Otonia stared after Lysisa as she hurried through the Main Entrance. She observed the Initiate pacing when first arriving to take over guard duty and then pleasantly surprised when Lysisa delivered a quick hug and glowing smile in greeting. The Initiate’s usual sombreness absent, perhaps her destruction of the fear or maybe her dalliance with Sweetears, sweeter now? Otonia chuckled at her own thought.

---

Lysisa half-walked, half-ran to catch up to Alcmene, who swept through the Main Cavern at least a quarter of a bell before Otonia. Her plan to discuss her virginity with both Alcmene and Alexa. Now an ideal opportunity as Alexa would be waiting like her for the shift change over.

As Lysisa distanced herself from the flickering torchlight of the Main Entrance the darkness enveloped her. She needed to chase forward and yet the night blinded her.

“Mistress allow me to grant a small boon,” crooned Melasia.

Shortly after Lysisa’s consent, her vision adjusted and the night blindness rolled back replace by shades of grey, the path before her crystal clear and she surged forward, glimpsing Alcmene in the distance.

Alcmene and Alexa conversed, Lysisa certain as they moved their hands occasionally and nodded and yet neither spoke, although on more than one occasion they held hands. Not in an affectionate way or even as a greeting, which confounded the Initiate and caused her to pause and observe instead of greeting them both as she planned.

When they hugged, she realised Alexa would soon leave, her shift ended. Lysisa sprang from her spying stupor in a mild panic blurting out the first words which came into her head.

“I am a virgin!”

Both Seer Sisters gazed at the interloper, neither realising someone lurked about and both pleased they choose to Seer Link their conversation.

Alcmene the first to question. “How can you be sure after being so certain you weren’t Sister?”

Lysisa halted her charge, stunned by the question. How could she? Did she need to tell them about Melasia? Course she did, having promised to tell Alexa and Thais. Why did she feel uncomfortable doing so? Both blank stared at her, waiting.

“My servant told me, erm … showed me …” Lysisa lost control of her breathing, wringing her hands. “The sapphire, in there. With the other in the other sapphire …”

As her eyes closed, a gentle hand cupped each cheek, the body warmth of Alcmene and Alexa a reassuring comfort.

In gentle whispers their synchronised voices encouraged her to still her thoughts. “You are safe, pause and collect your thoughts and speak when you’re ready and start from the start.”

“We know of the Mage, the other is new. It seems the sapphires are able to capture or preserve souls although the explanation of how is beyond us,” sent Alexa to Alcmene, their touch of Lysisa’s cheek not only comforting, enabling the Seer Sisters to discern emotions and ‘loud’ thoughts of any within touching distance of the flesh.

The two Seers deliberate in their positioning, both facing the distraught Initiate while surreptitiously holding hands, the folds of Alcmene’s Seer Robe aiding the concealment while their other hands provided the physical contact with their subject.

“Their presence I can sense, although both are confined, which means our Initiate has developed some skill to manage her guests it would seem,” sent Alcmene.

“Perhaps a change of plan then, not the Mage but the other, clearly the stronger of the two.”

“While the Mage is opportunistic, there is an evil within the other, although if our Initiate can control the other, I would suspect a higher chance of success,” sent Alcmene.

“Should we wake Clymene or Niobe as we will need another for the Watch if nothing else,” sent Alexa, a hint of amusement echoing across their physical Seer Link.

“… pretended to be another of the Master’s servants and fed her a dream, the one … where I service the men in the barracks …”

“We could ask Lysisa to confess to Clymene and Niobe in the morning …”

“Coward! Who is afraid of their twin I wonder?” Alexa teased Alcmene, knowing Clymene as Mistress of the House an authority figure, although if the Temple trained Seer Twins held any jealousy none ever manifested openly.

“No, I would enjoy the chance, except both of us are coping with the blessing pain.”

“… I witnessed, well I saw you all naked and although Jocasta tried to assure me, I couldn’t accept. I heard rumours but …”

Alexa read some of the elder’s books, which clearly stated an order and ownership of certain known truths. “I thought Birth Season owned conception. How can your body do so in Death Season?”

“Alexis suffered blessing pain during the pursuit, so earlier than Clymene and me, a mystery for now. Although without further evidence, perhaps an indication evil is weakening across the land somehow.”

“I would cherish that explanation however impossible! For now, you ask Clymene and I will ask Niobe and hopefully one will accept?”

“… sort solace in the fear and darkness and confident I pretended to be one the Master’s servants again …”

“Agreed,” sent Alcmene, sighing.

“Sorry Sister, I know I shouldn’t have, I needed to escape what I had seen, and well I didn’t see the harm.” Lysisa sniffed.

Alcmene blinked and then realised Lysisa assumed, rightly although actually incorrectly she sighed because of the Initiate’s action in the retelling.

Kissing Lysisa’s forehead, Alcmene whispered, “So brave and yet dangerous, you need to take care when exploring the unknown, please continue.”

Alexa squeezed Alcmene’s hand and threw her a mental chuckle then tried to Seer Link to Niobe. “Niobe, sweet Niobe can you wake for me?”

Alcmene squeezed back before Seer Linking to Clymene. “I know you suffer Twin, although perhaps you should venture to the Southern Wall, our newest Initiate believes she is a virgin still!”

“… I confess my foolishness, the evil proved my equal at least, perhaps stronger and then the link to her Master faded. I assume the Mage as he gloats when Melasia and he are permitted freedoms to speak and use magic. Without the link Melasia’s body collapsed to dust and she sort survival, finding the sapphire probably due the evilness of the previous owner.”

Seeing the need for a rest, Alcmene led Lysisa by the hand to the makeshift guard’s camp, bedroll, waterskin and a modest store of dried meat. Alexa yawned and shook her head while following.

Lysisa leant against the wall and took a swig of the waterskin then tore the offered portion of dried meat in half so she could place the entire portion in her mouth and begin the chewing. Alexa laid out upon the bedroll and drew the single blanket over her, while Alcmene mentally tsked.

Once finished the night snack Lysisa continued to describe Melasia and the sharing of vampire powers, including the animating of a Walking Dead, healing and her night vision to name a few. Occasionally interrupting Alcmene’s questioning when she remembered something else. Alcmene for her part established a Seer Circle with Clymene and Niobe as they both decided to join the discovery confession.

“The sapphire Item is still in position? Absorbing the blood from your blessing pain?” asked Alcmene. Eyebrows raise and her voice pitch high.

“Yes … yes Sister, the virginal blood empowers Melasia …”

Alcmene wrinkled her nose. “Can she accumulate enough to overpower you?”

Lysisa looked down, noticing her fingers lacing and unlacing and laying them flay upon her thighs to still them. “She has sworn a blood bond with me. Nevertheless, I can deny her voice and magic, which imprisons her within the gem, as she is now. She is not privy to my confession or our discussion.”

“How do you still see in the dark without her assistance?”

Her fingernails scratched the leather of her pants. “She explained. The vampiric power is granted for a duration based upon her blood empowerment.”

Clymene asked, “Do you wish to serve the Goddess Saph as a Seer once again?”

Lysisa jumped. Instead of Alcmene holding one of her hands, the Initiate almost leapt into Alcmene’s lap. Nevertheless, both of Lysisa’s hands held Alcmene’s and after her eyes raised to meet Alcmene’s for assurance Lysisa climbed to her feet, back straight and chin up with one hand firmly grasping Alcmene’s.

“I would be honoured to serve the Goddess Saph as a Seer and will succeed at any training and any tasks required.”

Clymene tried to hold her hand up, palm out to temper the Initiate’s words, failing. Some knew of her relationship with Sweetears and thought this may complicate … things.

“You know what you witnessed in the House will form the majority of your training, you will be required to sex with your Seer Sisters. Can you accept this? Can Sweetears accept this?”

Would Sweetears accept? Lysisa’s life purpose before Twin Loss required service to Saph as a Seer, nothing else would matter and yet Sweetears, in Lysisa’s darkest, worthless moments rescued her, unselfish, finding beauty where others found ugliness. Melasia’s debauchery held no meaning to her, a requirement to grow her power and serve her Master. Her own servicing of the guards in the barracks held no meaning, a requirement to survive without torment. Then of course the Daughters themselves, all participated in the orgy and yet clearly certain Sisters hold affection for other Sisters above and beyond what is required as a Seer or non-Seer for that matter. Could Sweetears accept?

“It is well she deliberates Sisters,” sent Niobe to the impromptu Seer Circle of Alcmene, Clymene and herself, with a napping Alexa semi-aware.

As doubt grew, a salacious inner voice spoke to Lysisa, take this opportunity and fulfil your purpose to serve Saph as a Seer. If Sweetears loves you, she will understand the difference between sexing and love making …

Lysisa stepped forward and kissed Clymene hungrily on her rosebud lips. Clymene’s eyes flying wide open, her body unable to retreat as Lysisa’s warrior hands surrounded the Seer’s bald head locking her in place. Clymene’s hands flailed about until they found purchase on Lysisa’s body and gently pushed back.

“Your face Seer Sister, there aren’t enough coins in the Dukedom to pay me to forget!” sent Niobe.

“Why aren’t you helping?” sent Clymene. The plea such, Clymene shared her discomfort across their Seer Circle, Alexa waking with a start, fearing an attack or other calamity and laughing through sleepy eyes at the locked embrace.

Alcmene more practical, jumping to her feet and placing a hand on each of Lysisa’s cheeks from behind her head. “Enough Initiate, Clymene needs to breathe.”

Like lightning, Lysisa released Clymene, apologising profusely, patting down her shoulders and upper arms, inadvertently patting one of Clymene’s breasts as she turned away slightly from the exuberant attention. This caused Lysisa to raise both hands up and away as if stung, turning her head away.

Alcmene embraced Lysisa around her shoulders from behind, whispering, “Settle Sister, calm. In fact, your first lesson begins now. Lay down and be still.”

Lysisa embraced the instruction and laid down upon the cold stone at her feet, arms by her sides, body almost stiff as a plank. Alcmene thought to instruct further when Clymene intervened.

“No sister, leave her be, we need to make some preparations.” Clymene shivered slightly as a chill breeze reached over the Southern Wall.

---

The Initiate Seer recognised the room instantly upon entering. The room Sweetears crafted for her, in the end for them and their first tryst in the Cavern Blind barracks. She wanted to run … almost anywhere else she thought and yet Clymene, Niobe and Alexa looked on expectantly. Oddly the ‘owners’ Dirce, Drosis and Agape weren’t to be seen, while Alcmene remained on guard duty.

“Niobe and Alexa will remove your armour and clothes and then naked you will lay upon the furs and blankets. You will first Seer Link to Niobe.” Lysisa opened her mouth and Clymene waved her silent. “I will be the voice while Niobe introduces you to the techniques.”

Clymene waited, a slight smile on her lips as Niobe pranced around in anticipation, Lysisa’s warrior body perfect. Clymene’s eyes traced the wine stain, across one side of her face, down her neck and flowing over her collar bone and splashing the top curve of her breast. The contrast in complexion dramatic, Clymene at once comparing to Nysa’s although hers being hidden presented a different issue upon being revealed. Lysisa’s known to all until covered up by disguise.

Niobe laid down naked and positioned the top of her head to touch the top of Lysisa’s.

“Lysisa what I ask may seem hurtful. I apologise in advance and please be assured I mean no harm. Reach out with your mind and form your Seer Link, like you would if about to contact your twin sister.”

“Why? My sister is dead, this doesn’t seem respectful somehow,” she wavered.

“Niobe is trying to be your new Seer Sister. Imagine extending your Seer Link from your mind through the top of your head, reaching for the inside of Niobe’s mind,” whispered Clymene.

Lysisa blinked, she couldn’t see anyone, they faced her away from the entrance. She considered releasing Melasia, ask for advice and then discarded the thought. What did a vampire know about Seers?

“Try, be brave. What we say is either true or false, never hurtful.”

Lysisa formed her Seer Link within her mind and then like a seeking tendril explored beyond. With their heads in contact she didn’t need to make the link thin; further required a thin tendril. The more accomplished Seers could thin their Seer Link and thin again, enabling far away contact, a sign of Seer Skill. Lysisa’s Seer Link tendril searched and found darkness. How could this work? With her twin their ‘link ends’ sought each other out until joyous union, two halves seeking to be whole, needing to be whole. Doubt crept in. Did she somehow fail? Did the Goddess still curse her?

Niobe’s sweet voice whispered to her, “Keep searching, keep exploring, there is nothing to fear. We can try again and again.”

Lysisa’s tendril searched until the darkness ended and once past the edge realised a wrongness and hurried back into the dark. She then followed the edge around discovering a wide circle of darkness. Could this be Niobe’s Seer Link tendril? Lysisa and her Seer Twin were an accomplished pair and yet if Niobe’s Seer Link ‘end’ suggested the capacity of her Seer Skill … Lysisa would be the pumpkin seed, while Niobe the entire pumpkin in comparison. How?

The darkness reached out trying to grasp Lysisa’s offered presence. The touch of the other Seer Link tendril unfamiliar and unnatural and yet the same in many ways, like forgotten friends reintroducing themselves after many years apart. When Lysisa accepted one of the offers the Seer Link formed.

“Welcome Seer Sister,” sent Niobe.

Lysisa placed her hands over her face in relief and the interruption broke the Seer Link. Her head tossed from side to side as her hands bawled up into fists. Her eyes opened wide as Clymene quickly straddled her and held her fists.

“You can try again. One broken link attempt isn’t the end.” Clymene pressed her lips upon Lysisa’s and released them. “Concentrate, form your Seer Link and find Niobe.”

Lysisa closed her eyes as a realisation dawned upon her. As twins, each needed the seeking nature of their Seer Links, being thin. To blindly join would be impossible or supremely frustrating with many giving up the attempt. Being in contact, their minds as close as physically possible when her thin Seer Link projected out blindly, Niobe’s colossal Seer Link would be certain to ‘catch’ whatever reached her. The unanswered question teased her, how did Niobe grow her Seer Skill to such an extent, an impossible extent …

Clymene teased Lysisa’s nipples with her teeth distracting her deliberations.

Lysisa’s eyes shot open, her mouth agape.

Clymene smiled down upon her captive. “I am beginning the second lesson early.”

Lysisa gulped, her mind turning back to the orgy. Clymene and also Alcmene for that matter, particularly ‘busy’.

---

A sheen of sweat covered Lysisa’s naked body, her chest rising and falling rapidly trying to suck in as many breathes as possible before Alcmene attended to her again. The Seer Twins sharing guard duty and pleasure duty. In desperation Lysisa released Melasia, commanding her to consume a portion of her vampiric power to revitalise her Mistress’ tired body. The tiredness a result of her own selfishness, holding her orgasms to herself instead of sending them to Niobe. For the Single Seer the orgasm a worldly awakening from what she believed sexing, let alone love making capable of delivering. She simply didn’t know and couldn’t wait to educate Sweetears, if they still shared a relationship.

Alcmene commenced again, a mischievous smile gracing her lips. With Melasia released the servant took the initiative and utilising her vampiric power, engorged and enhanced the sensitive erogenous regions of her Mistress, while subtly revitalising her. As a reward her Mistress shared everything using their tether.

“Mistress, the one pleasuring you, bring me closer to her womanhood.”

Lysisa released to Niobe and panted. “Why?”

“I … sense … other blood …”

“My blood unsatisfactory then?”

“No Mistress, never! Favoured I am when I absorb your virginal blood … your … your flow has faltered for now. I apologise Mistress for my voracious appetite …”

“Revitalise me and I will throw my Seer Sister off and launch myself upon her and tend to her body for a change.”

Lysisa enjoyed Melasia’s delight in the proposed conspiracy.

Alcmene worried one of Lysisa’s nipples with her teeth, while a hand fondled her breast and the other reached between the Initiate’s legs, while precariously balanced. Lysisa’s core muscles bunched as she heaved Alcmene off and over. The Seer Sister frozen, her eyes wide in disbelief. Lysisa climbed over her Seer Sister until gaining a straddle position.

The Seer Sister struggled to win her freedom, failing as Lysisa’s thighs clamped around protesting legs and Lysisa’s hands stretched out Alcmene’s arms above her head.

“No Sister, I am bleeding through the blessing pain. After and I am sure I would welcome your attentions.”

“I need a pause from your attentions Sister, so just some teasing practice for the future …” moaned Lysisa.

Alcmene smiled and closed her eyes. “We are taking a break Sister,” sent Alcmene to Niobe.

“I noticed your change of position and wondered. Our new Initiate has extended our Seer Link to across the room and probably doesn’t realise. Not saying unusual Skill by any means, although very satisfactory wouldn’t you agree?”

“Mistress reposition my gem to the folds of your womanhood and then adopt this position …”

An image reached Lysisa’s mind and the naive Seer blanched for a moment. The pause not missed by Alcmene.

“You tired Lysisa?”

“No, just a moment and I will have a surprise for you …” To distract, she removed the Seer Twin’s breast wrap.

Lysisa repositioned the gem, not without discomfort and oddly pleasurable at certain locations then lowered her groin to align with Alcmene’s.

“Mistress, I sense her blood, but cannot drink my fill.” Such frustration, Lysisa knew how she could tease her servant easily in the future.

Lysisa removed Alcmene’s loin cloth and ground her womanhood against Alcmene’s.

“Lysisa, my blood ...” whimpered Alcmene.

“Mistress you tease me horribly, I am dedicated to your service and I only taste drops.”

Concentrating Lysisa moved her servant’s gem once last time. The pain bearable due to the sharing of Melasia’s vampiric vitality.

“Mistress I am drinking my fill. Are all here virgins Mistress?” The question one of awe and wonder as Lysisa sense’s her servant trying to imagine and understand what the answer could mean.

“What do you think?”

She felt Melasia shudder in delight.

Then Alcmene made an unusual comment.

“Your lips are on mine or near, one hand is upon my scalp and your other hand is teasing my breast. We are alone, so what or who is delightfully stroking my womanhood?”

“I am sorry Mistress, your servant lusts after more blood. Your womanly folds stretch, and I am able to intricately manipulate my gem in this search. My gem has occasionally stroked the sensitive nub of your current partner in this search.”

“Manipulate how?”

“Engorged with virgin blood, with force of will … I can move the gem you permit me to inhabit. The gem is melded to you skin, while the folds stretch allowing some … movement.”

“We will talk about this later, but for now be more deliberate about its movements when you sense the time is right.”

“Yes Mistress.”

Lysisa rolled Alcmene so the Seer Twin straddled Lysisa’s hips.

“Look down and you will see my attuned gem.”

Uncertain but wanting to know Alcmene looked down, spying the blue gem in the folds of Lysisa’s womanhood, although proud.

“I can move it …”

“I understand. More please,” exhaled Alcmene as she ground her loins upon Lysisa’s.

Alcmene’s Seer Link dwarfed even Niobe’s and Lysisa easily connected with the Seer Twin.

“Will you be in demand Mistress and therefore, will I be drinking the blood of virgins often?”

Lysisa could feel through their tether the anticipation within her servant. This grew to a pent-up frustration and a desperate need to know.

“Yes, my loyal servant.”

Then Alcmene released, Lysisa knew this because Alcmene pushed her orgasm into Lysisa’s mind. She and her servant screamed in pleasure, Lysisa’s body bucking ignoring Alcmene’s weight upon her loins. With Alcmene’s and Melasia’s help Lysisa soon released to Alcmene and sated, Lysisa rolled away.

“Most satisfying.” Alcmene sucked in a breath. “Although, where did the blood from my bleeding go?”

“I am hesitant to say ... my gem absorbs ...”

“Do you know what that means?”

“I have only just made the discovery, so I need to talk to Mistress and the twins before I speak of it again.”

As Alcmene inspected her clean loincloth, she glanced again at Lysisa and then continued to dress while in contact with her Seer Twin, who expressed her eagerness to sample the new experience.

“How do I share with you?” asked a timid female voice.

Lysisa raised her upper body crunching her core muscles and then rested back on her elbows. Alexa no longer present, Alcmene gone to swap with Clymene, which left Niobe dozing off in the corner. With her fatigue taken care of by Melasia, Lysisa eyed Niobe off as another partner.

Niobe released to Lysisa several times before being exhausted and rolling away and wrapping a fur around her naked body. Lysisa called upon Melasia to re-energise her Mistress.

“How do I share with you?” asked a timid female voice.

Alcmene and Clymene approached Lysisa together. Who guarded the Southern Wall wondered the Initiate? The concern quickly discarded as the unbridled desire radiating from the Seer Twins made Lysisa nervous. While the twins, Alexa and Thais were known as twins, Alcmene and Clymene were Temple trained Seer twins, two who acted as one in all things. In appearance both bald, faces unblemished and near indistinguishable. Lysisa guessed Alcmene the twin on the right as she licked her lips when their eyes met.

Two mouths, four hands, four legs and two loins pleasured effectively together, which Lysisa appreciated and screamed her released to them. Lysisa satisfied Clymene first and then Alcmene and after several repeats she grinned inwardly and released to Melasia using their shared tether.

“Thank-you,” whispered a timid female voice.

“Are you able to release at distance?” asked Clymene.

Oh, thought Lysisa she forgot they were Adept Seers.

“I … I haven’t tried Sister …”

“With practice you will be able to, useful for delivering surprises,” said Clymene, a playful humour behind each word.

While Alcmene and Clymene dressed, Melasia kept her silence. When both Seers hurried to their duties, Clymene returning to the House and Alcmene to the Southern Wall, still her servant uncontactable.

Incapacitated by exhaustion herself, Lysisa began a search for her servant with her mind, starting with her gem!

“I am aware Mistress … your pitiful servant is indisposed.” Then Lysisa felt Melasia scream in pleasure and almost screamed herself. The next release less intense, racking her body, nevertheless.

“With a body I would exhaust, but I don’t have one and I am empowered by much virgin blood.”

Again, although the intensity less than the previous release, Lysisa curling her toes in response.

“I am still enjoying your gift Mistress but have been able to divert a portion.”

“Explain and fix me.” A frustrated edge to Lysisa’s command.

“Sorry Mistress.”

Lysisa felt invigorated again.

“When you released your passion to me, I savour the same directly also, I am separate but joined to you, the double intensity overwhelmed, and I don’t occupy a body to dissipate the pleasure. Before I lost my mind, I did what you did and released as much of the passion as I could, even so I was still caught in absolute bliss.”

Lysisa could sense the tremors of pleasure still moving through Melasia. Then she realised she needed to ask a question.

“Who did you release to?”

“While I abhor the unworthy and disloyal worm, he was the only one I could contact, although he was asking as a she. Did you not hear him or her trying to get our attention? So, I don’t know of his or her present state Mistress.”

Lysisa laughed.

“The disloyal cannot be rewarded Mistress, they should be punished.”

Lysisa climbed the steps to the roof, unsealing the “door” first so she could catch the weak dawn sunshine upon her nakedness, brazen and uncaring. She fed the worm a trickle of magic and nudged his or was it her mind?

“Speak.”

“I am trying to, but I am confused as to who I am.” The words were spoken in a mix of masculine and feminine voice.

“Why has your female past resurfaced?”

“My male past cannot interpret female pleasure, although until the final direct release he was in control.” The words spoken completely in a female voice.

“Will you be any more loyal than him?”

“I don’t see how I can or cannot be loyal, I am locked in this gem until I gain enough magic to overpower a weak mind or take control of a brain-dead body. I don’t have any purpose or skills beyond that. While I am here waiting, I would appreciate feeling anything beyond the void of the gem though.”

“Disloyalty is not to be rewarded,” demanded Melasia.

Lysisa shut down the Mage which mollified Melasia somewhat. Next, she closed off the stairs to the roof of the Stone Curtain Wall by stone melding and once done trudged off to the Inner Cavern in search of Sweetears, before her Goblin Sister could start on the Cavern Door.

---

The roughhewn stretchers served as beds for Charis, Helice and Raisa overnight as they kept the three Sisters off of the cold ground. The Wagon positioned to the North as a wind break and blankets and furs thrown over for warmth. The changing two Sisters on shift kept watch and also dripped water into their mouths to ensure they didn’t dehydrate while unconscious. One shift change united the four Seer Assassins, Elpis and Rhea. They formed a Seer Circle with many in the House, their intent, to try and wake the three or at least one. Failure, their efforts being thwarted by an unknown.

The dawn sun rose in the East and shone upon three breathing and yet non-responsive bodies. Dione and Zoe broke their fast at first light. Dione began scouting far ahead on horseback, while Zoe scouted on foot. Nysa and Kyra stood guard, chewing on tough dried meat, while Zosime, Alexis, Hagne and Korinna broke their fast and lined the wagon with as many furs, blankets and bedrolls they could find carting a stretcher at a time to the wagon and transferring each Sister with care reusing the furs and blankets. Elpis and Rhea prepared the wagon, hitching the horses. Sisters either rode one of the horses, sat in the wagon or on the back of the wagon as they made their way to the Lonely Keep.

With the Lonely Keep in sight, Elpis rode off separately parting company with the Daughters of the Duchess to return to her role as the Seer of the Lonely Keep. Approaching the village several villagers peered out of their cottages in the late afternoon sunlight. The grim faces of the escort dissuaded any enquires and they approached the Inn of the Scared Lady without any mob following behind. The Sisters stabled the horses and wagon, transferring their passengers quickly to one of the Inn’s larger rooms.

Rhea attended to her guests ensuring they received water and tried to feed them soaked bread without a great deal of success. Before dusk each Seer attuned the Lonely Keep Shrine of Saph.

Zosime received orders from Astera informing the gathered Sisters they would all return except Dione and Zoe. None voicing any dissent, either too exhausted or eager to return. In the dead of night, the Sisters gathered around the Shrine of Saph, Zosime leading the prayer, ensuring she visualised the below ground Shrine of Saph in Hillperch. In a wink they disappeared.

---

Lysisa entered the Inner Cavern, Bluefingers and Prettynose passing by without a wave or greeting, both spending most of the night trying to console their Sister. Lysisa gulped and turned her eyes momentarily upwards before lifting her heavy feet towards their shared Stone Cabin. Sobbing greeted her before entering.

“I am sorry I didn’t return after my shift.”

Sweetears, head in her hands perched on the edge of their bed, looked up. “Prettyone busy all night sexing with Seers, Sweetears not know why, you not Seer and you have Sweetears?”

Lysisa dropped to one knee before Sweetears and reached for her hands, which withdrew.

“I am a Seer Sweetears. The Seers trained me last night. Those men didn’t have sex with me, I … entertained them I suppose you could say.”

“I am happy for you.” She burst into crying, recovering, and in a pained voice, adding, “What of Sweetears, you no need now!”

“I will always need Sweetears, the beautiful sweet girl who welcomed me when I felt the most rejected.”

Sweetears stopped crying for a moment and lent forward until eye to eye with Lysisa searching for insincerity. “You will need Sweetears, always?”

“Yes,” replied Lysisa, the single word never spoken with more sincerity.

Lysisa wiped away Sweetears’ tears with her thumbs and planted a light kiss upon her lips. Lysisa then wiggled into bed with her Sweetears, wrapped in each other’s arms and promptly fell asleep.

Sweetears worried Prettyone never return to her, like Goblin. The male visits and does sexing, never seen again unless son born. A strong Goblin is expected to mate with many to make the tribe strong. In the Daughters of the Duchess the Seers needed to sex with many to make them strong, this Sweetears, Bluefingers and Prettynose understood after months of spying. Prettyone not a Seer so the Goblin Sisters couldn’t understand, until this morning. Being a Seer, Sweetears reasoned Prettyone would discard her as the Seers choose other Seers, not non-Seers for mates.

Content Sweetears smiled and fell asleep. Mid-morning Bluefingers woke her to help with the Cavern Door. Sweetears didn’t mind at all, her Prettyone slept in their bed. Bluefingers shook her head and escorted Sweetears to the Main Cavern listening to a happy Sweetears and an explanation.

---

Melasia didn’t need to sleep when a vampire, especially if she never glimpsed daylight, she certainly didn’t need to sleep now. The power of the virgin blood, especially from Clymene and Alcmene still throbbed throughout her consciousness, while her Mistress kept a steady bloody supply washing against her gem. She lamented the loss of her glorious body and feeding with fangs, although not much else especially the consequences of one mistake which could easily dust her body and destroy her existence.

She skimmed her Mistress’ mind and a number of Seer Links lay passively available. Each link seemingly protecting her mind, impossible to even glimpse within now. With skin contact, Melasia thought the Goblin sleeping with her Mistress would be available for domination. Instead the one named Sweetears seemed impenetrable for reasons Melasia couldn’t fathom. Although, surely not … impossible … she mentally gagged at the thought, a possible reason could be due to the Goblin’s utter love of Lysisa. If true, then she needed to prey upon the lonely and destitute to reclaim a body … if she ever wanted to.

Lysisa locked her voice and access to magic. Her Mistress didn’t lock or couldn’t discern the power she attained from Virgin Seer blood and with this source Melasia reached out with her mind, beyond the confines of her gem. Two slept in the Cavern, the first Otonia, non-Seer. Upon close inspection a purity burnt her, excruciating pain, how? No physical body only an ethereal presence, what could hurt her? She needed to consume more power to fortify her presence and this time she analysed Otonia from a distance. Two sheathed knives lay upon her chest, crossed over between her mountainous breasts. The metal, Judge’s Bane, a curse for all vampires and yet knives instead of swords, how can that be? Nevertheless, Melasia shuddered and understood why they could injury her. The other Alcmene, and Lysisa fled from her mind, the number of Seer Links beyond quick count and latent Seer Skill pulsating even while asleep.

Melasia caught herself ‘walking’ down the passageway from the Inner cavern to the Main Cavern when she decided to ‘pass’ through the wall emerging on her former Master’s ‘side’ of the Cavern. His raw evil radiated from his temporary coffin, the fear washed over her like a warm welcome blanket and for reasons unknown she wished to return to him. As she approached though her former Master lay humbled. The cause an accident to be sure, trapped by a simple flow of water within a solid stone cavern and yet each Death Season day he marked time, the approach of Birth Season though would weaken him.

Would she skim her Master’s mind? What would she gain or achieve? Melasia decided upon a light touch, content to detect strong emotions, if any could be discerned. She withdrew immediately. Her Master plainly terrified and fearful of destruction, possibly Birth Season, a paltry two days away heralding his doom. A waiting game then with only one winner, he would be destroyed like his other captured minion, she though escaped, her Mistress able to save her.

Once in her gem Melasia knew peace and security, returning to her Mistress as she rose and made ready to start her afternoon shift early, duty bound to train Latona and Jocasta beforehand.

+++

The Daughters of the Duchess awoke in a hive of activity the next morning. After spending the night together consoling and comforting one another the Seer Assassins Zosime, Korinna, Hagne and Alexis relieved night shift; Northern Wall, Southern Wall, Main Cavern and Cavern Blind barracks. The Kitchen and Ground Floor Training Room hosted every other Sister called to order by their Mistress, Astera.

The Seers formed a Seer Circle to share the proceedings with the four Seers on guard duty and those in residence at the Lonely Keep, Bircharbor and the Inn of the Scared Lady. Astera asked Lysisa to tell her story firsthand assuring her, the twins and if necessary Astera herself would elaborate or explain any confusion if required. Her wine stain and Seer Temple upbringing didn’t prepare her well for public speaking along with the added burden of her unusual relationship. Gaining courage from Clymene, Alcmene and Niobe as they Seer Linked to her words of encouragement. Three Seer Sisters, her eyes moistened, the journey to serve the Goddess Saph as a Seer now begun.

Astera called the meeting to order and invited Lysisa to speak. Lysisa took Astera’s advice and invited Sweetears to stand with her. Sweetears equally shy in front of a crowd, regardless of the familiar faces and able to remember many naked.

“Our Mistress has asked me to tell my story, firstly I would like to introduce you to my friend, partner and … lover, Sweetears.”

Sweetears grabbed Lysisa’s hand and held on tight.

“Tell us something we don’t know!” yelled Jocasta, sitting cross legged on the Kitchen table.

The room burst into applause and howls of supportive laughter. The odd couple, one pale yellow, the other wine stained hugged, eyes moistening.

With the ice broken, Lysisa continued, not leaving out any detail; after all, eventually the Seer Circle would probably learn any confidences. The embarrassment of not knowing about her body, in particular her virginity gained a great deal of sympathy and educated many of the Seers present who unknown to themselves were also ignorant of the facts given the common source of their knowledge on the subject. The admission of servicing the male guards of the Temple of Saph silenced the room, needing Astera to prompt Lysisa to change the subject.

Lysisa then explained the purpose of her Items to the best of her understanding. Introducing the first blue gem, the sapphire capable of holding and preserving a person’s existence. Currently occupied by the Mage slain by Zoe who originally identified as male and now after Seer Training identifies as female. Lysisa explaining the circumstances earning many laughs as the impossible occurred; Clymene and Alcmene blushing a touch.

The second blue gem, also a sapphire and also capable of holding and preserving a person’s existence. After conferring with the twins, concluding both gems deliberately crafted. The second gem somehow attuned to attract and accept an evil presence, probably due to being embedded inside an evil creature for years beyond measure. Trapped within the gem the female vampire who tried to assault the Main Cavern and after capture, imprisoned in the stone crypt and the source of the fear. Lysisa needing to assure her Sisters both of her guests could be controlled and denied free will.

The significance of the silver strips, still a mystery although they held a significant reserve of magic.

Lysisa ended with a demonstration, commanding Melasia to skim everyone’s mind so they could identify her presence and detect any future attempts. Cutting herself and commanding Melasia to heal her. Challenging Nysa to an arm wrestle, losing the first three rounds and then after Melasia strengthened her, easily winning the next three rounds.

Astera thanked Lysisa and then confirmed Charis, Helice and Raisa while found, rested unconscious in the Inn of the Scarred Lady and apart from dripping water into their mouths, they waited for a miracle.

The Daughters of the Duchess filed out of the Kitchen, some seeking sleep, some attending training of one sort or another and some embracing the company of their sisters. Astera observed them quietly, contemplating her future role once Charis returned as Mistress, never doubting.

Clymene leant over the Kitchen table her shoulder deliberately brushing against her brooding Mistress, who rested against the fixture, arms folded.

“Rhea contacted me and we both think something must be done to revive Charis, Helice and Raisa if for no other reason, this is their third day without food, surviving on dribbles of water.”

“What does she suggest?”

“The Seer Circle is denied contact, perhaps Lysisa’s servant is different enough …”

Astera didn’t need to call Lysisa back as Clymene contacted her when Astera nodded in agreement.

Lysisa walked into the empty Kitchen, hesitant, only moments ago full of Sisters and now at one end beside the Kitchen table, Astera and Clymene. Her hands fidgeted a little as she approached.

Astera smiled in an attempt to relax the Initiate. “Rhea has suggested, after listening to you describe your servant, you need to go to the Lonely Keep and see if your servant can contact or at least check the minds of your three Sisters since the Seer Circle hasn’t been able to.”

“Yes Mistress, it would be my honour, I am ready to fulfil my oath to serve, use my body and skills to that purpose. Please send me Mistress. I am sure I can help … I will certainly try.”

Astera assessed the bright eager face of the animated Initiate bobbing about before her before taking a deep breath. “You must understand they could be vulnerable, so do you trust your servant?”

“Yes Mistress, she is sworn to me.” Lysisa chewed her bottom lip absently. “Although … there is another perhaps … I need to remove.”

Unabashed she unlaced the top of her leather pants, pulling them down to below her bellybutton. Reaching into her loin cloth and with a slight grimace a blue gem surfaced into her waiting hand.

“This is the blue mage gem.” Holding it up between thumb and finger. “It contains his or now I guess her soul. It can only escape the gem if it dominates another, so probably not wise to take with me Mistress.” As she handed the blue gem to Astera the brightness dimmed, losing lustre also, a sort of sadness thought Lysisa.

Closing her palm around the gem, Astera said, “Most wise, although I was going to ask for it in any case.”

Lysisa realising late, perhaps she overstepped, instructing her Mistress and tried to swallow her own stupidity. “Yes … Mistress. Sorry.”

“No harm, I prefer we all think as I am not as certain a Mistress as Charis and appreciate the support.”

A warm breath caressed her neck and Astera knew Clymene wanted to speak yet couldn’t due to Lysisa’s presence.

Astera smiled, as much to herself as to Lysisa. “Clymene will form a Seer Circle as soon as you are ready to leave.” Holding up her hand as she sensed Lysisa about to speak. “Make sure you have everything you need. Would you like anyone to go with you?” Astera looked over her eyebrows, expecting a certain answer.

Lysisa thought about Sweetears of course although uncertain if she could help and concerned if anyone saw her would her life be at risk. She considered no other Sister and somehow the realisation made her a little sad.

“I am with you my Mistress,” whispered her servant.

“I am ready Mistress.”

Then her hands rushed to her waist and with haste pulled her leather pants back up and retied them, finishing with a weak smile.

“It is always good to have your pants on before you go anywhere,” Jocasta said, from an innocuous corner of the Kitchen to the surprise of all.

“Join the Seer Circle Lysisa, it is ready. I will stand before you given you are new to your Seer Skill and when done you will stand before Rhea,” said Clymene, as she skirted around the Kitchen table.

Clymene felt Lysisa’s mind join the Seer Circle, nervousness to be sure, also trust, the better of the two. She sensed, for a split moment, an inquisitive shadowy presence, Lysisa’s servant, although fading too quickly to be inspected. A mistake of course, Lysisa assured her Seer Sisters the servant unable to exercise independent action when her host otherwise occupied. The Seer Circle joined as one and visualised Lysisa standing before Rhea. With an expenditure of magic from each, Lysisa vanished from the House and instantly appeared before Rhea, immediately receiving a hug.

The eagerness in Rhea’s voice plain. “Let us free them from their sleep … erm, before we start do you need anything?”

Glad Rhea couldn’t see her face, their heads side by side in the hug, Lysisa tried to downplay the apparent expectation. “No, not for now … the sooner we start the sooner we will know if my servant can help.”

“You … aren’t sure?” Rhea released Lysisa and sat down on a nearby chair, placing her face in her hands. Lysisa heard sobbing and not really knowing what to do, knelt before Rhea and rubbed her legs trying to console the Seer.

Trying to peer past Rhea’s hands, Lysisa said, “We will know more soon. I just didn’t want to promise if I couldn’t be sure, I have met with disappointment before and I didn’t like how it tasted, I am sorry.”

“Please do want you can. I don’t think I can be there though.”

Lysisa kicked herself mentally; this wasn’t only about Mistress Charis for Rhea, her twin Raisa one of the three. Who worried for Helice, Lysisa suddenly thought?

Two doors led into the Common Room, one to the outside and the other to the guest rooms. Lysisa opened the interior door and ventured into the hallway, with a breath of relief seeing Dione wave to her standing at an open door to one of several. Dione opened her hand in an invitation to enter. Lysisa leant into the room, three bodies lay still as statues on three beds, looking comfortable and at rest.

“Melasia, reach out to them and see what contact you can make.”

“Yes Mistress.”

Dione stood there looking on, answering Lysisa’s question before she asked. “I am patient. I have been amongst Seers for a long time now.”

“Mistress, there is something there, but it could take some time, I suggest you get comfortable.”

“My servant has checked, and she needs to be careful so this could take some time. Am I able to lie down in the next room perhaps? I will be able to monitor what is being done and answer any questions she may have. I could also join the Seer Circle for advice, although I would need Rhea to join me as my Seer Skill is still new and my strength not fully developed.”

Dione nodded and pushed open the door of the room across the hallway revealing Zoe astride a chair, rocking on two legs, waving Lysisa in. Dione bid them both farewell, heading for the Common Room. Lysisa made herself comfortable lying down on the bed in the room, thankful for the constant company, somehow reassured.

“Can I see it?”

Lysisa looked at Zoe.

“The gem it can do things. I have been told it moves by itself?” whispered Zoe, as if discussing a dark secret.

Lysisa smiled. It seems her talents or her servants’ talents now common knowledge beyond Seers even though she didn’t mention any specifics during the morning reveal. She untied her leather pants, Zoe eager and helped to not only pull them down but remove them entirely. Lysisa’s eyes wide nevertheless appreciating Zoe’s lustful smile. Without asking the huntress squatted beside Lysisa upon the bed and placed her hands on Lysisa’s loin cloth looking directly into her eyes. Lysisa nodded. Zoe licked her lips and gently removed Lysisa’s loin cloth to partially reveal the beyond special blue gem. The gleaming sapphire proud, nestled within the folds of Lysisa’s womanhood.

“Mistress we have time.”

Lysisa could sense the desire in her servant along the length of their shared tether. There would be time after, she needed to do her duty, fulfil her oath now. She studied Zoe’s face so she could recognise such desire for her in others to ensure no future opportunity would be lost.

“No, my servant, we must prove ourselves first.”

Dreadfully disappointed Melasia managed to hold those thoughts to herself as she smelt Zoe’s bleeding and craved the certain promise of virgin blood to acquire more power. Melasia would have to trust she held enough, although maybe she could suggest something.

“Mistress, have her straddle you as she is bleeding, and her virginal blood will assist to empower me in my investigations.”

Lysisa blinked in acknowledgement without meaning to. “Zoe perhaps you could assist, although I caution you not to distract with any forceful attentions. If you would be willing to straddle me while naked, your bleeding will assist my servant.” The words flowed freely from Lysisa’s mouth, such a blatant request, uncertain if Zoe or anyone would simply agree. To her amazement Zoe stripped from the waist down without protest or discussion, removing her slightly bloodied loin cloth and climbing over Lysisa to grind her womanhood upon Lysisa’s, sighing heavily.

“Mistress, she is not a virgin, but her blood will still assist.”

“I am surprised, but only Seers are certain to be virgins.”

“I will reach out now Mistress, I will find the one most likely to respond and then come back to you for instruction.”

Lysisa felt Melasia leave beyond the confines of the gem, the tether maintaining their connection and providing a path for Lysisa to follow her servant with her own mind.