A smile broke out across Astera’s lips, threatening to grow into laugher.

Thyia wrestled Jocasta playfully. “You would spy upon your Mistress would you …”

Giggling and bent over from being tickled Jocasta splattered words in reply between peals of glee. “Well if the … Mistress’ bodyguard … sleeps instead of guarding …”

“Is that right little one?”

“I … am … proof am I not …” Jocasta screamed in delight.

Astera pushed off from the Kitchen table, arms folded again once on her own two feet. “Take her away my bodyguard and practice stabbing her with your spear. Check to see if Lysisa taught her anything.”

“More like she did, the test will be if our little spy has the brains to retain the lessons,” quipped Thyia.

Jocasta set her jaw and tensed her body, which Thyia released, content to observe the outraged performance of the Apprentice Seer while rocking back on her heels, arms folded.

“I learn whatever has been taught to me, you … you feeble excuse for a bodyguard!” Jocasta spat the words out, indignant.

Thyia grinned mercilessly, flicking her head in the direction of the Training Room, which Jocasta stomped towards without looking back. Thyia nodded to Astera and followed.

Astera plonked herself in a chair, Clymene and Niobe accepting the silent invitation to join her. “You changed the plan?”

“We … changed the plan … slightly,” said Clymene.

Astera strummed the top of the table with her fingers, before flattening her hands. “The Vampire instead of the Mage? What of the risk Clymene?”

“What you said to Lysisa …”

Astera raised an eyebrow and found Clymene’s eyes with her own, a caution.

“You are an excellent Mistress. You didn’t need to say otherwise, especially to an Initiate.”

Astera stretched back into her chair a disbelieving expression across her face, head shaking.

Niobe lent forward across the table. “You are Mistress.”

Astera sniped, “Well none died, only just of course given Dione’s antics …”

“Sister say something!” sent Niobe to Clymene.

Clymene steepled her fingers, elbows resting upon the table contemplating her next words, trying to choose wisely to reassure their Mistress. “The Lady in White declared Charis, The Foretold. She told our chaperon Single Seers we needed to join Charis and their good work done claiming guidance in this from our Goddess. That joining led to Single Seers once again serving Saph, a momentous achievement in itself and then of course the expansion of our Seer Skill, truly blessed.”

Astera remembered discipling Thyia, surviving the stupidity of large men and of course worshipping the ground Charis trod upon. An inner smile broke out recalling a simpler time.

“The Foretold isn’t just an honorific Mistress. The Lady explained The Foretold is touched by Judge, favoured, although she did dismiss his involvement with Charis in particular. Saph and Mara being her Divine guides, granting her wisdom beyond her years, if you wish to believe in the words of an old Seer, of course.”

Looking up, Astera sighed. “And yet Charis still fell to evil … so what hope do …”

“Yes, my point exactly. Without any guidance beyond the Sisters about you, you have exceled Mistress. Please never forget that and never admit any false doubt, especially to an Initiate, who unknowingly is about to be very brave.”

Astera swept forward, her elbows landing heavy upon the table, facing off against the Seer Sister. “The risk Clymene …”

“The precautions in place for the Mage are equally valid for the Vampire. Rhea cryptically mentioned Lysisa ‘well arrived’, which meant she sympathised with Rhea’s situation, no evil influence detected and therefore still her own person.”

Astera ran her fingers through her hair, first to flinch or assured, Niobe uncertain until she heard the question. “What of Charis, who knows nothing of our plan?”

Niobe grabbed Astera’s hands and looked her square in the face. “Have you heard nothing Mistress? Divine guidance, we must have faith The Lady in White spoke the truth.”

---

Melasia touched Raisa’s mind first. Vacant; nothing to be found except a blank stillness. How He or She would have liked to be here she thought, without contest, dominating and claiming a new body. She secretly considered the same, except why become a sapling when a mighty oak could be claimed.

“Lucky the Mage gem remained behind,” said Lysisa, after receiving her servant’s report.

“Yes Mistress, most fortunate.”

Melasia touched Charis’ mind next. Steady, testing, an opportunity to savour the revered first Mistress. She didn’t skim, Melasia burrowed into the passive mind served up before her. Sight nonresponsive, not connected to any active mind functionality, not even an involuntary flicker of an eyelid. Smell the same, all the senses inert, delightful thought Melasia. Lysisa and Mistress Charis evoked no displays of concern, which encouraged Melasia to continue, dubbing her technique ‘controlled intensity’ in a moment of triumphant exuberance, celebrating the naming with a sinister chuckle. Now, she thought, would be an ideal moment to dig through some memories …

“Melasia, why are you taking so long with Mistress Charis?”

Melasia stilled her investigation, no suspicion from her Mistress, impatience only, therefore a creative response. “I am exploring a thread of hope Mistress, it is difficult, I need to make sure I don’t make things worse.”

“Leave Charis for now and test Helice so we can report back to the Seer Circle.”

“Yes Mistress,” said Melasia, catching an errant emotion of frustration in time.

Melasia touched Helice’s mind casually, uninterested while the prize of Charis waited to be taken and essentially going through the motions to appease her Mistress.

An active thought wisped by, barely detected by the distracted Melasia. A glimmer of hope her Mistress would relish reporting and therefore she turned her full mind to the task. The deeper she examined the greater the resistance, at first thinking a passive Seer like warding and yet every deep avenue into Helice’s mind led to an indeterminate dead end. Did Helice have control of her five sense or not for example? Deliberate resistance! The three supposedly mind blank, Raisa and Charis certainly and yet Helice aware on some level.

“Mistress, Helice is thinking, she is actually trying to stop me helping her.”

“Try to talk to her if …”

A cold chill and Lysisa gone from her awareness, Melasia instantly alone. Her Mistress withdrawing of her own will for a reason or forcibly severed? Their tether broken or constrained? Melasia’s mind traced back, searching for her Mistress and found the tether an echo, a memory. The gem no longer within her Mistress’ body, therefore a grant of freedom or did Mistress dismiss her? Melasia returned to Charis and drew upon the stored Virgin Blood magic within her gem seizing the golden chance to act without scrutiny. Stupid! Of course, she thought. Her gem no longer awash with blood so unable to draw upon the lusty desperation of … what was her name … yes Zoe, therefore her gem definitely removed from flesh. Still, Melasia overflowed with confidence, certain the body and mind of Charis would soon be hers to toy with, setting to work.

---

Dione waited. A task trivial although the watch critical.

Helice wiggled her toes.

Dione hurried from the room, knocking on another door as she passed by, then once passed the bar of the Common Room, signalling to Rhea until arriving at the far side of the Common Room and the three chests positioned there. She immediately examined the lining of each chest once more. Rhea now well on her way to the other room.

Helice maintained her grasp of Raisa’s petite hand. The most vulnerable of the three, her mind in the Faerie Forest challenged by the physical limitations of her body and needing something, a shock possibly, to wake her consciousness. As with Charis, the Seer Circle ineffective. The consensus of the Clymene, Alcmene, Thais and Alexa Seer Circle after much theorising as follows; due to the magic of the Faerie Forest embedded in their Items, and therefore in sympathy with their induced healing condition, any attempted awakening by drawing upon the Item’s Faerie Magic, basically more of the same and ineffective.

They therefore needed different. Initially the Mage chosen, being greedy rather than evil and at the time the only choice. When discovered, the plan quickly changed to the Vampire. When alive the Mage utilised Items and the Seers considered the high risk remained with a very low chance of success.

Raisa drifted within a void, mind barely aware of the body, breathing, the steady inflation and deflation of the lungs, hungry, stomach gurgling and thirst, working a dry mouth to induce saliva, although occasionally placated. Sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch denied to her. Then predatory fear hovered over her, griping mind, heart and soul. Freeze, fight or flee? Unable to flee, frozen in place by limbs failing to respond to a mind numbed by the void, leaving fight or at least awakening, forcing the disconnected body to respond to her mind’s panic, adrenaline coursing through her body.

The distain of the predator overwhelming, Raisa insignificant and beneath any further consideration, the fear withdrawing and releasing her, although unknowingly a catalyst to kickstart her awareness. Raisa yipped in shock.

Their bunks adjacent, Helice rolled over, her forehead in gentle contact with Raisa’s temple. Helice nudged Raisa’s mind with her Seer Link tendril, the persistent steady ‘knock’ being rewarded as Raisa’s mind welcomed the promise of company and breakout from the lonely void.

“Welcome Sister. Join our Seer Circle as we need to offer you protection and not yet reveal our presence,” sent Helice, rolling back to her bunk.

“Oh Sister … belonging, finally a return … how long have I been lost?”

“Questions for later, revel in our company for now and be safe.”

That same moment Helice grinned, the evil weakly brushed against her mind …

---

Zoe heard the knock.

“Sorry Sister,” she whispered to no one in particular.

Climbing off Lysisa, Zoe noticed all her blessing blood taken, the blue gem gleaming and polished. Looking satisfied? She checked Lysisa’s face and could see the whites of her eyes, her mind elsewhere. Rhea uncertain when describing the possible options or states Lysisa could enter while ‘communicating’ with her guest, this state the preferred though as Astera and Thyia couldn’t easily wake her from it a couple of days ago. Zoe reasonably certain her next action would; positioning and preparing ropes.

Zoe reached for her favourite skinning knife; the thin blade honed to razor sharpness in Charis’ father’s Blacksmith shop. A poetic justice in a way thought Zoe, separating evil from a Sister with a knife so sharpened.

As quick as blinking, Zoe grasped the sapphire between two fingers, tugging the gemstone well away from Lysisa’s womanhood and cleanly slicing through the stretched attached skin. The sensitive folds of skin retracting, bloodied. Lysisa screaming, her body sending signals of excruciating pain to her mind, even though ‘away’. The female instinctively placing her hands on the hurt, Zoe prepared, placing a readied cloth there before dashing from the bedside to open the door.

Zoe dropped the blue gem into Rhea’s outstretched gloved hand. The Seer attempting to attune the gem while hurrying to join Dione. She didn’t want to absorb the gem, the glove’s cloth providing a barrier to slow the process, although expecting pain. She stood at the back of the Common Room adjacent to a window to allow in sunlight to compensate while Dione stood ready beside her, the three chests open and waiting.

Lysisa screamed holding the cloth to her womanhood confused and in incredible pain, Zoe murmuring to soothe her suffering, Lysisa beyond listening, instead rocking back and forth calling out for the pain to go away. Zoe threw her back down on the bed.

Quick as cattle roping, Zoe drew the prepared rope around Lysisa’s chest and arms, tying her down. Lysisa screamed to be let go, momentarily forgetting her pain. Another prepared rope around her legs and quickly tied off. Zoe continued tying another couple of ropes, one just above and another just below the wound site to keep their Sister still. She then reached for a bottle labelled with unreadable writing and carefully peeled away the cloth from Lysisa’s wound managing to keep the congealed blood intact. Taking some of the elder’s ointment from the bottle she applied the salve liberally to Lysisa’s wound. Lysisa’s face gradually relaxed although the ropes remained. Zoe applied more ointment to the loin cloth and dressed Lysisa, loosening the two strategically placed ropes to assist and retying them when done.

Lysisa calm, Zoe hurried away to the other room to check on Charis, Helice and Raisa.

---

“Get back to your gem bitch or I will crush it!”

Melasia heard the voice but couldn’t believe … the venom in the command or the consequence. Would the owner of voice crush the gem? With the gem crushed how long would she exist before destruction? How long would she need to dominate Charis? Perhaps Helice the better option, active resistance though, an uncertainty. Decided, she quickly reached out to Helice’s mind only to be severely rejected. The resistance … known, discovered during her skimming of the Seer Sister minds earlier, the combined Skill Seer of a Seer Circle turned against her.

“Last chance, get back to your gem bitch or I will crush it!”

Take the sadness away, the worry for her twin and the ‘voice’ clearly belonged to Rhea. How could she be involved? A mystery for another time.

Rejecting the weak Raisa outright, Melasia choose Charis and the promise of commanding all the Virgin Seers.

---

Rhea placed the gem in the smallest chest, closing the lid. The vampire spirit or essence unclean when she made contact and therefore pleased when the vile creature chose defiance, certain the distancing of her source of existence would gain her attention.

Rhea sent to Clymene, “Her gem is in the first chest, which means Helice rejected her and now absolutely certain … certain Raisa spared any attention and the vampire going for the powerful trying to dominate Mistress Charis.”

“We could destroy the gem, although we will avoid the loss of the valuable enchantment while we can, our goal, to force a chastised tenant back to where she belongs. The creature could be valuable for other things above and beyond trying to kickstart Charis’ consciousness.”

---

Even sedate Charis’ mind resisted, Melasia would need to gather more power. Overpowering the mind with brute power though could damage bodily functions, in particular the involuntary ones, making the body useless. Melasia needed to return to her Master in this body, the body of the one who trapped him, the first act in his presence to free him, a delicious irony.

During her visit she made contact, basking in his admiration and acknowledgement of her unexpected survival, welcomed beyond her wildest dreams. His mind caressing hers when she thought he would crush her for betraying him and taking delight in the fact the enemy trusted her. His previous indifference motivating her to strive and impress him and therefore needing to demonstrate her worth. The coup de grace; feeding him stores of power derived from their enemy’s virgin blood, awakening him from his slumber and encouraging previously inert wounds to heal.

She admonished herself, in rapture over her Master’s unbridled praise she eagerly fed power to him when he suggested, his thanks, actual thanks to her encouraged an overly generous sharing, which Melasia now regretted. Her belief at the time, with virgins everywhere, the virgin blood hers to indulge in, endless and the capacity to share a further demonstration of her value.

The thread to her gem distant and weakened. Being taken away? The cost to draw power greater and therefore whatever the conniving bitches planned would end up being a race of some sort. Therefore, regardless of the cost, Melasia drew more power to commence the enjoyable task of peeling away the protective layers around the revered Mistress Charis’ mind.

Initially the unexpected discovery shocked her, and then realisation dawned as Melasia put the pieces together and celebrated. Only a particular servant of the Master could scar a prey’s mind so and only in her dreams. The reason for the Mistress of the Daughters of the Duchess absence plain, the Master’s Minion of Dreams, Oneiroi, at one time extremely close to domination. Mistress Charis’ mind vulnerable to any who could follow the dreaming scar, the secret backdoor, avoiding the multiple layers of protection with ease.

Destroying her jubilation, the thread to her gem mysteriously strengthened and then weakened again and therefore before the cost became too great, she withdrew the reminder of the gem’s stored power. Another bonus, confidently anticipating total domination, Melasia harvested the tasty motes of dark essence patiently placed by Oneiroi in Charis’ mind. Expending these kept her mind stored power intact and hastened her journey down the now easy path to victory whereas previously she contemplated a desperate struggle.

The thread to her gem strengthened again and then, as before, weakened although this time to a new low. An exceedingly thin thread now sustained her existence; desperate, she injected power from her mind storage to keep the link active. No link and inevitable destruction. Time running out and the only option to continue, the trail back unknown with the motes consumed.

She returned to her task with a vengeance, so close. Melasia determined to succeed where Oneiroi faulted.

---

“The gem is in three chests now and at each inspection I sensed no presence. She hasn’t returned as yet,” said Rhea, arms folded, fingers clawing at her upper arms.

“Perhaps we need to carry the chests further away, my Stallion can be summoned for the task,” suggested Dione, not surprised the Seer led plan, blindly followed by Astera didn’t actually go to plan.

“Possibly, another larger chest would be better, but we don’t have one prepared.” She remembered Alexa instructing her to inlay sheets of silver into each successively larger chest to place the gem in the smallest first, then the smallest chest into the next larger chest, until finally the largest chest, three layers.

Dione grabbed Rhea’s shoulder, gently yanking to gain her attention. “Stand with Zoe, my Stallion and I will take the chests further away.”

“Too far and she will be destroyed, can you decide to do that?” mumbled Rhea, in a confused daze. She followed the plan, certain, exact ...

Dione met her Stallion at the Inn door, dragging the triple chest behind her. “Seek permission if you wish or better still go and support Zoe and I will worry about forgiveness.”

Dione out of the Inn, rider and chest saddled, the horses’ hooves striking the cold hard ground finally rousing Rhea from indecision. She dashed to the Inn door issuing a half-throated cry to call Dione back, receiving a scoffing laugh in reply. Her body half slumped against the door frame, rolling slowly into the Inn an inner guilt tormenting her. Destruction of the evil would ensure Raisa and Charis’ survival, surely, regardless of the plan.

Rhea closed and barred the Inn door and then ran-walked to Zoe supporting her jelly legs by leaning on chair backs, tables and finally the hallway, a sad glance spared for Lysisa before joining Zoe’s watch over the three. The strength in her legs returning as she spied Helice holding hands with Raisa and Charis and pleasantly relieved when Raisa’s nose twitched.

“Dione has loaded the chest upon her Stallion and is riding away from the Inn,” sent Rhea to the Seer Circle. No emotion expressed at all across the Seer Link.

Clymene informed Astera, who shook her head, although begrudgingly accepting Dione’s action after all Sisters mattered more than possible gain from an untrustworthy servant regardless of Seer interest.

---

Melasia stopped maintaining her tether to the gem; she couldn’t afford to lose any more power as the link became more distant, stretched to a previously unexplored extreme. The moment after; her existence started to fade, not for the first time and the sensation now known meant she continued to focus on the attack of Charis’ mind.

Melasia peeled back the final two layers of Charis’ mind, finally at the involuntary functions, with no time to spare to savour the moment, about to claim victory and domination over her Master’s jailor. Her Master soon freed, and her rewards endless. Within that single imagined thought her window closed. NO ... No ... no.

The Faerie Forest couldn’t heal Charis. The One Tree considered her an evil to be destroyed until masked by the magic of her Items. The Elven Lords unable to sustain the cost of maintaining beings not of their own within the Faerie Forest ejected the three and closed the impromptu portal to the Faerie Forest at the same time. Raisa nonresponsive, induced into a deep sleep by the cocoon of healing administered by the Faerie Forest. Charis imbued with Elven magic to camouflage the evil within and rendered inert. Helice the sole member of the three welcomed due to her Items, not a burden due to her Items and yet given her association with her two companions ejected with them. The sudden reintroduction to the common world taking time to adjust to but otherwise harmless.

Charis’ body adjusted to the sudden ejection from the Faerie Forest same as Helice. Her incapacitation though, due to the evil within, remained. With each mote of dark essence removed, Charis’ mind clarified. While the final two layers of her mind collapsed Charis drew upon Helice’s touch to effortlessly join the Seer Circle Clymene assembled for her Mistress’ use, whenever that occurred as this part of the plan, not planned, based upon Charis’ intuition or perhaps if an old Seer was to be believed divine guidance. Charis drew upon the magic within her Items, and all the Items within the Seer Circle, not to protect her mind; she utilised the available magic to capture Melasia’s mind within an imagined reality, a forced dream state where the vampire tasted victory. The technique acquired and learnt after weeks of isolation once the original architect of such constructs, Oneiroi, perished, destroyed by her Sisters.

The evil maintained her state of existence by rapidly expending mind stored power in the form of virgin blood magic, the dark essence already consumed to hasten her journey. Charis slowly collapsed the imagined reality surrounding the evil, wanting the creature to drain all power and ensure total destruction; at no stage attempting to understand the evil, ask questions or delve into the evil mind’s presence to control it. Then it squealed, recognising the victory false due to the persistent drain of power instead of opening Charis’s eyes and smiling in triumph.

“Forgive, I will serve you, I can help ask your sisters they know this truth.”

“All my sisters are in contact with me now and they feel betrayed.”

“The Master subverted me, and he is powerful.”

“He is trapped, so I can only conclude you reached out to him.”

“I can tell you his plans, I know them well. I know his human agents and will locate them for you. I can tell you of the world three hundred years ago, history, any subject you wish to know about.”

“He has been trapped for a long time, his plans are dust, his agents are drifting so we will stumble across them in our own time. Even your offer of history is nothing.” Charis squeezed a little more. In the mind it didn’t mean anything and then it meant everything, the imagined reality the key, imposing your perspective on their perception. They only saw what you wished them to see.

“I will submit, be your plaything or your anything. I can grant you my vampiric powers ask Lysisa.”

“No.” Then Charis collapsed the imagined reality holding Melasia to her existence. The vampire expiring several heartbeats prior, so when the imagined reality collapsed, the evil popped out of existence immediately.

Charis’ eyes snapped open and she spoke to those in the room and the Seer Circle.

“Evil is Evil it cannot be enslaved or allied. Its nature devoted to defeat, control and/or destruction.”

With that said, an awkward silence dominated the room and the Seer Circle. Charis allowed time for the Seers to relay her words to any non-Seers within earshot and perhaps share a summary of events.

“I am sorry about my absence, in part I can blame the evil, although if I took care of myself to take care of you the evil wouldn’t have invaded my mind. I hope to change going forward, although it can only happen with your help and with me sharing more responsibility.”

The Seers in the Seer Circle sent waves of warmth and affection, which she returned tenfold. Those nearest to her, Helice, Raisa, Rhea and Zoe embraced her, resulting in an exchange of tears and thanks.

Standing back slightly Rhea braved a suggestion. “Perhaps we could eat? I assume at least three are hungry.”

Zoe and Rhea exchanged looks, Zoe volunteering to speak. “Mistress you will need to attend to our newest Initiate, Lysisa, grievously wounded and deeply involved in this.” Zoe opening her hands and waving them widely.

Charis nodded as Clymene via Seer Link continued her explanation of all present and recent events beginning with Lysisa; an exile, a fallen Single Seer, brave and loyal capturing an evil and now a wounded Single Seer unknowingly used.

---

She borrowed Lysisa’s own dagger and cut the ropes, untying Zoe’s knots always took too much time. Her body stirred a little exploring the new freedom while her face winced as Charis removed the bloodied loin cloth to expose the wound. As Charis inspected, she felt Lysisa’s eyes upon her, stirred awake by the sharp tug of her womanhood. Charis caught her eyes in her own and held them; Lysisa unable to turn away, captivated somehow.

“I am sorry Mistress, I thought …”

“No, you didn’t think, although you did tell your Sisters, who also didn’t think, so my failing. Another to add to my growing list.” Charis sighed. “For now, I need to help with your wound.”

“It is painful Mistress but not unbearable. Whatever the ointment, truly helpful.” Lysisa curled her body over, peering, gulping and rolling her eyes, promptly laying back down. Her eyes stared at the ceiling, accepting another deformity to accompany her wine stain. Would Sweetears still want her?

Her body tensed as Charis placed a warm hand upon her wound. While her oath sworn to Astera, Charis also a Mistress, what did this liberty taken without asking mean? Lysisa didn’t believe herself anywhere healed enough to be able to interact … erm sex, therefore could only conclude a punishment then? She felt a warmth radiate from Charis’ hand, akin to sunlight upon her flesh, while the scents of the forest and the fragrance of flowers filled her nostrils in a euphoria of peace. As the warmth subsided another heat rose, her loins on fire with desire. Lysisa’s upper body springing up, arms desperately grappling Charis around the waist, head nesting between her Mistress’ breasts while moaning.

Charis resisted being pulled onto the bunk, barely, the Initiate’s earnest attempt backed by warrior strength.

“Your desire is from my healing. You will feel differently after a while.” Charis certain in this, although Lysisa a Seer with Items, Charis didn’t hold a Seer Link with the Initiate, so the desire would be intense and of short duration, well, in theory.

Lysisa’s eyes fixed upon Charis’ face in utter disbelief, lust upon her, her love for Sweetears abandoned without a second thought, her body yearning for the one standing beside her. Mind though aware, how could she discard Sweetears so easily, frivolously?

“My body … my womanhood gushes at your touch or near enough, my groin aches to be satisfied, my breasts sensitive, nipples hard awaiting your attention.” What she didn’t know and therefore didn’t mention, her wine mark on her face blotted out by a deep blush.

“Perhaps we should return you to the one you love?”

“Clymene do we have enough magic to send Lysisa to Sweetears?” sent Charis.

“Alexa and Thais stand near her now. When Lysisa arrives, the twins will tell Sweetears Lysisa is under a spell and to care for her love who believes she is lovesick for another and will be for several days.”

Lysisa’s mouth formed an O when she disappeared from the Inn, Charis needing to promise a kiss before the besotted Seer would join the Seer Circle. Alexa offered her Mistress the use of her eyes as Sweetears approached her love, sweeping her up in a princess carry retiring immediately to their stone cabin. The other two Goblin Sisters standing aside, agog. Charis immediately appreciative of the Goblin Sister’s appearance, their slightly yellow skin complexion and skin fold above their eyes the only tells left from their original Goblin appearance.

“Rhea, confirming there will be one less for food,” sent Charis.

---

Charis, arms folded, leant against the door frame appreciating the Sisters gathered in the Common Room enjoying a feast of stew, the ingredients somewhat, for the better, unrecognisable.

Rhea and Raisa seated at a table in intense discussion between portions. Helice, bowl in hand pacing, dressed in an ill-fitting underclothe good for modesty if not comfort and decidedly unsettled without weapons and armour to occasionally adjust or straiten to keep her hands busy, hence the bowl. Zoe, her back to all, perched near a window spying upon the village outside the Inn. They knew Dione returned because the chests rested lonely inside the main Inn door and where she disappeared to, the stable. Grooming her Stallion and when finished grooming any other stabled horse out of habit, although this time Charis believed her absence, an avoidance strategy.

Dione finished grooming her Stallion and moved on down the line. The brushing relaxing, the care appreciated as many a horse nudged and whinnied. She ignored her Stallion when nudged, the only horse not in a stall. Easily able to communicate any need, declining to do so and admit its condition, jealousy. Dione glanced at the Inn, time approaching to ask for forgiveness.

Grabbing a waiting bowl Charis sniffed the bubbling cauldron over the fireplace and took her fill. “Do we ride back, or do we use other means? Who wishes to stay at the Inn of the Scarred Lady?”

Rhea being closest looked up first. “Raisa and I have talked, and she would like to spend some time away … I have accepted this with some difficulty. She is my sister and she isn’t my sister, it seems, so she wants to find herself without my influence.” Rhea sniffed back a runny nose and wiped a tear.

Raisa leant closer to her sister. “I am sorry Rhea it is all I have in me for now.”

Rhea pushed back her chair and retreated to the Kitchen to clean-up a non-existent mess of dishes. Her sister called her by name …

Zoe opened the Inn door before Dione could knock, both casually walking to Raisa’s table and taking a chair, each oblivious to the silence.

Stacking her bowl on top of Rhea’s, Zoe said. “I will ride Mistress as I expect all sorts of creatures to arise at the change of seasons.”

Dione quickly caught on. “Well I need to ride back, so company would be … good?”

Looking directly at Helice, Charis asked, “Would I be presuming too much to suggest you will go wherever I go?”

Helice simply smiled.

“Raisa, you can return to the House via Seer Circle, Lysisa has already been sent, needing to recover from her wounding.”

Helice cackled. Charis looked over her eyebrows and coughed.

“Zoe, Dione, Helice and I will ride. I still need some time to sort a few things, including myself, so first light tomorrow?”

Dione filled a bowl, then dipped her spoon in and allowed the stew to drain several times. “You don’t need to get back sooner Mistress?”

“Astera has been Mistress during my absence, so we shall trust her to manage for a few more days. Right then, let’s get ready.”

At dusk the Seer Circle sent Raisa to the House, allowing her and her sister many bells of further discussion or quiet alone time as required. Rhea more accepting, although finding the voluntary separation difficult to endure after so long forcibly apart. Dione and Zoe eagerly prepared, while Helice arranged weapons and armour to be Seer Circle sent.

---

The Seers of the House constantly basked in sunlight, either atop the House or upon the Stone Curtain Wall in preparation, given Mistress Charis called for and drained most of the Seer’s Item stored magic in her battle with the evil. Therefore, when Lysisa and then Raisa needed transference the magic required could be provided. Under protest, submitting to Helice’s reasoning, Clymene drained the last of their magic sending Helice her list of goods, Ismene vigorously protesting and Astera needing to adjudicate.

When Raisa appeared before the Seer Circle in the House, she surprised the gathered Seers due to her teenage appearance, and given Death Season about exhausted, her physical age of sixteen. The staring persisting long enough to make her feel embarrassed, Clymene’s welcoming hug notwithstanding. Luckily her recovery in the Faerie Forest aged her, otherwise she would most likely be treated as another Jocasta even though in her mind she held onto her true age of twenty-four.

Clymene invited her to follow. “Are you still an accomplished Seer?”

“Yes sister, teachings, although I will need to re-establish my Seer Links and … erm practice until I grow my Skill again in my new untrained brain. I experimented with Helice, an agreeable confirmation for our mutual benefit, unsure if the Faerie Forest sojourn changed our Seer Skill.” Raisa blushed slightly and without prompting explained. “Helice is most accomplished in sexing is she not?”

Clymene nodded, hand covering her smiling mouth. “Does your new body feel like it’s you?”

“Yes, now it is. My illness due to my spirit or soul rejecting my new although immature body shell, constant headaches, muscles and bones aching, unable to digest food and drink and be nourished. As my body failed, my morale sunk to new lows and my will to live became fragile. Charis’ healing saved my body and because of the elven magic used, drew the Elven Lord to the Inn and once within the Faerie Forest their magical flora and fauna cradled my recovery.”

“Are you totally cured now?”

“I think so, although my extreme sensitivity to Mistress Charis persists, her healing, you understand. Previously only drawn by Rhea’s attraction to her, Seer Twin condition, again something familiar to you.”

Clymene nodded and held Raisa’s petite hand. Another Temple trained Seer pair warmed her heart. Nothing against Thais or Alexa, just … well at times … they simply didn’t comprehend some of the intricacies.

Raisa blushed again. “When re-establishing my Seer Connection with Charis at the Inn my body orgasmed at her approach, and such my surprise I didn’t have enough warning to release to her. Upon her touch, instant ecstasy and only when near exhaustion could I think to release to her. I needed to rest before attending to her and any response from her infused me with pleasure as well. My body more … normal with Rhea, still maintaining our psyche of twin-ship.”

Clymene didn’t have a response. She knew when Charis healed, certain recipients more receptive to Charis’ attentions afterwards, Seers with Items especially so, although Raisa an exception given the time since the healing and the fact Raisa lacked any control.

“She held me lightly on the shoulders, looking into my eyes as I transferred using the Seer Circle. I released to her just before transfer, although I feel even as we walk, talking about Charis, my loins very wet so if you have some time, I think we should re-establish our Seer Connection.”

She paused to look at Clymene, who just nodded in agreement still thinking and wondering how to help.

They ended up in the Meeting Room and as they concluded Raisa spoke.

“Thank you. Know that you didn’t need to attend to me as well as you did, although I still appreciate your dedication and aftercare. I only need to think about Charis, and I am aroused.”

“I absolutely believe you as each time you released to me, I lost my self in the overwhelming almost all-consuming pleasure.”

“I need to accept ‘my condition’ from now on, so I am more than happy to share it out.” A light smile finished her words, and then she continued, “Please send other Seer Sisters to me when they have time, perhaps I can exhaust the desire away.”

---

With Mistress Charis’ impending return in a few days’ time, Mistress Astera delegated the re-organisation of the House to Alcmene and Clymene while she spent time talking to Ismene and preparing herself.

An excuse of course, although she did meet with Ismene and listen to her concerns, especially with the emergency rations being sent, not to mention the lost supplies to support Dione’s hunt and the list went on. It required at least two bells of Astera’s time for the update, the upshot being they would, with rationing, and if no more emergencies occurred have enough until the trails opened to merchant wagons.

Astera asked Thyia to conduct a Spear and Shield skill test of all the Sisters, including the Goblin Sisters to identify competency and further training needs in preparation for a busy Birth Season. Niobe no longer at her side, released earlier to the Seer Circle, Clymene nearby for any communications and now both sunning themselves she believed.

She climbed the stairs to her room in the House and threw herself on the inviting bed, swearing not to rise until called to account by Charis. Clymene’s pep talk aside she considered she failed on a number of counts. For instance, not realising that the evil alive and well in the House wasn’t under control. Accepting the opinion of an Apprentice Seer eventually backed up and assured by more knowledgeable Seers absolute control existed and therefore nothing to worry about. She trusted their advice and the honesty of the Apprentice, but ultimately, she is Mistress and her duty is to protect all even from those blinded by sexual desire.

Removal of the Mage gem her one shining light of genius, although even the Apprentice Seer suggested the same, therefore obvious, requiring no exceptional Mistress insight and the real reason for her snappy reply at the time she admitted. The removal of the Vampire gem until they could determine the intent and loyalty of the occupant probably a wisdom after the event. She also wondered how Charis would judge her time as Mistress, recounting all the near misses and missteps.

Astera decided the jumped-up Farm Girl to be well out of her depth, how could she believe herself fit for the role of Mistress. Why did Charis choose her? Why did Dione and Otonia accept her, they knew Charis first, the Lady Three. What a mess. Why didn’t Charis return with Raisa and Lysisa? The wait a torture or revenge of some kind, making her sweat? Charis’ speech after the destruction of the Vampire, one of blame and judgement, perhaps her absence wrought a change, and now all mistakes will be punished. Astera shivered as she remembered the lashings in the Main Cavern after losing their water.

The Farm Girl’s resolve grew. Four or five days left to organise and put the Daughters to work and make ready the House for Charis’ return. Then the Farm Girl would leave, not fit to lead or follow.

---

Alcmene and Clymene truly surprised when Mistress Astera asked them to organise the House. The best explanation they could arrive at; a test of some sort and whatever they suggested would be checked and possibly refined after inspection. At least they could organise quickly by contacting Seers and then issuing them instructions directly or indirectly to non-Seers.

Their first thoughts turned to considering what Zosime, Alexis, Korinna and Hagne reported during their chase and then their retreat; they could have all done with a Spear and a Shield. The Spear an ideal weapon because of reach and the Shield good for protection and reasonable for attack with shield bash. A ranged weapon being the other weapon required. The Bow would take too long to train; the Crossbow too heavy and both required bulky ammunition, which could easily run out. Dione’s use of a sling, probably worthy of consideration the Seers thought. The “conversation” occurring between them without speech, while attending to mundane things such a drinking, eating, walking and cooking, such their Seer Skill. For now, turning their minds to organising the House in preparation for Charis’ arrival.

Five Sisters, Astera, Thyia, Dione, Drosis and Lysisa would be able to train others in Spear and Shield, being experts themselves. Dione and perhaps Otonia’s skill in the sling would be advanced enough to do the same, and if not, the one who trained them could be commissioned. Now to organise the shifts and the training they thought.

Stepping lightly down the Circular Stairs Astera addressed the Seer Twins as they turned, mouths open. “Alcmene and Clymene, I have perhaps erred in assigning you my duty.”

As one they responded. “Mistress?”

“I need to organise the House. The Daughters of the Duchess are my duty.”

Alcmene and Clymene looked at each other faces downcast.

Astera gathered the Seers to her in a huge hug. “That in no way means I intend to do this alone, so what have you both completed and thought through so far Sisters?”

---

Lysisa rolled away from Sweetears, the sweat sheen upon their skin glistening despite their Stone Cabin’s paltry single lantern.

“My Prettyone sexes with amazing skill.”

Sweetears repeated the words often and certainly after each orgasm, Lysisa appreciating the encouragement and kissing her love passionately as a reward. Lysisa still needed to scratch an itch, Charis and drifted off into her own thoughts as their bodies rested from their latest bout of vigorous sexing.

Lysisa broken from her train of thought as Sweetears swept back several stray strands of her sweat drenched hair.

“You must become strong Prettyone.”

The simple statement required many actions, many most likely excluding Sweetears and Lysisa uncertain as she turned her gaze upon Sweetears, hopeful for clarification and not silence.

“Your eyes not pretty when you worry Prettyone.”

Lysisa returned a weak smile, Sweetears chuckled.

“You must sex with Seers. Like Goblin Chiefs, to the strongest goes the meat.”

Lysisa gulped, did her lover just give her permission to … well, you know, with other Seers.

“What of us, you won’t be upset?”

Sweetears kissed Lysisa, lingering, plucking her lips between her teeth and releasing, knowing her human didn’t like the true Goblin mate claiming.

“Will Prettyone always return to Sweetears’ bed?”

Lysisa nodded.

“Will Prettyone always love Sweetears, even when she is the most powerful Seer?”

Lysisa nodded, her body tensing, did Sweetears really believe in her Prettyone? Absolute faith and dedication in the eyes of her lover confirmation.

---

A polite knock on their stone cabin door startled them both. Sweetears answered the door while Lysisa scrambled for a blanket.

Thais and Alexa greeted the naked Goblin Sister, their meeting and subsequent appraisal somewhat explained Lysisa’s ‘interest’, although neither doubted the affection and potential love they shared given the suffocating musky scent issuing through the open door.

Sweetears closed the door behind the twins, who looked around for a chair needing to settle for a shared piece of dishevelled bunk. The sole lantern, fortunately, casting insufficient light to fully illuminate the cabin and reveal awkward bedroom secrets. While the twins settled Sweetears slip over an underclothe, knowing how humans typically felt about casual nakedness.

Alexa and Thais made a point of dropping on either side of Lysisa flicking away damp bed sheets before doing so. “We apologise for interrupting.”

“I am not sure you do, given you have me surrounded,” murmured Lysisa, her eyes darting awkwardly from one twin to the other.

“We have questions and remember, you’re late for the promised debrief …” The twins shared a look across Lysisa, raising their eyebrows.

“Much has happened, I am not sure …”

The twins each patted a different upper thigh of Lysisa, ending the reassurance with a squeeze.

“Lysisa, do you wish the return of the Mage’s blue gem?” asked Thais.

“No sister, I cannot be trusted with such an enchantment, although knowing the nature of the current occupant I would now council for the gem to be stored carefully away or destroyed. The spirit or soul inside will constantly seek a soul to dominate and steal the body. I wouldn’t want a Sister to suffer such a fate.”

Sweetears leant against the closed door, directly opposite Lysisa and glowed with pride. Their time together not solely devoted to love making, important discussions occasionally occurring.

“Wise beyond your years then, we weren’t certain you would understand the danger so plainly. The gem is safety held behind melded stone, inside a small solid silver chest. Both my sister and I have tried to touch the Mage with our mind, and we cannot. To be certain Clymene and Alcmene also tried and failed, therefore doubly safe.”

Lysisa grimaced at Sweetears, not keen to ask the next question and yet needing to, trying to hold back her emotion. It isn’t every day you become the possible agent of your Mistress’ doom.

“What of the other gem and occupant?”

The twins wrapped Lysisa in a two-sided, one arm hug as only Seer Twins can co-ordinate.

“The gem is safe and secure,” said Thais.

“Mistress Charis destroyed the evil, no need to worry about either now,” said Alexa, happily.

Lysisa sobbed with relief. Sweetears quickly kneeling in front of the distressed Single Seer, taking the trembling hands in her own.

“I apologise for my naivety, so convinced the evil my sworn servant and never suspecting she plotted against us or the Mistress.” Sweetears reached up and wiped away Lysisa’s tears, their foreheads touching when done and separating shortly after.

“You mustn’t blame yourself, after all you did present yourself to the Mistress and Seers, in fact you engaged more directly with some prior to presenting yourself and no one called for caution or even investigation. How long were you awakened to your Seer skills and her evil presence? Days?” At Lysisa’s nod of agreement Thais continued, “Your Seer Sister peers have been Seers for much longer.”

“But my over-confidence, telling my Sisters she was my servant ...”

“They should have questioned and investigated, remember Alexa and I did request an interview after your night in front of the stone tombs …”

“Oh!” Lysisa now twice reminded and smarting due to the, what seems now risky oversight.

Alexa added, “Before you judge yourself harshly wait for Mistress Charis.”

A hand signal and eye contact between Lysisa and Sweetears returned the Goblin Sister to her stoic position against the door. Lysisa stood and swivelled, finally facing the twins, hands tense at her sides.

“Why are you being, well, so nice?”

The twins smiled at her question in unison, which Lysisa found eerie, although not unexpected.