcomed them, the three in a shared embrace.

“Zosime and Zoe are in the blind. I have been trying to convince Zosime to take on the role of evil priest, but she won’t, so it looks like I am stuck with it.”

Alexis’ words spoken in good humour; Charis still enquired. “All is well then?”

“Yes, the weather keeps accidental visitors away and although overcast for much of the day we seem to all agree the evil ones prefer to travel and visit at night. We also believe this will change when the weather clears in Birth Season.”

“Good to see sisters are still thinking. Do you know where the elder made the tribute drop?”

“Near the southern entrance it faces out, but the elder disguised it to look like rock face and it isn’t until you are almost upon it that you can tell it is different and still, don’t really know how or why. She is very clever. I hope the Goblins can find it when they need to.”

Charis and Helice decided to search for the hidden tribute drop, grabbing some extra furs to wear against the cold. After locating the small entrance on the cavern side, they tried to hug each other through the bulky furs, ending in an odd dance, groping and reaching unsuccessfully in celebration. The deposit slot should be, relatively speaking, directly opposite on the outer side of the Stone Curtain Wall. The next part, staying within touching distance of the Stone Curtain Wall, following the curve around, stepping gingerly over the surrounding scree trying to count the paces taken. After a reasonable amount of time fighting wind and snow, they felt the gap rather than sighting it. Well-hidden indeed and Charis thought the same as Alexis, hopefully not so well hidden to be beyond the skill of the Goblins to find it.

Satisfied, they shuffled back across the scree towards the Cavern Entrance, depositing their furs with Alexis and eventually returning to the Inner Cavern. Goblin sisters gone, although the Evening Shift in residence, their training duty done and now preparing for their shift.

The Inner Cavern contained five well-toned naked female bodies, having taken off their sweat stained underclothes and now drip drying from an improvised bath, Charis uncertain of its location. In good spirits, the five quickly noticed Charis and Helice who strangely, more often than not and through no fault of their own, seemed to be in their way, regardless of stepping one way or the other. Charis and Helice eventually herded to the Cavern’ upper entrance to avoid further body contact. While in the fray, Charis made a point of thanking them, especially for the training they provided their sisters and reminding Dione of her duty towards Latona and the Goblins.

Dirce, Drosis, Niobe and Korinna filed out of the Inner Cavern, hugging Charis and Helice in turn, including a chastised Dione, last to do so. Armour polished and the steel of their weapons gleaming in weak lantern light. After the recent commotion Charis and Helice now dumbfounded by the calm and cool silence.

About to turn away and continue their return journey to the House a murmuring and whispering of voices emanated from the passageway leading to the Main Cavern. Charis and Helice retreated to the shadows of the upper Inner Cavern entrance at Helice’s insistence, content to spy and possibly surprise.

Astera and Thyia arrived and stacked their shields and spears by the lower Inner Cavern entrance and finding their shared bunk, Astera assisting Thyia to remove her armour. Alexis next, shortly followed by Zosime and Zoe leaving their weapons behind in a semi-organised stack. Zosime and Zoe assisting Alexis out of her armour. The three goblin sisters following on their heels.

The goblin sisters attended Astera, Zosime and Zoe, assisting them to strip off their armour, then fetching a robe for each. When done, they scampered over to Thyia and Alexis to attend to them. During this exercise Charis and Helice observed, amazed at the banter and good-hearted quips given and taken. Eventually, the five were ready to leave.

In the background the three goblins threw around their armour, placing the pieces in like stacks bounding around the Cavern enjoying their game and duty. They froze when Charis spoke.

“Thank-you sister,” she said as she hugged Astera.

Astera pushed back gently. “Mistress, I am sweaty and smelly, let me bathe and then join me and perhaps we can entertain each other.”

A hand grasped Charis’ tenderly. “Yes Mistress, I would enjoy exploring your body yet again,” sent Zosime.

“As would I,” sent Alexis, who following Zosime, spied her flesh contact with Charis and experimented by grasping Zosime’s other hand, hoping her sending would be conveyed through Zosime’s body to Charis.

Charis immediately formed a Seer Circle grasping Helice’s hand to add her.

“I have been remiss, so perhaps this evening we can dally in the Meeting Room.”

A chorus of mental squeals answered her offer. Zosime the exception, sending her Mistress her deep carnal desire, immediately silencing the mental squeals of her Seer Sisters, now washed in her pure and consuming sensual need, causing them to gasp audibly, to the surprise of the Warrior Three accompanying them.

Astera the first to observe, Thyia and Zoe sensing her intense distraction through their Warrior Three binding, turning their eyes likewise witnessing the weakening knees of their Seer Sisters and their eyes loose and unfocused. The Warrior Three as one excitedly claimed a Seer Sister each. Astera subtly turning Zosime towards Charis realising Zosime stood unaffected and the probable source of their sexual euphoria. Once successful Astera explored Zosime’s athletic body, while Thyia and Zoe in perfect harmonisation with her tended to Alexis and Helice respectfully.

Three sets of eyes, mouths agape observed the seven Daughters of the Duchess in their throws of passion, relentless, hungry and full of desire. The Mistress, the Elven she-devil subject to many moments of wanton abandon an unbelievable sight shattering their perceptions of one who is supposed to be unfeeling and uncaring, cruel beyond reason, laughing as she kills, enjoying slaughter. Only stated and satisfied once her armour became soaked in blood, rumoured to even drink the blood of her deliberately disembowel conquests while they slowly died in her clutches.

Glancing at each other, multiple times, silently agreeing to turn away, they couldn’t move, confused, trying to reconcile what they now observed with the tales told to them by their mothers and their mother’s mother. Her white skin a perfect match. Her leather armour, which they inspected when they cleaned it could be a near match, although the other did wear human dresses sometimes. Daggers, Mistress used daggers, sheathed daggers in her armour although Protector of Mistress more daggers than Mistress. Ears though, confusing. Evil Bright Eyes ears round tops like human, Mistress ears while scarred now, once pointy, so different. Chief thought her Elven, he grovelled before her. They then make deal, Bright Eyes demanded, always demanded and never made deals, so perhaps this Mistress isn’t Bright Eyes, not cruel enough towards Goblins. She thanks them!

If this Mistress isn’t Bright Eyes, then who is she? Sweetears stopped thinking then as Prettynose and Bluefingers gasped, their heads snapping towards Sweetears, guilt and pleasure emanating from their satisfied faces. She grabbed and twisted an ear of each and led them away, to the back of the Inner Cavern and well away from the Mistress, to hiss at them to use their hands and fingers to clean, polish and sharpen and not on themselves.