Zosime jumped up and offered her hand to Sweetears. The Goblin Sister didn’t hesitate to grab hold and pull herself to her feet, giggling, happy to be alive. She ended up in an embrace as Zosime followed through to draw her into a waiting set of strong welcoming arms.

Holding Sweetears away slightly from her, Zosime whispered, “Time to report.”

Sweetears nodded eagerly, a broad smile revealing her teeth. Zosime noticing for the first time the Goblin Sisters’ lower jaw pair of slightly protruding teeth now absent. The studied pause overlong and noticed.

“They are gone sister,” said Sweetears, who then drew back her lips to display her healthy white teeth.

Zosime’s face shot to red, releasing her embrace and waving one hand dismissively.

“Elder say, we work hard, we eat meat, we change like Goblin Chieftain, but more. Goblin Chieftain still has lower fangs. We proud Gob …”

Zosime returned from her stupor in time to place a finger crossed Sweetears’ lips.

“Sisters. You are Warrior Sisters,” said Zosime interrupting Sweetears, exchanging an earnest look and then both turning away from each other slightly, needing to wipe dust from an eye.

Sweetears cautiously peered under her eyebrows, spying on Zosime deciding to unashamedly allow her tears to run.

“We are soft in the heart also Sister.”

Zosime returned her gaze and resisted the urge to wipe Sweetears’ tears away, aching to hug and comfort her and yet not stepping forward as Sweetears clutched her hands together, resting them upon her own chest, taking in a deep breath.

“We didn’t understand before about feelings, we knew loyalty to clan, to family, we know we would be rutting age soon and join mate’s family and so new loyalty. Freedom and choice are new so we may take time getting used to our new sisters. Alright?” Her eyelids fluttering, bottom lip captured and released by her own teeth.

Zosime nodded. “Of course, let’s hurry.”

Zosime and Sweetears discarded their disguises in the Training Room, snatched toasted bread from the Kitchen Stove and rapidly descended down the trapdoor ladder before being chastised.

“You will teach our new sister poor habits!” sent Clymene to Zosime, sunshine humour exchanged between them.

---

Astera released Nysa and Kyra to sleep, content to observe the two Goblin Sisters fossick about in the Cavern, stepping out lengths and measurements, occasionally sneaking a glance in her direction until finally squatting on their haunches, silent. They exchanged hinting, hopeful faces, occasionally jabbing the other quickly with a pointed finger, followed by a whisper. Several rounds of this dual encouragement broke Astera’s patience.

“What do you wish to ask Sisters?”

The two light yellow faces deepened in colour, a red tint attempting to dominate.

“We would … like warrior training Mistress …” Their voices squeaked out the words, while they held each other’s hand.

“You are being trained in dagger, aren’t you?”

Bluefingers took a deep breath. “Spear and Shield, like Mistress, please Mistress?”

Astera ambled over to the two prospects appraising them, beyond mere Goblin Sisters, examining their body frame, fully appreciating their muscular arms, legs and suspecting their abdomen equally fit for the task. Their physical development, in a word; transformation and yet Astera knew, like a human teenager she expected them to grow further.

“I have a task for you, but once completed I see no reason why not.” Astera spoke the words idly, her thoughts aloud. The Goblin Sisters toiled away behind the scenes, appreciated although not celebrated for their contribution and yet they wanted to contribute more.

“And Sweetears Mistress,” said Bluefingers, an excitement in her voice.

“Yes Sweetears … cause she the bravest and smartest of us,” said Prettynose, nodding her head in complete affirmation.

“If she wishes, although this task first, yes?”

Bluefingers and Prettynose hugged, while Astera wandered away a small smile breaking across her face. The Goblin Sisters, such a contradiction, youthful eagerness and yet shy.

A screaming yell echoed across the Sixth Cavern, Astera swivelled, dagger to hand. Thyia, watchful, grinned.

Sweetears sprinted across the cavern and slammed into Prettynose and Bluefingers in a joyous celebration, the three on the verge of tumbling over and somehow maintaining their feet. Once met they broke into unbridled discussion.

Zosime sidled up to Astera, content to observe the three chat and debate together. Together they dashed out of the cavern chatting about the Top Cavern, returning shortly after. Zosime didn’t think from uncertainty, only from a desire to ensure they were correct, nodding of heads and smiles, confirmation.

Astera, escorted by Thyia, Zosime and the three Goblin Sisters passed through the secret door. The pace through the passageways reasonable even though Zosime yawned often, yet to find sleep since yesterday morning. Sweetears didn’t seem to be affected by the long day and night, perhaps the excitement thought Zosime. As they approached the Goblin Barracks Sweetears looked purposely back at Zosime and nodded. That must have been the pause on Gate Road Zosime reasoned.

Hastily following the main passageway, they bypassed a couple of offshoots until multiple offshoots split within a small area. Sweetears didn’t take any, eventually backtracking a distance down the main passageway which looked about right thought Zosime without really knowing, her eyes heavy now and her legs dead weights!

Sweetears climbed upon her two sisters, braced, standing side by side, until she could reach the roof of the tunnel, balancing easily. From somewhere she pulled out a miniature pick and started picking at the roof.

Picking free an errant stone, soon revealed clay. As she continued to dig into the soil, a base of marble showed, which Sweetears celebrated with a cheer, her sisters steading her as she leapt off their shoulders. Then remembering her task, faced Astera.

Sweetears bowed. “This is the base of the Shrine Mistress.”

“How much soil would need to be removed until the Shrine became visible from the tunnel?”

“Too much soil, which would cause problems. The Shrine would sink, and the surface humans would soon wonder why and investigate.” Her Goblin Sisters nodding in agreeance.

“What would you suggest we need to do to see the Shrine but prevent it from sinking?” Astera asked, hopeful of a solution. Covert access to the Shrine critically important.

The three Goblin Sisters conferred in their own language until Sweetears made an announcement.

“We would need to build supports from the floor of the tunnel to the Shrine. Then we would need to hold the dirt back with blocks of stone or wood otherwise the Shrine could sink still as it leaks away.”

“Zosime contact the elder and the twins we have a new task for them.” When Zosime didn’t answer Astera knelt before the Seer Sister, huddled against the cool wall of the tunnel curled up fast asleep.

“I am sorry sister I have kept you awake for far too long,” Astera said, to no one in particular.

“Mistress we can carry her to bed if you wish,” volunteered Prettynose.

“She won’t be too heavy?”

“No Mistress, we can carry. You go chat to elder. We can help elder here also as we like to see her shape the stone so can tell her best where to.”

“Good, let me follow you out.” Astera stood back with Thyia.

Prettynose and Bluefingers hauled Zosime upon their shoulders with a grip under and around her waist. While Sweetears positioned herself under and between Zosime’s legs and arm around each thigh, her legs bent at the knees draped down Sweetears’ back. The three co-ordinated the lift, smoothly and effortlessly. Settled, the Goblin Sisters carried Zosime towards the Sixth Cavern with Astera following re-appraising their strength. She wondered though if Sweetears having her head so far forward and snug between Zosime’s legs, a necessity, or a convenience.

“We are very strong now because you feed us, and you feed us meat Mistress. In our tribe we would be the last to be fed and receive scraps so always skinny. We are happy to help our sisters,” said Bluefingers, finishing with a wide smile.

Astera realised her initial inspection woefully inadequate, concluding she didn’t know the capabilities of the Goblin Sisters well at all; she would need to confer with Latona in due course. The Goblin Sisters constantly surprised, offering much to their Warrior Sisters, certainly proving their bravery by volunteering to walk about a human town when being caught would mean their certain death. Astera paused before the elder’s cottage, shaking her head, in full admiration of their Goblin Sisters as they swiftly continued to the Inner Cavern, Zosime’s body hoisted upon their shoulders.

After knocking on the elder’s cottage door and patiently waiting, Astera concluded the elder and the twins elsewhere, perhaps working on the Main Cavern entrance door the time of night too late for meals.

Passing through the Inner Cavern, Astera paused at the sight of Zosime’s naked body being handled into her bunk by the Goblin Sisters, a blanket covering her shortly after. They then set to and started sorting and cleaning Zosime’s armour, finally noticing Astera.

“Do you need us to do anything Mistress?” asked Bluefingers.

“Why is Zosime naked?” Perhaps Zosime requested them to, Astera pondered.

“Zosime is always naked when she sleeps Mistress. It is easier for her to make purring with her sisters or her sisters with her.”

“Oh!” said Astera, silencing Thyia’s snickering with a look and quickly making an escape for the Main Cavern. Considering the body sharing during the Seers’ orgies Astera surprised herself with her prudish reaction. She absently felt for her half-coin and wondered, did the magic within condition her to accept Thyia and Zoe as lovers and no others? Their bond running deep now, previously Astera and Thyia would lament Zoe’s absence, yet in the days she spent in Farstay tolerable given the anticipation of her return. Thereby arriving at one single truth; the Items manipulated them, not the other way around.

Entering the Main Cavern Astera approached the elder, a resignation passed over her lined and withered face. Alone she positioned the first huge hinge enlisting Sisters from Night Shift to assist with the grunt work and now making sure of the swing.

“Elder we need you and the twins when available, working on another task. I apologise and will explain as we walk back to your Cavern.” The elder stared long at the piled tools and materials. Astera’s stomach kicked with a pang of guilt. While both silently contemplated the required task the Goblin Sisters entered the Main Cavern pushing the cavern carts. Once positioned, they quickly loaded up and push them up the passageways. The elder sighed in relief while Astera wrapped her arm around the venerable lady, bones under flesh easily in evidence through her thinning clothes and for once not rejecting the show the affection, much to Astera’s relief.

The Goblin Sisters continued past the Elder’s Cavern as they knew the final destination, while the elder trudged toward her cabin escorted by Astera and Thyia.

“We need access to the Hillperch Shrine and the easiest way is from underneath. Before we fully commit to this, we need to prove a plan the Goblin Sisters have devised will work. All three more than willing to assist so it may take only a few days to determine if it will work or not and then you can continue in the Main Cavern.”

“Yes Mistress.” The elder’s reply without emotion. Astera astonished by the lack of debate or argument and deeply concerned.

The elder then disappeared into her stone cabin, while Thais and Alexa hastily exited rubbing their eyes, dressed in their robes!

“I am concerned by the elder, can either of you who now spend most of your time with her offer an explanation?”

“She is starting to regret her age Mistress,” said Thais, a sadness in her voice. “She is frustrated some of the spells in her spell book elude her and try as she might she cannot learn how to cast them,” continued Alexa, sniffling. “She aspired to wonder, and her main contribution seems to be stone worker or magical mason and she felt with the magic available to her she could contribute more,” said Thais, her eyes downcast.

Astera appreciated the twin’s honesty and their obvious concern for their mentor, for the moment at a loss to “make everything better”.

Thais looked to Alexa and eyes tearing nodded. Alexa said, “Mistress, she doesn’t even rejuvenate herself in the morning anymore, not as effective she says, although part of her routine and her start to the day. More important, her promise to herself to learn something tremendous.”

Alexa wiped the tears from Thais’ face, a kindness for her twin and a distraction for herself.

Astera’s face fell. “I see. My not letting her complete one thing before asking her to start something else is not helping. I will need to think about this further and I thank you for your heartfelt candour.”

“We are Warrior Sisters Mistress and we need to help where we can. The elder knows this and she does as she is asked but it is more from being demoralised by her lack of magical skill rather than accepting the orders of her Mistress,” said Thais, straightening herself, determined to be brave.

“Well the Goblin Sisters are very excited to help so maybe their enthusiasm will spread to the elder. I know she planned to ask their assistance with the swing of the Cavern Door so will she accept their help in this task?”

“Yes Mistress, we are certain of it.” They both replied in unison, cute dimples surrounding their wide smiles, their mood somewhat restored.

As if on cue the elder pushed open the door to her stone cabin and stepped out, stared at the twins for a moment nodding to herself in thought perhaps or so it seemed to Astera. The twins quickly fell into line behind her as she led them up, presumably to the Sixth Cavern. Observing the three, the elder trudged away determined, her head bowed slightly although steady and focused, the twins needing to restrain themselves to hold their place a couple of paces behind her, eager to follow their mentor and teacher before first bell.

“I remember breaking my fast on cheese and stale bread. I don’t envy the twins going without,” uttered Thyia.

“Somehow I suspect the Goblin Sisters will assist,” mused Astera.

+++

Astera struck with her spear in an overhanded lunge, her upper body and shoulder providing the power behind the thrust, her shield arm preparing for the anticipated counterattack. The loud clang upon Thyia’s shield reverberated across the Training Room spilling into the Kitchen as she deflected the strike with practiced ease, smirking. Zoe continued her dance around the pair releasing arrows in the midst of their sparing, aiming for a bullseye on a target behind them. The three warriors sweated profusely on brow and body after a solid bell of no quarter melee in full armour.

After multiple training sessions over the past week, the sisters unfortunate enough to be disturbed while partaking of their meals in the adjacent Kitchen lost all concern for the combatants. Word quickly spread the items they shared bound them with a foreknowledge of each other and their martial manoeuvres rendering them, at least so far, physically unharmed.

Instead of a counterstrike Thyia circled her opponent, who did likewise, while Zoe kept her distance skirting both to reach her target and pull five arrows from the bullseye and two near misses, swearing under her breath.

“Enough for now Mistress! Seven days is five days too long,” shouted Clymene, her fingers spread wide, her hands shaking beside her hips.

Astera and Thyia relaxed their stances, exchanged quizzical looks while leaning upon their spears. Zoe found a need to reach for an arrow or two behind her practice target.

“Your practice isn’t normal, no pauses, no discussion, just clanging, screaming and grunting! There is an upstairs Training Room.”

The flaring of Clymene’s snub nose and her pursed rosebud lips destroying any seriousness her words carried given they adorned her smooth round bald head.

“I need to remain in your company Seer Sister as well you know,” said Astera, trying to maintain her seriousness despite wanting to snuggle and cuddle her exasperated Seer Sister.

“Well you all smell! I know this because you haven’t been tempted to stop and smell my fine stew. A stew I will tell you with many herbs and much meat which tells you how annoying you have been as Ismene released the ingredients specially to tempt you!”

Astera lowered her arms once she confirmed the truth of Clymene’s words, while swatting Thyia away, who, with a sly smile lent her nose towards her Mistress instead of herself wrinkling her turned up snoz with great exaggeration. Zoe’s laugh quickly changing to a cough once Astera eyeballed her.

“Bath now and I will plate a serve for each of you as a reward, quickly though before afternoon shift takes their fill before they start.”

Suitability chastised the three slinked off to the Bath Room and began undressing, each assisting the other in a smooth rhythm of movements without a hint of sexual temptation. The three clambered into the huge half-barrel bath, the cool flower-scented water clearing the body odour smell from their bodies and their noses. The water initially invigorating until their body heat warmed the bath and their bodies acclimatised. The three using their hands to hold onto the rim, their heads resting upon a slightly curved headrest of wood also mounted on the bath rim, while their toes reached for the centre of the bath, where the three pairs of digits met and frolicked.

“Clymene told me you would be here, although she did suggest you would soon be done,” said Nysa, relaxed, leaning against the doorway.

Astera opened her eyes and flashed her teeth in a smile. “We were chastised for making too much noise and banished by the Mistress of the House to the Bath and we await her smouldering anger to abate.”

Nysa replied, “I suspect today is the day you broke the horse’s back, the days before equally testing and only now her patience exhausted.”

“Perhaps. How goes your training?”

“I, like Kyra and Otonia sense his light within us, although we don’t exhibit any special combat strength or magical blessing of any sort. Disappointing to say the least … I have attained my dream and now what?”

“Like you Sister, I sense his presence and beyond that nothing,” said Zoe, who then dipped her head briefly into the bath water, perhaps a shyness striking her after interrupting Astera and Nysa. Her efforts ensuring her scarred chest remained under water.

“Still it could’ve been worse, I didn’t lose the sense of him within me when I lost my glow …”

Zoe opened her mouth to speak, instead filling her mouth with water and then dribbling down her chin. Laughter bought her back to her surrounds, her reddening face stunned as Thyia floated across the bath and pecked her upon her lips.

“I am sure you can speak if you wish to,” said Thyia.

“I know, just being silly but I told myself not to, as if I looked upon myself. A sense Astera is speaking and she would speak for our three … it doesn’t make sense …”

“Perhaps our days of intense training with little talk between us is to blame,” offered Astera.

“Perhaps Mistress …”

Looking about from the doorway, avoiding the bath, Nysa straightened. “Well, I will leave you to your … discussion.”

Astera joined Thyia’s side and the two converged upon Zoe, hugging her until they flopped backwards into the bath, giggling like children.

---

“You know what is worse than being annoying?” Clymene death staring at Astera, Thyia and Zoe in turn. “Being late for your invitation to a delicious, lovingly and carefully prepared meal. Now sit and wait!” Clymene pointing at a spare table close to the Kitchen.

Astera, Thyia and Zoe dressed in their Daughters Robe, bare footed crept up upon Clymene, who, although busy bringing her glorious stew back to life, didn’t fail to notice the children sneaking towards her.

Tapping her ladle upon her pot, she shook her head. “You three maybe quiet, but you aren’t invisible, fools.”

The three continued to stalk her.

Clymene waved her ladle at the advancing miscreants. “Don’t make me wack you now …”

Thyia disarmed her, Zoe held her other hand, while Astera grabbed Clymene in a bear hug, lifting her momentarily off the floor and tipping her backwards. The three co-ordinating their efforts to gently lay the House Mistress on her back upon the Kitchen Floor.

---

“Clymene! Ismene?” Dirce and Drosis exchanged looks while Dione strode forward into the Kitchen proper. Korinna and Niobe lingering well behind on the stairs from the Top Cavern.

Clymene popped up from behind the Kitchen bench, straightening her robe and sweeping back her non-existent hair. “Yes … erm … yes.” Her reddening face and bald head, a cross over between exertion and embarrassment not convincing her audience of three, their jaws dropping.

“You minxes I asked you to warn me!” Clymene sent to Korinna and Niobe.

“Are you well sister?” asked Dione.

A peel of full on laughter broke out from behind Dione; Korinna and Niobe tearing with joy.

Dione’s eyes narrowed, glancing back at her shift’s Seers and then examining Clymene once again. An eyebrow cocking up when plates appeared upon the Kitchen bench without any assistance from their House Mistress. Clymene ladled stew from the pot into each and then pressed two forward into Dione’s hovering hands, instinctively her grasp closing in reaction to their arrival and not before.

Dione placed a plate before a now seated Dirce and Drosis and smartly returned to receive her own plate to then join them.

Korinna and Niobe appeared before Clymene a smirk on each of their faces.

“What makes you think you will be served?”

Niobe and Korinna pouted. Korinna in her most pleading, begging tone offered a reason. “Sister it is Fate Month, the worst of Death Season is behind us and at times it is good to be pleasantly surprised.”

Clymene relaxed. Taking her calm reset as a signal, Astera, Thyia and Zoe climbed to their feet placing three plates upon the Kitchen bench, which Clymene filled with poise and grace.

“Thank-you,” said Niobe, taking her plate.

“Mistress Charis is our key, she guides us to purpose and she surrounds us with love, being Fate Month, she is now fated to return to us,” sent Korinna to Clymene, while taking her plate.

“My hope also.”

Clymene turned to face Astera leaning a hip against the Kitchen bench. “When do we ask our Village Priest about his progress Mistress?”

“I await news from the elder. The Shrine in Hillperch is too dangerous for us to use now, during Birth and Growing Seasons impossible, too many are moving about day and night who could observe, let alone the guards becoming inquisitive.”

Clymene cast her eyes down.

Astera lifted Clymene’s chin. “What sister?”

“Why didn’t you share this sooner … there has been some … confusion.”

“I didn’t want to release any false hope, I wanted to be sure …”

“Can I tell our sisters, they will be relieved Mistress, they thought … well nothing worth mentioning now.” Clymene pasted on a fake smile.

Astera replied in a growled tone. “They thought I had abandoned Charis, my duelling a selfish self-centred task to what end? Prove I am strong and should lead. Perhaps forever?”

Clymene embraced Astera, and whispered, “Calm Mistress, our sisters worry given we depend entirely upon a strange Village Priest. His success with anointing Nysa our solitary hope for Charis.”

“I worry sister and instead of showing my worry I bash my frustration out upon my bodyguard who tolerates all I send her, silently and resolutely.” Peering over Clymene’s shoulder, Astera sort out Thyia, catching her wiping dust away from both eyes.

“I will spread the word Mistress, now go eat, I insist.”

With Thyia’s help, Astera joined a second table to Dione’s table, allowing the eight sisters to round table eat together.

“It seems the arrival of the Dark Priest a false rumour?” asked Astera, her question thrown to Dione.

“Yes, he didn’t have far to travel, and a week has passed.”

An awkward silence descended across the table. Afternoon shift finished their meal and after observing the usual pleasantries took their leave to begin their shift.

“Strange Mistress,” said Zoe.

Astera bobbed her head. “There is a suspicion I covert Charis’ position, due in part to the view I am doing nothing to ensure the Village Priest is working tirelessly on our behalf. On Clymene’s advice I have asked her to share the plan regarding the Shrine of Hillperch.”

“I assume the elder is heavily involved as she hasn’t been seen for days,” replied Zoe.

About to explain to Zoe, Otonia took a seat at their table.

“Mistress may I talk to you please?”

Astera didn’t detect any stress or concern in Otonia’s voice, although she stood expecting to chat elsewhere. “Thyia explain the plan to your sister please while I talk to Otonia.”

---

The furs and luxury within the Meeting Room immediately kindled memories of tangled naked bodies and more carefree times, although Astera knew memories could at times be very selective, typically discarding the worse and terrible first. Astera closed the door behind Otonia, who paced about the room instead of taking a seat. Perhaps this could be more than she thought, Astera cursed, nevertheless waiting.

“Mistress, I wish to give you this.” Otonia’s arm shot out, a bronze loop held firmly between her fingers.

Astera eyed the loop, could this be one of a certain pair? One of the two, which tormented her many months ago when she pledged herself to Charis?

“Why?”

Otonia turned sharply away, pocketing the bronze loop.

“I think I have found love, true love. I can never be sure though while I have this bronze loop attuned to me. Mine and Charis’ drew us together beyond all haste and all reason. I am not saying now I regret, although to be completely honest with myself, until I met Charis and the twin bronze loops my desires could abundantly be fulfilled by a male lover.”

Otonia turned back to face Astera, swallowing. Astera tried to speak and Otonia waved her away.

“I can’t stop now Mistress. When I slept in the arms of Nysa and Kyra, convincing them of delights and satisfaction beyond their martial prowess I thought myself clever and then when they returned my love, deeper and more earnestly than I thought possible I immediately drew the conclusion the bronze loop the cause.”

Otonia’s eyes moistened, her bottom lip trembling until she gathered herself again. Astera standing still, sensing Otonia would say what she had to say the once and no more.

“The loop has a strong influence upon others, I managed to convince two rapists, long time co-conspirators that one could take me if he slew his friend. Charis told me she found me in part because her loop wanted to be near or joined with my loop, although before you get your hopes up, once Charis disappeared from Lonely Keep the link has been severed, although as a single loop I fear the influence it wields no less potent.”

A long deep breath and a self-hug encouraged Otonia to continue.

“Apart from my selfish reasons, I believe you need the influence the bronze loop can provide. Charis held us together due to many reasons although never doubt they all sprang from the influence of her bronze loop and when she wished to force out information, she would ask for my loop’s assistance. Together, attuned to one person they would be terrifying, which is why Charis attuned one and I the other.”

Otonia read Astera’s face, lips drawn thin, eyes wider than normal and sort to reassure her.

“Charis’ wielding of the bronze loop truly purposeful once we learnt sunlight recharged the items, any untoward effects of the bronze loop eliminated afterwards. So be assured in its use and draw the Daughters of the Duchess to you while we await Charis’ healing. You once offered your life to serve Charis and being one who restrained you at the time, I have never doubted your devotion and I know for certain the current rumour is baseless, but perhaps others don’t. What say you?”

“Your gift is most generous of course, although the rumour is my fault, being cautious instead of being open and with Clymene’s help I hope now corrected.” Astera tap her bottom lip with her index finger.

“Think of the loop as a safeguard, otherwise I intend to place the Item in Charis’ trunk to be left in the dark.”

“I suppose I should be grateful you aren’t using the loop now to influence me.” Astera chuckled as she wrapped an arm around Otonia’s shoulders her eyes going wide and mouth agape. “I will meet you in morning under some sunshine and we can swap bronze loops, mine of course more passive than yours.”

Otonia smiled a satisfied smile, following her Mistress from the Training Room and into the Kitchen now overrun by day shift. Astera acting swiftly, catching Latona as she finished her bath and before she sat at a table, inviting her to the one Thyia and Zoe currently reserved, although again a single table. Astera then scanned the Kitchen for another and waved her over, already a plate of stew in hand. Thyia sensing the need for her chair left the table and perched herself upon a fold out wall table facing her Mistress. Zoe caught, unsure if she should follow Thyia or remain. When her Mistress placed her hand upon her arm, she relaxed.

“Latona, the Goblin Sisters, what is your opinion, no fact too small, no fact too silly.”

Latona exhaled, her shoulders relaxing a little, a stiffness leaving her body.

“I thought I was in trouble Mistress,” she whispered over her plate of food.

“But I put on my brightest smile when I asked you to my table?”

“You are still Mistress.” She gulped down a spoonful of stew, forcing herself to say no more.

“An answer to my question?”

“Their Chieftain and his bodyguards eat all the meat the tribe can hunt. They become stronger and larger, their skin colour fades from dark green to green to light green and if enough meat dark yellow. Others in the tribe eat mushrooms mainly. Our sisters will continue to grow, taller, fill out with muscle like them. They have light yellow skin colour, the first of their kind I would think.”

Latona shovelled in more stew while her Mistress digested her information.

“With their growth, their arms and legs remain the same length, although taking on muscle, the torso grows and strengthens, and their proportions become more human like. Once they realised the harder they worked, the bigger and stronger they became when eating meat, they stopped pretending to be busy and toiled honestly each and every day and possibly night, they need sleep although not regularly like you and me. They can snatch a bell here and a bell there with one eye open as they say, I think it stems from the fact they always consider themselves in danger, probably from their own tribe as much as predators or other tribes.”

Zosime joined the Mistress’ table, plate of stew in hand. “Yes Mistress, feeding them meat definitely changes them, I checked with Ismene. At first the elder fed them from her share and then once convinced of the change, arranged for Ismene to provide them with their own meal of mainly meat, much to her dismay.”

Latona took the opportunity to feed herself more stew given Zosime’s timely contribution.

A hand scooped up the three cleaned out plates on the table. “Yes, my dismay and your loss, this will be the last substantially meat meal for us all.” Ismene turned on a heel and hustled back to the Kitchen.

After Ismene’s interruption, Zosime returned her attention to her stew, loading her spoon up. “Their faces Mistress, the loss of their lower extruding teeth for example, their face filling out, their nose less, well let’s be polite, protruding.”

Latona’s hand struck Zosime’s arm, slightly disturbing her next spoonful, Zosime able to recover not losing a drop of precious stew since Ismene doomed them to less from now on.

“Oh, sorry Zosime. Their lower teeth! I knew something differed and couldn’t pick it.”

Zosime hmphed, “Their face remains strange though, around the eyes and eyebrows, human like although a very different countenance.”

“Clothes and armour are our next challenge for them,” said Astera.

“Armour Mistress?” questioned Latona.

“They have requested to be trained in Spear and Shield and I don’t doubt they will gain rapid proficiency, given how they have taken to dagger training, but I won’t expose them to a melee without amour. They are probably the size of a sixteen-year-old, perhaps seventeen-year-old at the moment,” mused Astera.

Zosime chuckled. “Our present Mistress of Leatherworking will probably draw the line at crafting armour for Goblins!”

“We may need Latona here to model for them, although ordering three sets, oh no four for one sister could be difficult to explain.”

Latona’s eyes held fast to her food as her face beamed in delight, her own armour, her Mistress said the words, delighted butterflies fluttered in her stomach.

+++

Astera broke her fast and waited in the Kitchen for Otonia, who would shortly come off night shift.

“Your Stone Crafters have already broken their fast Mistress, the Goblin Sisters and the Carpenter Twins diligently following behind the elder, silently eating and then leaving,” said Clymene.

“Did Thais or Alexa Seer whisper to you?”

“Of course! The elder is determined to finish this task and appreciates your leaving her alone I think were Alexa’s recollection of the elder’s exact words.”

Even though anxious to check on the Village Priest’s progress, Astera resisted the urge to visit the elder, the Priest secondary at this stage to keeping the elder satisfied and perhaps completing the Shrine from below without Mistress interruption, would re-energise her.

Deep in her own thoughts, Astera jumped in her chair when a hand rested upon her shoulder.

“We can go to the roof now if you wish,” suggested Otonia.

“Lead the way.”

Dark rolling clouds boiled over the mountains rolling towards Hillperch. The morning sunlight would soon collapse under the shadow heading towards the town, Astera staring at the doom heading straight for them.

“Quickly Mistress, while the sunlight remains for us, remove your bronze loop from your toe and I will attune it in the remaining sunlight.”

Astera broke from the approaching tumult and removed her boot and sock, the thick woollen sock a welcomed recommendation from Zoe. Her bronze loop gleamed in the sunlight, oblivious to the approaching change and applying her will, her flesh receded from around the loop. The final separation akin to a snap of a twig or a single ringing of a bell, attuned and then not attuned. Astera wordlessly handed her bronze loop to Otonia who, toe ready, placed the Item upon her big toe.

Otonia reversed the process willing the bronze loop and her flesh to become one under the light of the sun. Observing Astera staring at her, she nudged her Mistress into action, handing the twined bronze loop to her.

Astera turned the loop over in her fingers, a doubt creeping in, she remembered the pain, the anguish.

“Now Mistress, you must forget the past and welcome the sun.”

Astera closed her eyes and released the breath she unknowingly held, effortlessly slipping the twined bronze loop onto her big toe, the flesh indented from her previous bronze loop and fully accepting the replacement. With the sunlight upon her foot and the bronze loop, attuning the loop to herself proved effortless and painless. After a bell Otonia escaped the roof, pleading hunger. Astera remained, she would remain for as long as possible, to the last moment to soak in every drop of sunlight. She needed to be sure, give herself every chance of allying with this terror from her past.

The clouds rolled down the mountain range and into the Cleft, Astera the farmer’s daughter realising these clouds advancing toward the town contained an extreme payload of snow. The plateau upon which Hillperch squatted became surrounded and as the clouds dumped their cargo of snow the clouds rose. By middle of the day they smothered Hillperch, although dropping light snow, their load spent. Astera closed the roof hatch of the House and returned to the Kitchen, greeted by a relieved Thyia and Zoe.

During her sojourn upon the roof Astera wondered if the Goblins would deliver their tribute in this weather. Being several days out she expected the weather to clear before then. Almost relaxed, she remembered the only sisters who could retrieve the offering would be the Goblin Sisters and she wondered, given their change if they could still reach the drop. If not, it would be another task for the elder to widen the access tunnel and Astera didn’t relish the thought of asking her. Perhaps the tribute could wait a month or two she grimaced. She then mouthed a short prayer to the Gods to return Charis to the Daughters of the Duchess.