Charis found a quiet corner in the Training Room, observing her sisters go about their business. In the Kitchen, Helice enjoying Alcmene and Clymene’s company, assisting one and teasing the other. Apart from that clue Charis wouldn’t have recognised either bald Seer Twin from the other across the length of the two rooms. Closer, steel clashing with steel or being slammed into embossed shields Nysa and Kyra waited by sparring, ferocious exchanges one moment, slow motion recreating or practicing the next and finally laughter and good humour occasionally sharing a joke or friendly mishap. Any doubts of Kyra’s loyalty long past. Nysa on the other hand, an unexplored potential, especially her religious dedication and worship of Judge and how she resisted the ignominy of disgrace when subject to the evil presence of the Master.

Hagne from Night Shift sat round table with three sisters from Day Shift. Zosime sitting opposite her, their powerful bodies an almost perfect reflection, while their looks and hair styles almost complete opposites. Alexis’ coltish body seated to her right, and surprisingly young Zoe in the last chair, her eyes darting to each speaker, silent herself, hanging on every word spoken by the Assassin Seers.

“A coin for your thoughts Mistress,” said Otonia.

Charis so deep in thought she didn’t realise Otonia approached her until she spoke. Equally not surprised for the same reason.

“Trying to see our way clear and the more I look the more lost I become.”

Otonia lent over, her light brown hair swinging, hugging her Mistress. She offered no comforting words, or useful advice. Otonia knew she wasn’t the big picture thinker and in fact enjoyed greatly being one of a Warrior Three, others would order them to a task, and they would complete it. Then their time became their own. She did remember those she owed and Charis went to the top of that list, once for taking her in, sharing food and shelter, then secreting her away in their disguises and finally, saving her from him, each moment awake, worshipping him regardless of the humiliation and punishments. Charis risked her life to follow and free someone she knew for barely a few days and Otonia would be forever grateful. Otonia knew she should join Nysa and Kyra, she also knew they understood she belonged, at this time with their Mistress.

Unknown to Otonia, Charis lamented their situation, trapped into defending a set of caverns and ultimately a not so secret path into the town of Hillperch. Threatened by an evil so powerful, he dismissed them as a threat to attend to other business and now surrounded by a mystery, which influenced them into certain follies. Their Mistress presently without a plan and blindly groping and grasping for one without reward.

Otonia smiled as Alcmene approached and with the few moments to spare needed to pass on a message to her Mistress. “Talk to Dione about Jocasta Mistress, something needs to be decided before Zosime and Zoe carry her training too far, to a point of no return.”

Like a tag team, Otonia released Charis and another pair of arms wrapped around her and a hot breath whispered in her ears. No hair swung free from this interloper.

“Your concerns leak from your mind Mistress, fortify your thoughts or stop thinking about your worries, especially the ones which aren’t in your power to prevent or change. Trust in our loyalty and we will trust in your care for us.”

“I will try Alcmene, although for the first time I don’t have a confident and certain answer to our situation.”

“Not now, not this instant, but you will and until then close your mind as you have only shared with my twin sister and Helice, perhaps Niobe although it will depend if she is numb while on guard duty or searching for a distraction.”

Alcmene gave Charis a farewell hug and collected Nysa, Kyra and Otonia from training. Hagne she Seer Linked to and as one they climbed down the trapdoor stairs into the caverns. Nysa would advise the twins and Latona to quit training and with Agape, Thyia and Alexis travel up and into the House. Charis reminding herself she still owed the elder a conversation and considered discussing Jocasta’s training with Zosime and Zoe there and then, although not ideal to do when tired, so she resisted.

“Helice I am going to bathe and then sleep in the Meeting Room. I need to talk to Latona and possibly Dione, can you wake me when Latona has bathed?”

“Yes, Mistress.”

---

Helice yawned as she approached Charis, fast asleep on the rugs in the Meeting Room. Helice didn’t whisper or speak, her first action from recent experience required her to hold her Mistress’ hand and tap slap it, gradually increasing the level of violence until success.

“Helice?”

“Yes Mistress, Latona has finished bathing, she can eat while you prepare if you like?”

“Yes, certainly. Dione?”

“Clymene reports Niobe has alerted her to prepare a feast, as the Evening Shift is on its way up.”

“Good.” Charis sat up and rubbing her eyes lightly, then stretching her arms. Finding her armour, she immediately dressed herself.

---

Latona cautiously entered the Meeting Room, Helice closing the door behind her, causing Latona to glance back, her escape route closed. Charis lent back against the wall her bottom resting upon a lounge like edge, her armour providing her an air of authority. Latona immediately dropping to one knee, chewing her inside cheek slightly.

“Latona approach please.”

A short distance to cover, although using baby steps she extended the time taken, her heart racing. She wondered why and for what her Mistress summoned her, was she failing at something?

“Latona, it has been several days since you have joined us and while it has not been said freely and plainly, I need to let you know about some arrangements we have made as warrior-sisters.”

“Yes Mistress?” The words squeaking out between her full lips.

“Most of the warrior-sisters are virgins, especially the Seers, they haven’t lain with a man. You know what lying with a man means?”

Latona felt a certain relief, the birds and the bees talk perhaps, this she knew well.

“Yes Mistress, I am a farmer’s daughter and know how new animals are made and what needs to occur many weeks before.” There was a slight smile on her face after she spoke, which she couldn’t control in time, overconfidence.

“Well most of the warrior-sisters have chosen to lay with other warrior-sisters, again this is especially true of the Seers.”

Latona’s face remained neutral, not displaying any emotion, one way or the other as inwardly this subject didn’t affect her staying or leaving and really who cares as none imposed upon her.

“This is only by consent. So, if you are asked perhaps, there will be no judgement if you say no. You understand?” Charis asked, her eyes trained upon Latona’s face trying to determine the sincerity of her answer.

“Yes Mistress. No one has approached me, but I have noticed certain affections between warrior-sisters that seem to be beyond normal friendship.” Her words flowing easily for a change.

“Do you have any questions? Do you think this puts your oath to me in jeopardy perhaps?”

“Never Mistress, I am wholly bound to you, it is my privilege to be in your service. My only question is can I ask another warrior-sister? Am I allowed to?”

“Certainly, but as you do, they have the right to say no and it is not a requirement to remain a member of my company for you or any other sister to do what they don’t wish to in this regard.”

“Well I have kissed a boy and we tumbled in the hay with our shirts off so he could squeeze my … erm breasts but nothing more. So really the truth is I don’t know.” Her head tilted slightly to the left, the answer from her memory, a cheeky smile, feeling slightly relaxed now.

“We are having this conversation to let you know that you can take all the time you need to decide for yourself.” Charis stood, not trying to intimidate, trying to ensure Latona knew the decision belonged to her and only her.

“Yes Mistress.”

Charis nodded escorting Latona to the door of the Meeting Room, allowing her to escape. Latona pleased, a bounce to her step, as she hurried to join the twins at their table and share their company and a meal.

---

“I am sending Dione in Mistress are you prepared to receive her?” sent Helice.

“Yes, thank-you.”

Helice swung the door open and Dione led the way, finding a comfortable position on a wall lounge near Charis. Helice followed closing the door behind her.

“Is there a concern Jocasta or Latona aren’t really understanding or prepared for what they see?” Charis asked.

“No Mistress, at Helice’s urging, Latona and I discussed your talk with her, and she understands and is comfortable with our relationships with each other. Jocasta has seen more in her life than most twice her age.” Dione paused and Charis waited.

“With Zosime and Zoe assigned to Day Shift Jocasta asked me to train her and she told me her ultimate dream, as she called it.” Dione took a significant pause, glancing at Helice, which made Charis even more concerned, but the truth was always preferred to silence or worse still, a lie.

“Jocasta is determined to become a Seer, without Seer Training, without being a Twin, the last being a necessary requirement for all Seers as all know in our company. She is determined to do this because Charis her Mistress has shown it is possible. Zosime explained to her what time, energy and intimate relations it took to achieve it and couldn’t dissuade her. Zosime then said she was uncomfortable to begin such training with someone so young, notwithstanding their age difference and the judgement of others. She said she would wait until after Death Season, determination clearly etched across her face.”

“I see, so how does Jocasta, being present, witnessing a number of semi-naked warrior-sisters make this right, even if she waits?”

“She has seen totally naked warrior-sisters, in a Seer orgy for example on a number of occasions. This may not have been our intent, but as distracted as we were, she could go where she wanted, when she wanted, and she is difficult to find when she doesn’t want to be.”

“I am also of my own mind. I know what I want, since I first saw you Mistress,” stated Jocasta.

Charis, Helice and Dione turned to stare at her, flabbergasted, as none of them noticed her enter the room and she took advantage of the situation.

“You were so busy discussing me, you didn’t notice me listening and then entering the room. I am sorry Mistress, but I know what I am doing. To be your Bodyguard I must be a Seer, so I will do anything I must to achieve that. If I survive this Death Season, I will be thirteen years old. I have already started to bleed and if my family were important in society, I would be married off soon and expected to give birth to an heir. I know this not because I have been told, but because I have witnessed it. Apart from me, Dione is the youngest warrior-sister and I know you trust her with your life Mistress. I know Zosime is one of the oldest warrior-sisters and I know you trust her with your life also Mistress. So, it seems to me that age doesn’t matter, only dedication and holding to your oath as a warrior-sister. If I was interested in boys, Wormy would have obliged me many months ago, he worships me, and that is the only reason he hasn’t raped me.”

The last statement, like a bolt of lightning, shocked the others in the room into silence, turning to their own thoughts. They all thought highly of Wormy, especially since the leadership handover of the urchins to him occurred so smoothly. Seeing their dropped jaws and wide-eyed looks, Jocasta let out a laugh.

“He is a boy trying to become a man is he not? He has taken, with her consent, because I made sure, another. But I am under no illusions, if he did not respect and or fear me, he would have raped me, if he could, months ago.” At which point she dug out a small viciously sharp knife from somewhere upon her body.

“So, Mistress, given I know what is required, I request your permission to begin Seer Training if I survive Death Season.”

“If you survive Death Season, we will discuss your Seer Training again. I forbid any to lay with you at this time.” Charis held Jocasta’s eyes with hers and witnessed the gathering moisture, the prelude to tears.

Quietly and controlled, Jocasta replied, “Dione was Fifteen years when she lay with you and Otonia, all in the company know this and none have any issue with either her or you.”

“We are talking about you, although I know you are smart, and you figured something out as did Helice and I?”

Jocasta’s bottom lip dropped, and she lifted her foot to stamp it and then quietly lowered it down, her mature side catching her in the nick of time, her Mistress wouldn’t respect petulance and childlike behaviour from her future bodyguard.

“A fifteen-year-old, who doesn’t grow a finger width in height isn’t a fifteen-year-old,” she stated, flatly.

Dione’s jaw dropped; her secret revealed by a twelve-year-old. She didn’t see this meeting being turned upon her and her past revealed for the lie it was. She needed to explain, say something.

“I am sorry Jocasta that was my lie, from a troubled time and I know I am small and Charis and Otonia presented me with a path to security and safety and being fifteen I thought they couldn’t abandon someone so young, someone under age,” confessed Dione.

Dione searched Charis’ eyes, hers tearing, while considering her next words.

“I am sorry to have lied for so long, when in truth you would have saved me and protected me regardless. You offered to release me from my oath once Mistress and I now offer you the same, if you wish me gone, I will go.” Tears streamed down Dione’s face.

Charis reached out for Dione’s hands and smiled one of her knowing smiles.

“Never will I hold a sister to her oath if she doesn’t wish to be, so I ask do you really wish to be released?”

Dione started swaying her head from side to side. “Never Mistress, you are my family, although this lie … I don’t know how my sisters will forgive me?”

“First admit your lie to your Mistress and perhaps when you next meet her, Otonia your first savour.”

Dione drew her small body up and placed her hands, one on top of the other upon her heart.

“If I survive this Death Season, I will be Twenty years old.” She closed her eyes after, not wishing to see their reaction, not expecting silence, although Jocasta may have exhaled to break the absolute quiet.

“Open your eyes sister, nothing will change, the sun will rise in the morning and set in the evening,” said Charis.

Dione, encouraged by Charis’ words, slowly cracked open her eye lids.

Helice chortled. “Please ensure I am present when you confess to Otonia, she was always quite proud of being the older sister.”

“Well perhaps she can still be the big sister in other ways,” replied Charis.

“After all that who wins the bet?” asked Helice.

“Helice what do you mean bet!” replied Dione, indignant.

“You are amongst women, who have seen you naked, who have laid with you. Did you really expect them to believe you were fifteen, turning sixteen?” explained Helice.

“Everyone knew except me then. How is that possible I sneak around, I observe, and I listen?” spluttered Jocasta.

“Not all the time, have you ever endured a shift with any of your sisters? And other times of course.” Charis raised her eyes at her young ward, knowing this revelation wouldn’t dampened her determination and would require further discussion.

“Dione’s age is not the issue, your age is.” Charis decided to initiate the discussion and ensure Jocasta didn’t leave the room until she accepted the reality.

“Mistress, there are younger on the street, Wormy in the Cavern below.” Triumphally slapping her thigh, resting her case.

“Wormy hasn’t sworn an oath to me, he owes me no fealty, only information for food and shelter.”

Jocasta opened her mouth, her head moving slightly forward as if to speak, then back, closing her mouth. Charis feared, once the rational discussion ended, the emotional argument would start.

“There is also the question regarding Seers are created, not trained. You aren’t a twin Jocasta.” Charis needing to labour this particular point, hear out Jocasta’s solution and dispel it.

“You Mistress, you aren’t a twin and you succeeded.” The pleading in her eyes and voice, heart breaking.

“I am also, half or quarter elf, the Items attune to me differently and I use them differently and if you believe a venerable old Seer, the White Lady, I am Foretold. I have enough mystery about me for several people I suspect and being a Seer is another anomaly that I hope someone will explain to me one day.”

“So, your word is final Mistress, and therefore I will never serve as your bodyguard?”

A realist. Perhaps a street waif eking out a living day to day for many years takes what they can, ignores what is impossible.

“My word is final, although I don’t see why you can’t serve as my bodyguard, when trained and old enough?”

Jocasta’ face brighten for a moment and then the realist invaded her thoughts.

“I can tell when Helice talks to you Mistress, you both have improved, but there is a tell, and I know you depend upon her advice and she yours when required. Plus, the other Seers they communicate directly to you or Helice. I wish I was born a twin is all I can say.” Jocasta folded her arms across her chest, her chin resting upon them.

“Who is Astera’s bodyguard when she acts in my stead?”

“Thyia and I know she is not a Seer.” The words spoken with an obviousness, almost sarcasm.

“I would expect Astera to assign a Seer to attend her, while her bodyguard takes care of nearby danger. Isn’t that a worthy and honourable role? One that perhaps a skilled and determined Sister could train for?”

“Yes Mistress. I am honoured you have been prepared to listen to my plea and I realise now I dream of the impossible and I need to accept this truth since I could first listen to those older than myself.” Jocasta’s body compresses, defeated, barely straightening her shoulders as she slinks from the Meeting Room, quietly closing the door behind her without another word.

“Dione, thank you for your judgement in raising this, it was indeed correct to do so.”

Dione smiled; an open carefree happiness rarely seen until now. Perhaps confessing her age freed her from a self-imposed secret and lie.

“I have been with you from the beginning, or near enough, I did assume eventually I would be infected with your way of thinking! This just proves the theory correct!”

“Yes, with Otonia we are the original three and we have experienced much together, I thank you again.”

Dione yawned, Helice following her lead and finally Charis. They all joined each other is a small cackle.

“I think we all need to find our beds,” suggested Charis. Jocasta accepted the verdict easily, although her body language indicated her level of disappointment and Charis now became concerned. Did they push Charis’ young ward to an unpleasant edge? Charis knew for a certainty Jocasta displayed a resilience far above what her few years would suggest, given her desperate past, still everyone could reach a breaking point, and some did so suddenly …

+++

Charis awoke, Helice still asleep beside her, insisting she needed to guard her Mistress closely, very closely.

Fortifying her mind, Charis tumbled over the issues facing the Daughters of the Duchess. She didn’t have an answer for the return of the Master, therefore she turned to the mystery. An evil touched her mind, forced her to relive her past, the second time though she maintained control. Perhaps she could bait and lure the evil and being prepared this time she could be the hunter and not the prey. Once she explored this evil, perhaps she could locate it or anger it into foolishly revealing itself.

Charis shifted her eyes from the ceiling to Helice, wondering. Helice would try to dissuade her and probably prevent her from trying, possibly volunteering herself. Their Mistress needed to take this risk, explore this bold move. Charis under no illusion this folly in anyway constituted a plan. The failsafe, her trust and faith in Astera to lead the Daughters of the Duchess in her stead. The benefit, the possible removal of an evil, a thorn in their control and communication within the caverns and perhaps the advantage they needed to have any chance to defeat the Master.

A feather touch flickered across her mind, familiar and welcome she opened her mind slightly.

“Morning Mistress, excellent control, time to break your fast if you wish to wake Helice as I couldn’t contact her,” sent Clymene.

“Yes Clymene, consider it done, be down shortly.” Charis shocked, awake most of the night, today would be a long day, so best clear some issues sooner rather than later.

“Zosime?”

“Mistress?”

“Can you and Zoe meet me in the Meeting Room shortly?”

“It would be our pleasure Mistress.”

---

Helice waited outside the Meeting Room, while Charis decided to grab a chair and leaning forward, rested her head on the table to grab some nap time.

A knock on the door alerted Charis, who straightened before Zosime and Zoe entered.

“Welcome sisters, we need to discuss a training issue.”

Zosime and Zoe, not expecting such a bland topic, clearly disappointed. Their hopes dashed of participating in another sort of meeting.

“Jocasta seems to be hinting to Zosime in particular, she requires Seer Training.”

Zosime, releasing an audible breath, relief spreading across her face. Laying her clasped hands upon the table, nestling her head upon them, hiding.

“My partner is quite relieved, a moral dilemma she didn’t know the answer to, although she did decide to ask the Seer Circle when push came to shove, Mistress,” answered Zoe, while gently rubbing Zosime’s back.

“Look at me Zosime.”

Zosime raised her head, her eyes red, searching for her Mistress’ eyes and finding them kind and understanding.

“You don’t need to hold a secret this big or wrestle with a moral dilemma this repugnant. Jocasta is underage and she will wait until sixteen for sexy stuff. Her being a Seer is impossible, beyond her fate as she isn’t a twin, which we both know is an utter and final truth, yes?”

“Yes, Mistress, I don’t know what I was thinking even considering her request.”

“You offered her false hope and I needed to crush it, absolute and without much kindness. I need you two to stay close to her, train her in skills she can achieve and keep her busy and listen when she is ready to speak to you. She is a child hurting now and probably for some time.”

“Yes Mistress, we will be the best of older sisters towards her and ensure she can depend upon us,” said Zosime. Zoe nodding in agreement.

“She is not to be left alone, ask other sisters to help if needs be. You understand?”

“Yes Mistress.”

"Also, I accept a portion of the blame as it was I who instructed you to train her and not specifically forbid some aspects."

---

Helice cracked open the Training Room door, spying upon her Mistress, expecting an order or Seer Link contact once Zosime and Zoe left, their conversation with Charis a relief and a burden, apparently.

She slipped into the room intending to wake her and then paused, hand suspended over Charis’ right hand. Her Mistress’ head down lying on her crossed arms upon the tabletop. Asleep in an uncomfortable position, an indication of her level of tiredness perhaps. How could she be this tired? She slept in the House, in her own bed. Helice retreated from the Training Room. The Day Shift recently left for the caverns so the Night Shift would be in the House within a bell, so realistically Charis could sleep until they arrived.

“Is my Mistress available?” asked Ismene, with bubbly enthusiasm.

Helice shook her head. “Not at the moment perhaps after Night Shift returns.”

Ismene lowered her head, her mood switching. “Please tell my Mistress I have sorted the coins.”

Helice almost called Ismene back, her sad slow climb up the circular stairs a distinct contrast to her earlier joy. It being her duty to protect the Mistress and at times this meant tough choices.

“So cruel Helice, I have never seen Ismene change from happy to sad in an instant,” sent Clymene.

“I am concerned about the Mistress. She now sleeps in the Training Room after spending the night in her own bed.”

“Did she dream last night perhaps, then again probably not, since Ismene is usually the one with her when she does. Am I right in saying you spent the night with her?”

“Yes sister, although probably sleeping too heavy myself to ensure she slept well. Perhaps we need to stand a watch over her when she sleeps to ensure she does. Does such a suggestion sound too extreme?” Helice couldn’t think of what else to do, desperate to ensure Charis safe, even from herself.

“I believe we have come to that. I am sure Ismene would volunteer and possibly Agape. Agape could watch early night, Ismene dead of the night and myself towards the end of the night, while you sleep beside her?”

“We will think upon the idea some more. I am just glad you didn’t laugh at my suggestion …”

“You are closest to her, so your sisters will always take your advice on caring for our Mistress as I am sure Ismene is doing this moment, sad for sure but understanding.”

---

“Why Ismene?” accused Clymene.

Ismene stepped back, stopping when her bottom crashed into the Kitchen preparation table.

“The Night Shift started bathing and the Evening Shift woke to break their fast, those in the House awake.” What other reason could there be, she didn’t want to wake anyone.

“What if everyone wasn’t awake? The hammering and banging of the twins on your chicken coops would have woken the dead.”

“The twins would be called to training, there wasn’t another opportunity.” Tears sprung from her eyes; she didn’t understand, her hands covering her face to shield her from Clymene’s wrath. The twins building the chicken coops the last time, at this time of day, didn’t bother anyone.

“Is the Mistress awake?” sent Clymene.

“Yes, unfortunately and I can’t convince her to grab some more sleep.”

“Who can’t you convince Clymene?” sent Charis.

“None Mistress, the entire House is awake.”

Helice and Clymene somewhat relieved, in Charis’ waking state she didn’t quite figure out the correct details.

“Send Ismene, Charis wishes to talk to her,” sent Helice.

Clymene needed to act fast and hoped Ismene would be able to keep up. Surely one familiar with court intrigue could?

“Ismene, I apologise.” Caught in her tears, Clymene reached out and hugged her.

“Ismene, I apologise.”

Ismene eyes met Clymene’s blinking slowly in acknowledgement.

“You are to visit the Mistress now but before you do, you must understand Helice and I were trying to encourage the Mistress to sleep in this morning and your chicken coop making spoilt our plans, plans we probably should have shared with you.”

Ismene numbly nodded.

“She is tired again Ismene and after you see her you must encourage her to sleep.”

Ismene smiled and nodded. “I can take her to her room perhaps?” she whispered, conspiratorially.

“Yes, if you can encourage her to sleep, but not to dream, Ismene.”

Ismene nodded. “Yes sister.”

“Not to dream, she can’t be allowed to dream.”

Ismene hurried to the Meeting Room via the Store Room hauling a large book.

“She is on her way Mistress, she needed to collect a book first, does that make sense?” sent Clymene.

“Yes, possibly.”

---

“What can you tell me about the coins?” Charis asked, seated across from Ismene a large book between them on the table.

“I counted, tabulated and cross referenced all the coins I could find, my Mistress.” Ismene’s robe carelessly tied and the urgency to fetch the book allowing the folds to billow and reveal the curves her soft fair breasts. Helice suspicious, although trusting in Clymene and perhaps Ismene instructed to tempt their Mistress and lead her elsewhere, a room better suited to sleeping.

“Three Kings Mistress, there were three, lots of coins from one line, not so many from the other two lines. The coins were minted differently by each line, so definitely three Kings. Each King ruled seven Duke’s. It seems to me that the Dukes could mint their own coins to celebrate special occasions. More coins from the Dukes with the one King than the other two. I couldn’t confirm each King ruled seven Dukes but the one did, and it makes sense that the other two would have as well.”

“How does it make sense?” Charis asked.

“We honour, three and seven. Three multiplied by seven is twenty-one. You add the digits of twenty-one, a two and a one and added they equal three. Where else is twenty-one important Mistress?”

“My Elvish friend said he was one of twenty-one,” Charis replied in awe, her interest sweeping away her tiredness.

Charis became self-absorbed, momentarily, thinking upon this information. She decided to put Ismene’s information to the elder for consideration.

“Mistress?” asked Ismene.

“Do you have this written down, especially the Kings and Dukes and where they fit one after the other?”

“Yes, my Mistress. They are recorded in the book before you.” Her pride swelled as Charis gazed upon her humble book, moments passing by.

Charis thought about three, seven and twenty-one while she stared at Ismene’s book, asking herself how this could help them, especially since her Elven Lord proclaimed the evil was finally moving again against the last Duchy. Charis turned the wooden front cover with reverence, the edges of a wooden back cover revealed, both designed to provide excellent protection for the pages contained within. Each page carefully sewn in between the two covers. Charis took this breath-taking labour of love in, appraising the effort and result.

“The nice twins made the covers for me as I thought this could be my first book. I have sewn the pages so more can be added, although I have left some pages blank in obvious places because I know there is a gap there and…”

Charis stopped her talking. Ismene deliriously happy she did. The tender appreciative attention Charis bestowed upon her, while not crazy passionate, certainly recognition of worth and praise for skill and intelligence in delivering beyond expectations and exactly the right answer to an unknown and unstated question.

“You are wonderful, Ismene Daughter of the Duchess, warrior-sister of Charis.”

Charis hurried from the Training Room, Ismene’s book under her arm calling Helice to follow her.

If she had remained, she would have witnessed Ismene happily teary, never praiseworthy in her previous life, here yes, bursting with joy due to the recognition, firstly from all her warrior-sisters and now, especially now, from her Mistress.

Basking in her adulation and happiness, she realised her mistake when Clymene occupied the Room’s doorway, a sadness reddening her face.

---

The journey to the elder’s Cavern a hasty one, Helice concerned, while her Mistress brimmed with energy and excitement. Still morning when Charis met with the elder in her stone cabin.

“My what an impressive work,” whispered the elder. The book lay on a familiar wooden table, neither eager to open “Of the Kings and the Dukes”.

“I thought you could assist?” Charis peeling her eyes from the book, carefully placing her hand upon the elder’s shoulder.

“My family’s spell book, will be of assistance I think.” The elder disappeared further into the depths of her stone cabin.

This confused Charis for a moment.

Returning with spell book in hand, the elder explained. “The family would make a note of who the Duke and the King were when they discovered a spell or mastered an existing spell in the spell book. You can see all my notes and due to your generosity, I have been very proficient. Now all it needs is for me to compare the names I have with the names Ismene has discovered from the coins.”

“Would Ismene be able to spend some time with you to use your spell book notes to update her book? I wouldn’t want to add anything to her book myself and I don’t think we should.”

“Yes, I would look forward to her company, such a wonderful work, would she be able to do so tonight?”

“I will find out. Do you know of anywhere else we could obtain information about the Kings and Dukes?”

“I assume the Duke’s Palace would have his family line listed back as far as he can to prove his claim to the Title. He may or may not have other linages. I would have thought it important back when there were many that they would have a huge book of names, ranks, coat of arms and titles so they knew who was who for war, marriages and funerals, but where that is now is anyone’s guess.”

“What is curious is that the coin information doesn’t really make clear which King was King of this Duchy, it is like this Duchy was lost and forgotten and it may be one of the reasons we still exist.”

“Evil doesn’t forget. Let Ismene add the information my spell book has first and then we can talk some more,” suggested the elder.

“I wonder if the Duchess would want to share the Duke’s family line with her Daughters.”

“Invent a flattering reason and they will probably send you a servant to assist!” The elder laughing loud and coughing as a result.

“I wonder if the Elven Lord would have any memories of our Human past although it would be difficult to place them in order as the new Kings restarted the year at Year One as soon as Death Season finished.” Charis thinking aloud while the elder took to turning pages, her curiosity unable to resist any longer.

“It seems from reading what Ismene has discovered that every twenty-one years of a King’s Reign was cause of huge celebration, with three years and seven years being smaller celebrations. So, this makes more sense now, I thought the next King kept the name of the previous King at times and not at other times, but no it is the same King in his second reign, his next twenty-one years. No wonder they went to dust, it is all about them, how long they reigned, what important events and milestones occurred while they reigned.”

“I wonder if our current Duke is so self-centred.” Charis smirked, possibly knowing the answer.

“Well he hasn’t been influenced by any others his equal or better, so he is setting the rules, isn’t he?”

“So, we have some hope then?” replied Charis.

“I wouldn’t say that!” added Ismene, slightly breathless.

Charis didn’t expect Ismene to follow, although still glad she did.

“Welcome my girl and why do you say that?” asked the elder.

“My former family were minor nobles, but wealthy, as they were merchants long before being made noble by a former Duke who exchanged a vacant title for some much-needed coin. The Duke will wish to live as long as he can and rule for as long as he can so his name will glow more brightly in his family history. He is already demonstrating this, he hasn’t an heir or a spare as they say, he seems to think that without them he will be immune from death as he is the Duchy and it will die without him.”

“There is a slight logic and madness in his thinking at least. Who will become Duke if the Duke dies then?” asked the elder.

Ismene shrugged.

“It is probably something we need to know in case his madness truly ends the Dukedom in destruction,” Charis suggested.

“If permitted by you my Mistress, I could ask my former family what would become of the Dukedom if the Duke died. Unfortunately, it is a risky question to ask.”

“Perhaps it would be better to ask the Duchess but more indirectly as I don’t want to place you or your past family in any imagined plot.”

“Yes, my Mistress.”

“For now, copy in what you can from the elder’s book, discuss and draw any further conclusions and if you can think of any other books, then we may try to acquire them.”

“Yes, my Mistress.”