A Change For the Light

by Heather Maginnis

  Once clear of the gate she turned to them, "Lord Rovere was murdered in the night, although a two man guard stood watch someone got to him and gutted him."

  Both her friends blanched at the news, "they go on further to say only sorcery could have done it" and with that they carried on riding, all wondering who got to Rovere.

  * * *

  Kimih had been the recipient of Mistress Jesse's attention's for three days now, at first she cried and screamed a lot for all it did her, but gradually she began to get used to what she did to her, and actually enjoy it, the last session she'd had an intense orgasm, something she'd never felt before, and she revelled in it.

  In fact when Mistress Jesse was late for her session's Kimih's body yearned for the attention.

  Mistress Jesse arrived, "now my pet, shall we begin."

  Kimih tried not to give anything away but her body betrayed her, Mistress Jesse almost purred, "you begin to enjoy it yes?". Kimih didn't answer only blushed and nodded.

  Mistress Jesse walked over to her, "I think you're ready for something extra today", she took a cup and squeezed her own breast tightly till a black liquid came out, "try some of my milk." Kimih couldn't avoid taking the liquid into mouth as Mistress Jesse held her jaw, she made her swallow too, the feeling she had then was beyond description.

  After a few more days Kimih was growing bored, she yearned for more, and Mistress Jesse wasn't providing what she needed, after her latest session Mistress Jesse looked at Kimih quizzically for a moment then laughed.

  "So the pupil out grows the teacher" and saying that cut Kimih's binding's.

  Kimih had no urge to run, all she knew was she wanted more, she followed Mistress Jesse out of the door and down some stairs like a lap dog, she stopped at a black door.

  "I have been your Mistress, now meet your master" and saying that pushed Kimih into a pitch black room and closed the door.

  A voice in the darkness called to her, "come to your master." She walked forward and was grabbed by something very strong, her leg's forced apart she felt someone enter her with great force, she almost fainted from the ecstasy she felt, another hard shove and she felt something warm and dark flood into her , "oh yesssssssss."

  Later in the day the door opened and Mistress Jesse saw Kimih step out, she was dressed exactly as she was, she bowed, "welcome Mistress."

  Seventeen

  It was like riding to Bria's town, only this was taking longer, they had been on the road for nearly five days, they couldn't force the same pace as before and had to stop to rest. Allia was getting more and more restive.

  "I missed my sister's birthday three days ago and ever since then I've had a terrible feeling something has happened," she started crying softly then, it had been a strain on all them, but Allia the most as her family were still to be checked, it ended with a group hug session.

  They arrived at the town of Irek on a cold frosty morning, they had ridden most of the night being to cold to sleep and were bleary eyed as they crested the last rise leading down to the town.

  The town had a wall like Direm but this wall was significantly higher, probably because of their position further south.

  There wasn't a simple guard at a guardpost, there was a full guard contingent at the large gate built into the wall, like at Direm though they were simply waved through.

  The town was still fairly quiet so they picked up the pace the cobbled streets ringing with the sounds of their mounts hooves. Allia knew her family would be up with their father who was a baker, she pulled her mount to a halt and vaulted out of the saddle, Angie and Bria were just behind her, throwing the door open she burst into the house, her mother took one look at her and burst into tears.

  "Oh Allia thank god you're home !, Kimih has gone!".

  Angee and Bria exchanged wordless looks and sighed, they were too late, now to see if they could fix it.

  Angee and Bria decided to give Allia some time with her family, they took rooms for all three of the at a local Inn further down the street and went exploring.

  The town of Irek was a lot bigger and more prosperous than Direm, at least Angee though so as they rode through the streets, they rode into a large square that was dominated by a market, all manner of smells drifted in the air and the food stalls made Angee remember they hadn't eaten yet this morning, they dismounted at a row of stalls selling various hot food and led their mounts looking at all the enticing food.

  Stopping at a stall serving grilled meats on skewers Angee bought two for both her and Bria, wrapping the reigns of their mounts around their wrists they stood with a skewer in each hand, the meat was hot, succulent and tender, it was delicately spiced and provided a useful remedy to the emptiness inside.

  When they had eaten Angee turned to the stall holder, "that was lovely", he smiled and thanked her , "can you tell me where the Goddess's temple is?".

  The man pointed to the south end of the market, "take that street over there", Angee and Bria remounted, and with a passing thank's to the stallholder rode in the direction he indicated.

  Angee was beginning to wonder if they'd taken the wrong street when the street opened up into a large square, on one entire side stood the magnificent temple to the Goddess, they rode to the gates and dismounted.

  As they were about to enter two Bards came out, "so you've arrived."

  Angee and Bria were confused, "do we know you?" Angee asked in perplexity, the tall dark haired Bard shook her head. "no, but we know you, the Mother Abbess sent word about you, I though there were three of you?" Angee sighed, she could just guess what the Mother Abbess had said, she looked at the Bard who'd just spoken with some defiance, "don't you think we should talk inside?, we don't want to discuss temple business in public view on the temple steps."

  Both Bards seemed taken aback by what she'd just said, they indicated for Angee and Bria to follow them.

  Once inside the temple doors were closed and Angee heard the lock click, the Bard who talked to them on the steps turned. "my name is Ruth, this is Vere, we received a message from the Mother Abbess about you" she said with some scorn. Angee looked inquiringly at her.

  "What did the Mother Abbess say about us?", Ruth's scornful look didn't diminish, "she said three novices had run away." Angee looked disappointed. "Ah, I see. Was there anything else in her message?".

  Ruth looked positively jubilant, "that all three of you were to be returned to the Temple for punishment by whoever found you." Angee felt a stirring of anger, "and is that what you propose to do?", Ruth nodded.

  Angee decided to take a gamble, "do you want to hear our side of it?".

  Ruth shook her head, "what could two novices possibly have to say?, and where is the third one?", Angee indicated to the door.

  "Visiting her family". Ruth walked forward, "now give me your swords, you'll stay here till we take you back", Angee smiled and said two words,"take them."

  Bria looked as if she was about to say something, but Angee quelled her with a glance and a mental reassurance.

  Ruth stepped forward and arrogantly grabbed Angee's sword, a blinding flash later she was flying over some pews.

  Angee shoved the sword back into it's scabbard just as Vere drew her's, Angee shot her a warning glance, "no."

  Vere held off while Ruth who'd rolled on landing came storming forward sword in hand, "what manner of Bard are you?" she asked angrily, Angee undid her tunic.

  "A white Bard with a heart sword which you just touched", her exposed breasts showed her white sparkling star, this resulted in gasps from both Bards, "why don't we have some tea and talk?" Angee suggested.

  They went into a small side room and Ruth brought them some tea, "now suppose you tell me what the hell is going on?" Ruth demanded.

  Angee related all that had happened since they left the temple, "why is this happening to you?" Vere asked, Angee pondered that a moment,

  "I think it's because we're a battle triad", at their blank looks Angee continued,"the last battle triad defeated t
he Unnamed one, we are here for when he returns."

  Both Bards looked absolutely shocked, "and he will?" solemnly Angee and Bria nodded.

  "That is why we're here, there has been trouble at both our homes and now we come here to find Allia's sister missing."

  Ruth was having real problems with this, just runaway novices she thought, but now it turns out to be something more serious, so why had the Mother Abbess sent the message she did?.

  Angee could see Ruth was still confused , she thought for a moment, there was no way they could stop her if she chose not to let them, but she was loathed to use force against a sister of her order, but she knew she couldn't let anything interfere with her mission.

  "I think there are a few facts you should be aware of, I am not a novice Bard, I am a fully trained white Bard" and to prove her point she held up her hands as they glowed with a ferocious white light.

  On an impulse she stood up and walked into the temple, Bria was with her and Ruth and Vere just behind.

  Allia was waiting for them in front of the altar, Angee knew she had to walk to Allia, Bria at her shoulder, they turned to face Ruth and Vere.

  Angee felt the shield snap up as Allia and Bria put their hands on her shoulder's, this time though, the shield flared, giving off myriad colours which lit up the temple. To say Vere and Ruth were shocked was an understatement.

  The light disappeared as they let go of the shield, Vere and Ruth sat down on a pew, both seemed in shock, Angee asked intuitively "what did you see?". Ruth was first to recover, "at first it was a multi coloured light around you, then there seemed a fourth larger person stood over you, it was the Goddess" she almost squeaked.

  While Allia and Bria calmed the pair down Angee ferreted around and found some decanter's that looked as if they had alcohol in them, she sniffed at an amber coloured liquid, Kavala she thought.

  Picking up two small glass goblets engraved with an image of the Goddess she placed them on a silver tray and walked back into the temple, Ruth and Vere seemed calmer but she poured two drinks for them, something she did with ease having worked in an Inn so long, "here, kindly drink this."

  They both drank the Kavala quickly, Ruth let out a great sigh, "it seems we must aid you however we can" she said shaking herself, "the Goddess knows what she would have you do."

  Angee sat down beside them, "I know you've had a shock, but we feel this is the most important thing in the world at the moment."

  Allia and Bria nodded in affirmation.

  "We must have no distractions or liabilities when we face the Unnamed One and his minions."

  Allia stood up and walked over to Angee, "if you don't mind I'll get back to my family", Angee smiled, "we'll join you shortly."

  Ruth and Vere stood up, "we have extra rooms here, we'll go prepare them for you", as they were just out of the door Ruth turned,"you seem older than your years" and turning followed Vere.

  Angee had to suppress a grin, Ruth was still treating them as novices in some ways, she decided to let it slide.

  Angee and Bria sat there in silence, mulling over their thoughts.

  Allia had just left the temple and crossed the square, something dark seemed to cover her, she managed to get out a scream, then the world went away.

  * * *

  Mol had decided to return to her duties as normal, in the evening's she worked with Sera on hand to hand combat, Sera was acknowledged as almost without equal at that in the Temple.

  Back in her room Mol sat on her bed, she'd been working in the corridor outside the Mother's office for almost ten days and not a sign of the traitor, she was going to have to start working other areas, maybe if she exposed herself to more risk the traitor may try again.

  Sera was in with the Mother Abbess when she noticed Mol cleaning the corridor, she had not had contact with her as agreed,but she felt Mol needed to know this, "Mother, are you sure you should be making this trip, with only two guards and two Bards?".

  The Mother Abbess frowned, "I thought we'd settled that" she said with a distinct edge to her voice, "there is no danger and our trip will only take half a day."

  Mol, ostensibly scrubbing, tried not to show her keen interest in what was being talked about, but something told her that there was danger ahead , a voice came into here head , she started when Suse started speaking, as if whispering in her ear "you have short range telepathy, use it girl !".

  Mol had to let Sera know she wanted to go along, "Sera, don't panic it's Mol, get the Mother Abbess to take me with her as a cook, maid, whatever, but I MUST GO".

  Sera nearly jumped out of her skin as the voice floated into her mind, the Mother Abbess caught her alarm, "something wrong?". Sera forced a smile, "someone walked over my grave". Sera had to broach this carefully as the Mother was still a bit prickly, "Mother, I've been thinking, if you won't take any more guards, will you at least make an easier sort of trip, take a servant with you to prepare a nice lunch."

  The Abbess didn't look pleased, "and why should I do that?, I'm a Bard too you know, I'm not dead yet!".

  Sera had an oddly gentle tone in her voice as she replied, "I know that Mother, you've only just got over that cold, and we to make sure we keep you around for a while", that shocked the Mother Abbess, she hadn't thought they were so concerned about her, "alright, just one servant."

  Mol made a noise splashing the cleaning brush in the bucket, the Mother Abbess barked a laugh, "fine I'll take her", indicating Mol on her knees, perfect Mol thought.

  Mol was walking back to the kitchen when Suse's voice told her to go into the chapel, lying on the Altar were two wicked looking long daggers,

  "now you're at a certain level these are your weapons". Mol picked up one of the daggers, she inspected it,holding it flat on one hand, the blade was curved, about fourteen inches long, the top edge also curved in the same S design had bits cut out of it angled forward and backward to do damage entering and exiting someone, it had a small crosspiece in the shape of two extended wings, the hilt was fine gold wire bound round the grip, this contrasted the steel blade and silver of the crosspiece, she noticed also the pommel, unusual on a dagger, although these are almost short swords in length , was an ornate dragon head. There were two leather sheath's next to the daggers, "they can be concealed at the waist" Suse said in her head, "these are the Kironi Dragon Dagger's and have concealment spells on them if you were wondering how to hide them."

  After working out how to strap them on without them being uncomfortable under her servant dress she found that there wasn't the visible bulge she thought there would be, picking up her bucket she returned to the kitchen.

  Eighteen

  Angee and Bria left their mounts at the temple as it was such a lovely day and it was easier to walk with the town so busy, their uniforms made sure of that.

  Making their way to Allia's house they knocked on the door, it was answered by Allia's mother, "is Allia not with you?", Angee must have looked confused, "I thought she was here" Bria told her.

  Allia's mother burst into a fit of weeping, "no, no!, where are my babies!". Angee ushered her into the house as the sound of her voice was drawing curious onlookers, she motioned to Bria and spoke quietly.

  "For gods sake lets get her inside before she attracts any more

  attention."

  Bria knew enough leach craft to find the herbs she wanted in the kitchen, mixing them up and infusing them with tea, she gave it to Allia's mother, after a few minutes she seemed calmer, sitting back down she touched Angee on the arm indicating she could talk to her now.

  Angee took Allia's mum's hands in her own, "I think to find Allia we have to find Kimih as well,I don't sense Allia which means we are being blocked,other measures are needed."

  Standing she looked at Bria, "this cannot be allowed to happen again, we are all more vulnerable than we thought" ignoring Allia's mum starting a storm of weeping again she continued with more steel in her voice than Bria had ever heard, "now, you stay here and guard Allia's family,and
let me know if Kimih turns up" although privately she thought she wouldn't, "then keep her here, I have a few things to attend to" and saying that she left without so much as a glance at anyone, a purpose in her stride.

  As Angee walked she realised her perceptions and attitudes has changed radically over the last few months , she was no longer the gangly adolescent but a young woman with a wise head on her shoulders , with no small credit owed to Suse and her fellow white Bards for not only did she receive high magics from them,but also some experience it seemed", every day she understood more as if all the information she received was slowly knitting itself into her consciousness.

  Once back in her room she decided a disguise was in order, looking in the brass mirror hung on the wall she didn't think her long brown curls would lend themselves to the adolescent look she was after, she laughed to herself at the thought of that, only a few months ago she'd have given anything to look like she did now, and now she wanted to lose the look.

  Ten minutes dressed in plain trews and jerkin with her hair in a ponytail she had nearly the look she was looking for, she reached out of her window and pulled some of the moss and dirt out of the gutter just below it, rubbing it on her clothes gave them a more worn and lived in appearance, there, that should do it she thought with an impish smile.

  checking to see that the hall was clear she slipped down the backstairs and saw the back door was open.

  She was about to sneak out when a hand snaked out of nowhere "gotcha!", she recognised one of the senior stable lads that Allia had dealt with, "stealing were you?" and snatching the purse at her waist he shouted for the town guard in the common room.

  Angee could have struggled or told her identity at that point but an idea formed in her head, as the town guard swaggered into the kitchen the stable lad grabbed her shoulder hard, it hurt and on reflex she hit him, the guard grabbed her before anything else started.