A hand shook her shoulder. “Whoa … is something wrong?” asked Astera, blurry eyes opening and blinking.

Thyia rolled out of their bed naked, spear in hand. Smiling and leaning on her spear once she recognised their assailant.

Alexis smiled deliciously at Thyia's naked form before answering. “Changed, more than wrong, I think Mistress. Night shift contacted me to report the Evil suddenly changed to bat form before dawn and flying to the ceiling of the Main Cavern. He hasn’t been seen since.”

“I was present last time.” Astera grimaced remembering her failure. “And the Evil wasn’t too concerned about sunlight, even walked into it.” She righted herself exercising her core muscles, stretching her arms high above her head causing her blankets to fall away from her upper body and pool around her lap as she sat upright deep in thought. “Death Season is ebbing though,” she added.

Alexis needed to remember to breathe. “Mistress, do you think the season makes a difference?”

Astera strummed several fingers across her chin. “I am not sure. All I know is the Evil, with sunlight about to rise, opted to hide. Chickens on the farm would always come back to roost at dusk, they returned to the roost for safety, instinctively, they didn’t need to be called as they knew the danger of not doing so. All take actions that increase their chance of survival, the mighty and the small.”

“Since Death Season is about to finish, you think the sunlight will hurt it or perhaps even kill it?” Hope clear in Alexis’ question and tone of voice.

“It would be interesting to reflect some sunlight up into the dark reaches of the Main Cavern to see if that changes anything, stirs him to some folly perchance,” said Astera.

“We could melt down some silver coins into a round shield like shape and polish it to reflect the afternoon sun?” offered Alexis.

“Would it work?”

“It should, a certain noble wanted to use reflecting sunlight to pass messages instead of asking Seers. He needed to wait for the morning or afternoon sun to send in the right direction and cloudy or rainy days proved inconvenient! We have the bronze mirrors from the Duchess to model the curve, shape and construction, so they should provide a good head start.”

“I guess it would be like building a bonfire near the chicken coop at night to see if they were confused!” Astera chuckled, her core muscles flexing and her firm breasts bouncing slightly in response.

“Also, Mistress, what do you want done with the latest Goblin Tribute?” Alexis knew the answer, she wished to remain and gawk.

“Ask Alcmene to deliver the three bags to Ismene after her shift to see if the coins can tell her anything more. I assume our Goblin Sisters retrieved it and we didn’t have any awkward encounters with important goblins?”

“Yes, the Goblins used the Tribute Drop and left without notice,” confirmed Alexis.

Reluctantly leaving, Alexis closed the door behind her. On queue Thyia crawl on hands and knees upon the bed towards her objective, resting upon her elbows, her lips in range of her partner’s washboard abdominals.

“You are mine this dawning,” purred Thyia, well aware of the Seer’s obvious desire or at least appreciation of her lover.

---

Dione and Niobe woke from beneath a lightly snow-covered mountain of furs and blankets salvaged from the Cavern Blind and truly thankful for their selfishness. Dione heeded Zoe’s advice and searched for a cave or at least an outcrop to fend off the wind, overjoyed when she quickly chanced upon a suitable outcrop a bell from the Cavern.

The night before arduous and freezing, Dione choosing to break through the snow wall at the southern exit. For some reason, only known to their Goblin Sisters, substantially lower than the northern exit snow wall. Preparing for the worst she leveraged her stallion’s bravery to slip by the Cavern Entrance and once passed signalled Niobe to follow leading the string of horses encumbered with the goods and chattels from the Cavern Blind, in case they needed something. She then rode her stallion, pushing into the snow followed by Niobe bareback riding one of the stringers to lead the spares.

Her stallion suffered from the cold, the snow compacted upon his chest as he ploughed ahead and at times high on his shoulders, barrel and thighs. Crying tears of ice Dione shared his trauma; feeling for his limit. About to give up they broke through to a narrow trail of cleared snow. Dione urged her stallion in the direction of the Cavern on a hunch. The narrow trail widened into a larger clearing, conveniently adjacent to the Stone Curtain Blind. Dione certain now, the Goblin Tribute Drop.

Signalling to Niobe to do the same they used a blanket each to wipe away the slush and wet of the melting snow from the horse’s skin, an emergency grooming of sorts. Once reasonably satisfied Dione then led the troop along the narrow Goblin trail in the snow until the depth of snow shallowed out allowing her to search for an outcrop to huddle under for the night. She lucked upon an ideal outcrop; snow free scree underfoot, and several snow free walking dead husks to fuel a modest fire.

They woke in the morning to discover two of the horses sleeping furthest away from the fire perished. Niobe distraught and beside herself, while Dione accepted the losses as the price of their continued existence. The bodies of the surrounding horses simply shielding from wind chill and providing warmth as Dione laid them down specifically for such a purpose, to ensure her and Niobe survived.

Dione thoroughly cleaned out the Cavern Blind of all supplies and useful utensils, the most prized being a pot, which she now filled with snow and melted over their campfire. While eating snow seemed like a good idea, the cold would cool down your core temperature and eventually freeze you from the inside, so they drank warm water and once satisfied, repeatedly melted snow, to water the horses.

“We ride south for Maplethorn and be prepared Niobe, for a stay at the Inn there I am sure they will demand we butcher one of the horses,” said Dione as she leapt upon her stallion.

“Mistress asked us to meet Zoe in Farstay though?”

“Mistress isn’t with us freezing our arses off, riding horses bareback in the snow with little in the way of provisions. Maplethorn first, then Farstay.” Dione held the Seer’s eyes with her own, waiting for an inkling of disagreement.

“I am sure she would agree if we explained, can I try,” asked Niobe, her voice trailing into quiet. Niobe conscious of the fact Dione, one of Mistress Charis’ original sisters deserved some deference. Didn’t that alone grant her a rank or standing in the Daughters of the Duchess? What position did she or even Otonia hold during Charis’ absence?

Dione patted her stallion on his neck, contemplating her response, finally shaking her head. “Ask if you must or follow me, your choice.” With that said her Stallion galloped into the snow, crashing through.

Niobe urged her horse to follow with a now reduced string of horses following her. Unknown to Dione her Seer Skill matured greatly under Korinna’s tutelage while sharing evening shift. Now, Niobe could easily manage a Seer Link while riding bareback, leading a string of horses following an obvious trail in the snow.

---

“Help …” The call hoarse and strained.

“Help! Please!” The desperation in the plea plain.

Alexis and Zosime sprinted into the elder’s room, the sight before them unexpected.

A Temple Guard embracing a Seer of Saph, both shivering, lips blue. The Seer clothed in her Seer Robe, while the Temple Guard in her armour slightly the better, although her extremities afflicted with frost still the same.

“Clymene, we have two guests which need to warm by the stove and oven, conceal the trapdoor we will be arriving in a moment,” sent Zosime.

Zosime princess carried the Seer into the Kitchen, while Alexis supported the Temple Guard holding her by the waist, following. Thais dashed by heading up the Circular Steps. The sisters from night shift, moments before, eating their meal were now shifting tables and chairs, clearing the way for Zosime and Alexis. Ismene a couple of heartbeats before them, laid down furs from the Meeting Room upon the Kitchen floor.

Zosime tore off the Seer’s chilled wet robe and sandals revealing bare breasts and fortunately a loin cloth. The Temple Guard, eyes wide, feebly protested, although easily restrained by Alexis, who with Ismene’s assistance removed her armour changing the focus of her protestations. Their wet cast offs set to dry on the other side of the stove by Ismene.

Zosime in her Seer’s robe embraced the Seer, laying with her in the furs adjacent to the Kitchen stove radiating warmth. Clymene wrapping over the exposed non-stove side with furs to trap any heat from body or stove. With well-practiced hands Zosime untied and slipped away the Seers’ loin cloth, casting the soaked garment in the direction of the stove a sizzle announcing its arrival.

Alexis, peeling off the Guard’s armour soon discovered her underclothes dry and stopped there. The fingers, toes and tip of her nose seemed the most at risk. Clymene shortly after placed a chair behind the Guard and at Alexis’ urging the Guard lowered herself into it.

“I will help you shuffle forward so you can warm your hands, feet and face by the stove.”

The chair scrapped and bumped forward as Alexis assisted. She then threw furs and blankets around the broad shoulders of the Guard.

With the situation returning to some normality Alexis returned to the elder’s room to inspect the door to the outside. Closed as expected, although snow melt on the floor proved the Seer and her Guard definitely entered the House via a presumably locked entrance.

Running her hands along the edges of the door, none seemed damage in any way, the handle and lock intact. “How did the visitors break in?” she asked herself.

“Strange, isn’t it?”

Alexis swivelled around, mouth agape, to face Astera and Thyia, smiling sympathetically. Thais waving away the encounter with a flip of her hand and smirk on her lips before dashing off.

“As near as the elder can tell me the enchantment developed a purpose of its own. The original intent to obey those loyal to the House, the elder rightly thinking those staying in the House would qualify, those outside the House wouldn’t. The determination of loyalty to the House seems to solely belong to the enchantment.”

Alexis made to speak and then didn’t.

“Ask your question sister. I am sure it will be easier to answer than testing the purpose and sincerity of a Seer and her Guard, which I will do next even though they seem to have the door’s blessing.”

“The loading bay doors, why don’t they have an enchantment Mistress?”

Astera smiled, a good question, an obvious question, one which she asked Charis, who then suggested she ask the elder. Astera knew Charis wished her to be more acquainted with the elder and this question became another excuse to chat to the then crusty old lady.

“I asked the elder and after much tea drinking and beating around bush, her eventual response boiled down to six words … the cost would be too high! Then she explained why, somewhat like a confession. You see, in her hubris, her first wielding of magic she felt invincible, then magic quickly taught her about balance and cost.” Astera opened her arm to usher Alexis out of the elder’s room.

Alexis nodded. “Thank-you Mistress. Argh Mistress, I need to tell you about the Guard, I have met her before.”

Astera raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, I am certain she is or was the Temple Guard who questioned me when I last cleaned the Shrine of Saph.” Alexis caught herself fidgeting not really understanding why, she didn’t feel any guilt or wrongness, she stated fact.

“Good, stay at my shoulder, hide your face until you know when to show.”

Alexis paused in thought. “You aren’t a Seer Mistress how will you tell me?”

Astera smiled, followed by a good-natured chuckle. “You will need to tell yourself. You will know trust me. As an assassin didn’t you have to read people. Same this time.”

Alexis straightened. “I will.” Then she strode forward to exit the elder’s room.

Astera placed her hand upon Alexis’ chest. “Behind me remember.”

---

Astera, accompanied by Thyia on her right and Alexis on her left met Zoe as she stood up from behind the Kitchen Bench. Astera immediately flashing back to the moment the three stood behind there, almost the exact same spot. Zoe abstaining from the pleasuring of Clymene, although maintaining the illusion.

“… so the Guard should recover well,” said Zoe.

Astera nodded, Zoe’s first words lost to her while deep in her own memories and hurt.

“The Seer’s fingers and toes are in doubt, her core temperature lowered to near death and when that happens the body closes off warmth to unnecessary … parts.”

Astera rubbed the back of her neck. “What of the elder and her ointments?”

“Our special sisters are rushing those to us now,” said Clymene.

“No! Call a Healer, petition the Temple of Ure, they will assist a Seer,” shouted the Guard.

Zoe’s chest puffed up, about to unleash. Astera and Thyia each placed a hand upon a shoulder of their sister, to calm her. Zoe lowered her head and took a new breath.

“A Healer may not brave the cold and snow. Unfortunately, dead flesh is dead flesh, frostbite doesn’t forgive, so your Seer and possibly you will need to accept your fate,” said Zoe.

While Zoe chatted, Thyia slipped behind the Guard and the chair she occupied.

“What of this ointment?” she pleaded, her eyes moistening.

Sensing vulnerability Astera snapped on her inquisitor mask. “First how did you break into our House?”

The Guard sat back into her chair as if assaulted, eyes fixed on Astera. With Thyia’s assistance from behind, Astera dragged the chair away from the stove and placed her bare foot on the chair seat between the Guard’s thighs, threatening her crutch. The Guard glanced down with her eyes to confirm the intimate truth, slowing raising her eyes, her knuckles white from grabbing the arms of the chair with her red frostbitten hands determined to ignore the pain.

Her voice wavering, she replied, “We didn’t, I knocked, I swear on Saph. The Seer hung heavy in my arms, I knocked again and begged for the door to open. That is all, except the door opened. I fell through the doorway with the Seer and dragged her further inside and the door closed. I thought we were rescued and yet no one appeared, so I called for help. Someone let us in. Servants of Saph aren’t criminals or thieves …” Her eyes moist, chest hitching with sobs, she bowed her head in defeat as the stony face baring down upon her didn’t crack.

Alexis stepped from behind Astera. “You remember me? Look up.” Alexis lifted the Guard’s chin with her hand until their eyes met, the Guard’s eyes widening upon realisation.

“Yes, yes. You will vouch for me? I truly am a Temple Guard of Saph.”

Astera removed her foot, stepping back, grabbing another chair, armless, which she about faced, lowering her athletic body smoothly, placing her forearms and chin on the backrest for support.

“You!” With one hand gingerly placed on the chair’s armrest for balance the Guard flashed three red frosted fingers from the other at Astera, her toes in too much pain to support her attempted leap from the chair, falling back defeated.

“Be still and take care to stay warm, you are amongst friends,” Alexis soothed, placing a gentle hand upon the frostbitten hand desperately clutching the armrest.

“I seem to recall you taking an overt interest in my body the last time you visited, although, sadly I sense this time I only jog your memory,” said Astera, her eyelids half closed for a few moments.

Alexis’ hand shifted, now squeezing the Guards shoulder, flinging a questioning sideways glance at Astera, before continuing. “Be assured Zoe grew up in the mountains and although young, all the women of her tribe would be call upon to look after and treat any with frostbite. Her instruction the equal of others,” said Alexis, easily creating a truth.

The Guard’s eyes trailed up Alexis’ forearm to her reassuring face. “You are certain?”

Alexis nodded and gave the Guard’s shoulder a light squeeze. The Guard using the last of her pain tolerance shuffled her chair about and forward towards the stove, welcoming the radiated warmth, her head down. For an unknown reason she yearned for the return of a certain foot between her thighs, her admiration of the owner’s athletic leg, her shame weakening her resolve and her oath. The temptation unholy and her memory haunted by a bronze toe ring.

“Your shameless display condemned me. Why? Why did you parade yourself before a Seer?” she yelled.

“You made a choice, not I. Your companion Guard maintained her professionalism, she made her choice,” said Astera.

“Female Guards shunned me after that day!” Her hands painfully white knuckled the chair’s arms.

Astera didn’t comprehend the display of anguish and distress. How would a tempting look affect a Temple Guard of Saph? Her sisters also paused to assess, the Guard’s heavy breathing loud in the silence.

Tears fell upon her naked thighs; her nose became congested with fluids to the point of leaking. The Guard lifted her head, her red rimmed eyes drilling through Astera’s soul, their watery sheen a magnifying glass of intent.

“No female guard to share duty with, left me with two choices, leave or accept duty with male guards, which required me to sleep in their barracks, confirming rumour as truth.” Her cheeks bright red, spreading to her neck and upper chest, stopping above her breast wrap.

“Where is your male escort now?” asked Astera, without sympathy.

Alexis confused by her Mistress’ callousness, knelt beside the Guard, one hand comforting her forearm and the back of the other caressing her cheek.

The guard blinked. Paused. With her free hand, regardless of the pain she wiped away her tears and taking an offered cloth from Alexis blew her nose clear.

“He returned to the Temple to report and fetch help.”

“Do you think he made it?” Astera caught Zoe’s judgement, her head shaking in the negative.

“He swore he would …”

Ismene shuffled forward and offered two bowls to the Guard, both filled with warm water. The distraught Guard not understanding, she placed the Guard’s feet in one bowl, while resting the other on her lap.

“Place your hands in the bowl and try to wiggle your fingers, same for your toes,” said Ismene.

Zoe quick to speak. “When first frostbitten your body needs warmth, once found it can then return life back to the unnecessary parts and if the flesh isn’t dead revive them. The warm water is more direct and wiggling your fingers and toes will tell you much, although your sense of touch from them will tell you most. Dead flesh can’t feel.”

The Guard placed her warm wet hands to her face, losing her composure once again and sobbed into them. Zoe allowed her a moment and then forced her hands back into the warm water.

Astera wandered out of earshot of the Guard, waving at Zoe to follow.

“Can you run for a Healer?” Astera’s hands immediately holding Zoe by her shoulders.

“I ask because if a Healer fails, then such is the will of the Gods. You yourself doubt the Seer will recover and I would avoid, if possible, returning a foolhardy and injured Seer unless accompanied by a Healer.”

Zoe sighed. “I understand of course. You must also understand the Healers are all theory, stay in Temple bookworms and I have never seen one amongst common folk.”

“You will try though?”

“For you my sweet warrior, of course.” A single tear rolled down Zoe’s cheek.

Astera and Thyia stepped closer to be met by Zoe’s flat palms pushing back and her head turning aside.

“We thought … you returned to us?” said Astera.

Zoe lifted her head, a picture of sadness and faced the other two of their Warrior Three.

“I have never left you, I just can’t, not yet. As I run to fetch a useless Healer for you, this other I also do for you, although I can’t say more. Trust me?”

“Always,” responded Astera and Thyia in unison, immediately after the question.

“With your permission I will take Hagne with me, part protection and she can bash on the door of the Temple of Saph and inform them of what has happened, while I bash on the door of the Temple of Ure. And in case their priests are as foolish as this one I will take some extra furs and fur lined boots.”

“Thank-you,” whispered Astera, her heart pained, nevertheless. Thyia wrapping an arm around her Mistress feigning discussion with Zoe and then bearing witness to her departure.

---

Body warmth as much as the fireplace warmed the Inn’s guests. Dione and Niobe sitting pride of place in cushioned armchairs before the blazing hearth, each picking at roasted horse flesh. Niobe’s hunger overcoming any moral protest.

“Did our Mistress approve of my diversion?” sniped Dione.

Niobe chased Dione riding ahead in the distance the entire journey. She suspected her and her stallion paced themselves to be within sight, although far enough apart to test Niobe’s grit. Niobe responded in kind.

“I don’t know, this is the first rest I have been able to have and well, does permission matter now since we are here?”

Dione cackled, raised her glass in salute, and then threw back the dregs of her cider, slamming the empty glass on their shared side table. “Better to ask for forgiveness than permission I say.”

A shadow passed over Niobe, which caused Niobe to start until she realised who haunted her.

“Hope you are enjoying our hospitality as much as we are enjoying your roasted meat. I say again a real lifesaver, your arrival, yep that’s for sure.” She wrung her hands on a wipe cloth, trying to follow up, needing to tell them more.

Niobe glanced at Dione, who smiled and sunk back into the folds of the armchair.

“What is it Miss Dovara? Speak.”

“Well Rushter got thinking and then he got doing and well one thing led to another and you see while Death Season is almost done we have at least another month and well those horses, they are meat on the hoof, you know what I am saying …”

“No, I don’t know what you are saying, you are going to have to say it plain,” said Niobe, trying to keep her voice calm.

“Well with the two you rode in on, we thought you could spare another couple, so the menfolk have slaughtered them to salt them down, you know, for later.” Her face winced while her shoulders hunched up preparing for the worst.

Niobe puffed out her cheeks, trying to talk, shout or even scream and yet nothing. Dione burst to life in loud boisterous laughter. Once under control she murmured, “Asking forgiveness instead of permission are you good Innkeeper?”

Dovara stammered at first and then found her words. “Well yes, that be the plain speaking of it.”

The Inn hushed in anticipation, waiting.

Dione bounced to her feet, her face a finger width from Dovara’s, eyes intense.

“No more. In Birth Season the Daughters of the Duchess will be compensated for the horses and hailed as saviours for evermore, always welcome at the Blood and Plough Inn if desperate for a meal and bed. Yes?”

Dovara took a step back and patted down her apron. “Why Innkeeper Rushter must have read your mind or be of like thinking, he near well asked me to make the very same offer. He and the Village Chief decided the least they could do.”

Dione reached down and handed her empty glass to Dovara and lounged back into her armchair. Dovara scampered off.

The general mutterings of the Inn then resumed. Niobe laid back in her armchair in thought, the horses couldn’t be brought back to life so perhaps Dione’s solution the best. She did wonder if Dione knew the village always wanted more. Perhaps she herself needed to wise up, the villagers, many in this Inn in fact, didn’t carry any excess weight, skin over bones being the most common physique.

A skin and bone hand grabbed Niobe’s hand and with absolute willpower she didn’t pull her hand away in fright as her eyes recognised the innocent prostrate before her, a mother with babe on her hip and a young girl.

“Stand please.” Niobe lent awkwardly forward trying to encourage the mother and child to stand, the armchair refusing to let her go.

“Your arrivin’ saved us, me and my two girls, first real meal in weeks, my breasts with scant milk to feed the little one and all. May the Gods bless you?” She sniffed; tears rolled down her cheeks as she hurried away. The little girl’s sunken eyes pierced Niobe’s soul, thankfully she left with her mother.

Niobe heard the armchair beside her creak, drawing her attention.

“See we are heroes now, the Daughters of the Duchess ride through Death Season to deliver horse flesh, on the hoof to the starving village of Maplethorn.” Dione slapped Niobe’s arm. “And you are in the story, your name will be repeated and become famous.”

“What of your name? Your, your … family?”

The humour left Dione’s face; her lips drawn tight. “Not a problem. I am Astera of course, the Mistress of the Daughters of the Duchess, don’t you recognise me?”

“You can’t, what will Mistress say?”

“Forgiveness or permission dear Niobe? Given the good deed I have, erm, we have sown I suspect forgiveness. Now relax, ask for a cider, you worry too much.”

“My Stallion if they take any more of the herd smash their pathetic heads in, one or two should be enough for them to understand.” The villagers separated the herd from the beginning, not enough hay in one stable for all the horses. Dione acknowledged they tricked her once, good on them. Not a second time though, starving or not.

---

“Perfectly warm and dry miss, err, Miss Zoe, yes Miss Zoe,” said the Healer of Ure, his voice cultured and so very polite.

He insisted Healers of Ure prepare carefully for all weathers and climates and dressed appropriately, hence their delay. They did try to share their knowledge with Priests of the other Gods, unfortunately none heed their advice. Zoe listened to his knowledge sharing while struggling through the wind and snow, Hagne trying to distance herself from the impromptu lecturing, plainly understanding why others ignored these peculiar priests.

Unfurling his voluminous overcoat in a perfect sweep and flick he hung the garment at the end of his fingers searching for a missing piece of furniture. Zoe snatched the coat and flung it over the two nearest chairs in the former elder’s room, receiving a grunt as a reward.

He then carefully removed his fur line skullcap, an under jacket and a cloak. Placing them neatly on the other two spare chairs in the elder’s room.

Middle aged, squared forehead and peppered goatee beard otherwise undistinguished noted Zoe.

Hagne left Zoe to him, already reporting by Seer Link of their encounter and return journey.

“You do have a patient awaiting your attention?” prompted Zoe.

“This door, such a mystery.” He tapped and knocked the wood in seemingly random places. His attempts to open the door failing regardless of the effort.

“Perhaps, what of your patient?”

“Knowledge Miss Zoe, with knowledge we grow. These walls for example, ordinary and yet stronger than they appear. How?” A slim pointed knife to hand he tried to flick out a wood sample, again failure.

Zoe grabbed his arm and dragged him from the elder’s room into the Kitchen and Training Room. All conversation stopped and the eyes of every sister present fixed upon him.

“Perhaps a Miss Healer should have attended. You are all women, fascinating. Weapons, armour, others in robes, such a mixture,” he said, unperturbed by Zoe tugging on his arm causing him to stumble in the direction of the stove.

“Welcome Master Healer,” said Astera her hand held out.

“Wonderous, erm, House as you call your residence. Amazing.” As an afterthought his hand limply clasped, shook and released Astera’s.

“Do you wish to examine the Guard or the Seer first?” asked Zoe trying to make him focus.

“In our experience those who can talk are usually closer to life than those that can’t. The silent patient is usually the first to die. So given the Temple Guard is alert and observing and has been administered a … mmm … treatment, the Seer please.”

Zosime and the Seer lay still under their shared furs near the stove, providing a narrow pathway.

As the Healer bent to pull back the coverings, Zosime rose to assist. Her Seer Robe covering her nakedness, although apprehensive due to the Seer’s exposed breasts.

“Stay Miss, your body warmth is important. Do you believe the Seer’s core temperature has recovered?” he asked.

“I have laid with her for three bells, so perhaps?”

He reached over and drew back the layer of furs gingerly, trying to maintain the captured warmth. Peering over he placed his hand upon her midriff, he patted gently, resting his hand, shifting to repeat.

“Woman’s breasts are so fascinating. My colleagues have catalogued thousands of pairs over the centuries. Just as we complied enough knowledge to determine a woman’s Duchy of birth the Duchies collapsed one after another. Such a waste, if only the Kings and their Dukes heeded our advice or at least faced the challenge head on. Now of course this Dukedom is a melting pot of original inhabitants mixed with many from the other Duchies as people fled so our years of research came to nothing. Pity.”

Those sisters present stunned to silence by his words. Trying to comprehend and yet noting his lament for knowledge wasted, not for loss of life.

“I suppose all is not lost, Seers for example, tend to result from the birth of the purer bloodlines, don’t confuse this with royalty though, think more in terms of localities which tended not to intermingle. Surprisingly breasts are a marker, more so than hair colour, complexion.”

Zosime barely observed his hands press and test over the Seer’s torso, he could have explored any part of her body. Her attention firmly diverted by his spoken words.

“This Seer’s breasts for example, smaller, therefore First Kingdom ancestry. I would need to take exacting measurements and refer to the correct almanac to provide Duchy and region.”

Astera’s mouth opened to speak, to ask a question and her vocal cords failed her, her mind going to mush trying to digest the throw away knowledge of this Healer Priest.

“You have done well Miss, I believe her core temperature has recovered, unfortunately her frostbite extends beyond her fingers and toes, to include both feet, her breasts, elbows, knees in summary any lower blood circulation area and any portion subject to long exposure to chilling water.”

The Healer sat back on his haunches in deep thought. The sisters glanced at each other; none present game to move and chance making a sound. His contemplating presence demanding deference and consideration.

“She will begin screaming shortly as her body discovers her half-dead flesh. Why would she be so foolish?”

“The Seer volunteered to carry an overdue message from the Duchess to her Daughters,” whispered the Guard answering his question.

The Healer stared long and hard at the Guard, his face showing feeling for the first time, rage. Fist clenched; he regulated his breathing from fast to steady to slow regaining control before their eyes.

“Mistress Astera please search the Seer Robes for this royal message of such import the Seer who carried the missive will never fully recover from her dedication.”

Astera slowly stepped towards the back of the stove and lifted the now dried and warmed Seer’s Robe and rummaged through the various pockets and folds. Handing the robe off, Astera then straightened the curled parchment.

“I must advise you Master Healer the message is destroyed, soaked in water the ink has run.” Astera’s voice tired and sad, her pitiful eyes laying upon the unconscious Seer.

“Well then.” The Master Healer stood and made his way over to the Temple Guard holding his hands out. Taking the hint, she laid her hands upon his. He squinted and spied.

“This ointment unusual, no healing properties, purely a barrier. I approve.” He allowed the Guard’s hands to return to their owner.

“Mistress Astera I will report the Seer loss to the Temple of Saph. I would advise you to accommodate the Temple Guard until she has recovered, perhaps a day, possibly two, she may think upon her loyalties and arrive at a more beneficial conclusion.” He deliberately and slowly surveyed the room. The Temple Guard’s eyes following his.

Astera cleared her throat. “Seer Loss?”

“The trauma the Seer has suffered will inevitably result in the severing if lucky, destruction if not of her Seer Link.” Observing Astera’s frown he continued. “Severing will keep her hope alive, even if false, while destruction will most probably result in her suicide or so our scant statistics suggest. The Seers don’t share their losses.”

“Oh.” Astera couldn’t muster any more of a response, at a loss due to the Master Healer’s candour.

“I apologise for my, lack of um bedside manner, surrounded by tomes and books, dealing with facts and observations, again I apologise.”

Recovering somewhat, Astera held out her hand and waited until he reached her to reciprocate.

Shaking hands, Astera said, “Let me escort you out of our humble House.”

He raised an eyebrow in response accompanied by a smirk.

Entering the elder’s room, Astera couldn’t contain herself, needing to ask one more question.

“Does the Temple of Ure list all the Kings, Dukes and their family lines?”

He propped, quickly straightening out his face. “The very beginning yes, after though, not so much as the Kingdoms and their Duchies became fragmented. The present Duke guards his lineage like a pot of gold, if that was your next question.”

The Master Healer dressed and ignored Astera’s pretence at opening the door to show him out, not once commenting further as he strode into the cold and chilling weather.

---

Several well positioned lanterns illuminated the pedestals. Alcmene standing by while Astera, Thyia and Zoe huddled in private conversation out of earshot.

“Return to us and explain,” urged Astera.

“I do this for you and one day I hope to fully explain, standing this close, your breaths mingling with mine I must remind myself to stay strong or our restraint will be for nothing.”

“I hope for that day,” whispered Thyia.

“I am tempted to order you to remain in the House for another day …”

“You can’t, Niobe reports Dione setting a cracking pace to Farstay and we need to be there before her and hopefully meet her before she reaches the village,” said Zoe with meaning.

“Niobe’s reports on Dione’s behaviour are troubling although easily explained due to the pressure of the moment,” Astera replied.

“Still the Village Priest holds all our hopes and the fewer he meets the less confused he should be. Time to release me Mistress, poor Alcmene so patient.”

“I am finding it difficult not to hug you …”

“Perhaps for the best. I am surprised the Temple Guard returned to the Temple.”

“Perhaps I wasn’t plain enough when I invited her to stay,” said Astera, lightly chuckling.

“Perhaps she held a loyalty or guilt towards the Seer, needing to escort her back to the Temple, interestingly her honour guard dressed in the Master Healer’s snow gear.” The three shared a parting snicker at their belated wisdom as Astera and Thyia escorted Zoe to her pedestal, Alcmene moving into position as they approached.

“Now Alcmene,” said Astera.

Her chant done, both reaching up, fingertips planted against the marble Shrine Step above their heads. In an instant gone.

“I ache, sister,” uttered Astera.

“As do I,” replied Thyia.

---

Zoe and Alcmene crouched immediately to lower themselves below the height of the Shrine of Saph in Farstay. Their arrival further camouflaged by the cloak of night. The Church of Judge in shadow, as planned they would visit the Village Priest at dawn until then they hurried across the village common and returned to Nysa’s former cottage, finding everything left in place and smoothly falling into bed.

Zoe, breaking her fast at dawn on bread and cheese marched to the church, a determination smouldering in her gut, she needed answers and hope. Kindly she allowed Alcmene to sleep in, leaving a note.

About to thump the door with the handle of her dagger, the Village Priest greeted her instead.

“Well met and welcome to our humble village,” announced the Priest, joyfully.

Zoe wondered about his obvious happiness, perhaps the enlightenment he received from the various holy books and manuals a factor and therefore a positive sign.

“We have a mighty evil trapped in the Cavern and he has called followers to him to destroy us. We don’t know what form these will take but we suspect walking dead at the very least, so I am here to warn you if nothing else.”

“Our protection should hold, and I have managed to strengthen it since studying the holy books your Mistress granted me. So, we are as safe as we can be at the end of Death Season with an unknown evil threat about to come upon us!” he replied, again, a happy confidence evident.

His mood started to annoy Zoe considering the danger her and her sisters were about to face therefore she tried to see if he could be of any more help.

“The evil seems to be held by water, a very narrow running ribbon of water, how is that possible?”

The Village Priest replied immediately, Zoe buoyed by his quick reply, hopeful.

“When Judge discovered the evil, many innocents needed protection and the evil couldn’t be destroyed without tremendous loss, so he declared an edict, the evil restricted and the innocents similarly cautioned. Running water now holds a different consequence for each.”

“What of sunlight? Does the Season mean more or less?”

One of his hands rested in the other, while he spouted from his impromptu pulpit, his moment to shine.

“Sunlight is the ultimate Judgement and middle of the day sunlight in the Month of Light in Birth Season, the strongest and most pure. It should destroy most evil. Even in Death Season sunlight is the bane of evil.”

Zoe couldn’t believe his conviction and level of knowledge and so continued trying to obtain answers to questions they could only guess at.

“This evil was able to walk in the light of the sun, with little ill affect!”

“It must be very ancient, but even if very ancient the evil must retreat before the light of Judge! It is written.”

Written it maybe thought Zoe, reality a little, no, a lot different, you pompous arse!

“Nysa was nearly destroyed by this ancient evil, she presented herself, her shield of Judge and her faith and the evil swept her away!” Zoe said almost shouting, the Priest changed from the humble Priest they knew, he now carried an air of superiority, immune from doubt!

“Judge filled her with his light and faith. Therefore, doubt must live within her. If this doubt surfaced for but an instant she would have been undone.”

Zoe swallowed hard, resisting the urge to violently contest the Village Priests knowledge. She witnessed Nysa’s devotion and faith once blessed by Judge and ordained his Knight, not a spec of doubt remained within her.

“Is the evil all the same? Do they have any weaknesses?”

“The ancient evil, the ancient enemy are similar, but they have differences, both of what they can do and how they can be destroyed, they surround themselves with followers and helpers they can seduce with false promises of power and position. The Holy Books don’t go into any detail except to affirm that sunlight is the bane to all of them.”

“Who knows most about the ancient evil? Who could be asked for answers?” pleaded Zoe.

“Judge Knights are Judge’s judgement and destroyers of evil, you would need to visit Judge’s Temple in the City and search their Library for any books or scrolls which detailed their deeds.”

Did his eye flicker, his “stick up his bum” posture relax for a moment? Finally, a slight crack in the all-knowing façade of the Village Priest. Zoe couldn’t be certain as her check found him returned to his self-important demeanour as quick. Some important information regarding Judge Knights perhaps? What has he found?

Zoe left his presence and church unsure if the Village Priest even noticed let alone present enough to say goodbye. Perhaps in her absence he breathed a sigh of relief, his acting over and a caller from the Daughters of the Duchess on her way, none the wiser. The Village Priest underestimated the perception of one young in years decided Zoe, determined to convince their Mistress to send another if opportunity allowed.

Alcmene greeted Zoe beside the cottage door, her arms folded, and lips draw thin.

“Sorry sister, the Village Priest hasn’t seen many of us and Mistress wanted to keep it that way.”

Alcmene sulked, “Perhaps you are forgiven for leaving me behind.”

Zoe flitted past Alcmene, pausing to share a hug.

“Oh, you have packed?”

“For you to leave me meant haste, so where to now?”

“A rendezvous.”

Zoe and Alcmene visited the stable and surprised the stable hand who stood confused unable to figure out how and when they arrived in the village to now leave. He never discovered an answer and witnessed two saddled horses leaving with their riders with a third saddled, carrying packs.

By dusk with Alcmene and Niobe in constant Seer Link the sisters met upon the trail between Maplethorn and Farstay. Zoe not particularly amused by Dione riding wide and trying to surprise them from behind, although she tolerated her frivolous behaviour to keep the peace.

Zoe declared camp in the open beside the trail sharing furs and clothes as required and building a fire beacon instead of a campfire, which surprised her sisters shortly becoming the subject of further discussion.

“We need to let some friends know we are in the area and perhaps need to talk to them. Any who would do us harm will not be so lucky, although we have seen no one on the trail and neither have you by your own accounts, otherwise why would Dione play games.”

They broke their fast, packed up their camp and mounted up in quick time. Zoe led them towards the slopes of the mountain spur, intending to return to the exact location or near to where she met the snow wolf pack leader.

Even with spare horses and all the riders in saddles the snow fought against them, although mercifully none fell for the day, with the sky clearing of clouds to encourage them. Zoe pushed on a little to find a more sheltered place to make camp. A large campfire featured again.

During the night, howls reverberated across the mountain range clearly heard by those sisters on watch, yet strangely not howls of intimidation or threat, more proclaiming, heralding like. Throughout the night each watch glimpsed snow wolves prowling on the edge of the firelight.

Zoe broke her fast with her sisters and then cast her eyes towards the waiting snow wolves.

“My invitation has been issued, I hope to return shortly, although if I don’t return by tomorrow morning break camp and return to the House.”

“How can contacting the snow wolves be your mission?” accused Dione.

Zoe knowingly grinned and jogged towards the waiting snow wolves, who sprang to their feet and danced through the snow, hopefully leading her to an important meeting and not her death.

---

“We meet again little wolf,” announced the pack leader, once again in human form and naked, impervious to the cold.

“Why little wolf?”

“You are marked by me. You are part of my pack now, even if I choose to allow you to roam with others.”

Zoe wasn’t exactly sure about allow, her previous oath of allegiance took precedence over an oath of secrecy in her opinion, although discussion now about the finer points wouldn’t benefit the Daughters of the Duchess, so she accepted the inference for now.

“I am glad to be welcomed, although I have some ill news to share.” At the pack leader’s urging she continued. “We have an ancient evil trapped in the Caverns and he has threatened to call followers to destroy us and the only followers we know are the walking dead. We have warned the Priest of Farstay and he says he is secure and will defend against any evil which attacks him and his village. They will need to walk this way to reach the Caverns so you may have some evil company soon.”

The pack leader circled Zoe, eyeing her, sniffing occasionally. Zoe held her ground and waited for the pack leader to complete her inspection and return to face her.

“You wore the scent of many before, although especially two, now you are somewhat cleansed,” said the pack leader trying to figure something out. Zoe didn’t answer, although her heart beat faster until she concentrated on calm, the Healer Priest’s demonstration of control providing her with the confidence to at least try. Whether the technique directly or indirectly, the attempt distracting her, Zoe’s heart rate lowered to a casual resting state.

“Perhaps little wolf you wish to frolic with your new pack? Interesting.”

“No, I mean yes. I am uncertain … I have delivered the message my … Mistress … bid me to, so I shall take my leave,” stuttered Zoe.

“You will take your leave, will you? Interesting.” The pack leader swayed and sashayed toward Zoe, cupping Zoe chin in the palm of her hand, leaning her head forward slightly, an invitation.

Zoe responded, leaning in and then with the shyness of a deer snapped back, tilting her head to one side. The pack leader’s voice tinkled with laughter, playful, thrilling; while retreating a couple of steps to give her little wolf, breathing room.

“We could easily avoid them of course, but where we can we will tear them down and hope to destroy them before they reach you, but if not, be assured their number will be reduced, this I swear to you my little wolf.”

Zoe cast her eyes down, nodding her head, supplicant.

“We would appreciate your help as the evil hasn’t been defeated, only trapped by accident. We placed our hope in our newly ordained Judge Knight, one of our sisters. The evil pretended to be intimidated and instead lured her to him, laughing as he struck, ignoring Judge’s Holy Symbol and her devotion even though filled with the light and faith of Judge.”

Sympathy drove the pack leader, a need to console her little wolf, wise elder to whelp. The pack leader immediately face to face with her poor little wolf, barely a finger width apart, their eyes locked and her hands running through Zoe’s shoulder length black hair and occasionally cradling her head. In rapture when her little wolf leant her head back confirming her pleasure.

“Tell your Judge Knight not to lose faith because of this one defeat, the evil must be very ancient indeed to cast her aside so easily. She must find past Judge Knights to learn from and defeat lessor evil and strengthen her faith. She carries the light of Judge within her now and that is a bane to much evil and will only grow stronger as she does.”

With tender pressure Zoe’s face soon craned downwards to nestle between the pack leader’s cleavage, while her hands continued to caress and knit into Zoe’s hair.

Zoe continued to question for answers. “The Village Priest advised me to search the Temple of Judge in the City which seems easier than finding past Judge Knights? Aren’t they all dead and probably with Judge now after being burnt on the flames of a pyre?”

Zoe’s hot breath upon her chest sent a giddy shiver down the pack leader’s spine. How did this human girl affect her so? Not wolf by birth, although bred in the wilds, human huntress and yet vulnerable due this great evil, deserving of her protection and wisdom.

“Most weren’t, although I am not a witness to this, my mother told me tales of the past and many years have passed since a powerful Judge Knight walked in judgement of evil.”

Zoe pull her screwed up face away from the soft repose, confused. The pack leader smiled in response, youth, a blessing and a curse, if only what she knew now, could she know then.

“That doesn’t make sense!” Zoe gently struggled free taking a step back. “Our dead are to be sent to Judge on the flames of a pyre, while a Judge Knight isn’t? What of the Judge Knight of this Dukedom? Isn’t he or wouldn’t he be powerful now?”

Her sweet free, her breath no longer upon her flesh, the pack leader considered briefly grabbing her little wolf and then remembered her mother’s words of wisdom, If you love someone set them free, if they come back they are truly yours, if they don’t come back they never were. Love? Surely not, infatuation perhaps, possibly, how could this happen?

The pack leader answered Zoe’s question to free her of her dilemma. “He has been complacent, he has some power, if only because he has been a Judge Knight for many years, but the Priests don’t fully understand his role and how he should increase his faith and strength and truly wield judgements. He is more a trusted Knight of his Duke instead of a bane of evil.”

Zoe placed her hands on her hips. “How do you know this?”

A defiant little wolf, so endearing, the pack leader needing to bite the inside of her cheek to remain serious and in the moment. Blood? The question lost as the butterflies in her stomach demanded action, her little wolf too serious looking. The pack leader stole a kiss.

Zoe’s hand reached up to touch her own lips, breaking her stance, reliving the pleasant caress.

“Am I not a human standing before you now? If I am human, I can walk in a city like any other and meet and talk to people. People like to talk if you are prepared to listen.” She smiled and leaned forward, continuing in a more serious tone. “I make it my business to check each new Judge Knight to see if they have taken their calling any more seriously than the one before as I am always looking for allies.”

Thinking this an invitation to offer Zoe said, “Would it serve us both if I introduced you to Judge Knight Nysa?”

A dismissive smile. “I don’t need another knowing my secret little wolf, even if she is a Judge Knight.”

“I could arrange some clothes for you beforehand so you can then talk to another human, like any other. Perhaps we could meet in Farstay?”

The pack leader reached out a hand and cupped Zoe’s cheek lightly.

“I will consider your offer. For now, be assured we will watch for evil and destroy as many as we can before they arrive at the Cavern as their destruction serves us both.”

Zoe opened her mouth to ask another question to no avail, apparently their meeting now at an end. The pack leader smoothly transformed into her large white wolf shape, howled once and bounded away, Zoe’s two snow wolf escorts obediently in pursuit.

She enjoyed playtime with little wolf, young and innocent, caught up in ancient machinations likely to kill her as not and yet worth protecting. Soon though her pack would need to migrate further north to the permanent snow, for now they could stay to help and protect little wolf and her human friends.

Secondary, although equally important she would need to resolve her feelings. The rapid infatuation, her years of wisdom being traded for youthful discovery and delight. Blood? She tasted little wolf’s blood, how could this influence her so, when none in the past did? Possibly the only explanation as nothing else came to mind.

---

Zoe trudged back through the snow, continually breaking through the crust, frustrated as the heavier wolves managed to run on the crust if sufficiently set. She experimented, on hands and feet with more success, although tedious and uncomfortable, certainly not useful over a long distance. Putting her folly behind her for now, she returned to the camp, her sisters patiently waiting in silence. Odd.

“I live so therefore we are going back to Hillperch as the horses cannot be stabled at Farstay or the Cavern, so they need to be stabled elsewhere,” said Zoe, breaking the deathly silence.

“Or Maplethorn, they eat horseflesh there,” added Niobe with a hint of venom.

“Let it go sister, the Daughters of the Duchess are heroes there, we saved their village from starvation, you saw the skinny villagers as did I.”

Niobe mounted her horse and spurred her mount to a walk. Zoe’s eyes followed Niobe and then turned to Dione, shrugged and mounted her stallion, following Niobe.

“The evil is still trapped and content for now to stay high up in the Main Cavern, even during the night, so it awaits our doom,” declared Alcmene as she also mounted.

What happened at camp while away thought Zoe? What of her gamble and bravery? Now no sister to share and discuss her theory of how a pack leader shape changer many years of age needed to protect and comfort her…

As the four sisters rode upon the trail for Hillperch, a mother and daughter observed them.

“Can we trust them Mother?”

“I am beginning to believe we can, the one named Nysa wouldn’t have been ordained in a small nothing village by a Village Priest no less, as a Judge Knight if she lacked devotion and faith. I would still like to meet their Mistress to be sure, my visit to the Lonely Keep certainly confirmed the Elves involvement, although not why as a patch of Faerie Forest exists where it cannot, not that it can be seen but I know the smell well.”

“What of my sister, is her mission still the same?”

“I see no reason to change as your sister is already in Bircharbor and has established herself and begun her training.”

“What of little wolf, you seem … taken by her …”

“I know, I realise I have an unexplained need to protect her …”

“Perhaps more than just protect Mother?”

Her Mother’s growl warned her, no more questions.