Astera lounged about half-asleep eyeing Hagne concentrate, the effort yielding a sweating brow and every so often a glance over to check, not the usual Seer Skill behaviour tells, which meant trouble. She didn’t doubt Hagne’s effort, which meant Alexis or worse the entire expedition possibly met their end. A line of thought Astera quickly dismissed, not true she told herself, impossible.

“My Items are exhausted Mistress, I can explore our joined path, reach Alexis and yet her mind, impenetrable. Thankfully not dead.” Hagne’s brow wrinkles. “Dead tired?”

“You are certain … not dead?”

At Hagne’s confirmation, a great relief rolled over Astera. “Encouraging.” Astera played with one of her long braids. “Dead tired though, hopefully only her, anymore and who would be fit to defend.”

Hagne frowned, chewing the inside of her cheek, the Mistress’ request meant more it would seem, perhaps she would try to Seer Link with Zosime, no she thought, the Mistress specifically asked her to Seer Link with Alexis. Hagne then recalled her presumption for the meeting and took a little swallow.

“Thank-you Hagne, try again when you can and ask Korinna to do the same please.”

“Yes, Mistress and about before …”

Astera waved her concerns away. “Seers are lusty creatures and I would be disappointed if you didn’t … ask.” Looking over her eyebrows Astera added, “You respected my right to say no, which is greatly appreciated.”

Hagne nevertheless exited the Training Room with haste, mindful of Warrior Three triplets, at least the non-Seer bonded. A word or more with Niobe, Hagne’s next task.

---

Otonia entered the Meeting Room closing the door behind her. “What did you say or do to Hagne?”

Astera toyed with her braids. “Thank-you Otonia for waiting, I need your advice I believe.”

“Niobe insisted … my advice?” Otonia slid her bottom into the lounge alongside Astera hands clasped together.

“We are extremely vulnerable and the sole reason we are surviving now is because no one is attacking us.”

Otonia shook her head from side to side, the coin dropping, her hand reaching for Astera’s thigh trying to reassure. “You couldn’t have stopped Dione Mistress, her determination one eyed and even that eye blind. A contest of wills would have erupted with unknown results.”

“So frustrating, because I agreed with the necessity of destroying the Dark Priest and I manipulated Dione into waiting for as long as I could, perhaps I needed to take her into my confidence and explain the broad brush strokes of my plan … well more an our plan …”

Patting Astera’s thigh Otonia craned her neck to hold Astera’s attention. “In her frame of mind at the time, any request or command to discuss a plan would have been met with suspicion, perhaps with her believing you lay in wait to trap her.”

Astera took in a deep breath, a confession. “I needed to try though, to get through to her, instead I folded before she ran in defiance. Now I find out some truths about their plight. Early on Zosime reported Dione and Zoe equally determined to pursue the Dark Priest to the bitter end. I suggested they turn back, but I didn’t command.” Astera’s eyes found the ceiling to prevent any moisture escaping and regather her composure. Her voice trembling despite best efforts to keep calm, so many failings, so many doubts. “You and Dione, companions of Charis before meeting me, the famous Ladies Three and I am uncertain if your positions are simply one of respect or a de facto assumption of command, Charis’ natural successors.”

Otonia swung off the lounge, ending up on her knees in front of Astera, both hands placed upon her Mistress’ thighs, gripping to emphasis her words as required. “You are Mistress, Astera. Charis appointed you on more than one occasion I will add. If she thought you unfit or someone more fit for the duty, you wouldn’t be Mistress now. You must command as you did when highly respected voices called to give chase immediately after the battle and your word held. You must do so again and order them to return if you consider their lives in danger or the Cavern and House at risk or both.”

“Weren’t you previously concerned about a contest of wills?” Astera almost breaking into a delirious laugh.

“Yes, but Dione assumed she would catch the Dark Priest and return triumphant. Her chance is now passed and while we know Dione and her horse can chase anyone forever, those with her can’t. She may even welcome the command as a save of face to break the chase, honour intact, or at least pride.”

Astera reached forward with her hands and grabbed Otonia to drag her forward and kiss her forehead.

“You never wished to be Charis’ heir apparent?”

Otonia smiled and then laughed, a happy merry laugh. “Dione and I met Charis first, which could mean something of course, except an old Mother Superior convinced Charis of her destiny. I believe the first to swear their loyalty to the Charis The Foretold, sits before me now.”

Soft thumbs wiped the tears from Astera’s eyes and cheeks, smiling pale green eyes assuring her. Astera firmly squeezed Otonia’s hands, closing her own eyes and savouring a moment of huge relief and support.

“Oh, Mistress, your hands are so rough, you need to wear gloves more often.”

Astera’s eyes flung wide open, hands releasing Otonia’s as if scalded. Otonia fell backwards rolling around laughing. Next moment Astera leapt upon her, a muscled thigh either side of her waist, and both arms held in the grip of one of Astera’s hands. The free hand grabbing Otonia’s chin, allowing her Mistress to pause for permission before passionately kissing her willing captive.

“What of Thyia and Niobe?”

“Niobe … encouraged me, odd I know, while Thyia, well strange, a strong meal, food or perhaps hunger emotion …”

Despite her Mistress’ buttocks upon her waist, Otonia erupted into boisterous laughter.

Astera frowned. “What?”

“Mistress, what Thyia is suggesting is as old as the ages, growing your appetite is all well and good as long as you eat at home!”

“Oh!”

Otonia took the opportunity and threw Astera off by suddenly rolling her hips and shoulder. They laid side by side quiet, their hands joined, fingers interlocked.

Otonia spoke to the ceiling. “It would take at least five or six days to reach the forest from here and perhaps six or seven days of easier riding to return, more if they are walking. So perhaps a generous date is the last day of Death Season.”

“Let us hope we have no challenges until then,” sighed Astera, “your advice is good though, I just need to be able to contact them.”

Otonia rolled toward her Mistress, propped up on an elbow and kissed her Mistress’ forehead. Climbing to her feet Otonia waved as she left Astera to her own thoughts. Astera’s hands settled interlocked behind her head, pondering. Thyia and Niobe peered in from the doorway, each strolling over and grabbing a hand, forcing their Mistress to her feet.

Reluctantly she didn’t resist even though a certain mischievousness flashed across their eyes.

Half a bell later, naked and soaped up in the warm water of a specially prepared bath Astera released the anxiety of the day. Thyia and Niobe joining to be certain they scrubbed every nook and cranny to her great delight. The three floated in the bath until their skin wrinkled and the water cooled. Once dry they wrapped a cloak about their naked bodies and retired to Astera’s bed.

As Thyia reached to extinguish the last candle in the bedroom and welcome back the night, a moment of clarity struck Astera, delivering a possible solution to her dilemma. With many sisters skilled at horse riding only a few would be required each shift to patrol the Cleft and perhaps attack for a change instead of always on the defensive.

“Niobe would you ride a horse and patrol the Cleft or prefer to defend behind the wall and possibly allow strangers to escape?”

“I would do what my Mistress commands, although I would ask why we can’t do both? Defend upon the wall and if a stranger does escape hunt them down in the Cleft?”

Niobe earnt herself a passionate kiss and then contrary to the plans of her and Thyia, Astera demanded sleep.

+++

A rapid knock on their door woke Astera, Thyia and Niobe with a start, Thyia leaping out of bed and opening the door.

“… tris.” Ismene agog at the naked Warrior Sister crowding the doorway.

Thyia stepped back and unhooked a Daughter Robe to cover herself now the urgency revealed.

Astera propped on her elbows and stared at the scene, Ismene’s urgency waylaid, eyes drinking in Thyia’s powerful strapping form.

“Ismene,” called Astera.

Ismene took a doubletake, mouth edges drooping a little given Thyia’s near dressed state.

“Oh … Temple Guards Mistress, they are pounding on the elder’s door demanding entry. Hagne and Latona are readied, about to start Day Shift … and perhaps Thyia?” Ismene’s eyes strayed, Thyia now leaning against the edge of the open door, arm high, chest and thigh in contact. Niobe wrapped her own nakedness in a Seer Robe and met Thyia in front of her hanging armour.

“Ismene inform the guards the Mistress of the Daughters will be there shortly, do not allow them in the House, I doubt they can defeat the elder’s spell.”

Ismene licked her lips, Thyia once again naked now applying a loin cloth, while Niobe bound her breasts.

“Ismene!” called Astera.

Her head snapped to, wide eyes upon her Mistress. “Yes, Mistress.” Then she took flight failing to close the door in her haste to leave.

“Growing her appetite Mistress while yearning for Charis,” offered Niobe.

Thyia and Astera flashed each other a look. Niobe laughing.

Astera decided upon robe, cloak and pin, the braids receiving a curt nod of approval from Niobe, busy buckling on Thyia’s breastplate. Thyia, one foot propped upon a chair fitted one greave and with well-practiced ease fitted the other. The unsheathing and the sheathing of her daggers, the ready sign.

“Advise Clymene you and her will flank me, while Hagne, Latona and Thyia will take up positions to intervene if required.”

Along the hallway, shortly arriving at the top of the Circular Stairs, the banging of a sword pommel against the elder’s door loud and clear.

Their Mistress checked her escort; Hagne, steely eyed ready, Thyia, unflinching and Latona, breathing heavily, eyes unfocused. Astera favoured her with a warm smile while standing ready, Clymene on one shoulder and Niobe the other. The elder’s door swung open, the follow through of the next blow causing the assailant to stumble forward. In silence Astera thanked the elder for such a wonderful legacy.

Cursing, the burly Temple Guard righted his helm and sheathed his sword, rising from his impromptu kneeling, bowing position.

“About time!” He made to step across the threshold, when the door slammed shut. Astera smirked as a yell issued from outside. The door opened as the Guard made to unsheathe his sword, which he immediately slammed back.

“Such foolishness will not make this go any easier,” he roared. The two Guards escorting him stepped forward in support as the three entered the elder’s room.

Astera held her hand up, the Guard eyeing the appendage trying to decide whether to walk past or halt. His options taken away when the two following, pushed him forward, Astera’s palm resting upon his chest.

“Are you Guards of the Temple of Saph or useless oafs?” Astera blasted them.

They stopped their pushing and shoving and paid attention.

“State your business now, so you can leave all the sooner.”

The Guard on the left nudged the Guard on the right while whispering and staring at Latona. The Guard on the right followed suit, although nodding towards Hagne. The first Guard ignorant of their salacious behaviour most confused when Hagne stepped forward swiftly drawing twin daggers.

Eyes fixed on the right-hand guard, Hagne growled, “If you have something to say coward, say it or hold your tongue.”

The first Guard looked over his shoulder in time to shake his head, the right-hand Guard feigning fear, waving his hands defensively. “Please stop you frighten me …”

Astera held an arm out, Hagne halted.

“Stand and be silent you cretin!” shouted the first Guard over his shoulder, his head turning back, a sweet smile decorating his lips.

Astera, stony faced crossed her arms across her chest.

“Erm … yes Mistress, to business, official Temple business.” The left-hand Guard smirked and patted the first Guard on his shoulder. The first Guard glanced back, restraining a smile.

“And that would be?” commanded Astera.

“The Temple demands the return of the Guard you protect. Additional punishment is to be administered.”

Astera held her pose and stared, eyes boring into messenger unflinching.

“You hard of hearing? Get her, get her now she has duties to perform!” The right-hand Guard snickered, while the left-hand Guard turned away heading out the door his belly laughing not quelled by distance.

Astera growled, “Oo … uu … tT”

“What you don’t believe me? The Mother Superior will hear of this …”

The right-hand Guard stumbled out the door holding his belly, stifling his mirth.

Astera, Hagne and Thyia took a step forward, boots rapping upon the floor.

“Alright, alright …” Holding up a hand, as he retreated out the door.

“Don’t return in future without a signed parchment from your Mother Superior.”

He nodded and then turn to his companions. “I said I would ask for the whore back and I did, now pay up!”

“Aww, guess so,” agreed the left-hand Guard, reaching inside his armour.

“What do you mean? The bet should have been to get our toy back, they treated us serious …”

Thankfully the elder’s door slammed closed and no more conversation reached Astera’s ears.

No sister spoke. Each eased themselves into a chair and in different ways tried to comprehend the inference, none wishing to assume any truth, although difficult.

Latona lowered her head and entwined the fingers of her hands. Before her chin rested upon them, she decided to speak instead of staying silent and unseen.

“Lysisa still sleeps, if you wish I will fetch her …” Latona’s eyes darted from face to face, all fallen. She didn’t understand, although Lysisa being from the Temple ...

Clymene looked up, a ruffle of parchment and shortly after the Seer straightened out the creased note with her hands, while pushing the missive towards Astera. “I thought this a joke, drunks perhaps, the scrawl barely legible. Now I know not a joke, a bet.”

The note demanded the former Temple Guard be returned for punishment, forthwith!

Astera’s orders crisp and decisive. “The note changes nothing, we must know the truth. Latona please fetch Lysisa. Thyia stand guard at the Meeting Room. Clymene and Niobe with me, I will need you to demonstrate perhaps. Hagne, you and Latona start your shift once Lysisa arrives.”

Astera disliked the notion of sharing Niobe with her Sisters Seers, Niobe quick to rebuke her Mistress and Warrior Three bonded triple, a Seer’s appetite beyond pleasure, required for Seer joining. The internal conflict quelled for the time being; Astera, Niobe and Clymene positioned themselves in the Meeting Room.

“The Mistress is possessive,” sent Clymene to Niobe.

“Seer Sister you ‘heard’?”

“We awakened you, trained you and our intimacy knew no bounds. Oh and of course I did caress the back of your hand with my fingers when I noticed the turmoil upon the Mistress’ face, interested to see if your Warrior Three bond the source.”

“Privacy, Seer Sister!”

“Improve your Skill, Seer Sister!”

Challenge accepted thought Niobe, Alcmene and Clymene have poked the wrong alley cat!

“Good,” sent Clymene, with a wave of emotional support.

Niobe gulped. “You read my mind?”

“We still touch and not exact thoughts, strong emotions, your determination to be better.”

“You know I have tried and yet I read nothing of you or your emotions …”

“I offer you a false, although expected destination for your Seer Link, real to you yet devoid of my presence, which you read as a fortress of impenetrable Seer Skill.”

“Deception …”

“Always the prerogative of the first who establishes the Seer Link, so a quick lesson perhaps for you.”

“Why don’t you teach all …”

“Trust must be earnt and your position as the personal, oddly bonded Seer to the Mistress requires refinement of your Seer Skill. Alcmene and I thought our Mistress would retain my Seer Twin, until Zoe’s whatever it was. Our young Huntress played with our Mistress’ emotional stability and now we find ourselves in a Dione mess. You need to be a stabilising influence and you need your Seer Skills developed. Take every opportunity to do so.”

“When Charis returns, Helice will assume her previous position and well Charis is a Seer …”

“While developing your Seer Skill, try to discover the bigger picture and share your thoughts some time …”

The Meeting Room door snapped opened. Thyia ushering Lysisa in breaking the Seers away from their “conversation”.

---

Lysisa completed her umpteenth swallow, fingers digging into the palms of her hands as Thyia guided her into the Meeting Room closing the door behind her, the clunk like a death nell. Latona’s whisper mentioning Temple Guards demanding her return and calling her whore, although Latona’s wordy description more indirect. They knew her sordid past, the only reason. How could her happiness be extinguished so quickly, welcomed as an Initiate of the Daughters of the Duchess and now what? Expelled due to her dalliances. She would explain, sentenced to the old Barracks the men demanded services from her, otherwise promising her a life of misery, lower than low. Perhaps the Mother Superior knew this, the punishment meant to break her, take her own life? The Mother Superior underestimated her bravery, only climbing half of the steps to the top of the Town Wall before turning back. Now her happiness no more.

“Lysisa?”

Her Mistress called; her head rose slowly ready to face her doom.

“When we say the past is in the past, we mean it. You have accepted the cloak and pin and taken a Daughter’s name. Swore an oath until death. Do you understand?”

Lysisa nodded and breathed again, hands falling then frowning in thought, not being discarded …

“Three Temple Guards visited this morning making accusations, I am certain Latona would have mentioned a detail or two?” Astera not entirely sure, a good guess though, confirmed by Lysisa dropping her jaw.

“She thought to hint, no more, showing concern Mistress as I asked the reason, demanded the reason for my summons, she isn’t at fault …”

Astera held a hand up, waving the distraught sister to calm.

“The accusation?”

Lysisa lifted her posture, chin out. “True Mistress. I thought to make excuses, although they won’t change the facts.” The strangest thing occurred, Clymene and Niobe wept. Guarded, restrained, their hands wiping their eyes, nevertheless …

“As a Seer pair what is the absolute unforgivable betrayal to the Goddess, and no matter how desperate no Seer ever, as far as I know, I admit, has ever committed?”

Her chin trembled, she needed to concentrate to resist losing her water and yet as a Single Seer why ask, why did Niobe and Clymene hold hands, bracing themselves?

“Laying with … a man …” Her voice quiet, trembling. The barracks … and all those men, not only one, oh Saph Lysisa thought, so many …

“Do you remember your questions early, the coincidences, the unexplainable appearance of sisters, the co-ordination of attacks …” Astera let the words hang in the air.

Lysisa nodded slowly, cautiously, intrigued to know the answer and now afraid to know the answer.

Niobe wiped her eyes and climbed out of the lounge, reluctantly releasing Clymene’s hand. “We are Seers Lysisa.”

The Initiate, returned a stilted nod in agreement, yes, we all were, now only Single Seers … although Clymene and her sister Alcmene poor Seers … by all accounts?

“As virgins, remaining true to the Goddess and coupled with arduous training Single Seers within the Daughters of the Duchess have been known to recover their Seer Skill. A dream we hoped for you, but now …”

Each word piled upon Lysisa’s anguish, the loss of her twin devastating enough, alone without her family she hung on to the only home she knew, the Temple, then punishments and finally expulsion for the death of a Seer. Her survival required her to make choices and now when most happy, one choice resulted in exile from her Seer Skill. Head in her hands, mind churning, denied Seer Skill and an opportunity to return … connect with another Seer, ease the emptiness, so long and now snatched away by men, no, one woman …

Lysisa used her hands to rub her face in angry frustration, removing the cover-up and baring her final misery. The smearing on one cheek revealing the edges of a red wine stain, their peering alerted her, they are always interested until the mystery is solved and then rejection. Tired, Lysisa took a deep breath, right hand scrubbing the right cheek and chin bare, the disguise peeling away, a large red wine stain on display.

Astera uncertain if the stain stopped there as portions of fake colouring still adhered lower, any further inspection interrupted by Lysisa.

“I have lived with this mark my entire life, so I share your disgust Mistress and then the ones who feared me, the … the worst taunts when young, and I didn’t understand. Even my twin sister unsure of me. There is no need to turn away.” Lysisa lifted her head, all eyes upon her, why? Don’t these women recognise ugly?

Astera intrigued. Nysa’ affliction a motivation, although less obvious except during intimate moments and now another …

Lysisa continued, convinced their loyalty to her would be tested and found wanting. “At first when young and called to the Temple, a relief to be shut away from strangers cruel to me, my twin unmarked and therefore spared my torture. Then a Mother Superior took pity upon me and taught me to apply face paint, although in good light most could discern the difference between one side of my face and the other. I grew my hair wild to narrow my face, trying to look normal.”

These memories joyful thought Astera as occasionally a light of happiness seemed to shine from Lysisa’s eyes.

“While sleeping in the barracks, a punishment, a secret part of me welcomed the attention which eventuated. Me! The ugly one, the centre of attention for a change, receiving compliments. Then of course they demanded more than chat, kisses and heavy petting. This naive Seer not realising … although I should have when the men would always approach me on my better side …”

Astera cut her off with a hug.

“You don’t need to be a virgin to remain with the Daughters of the Duchess …”

Lysisa broke from the embrace pushing away from Astera, almost violently.

“That is so cruel Mistress! My twin dead, I morn her daily and sense her loss whenever mentioned. Ours a closeness forever broken, and I accepted the loss of my Seer Skill. Now so close and a fateful choice condemns me.” Lysisa’s eyes lock onto Niobe’s. “I believe you, a Single Seer now whole. Not because of the strange happenings, because I desperately want to and at the same time because I am again lost, deeply envy you and your faith, whereas I … the marked unfaithful one … found wanting, always found wanting.” She refused to tear, her choices, her fate.

Niobe eased forward intending to hug the devastated Single Seer, instead Lysisa pushed out with her hands.

“There is no point to regret, it is one of the lessons Single Seers are taught are they not, Seeress Niobe? Know I will be forever jealous, never fear though, I will work hard to be of value, my Spear and Shield in your service Mistress honouring my oath.”

Astera needed the self-pity to end, the truth and loss of her Seer Skill once again soul destroying. “Sleep for now, your shift can be taken by another for as long as you require. We can discuss your future again in the morning if you wish.”

Lysisa bolted to her feet. “No Mistress, my folly and I demand to honour my oath, I will relieve Latona in the Main Cavern. With your permission I will return to the Caverns.”

“You have my leave,” whispered Astera, waving her hand in the direction of the door.

Her stain caught the attention of a couple of sisters in the Kitchen and yet no fuss, no gasps … strange thought Lysisa as she climbed through the trap door.

---

“Her pain and disappointment Mistress, my heart goes out to her.” Niobe sobbed freely.

Astera knew the depth of Niobe’s feelings, their Warrior Three bond echoing them, Thyia drawn into the Meeting Room approaching to embrace her.

Clymene shuddered and also embraced Niobe. “I am glad my sister and I are still whole and while Single Seers with the Daughters fair better than Single Seers within or outside of the Temple I don’t wish to suffer through the loss or have Alcmene do so if she lost me.”

Astera could only believe Lysisa would hold to her Daughter’s oath, despite breaking her oath to the Goddess Saph.

---

Lysisa couldn’t sleep until a bell before she needed to wake for her shift, Korinna nudging her. The Assassin didn’t pay Lysisa’s any particular attention, like Alcmene and Ismene earlier in the day. Lysisa checked her disguise, definitely wiped clean.

While buckling on a greave, Korinna observed a tired body swing its legs out of the nearby bunk. “We are adept at disguise if you wish to be taught, although to be honest we all have our imperfections, yours more obvious is all. Your mark doesn’t affect your skill with a weapon and given what the Daughters recently survived you have earnt our respect in battle and if the rumour is true, your dilly dallying with Dione upon the Wall more so, Niobe particularly appreciative.”

The Warrior Sister Initiate touched her stain, her whole hand unable to cover the imperfection. Lysisa smiled internally, the torment of her life, the wine stain merely an imperfection according to Korinna.

Lysisa climbed to her feet and reached for the ladle taking a swallow of water, the usual start of her routine. “You know don’t you …”

“I know you are brave, proven in battle and while unable to discover your Seer Skill, will make an excellent Warrior. What more is there to know?”

The knowledge of her failure now common? In less than a day did all the Daughters of the Duchess know of her folly, her disgrace? She calmed herself, Korinna making herself ready providing the respite. Lysisa needed to confess her lack of faith, needed to face the truth each and every time, the words dribbling from her lips.

“I slept with many men, assuming being a Single Seer a permanent state not realising the unique opportunity the Daughters could offer and now needing to accept the high price for my lack of faith. So, there it is. I must now prove my worth in other ways as I need to prove my current oath unbreakable.”

Korinna dropped a foot and raised the other against the side of the bunk to strap the other greave. “A dependable Warrior Sister it is then …”

“Can you describe the alternative? Can you share the hidden truth with me?”

Korinna stood, arms dropped by her sides. “No one really explained then …”

“Tell me!” Lysisa on the verge of a scream, managing to hold an overflow of frustration within her. Instead of answering, Korinna blankly stared, one heartbeat, two heartbeats, three heartbeats.

“We are sorry. No one thought even a single Seer would break such a solemn vow.”

Breastplate loose, Lysisa marched over to Korinna. “Where did you go, to your new Seer Sister? Explain please. When you say we, what do you mean?” Lysisa knelt and sobbed before the Assassin Sister, or more rightly Seer Assassin?

Korinna unsure if she should reveal more due to the unknown consequences of telling, especially since the Goddess’ blessing permitted them to not only rekindle their Seer Skill, but actually surpass their previous Skill, and the joining within the Seer Circle a unique secret.

“You hesitate again. What have I exiled myself from? Tell me!”

Korinna pinched the bridge of her nose, squinting her eyes. “The Seers of the Daughters of the Duchess can train Single Seers, to be truthful by an unusual technique, where the notion of being one of a pair or one of a triplet, isn’t the way, Seers more fully share. This technique if embraced can gift skills to the Seer but more importantly all can combine into a Seer Circle and together do even greater, unbelievable feats of skill and magic and where our minds meet our Seer loss a celebrated remembrance of life while lived and peace found in service to the Goddess once again.”

Crest fallen Lysisa swallowed; the pain shoved down all day and stealing her sleep, surely about to erupt now her spirit shattered. One mistake, a final life changing one it seemed, why did she, why? Her memory answered, to survive the men in the barracks.

Lysisa looked up at Korinna. “Your slight pause before, you contacted the Seer Circle again, yes?”.

“Yes, I asked if I could share with you. I sadly informed them of your distress, caused by your need to know. Unfortunately, the cutting edge of a Seer Circle, there are no secrets. Perhaps Alcmene and Clymene can shield their thoughts they’re the most skilled. Helice may also be able to if still with us.”

“Who is Helice? Where is she now?”

“We hope still alive and with Mistress Charis but lost to us for the time being. I am sure you will be told about our past, but it is a long story and usually only told once, so I suspect Mistress Astera is awaiting a quiet moment for the telling.”

Lysisa, about to ask another question waited while Korinna drifted off again.

“Niobe is a little upset, regretting the missed opportunity to train you.” Korinna flashed Lysisa a bright smile.

Lysisa missing the meaning entirely recalling her Temple ways. “Is the training punishing and brutal, enjoyable for the teachers, difficult on the student?”

Korinna couldn’t stop herself and released a hearty belly laugh, tears of joy in her eyes.

“From your reaction, it seems it is very much the opposite then,” deadpanned Lysisa.

“Yes, my Warrior Sister. The most difficult part is you need to accept sexing, as our Goblin Sisters call it, with your Seer Sisters and Warrior Sisters. Some needed to reconcile with their natural inclination to take a male partner, although over the weeks and months which follow the inclination is forgotten. The elder held to a theory, never proven one way or the other of course and who needs a reason when the rewards are so obvious.”

Rewards. Lysisa knew now forever beyond her. The Temple Teachings regarding Seer loss flashed across her mind, internally she cried a river of tears trying to accept Seer Skill loss as well.

“Sorry, Sister, I didn’t mean to tease or be hurtful,” whispered Korinna.

Lysisa climbed to her feet returning to the bunk, Warrior preparations performed in haste, anger rising with each frustrating mistake, the final straw, her smooth routine of preparation a failure as Korinna readied first and left without her.

---

Lysisa stomped past Latona, ignoring the friendly welcome and wave goodbye. The torches spluttered light across the Main Cavern, many places remaining dark, especially towards the back of the Cavern. Halfway across the Cavern heading to nowhere, walking off her … what? She didn’t know anymore, a chance to catch the wind again and denied due to her lack of faith. Her lack of faith. To blame others folly, she made the choice, took the easier path to placate the males about her instead of holding onto her purity.

The fear strangled, bore down. Frozen in place, Lysisa’s eyes the only body part still willing to obey. She strayed too far while indulging in regret and now the fear tickled her mind, broke her concentration, allowed more fear to invade, destroyed her concentration and now … oh no. A warm liquid travelled down her legs. The devastating shame releasing the vice like grip of fear swallowing her mind, able to hear a voice behind.

“Step back towards us, yes towards us.”

The voice; concentrate on the voice. First one step and then another, two steps then three steps, the fear lighter, her mind more in control than not. Another step and suddenly clear. Hand gripping her spear, eyes down, the wetness plain and she, unwilling to turn around to reveal her disgrace.

A very pale-yellow hand, well a couple reached around to undress her, dry or wet it didn’t seem to bother the strangers. Lysisa tried to swat the hands away, and the owners laughed enjoying this new game perhaps.

“Always the oh, oops, no, when humans wet themselves, Goblins wet sometimes when we fear for our lives, so no problem for us.” The helper finished with a knowing quiet laugh.

Lysisa accepted the offer of a robe and pair of boots pushed into the back of her hands. Dressing in a hurry Lysisa gently refused assistance by shaking her head.

“You embarrassed we see naked parts?”

Lysisa turned away from the nearby torch, keeping the stained side of her face in the dark.

“Yes, but only half of her face is, not all?” said a second Goblin Sister.

Lysisa knew the Goblin Sisters existed, watched them occasionally at the Cavern Entrance handle the stone blocks, knew they helped bravely in the defence of the Cavern. This though the first time so close. Hopping on one foot while fitting the second boot she suffered one of the Goblins to poke the wine stain.

“Look still red in the face and not all white, like us, once green and now all yellow. Not finished colouring perhaps?” said the Goblin Sister who poked her cheek.

“It is called a wine stain and will never go away.” She tried to explain, her bottom lip quivering. The two Goblin Sisters simply lent their heads to one side and back upright again, almost in unison, mulling over her words.

“Never go away?” the first Goblin Sister asked, trying in her mind to confirm the impossible.

Lysisa decided to confess. “The stain is considered ugly and I am therefore considered ugly by most who look upon me.” A determined and honest explanation.

“Sometimes hard to tell who you humans are, you all look alike to us, but you will be easy!” said the first Goblin Sister.

“Not the no hair and long hair ones though,” suggested the second Goblin Sister.

They both hmphed and faced Lysisa.

“Well I am Lysisa.” She then reached out a hand to the last who spoke.

In turn they shook her hand and revealed their names with a slight bow.

“Mistress says we can have proper names if we like, but we are not sure yet,” said Prettynose.

“Maybe it is like my mark, your names are who you are as much as my mark is who I am.”

“Oh, smart words, we will think some more.”

“You wish to try the fear again?” asked Bluefingers.

Lysisa’s look must have betrayed her trepidation.

“You only have so much water to lose, we lost a lot before we learnt to ignore it.” Bluefingers and Prettynose puffed out their chests. “We locked the evil away in the stone using the great magic the old one taught us,” said Prettynose, boastful.

“They are trapped, scary with no real hurt,” confirmed Bluefingers.

“What do you say?” Lysisa needing to crane her neck to catch Sweetears’ face. The quiet one perhaps?

Her yellow face didn’t flush did it? Surely a trick of the torchlight. “You can be brave if I can be brave, I will hold your hand if you like.”

Prettynose and Bluefingers smirked, Sweetears acting like a girlchild, all timid and quiet.

Lysisa about to reject the suggestion, agreed instead, since the three seemed very confident. Then they looked at her and after a pause, Sweetears pointing, she removed robe and boots. Sweetears then took her hand and led her towards the evil. She paused as Sweetears clasped her hand a little tighter and about the same time she felt a shallow line underfoot carved into the stone floor. Lysisa understood and took one cautious step forward and felt the evil almost instantly.

The warmth of her hand and its strength helped Lysisa focus. She felt the evil, sensed the need to freeze in place, all the while calling out the false urge, the danger only in her mind; an evil close by, now rendered harmless through the talents of three Goblin Sisters. She took another step forward and waited. It took some effort to ignore, one more step and then another.

Then she felt Sweetears pull on her hand and she knew, time to step back and out of the evil influence.

“You try without Sweetears, two steps are all.”

Lysisa did. Two steps in, slow and cautious and then two steps smoothly out. They all hugged her in celebration her nudity ignored.

“When do you sleep? Are you on a watch?” asked Lysisa.

“One awake always, the Goblin way so when danger comes, they can give warning so as many as can, run,” replied Prettynose.

“We finished talking to Latona, teach her better Goblin. You real busy with your anger while we watched,” said Bluefingers.

“Well thank you Bluefingers for teaching and rescuing me.” A chill breeze caressed Lysisa, loins exposed, goose bumps sprang across her skin. Somehow nakedness in front of humans difficult yet nakedness in front of the Goblin Sisters not so much. Perhaps given her unfaithfulness to the Goddess she retained no pride.

Relaxed now and the silence growing Lysisa noticed their eyes busy studying her at an intensity unexpected. She stalled her hand from covering her face, not only there. In a casual hurry Lysisa reached for the robe upon the stone floor and wrapped it around her nakedness. The three Goblin sisters quietly laughed.

“We not looking to sex you. We are looking if you have some Items,” stated Bluefingers.

Returning a confused look, Lysisa said, “What?”

The three Goblins Sisters knowingly looked at each other. Bluefingers untying the lacing on her shirt and pulling the opening wider to reveal one of her breasts. Prettynose did likewise. Shocked by what they were doing, Lysisa only realised both of her hands were grabbed when she felt them on the Goblin Sister’s breasts! One under her right hand and one under her left hand and pressure applied!

She felt a something. As her fingers explored, the pressure on her hands released. A small loop rested under the flesh of each of their breasts. Both small, not unlike a human breast in every way, except pale yellow in skin tone. The loop underneath the areola, definitely a closed loop. Lysisa stopped, her fingers springing away from Goblin flesh. Bluefingers and Prettynose smiling oddly, their hardened nipples well manipulated by her fingers trying to research the hidden object. Sweetears smirked, further embarrassing Lysisa.

“Well, I must return to my duty, thank-you again,” stammered Lysisa, while fetching spear and shield, pausing over her wet clothes and armour rescuing her breastplate and placing her head between the front and back. Nibble pale-yellow hands buckled the armour snug and firm. Her greaves and vambraces expertly positioned and strapped on by those same pale-yellow hands. Lysisa oddly ready, protection restored except for loins and upper legs.

Lysisa quirked her head. “Who is guarding the Northern Wall?”

“A friend,” replied Sweetears, who Lysisa just noticed remained armoured and at the ready throughout.

“Can your friend see in the dark? The sun has set.”

The three Goblin Sisters snapped their heads around and with weak goodbyes sprinted for the Cavern Entrance, now in deep shadow. Lysisa inwardly smiled.

As the evening deepened, the torch at the Cavern Entrance and the passageway entrance the sole bastions against the dark and Lysisa patrolled between the two. Her sisters told her if any strangers approached, she needed to alert Agape, Dirce and Drosis and then wake any in the Inner Cavern. The evil should remain asleep they assured her.