One all-encompassing fear haunted Nysa her entire adult life, all others inconsequential and in the context of this mind assault mere frights, like someone jumping out of hiding, therefore trivial and easily dismissed. Her primary fear grew from her years of failure to graduate beyond Judge Knight Acolyte, the Priests of Judge assessing her as inadequate despite passing the acceptance test unassisted, when she knew others acquired or their families purchased hints, clues or disgustingly, maps. Reducing the Holy test of faith to a treasure hunt instead. When she requested her release from her Temple of Judge, the Priests did so immediately and overly enthusiastically, confirming her suspicion they tolerated her, nothing more.

Nysa then risked everything on being accepted by a newly established, unique martial order of women founded by the Ladies Three, Trial of Three contestants. Before being proclaimed Daughters of the Duchess Nysa already discovered trust, loyalty and balance amongst her sisters, taking the edge from her failure. As Daughters of the Duchess, her and her Mistress confronted and withstood evil, even destroying evil, Nysa calling upon her unwavering faith in Judge, her God answering her call and completely removing her sense of failure. She firmly believed in that moment, her failure within the Temple of Judge; his will, to force her to exercise her faith elsewhere.

This belief, whether true or false in effect irrelevant, Nysa convinced herself Judge guided her path due to her unequivocal faith in him so her current state of mine became her reality. Her past failure washed away and therefore her path now clear, living her truth, one blessed by Judge.

Furthermore, Nysa recognised this evil. Having identified the assault upon her mind, confident of her future purpose she relaxed to contemplate and plan. The evil washing over her mind tasted like the Watcher and once again steeped in her faith, she prepared to confront and if Judge wills it, be his holy instrument to vanquish this affront to his divinity. Nysa’s mind therefore easily climbed out of the horror being inflicted upon her sisters, the fear poison not virulent to her and therefore not incapacitating. Her primary motivations, single-minded worship of her God, utter loyalty to her Mistress for accepting her and an unwavering dedication to perfect her martial skills to destroy evil in Judge’s name.

With Otonia’s face frozen in fear, Nysa acquired one of Otonia’s knives to place in her shield sheath, removing her own dagger first. She gripped her sword and drew on her faith calling to Judge, her legs and torso powering her upwards, the move attempting to connect and shield-bash this strange floating apparition, aiming to strike the evil with her God’s Holy Symbol. The evil seemed to sense Nysa’s resistance to her power or perhaps determination and slid sideways avoiding most of Nysa’s strike, the evil being incensed and now fixated upon Nysa.

Otonia and Kyra rallied, feeding off of Nysa’s faith while the evil’s focus dispersed, diverted elsewhere. They began their own fight, trying to resist their nightmares and return to their own truth instead of blithely accepting the overwhelming fatality and horror being offered.

A sleepiness grew deep inside Nysa. The screaming of her sisters around her fading to silence. The shield becoming heavy on her arm, facing down, about to fall. Nysa defiant, urging her body to overrule her mind, to lift up her sword and shield, the days upon days of practice awaking her muscle memory, her body responding, adopting a warrior’s shield stance, her faith responding, a Judge Knight Adept answering her call to purpose, to defeat evil.

In rising up Nysa presented her shield’s embossed symbol of faith towards the evil, this in many ways worse than the shield bash as the evil’s view became drawn to the most obvious gravitas in the narrow passageway. Nysa’s faith fortified Judge’s Holy Symbol emblazoned upon her shield casting the she-evil back. Recovering from her sleepiness and Nysa’s mind now familiar with this new evil influence, she yearned for payback turning resolute and adopting a killer calm. Her strong muscular body tense and coiled ready to vanquish and destroy.

The sisters of her Warrior Three fed off Nysa’s confidence in herself and her faith, strengthening their resolve, Kyra in particular able to think clearly, deciding to fall back and rescue one sister at a time; dragging if necessary, assisting and encouraging them otherwise to escape from the evil thrall tormenting them. Otonia found faith in her remaining knife, recovering quickly from the loss of the other. One knife would be enough to slay anything, even an Elven Lord Charis said, therefore this evil would be tested and pay for the pain and suffering inflicted like those before, the stranger and the two kidnappers for instance.

The evil tried to reapproach Nysa, the passageway too narrow to flank her, and she carried the glorious faith of her God in her heart. While feint light from dropped lanterns illuminated their battle ground, Nysa didn’t seem to need its assistance. Nysa attuned to the evil via her faith, capable of targeting every movement, where the evil cringed and how and when it tried to reposition, offering no respite, no escape. She slowly forced the evil back, satisfied when they passed the doorway to the downward stairs.

Nysa screamed at the top of her lungs, “If you are awake sisters, walk, crawl if you have to towards me and try to wake any sisters you find.” Kyra of course forcing the issue earlier, smiling to herself in response to Nysa’s call out.

The evil hissed, retreating from Nysa, without prompting or provocation. No! Nysa in her exuberance herded the evil towards the circular door and the Sixth Cavern. Nysa followed, drawn by her need to protect, given no other choice now. Surprised and relieved when the evil halted again. Light from the Sixth Cavern beamed through the circular door, slicing across the passageway and clearing most of the dark corners on either side. The evil exclusively favouring the shadow, of which several persisted.

Nysa pushed again, the evil needing to expose a portion of itself to the light. The evil’s shadowy form, which Nysa attributed to her poor eyesight in the dark, solidified. She then heard noises behind her, although unable to look back she needed to trust her sisters, Nysa knew she needed to look forward, always forward presenting her God Judge and her faith in him at this evil.

An arrow passed her head with a whish and would have pierced the eye of the evil except darkness shrouded its head and the arrow passed through to bounce off the passage wall behind.

“More light, we need lanterns or torches!” shouted Nysa.

Zoe repositioned, needing to keep her distance, already rescued from her torment by Kyra once, the curve of the passageway and Nysa’s occupation of her line of sight to the she-evil challenging. She targeted the evil’s leg, illuminated by light and solid. The arrow released true and then shattered, destroyed by the evil’s protection. Nysa heard Zoe draw a breath of surprise. The evil laughed. Zoe immediately wished for Charis to return with her Elven bow and arrow.

Torches were thrown and the light increased, at least until they would burn out. Then the she-evil spoke.

“You cannot harm me and soon you will tire and when you tire, I will master you again for I never tire.”

In the light she looked human, high cheek bones, cold emotionless black eyes, tall, long black hair wisping about, very pale skin and very finely crafted, billowing pants and long-sleeved shirt, her clothes black to match her hair. Nysa found her clothes somewhat odd, in a fine dress she would have otherwise appeared as a refined noble lady if properly human.

Then a knife whistled passed Nysa’s ear slicing several strands of her dark brown hair scattering them to the floor. Unbelievably the evil’s eyes followed the knife’s line and she held up her hand with moments spare to speak.

Nysa charged, presenting her shield.

“I will catch the feeble weapon and throw it back at your …” The evil’s eyes lifted, noticing Nysa’s advance and in so doing caught full sight of Judge’s hateful symbol.

This distracted her catch attempt and the knife pierced the she-evil’s hand, she responded by throwing her head back and screaming. Reaching with her other hand to pull the knife out, Nysa crashed into her jamming both of hands against her modest chest, although unable to push her back Nysa's brute strength resisted. Nysa dropped her sword and quickly reached for Otonia’s second knife from her shield’s dagger sheath. The evil sizzled and screamed, frantically and slowing pushing Nysa back trying to dislodge the shield and free her arms. Nysa, concealing signs of her strike behind her shield, struck around the shield edge driving the knife into the side of the evil, emulating Charis’ arrow on the Watcher pushing until the creature’s screaming stopped. The creature retained its form and shape, so Nysa continued to drive the knife in, hammering it with her gloved fist hoping for tell-tale dust and therefore destruction.

Silence.

“Is it dead?” asked Zoe, now stepping forward to inspect, Astera and Thyia flanking her.

“The last time something like this attacked us, it went to dust, but Charis told us different evil is created differently so needs to be destroyed differently,” Astera answered.

“What are we to do with Wormy and his mate?” asked Zoe, returning to things more mundane.

“Well at least the Goblin sisters are tough, they’re consoling the one Wormy cut and she is bandaged, mainly cuts to her arms and looking well enough. The Goblin sisters also have Wormy and his mate roped, although they’re protesting, they can’t remember a thing!” advised Latona who then swooned, caught by Otonia gently lowering her to the floor of the passageway. All understanding and sympathising.

“I will ask the elder to rebuild the door and try to hide it as much as possible since we can see the mechanism from this side, we can open it in future if required. For now, we just need to leave this part of the caverns and recover,” declared Astera, her eyes assessing the prone form of Latona, witnessed Kyra cradling Jocasta’s unconscious body hurrying her away from the evil and now certain, other sisters would need time, including herself. Her nightmare challenging her, tormenting her with failure, her leadership of the Daughters false and frail and upon Charis’ return the company would no longer exist due to death, desertion and division while under her leadership. Astera accepted that could be one outcome although she drew on Charis’ judgement and if Charis believed in her, what right did she have to doubt. While she lived Charis’ legacy would remain.

---

They all filed out of the passageway, the illumination of the Sixth Cavern more than a welcome; a beacon of light for those sisters lost in the darkness of their nightmares and the doubts which grew from their inner most fears. The least affected and quickest to recover were Nysa’s Warrior Three. Perhaps Nysa’s resolute faith infected them through their shared link, Otonia recovering, able to throw one of her knives, while Kyra found new respect for Nysa’s absolute faith in Judge and discovered her own faith enabling her to act. The Warrior Three last to leave the passageway, the rigid body of the evil, perfectly stilled and suspended in a blanket between them.

Astera ordered the body of the evil taken to Main Cavern immediately and under guard. The sisters assigned to the duty, picked themselves in effect, Nysa, Kyra, Otonia and Hagne, most of Night Shift. The knife piercing the evil’s hand retrieved by Otonia and upon close inspection the wound created, remained, an encouraging sign.

“What of Night Shift Mistress?” asked Nysa.

“Would you feel up to completing your shift?”

“Perhaps discussion while on watch will allow us to talk through our recent encounter with evil,” murmured Nysa.

Astera slowly nodded, in thought herself. “Yes, perfect. In fact, Helice can you test a theory if you haven’t already and Seer Link to Clymene?”

Helice opened her mouth and then closed it. Why didn’t she try? An evil laired in the Caverns, not in the centre, more near the House, the Sixth Cavern, although perhaps a lower Cavern more to its usual liking.

“Sister!” sent Helice.

“We are linked. Why the joy?”

“I am in the Sixth Cavern.” Helice dug within herself, her Items drained, to form a Seer Circle inviting Hagne, Korinna and Niobe.

“Sisters we are free, an evil in the Cavern the cause!” Helice shared her celebration.

Helice caught a brief conversation between Astera and Zosime, shortly after Zosime and Zoe bolted from the Cavern.

“Sisters I must go, Charis could be awake given the evil is defeated and I follow Zosime and Zoe!” sent Helice, an eagerness rippling through their Seer Circle.

Astera quietly celebrated Charis’ recovery with a small prayer of thanks to Judge, certain a Seer Sister such as Zosime would somehow know or be aware. Nevertheless, she needed to ensure the Daughters of the Duchess fully recovered from their individual ordeals including herself.

Latona now recovered, consoled the wounded Goblin sister, Prettynose or maybe Bluefingers? Her two Goblin sisters joining in. Zosime having easily scoped Jocasta’s unconscious body up, holding the child to her and rescuing her from the passageway and gently releasing her into the light of the Sixth Cavern and Agape’s care, who then wiped Jocasta’s brow with a damp cloth to wake her. Thais and Alexa looking on, their hands fiddling, eager to assist, unable to decide who and how and finally standing with Astera.

“Thais and Alexa, offer to help Agape and take Jocasta to the House. Seer Link with Clymene so she and Ismene can prepare a bunk for her and another for Agape. They were both closest to the evil and perhaps have things to discuss. Send some urchins back to take Wormy and his girl into their care and ensure they have a meal and water.”

“Yes Mistress …” Thais and Alexa hesitated, Alexa pausing to linger. “Seers go to check on Charis, do we still call you Mistress?”

“For now, usually Charis will formally request the title of Mistress from me, therefore I am Mistress until then,” replied Astera, slowly surveying the Cavern and the remaining sisters.

“Are you saddened Mistress?”

Thais lightly slapped Alexa on her arm. “You can’t ask that? Sorry Mistress, Alexa oversteps.”

“Any question can be asked of your Mistress.” Astera painted on a fake smile for the twins’ benefit. “I am saddened by the hurt I see and the hurt I don’t see in this Cavern and I am concerned by the sisters who ran from this hurt under the guise of checking on Mistress Charis.”

This time a shake of the head and a genuine smile as she grabbed each twin under the chin. “Stay with Agape and Jocasta until they fall asleep or you do, please, they require company tonight.”

“Yes Mistress.” The twins hurried to Agape and Jocasta and chatted to start with, while Astera approached Latona.

Latona and the Goblin Sisters, including the wounded went to bow and Astera waved them and their show of respect away.

“The brave, don’t need to bow, especially since we owe you for leading us through the maze of passageways and …erm finding the urchins.” Astera said, while placing the palm of her hand on the cheek of the wounded Goblin and then each other in turn accompanied by a warm genuine smile.

Latona straightened. “They were brave Mistress … proving their loyalty perhaps … enough I mean?”

“I caretake as Mistress and with Charis close to or already recovered all that can wait for her.” Astera didn’t miss Latona’s sad eyes. “I will of course offer my recommendation … alright?”

Latona brightened and wrapped her arms around the Goblin Sisters gibbering a response in their own language. Three sets of glistening eyes sort out Astera, curtly nodding.

“Let Thyia act as your honour guard and escort you to the Main Cavern.”

Thyia’s questioning look answered by Astera as she waved over the prone and defenceless urchin bodies of Wormy and his consort.

---

Zosime hesitated at the Water Cavern entrance, the horror surfacing again. Quelled when the back of a bare hand caressed her cheek.

“Be brave my sister, the evil has been vanquished and we hope for Charis,” whispered Zoe.

Zoe’s soft booted feet left the ground, her entire body lifted and engulfed in the warmest of embraces and her lips engulfed in the sweetest of kisses. Zosime broke off the kiss and then reconsidered, smiling, she stole another.

“Our Mistress awaits,” murmured Zosime.

Zoe held the lantern aloft allowing her and Zosime to follow the light cast upon the stone floor of the Cavern, then the wall of the Stone Cabin until the light bent around the edge of the Stone Cabin entrance. Racing out to meet them, every limb trembling and eyes bulging, Ismene, who leapt into Zosime, her arms strangling Zosime’s neck. Zosime reacting instinctively, catching and hugging her in return.

“What is it Ismene,” whispered Zoe, gently sweeping Ismene’s golden brown hair away from her cheek, her face buried in Zosime’s chest.

Ismene pointed to the Cabin and sobbed. Zosime nodded to Zoe.

“Helice hurry, Ismene has run sobbing from the Cabin, tell Mistress,” sent Zosime.

Zoe searched for another lantern and finding none used a torch. The Cavern Entrance being enhanced with a recess in the stone to hold it, a stone hook shaped below for a lantern. The wavering fire light better than dark as Zoe, lantern light leading cautiously snuck into the cabin.

A body under furs and blankets lay still on the bottom bunk. Charis’ dark hair on display, her body facing away from the entrance and to Zoe’s relief, her chest rising and falling, still breathing. Why did Ismene run terrified from the cabin?

Zoe lent over Charis’ body with the lantern. As the light splashed upon Charis a ripple of sorts ran before the illumination. Zoe gulped, swallowing hard, the affect reminding her of the she-evil when light struck her body, the feint ghostly shadow solidifying, although immune to her plain arrows. Tentatively, more than once withdrawing her hand Zoe reached to touch the back of her hand to Charis’ cheek. A chill radiating over her hand several finger widths away before actually landing on her Mistress’ cheek. Once upon her Mistress’ cheek the warmth in her own hand fought the cold and several times Zoe withdrew her hand to rub her hands together and try again and again, lost in the contest, tearing and trying to warm her Mistress.

Tapping Zoe on her shoulder. “What are you doing Zoe?” asked Helice.

Zoe gasped her trance broken. “The Mistress is ghostly or a shadow … like the evil until light is upon her. Her body cold, although as I warm my hands and place them on her cheek the chill retreats and I am hopeful her own warmth returns, although her white skin makes this impossible to tell.”

“Hagne have you relieved Evening Shift as yet?” sent Helice. Zoe’s voice thin, her words a prattle, although light and warmth the takeaways, which seemed to improve Charis’ condition.

“We are about to sister, is the Mistress recovered? Can we tell everyone? They will be …”

“No sister, our Mistress is in a dire state. Ask the Evening Shift to bring lanterns and armfuls of wooden handles, possibly their bodies, their Mistress needs them. Also, the elder.”

Helice then needed to prepare another Seer sister.

“Clymene if we send stones to you can you heat them on the stove or in the oven?” sent Helice.

“I guess, an unusual request, why?”

“Mistress Charis is unnaturally cold, regardless of the blankets and furs upon her. I believe outside warmth is required and light. While body warmth could be used and will be, I think the heated stone will turn the Stone Cabin into a sort of oven and lanterns will provide the light.”

“I have prepared a meal for the returning sisters, also Wormy and his urchins so the stove is warm, and I will prepare the oven, so as soon as you send me the stones, they can be heated,” sent Clymene.

---

Astera farewelled the urchins as they took Wormy and his consort to the Upper Cavern. Scanning the Sixth Cavern she collected several lanterns; half belonged to Ismene’s Store Room, the other half to the elder’s Cavern to cast enough light for training. She needed to leave the Cavern doing something so carrying back lanterns would have to do. A lonely pile of stone scree, a leftover from when the elder created the stone lock, would need to remain for now.

Approaching the Fifth Cavern, a certain voice cursed and swore and Astera needed to investigate as the elder, frustrated, would hopefully be a bright humorous moment this dark night and perhaps Astera could offer her assistance.

“What ails you elder? I can hear you before I see you.”

The elder retreated from the back wall of the Fifth Cavern as if stung, swivelling, a scrunched-up aged face greeted Astera. “Blast, dam and blast is all I can say!”

“What?”

“Simple, if a secret door exists in the Sixth Cavern it stands to reason a secret door exists in the Fifth Cavern and possibly Fourth and so on.” The elder’s eyes looked up defeated. “My search is fruitless.”

“Perhaps our Goblins sisters can assist?” offered Astera, trying to hold back a smirk.

“Yes … although, alright then I guess I must give in.”

“One is wounded, the other two may help.” Astera handed out a couple of lanterns to the elder, who stared down at them. “Especially if their Mistress commanded them.” Astera raised an eyebrow.

“You drive a hard bargain. You know my bones are old!” replied the elder, while now accepting the lanterns.

Astera grinned and headed for the Cavern Entrance, satisfied when the elder scuffed the Cavern floor a couple of times, confirming she followed.

“We will visit Charis on our way,” called Astera, over her shoulder.

“Before you rush off,” whined the elder.

Astera paused and faced the elder.

“I spent some time trying to convince the young one, um, Latona to fib or embellish perhaps and she remained true.”

“Why do you tell me?” ask Astera, slightly confused.

“You are Mistress are you not? The Mistress asked me to test her given we haven’t known her long.” The elder’s voice trailing off in a matter of fact obvious tone.

Astera flabbergasted, didn’t the elder recognise the difference between herself and Charis? Surely, she must know the difference and if so, did she call her back so she could be the first out of the Cavern and lead? Surely not for something so petty? Snapping out of daze, Astera hurried to catch up with the mysterious little woman who always managed to confound her.

---

Latona trod down the passageway, her Goblin sisters in good spirits after being congratulated by the Mistress. Prettynose mollified somewhat as her sisters convinced her the knife wound would leave a battle scar, which she could boast of. Thyia followed not understanding any of the Goblin speak, still certain of their loyalty and goodwill all the same.

Torch light ahead caused Latona to slow and Thyia to shuffle passed the Goblin sisters and take the lead. Sneaking ahead, Zosime called to her before the assassin could be in anyway surprised.

“You are welcome sister, is Astera with you?”

“No, Latona and the Goblin Sisters, Mistress is waiting for the urchins to pick up Wormy and his girl, although I would expect that done by now,” replied Thyia.

“Helice, the Goblin Sisters have arrived with Latona,” sent Zosime.

Helice clasped Zoe upon her shoulder to gain her attention. “I am organising some help, stay with Charis.” Zoe nodded.

When Helice reached the Water Cavern Entrance Latona and the Goblin Sisters were trying to peer in, Zosime and Ismene somewhat blocking their view.

“Latona, we need the Goblin Sisters to cart the leftover stone in this Cavern and the Sixth Cavern to the House so Clymene can heat it and once heated carted back here so Charis’ Stone Cabin can be heated. Do you think they will?”

Latona didn’t answer, instead huddling with the Goblin Sisters. Helice confused when the three Goblins sprinted away.

“They are going to the Sixth Cavern and will use the trolleys there to take the stone in that Cavern to Clymene. I suggested they empty the trolleys in the Upper Cavern and ask the urchins to help pass it up into the House.”

Helice nodded satisfied and gently reached for Ismene, who still clung to Zosime.

“Ismene, Mistress Charis needs your help.” Helice petted the long hair of the Daughter’s Provedore. “Ismene?”

Ismene turned her head, her eyes lost in Zosime’s breasts, which Helice ignored satisfied she listened.

“What do you have in a Store Room that we can carry or hold hot stone in to get them to Charis’ Stone Cabin?”

Ismene chewed on her lip for a moment and then springing from between Zosime’s chest, alert and willing, raised a finger in air.

“We have pottery jars, which held our grain, most of which are now empty,” said Ismene, happy with herself.

“Return to Clymene, she will be expecting you and see if between you, several can be ready by the stove and oven,” encouraged Helice, deciding Ismene needed to return to the House, intending to also warn Clymene of their sister’s fragile state, a state Helice sympathised with.

Ismene took several steps towards the Cavern Entrance and before passing through paused, leaning her head against the cold stone sidewall, her lantern hanging loose by her side.

“I will go with you sister and help,” offered Latona, clasping Ismene’s hand and after a slight encouraging tug led her through taking the lantern from Ismene’s other hand and both bravely plunging into the passageway.

Helice, Zosime and Thyia gathered around Charis supporting Zoe, positioning their body close and rubbing their hands against Charis’ limbs and face to warm her trying to avoid excess shadow falling across her body.

---

Astera ventured into the Water Cavern, elder in tow, fully informed, the Goblin Sisters confused her somewhat, cleared up once she met Latona while purposefully encouraging Ismene.

“Did you need lanterns Helice?” Astera surprised them with her entrance.

“Yes Mistress, and a favour from the elder if possible,” asked Helice, turning her gaze to the elder.

Astera also eyed the elder, who shrugged and waved her hand suggesting Helice ask.

“We need lantern hooks, one each corner at waist height, head height and halfway to the ceiling height. Also, we need some hooks over the doorway, that way we can hang furs or blankets there to seal off the doorway as best we can. Is that possible elder?”

“Yes, although I will need to use as much magic as you have. Most was used to create the ‘stone lock’ in the Sixth Cavern.”

“Start with the chest height and the door hooks in case we are short, elder,” suggested Astera.

The elder finished and retired to her Stone Cabin as the Evening Shift struggled passed. They left the lanterns and were asked to take the wooden handles to Clymene as the stove and oven would require fuel. Then bathe, eat and sleep in the House as at least one shift needed to be well rested. Astera, Thyia and a reluctant Zoe retired for the night choosing the House also, lured by the prospect of a bath.

Zosime and Helice positioned and lit the lanterns, waist height and chest height, the light flooding Charis’ Stone Cabin, once they manoeuvred the double bunk out. Charis laid upon a bedroll, furs underneath to further separate their Mistress’ body from the cold stone floor. Furs and blankets also hung from the doorway to seal in most of the heat. Before first bell the heated stones arrived and with the help of the Goblin sisters, they poured the stone alongside of Charis’ improvised bed, directly upon the stone floor. The future deliveries they left in the clay pots and positioned them around Charis ensuring they didn’t cast a shadow across her.

The Goblin sisters found Zosime and Helice asleep during their next visit and made up some bedrolls for each of them and laid them down so they could sleep as comfortably as possible. They topped up the lanterns with oil they brought with them at Helice’s suggestion during the prior delivery. The Goblin sisters made do with the discarded double bunk, now in the Water Cavern falling asleep immediately, the wounded Prettynose taking the top bunk while Bluefingers and Sweetears shared the bottom bunk, heads and toes fashion.

+++

Nysa half-asleep couldn’t believe her eyes. Alexis, Thais, Alexa, Agape and Latona marched down the passageway to relieve the Night Shift at second bell.

“How will this work?”

“I will pretend to be the Evil Priest, Agape and Alexa will occupy the Cavern Blind, while Thais and Latona will stand watch at the Guard Post,” answered Alexis.

“What if we are visited?”

“We will be well warned. Everyone will have crossbows and Thais will run to the Inner Cavern to rouse you or Seer Link with Hagne or Alcmene. So quickly to the House to bathe and eat and return to the Inner Cavern to sleep and be woken to rescue us if needed.”

“If you are certain.” Nysa remained concerned although she didn’t know if they acted upon the Mistress’ orders or not and the Night Shift except for Alcmene were tired. She could ask Hagne and Alcmene to check, with perhaps Clymene, although given Astera’s night Nysa didn’t want to be the sister to wake her early and the sisters before her displayed confidence.

“Yes, sister, now go.” Alexis briefly hugging Nysa.

“Don’t tamper with the body of the evil and ensure light forever shines upon it, we are waiting for the afternoon sunlight to strike as a test.”

Alexis solemnly nodded.

Nysa, finally satisfied Alexis realised the weight of responsibility upon her, permitted the improvised Day Shift to swap out with Night Shift. She then led Night Shift in their armour to the House with haste as suggested by Alexis.

---

“I thank-you for keeping me company through the night,” whispered Ismene, her arm lazily wrapped around Latona’s torso, deliberately avoiding any sexual inuendo, purely grateful.

“Your dreams where proof enough you shouldn’t lay alone … I am happy to be in your company as well, the evil forced me to face the loss of my parents, not only their deaths, my absence the sole reason for their deaths by not returning to the farm, so the blame all mine. Taken against my will, unable during Death Season to return to them my reasons for rejecting the nightmare forced upon me. Still, listening to your mutterings last night made me realise, in our own ways we need to endure helplessness and pain, to strengthen us to survive. The village of my birth endured any hardship by sharing our problems, helping each other over them, perhaps sharing your life story this past night will help you.”

Ismene stretched across and with feather like touch kissed Latona on her cheek. “My Mistress required my body warmth and I celebrated my useful purpose.” Ismene closed her eyes, squeezing the tearing back, unsuccessfully.

During the pause Latona placed her arm upon Ismene’s arm, which rested across Latona’s torso.

“I knew the village would help my parents if they were ever in trouble, which is another reason I disbelieved the evil. The Daughters of the Duchess are much like my former village in that regard, we help each other, which is why I feel so at home here. So please continue.”

“Yes, continue Ismene, we need to share and in sharing support each other.”

Ismene and Latona cast their eyes about searching for the speaker, Latona immediately embarrassed, looking away as Agape’s naked slender body on tippy toes danced around an intervening bunk to reach their bunk, resting her petite bottom upon the end of it. Latona troubled and intrigued by Ismene’s unflinching appreciative gaze of her former servant. Thais, her underclothe draped over her followed Agape and leaning in, wrapped her arm around Agape’s shoulders while lowering herself to the bunk maintaining their close company.

“Awake and join us sister,” sent Thais.

Alexa alerted by Thais jumped down from the top bunk lightly landing in the aisle between her bunk and Ismene and Latona’s bunk, placing her hand caringly upon Jocasta’s forehead. Studying her face, her eyes clearly darting from one side to the other under closed eyelids. Drawn to watch by Alexa’s attentive care of Jocasta, the sisters jumped, when Jocasta woke suddenly, reaching for Alexa and wrapping her arms around her, Jocasta’s head nestling upon Alexa’s chest and her small developing breasts.

“Speak of the Mistress Ismene, while Jocasta gathers herself,” whispered Alexa, positioning herself beside Jocasta.

Ismene’s eyes darted about checking she could, confirming her pain would be the first shared, she would need to be brave as the oldest, the big sister, not realising in Latona’s quiet way Latona had already shared first.

“My Mistress’ body chilled, not only a cold she kept to herself, a cold which radiated out from her body – as I tried to warm her with as much skin contact as possible I, um, you may not believe me.” Ismene coughed, stuttered.

“We will believe you sister,” reassured Latona, who planted a lingering kiss upon Ismene’s cheek. The surprise display of affection reassuring Ismene.

“I sank past or through my Mistress, I thought her gone, to where I don’t know … I screamed and ran. The doorway to the Stone Cabin outlined in light by some means, my salvation, which didn’t register in my moment of cowardice.” Ismene’s wailing sobs gathering frequency.

Latona lightly kissed Ismene’s closed eyelids, the act breaking her sobbing, her eyelids snapping open. Ismene’s blue eyes sinking deeply into the kindly bright green eyes hovering above her. Lying on her back, Ismene’s free arm snaked around and behind Latona’s head, her fingers raking through Latona’s longish black hair, drawing her sister to her. An initial resistance checked her attempt, aware in that moment Latona knew little to nothing of the love the Daughters of the Duchess shared.

“I am sorry sister … I am not yet ready to share myself,” stammered Latona.

“The fault is mine, the moment, I presumed …”

Agape lent over both sets of legs, her open hand patting Ismene’s thigh, still under the bunk’s blanket. “Not cowardice sister, a natural reaction to an evil influence as you will shortly understand as we share our memories.”

Ismene sobbed, “I left my Mistress while others sort to aid her … thinking only of myself, desperate to find rescue, to save myself … would I become like my ...”

Agape stretched out her hand forcefully capturing Ismene’s chin, startling her into paying attention to her former servant. “The evil’s presence forced my mind to turn against me, a nightmare, my greatest fear, being caught, my snooping punished horribly again and again, my skin flayed from me.” Agape’s body shuddered, Alexa uncertain how to comfort her and simply reached over and stroked the small of Agape’s slim back.

“You were never caught Agape, your loyal service to my family greatly appreciated,” assured Ismene, uncertain if Agape heard her as Agape continued.

“Next the evil examined my mind, laughing at my exploits, savouring my fears. I didn’t know such a thing possible, my mind easily opened, to feel so vulnerable and helpless. Lonely, unable to call upon my sisters …”

Ismene struggled to sit up, succeeding with a push from Latona. Alexa scrambling further along the bunk. Both sisters meeting, Agape sandwiched lovingly between them. Latona hesitated and then leapt in, her embrace reaching across Agape’s naked back, the flesh upon flesh contact stirring the unknown, her breasts crushed against her sister’s bodies due to the strength in her arms. Why? She released her embrace, confused now, emotions whirled, feelings uncertain.

A quiet voice squeaked, attempting to gather her thoughts, face her situation, after …

“Speak brave sister,” urged Thais.

Jocasta nestled more deeply into Thais’ embrace, her sisters arms a protection and comfort.

In a faraway disconnected state Jocasta joined words to try and explain.

“The evil enjoyed my mind, picking through my memories, forcing me to replay some of the more unsavoury, the ones I buried deep to blot them out and convince myself they didn’t happen, because I knew anyone shouldn’t witness such things, especially someone as young as me. I thought myself comfortable with loneliness but my time amongst the urchins convince me there could be more, so I proved myself useful to Mistress to join you, which proved my undoing, I craved you all, I awaited rescue from my torture, instead of trying ...”

As one, Ismene, Agape, Latona, Alexa and Thais held their breath, they didn’t need to know the details, Jocasta’s face drained of colour, her voice empty of emotion, the words spoken plain and clear, recounting an experience as if reporting as a witness, not one subject to the actual events.

“Rescue. I thought at the time, how? Dismissed the impossibility, desperate for the familiar, the comfort, to be held and told everything would be alright, instantly fixed. Zosime. Short raven black hair, green eyes, beautiful of face and muscular body, my mentor and trainer, her presence filled my mind. Erotic sweat, lustful breath, a tangle of naked bodies, her womanhood attended to by many, especially her Mistress, my body and mind engulfed, consumed in the gifted passion and shuddering multiple times by the intensity of her sexing.”

Thais gathered Jocasta closer to her, trying to wrap her and comfort her, questioning if she should, given her revealed sexual experience, even if an indirect one. The Seers fully aware of Charis’ edict and even now not wishing to break it.

“My past lustful dreams, mere whimsy of a fanciful child, falling well short of this truthful awakening of my body. Beyond my womanly awakening the elation of rescue and the fulfilment of my life’s dream, proof I carried Seer’s blood as throughout my ecstasy the evil celebrated the discovery as much, perhaps more than I.”

“We cannot test her sister,” sent Alexa.

“No, untrained, maybe Zosime could reach her as we don’t have the required skill or shared orgasm,” sent Thais, a trace of nervousness rippling along her thoughts.

The development of Seer Skill in such a young untrained mind fraught with danger, their own introduction to Seer Skill a shock and they were older and knew they could, being twins. The question of Jocasta’s sister or sisters and their whereabouts now needed to be answered. What fate determined one twin would be tossed out upon the street fighting for survival? Most likely the death of the other unfortunately.

“At the very peak of my life’s goal, my wish fulfilled, I knew treachery, thinking Zosime shared her Seer Link with me, wonderful, in a rapture of wonder or wonders and so I opened my mind freely, encouraging her, to allow her to share every horror by reliving them with my trusted sister to fully reveal my past and share, to possibly heal. An evil laughter echoed throughout my mind’s memories, fading and then snapping silent, the evil gone, Zosime’s manipulated presence gone. An utter betrayal. My shocked mind unable to cope.”

Latona, Agape and Ismene joined Jocasta on her bunk, each hugging her in turn, Agape short sheeting Ismene’s bunk to conceal her nakedness before doing so. Thais easing back.

“Leave our young sister to the care of our non-Seers,” sent Thais to her twin.

Thais and Alexa couldn’t resist the Seer Skill of Clymene and Alcmene as they drew the carpenter twins into their Seer Circle. Clymene’s tiredness plain, she couldn’t waste any energy concealing her condition.

Alcmene sent, “We are to tread carefully around Jocasta and while identified as a twin her young mind has suffered and while instinctively Zosime should be the one to guide her, the betrayal which occurred may deeply scar her and even though Jocasta accepts the evil manipulated her, our memory can at times play tricks upon us and hers has been played with by an evil meaning harm.”

Thais and Alexa relieved their instinctive actions deemed correct by the wisest of the Daughter of the Duchess Seer sisters. Thais and Alexa glad their exposure to the evil minimal; required to guard and defend the Sixth Cavern with Helice under plentiful lantern light.