Astera awoke, her eye lids straining to open and confirm her condition, her location and the presence of any company. Instinctively her hand tapped and poked across the left side of the bed, the usual side.

“Ouch!” yelped Thyia, her naked right-hand side breast assaulted.

Astera's smile darkening quickly as she slammed both of her hands down, smacking the bed, what of Day Shift? What of the evil’s body? The shadow of Thyia’s naked body descended upon her and instead of an expected passionate kiss, Thyia’s teeth trapped Astera’s nipple, threatening to nip the hardening delight, tugging it further in a playful tease. Astera moaning slightly instead of protesting. Another set of teeth now capturing her other nipple. Thin eyebrows over hazel coloured eyes measuring Astera’s response to her attentions. Astera should be thinking of … other … things, her … responsibilities. Why so sexually wanton and salacious. So ... selfish.

Zoe joining them, sharing their room and insisting on sharing their bed certainly a consequence of their Warrior Three bond, Astera believed although her theory didn’t explain … everything. Her thought interrupted by an uncontrolled sigh of pleasure as Thyia and Zoe co-ordinated perfectly, tending to Astera’ breasts with their lips and teeth, while their fingers strayed to between her sculptured muscular thighs seeking dampness, a guide and invitation to strum her to a higher pleasure.

Right-hand fingers twirling her brown black hair, tongue running over her lips, Korinna savoured the scene before her. Unknown to the participants she quietly entered their bedroom of delight on a mission for Nysa; to fetch their Mistress. Firstly, to confirm the makeshift Day Shift and secondly confirm the disposal of the evil. The good morning wake-up attentions clearly developing into a full-on passionate encounter. Korinna coughed and smirked. The three naked bodies urgently laying back on the bed, disturbed although unrepentant, Zoe’s toned light brown legs opening invitingly, Thyia propping up one of her fair skinned legs while Astera’s glistening sex a brazen reveal of her pleasurable state of mind.

“Sister I am not sure Mistress will heed my summons, Thyia and Zoe are attending to her,” sent Korinna, her own state of arousal responding to the invitations before her.

“Hold your own lust sister, as Seers we have shared our traumas of last night, our Mistress though has no such means and can only turn to her present company of Thyia.”

“And Zoe,” sent Korinna, reminding Clymene of the third, amusement lacing her response, chuckling at Clymene’s delayed reply obviously surprised three shared a bed last night.

“Well, perhaps Mistress can have some more time, Nysa’s Warrior Three have gone for a bath and since they wore their armour to the House, they will probably want to wear their armour when they descend into the Caverns. And they need to eat yet. I sense your mirth sister,” sent Clymene now curious.

“I don’t doubt given the activity I am witnessing, although to be certain I will need to participate to ensure they finish in a timely manner.”

“Most conscientious of you, I will be sure to inform Nysa of your sacrifice,” sent Clymene and she waited, expecting a reply and after several hundred heartbeats she received one.

“Betrayed, the three vixens turned upon me … they co-ordinate their attentions most Seer like …” Korinna’ sensual delight diffusing over their Seer Link, Clymene infected with lust and almost dropping the plated meals she prepared for Night Shift.

Returning to the Kitchen, Clymene gathered herself and contemplated recent events. The Daughters accepted their Mistress needed rest and sleep; concern spread although not spoken, sleep night and day? A cursed sleep? With the defeat of the evil, many sisters expected Charis would wake whole and hearty and yet she still lay helpless. Observing the different affects upon sisters after confronting the evil or victimised by the evil a heart break and yet the grief she expected restrained instead, even amongst the Seers. They serve their Mistress. Each shift doing what they did before Charis slept and simply continuing, waiting and possibly assuming Charis the unkillable will recover. The same Charis who recovered from blindness.

Clymene convinced of the cause and therefore resentful of the guardianship of the Caverns which separated the Daughters into three parts, even the Seers as they wouldn’t disturb a Seer sleeping or preparing for her shift, the non-Seers as they didn’t spend time with each other, the only probable exception the Warrior Threes. Sadness, grief, disappointment would ripple across these separations, they weren’t ‘one’ at present, so when one sister met another from a different shift uncertainty ruled. Does this sister know what I know, does she know more? Has this sister self-reflected, talked to others? So how do the Daughters come back together as one thought Clymene?

Clymene considered her own role; she never ventured into the Caverns, never visited her Mistress while cursed, now simply a fixture of the House. Every sister at least twice a day met her for their meals, simple, functional. Although possibly the one remaining constant and therefore her dependable presence keeps the Daughters to their purpose, to their routine, while their Mistress’ life hangs by a thread. In that moment of realisation Clymene slumped across the Kitchen table and choose one of Otonia’s more colourful expletives to summarise her newfound responsibility.

---

The two Warrior Threes squeezed around the one table, one finishing their meal, the other ravenous, gulping theirs down, manners between mouthfuls at times a causality.

Clymene and Korinna observed the spectacle, elbows on the Kitchen table, chins resting on their fists.

“Thank-you for sharing Sister,” sent Clymene.

“My pleasure.” They both chuckled at the pun. “They were insatiable so knowing you had duties to attend to I found other recipients, also appreciative,” sent Korinna.

Clymene straightened and wearing a broad grin visited and cleared the table, allowing the six sisters to discuss their important business free of dirty plates as the table fell silent until she retreated back to the Kitchen, an eyebrow raised, tempting Korinna’s interest.

---

“Clymene organised the makeshift Day Shift?” questioned Nysa.

“I suppose we can consider the House Seer the next in the line of command if you wish, to make the arrangement easier to accept.” Astera not comprehending Nysa’s problem or angst, both her arms forward and her narrow head perched over them.

“Except for Alexis they are inexperienced, and the evil is in the Main Cavern and could be released.”

Nysa’s earnest appeal finally breaking Astera’s indifference. Incomplete sleep followed by burning a great deal of sexual energy not allowing her to focus, the meal provided by Clymene finally kicking in, simple oat gruel with drops of honey as a sweet surprise.

“The plan is to visit Charis and then dispose of the evil. Do you feel awake to accompany me?”

Nysa grabbed the edge of the table. “I am duty bound to destroy the evil and the sooner we know if Charis is fit to lead or not the better.”

Nysa’s awakening faith in Judge reaching new heights, while Kyra, silent at the table, didn’t rest her eyes from staring at Nysa the entire time Nysa’s Warrior Three waited for Astera’s Warrior Three to finish their meal, an observation Astera didn’t miss. Remarkably Otonia still saw beyond any devotion to Judge. Astera knew Nysa would be tired from last night and Night Shift so perhaps an explanation of her fervour lies there, so the sooner they started the sooner they finished.

The six journeyed down the passageways, half armed and armoured, the other half armed with daggers, wearing underclothe; their armour and weapons in the Inner Cavern, on the assumption the Goblin sisters would clean and sharpen as per usual. Astera called in on Wormy and the urchins and they affirmed they were whole and healthy even though they were questioned multiple ways.

Nysa and Astera exchanged a glance and then entered the Water Cavern, firstly noticing the empty double bunk outside the Stone Cabin and the hanging furs and blankets over the previously gapping entrance. The only hint of habitation the occasional leaking of light around the ‘door’.

Astera pulled aside the ‘door’ enough to allow her to slide in. A wall of heat hit her, the lantern light forcing her eyes to the floor. Charis lay naked, whole, slightly sweating perhaps as the light shone off her white skin. On either side of the doorway sleeping in all their naked glory the light brown body of Zosime and the fair skinned body of Helice. The intensity of the lantern light revealing the curves and cords of every muscle adorning Zosime’s body, especially her core muscles, usually covered by clothes or armour, now on display. Helice’s strength subtle, a complete opposite, her lazy Seer fat long gone replaced by an athletic lightning quick body.

Nysa did the honours, shaking Zosime awake first, Astera supposing some sort of comparison being undertaken as Nysa followed every movement of every muscle and limb as Zosime righted herself effortlessly into a cross legged seated position, her head hung low, the moisture on her skin now gathering, drip trails being formed from neck to buttocks. A statuesque ball of muscle enhanced by her raven black hair buzz cut sitting atop. Zosime gulping down the water from Nysa’s offered water skin, stray drops sizzling on heated stones nearby.

Astera caressed Helice’s cheek with the back of her hand, gently calling her name. Her eyes blinked open and she performed another effortless sit up while taking Astera’s offered water skin. After taking a long swig she poured a portion over her head, the water trickling through her dark brown braids and then running between her breasts or down her back between her shoulder blades depending upon the braid. Astera admired Helice’s majestic beauty, her raised arms pouring the water, stretching skin and bunching different sets of muscles in a glorious display.

Zosime the first to speak. “How long?”

“The fourth bell has sounded and while here waking you both the Mistress hasn’t moved, except for the rise and fall of her chest, confirming she is breathing,” answered Astera.

“Thank-you for the water sisters, I feel I have sweated away half of my body,” gasped Helice.

Astera, concerned, laid the back of her hand on Charis’ forehead. Not cold to touch, although cool even when surrounded by the heat within the Stone Cabin and yet still unconscious.

“Where would our clothes be?” asked Zosime, hanging out a hand to Nysa, somewhat amused.

Nysa took the proffered hand, drawing Zosime close once upon her feet. At a loss what to do with her magnificent captive now only a hand width away, surprised by the attraction, surprised even more the attraction stunned her into inaction.

Zosime leant forward and kissed Nysa, lingering on her lips, doubling confusing her target.

Stepping back to break their kiss, Nysa ran her fingers across her own lips. “Why did you do that?”

Zosime grinned mischievously, her small white teeth on display. “Your pleading green eyes beckoned to me.”

Nysa coughed and waved her hand away, stuttering, “They don’t speak, or anything. I will wait in the passageway.” Nysa stormed out of the Stone Cabin brushing passed the fur and blanket door effortlessly.

Zosime words chasing her. “I know you like me sister.”

Astera stared at Zosime. “What was all that about?”

Zosime’s face darkened. “The evil used me, or more specifically my memories, she unleased one memory specifically at Hagne and Jocasta, although all present where, to different levels exposed to the recollection as well. Her mind assault upon me began while in the Water Cavern, she threw nightmares of my failures to wear my resistance away and I believe my Seer Training enabled me to retain a small presence of mind and I ran.”

Astera, peering closer confirmed tears rolling down Zosime’s cheeks. “Continue brave Zosime, share.”

Zosime sniffed. “When the evil appeared behind the Sixth Cavern, I sort to protect my precious memories. The evil though, sort my Seer Link awareness, probably as a curiosity, was I once a twin or a triplet, discovering more and soon realising I, no we Seers represented such a momentous prize to its Master. Sensing its triumphant discovery, I felt such a failure, then the cruel creature threw my failure to protect our Mistress at me and I crumbled, the guilt after I ran too much and my memories opened, wide and clear. I am not sure why she selected the memory she did, all I know is Seers, in particular Hagne and generally others who were present hold deeper feelings for me, while non-Seers, like Nysa are attracted to me or probably better to say more attracted to me than they were.”

“How did you work all that out?”

“Sharing time via Seer Link with Helice and other Seers to begin with and our theory regarding non-Seers just proven by Nysa’s attraction,” replied Zosime.

Helice’s cupid bow lips parted in a huge smile eventually speaking her mind. “Our theory has failed to entice our Mistress to anything amorous Zosime, so perhaps we are wrong.”

“Perhaps the fair skin or cute upturned nose of Thyia attracts our Mistress?” replied Zosime.

“Or perhaps you should mind your own business, because I know you tease me as you both know.”

“Know what Mistress?” Helice and Zosime asking at the same time sharing an innocent look.

“One-word. Korinna.” With that Astera exited the Stone Cabin in a flourish near the equal to Nysa’s exit, muffled laughter escorting her out.

Zosime and Helice caught themselves, the joyful moment too short and quickly over, their Mistress lay at their feet, incapacitated, breathing and helpless.

“We are a pitiful pair are we not?” sent Helice.

“We have cried a river of tears, dreamed a night of what ifs and plotted for a couple of bells to find a cure so we have only humour left, not so much for our ill Mistress, but ourselves when Mistress Charis, by some miracle recovers.”

“Agreed Seer Sister Zosime, only while you allow me to escort you each time you stand close and personal with each non-Seer in the company. Nysa’s reaction will be considered the one to beat.”

Zosime swivelled on her heel and dived upon Helice’s seated body, knocking her back, straddling her muscular legs and firm buttocks across Helice’s stomach, trapping her.

“Considering we are already hot and sweaty …”

Helice smiled her consent hopeful their passion would by some miracle rouse their Mistress awake, although admitting defeat early, her Mistress’ mind closed shut.

---

Alexis the disguised evil priest joined her six sisters examining the evil creature’s body, stiff and prone, laying on the stone floor of the Main Cavern, flooded in light from multiple lanterns.

“Her face is quite attractive, strong jaw, full lips and her wispy raven black hair, her clothes although unusual, would allow a freedom of movement,” said Nysa, who furrowed her brow afterwards. Where were these appreciations and assessments coming from? She exchanged a questioning look with Kyra.

Astera continued, breezing over Nysa’s comment, now understanding why after her chat with Zosime and Helice. “We can wait until the afternoon sun touches here or my preference, carry her to the sun now.”

To a woman they nodded, Alexis fetching furs. They evened themselves around the edges of the blanket and easily carried the evil towards the meagre sunlight striking the stone path between the Stone Curtain Wall and the Main Cavern Entrance. They waited, shivering for a bell. Ending up in a huddle to ward off the cold, the wind seemingly able to find ways underneath the furs they wrapped around themselves. Astera and Thyia particularly vulnerable, Zoe supplementing her underclothe more expertly with the furs available to her.

Otonia cursed to the wind and taking her second knife in her gloved hand swiftly sliced off the evil’s head. Waiting several heartbeats and then sparing a single glance at the feeble sun she grabbed the head by its raven black hair and whistling, ambled to the wagon exit side of the Main Cavern Entrance. When she hurried back a blazing fire erupted in her wake.

“How?” asked Astera.

“A little oil to get the party started inside a corpse husk and then her head on top. Fire took to her head with an unseemly eagerness Mistress.”

Nysa and Kyra stepped forth, grabbing a leg each and dragged the headless corpse to the wagon entrance side of the Main Cavern Entrance. Otonia repeated her trick, this time warming her hands over the blaze. When ash remained, she picked up her knife, whole, unblemished and cool to touch.

“More of those knives would be useful,” murmured Nysa.

While standing, Otonia replied, “Mistress Charis stows two away in her room, although they are unbalanced, which is why I have never asked for them. Dried blood clings to one knife and I doubt Mistress would ever permit the blood to be washed away.”

The seven sisters sprinted into the Main Cavern, glad to be out of the wind and snow, Alexis hastily resuming her role as evil priest. Her eagerness tempered when she failed to Seer Link with Mistress Charis, needing to recover from her shock, drawing the black hood lower to cast her distraught face in shadow as her duty needed to continue, nevertheless.

Trying to add unrestrained enthusiasm to her voice, Alexis yelled, “Mistress! Mistress Charis has stirred, Helice and Zosime request your presence.”

---

Astera paused, inhaling a breath, her hands waving and shaping to help the helpless somehow. Tears streamed down her face as her eyes searched the ceiling of the Stone Cabin in futile anguish.

“She woke and worked her jaw, although no words escaped. We dripped water into her mouth until she closed it. Every time she opens her mouth we dribble in water,” sobbed Helice.

Charis’ white skin sank and clung to emaciated muscle and bone, her rib cage on display. Her prior appearance of a whole body false, her slow dying, very real and very obvious. Checking her temperature with the back of her hand, Astera brushed Charis rich deep brown hair, several strands floating free. Astera withdrawing her hand as if snake bitten, dropping her bottom to the floor using her hands to wipe her tears away.

“I don’t wish to add to your grief Mistress, but I must. Our Mistress Charis is … she has … a taint, undeniable, emanating from her ailing body …”

“Stop nattering Nysa say what you need to say,” screamed Astera, her face snapping up and staring at Nysa, eye to unflinching eye.

“Mistress Charis carries the same evil stink as the Watcher and the Nightmare evil. She is one of them or becoming one of them.”

“No, no, nooooo,” Astera whimpered, turning her eyes upon Charis. Her sliver of false hope extinguished by Nysa’s declaration. The definitive truth angering her, confirming her helplessness and destroying any chance of a miraculous recovery.

Helice sprung to her feet, extinguishing each lantern in turn bar one. In the darkness she waved the light over Charis’ naked withered flesh.

“Zosime told me the evil faded in the dark and as light cast upon her she solidified. Mistress doesn’t do that. She is ill, not evil!” Helice pleaded to any who would listen.

“You have convinced me she isn’t becoming one of them, although she is still evil tainted dear sister, of that I am certain,” whispered Nysa.

Helice thumped Nysa on her chest, again and again. “Why aren’t you feeling anything, where is your compassion?”

Zosime pulled Helice off Nysa and wrapped her within her strong arms. Nysa for her part remained still as a statue. Astera stood, her heart aching, realising her time as Mistress would last a while longer and she needed to take charge, tears wouldn’t help Charis, wouldn’t help the Daughters of the Duchess and more importantly wouldn’t help herself during this dark time.

“Helice cease your struggle, now!” commanded Astera, her voice firm, her hysteria now under control although not tamed.

Helice startled, opened her eyes and then bowed her head in defeat.

“Nysa hurts as much as any of us, she sees beyond the Charis we see, she sees evil and her love of Charis is restraining her from following her faith, do what she must do and this once she is trying to believe in another faith. One which believes Charis will recover and throw off this evil.” Astera allowed her tear tracks to remain this time, turning to Nysa laying a hand upon each of her shoulders. “Your work is done here sister, you must remove yourself from the awful conflict you find yourself in, yes?”

A single tear escaped and then Nysa ducked through the fur and blanket door of the Stone Cabin.

“How do we save Charis, Mistress?” asked Zosime, while relighting the lanterns.

“What about her Elven Bow and Arrows would they in her possession destroy the evil?” offered Helice, desperation clear in her voice.

“I don’t think they would recognise her, and if our ordinary touch would destroy them … best we keep them well away from her,” mumbled Astera, deep in her own thoughts.

“How do we heal her? Her taint has been caused by evil so there must be a way to cleanse it?” suggested Zosime, grasping at logic despite her grief.

“If not her Elven Bow perhaps a Priestess of Ure, we can visit and petition their temple,” offered Helice.

“This is not a sickness, wound or illness more like an ancient evil affliction, it is unnatural and since Nysa resisted the evil creature, would a Priest of Judge be more appropriate?” pondered Astera. Once her panic settled and her tears dried, she turned her mind to solutions, her Mistress wouldn’t die on her watch, the destroyed evil who taunted her with failure wouldn’t be proven true.

“Not our favourite one perhaps?” quipped Helice breaking her melancholy briefly.

“No, he is a Magistrate and I am not sure if he practices any magic or miracles let alone seen an evil like this. I thought of the Village Priest at Farstay, he managed to work an impressive magic, or should we call his magic a miracle?”

Helice’s raised an eyebrow and shook her head. “His miracle materialised due to a dire threat to his village, a fortuitous accident you could say, even he admitted as much.”

“Even so, it indicates he is blessed by Judge, he needs knowledge to do more possibly,” said Zosime.

“Elpis where are you at the moment?” sent Helice.

“Helice?” asked Astera. Helice stared into space, Seer Linked Astera assumed. Without the magic of the Items the Seers struggled to conceal their Seer ‘activities’.

“Sister I am about to partake of the middle of the day meal, I am about to be seated.”

“No, you need to return to your room, I need you to check something, books, check on some particular books,” sent Helice, the desperation clear.

“Sister, no need to shout, I can’t leave though, and we must stop as I have been seated and pretending to stare at my empty bowl, awkward with the Baron watching my every move.”

“Helice?” asked Zosime.

Helice raised her fists, her jaw set while she grunted, then she began pacing.

After several nervous moments Zosime reached to restrain her sister again, and Helice unclenched her fists and waved her away.

“I explored a possibility and have been thwarted by a Baron,” she complained, confusing Zosime and Astera, not caring to explain, instead, continuing to pace.

Astera and Zosime now jolted out of their trail of thought by Helice’s display of frustration studied Charis’ body instead, searching for a sign, any indication of her defying the truth.

---

“Helice, you have the luck! The baroness took ill, so the meal has been delayed. I am in my room, what do you need checked?”

“Marvellous, wonderful, amazing Elpis! There should be a travel chest at the head of the bed, probably used as a table or bench covered by a cloth or rug perhaps …”

“Such flattery sister and yes, I never noticed before, quite the hiding place I would never have found …”

“Elpis!”

“Sorry for prattling, oh my what wonderous beautifully illustrated book covers … um dear Helice, the pages are blank, what would you want with such worthless books?”

“The Evil High Priest we defeated near the Lonely Keep hauled around blank Books and Manuals. How does that make sense?” asked Helice, not expecting an answer.

“Zosime fetched Nysa,” commanded Astera.

Zosime opened her mouth to protest and then scurried away to do as her Mistress bid.

“Wait as long as you can Elpis, we are asking an expert,” sent Helice.

“Nysa refuses to enter the Stone Cabin Mistress,” reported Zosime.

Astera nodded and went outside to meet her.

“We may have found a possible cure for Charis, although to be certain we need someone who spent a great deal of time within a Temple of Judge, so will you help Nysa?”

“Certainly Mistress.” Nysa’s eyes sincere and kind. “I am outside as I need to struggle against my faith when I see our Mistress and sense the evil taint upon her. For now, out of her sight I am more certain … in command of myself.”

Astera nodded. “Did you ever read or perhaps glance at any Priest’s Holy Books of Judge?”

Nysa’s shoulders slumped a little way and she ran her fingers through her untamed hair. “The Temple held one relic, the book cover torn off, most of its pages ripped out, yet revered. The Judge Initiate in command of my training, well, he …”

“I assume you were … tested by him, but I need you to continue your story, I beseech you, be strong, your days in the Temple of Judge are well and truly in your past.”

“Yes, another game. They bet I couldn’t read from a Holy Book of Judge, to read this Book meant I held Judge’s Blessing. They knew my one true desire so well. One sentence from the third paragraph I needed to recite to them to prove Judge Favoured me.”

Nysa sucked in a breath, she told this story to no one, even the evil didn’t find the memory as her acceptance within the Daughters of the Duchess wiped her past away, or so she thought.

“I managed to slip into the Holy Sanctuary of the Temple, wrapped in black cloth, staying in the shadows like a common thief, following one of the weaker Priests, he indulged in wine and would return to the Temple, often getting lost. Following him for the seventh time he strayed into the Holy Sanctuary, me behind him, happy when I heard the key he held, open the door. He found a bench, probably mistaking it as his bed. I crept up to the Holy Book, turning page after page, all blank. I couldn’t bare that I failed, I told those who challenged me I couldn’t gain access to the Holy Sanctuary unaided, so an untruth, not a lie.”

“The pages when you read them blank?”

“Yes Mistress, although on High Holy Days, such as the 7th Day of Truth Month the High Priest would read paragraphs from the book.”

Astera, her sad moist eyes glistening with hope grabbed Nysa and kissed her on both cheeks.

“We have found Holy Books and Manuals of Judge, all with blank pages, at least to a Seer of Saph. I am certain though a Priest of Judge may find them more useful.”

Nysa’s thumbs dug into Astera’s shoulders her hands grabbing her Mistress like a Judge Adept possessed. “I demand to go on the Quest to retrieve them Mistress, they will not want for protection and no force will stop me.”

Astera slapped away at Nysa’s arms and then slapped her across her face. Stunned, Nysa released her Mistress.

“Apologies Mistress, I wish to prove myself, my devotion.”

Astera rubbed life back into her shoulders. “The Seers are planning to carry them to us, so they will be safe. Thank-you for your knowledge, with these Holy Books and Manuals we hope to save Charis with a Blessing from Judge to cleanse her.”

The words stunned Nysa, her heart racing, Astera gone before she recovered her composure. Nysa dropped to one knee silently mouthing an oath to her God, an unbreakable oath. Standing, she noticed Kyra and Otonia asleep together in the double bunk. Thyia and Zoe sharing the top bunk. Her mind and faith too busy to sleep, she decided she should be shaping the decisions being made in the Stone Cabin. To do that she would need to force down her need to vanquish the evil presence within. Would this prove her greatest test of her faith? One necessary unpalatable restraint for a possible future gain?

---

“Helice advise Elpis the Holy Books and Manuals of Judge can only be read by a Priest of Judge.”

“Mistress why would an Evil Priest haul them around?” asked Helice.

“Given Nysa’s Temple held a partial book and considered it a Holy Relic, he probably didn’t know any better, not aware how rare they where and his trunk held many. What value would they be to a Temple of Judge I wonder?”

“Elpis, the Manuals and Books of Judge can only be read by a Priest of Judge so they must be what we are after. We don’t know where and when yet, so make sure they remain hidden, Mistress Charis’ life depends upon them.”

“Yes Helice, I will consider the task my sacred duty.”

“With Rhea and Elpis at the Lonely Keep we can establish a Seer Circle to get them here.” Helice’s mind racing, a plan, well at least some action.

Her joy calming as Nysa stepped back into the Stone Cabin.

“Am I permitted to be present and assist Mistress?”

“Are you able to show restraint?” asked Astera.

“Yes Mistress, the recovery of the Judge’s Holy Books and the possibility Charis could thereby be cleansed settles well upon me. I am reconciled.”

Astera slapped Nysa good naturedly on her shoulders, welcoming her back to the discussion.

“Wait, the Village Priest needs them, no point delivering them here and no need to call a full Seer Circle to transport books? Surely? You are the Seer you tell me?” Astera asked, shifting her eyes to Helice.

“I thought after the shock of everything we could all join and share our thoughts, our fears, more of a Healing Circle as well as a Seer Circle perhaps,” said Helice.

Astera reached for Helice and hugged her.

“We need to make Charis’ healing the priority, although there wouldn’t be any objection to creating a Seer Circle as you suggest, although the Items will require recharging before we do much of anything. Do you agree?” Astera looked at Helice encouragingly, their faces a finger width apart.

“Yes, to everything, the books are books, so one or maybe two Seers at each end should be able to retrieve them.”

“We need to safely transport the Mistress to Farstay, so can we use the Shrine there?” asked Astera.

“We will need to ‘clean’ the Shrine here and then use it to create the link. Who should go?”

“Well I assume you, as you would have attuned the Shrine plus you are the Mistress’ bodyguard.” Astera turned to Nysa. “I would also like to send you Nysa and if we send you then we need to send Kyra and perhaps Otonia.”

“No offence sister, but why do we need to send Nysa?” asked Helice, the protection of her Mistress she considered her duty and she needed to make up for past deficiencies. Helice also wary of Nysa’s sudden change from needing to vanquish Charis to cleanse her evil to being reconciled.

“Twice now Nysa’s faith in Judge has protected her. For an Aspirant of Judge that couldn’t advance any further, according to her Temple Priests at least, she sure has a strong link to her God. We need to strengthen this and perhaps the secret is in those books. This isn’t my thought, so don’t look too astonished at my wisdom sisters, Mistress Charis held this view, one of the many things we needed to accomplish next Birth Season.”

“So, we will have a Warrior Three and a bodyguard guarding the Mistress until she is well again?” confirmed Helice.

“Yes, although one or more of our shifts will be weakened.”

Helice cast her eyes over Charis. “Will Charis be fit and awake to use a Shrine?”

“Between the two of us and perhaps Ismene, we will keep water and soups up to her until the Shrines are ready,” answered Zosime, enthused for the first time.

“Also instruct all the sisters with Items they need to relocate them to perhaps their forehead so they can lay under the sun and recharge them without suffering too much frost bite,” said Astera.