<p> Eleven Towers</p><p>The Eleven Sisters and Keda To start, there were eleven, eleven thrones, eleven towers, eleven faces. The first of them, Faith, bore a black staff at her side if it was day of night, never was she seen without it. Her hair, of the fairest winter's day, resembled the snow on a frosty path. So white was it that from a viewer's first sight it was apparent that an immense amount of emotion and power, lust and strength lay within the creature before them, of good and bad. Her eyes, the colour of silver laid apon royalties neck, were stern, and although showed kindness, they rarely faltered, and were seen as wise and true. She stood tall, with no doubt, as she was truly the faith of the coven, and had nothing to fear of herself. Her sagacity bound the 11, and held the City in place if one of them should fall. Because of this disposition towards life she was seen as highly respectable amongst the others, and was immediately called apon at times of need. The second, a small girl (of the age of 5) held in her hand a piece of heather, as this was her name and her symbol. It was said that at times of great need in the community Heather would leave at the doorstep of the most needy a lock of her chestnut hair, attached to which would be a strand of heather. Although so young, age of old showed through in her eyes, as she was eternal, as were all the Sisters. Small was she, but proud, despite her posture, which was what you would expect of a child, she was respected greatly amongst the Sisters, as her good charm and laugh could lift even the saddest heart. Hope, the third, was rarely seen. Her features, although beautiful, were cruel, her face sharp, but not twisted. Prejudice is a sad thing, as it pushes away from people those who are most dear to them, although they may not know it. Little was known of the lady, her where about's lost in the mist of time, because of her all Sister's were immortal, as she was daughter to a Witch. Only paintings and tapestries of old remained to remind the people themselves of her appearance, and even the coven memory was fading fast. Battered and worn, the paintings showed a pale of skin, dark of features, tall woman, positive in posture, chin to the sky, as though the artist tried to portray her magnificence. No person cowered from her then, as they did now if she or her raven were ever seen, in fact, the people of the pictures looked as though they were prepared to give up their soul in exchange for her own to be saved. But malice had twisted and curdled inside the folk-tales of her, and slowly she and the people had been driven away from each other as foes are. Fourthly, Dawn, who could be found often at night at the watchtower, in her cabin left of the guardroom. She, who, as her name suggests, rose with the sun, was the Mother figure to the town, and could be seen at every pregnant woman's house at least twice a day. Her hair, the colour of autumns leaves, tied loosely at her head, her blue dress never creased, and she portrayed the perfect figure of sanity and home- like warmth. Although he was a good Sister, sometimes she was blind to evil, which would often deceive her that it was good in its own wicked way. The fifth, Dove, was shorter than others in posture were, and light in weight. Her forest was her home, as she cared for wildlife more than a woodcutter, and frequently could be seen planting bulbs in her garden. She was old and troubled, her face creased in wrinkles, her hair laced with grey. Apon her chest constantly lay the knowledge of the future, and what was to become of herself and her people, as she could predict many things, not all of which were good. The sixth was also much like this in the way that she had premonitions, sightings of another world, or indeed one of the future. Younger was she in appearance than the first, but older than the second. She too had the knowledge inside her, but more certain was this knowledge than the others were, and her face showed it. By the sea she lived, with the sun always pointing in the opposite direction because of this guilt. Rarely did she smile because of an image first seen by her at the age of 2, one that had plagued her till this very day, one of the end of one of her own Sisters. Pandora she was called now, although this was not always the way. The people now saw her as someone who gave out nothing but evil, someone who couldn't be trusted, as she would not tell a soul what was to happen to them all. Seventh was Ellen. A fair Queen was she of the land, surrounded by gifts of new and old, past and present. Much had she seen, and it showed through in her eyes. Little had she experienced however, and this too, showed through in her eyes. Although the town's people trusted her, the coven did not, and rarely was she called apon. But not due to evil in her heart was this distrust, for although simple, Ellen had a heart of gold. But easily corrupt is simplicity, and her heart was frequently in danger of turning black, as gold can be savoured in evil's eyes. Eighth was Cerys, who wore a simple farmer's maid dress, made from a brown course material, unlike the others, of whom all wore dresses of luxury and wealth. With her was always a black flower about her neck, to represent the spring, and the summer to come. At times of good harvest Cerys would laugh and be happy, but at times of bad she would weep, and the troubles of the people would show through in her face. The people loved her as equally as Ellen and Faith, and her own was never a name forgotten. Unlike either of the two, however, Cerys was not pretty, and held somewhat primitive features in tow, for her beauty was tucked away in her heart. She was a true soul, and would never admit to hating anyone, neither would she do anything to indanger the coven, as she loved them like she would love blood Sisters. The people themselves never doubted anything she said, even if it were in favour of a lesser-liked Sister Tessa was ninth. A gentle heart, she worked alongside Dawn, treating and caring for children, but unlike Dawn, Tessa continued to do so until the children became adults and old enough to look after themselves under the rule of Ellen. Not so strong, as Faith or Cerys was she, many a time had she slipped in her ways only to regain herself without help. The people loved her, and she loved them. There was love in Tessa, love for her Sisters and the children around her, so that she was not oblivious, and knew when she or others were wrong. She was wise, also, with timing and tact, it being two of her best virtues. The tenth, Courtney, lived on the opposite hill of Pandora, and cared for her more than any other in the world. Cerys and her alone truly did not want to know Pandora's secret, and truly felt sorry for her for having to hold it in her clutches for such a long time. Courtney herself, as her kindness suggests, was strong and just, unlike Ellen, which made the later envious of the first. Rhea, the last of the coven seemed to, care only for she, every decision she made immediately helped her own, and although blind to the people it helped them too. Whenever her name was mentioned to the coven they would all chant 'With a fool no seasons spend, or be counted as a friend,' for even Cerys and Courtney felt faults were present in Rhea's design, and many times they had warned the people of this. The problem with Rhea was that she was too reclusive, she kept herself to herself, which made it hard for anyone to trust her. There were, as mentioned before, eleven towers, one for each sister. Some stood in decay, lost or forgotten in the mists of time, while others flourished, still at the centre of the town, and at the centre of attention. Those which were lost, Hope and Pandora's, stood just little away from the borders of life, but still lay thick in forest. Many remembered, of course, where they lay, but none dared visit them, as the two Sisters were feared, one for her knowledge and one for her power. Faith, who never showed fear, visited Pandora's tower when she wanted, for no man or women servant stood there now, and the owners had long left, and the sanctuary of her kin warmed her. The forgotten, Dove, Cerys and Rhea's stood still in the town, but to the borders, away from life, as life had gradually moved that way. They were not covered in trees, but still held that dreary look derelict buildings do. A black shadow passed over most, other than Cerys's, as Cerys's light never faded. Cerys herself now lived with Dawn, although Dawn was rarely there. Dove lived not in the walls, as she loved the trees more than Mother Nature herself. Rhea lived in her tower still, but that did not prevent decay, as the Sister was barely home, consumed in other goings on that concerned her. The flourishing, Faith, Heather, Dawn, Ellen, Tessa and Courtney's, stood apart, but were still main attractions where markets were held daily and the towns people met. If seen from the tallest hill, or through the eyes of a raven, it would become apparent that the towers were indeed in a circle. Faith's, Heather's, Dawn's, Ellen's, Tessa's and Courtney's flooded with the appearance of the people, stitched in between Halls, Theatres and Inn's. Dove's, Cerys's and Rhea's stood between the poverty, rat infested area's, between horse carts and cottages where people sat quietly in isolation. Hope's and Pandora's indeed could not be seen from air, as they were ambushed by dense forest, outside of the city boundaries, no longer thought of. In the centre of these Towers stood the cities gates, proud and sturdy despite the towns steady decline. At this gate stood many guards, for its province, the province of Cam, was in troubled times, and this city, Keda, was its capital. </p><p>Chapter 1 Despite the lack of warmth in Dawn's heart and the time of night she looked as though she was ready woken in the morning, set for a new day, yet in truth she was not. Worn down was she, for all the births in the village only one survived, a little girl, who was to be taken away to the vicinity of Ellen's cellars as soon as she was 3, where she would be taught to cook, sew and curtsey for entertainment. Now Dawn loved her sister Ellen, but equally she loved children, and she would not stand for the mistreating of them. She had conformed with Tessa that this child was indeed her problem, or as Tessa had put it gift, until she was 5, and so now Dawn made a steady way towards the Castle, her arms slung loosely at her side, but her body upright and stern. To the left and right her eyes wandered as she walked the high street, to the rot and ebb of the women that threw themselves at her feet unnoticed. To the many, many, children playing her eyebrows frowned at in concern, aware that it was her job to insure the survival of the barns, but unsure what to do to prevent their inevitable fall. Tessa walked to with Dawn, as although the child was not in her duty, she would have to care for the child when it was older and under the rubble of what were the Castle walls. Her eyes were less precocious, for she saw what was laid before her nearly every day of her life, despite the fact many of these children worked hard all day outside of the city walls on cattle and such like. The night had been a harsh one, for it was not yet autumn and a deadly gale blew from the east, where war was brewing far away. From the dimly lit street Tessa could just make out Faith, her hair flowing widely about her, facing towards the sea and Pandora's refuge. Dawn did not notice, for she was still to busy worrying about overworked, poverty stricken children to care of the other coven member's worries. On and on did the two go, never talking, hardly breathing as they stride through the derelict street, their footsteps echoing as they hid the cobbles. High above Faith stood, looking over the land in which she and all the people around her had lived for centuries over. Unmoving was she, still as an unborn. Her snow flake hair framed her white face and gave her the appearance of someone deadly sick, only her ever-straight posture, broad tall shoulders and high held head kept her, to any mortals eye, a figure that had long yet till it fell. The only movement that cursed her body was that of the wind on her cheek, sweeping the hair from her right ear towards the city gates. Her cat pawed hungrily at her feet, and yet still Faith did not move. Held in some catatonic trance was she, for she had stood at the top of her tower, overlooking Pandora's hill for many days now, not letting anyone, not no one, talk to her. Steadily her eyes moved now to Dawn, and lastly Tessa, who now, with each Sisters keen eyesight, held hers for seconds, before breaking away and giving more heed to the child who Dawn was fussing over. Faith's eyes fell to the floor, a phenomena that rarely happened, as she thought quietly to herself, her eyes slid shut and for a little while she was lost to her own mind. As though a bell had rung through the empty corridors, up the steeple and to Faith herself, her eyes fluttered, her body jerked, and her head leapt to sudden attention. So quickly, in fact, that her cat gave a startled yelp and ran down the stairs towards the cook's kitchen, where recently, in her master's absence, she had been resting. Although Faith seemed to snap out of whatever chagrin had invaded her; her direction and thought did not fail to stir from Pandora's hill. Stern was she now, as though she had made her mind up over a long judged argument between herself and herself, to one of which the stronger side had won. Silently she strode through the long, narrow corridor that led through the rest of the tower towards the door, her long hair and dress swirling behind her as though she were a stout bird in flight, such as the Eagle. So strong was her resemblance that the Court Minstrel (for which each sister had her own) who usual resembled a Chester cats due to his unsightly, slightly sickening smile, twitched for an instant, as though he was pondering the nature of his existence if the Sister caught him in such a light mood when she was in such a foul one. Taking no consideration to the man, Faith threw open the grand gates that led from her private quarters to the Tower square, which lay in the very centre of the tower. The square was at such a position that if a small child were to stand in its very centre (a practice which would prove difficult due to the cobusle of an average day) then they could see straight through every floor until the blue blanket which was called the sky filled their awe struck eyes. Faith took no notice of the servants that threw themselves before her, telling that anything she wanted could be hers. After years of this mindless babble she encountered at least twice a day, she realised that the only way to stop the complements offers and advice was to completely ignore them. She was not arrogant, but indeed bored. Bored with the way her life could be run without her lifting a finger, as Ellen's life was. Now she sped past the flock of minions at a pace of a thousand feet, leaving them with only the shattered feel of over welming trust they felt every time Faith left where they had just been, for the people loved and understood Faith better than herself. Faith, however, felt no time due for this, and no time left for her to learn about herself from them, as many deaths were at hand if she did not get to her destination quickly. Although her face was now firm and untouched by any sign of doubt, her heart aches a million pains, and her soul wept, as she knew speediness was impossible in the direction she had to choose. But she did not falter, her feet echoed through the main corridor, although it was crowded with towns' people. Past market stools, Women peasants, Farmers, and even Knights she swept, as said before, Cam was at bad times, so bad defence systems had been lined up by the Sisters, with Ellen's top Captains stood at either corner of the province. As though she was an ever alert Hawk, her pace slackened, her eyes wearily looked about her, and at the small, but recognisable shape of Heather, running through the people as though she was chasing an unseen dog. The people, too, were aware of this, as suddenly a deadly hush grew from Heather her self and out towards the stools, as everyone looked directly at the two Sisters, who were so rarely seen together. Faith, the first to act, nodded furtively to Heather, bent to the child and whispered on single word in her ear, beyond the hearing of any mortal. The child's eyes dropped for seconds, as though pondering what she had just been told. Her eyes focused again on the grey eyes before her; her hands (which had been holding something ready to give to the town Mayor) slid behind her back, away from sight. On simple word did she utter: "Go, sister, and good luck to you." It was plainly, but Sisters understood themselves, one nodded to the other and with a glance to their wondering audience, separated, floating away as though carried by clouds. </p><p>* * * "Good evening, Ma'am, what ails you?" Politely as she could, the chambermaid allowed Dawn, followed closely by Tessa, into the grand hall of the Castle. Both Sisters were drenched from head to foot, as since they began their journey in the case of the only born that day it had began to rain. "A lot of things, including the recent mental departure of Faith, Miss, but kindly for the moment you will simply address Miss Ellen that we are here to see her, if you will." Although Dawn spoke, her eyes were else where, as she had noticed that more than half of the garden, which could be seen through several windows, was filled with laboured children. Noting the sister's catatonia, the Maid quickly departed towards her left, leaving nothing but the presence of conversation in the room. The air around Tessa seemed suffocating, as though God had put all of the heat of the night into one home, or rather Castle. "What should we ask her to do about it?" Dawn's voice seemed sharp against the patter or raindrops against the windows. "Maybe just ask if there are any better jobs available, or any way any of us can make all the children's life better in her workshops?" Suggested Tessa. "No, not the new born, I mean them." Dawn indicated to the children outside. It seemed that their job was nearly over, as they had all begun to crowd together, each holding full flower pots in their hands, towards a near empty patch of Garden save a Hazel Nut Tree. "Perhaps," Sighed Tessa, "Perhaps it is too late for them." After a sharp look from Dawn, "Not that it is too late for anyone! What I mean is their Fathers', if they each in turn have one, are probably all away at war, and their Mothers' have probably all spent the money that was given to them in exchange. We can't ask Ellen to give the kids back for free!" "But we could at least try for them to get an earlier rest! They are just children, Tessa, they," Again, Dawn indicated outside, "Are our people's future! Ellen may rule this country well, but when all the men and women's daughters are mending her shoes and clothes, and all the men and women's sons are cooking, or patrolling, or else dead from the war, who will she govern then?" "It isn't that I don't agree, sister, it is simply that I see in Ellen's eyes, that although she is one of us, she would not be as caring for a child, although it is in her interest. Let us just wait, and watch as she learns, yes?" Reluctantly Dawn looked away from the struggling children and towards Tessa. "They are only children, Tessa, it is our job to look after them." "You are jumping to conclusion's again, sister," Tessa pointed out kindly, "For it is not your job but mine, and also their Mothers. Do not forget it is their Mothers that agreed to this, whether out of malice or desperation, they still did it. If a Mother came to me for help with their child, such as that newly parented Mother did today, I will gladly help. But if they do not there is not much you, or I, can do. Do you see now?" "Yes sister, I see, but I can still help not but feel responsible." Dawn admitted. "I cannot either, Dawn." Tessa smiled sadly. The Sisters did not turn back to the children but instead focused on the door in which they soon hoped Ellen to appear through. Both soon got impatient with waiting, as they were tired, although determined, and feeling they had done their fare share of waiting, they crept boldly toward the door and peered round.</p><p>* * * Ellen sat of her throne over viewing her Chambermaid, who had been fussing over what she should wear for her meeting downstairs with the two Sisters. A ghost amongst many flowers she seemed, as her heart was troubled with problems other than the sister's demands to see her. She expected company other than the Sisters this night, and that company, she knew, would be no more pleased to see the Sisters than they were to see it. Long had she been friends with this particular person, almost as long as the Sisters themselves had been joined, and never had she come in such a close account of them meeting one another, indeed, it wasn't often any sister visited without prearranging the encounter. Recently, due to the war in which the particular person (for he shall be called that for the moment) lived, the particular person had been visiting the lands a lot more than recently, discussing and what could be called processing the tactics Ellen took against the opposing side. What Ellen feared the most, although only to herself, was that the Sisters would find out that Ellen had been discussing these movements with anyone other than them. She fretted now, as if the two caught sight of each other, she knew in her heart all would be lost, including the hope of the country. Despite her mind being deep in thought her body was full in action, her hands, not clamped to her side as they usually were, but in her lap, fiddling relentlessly with her crown, which he maid kept pestering her to put apon her head for the arrival of the Sisters. Her dim eyes focused straight ahead, but if you were to stand behind her it would appear that she looked at nothing but a small spider which for many days now had spun a web at least a meter wide across. Her pale skin glowed white as though full moonlight was blessed by it, despite the fact that the Queen was indoors, safely sat on her thrown, which due to her fragile complexion did not stand in any light no matter what the time of day or night. Her lips were also the same midnight pale, and tightly drawn, as the problems of her thoughts showed through in her cast. Her back was straight and sternly positioned directly upwards, as though her old school master himself had come and put a ruler to her back. Overall the Queen gave a positive feel of unease to the entire room, and the maid was only too aware of it. "Begin your pardon Ma'am, but the Sisters Ma'am, they're still waiting outside, so we'd best be getting on your crown now. Try your hardest to smile, Ma'am, make a good impression an' all, wont it?" She stuttered only half-aware that the Queen was taking no notice of what she was saying. "Where is Floret?" Ellen demanded, "Where is my maid, Floret, why am I being helped by the chambermaid?" Her voice rose and sank again at the end as though she was a child having a tantrum. The poor chambermaid cautiously looked behind her in the direction of the Sisters Dawn and Tessa, but quickly turned back to Ellen. "Please Ma'am, Floret has been sent to the front line, do you remember Ma'am? No Ma'am, please don't you move, what is it you're wanting?" Ellen had leaped graciously down the steps, forgetting her mood. Indeed, she had forgotten Floret, her personal Maid's, departure, and had now made about helping herself. She strode towards the door which led to a corridor which in turn led to her bedroom at a pace not thought capable by her chambermaid, who had only witnessed the self absorbed, almost catatonic Queen whom had controlled Ellen's body for the past hour. "Please Ma'am, where will you be going? Ma'am, if you'd just…" But the maid was abruptly cut off by the sharp look which was issued to her from Ellen, who had spun around to face the girl. The Queen looked her up and down as though judging her before her final leap. "Girl," spoke Ellen, who was trying her best to look and act as though she was Faith, as this particular sister always seemed to control the mortals with ease. Unfortunately, she did it badly, and all she made the chambermaid do was think that Ellen was even more out of character than usual. "Y-Yes Ma'am?" The maid winced, wondering what on earth the Queen would do next. "Can you be trusted?" Ellen enquired. "Pardon Ma'am?" "I said, can you be trusted? Can I trust you? Or must I call for another servant whom I know better?" "N-No Ma'am, I'm- I mean…." The maid fumbled with her words, not wanting to complement herself in case the Queen picked up on it. "I mean, I'm…um…Floret left me in charge so…" "Good, I will trust Floret's opinion of you, no matter what mine may be," Ellen cut her eyes at the girl, "What is your name, child? Speak up!" "S-Susan, Ma'am." The girl wisely said no more. "Well," Ellen sighed, rolling her eyes to the sky, "Susan, or what ever you may be called, I do have something of immense importance for you to do, because you see, my dear, I did not expect Dawn and Tessa this night. Although I welcome their presence, I did have another planned. You must go tell this person that I am unable to see him today, and he must come here tomorrow instead." She ordered. "Yes Ma'am, anything Ma'am." "As I say, it's urgent, so you must find this fellow quickly. He is usually found at The Wild Boar, so go there and ask for a Timothy Smith. Do you here me child?" "Yes Ma'am, Timothy Smith, The Wild Boar, not to come tonight but tomorrow instead." And with a nod of Ellen's head, the child ran quickly past the two waiting Sisters without a word and into the night. </p><p>* * *</p><p>"What's taking her such a long time?" Impatiently Dawn stamped her foot. Tessa shrugged. She clasped either hand to each elbow in a tight lock in some vague attempt to keep what little warmth lay in the castle to her. Since the Maid had run past them without a word a deadly cold had hit both Sisters, and they had been forced to return to the Grand Hall, where it was a little warmer. Dawn sighed heavily. "We should go back to the corridor and look in every room. If she is hiding something that we should not know about then it shouldn't be allowed, if you see what I mean…" "Yes," Tessa's breath was white before her; "There should be nothing for her to hide unless she is afraid of our reaction to it. Perhaps we should find her." Agitated Dawn bit her lip. "What do you think it is making the Castle so cold? I would swear apon my life it is warmer outside than it is in, I only do not leave because I wish so much to see Ellen." "I do not wish to know what it is, perhaps there is just a high wind in the air, the Castle is on a hill, remember." "Yes but one no bigger than my tower, which I was in just this afternoon, ad there was no wind then. Come on, I am tired, it must be way past midnight into morning now, all the children have gone to bed. We must find Ellen today or there will be no other convenient time. If we come tomorrow I may either miss a birth or be questioned by Ellen as to why I am coming the day after the event, and she will not take her absence as an answer. It may be along while until we can meet again, also." And without a word more Dawn hastily made her way towards the door, knowing that Tessa agreed with her although she did not speak. Both Sisters hurried down the ice sharp corridor towards the giant staircase at the end, which in turn opened out at the top into a large landing, in each corner of which was 1 wooden door. Neither sister knew where to go from here, so taking potluck they walked cautiously towards the farthest left. No sooner had the door been pushed agar that the Sisters knew they had taken the wrong turning. In front of them lay a gloomy corridor that was so lengthily that the end could not be seen due the great darkness, which disguised the end. No windows could be seen, and indeed there could not be any, as this tunnel seemed to go in the direction of the great cliff, which protected one side of the Castles defence. Unsure now what to do, Tessa glanced behind her, and again past Dawn down into the darkness. "What should we do, sister?" Asked she curiously. "I do not know," Dawn glanced over her shoulder to the other, "I had no idea that there was any passage into the castle or out of from this side. Is the point of the cliff not to shut out any invaders that decide to attack the West Wing?" "I too thought that the case, but it appears that both our reasoning were wrong, this tunnel is so long it undoubtedly leads outside even the City's walls!" Tessa frowned. Both Sisters were silent for a while more, both contemplating whether to investigate further or to carry on with their mission to find Ellen, who had still not sent for them. "Surely if their were a secret way out of the Castle we would have been told of it? I come here once every week at least to care for the children and make sure they are as happy as possible, and I have never come across this before. Why only last week I had to walk from the West of the city all they way around the cliff to the South entrance of the Castle just to get to the West Wing. I told Ellen of my troubled and she sympathised, surely she would have said a word if she knew of this entrance!" Tessa protested. Her mind had argued with its self since the silence had began about this fact and she could see no way around it other than: "Maybe she doesn't know it is here!" Dawn shook her head slowly and turned to indicate to the stairs, "This landing is too central for it's own owner not to know there is a door at the top of it that leads to outside the city. She has kept this from us." "But why? What has she to hide?" Tessa contemplated. "There is only one way in which I can see that we may find out," Indicated Dawn towards the tunnel. "If it leads to a dead end then we shall simply turn back; if it leads to another room then maybe we will find Ellen there. If it leads to outside the city then we will simply pass it off as leaving the Castle because we were tired to Ellen, and holding a council as soon as possible with the others when we next can. Ellen will be non the wiser." Without saying or indicating anything above a nod of the head, Tessa stepped past Dawn and into the damp chilling shadow of the tunnel. </p><p>* * *</p><p>A chill wind ran through ice white hair, spanning it out and delicately smoothing as though it were the hands own. Cheekbones high and red, the wind caressed it from one end to the other and back again to the pointed nose. Stern eyes lay ahead, as though the wind were uncurling a long twig finger and pointing far away in which direction the women was walking. This woman's footsteps echoed through the walls in that surrounded her, as they also echoed in eternity. Faith clung to the bare fact that the Past, Present and Future of Keda lay in her very palm, waiting for her to crush it as though it were as fragile as a butterfly, of carefully nurse it as though it were an injured bird. No sister other than Heather had she told of her rapid departure from the city. So as she past the South Gate, who's path led directly to the sea, she drew her cloak about her and around her face, hunching over and ducking past the many people coming in and out of the city on business. One man, however, that she past, gave a distinct feel of recognition towards Faith, which daunted her so greatly that she was forced to turn to see whom the man had been. When she looked back, alas, all she could see was that of a young man carrying a rucksack, he too shrouded with a black cloak to avoid recognition, and he too turned to face Faith, as though he had felt Faith had recognised him. Shrugging, Faith turned back around, as it would not be long until the Sisters would be told of her departure through Heather. Faith had only been covering herself for the protection of the mortals, as many would fear and flee the city if they knew a sister had left, as it had to been for a long time that one had done so without making it public days and days before. As Faith hurried on, weaving her way in and out of the public, she forgot the cloaked man, but not as he did her. If a passer by had seen them both, he or she would be distinctly aware that although Faith turned and walked on, the man did not. He stood there for several minutes watching Faith go, and only when she had nodded to the security guard's as if to say 'Goodbye', when she was well away from sight or sound, did he turn back and carry on his mission towards the Castle. </p><p>* * *</p><p>The lights in Keda faded, as did the hum of people. A clock tower, from which tower exactly was unknown, chimed 2 'O' Clock, owl hooted and Pelicans flew fearlessly across the lakes, no longer afraid of the children who would throw stones at them in the blasting heat of the sun. Away in her tower Ellen slept, unaware that at that very moment the Sisters that had failed to wait for her and in turn made her cancel an important meeting were at this very moment creeping along her most darkest secret. Heather sat weaving, for her tag would be soon needed in many houses, as the war in the East. No trace of Faith could be found for any searching her guidance, for although late Faith was often called apon at times that needed advice. Cerys sat in a corner of her room, high in Dawn's tower, waiting for her sister to return so that she could share her woes. She felt now more than ever the presence of waiting doom, that was certain to creep up and hit each sister hard on the back sooner or later, and with no warning at all. Long she had fought through the market stools of Faith's tower only to find from the Jester that Faith had departed only seconds before, and that Heather had been seen, but where she was now no one knew. After this news she had departed quicker than she had come towards Heather's tower, and there she had learnt that Faith had left momentarily to see Pandora, whom she had said knew the answers to her troubles. Cerys did not doubt it, like her also, she suspected Faith had had the feeling inside her for a long while now also, the feeling of Death. After her discussion with Heather Cerys had felt there nothing more to do but wait for Faith to return, although inside she boiled that Faith had left without any other Sisters guidance. She now arranged in her head the departure for tomorrow, as although she had talked to Heather, whom she saw as perfectly trustworthy, she also wanted to talk to Courtney, and providing Faith had left by then, Pandora. Cerys also brewed over the fact that not a word had been said between Faith and Pandora, but now, when the time was needed, it was urgent for the two to do so. This feeling was not misjudged, as Faith also knew in her heart she was using Pandora, as Courtney and Cerys had been close friends with the girl, as could of she. In her abandoned tower, Rhea slept on unknowingly. Dove in her cottage tossed and turned in her sleep, as though she was aware of what was happening self-consciously. Chapter 2 Faith, on foot, had only just reached the outside gates. The city of Keda had two walls, the inner wall to protect the city, and the outer wall, about 3 miles outside of the inner wall, to keep watch over those whom entered and left Keda. This wall, although needed, was liked by neither towns people of the Sisters, as it took more than an hour to get through the fuss of seeing who it was leaving/entering; making sure he/she was who he/she said he/she was; raising the gates, making sure no one else got through (only one at a time) and shutting the gates. The last process wouldn't of been so bad if it had not been for the picky Guard that was always situated at the gate, as he own the closest home to. Foolsworth was his name, but whether this was a private joke amongst his parents no one could tell, but still, he kept this name, despite the jeers he got from his colleges. Foolsworth had an annoying habit of making sure everything was perfect before it left his care, including people. Although this was sometimes a blessing, he often took it to far, and in the case of his job at the bridge, he took it to the point of absurdity. "Morning," Foolsworth bend over and up, as though to see behind the hood that Faith still used as a shield, "Miss, where you be going at this time of night?" Luckily for Faith and the sanity of the public, there were no other mortals other than Foolsworth himself at the sight, and so she needn't queue. "I am sorry it is such a late departure, Foolsworth, but it has taken me a long while to decide in heart and mind what to do." Faith straightened up and revealed herself. "Also I was hoping for somewhat of a quiet leave, if I could be wished it." Foolsworth stood mouth open wide at the sister who stood before him. Never before had one left at such a late time without crowds to wave them off. "Well… yes Ma'am, 'tis your City to leave, I suppose, but don't you go doing anything too hasty, I always said…'better to stay and think than to not think at all'." He advised, "Something to do with the war is it? In the East I mean?" "Something like that Foolsworth, yes. But you will do well not to mention it to anyone other than a sister, if you will, no need to cause panic…" "No Ma'am, no, wouldn't want that, panics never a good thing. Well…" Foolsworth studied the sister as though to make sure it were really her, "I suppose there's no doubt that it's you. Guess I'll just let you out, wont record it like, in case anyone looks in…" Foolsworth stumbled over towards the gate in his ape like way. With a flash of the hand and kick of the foot he opened the gate with one gigantic groan from the hinges, not saying a word more, but indicating it was good for her to go. "Thankyou Foolsworth," Faith again pulled up her hood and slipped away into the blackness of night. </p><p>* * *</p><p>The roads outside of Keda are long and far. They stretch from village to village, most of that are unimportant and so not on most maps, unless of course the maker of the map came from this particular village, and so added it on. In actual fact, the only other City/Village/Town that was regularly included in maps was that of the city of Flinch, which lay just past the Eastern borders, right next to the frontline. This was far, far away from Keda, although still a danger, as although Flinch did not posses any Sisters as did the province Keda lay in, it did posses very powerful mortals, some of which had become immortals through treachery and ill deeds. Flinch was a feared place for the Men that patrolled the Borders, for if ever a movement was seen far of in the distance you could bet your best horse it would be that of the Flinch armies moving from place to place, gathering men for war. War had not struck in a long while now though, as the Sisters of Keda had become stronger, although they never used this in battle, the people and rulers of Flinch were still weary of this fact. In comparison to Keda, Flinch was but a mere streetlight reflecting the sun, strong enough to be seen, but not strong enough to burn the powerful wizened tree that was Keda. As Faith walked she thought of Flinch, as days before a note had reached the tower telling her of movement to the North of the eastern border, directly in the direction of Flinch. The news of this did not worry her, as they had been expecting this for some time, and were ready prepared for any ''surprise'' attacks. What had agitated Faith though, was the fact that the Captain of the liege, Hearthstone, had sent the warning To Faith despite the fact that primarily Ellen dealt with problems of such. Quietly without words Faith brewed over this as she walked steadily to the woods in which Dove had settled many years before. The trees around her seemed to glow, for the moon shone down on all living creatures in and around Keda as though to light that path of that living thing's destiny. Dove's caring hand had made these trees flourish, and the people loved her for it, although she did not so highly favour them, and often refereed to them as 'the destruction of life more than the beginning of it' in meetings with the Sisters. Now, Faith walked straight past these trees, straight past Dove's house and straight on into the untouched forest. It was not long before she past the antiquated spot in which centuries before the Sisters had first tied bonds, for it was the grandest and at that point most highly thought of tower there was amongst the fine architecture of Keda. Not only had the tower been the attraction to the mortals however, because in that tower had sat the highest respected Sister there had been, ever, and in their hearts the sisters knew it, even in Ellen's. Although its walls were black, as they always had been, it portrayed pure good to all it's inhabitancy then, and yet now it was left in decay for fear it's power and might; the tower of Hope. Here Faith stopped, and recalled the days in which children from Keda had been able to walk free, not fearing anything. And further back still, she remembered a time when she had been able to walk free, her own Mother not worrying. Keda had been much larger than it was now, and if the ancestors of the living were now to come to this land, Faith was sure they would weep, more out of pity than shame. They would not be able to understand how such important people had been excluded from the vicinity of the City. Once Hope had been the very soul of her people, and now it was though she was the one trying to steal it. Walking on, the Sister came to a stop exactly where she had stood such a long time before. The Sisters had been blood-tied here after a great battle against Keda and Flinch, when the two rival Cities had been as big as each other had. Eight Sisters had been the heads of each eleven armies, and at the King's deathbed he had ordered them protectors of the city along with his daughter, Ellen. And so, Dove, who at that age was still young, Faith, Pandora, Cerys, Courtney, Dawn, Tessa and Rhea had been joined, and one other, Heather, who had healed many, and was in great favour of the King. Hope, who was a healer who had lived without Parents in the centre of the town for many a year, and did not seem to age, was also appointed as a representative of the City people, and a wise choice it had been, although some would not say that now. Hope had fought in the Great War, although not as a leader, as the King had little to no idea that Hope had even existed before hand. The flow of Hope's blood, it had been discovered later, had made each sister immortal, and Hope had claimed this was her gift to them. Broken from concentration on memory by but a bird, Faith's eyes rose quickly upwards as though a great danger came from the very top steeple of the tower, only to lower them quicker still at the memory of Hope's demise. Now even Faith feared Hope, if not for her supposed malice towards the sisters than to what she thought so poorly of them. Stumbling as though being forced forwards Faith went towards the closed iron doors of the tower, not looking up once, even when again the bird called out. If ever there were a weakness in Faith's heart it was towards this tower and it's owner in the memory of how she had failed one Sister whom she knew was innocent. Now Faith pulled at the ancient old doors as hard as she could, knowing that it would do no good. The doors had not been moved or indeed touched in ages, and now rust had settled firmly in each corner. Stepping backwards in a manner that in every way portrayed that of a young girl trapped inside a women's body giving up, Faith breathed in deeply and sighed as she looked up at the clear star lit sky. Looking behind her as if wondering whether she should simply give up and leave the fate of the world to who ever put her there she began to hum a tune to herself that her Mother, so long ago she could not remember, had sang to her as a baby. Falling forwards onto the step that led to the doors she slumped in the right corner as though to settle for the night. Her eyes gently settled themselves safe behind her eyelids and she was silent. "What's this? The grand Sister herself is giving up on all hope and faith? Why, you have stolen the job from the one who is named it just to let it fall to pieces? " The voice startled Faith out of her dream and back into the world she was supposed to be protecting so rapidly that she jumped from her place into the centre of the clearing before the door. "Who's that?" She demanded, "Show yourself or I'll draw my sword," Her hand at the hilt. The voice simply laughed, "That is a pitiful threat for someone who so recently could pierce any mortals' heart with a glance. Tell me, Sister, where has your almighty courage gone? The people shall surely fall without it, for you are so obviously the one who hold the whole world on it's feat!" A sarcastic tone could easily be heard. With a flash on steal Faith's sword shone in the night, her staff was thrown down at her feet. The glint of smiling teeth could be seen meters in front of the Sister, just in the trees. "Come, come," Said the voice, "I do not wish for you to kill me," It laughed, "Besides, you have no reason to, I am an innocent." "I have every reason to unless you show yourself, for it you do not I will be forced to decide you are a person I would prefer not to see!" Faith cried defiantly into the night. "That does not mean I am not an innocent," The voice added quietly, "You are not flawless, Faith, do not forget it. There are many a Sister lost that could do your job a lot better than you if not for lack of trust." Faith scowled, "Hope? Is that you, if so I…" "Are what? Sorry?" And when Faith moved as though to say more, "No! Do not say more as though to Hope, as I am not her. You think she is a fool enough to come anywhere near here? She had seen the malice you Sisters and the people show towards her and myself, if she is as wise as she was then she will be at this very moment safe in the grounds of Flinch. That is where surely I should be after the way you treat this poor soul. Are you so much fool as to not even realise who I am yet?" "No fool am I!" Shout Faith indignantly, "'tis you are the fool for not showing yourself, for they way you talk of Hope as though you know her, and of those people only Sisters are left! Come, have I guessed right? Or must I guess…" But Faith was cut off by the jagged knife which cut through the air as she realised to whom she spoke. "Rhea! Rhea, is that you?" Panicked at the though of her arrogance and indeed prejudice she had so readily given to the girl throughout her life time without thought to who really lay behind the shell, Faith ran forward, but to no avail, Rhea was gone. </p><p>* * *</p><p>"What long winded scheme of Ellen's is this?" Dawn screamed angrily, "We have past the City borders long ago! Where exactly does she intend to stop this tunnel? Or does it just go on forever? I tell you, If I get to the end to find…" "Shh!" Tessa warned, "We've got to be quiet, if we don't know where we are, we don't know who's above us!" "Where exactly do you think we are?" Dawn protested louder, "Flinch?" She spat, "I would not be surprised, the amount we have walked, if we had passed that already!" "Well, if you think of this as that way, you may always turn back, I, on the other hand, am still intrigued to know exactly where this goes, and I want to know first hand!" Surprised by Tessa's sudden out burst, of which was not common in the lady; Dawn fell silent for a long while. Then: "If this is a tunnel then where does the light come from?" from Dawn. Tessa, who was now leading, turned as though to snap again, but stopped herself as she realised the importance of the question. "I don' know!" She realised. Looking pleased with herself Dawn smiled as if to say 'Well, We'd better find out then.' "Stop looking so smug! It's as much a mystery to you as it is to me!" Glancing about herself Tessa saw no hope. "Has it always been this light, or has it got steadily lighter? Because I have the distinct feeling we started in the dark, and there are no windows, which would indicate us coming to the end, where the sunlight is coming through, but there is no end that I can see…" Spinning around as though to catch some unseen guide Tessa frowned, "How annoying! I hate it when I can't solve a mystery!" "I know you do." Dawn simply said, Tessa ignored her. "B-but, it's impossible. Over there is dark, behind us is dark, above us is dark, in front of us is dark, but we have no light, why is there light?" She exploded. Dawn just kept on smiling. "You know, don't you!" Tessa accused her. "I do." Dawn teased. "Well! That's it…I don't want to know! If you won't tell me, I don't want to know!" "Yes you do!" Dawn laughed; delighted at the agitation she could cause the other. "No I don't!" Tessa claimed, turning on her heals and quickening her pace. "Yes you do!" Called out Dawn far behind her.</p><p>* * *</p><p>Not caring whether someone saw her or not any more, Faith drove on in the direction seconds before Rhea had run. Now there was no sign of the girl, and if ever Faith stopped, not even a bird could be heard. The Tower had disappeared from the horizon an hour ago, melting between the forest and skyline as though it were only a shadow cast by the moon, which had now left its place in the sky so that the sun could replace it. Still Faith did not stop, afraid of loosing another Sister to her over confidence in herself. Why, oh why, did she make the same relentless mistakes over and over? It was as though she was the tide, coming back and forth, back and forth, and the people she betrayed were the land, being knocked down by her and regaining their former status only to be knocked down once more. She saw now the great peril Dove and Pandora so seldom talked of. The end of the Coven would not be an enemy such as Flinch, but of the misjudgement in the Coven it's self. Were they so un careful that they would look over another of themselves and simply say 'She is wrong in thought and deed, we shall not trust her' without even talking to that person? Half-sobbing Faith stopped, bemused by her own selfishness. She looked before, behind and around, but no where was there sight of her lost Sister, Rhea. Hair matted to her face from anxiety, she fell to the floor as though beaten with an unseen whip. "For it is a whip, the whip of justice," She called out loud, to herself and to Rhea, "Never again shall I, Faith, be so prejudice towards one I should love." And with that the darkness took her, leaving her only the echoing comment which dug so deep in her brain. </p><p>* * *</p><p>Bright light, cool green. That was the colour Faith awoke to, nothing but. In her eyes mind she was aware of another presence, but not of Rhea's. Sore lips parted as she tried and failed to speak. "Shh, you're in the presence of friend, " Said that of a soothing familiar voice, but one that could not be placed. "Where am I?" Faith whispered, barely more than a breath against cold glass. The white light blinded her so that she could not see else more, but still she did not panic. "Who are you?" "So you do not recognise me after all these years, Sister," Without space for words, "Do not fear so, I will not play the game Rhea did. I am what you used to call Hope, but that I am sure has now turned to Fear, tell me, do the people remember as they should?" With these words vision came back to Faith, and she saw as innocent as a new born an ageless women, her hair jet black, her eyes the same. Her clothes were rags of what could have been a dress made for royalty, yet she wore it as though it were her own skin. The face which hung down on her was not of a cruel, malice driven Dragon Queen of whom all should cower away from, but of a young Sister, who's eyes told tales of woe and hands tales of care. Justice more than ever seen before in any Sister lay in this woman's face, but also Wisdom, and the knowledge of old. "It seems I have too much faith in myself and too little in others," Sobbed Faith. The elegant betrayed straightened up and held out a hand. "Perhaps all you need it a little Hope, Sister," And so black and white, chalk and cheese, were reunited, and they joined together as though they were missing pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, but still pieces were cracked and uneven. Faith pulled away quickly at this though, "All is not well Sister. There is trouble in the City, I feel it, and Flinches armies are abroad, not that they could harm us, but it points to further troubles." "Do not misjudge an empire, Faith, no matter how small. And trouble has always been so in Keda, and not from the ones you expect from, either." The two sisters stood silently for seconds, catching the wind, thinking to themselves and each other. Although the sun shone, shadows could be seen on each Sister's face, and the shadow of worry being the strongest. "Will you return, Sister?" Asked Faith. "If I were to, then would I not be beaten down, Faith? Years have past since I last came, the fear must have grown." "They would not beat you down if I commanded not to, help is needed." "I know it is, that is why I found you. Rhea has already crossed the borders of Flinch," with a shocked and betrayed look from Faith, "You must of expected it Sister, you cannot treat someone as thought they were dirt and expect them to take it, Rhea truly believes Flinch is the better side." "So now there are only 10,"Wept Faith. "No, Sister, 3, for until we speak to the others we cannot know who is truly pure at heart towards Keda. Rhea loves her City and it's people, it is the rebelling Sisters, the ones who are not true, that don’t belong, that she hates, and I also." "I too, Sister," Faith admitted. "Does this mean you will return? Sword to Sword?" "Yes Sis, Sword to Sword." "So it is the 3 of us, with some to join," Proposed Faith. "Let us hope,"</p><p>* * *</p><p>The Maid, who had, for most of the night, searched everywhere for this ''visitor' for Ellen, finally came to a little Pub called 'The Black Horse Inn' at the stroke of 3. At this time she supposed that either Ellen had retired to bed, the sisters gone; the sisters and the visitor had met each other, but of this there was no sign of battle; the sisters had left and Ellen had later seen the visitor; or the visitor had not shown at all, as he waited still for himself to be found by her. Whatever the situation, the Maid had altogether given up on the prospect of finding the visitor. "I do not even know his real name…" She muttered to herself as she approached the Inn, "Let alone his looks, it is like picking a needle out of a bunch of needles! There are too many faces with the name Timothy Smith already in these parts…" She looked cautiously around her as though to inspect the area and check for unwanted company. The Inn's lights burned bright on the Maid's face, inviting her forward, as though to offer her sanctuary even if the visitor did not lye behind the doors. Careful at this, she scrupulously tip toed forward, aware of the rumours of this area, as it was not a safe place to wonder at this time of night, drunks and thieves littering the streets and Public Houses. A loud noise and hoot came from inside the Pub, followed by cheers of laughter and a cry of dismissal. The heavy oaken door at the entrance of the pub was swung open and from within a slight glimpse of the warmth fell on her face. The Inn owner, a fat man who went by the name of Dogit, flung out a young, laughing, man who seemed to be suffering from an over dosage of Dutch-courage, because despite the largeness of the man stood before him and the authority present, he still could jeer openly at those behind Dogit in the slow drawl that is common in any drunkard. "Be off with yer!" Commanded Dogit, "I'll have none of that in my Inn." He claimed, placing himself between the offender and the door. "Naff off you old fool! He was only pissing about," From behind Dogit came a crowd of other young men who seemed to accompany the first, and with one sharp glance and flick of the arm Dogit had these also on the floor next to their friend. All noise that had once been inside the Inn was now out. Inside it seemed that there was barely a whisper, not even the clink of glasses, yet the Inn was open until later hours of the mornings, Dogit being somewhat of a vampiric character. "Be off with you all, I've had enough, you've no money left and all you can be bothered to do is intimidate other customers, now go!" With surprisingly little hassle the gang of louts were soon on their way, stumbling with laughter as they went along to their next destination, which undoubtedly held within it a bar and more mischief. Dogit stood and watched as they disappeared into the horizon, but he, unlike the Maid, was not amazed at their arrogance. As he turned to return to his duties, he noticed the Maid standing in the shadows of the court that lay in front of him. "All right love? We're still open if you want in…" He said, smoothing out his brown piny in a precocious fashion, "'S long as you be non of them lot that make themselves seen at this time 'O night, non of them in here want that…" "Oh!" Cried the Maid, going red, "No Sir! I admit it is late, but I'm from the Castle Sir, and Ellen, I mean the Lady, Sir, she says it's urgent. I'm to find someone…" "Oh yes," Dogit stood back so as to let the Maid pass as she walked towards him, "We'll see if he's in here then shall we, what name does he go by?" The Maid hastily walked past him into the homely cave like room which possessed nothing but 3 men who sat in a corner talking quietly about what no one could guess, a lady who sat at the bar, and away in another corner near the window 2 men and 2 women who talked louder than the rest about what had just happened. "Umm, Timothy Smith, she said was his name Sir, but that's just a go-by name…" "Anyone in here go by the name of Timothy Smith?" Bellowed Dogit across the room, rattling all on the walls around him. The women at the bar turned for a brief second before letting her head drop down to the cool wooden surface again. Other than this there was no sign that anyone other than the Maid herself had heard a word Dogit had said. "Useless lot, they really are," Dogit muttered almost to himself. To the Maid, "Well, no need to fear, young lady, we can do this by elimination and then anybody's that I or you or maybe old Agna over there," He indicated to the bar lady, "don't know we shall ask for their names, if they're going to be like that. Not surprising though, as you say, Timothy Smith is a bit of a go-by name." He walked slowly towards the bar, indicating for the Maid to follow, taking a seat and shoving one in the direction of the Maid, he began to murmur something to himself, which occasional came across as words. "Now…hmm, erm, that over there is our Bill, Maggie…Ted…. Don't know who the lady is mind, hmmm…over there's that Dave and his lads…not them. Here! Agna, you know any Timothy Smiths going round lately?" He prodded Agna hard. Agna lifted her head and gave the Maid a long look, "What's it to you?" Dogit sighed heavily, "Come on Agna, it's as though everyone was against you, this is Miss Ellen's Maid, the Sister is saying its important." Agna gave Dogit a funny look and went back to the bottom of her glass, "Nothings important anymore, and there's been lots of 'Timothy Smith's' going around, always are on market weekends." Dogit simply grunted and nodded, agreeing with Agna. Not sure what to do, the Maid twisted around to look at the 4 business men, and as she did she caught the glint of an eye in the right hand corner, where neither bar tender, bar customer of herself had though anyone loomed. Sure enough, the eye belonged to a young man who was dressed as though he did not want to be seen, and he stared now right at the Maid, sending a chill down her bone. Turning back quickly she focused on the splintered side of wood as Dogit stared into space next to her, trying also to remember if he had come across any 'Timothy Smith's' with significance recently. "You're right, Agna," He sighed, just as a hand reached for the Maid, "Ain't been no real Timothy Smiths in a long time…Oh! Hello there! Looking for a drink Sir?" He asked the approaching stranger. "No, old man, it's not you I seek, it's you," The mans eyes indicated towards the Maid. "Oh no, no Sir, she isn't one of them…" Dogit interrupted, only to be rudely ignored by the man. "Are you here on the behalf of Sister Ellen?" The man asked the petrified Maid, who immediately straightened up at the mention of her employer's name, "Yes?" He asked again. The Maid nodded. "Then I am the Timothy Smith you look for, but not the Timothy Smith suspected, you will go back to Ellen now and tell her 'her friend' of a sort has been taken ill, and cannot visit any longer, and so now I shall come in there place, okay?" No longer scared of the man, as he had revealed himself to look no more normal than a farmers son, the Maid nodded and taking one grateful look at Dogit, who stood flabbergasted, she departed without a word. </p><p>* * * "Are you sure you shall go, sister?" It was early hours now. The trumpet, which had been blown minutes before, lay discarded on the floor as the people watched their Sister Cerys leave in search of Faith, who had left earlier the day before. Serdipintine, Cerys' chambermaid, bent over the sister and whispered in her ear. "Although the people are prepared for your leave they were and still aren't prepared for Faith's. A lot will happen in your departure, and some not for good, it may be best in your intention if you stay put." "God bless for your worries, Serdipintine, but I am sure their worries would grow even more as they day passed with no prospect of any contact reaching Faith. The sooner I find her and bring word back the better. I already have an idea of where she heads anyway." Before Cerys could say anymore a child dressed in a blue dress came running down the crowded cobbled road holding a gold paper, the sign of Dawn. "Please Ma'am," The child panted, "Please, Dawn Ma'am, and Tessa, they left last night to visit Ellen and did not return. We did not worry then, but they still do not return…" "Hush child!" Serdipintine scolded, "Can this worry not be placed on another sisters shoulders, can you not see Cerys is to leave, or are you deaf as well as blind?" Taken about the Child turned crimson, flinching away from the Chambermaid. "Do not worry Child, what is your name?" Cerys asked, scowling at Serdipintine, who quickly glanced away. The child, who after Serdipintine's lecture had expected to be dismissed, straightened and quietly answered, "Giselle Ma'am," "Well then, Giselle," Cerys told, "Why do you not try Ellen herself for help?" The child shook her head, "I was told to come to you Ma'am for a reason, aware that you are leaving. Ellen is refusing to see anyone; she is locked away in her Castle. Only her Maid may enter her room, and messages are rarely allowed through her. You Ma'am, and Heather, are the only two Sisters now standing sane inside the City!" Many who heard this turned a deathly white, as it had not been for a long while that most Sisters had been away at the same time. Cerys, who although calm in appearance, was apprehensive in thought, bit her lip thoughtfully. "What of Rhea?" She looked up. Giselle shrugged, "According to Foolworth's records she left several months ago. No one had anything to say to her, so no one worried…" Cerys, after minutes of though, straightened up and moved her horse forward, "Then the sooner I get to Faith the better. On my way out I shall advice Dove to re-enter Keda and guide the City with Heather, let us hope that Ellen recovers from what ever experience she is having." With this as her final word the Sister galloped off on Plewed, her horse, until she reached the end of the shouting people who called out their goodbyes. She went past the endless streams of coloured paper and roses, past the Gates and Foolsworth, past the Keda River and on to the forest that homed Dove. When she arrived at Dove's house she found the old women outside, pruning the nearest tree, which in the night seemed to have been lashed about, as now all that remained of the lower half, the half that a human could reach, was tatters. Dove did not turn but spoke softly as Cerys entered. "It has been a long time since someone so high as a Sister bothered me, for surely if it were time for a gathering word would come on food by no more than a Farmers boy?" "You are right, Dove, as always," Cerys smiled at the sight of her dear friend, "But then you can see things before they happen, can’t you?" Dove gave no more than a grateful hug and embraced her Sister, for they were good friends. "News from Pandora or Courtney?" She asked. "No," Cerys replied, "So I go now, as I believe that is where Faith is heading, and she has been gone for a day now, you know how much the people worry." Dove nodded her head, "She rode by last night, not knowing I had heard, but beware Sister, as there was another pare of feet behind her, and not one of a horse." "Either you speak in riddles you know the answer to or that is all you know," Cerys laughed, "But Sister, it is important, you must…" "I know child, go to the City. I figured that no more than 2 of it's greatest Sisters can leave without it shedding a tear, I will head there at once." "Thankyou Sister, for now I must ride on." "Be careful, Cerys, and go with your heart," Dove advised. "Pray I shall see you before the day ends, and if not early morning of the next." Again Cerys was away in the distance even before Dove had turned to leave. </p><p>* * *</p><p>On that same day, as dawn crept ever nearer, as did Tessa and Dawn to the end of the tunnel which had enslaved them since the night before. Not once had they stopped, and so now they lay many, many miles outside of Keda, in the direction of what they could only assume was Finch, to the East. Indeed, as their blackened faces were introduced again to the crack of sun that steadily grew larger as they descended on it, they could sure enough see in the far distance the two spiralling towers which lay on top of Flinch, one looking to Keda and its enemy, the other to the dense sea that surrounded it from the other side. Tessa, being the first out by a long shot, gave a short shriek at the site of Flinch and quickly with drew into the bushes which surrounded the tunnel exit, or entrance as it could be. The site of Flinch is self was not a threat, the late morning sun portraying the City as though it was floating in the mist, which surrounded its bottom. It was the shear fact that the tunnel which started in Keda Castle lead almost directly into their enemies path that shocked the Sister into doing what she did, and lucky enough also, as after almost the very second she jumped back, 3 or 4 horse, carrying armed men, rode by on their way to the land before them. Startled, luckily, by Tessa's scream, Dawn had been mature enough not to run forward as though she were a child who had just spotted a balloon towards the sun. Now, she too, gasped with amazement at the sight of Flinch, and then with fear as she saw the armed man ride into the distance. Stumbling forward up the path towards Tessa, the later just managed to pull her down before the men, warned by the hash breath, turned back to see what disturbed their country boundaries. Without hesitation the 2 men either side of the middle rose forward and around the middle slightly, as though to protect. "Show yourself in the name of our ancient King!" Was the cry that rasped from their lips, curling around the thin air as though it were leaves. When the sisters made no reply to the two men (but to themselves gave each other a concerned look, as to the sisters the news of any King was new) shot forwards as though fired from a bow, whilst the other stood behind, his hand ready at his sword, peering into the distance where the Sisters lay. "Sister! What should we do?" Whispered Dawn, cowering from the approaching enemy. Tessa did not answer, but simply frowned in concentration at the men. "Sister, we have not much time! Where do we go?" Repeated Dawn, shaking Tessa slightly by the shoulders. "Sister!" Her voice rose in sudden desperation. The men, who for the moment had been inspecting a far away tree, thick with leaves, turned swiftly to the bush and called to each other in tongues. "Unless you have sprouted sudden wings Dawn, as the angel you are, I suggest we hide, or at least I would have until you cried. You may of well stood and called 'We are over here!'" Tessa scolded. But she did not wait for a reply, quickly she stood, hand to the hilt, challenging the soldiers. At the sight of a Sister the men fretted, looking cautiously at their master for orders. But he was away, towards the darkness which was his own, too afraid to fight, and too under taught to know that neither Sister were naturals when it came to arms. For seconds all stood, and in Dawns case laid, still, as though waiting for the other to make a move which would determine each other's fate. At last Tessa drew her sword, and held it to the sun, catching the glimpse of panic on her opponent's faces as she did so. "What say it?" She called aloud, "Do you draw sword also, like a man, or do you too run, like mice, as has your Captain?" At the sound of Tessa's voice, which although was not as strong as Hope's or Faith's, the first and closest man dropped his sword and ran, for although Tessa was not either Sister, she still was one, and each Sister held power. Aware of reluctance in the other offender, Dawn too rose, as though out from some concealment. To this the man did nothing other than drop his sword and use his hand to shield his eyes from the glint of Tessa's sword. Looking back behind him to his friend's fast fading silhouette, the man spat to the sand at his feet, and then called out loud; "In this land truly it seems that friends fight friends, Sisters, but let us not today." Puzzled by the mans words, Tessa drew her sword, replacing it in its case, as Dawn steadily walked forwards to the man, who threw his sword aside, well away from reach, as a sign of peace. "From where hence, coward." Spitefully Dawn asked as she approached. "I, Sister Dawn, am from the place which lies before you, but no cowards home be it, for it is truly a better home than your own…" He replied sullenly. Instantly Tessa drew her sword again and came to her sister's aid. Not, however, that there was any need, despite the fact that the man indeed appeared to be no coward and no traitor, for he did not reach for his sword also. "Come man, what devilry is this? You do not run with your fellow riders at the sight of an enemy Sister, you stay, and yet when you are spoken to it is still obvious that you are a man of Flinch. For whom do you work?" Demanded Tessa. "That is no business of you!" Replied the man defiantly, "But it is not for Flinches army that my heart is set, although for them I do work, and there I do live..." Dawn snorted, "It is funny for a man not to believe in what he lives for," She added sarcastically under her breath. "No indeed, Sister, at this time it is not. If you or any man from Keda had any idea how many victims blood your army has spilt from ours that is not set on its goal, you would surely laugh mockingly at the Kings face." And with seeing each Sisters face with the second mention of a King, "It seems, Sisters, that although we do not work for the same side, our interests are a-like, is that not so? And so many of my people are in this rat infested plague ridden beautiful City, that it also indeed seems that we know a lot more than you ever could…" Tessa laughed, "No dear Sir, we trust no one in or around Flinch unless they bear the mark of Keda with pride! No lowly maggot such as you will we trust," And with a nod of approval from Dawn, both Sisters turned their backs on the soldier, huddled at the same time in thought to whether they should return to the tunnel or head for Flinch under cover to discover more. "I had noticed, Sisters," The man called from afar, "That you entered the province from Ellen's tunnel, and seeing as you are not exactly what Flinch would consider a friend…" At the mention of Ellen's name, both Sisters, unable to contain themselves, had turned around at were now staring at the man. "What do you know?" Said Dawn.</p><p>* * * Ellen sat on her thrown, her servants and maids out doors, waiting on her every command, in complete agony. It was not the agony, however, that you and I associate with, it was the mental agony of carrying such a heavy burden whilst keeping it a-light that tore at Ellen's soul. In no unfit state was she, for the moment, for she still held her head, although it did not seem so, and the whiteness in her heart put up a struggle with the black. Still yet, it was not even obvious to Ellen herself, who could only stand observing the battle, who would win. The torment of not being able to intercept threw the Queen aside, as though she were a simple piece of garbage, and this shattered her, some times to only re- stand, but not this time. She had entered this conflict at precisely 6:14 this morning, the time that her new Chambermaid had interrupted her sleep to wake her and tell her of her friends demise, and the coming of the new. Only to Ellen did this seem a great tragedy, as either the friend was seriously ill, as had been suggested, or the friend had deceived her, as she feared would one day happen. This friend was not one to be trusted, she understood, and often although his words held a certain amount of truth, was not clean throughout. Her Chambermaid had re-entered at a later date saying the Sister was waiting for her. With alarm, for but a second, Ellen had snapped out of her inward Court, aware that she had not yet seen Dawn or Tessa, only to embrace her inward self once more when the Maid explained that the two had left, and this Sister was now Cerys, and neither of the two. To this the Queen had no words, on the flick of a hand as though to say 'I am busy, tell her to return later,' and she had continued to stare at a Spiderweb in the corner of the great hall in which she sat. At once the Chambermaid had sent for the Castle Doctor, and several other from the Dungeons, past convicts with Medical skills, many of which had been accused of witchcraft, to help the Queen the best they could. These Doctors had come and gone, leaving all sorts of herbs, chants and remedies behind left for Ellen to take 'when she felt like it', as the Queen had refused to take any medicine. The Queen did not take her medicine; neither did she even look at it. She did not truly look at anything, and if any stranger were to enter they would say that Ellen looked more like a painting than a living person did like she was. No breathing issued the air around her; any soft, rhythmic beat came from her chest. Without the rest of her body moving, her eyes blinked and focused on the Spiderweb once more, turning towards the window Ellen saw the pale blue sky, scattered with cotton wool. A loud bang came from the door and shouts of voices from the other side just as Ellen was about to reach it. "Ellen, what is the matter?" Came the calming voice of Dove. "Nothing, Sister, do not fear, I will appear soon, although not as public as you should like, I wager. You may enter if you wish." And with the Queens words the oak doors swung open to revile the old women peering into the room as though to expect another person. When each Sister saw one another no word was said, but sharp breaths were exchanged, for Dove had aged since the long while that Ellen had lane eyes on here, and although Ellen did not age, the wisdom of Dove could see it in her eyes. Silently Ellen regained herself and sped swiftly towards her cloak, flung it over her shoulders and walked past Dove, who did not follow, but instead stood in the hall for a while looking at the thrown in which Ellen had so little ago sat. </p><p>Chapter 3 The birds did not let out a sound; all around Cerys the sun glowed a shaded green, falling on her face like water. The only sound that came to any ears, mortal or immortal, was that of Plewed's feet steadily taping out a beat as Cerys and the horse ran forward to their sisters. The trees brushed past the Sisters face, tangling her hair until she pushed them away with her hand, the other tightly succoured on the rains of the horse. Smells of the past came to her as she went, oak trees curling up towards the sky, old lanes going to and fro from the main one along which she ran, to where could not be told unless ridden down. Cerys longed to do so; to go and visit the family that had once lived in that deserted farm and sit with their cat whilst she watched the children play, the mother wash and the father work. At this thought, of such a family, Cerys' heart sank, for she once had had such a family, but now they were forgotten, as were the mists of time. She had watched her Mother and Father grow old and die, and then she had watched the same in her brother, then her sister, and finally her younger sisters, and all the while she had not changed. Blinking at the sunlight through the leaves, Cerys came to stand still, looking about her. She had not travelled this far on her own in an age, and was not familiar with the root, for often, if ever, Courtney and Pandora would meet half way and ride with her, or she would not go at all. Now doubt plagued her face, but Plewed did not fear, and without permission from his rider, strode on relentlessly towards the blue horizon that was the sea. </p><p>* * *</p><p>"Tell me, Sister, does it not seem strange to you that someone could deceive an entire nation. And not just this someone, but an entire group of people!" "It does Sister," The two sisters said loudly to one another, whilst looking at the man to who they had spoken with for the past hour. "I see in your eyes that you still do not trust me. Is my sword not enough?" The man, who had introduced himself as Kay, complained. "No sir, it isn't!" Answered Tessa, "For in my heart there is a great warning still against anyone from Flinch, and seeing as we have only your word and your word alone, we cannot be sure of anything!" "Then bring me back to Keda, along the tunnel. Present me in front of your Queen Ellen, and then from the doubt in her eyes you shall see I am to be trusted." Kay proposed, standing as he did so. Dawn, who had shown more willingness towards Kay that Tessa in the time spent, shook her head sadly, "No good will lie there, for now Ellen has doubt in her eyes permanently, but surely, if you are willing to pass Flinch boundaries that is proof enough?" "Proof for the time," Agreed Tessa, looking into the distance at Flinch, "But come, the borders are swarmed with guards at night, we must make rest somewhere hidden, and there we can talk of the King you mention, and just how far Ellen is involved. I feared the Sister hood had come to an end, and now with that fear there is the additional fear that Keda has also." With these wizened words all 3 rose and headed back towards where they had come from that morning. Through the naturally formed canopy they hastened, aware of the truth that lay in Tessa's words of guards. When all were through the tunnel entrance, Tessa noticed with sudden alarm the lack of light. "Sister!" She started, "Where did the light appear from before, for surely it has gone now. And hush now," She scolded, "Do not play games any longer, if we wish to make it back then we must have light…" "There was a ball of light, it followed us, but…" Dawn admitted. "Are you mad?" Tessa forgot to keep silence, Kay anxiously looked behind him towards the fields. "Why did you not tell me of this before, that light could have been given by any man or women, or even Sister! Come Dawn, what will we now do if the light was given by Ellen herself!" "Hush! Sisters, there is movement outside! And do not fear of the light," Kay told them, turning towards the blackened tunnel that led to Keda, "It was given by me as a welcoming gift, now let us hurry!" And with these words Kay hurried forwards, closely followed by Dawn, and lastly Tessa, whose sword was drawn at the ready. </p><p>* * *</p><p>Dusk settled on the City of Keda as it became to fold away into the silent figure it became before the drunkards invaded the main street, parading around as though they owned everything about them. In this brief silence before the end of day and beginning of night, a cold wind swept around the 11 towers, entwining themselves in and about the many windows that covered each of the building. An invisible hand was the form it took, climbing every staircase, swaying every curtain, clutching every heart and brushing every cheek. It did not stop until it reached the opposite end of the city from where it had started, where it simply settled to the ground as though it were no more than an ancient whisper coming from the very depths of Keda, a winter long forgotten. This whisper stirred one sister's memory. Scenes long lost flooded into the cracks as though water poured from the sky, smells last created long ago, people who had faded away into the rock of the towers, only to be remembered when some innocent school child found their covered grave amongst the mulberry bushes that inhabited Keda's graveyard. Small tears rolled down Dove's face at the thought of such people, and at the thought of Keda's graveyards in rack and ruins. Once Keda had been a grand place, somewhere where Princes from afar would travel to so as to pick a bride, but since the days in which Hope was banished, and doubt fell on its people, Keda had been covered in a temporary grey blanket. Even when the sun shone brighter than ever before, the shadow could still be seen, so much so that the ones who had been born under the shadow did not even notice it, but the Sisters did. The time had come for the end of Keda, and in her heart Dove felt it. </p><p>Chapter 4 The sun evening sun struck Pandora's face, blessing it for the umpteenth time, but yet a shiver ran down her back. For days now she knew what she dreaded most was approaching at a rapid pace, the beginning of the end. "This is where it begins," She stated, almost to herself. "What does?" Queried Courtney, coming up behind her and sitting on the rock to Pandora's end. Pandora looked up but didn't speak, for Courtney could see in a glance what her Sister meant. Instead Pandora rose and walked towards the gate that opened into the lane which in turn led to the trees that surrounded Keda. "Cerys's coming," Pandora spoke blankly, simply leaning forward and opening the gate as a greeting to her friend. Courtney rose almost immediately, making her way over to her sister's aid. As Cerys approached a sinking feeling fell to her heart, as though better melting away from its home. "What news, Sister?" She called as Cerys walked, horse by side, but no need, for the news was written over Cerys's face. "I have been sent," Replied Cerys breathlessly, "For you to come to Keda in replace of Faith, Dawn and Tessa, who disappeared shortly after your last stay, Courtney. But no rush, let me tell you of news, for it is needed, before we go." Cerys walked quickly past, whilst the other two shocked sisters, Pandora and Courtney, followed. Making herself comfortable on the bench outside of Pandora's cottage, Cerys looked high in the sky, craning her neck as though looking for someone or thing directly behind herself. "This sky," She sighed, "May no longer be with us, Sisters, and not in the form that it shall soon change colour…" "Keda is changing, I've felt it for a long time now, things and ways have been forgotten…" Pandora cut in. "And people have mislaid their trust." Finished Cerys, "Ellen is falling, not to the people, but to herself yes. 2 days from now, for I have travelled long and hard, and I did not leave immediately, although I wish now for the people's sake I had, Faith left the Keda gates to go where I know not. Both Tessa and Dawn similarly disappeared that same night, although they have not signed at the gate. This in its self would be worrying, but the added fact that Rhea has not been inside the city for many months, although she keeps contact, and Hope has not been seen for so long if you went up to a youngster she or he would not know of whom you talked, in-hance the anxiety of the people. Now, only Heather, Dove and Ellen lie within the walls of Keda." Courtney shook her head, "It is not the fact that the Sisters are not there that worries me, it is the fact that we know not where of why they have left to go to." Pandora nodded sadly, "The Sister fellowship is falling, it is only us that holds strong…" "But Dove…" Cerys said. "Dove is old, Cerys, I see it in her eyes. No matter how strong she may be, she cannot save the city." Courtney admitted. "And in the same way Heather is young, and Ellen lost in herself, and if not betraying herself. Truly Rhea and Hope no longer care, and if they do they have been driven away by our own hate, making matters worse. Faith has not spoken for a length of time, so something ails her, and if now Tessa and Dawn are gone, then it is only us who stand true." Pandora spoke lengthily. "What of the people, do they hold strong?" She asked Cerys. Cerys's eyes looked to the ground, "The Board would say so, but as a friend I would say not. They hide under characters that have long since left our world. They know we falter, and they fear. Flinch is constantly a threat and so half or more men and women are gone to fight. And the Castle…well," She leaned in, "May this not be repeated," (Both sisters nodded) "But the Castle thrives more than it should. To many people work there, and to much power is seen in command. The Fellowship looses its grip to one of its own." "There is something in her eyes I see every time I see her, it is a glint, as though a stolen emerald lies there…" "Her maid talks of a stranger, a friend of Ellen's, that she sees often, more often than us. The Maid, god bless her for she risks her job, which to many is a life support, says that on just such a day did the Sisters Tessa and Dawn come to talk to Ellen, and were made to wait whilst the Maid found this man. She later said the man was not the usual, and said that the usual was ill. Her face turned white as she told this, and she uttered that he bore the odour of Flinch on his clothing." "Come Sister's," Courtney, who had been silent for a while, rose, "We must go to Keda before this day ends, we cannot risk a Flinch invasion at such a weak time." All Sisters stood, but Pandora sat again. "Should we not look for Faith?" She asked, "Her guidance is needed," "And so is ours," Courtney commanded, "Come Sister, we shall look for Faith when our position is succoured."</p><p>* * * The 3 from the tunnel, Kay, Tessa and Dawn appeared just outside the gates at Kay command. When question how Kay knew the tunnels, his only reply was that he travelled along them a lot. "And do others from Flinch?" Tessa asked harshly. "Only those on your side, Sister, and Ellen herself." Was the answer given. Both Sisters looked at each other, "Ellen?" They said at the same moment. "Yes Ellen Sisters, she comes to Flinch regularly, but hush now, you must get me through the gate." "Okay," From Dawn. "NO!" From Tessa. "Why not?" Demanded Kay. "Because we do not yet know the nature of our friendship. You could of quiet easily make the story of your betrayal…" "It is not betrayal!" Cut in Kay. "The story of the thing that is not your betrayal, up" Tessa sneered, "I will not have a could-be Flinch soldier in Keda, for the life of me! You will sign in as who you are or wait out here until we return!" Irritated, Kay spoke with a frown, "And if I do tell my real name then surely I will be heard by someone not so trustworthy and be of no use to you. Surely sisters, this is pitiful. Have you not thought that you yourselves could seem to me somewhat of a trap? Many more of you are corrupt than you think." "More of us!" Tessa rose her voice, "How dare you accuse any other Sister of being involved in any of this! All apart from Ellen are pure souls…" "And Hope," Dawn added. "And Rhea," Kay added. "Yes but they've been banned haven't they? Keda are safe from them now, and as far as I can see, they are safe from any other Sister, as we are all true to them!" "Then you are blind Sister, and I tell you know, you will soon see the glimpse of light. Now come, I shall say my real name, but in order to do so (whilst loosing my position on Flinch) you must meat another, to you agree?" "But Kay!" Sighed Dawn, "I am tired, I cannot take another walk to Flinch, I…" "No need Sisters, I know you have not slept since the night before last, and so if, in secret, we can meat a man who is at this moment visiting, we shall do so. And may I add, you will be very privileged if you can, he is high in ranks." Tessa snorted, "We are high in ranks and I do not see you acting privileged," She muttered, but Kay had walked on. "Fear not, Sister of mine, I feel we can trust him," Dawn replied lightly to Tessa's comment, before walking on into the growing night towards Foolsworth's gate. "Who goes there?" Came the cry from afar in Foolsworth's tower. "Who is it that travels at such a late hour, Sister Cerys, is that you who return so early?" Half blinded by sleep, Foolsworth stumbled into the pitch black, hand at belt where his sword lay. No light was on, and it appeared that Foolsworth had been asleep until awakened by Tessa ranting. "Don't worry Foolsworth," Answered Tessa, stepping in front of Kay, who was still a stranger to Foolsworth, "It is a Sister, but not the one you expect." At the sound of Tessa's well-known voice, Foolsworth looked alarmed and quickly reached for a candle, which was lit within seconds to behold the 3, weary, yet still sturdy travellers. Foolsworth instantly began stuttering apologies, but yet at the same time looking cautiously at the man the Sisters had with them. After several attempts at giving a worthy excuse for not being awake, the old man trailed of into nothingness whilst still looking at Kay. "Who's this then? Better get my book." He eventually grumbled after being told several times by both Dawn and Tessa that it was fine to sleep at least once everyday, and no, they wouldn't tell Ellen. One by one, Dawn, Tessa and Kay signed their names, and handed the book back to Foolsworth, who suspiciously frowned at Kay's illegible scrawl. After several silent minutes, Foolsworth, satisfied, looked back at the visitor. "Where are you from then? No, no, never I mind actually, you're with the Sisters, so I'll trust you. You must excuse me though, not used to anyone visiting at this hour. Sisters, do you want the news from another Sister or me? Of which, may I mention, there are very little of in Keda." And so Dawn and Tessa came to here of Faith's departure, of which Foolsworth was very sullen about, and Ellen's disappearance. Through all of the news given, Kay had a grim smile on his face, much to the annoyance of Foolsworth, who took it all very seriously. Dawn, taken aback from the sudden change, shook her head as though to clear it. "Ellen's gone you say?" "Yes Ma'am," Answered Foolsworth. "And Cerys to get Courtney and Pandora?" "Yes Ma'am," "What of Dove? Does she lie within now, pray someone was sensible enough to call her." "Yes Ma'am, Cerys did." This was the only news that visibly shocked Kay, for he had not known of the return of Dove. "You will find a friend in her," He advised openly, "although maybe not a hero…" He trailed of. Foolsworth gave Kay another look, but said nothing of it; instead "She [Dove] is in Ellen's tower Ma'am, waiting for either your return or that of Cerys. Pray, you did not meat Faith on your travels did you?" Tessa silently shook her head not, thanked Foolsworth for his kindness and slipped into darkness without the others.</p><p>* * *</p><p>As Tessa moved away she was all together too aware of Kay and Dawn's shouts behind her for her to turn around. Had she done so, she would be surprised to see a worried look apon Kay's face, but not of him loosing control, of him loosing a friend. As it happened however, she did not turn around, and keeping her dignity walked on until she reached a pub that she knew very well, and who's owner she trusted beyond herself. The Black Horse Inn loomed up in the horizon as Tessa quickened her step, curving in and out of lanes so as to loose the fast approaching footsteps behind her of Dawn and, assumedly, Kay. But this area she was more familiar to than Dawn, for most babies were born in the town hall, a long way away from this spot, and many children lived here, which brought Tessa to it frequently. All too well did Tessa know that now the Inn would be swarming in drunken Fathers who had no where else to go, but trusting in Dogit, she flew forward, opening the door in an instant without even a twitch of the thumb. Silence was what followed, not the deafening roar of Dutch courage. Agna, Tessa could see, was at her usual place, and so Tessa squeezed her way past the hushed masses towards the old lady, who surprisingly seemed quiet sober. As she approached she saw not all was as it should be with the lady, her hair was tucked neatly behind her ears, and her eyes had a glint in them that she had not seen for a long while. "Evening!" Agna called quiet cheerfully as Tessa came to a standstill. The call, although echoing every bit of sanity, seemed too loud for the little bar, and so it seemed that an anxiety hung in the air, as though those around Tessa expected Tessa to do something. For several minutes all stood quiet still, watching Tessa look about her for Dogit. "Dogit's gone out love, he's at the gate looking for you, didn't you see him?" Came a voice, unrecognisable, from the crowd. "No," Tessa shook her head; "No I didn't…" "Oh, no need to worry yourself love," Agna gave Tessa a squeeze on the shoulder. "He said he'd be going to the brewery on the other side too, see. He left the bar in my charge whilst he went, do you want anything?" A watery grin reflected off of the women's face into the untouched beer at her side, and as though rain began to fall and break the tide-less mirror, Tessa realised what was wrong. "You've been worried I wasn't coming back!" She squealed, amused that they could do such a thing, "You have haven't you!" All faces in the crowd were completely placid, but all familiar. Tessa realised with a shock that most were sober, and all were people she was friends with. "Well, you know," Answered Agna's cautiously, "For a while we weren't sure if you were dead, Miss. You don't often go disappearing with a word to Dogit like that. And then Ellen is being reported to be about these parts, and you still weren't here, well, we…" "Panicked," Finished a woman, coming from behind Tessa. Most of the crowed laughed gingerly; some turned away being satisfied that Tessa was back to stay. Unsure of what to do next whilst in the lime light, Tessa turned to the crowd and asked, "What's been happening then?" Immediately the shadow that had made it's self at home on the people's shoulders returned, lightly Agna's touched Tessa's shoulder, "Dogit will fill you in love, now, if you don't mind…" And she turned back to the drinking habit that consumed her life. Life, as Tessa knew it in the bar, went back to normal. The local's chatted to one another, the louts that occasionally visited were there usual selves quietly, and the louts that never visited were outlandishly loud. The barmaid served and Agna drank whilst Tessa waited anxiously but patiently for Dogit's return. At 9 O'clock, just as Tessa was getting worried about her old friend, the door flew open to reveal a young orphan girl that Tessa was particularly fond of. "Fuchsia!" Tessa stood up straight away and ran to the girl, who was obviously distressed. "No, no!" Fuchsia cried, pushing the Sister away from her, "You must hide! Go in the back room, quick! Please Tessa, hurry…" Tessa, trusting the girl judgement, picked the child up and hastily moved towards the back of the bar where there was a room for staff only. Shutting the door behind her Tessa turned to the girl, who now stood at the opposite end of the room, peering out of a window no bigger than a baby's hand. "Fuchsia," Tessa sighed slowly, "Please tell me I am here for a reason, because if I find that you are tricking me, or overreacting…" "No, I'm not, I'm not!" The girl stomped her foot, "Dawn, she was with a man, and if I had just seen that I wouldn't have worried, but they said you had run off, and that they couldn't let you escape…" Fuchsia cried, defending herself. Uncertainty seemed to fill the room as though it were quick sand, doubt filled Tessa's eyes, blinding her from any other vision. What had they said? 'We can't let her escape?' That surely only meant one thing, Dawn was supporting Flinch, as was Kay. Seeing only hopelessness in front of her path, Tessa collapsed into a dead faint, only to be tortured by her worries.</p><p>* * *</p><p>Heather lay with her hands by her side staring up at the moon that she had heard so many tells of. Since Tessa's rapid disappearance she had done so frequently each night, only to be disappointed when she found the moon was no comfort at all to all her woes. She was trusted alone, as no mortal dared to stay and look after such a magnificent, holy child in case something went wrong, or they did something wrong. This upset the child even more, for it meant that in a way the public where scared of her, as she prophesised what next tragedy would occur where. When Tessa was there there was always someone to talk to, and someone who would willingly give the child a hug so as to pass on worries. After all, Heather was a child, and no matter how highly respected she was, she knew that in no way was she independent, for as proved by such examples, she crumbled when not alone. Now though, for the first time by her self, she must make a life changing decision, and not only for herself. She knew that wherever Faith had gone, it was for a good reason that would benefit others as well as her. Cerys was to return, hopefully with Courtney and Pandora, much to the Sisters relief, but the people's despair. Dove, no matter how old and wise to these situations still needed guidance and others at times. And Tessa and Dawn, the two Sisters she trusted the most, where were they? Surely, wherever they were, they were in trouble, for they would know in their hearts to send word in their absence. The worry was who to follow? Should she go to the tower and there meet Dove, and go with her to find Ellen? Or should she go into the Forest around Keda and find Faith, whom she trusted to be on the people's side, or simply wait where she was for Cerys return? Straightening herself on her own feet, Heather tilted her head and looked to the sky once more, crying aloud her answer, "So then, sky, you and I shall follow our noses to the North, away from war and betrayal, and towards hope, and Faith." And although these words the girl spoke were entirely true, she knew not the meaning in them.</p><p>Chapter 5 Tired and heavy headed, neither Kay nor Dawn stopped on their quest to find their friend, the one they had lost, Tessa. They walked now to the Black Horse Inn, aware that Tessa had relations of a sort with many there. Dawn, in her soul and well-governed head, knew that Tessa had run away, or rather walked, in fear of conspiracy. She did not, however, mention this to Kay, who walked silently beside her, head to the ground, thinking. Not one word was uttered, even, when they approached the door. Dawn gave a nod for Kay to stay, and Kay made no resistance to the idea. As though in a dream like world, Dawn glided through the public room to the back, where there was movement in a room held privately. The knocking that was issued from Dawn's hand snapped her back into reality, and without waiting for a reply to the sound; she stepped into the room. There she saw something neither that she, nor no other soul in the room she was in, expected. In front of her stood a man, black hair as the night, eyes as dark also, with sword in his hand. This, although not expected, did not through Dawn entirely of course, but the fact that Tessa sat calmly at the mans side on a stool, did. Fuchsia, Tessa's child friend, sat also, calmly at a side of the man that Tessa was not, waiting for the ordeal to be done with. No one seemed surprised by the Sister interruption. Unsure what to do, and with the others making no sound or movement of any sort to greet the Sister in what way they saw appropriate, Dawn slowly closed the door behind her and looked quizzically at Tessa. "Don't pretend you don't know that we know," The first noise for a long time past Tessa's lips, "Because we know everything, everything." She added suspiciously. "What do you mean, everything? How can you possibly know everything? Not even Faith knows everything, I doubt anyone does, so how can you claim you do?" Dawn burst out, only to be rudely interrupted by the man who stood before her. "Are you sure she's with him?" He asked Tessa over her shoulder. "They said! I heard them…" Answered Fuchsia of her own accord. "Said what? I've not said anything that should be against any of you, unless…" Dawn spoke out loud to herself with a gasp, "You're all traitors, and who ever this is," She indicated to the man, and with sudden realisation, "He's from Flinch, how did he get in?" "Probably the same way your little friend got in out there…Tell us now, are you not a traitor yourself? You come here with a Flinch man at the ready, and bring threat to these people when the Sister you travel with here raises alarm…" The man accused. "Me? I'm not a traitor, you are, Tessa, I would never betray Keda to what you have…" Dawn raised her voice so that it could be heard behind the wooden door. The man before her raises a weary finger to her lips and looked cautiously behind her. "You are not a traitor?" He asked. "No!" Dawn replied indignantly. "Do you trust her, Tessa?" Tessa looked to the ground, "I suppose I've no other choice…" "But I heard her saying…" Fuchsia argued. "For now on we will have to call it a misunderstanding." And to Dawn he asked, "Pray, where is the man you came with…Kay…for he is surely at large this moment. It is like letting a wolf into an in closed chicken pen bringing him here at this time of night," "Kay! Kay is a traitor, but he said…he swore to us that he…" Dawn replied, shocked. "You should know better than any other, Sister, that no Flinch man's word can be taken for granted, where is he?" "Exactly," She said, ignoring the original question, "No Flinch man's word can be taken seriously, so why should we trust you? For surely with those looks you are from Flinch also, as any man from here abouts is at war…" "We do not have time to…" A thousand echoes, each with there own silent shudder entered the room, shaking walls and the good people's souls as though they were made of glass, and after that, silence, pure silence. In the small room next to which the scream had come from, both Sisters gave each other a frightened look, as though to see if the other understood what had happened, but neither did. "He has entered the other room, it is too late, Sisters, we must leave, gather what is yours, and quietly, we have only seconds before he sees the door." The man whispered. "But the people!" Tears blinded Tessa. "The people are dead." The man said bluntly, and sword still drawn, he pushed Dawn away from the door and towards Fuchsia, who was hurriedly packing food. "We must leave, and when I say that I mean leave the City, it is no safer to us than it is to the people now that he has entered, quickly, follow me…" And with this last word, all 4 left the room and merged into the darkness outside. * * *</p><p>"We must ride harder!" Shouted Pandora from the front of the group, "Something is wrong, I can feel it in every movement I make, new evil has entered Keda." "Then we will get there too late!" Shouted Cerys back, against the wind, "As the crow flies we have more than 30 miles to cover on horse back, it will take a day riding as fast as these horses can go! It took me that and a night and even then I went at a hazardous speed." Pandora gave a concerned look and answered; "That I fear also, Sister, but while there is still our lives there is still hope. Even if we get there too late, at least we are there…" From behind both Sisters Courtney sat quietly, lost in her own thought. The 3-bent double against their horses as they went, flattened against the wind. Trees and bushes soared past as though they had a mind of there own, scratching and scaring the Sisters faces, but still they did not stop. The fact that the City and possibly other Sisters were in danger was enough to keep them on their feet for weeks, if not years. Plewed, Cery's horse, and Bracemallet (Pandora's) were fast, but not as fast as Carlington, Courtney's horse, and in seconds she had past the others. It was decided that Courtney, who could get to the City within the next couple of hours, should ride on, an approach what ever peril lay there. And so, Pandora and Cerys behind her, Courtney rode on with tremendous speed, over the rolling hills and forest that surrounded Keda. When Pandora and Cerys's horses had only reached the hill under which Ellen's tunnel lay, Courtney was already at the house that Cerys's so longed to visit, and when Pandora and Cery's were there, Courtney was approaching with rapid pace the Keda gates. It is a strange thing, to ride up to an expected war zone, and to see millions of people peacefully queuing up to leave. It is even more of a strange thing to see the bustling type figure of Foolsworth struggling to do his duty whilst thousands of bored onlookers wait their turn. With caution, Courtney slowed her horse and took one long look at the line of people that had formed over the past day. Keda held more than a million people, and here it seemed that more or less half of these people were leaving, and that wasn't including the quarter that were at war. Without hesitation now, as she could see that the evil expected had not yet broken out, Courtney rode up the white washed gravel path towards Foolsworth, who stood awe-struck as though he was a antelope in the headlights, looking at the queue that ran up the hill into the centre of town. As Courtney came forward a cry went up in the crowd of her arrival, much to the Sisters hidden delight. It had been a while longer than she had intended since her last visit, as she had had the instinct feeling that she was not welcome when she had last stayed in her rightful home, and so, all too aware of what had happened to Hope, she had gone to her home on the bay opposite Pandora. But, with these cheers, she realised in her heart that the people did not want her to leave again, even if some Sisters did. With these cheers, Foolsworth turned his tired head around, and, in seeing the Sister in whom his most friendliness lay, he also cheered. Slightly embarrassed at her welcoming, Courtney stood high on the gate entrance, so as to look over all the people. Breathing in the Keda air, from which she had been away from for such a long time, Courtney gave out a cry. "Good people! Why do you leave these safe settlements? Surely not because of the war." No one gave the answer, "Why then?" "Because they are afraid of what is happening to the Sisters, Ma'am, if you don’t mind me saying so." Foolsworth explained from below. "It's just, well, Faith, as you know, isn't here, and although she didn't do much she showed security, and well, a leading figure, and now she's gone. And Ellen, Ma'am, it's not the same Ellen we know, and unless she's climbed over a fence to get out, she's still at large in the City somewhere! And there's Dawn and Tessa too," And this he whispered, "The people still think they've not returned, but they have, they signed in last night with a man, Ma'am, only to sign out again a few hours later with another man. Course, I couldn't tell anyone cause right after them all these lot showed up, it's been chaos! And to make me feel even more insecure, Tessa asked if I should like to come to, I said no like, obviously, but still. And that man they came in with hasn't been seen…" Taking seconds to digest this information, Courtney turned back to the man and whispered in confidence, "What of Dove and Heather? Have they held strong? And Rhea, has she left the City, or does she dwell here?" Shaking his head sadly, Foolsworth looked Courtney in they eyes, "Rhea left a long time ago Ma'am, soon after Hope's last visit. Dove is still in Ellen's tower, but well…It's the last straw Ma'am…no, you don't understand. After all that stuff going on, the people were insecure, but not ready to leave. Late last night is what I'm trying to say Sister, if you'll excuse me…Heather, she left. She said she was 'looking for the lost ones,' the Sisters, she meant. Until you arrived, Dove's been the only Sister in Keda with those two lunatic's going around!" More than shock Courtney, for she had been expecting the worst due to Foolsworth's expression, it worried her, for what ever danger Pandora predicted, it was only her and Dove there to defend people of it. Despite this, Courtney, as ever, stood tall and strong. Regaining herself and getting back on Carlington, she called again to the people. "My people, my life! Let not the fact that so little Sister remain daunt you, for I am to stay, and I guarantee that in the next two hours Cerys and Pandora are to enter the gates once more! Where Faith is, I have no more idea than you do, but Ellen shall be found and brought about, I swear it. Go back to your houses, continue the days work, soon enough a council for all group leaders shall be held, with as many Sisters present as possible! Go back now, and do not worry, for we shall protect as we always have…" And the last words ever directly spoken to her people left Courtney's mouth as she rode at a steady place to where Dove waited for her. </p><p>Chapter 6 Heather, half blind in the panic of what she had done, stumbled forward into the shady forest in which Faith had disappeared into days before, and Cerys had passed in order to get to Courtney and Pandora. Unaware of Courtney's re-entrance to the City, she feared Faith was the only hope left, and although she knew of her importance to the people, she had snuck away in the dead of the night immediately after her decision was made. In the time that had past since then the Sun had become one again, blessing the faces of the Farmers that watched her pass with concern. And then, as though a great hand had reached up and flicked the ball of fire away, the Sun sank behind the hills as quickly as it had arrived. For the past few minutes the Sun's shadow had shone down on the hopeful people of Keda as they watched Courtney enter Ellen's tower, and Heather, on foot, had past Hope's tower with a shudder. Now, Heather ran to a point further than Faith had ever gotten to, unaware that Rhea had intercepted a while before. She had come to a thick part in the Forest where she had not visited for a while, and with all her age she couldn't find the wisdom in her that told her of where she was. She didn't fear though, carrying on as though a silent force guided her from behind she continued to go North in search of the road that she and she alone of all the Sisters, knew Faith had headed for. Now the Sisters encounter entered her mind, the deathly slowness of it, and the gasp of the people about. She doubted that anyone had yet mentioned the meeting, or surely she would have been summand to a Sister council immediately. Pausing in her tracks she turned South so as to face the direction from which she had come from. In the distance the birds of the Forest sang, but no sound was heard from a far as Keda. The only presence of the City now was in the air, which brushed Heather's lips, as she tasted the salt sea. What peril she had left the City to she could only fear, as yet no sign of war within could be chartered. Yet as she carried on, past the Cam Mountains to her east, which, inconveniently, were so treacherous to cross, to Flinch, her heart broke as the distant cries pierced it, as although many miles lay between here and there, the cries of Keda and Flinches rage was ripe and explosive. Saddened by this thought, she looked about her so as to savour the peace that lay about her now, for she knew that eventually she would be there, and although it was no place for a child, she had to be. She stood for many moments, face un front, tears rolling, arms to the side, as she remembered what doom had been laid apon Cam the last time the realm was under attack. Rarely had anyone smiled, and even Courtney had not been able to pull a positive fact out of the desolate darkness that was the memory of the Great War. Now Heather new that war again was waking, stirring in it's ancient old cave as though a troll, ready to squash not so innocent victims in it's path, but in doing so throw sticks and stones at those who were. Taking one great sigh, she ran on, towards the edge of the Forest that surrounds what she was running away from.</p><p>* * *</p><p>The Castle was bizarrely quiet for what was usually a public meeting point amongst the higherarchy of Keda, but putting this down to the threat of rebellion from a Sister, Courtney carried on relentless to where she had been directed to. The air, hot and sticky due to no circulation, stuck to the Sisters lungs as though to gap her, making each movement seem almost dream like. Hoofs thudded on the worn down track that passed between the Forest to the right and the City to the left. The thing that was Courtney's hand reached forward and pushed open the oak door that led to where Dove sat. But there the Sister found no sign of Dove… The horses grew closer, their mistresses clinging to their mains… Courtney slowly moved forwards, letting the door slide shut behind her with a… Bang as Cery's hand hit to door so as to give the one signal of entrance before the people shouted their arrival to fellow neighbours and relatives. From far away Courtney heard the call, but apon the Castle set high on the cliff she carried on still, towards the object in the middle of the room. Suddenly, as though a glass had shattered, the room became noiseless, motionless even, the shouts from outside reduced to shallow whispers as the Sister spread out her hand to touch the velvet blanket that covered it. The air was crystal cool, as though a waterfall had fallen over the room she was in. Her hand touched the blanket, felt it underneath her fingers, and pulled it forward towards her trembling nose. Underneath was a jewel. It could only be given that name as that was what it was, but if the finder was asked to describe it, an entire essay could be written. It's sides, cut by the most luxurious hands, wept of solitude, to have a will of your own, to not be controlled by a City. The colour, a deep blue, bluer than even Faith's eyes, shone and sparkled a million glances, flushing and batting its eyelids as though it were a real person. Far away Courtney heard the call of her name, but awe struck by the magnificence that lay before her, she did not move towards the voice, but instead reached in towards the rock, lightly touching it but hesitantly drawing back as though she were a child eye candy that she had no money for. "It's pretty isn't it?" The question came from a far but the hand that, unfamiliarly tapped Courtney's shoulder did not. Not drawing her eyes away from the wonder, she replied. "It is." "Too bad it's mine really, or I'm sure you could have had it." Added Ellen, who stood hands behind back, next to and behind Courtney. "Why do you talk to me in such a way?" A dazed Courtney, eyes still on the crystal, but mind still working, asked her Sister. "You say it as though there is no chance of me seeing it again. Can I not see it again, Sister?" At first Ellen did not reply, simply looked, as did her companion, at the rock before them. Voices called in the back ground, and a door slammed, bringing both Ellen and Courtney out of the trance that surrounded them like mist. "You are right Sister," Ellen sighed, hands still behind back as she watched Courtney turn to face her, "You will not see this stone again, and neither shall you see me…" "Why not? Are you going somewhere? Ellen what's gotten into you?" Courtney asked all at once. "Hush, my friend, hush. I will not be gone forever, for eventually everyone must follow in your footsteps that are so solid and purposeful in every way…No, they will not forget you." With these words Ellen had taken a step towards Courtney, who now, seeing the fire in Ellen's eyes, had stepped backwards, only to fall over the stone, turning only to catch it before glimpsing upwards at Ellen who had moved with her. "Give it here," Ellen demanded; the lethal spark in her eye igniting even more as though it had been fed its fuel. "Fear is your fuel," Courtney spat, ending the conversation in her brain with words, "You will burn for being this traitor, Ellen, as will all that follow you! The blood of the coven says it so." She threatened. "What blood, dearest relative, for there are barely enough of you left to play even the simplest of games. You stand there, all of you, tall as trees, but unbeknown to you, as your arrogance is a plague, the others around you have left, leaving you defenceless! Hope and Rhea may run, but I, friend, shall stay. I shall conquer you, for this land is no more your than it is my own, and with your death the people and all Sisters who dare to stay shall realise this!" She cackled. Looking up at her end, Courtney snarled proudly, a lion in a tigers body, "I am justified when you are not Ellen, even as I die I am the one with the dignity, the one who's every heart warms to, and so I shall remain, even as they burn you at the stake." But too late these words came, as the fatal blade that had so long ago served for it's country sliced through Courtney's skin, ending her life, and with it the belief that was Keda. </p><p>* * *</p><p>Cerys stood at the scene for a long while, not moving, not even breathing it seemed. The cloth that Courtney had so soon before touched lay now strewn across the floor, with no indication of what could have been beneath it. Red rimmed faces patrolled the street, devastated but determined to bring justice to the one they loved. They searched for exiles, ones they once too, had loved, but now they despised. They searched for blood, to bring the tragedy and the Sister's misfortune to an end. Time seemed endless, but when one looked at the clock, they would see that only 5 minutes had past. Darkness tightened around the Castle walls, enclosing the smell of death, the night past without a trace of either two of the suspected being seen. At the beginning of the second day of a world without Courtney, Cerys came, as promised, the City Hall for council. The turn out was extraordinary, considering that the day before most people had wanted to leave. Now it seemed that hatred for who ever killed Courtney drove the people on, savage flames burning in their eyes. "No wonder Ellen has shown no one her face, for if she did she would have been dead within the second." Pandora whispered to her companion as she entered the old hall. Cerys, stills stung by the treachery and abolishment of 2 Sisters, simply nodded, although she was not out of mind. Her eyes buzzed a-light as ever, well aware that there were others around her needed her now more than ever. Sisters had fallen, in one way or another, and at this very moment it was only Pandora and Cerys who stood true. Carefully, but not so that the people could see it, Cerys inspected the room in which they entered. It's large walls towered above them, forming at the top and arch in the very centre, the room being round. All around these tall walls tapestries were hung, some of life as it was, some as life as it could never of been, some of as life was but non could ever believe it was. At the very furthest wall hung a notorious painting in Keda. In it sat all eleven Sisters, as noble as Queens, as the painter had intended. The sky was blackened by that of war, fear glazed the eyes off all the mortals as it did now. The significance of the painting, however, was the faces each Sister wore, for whether the artist had meant it or not, each Sisters characteristics shone through as though they were gold in glass cased. Their tinted cheeks were different colours from the others around them. Around Courtney's neck lay a clock, and her lips were upturned, as though she knew something that no one else did. Ellen was not looking up, as was Courtney, but down, at Courtney's neck, apon that the clock ticked. Heather was laughing, her eyes sparkling with delight at the entertainers before her, Cerys was sobbing lightly, as though she could not believe all around her was real, and Faith was looking to the sky, nose upturned as though she was superior to all others, but her eyes showed doubt and concern towards the war. Both Tessa and Dawn talked quietly, hands covering their mouths to each other, and Rhea sat below them, grovelling at their feet as though she were a dog. Dove sat smiling into the distance, her hair as grey as it had ever been, and Pandora chewed her lip, looking down at Rhea in concern. The last, Hope, stood amongst the people, looking up at the Sisters, as though she was not one herself. This secretly concerned Cerys, had they really acted as though she was not one of their own? Certainly, Hope wasn't originally, but they had adopted her, and so she was. What had they done so wrong that the artist had the impression that she wasn't? Yet Hope stood tall, taller than the Sisters would have if they were at her ground. Her eyes, too, shone, they shone with dignity, all those around her wept, holding their hands over their eyes and mouths, as though they knew her fate and wished to do everything in their power to stop it. Hope looked on oblivious of their cries of warning, taking nothing in and giving nothing out other than the adoring stare at her friends who stood high above her as though they were worth more. In the past 100 years, many people had pleaded to take this tapestry down, saying that it was insulting, and that it showed no truth. As far as they were concerned, Hope was a lost cause, someone that should never of been trusted, but look at who they had trusted, Pandora pointed out later in the argument, look at what she had done. To this there could be no answer, for finally the people knew that what they had done so long ago was wrong, they should never of banished the only Sister who truly thought of herself as one of their own, the only Sister who was not so wrapped up in pride. She had not been arrogant, indignant of selfish in anyway, and yet you still hated her, we still hated her, and now it is time to make what amends we can. Cerys told them, and she was right, although the people took another 2 hours to realise it. They needed all the help they could get before the walls collapsed beneath them. Of the few who were allowed to enter the room, the few that were chosen to tell the others, there were a lot more. Evidently, the guards who stood outside knew many people who wanted to hear first hand, as they did themselves. The Sisters did not blame the gate-crashers, for in their shoes both Pandora and Cerys would have liked to enter also, but they were not the loudest of Sisters, and so when ever it got out of hand Cerys was forced to stand on her stood and loudly clash a pan against the closest wall. Because of these steady interruptions the meeting carried on well into the night, and when it was finally over, the only thing that everyone had felt had been resolved was that of the decision to find all other Sisters before continuing. The Sisters themselves were still not sure of this movement, as both Ellen and the Flinch man (of whom they had been told about by Dogit and later confirmed by Foolsworth) were still at large. These thoughts plagued the Sisters, as did the memories of battle that had so firmly been placed in their minds from childhood. The days dragged on for many weeks, time its self seemed to sop just before and after the sun moved. With Ellen and Kay (as they now knew from Foolsworth's entry book) still hiding within the City walls, despite the Sisters plea, many had left, and a curfew had been set for the evening, so that when usually pub's would be ripe with activity, they were now dreary and dismal places where anyone rarely went. On such a day Cerys lay on the outskirts of the City, her eyes wept but the rest of her face was in no way distorted. The summer, in which the start of had seen Faith, Tessa, Dawn and Heather leave, began to end. In her heart Cerys knew not all Sisters would ever again be in the same room, and with Courtney dead, Ellen committing betrayal and both Rhea and Hope not seen within years, she was not entirely sure whether there even was a coven by the Sisters names anymore. "Are we really still one, Sister?" She had asked Pandora when she last saw her, "Are we really what we used to be?" All Pandora could do was shake her head, for she had been wondering the same thing. The only hope that lay in anybody's heart was that of the tree that lay where Courtney lay. Its petals were rarely seen, but whenever they were, it was sure to be at night. It was said that they lit the sky so that the lost Sisters could see in which way they should lead. </p><p>Chapter 7 Rhea's feet were cut; her hair was plastered to her face. She was exhausted but she did not stop, her arm ached as though it would fall, but she did not stop. She had fought now for 2 months, with snatched of sleep in between the battles, which erupted at random moments like volcanoes. Where she was exactly she had no clue. She had started just a little north to the Keda/Flinch border; in front of Flinch its self in fact, after an agonising decision. Proving Hope, her Sisters theory wrong, she had not entered Flinch, instead she had made her way to the commanding officer of Keda, and there told him that if he valued is luck, he would let her in roll. Flabbergasted, he had done so without a word. So she had fought for what she believed in, for although the City had put her through so much pain, it was still her own land, and no matter where she went or what she did, it still would be until the very end. A savage cry was let out as her last victim fell, beaten, to the floor. It's words meant nothing, but the emotion it let out did, the battle was won, but the war was not over. Almost as soon as the cry was issued, a herald could be seen prancing, skipping almost, lightly over the bodies that had fallen to the floor during the raging frenzy. The man gathered pace when he saw the Sister standing defiantly between the men either side of her, the female representative of Keda. "What message comes to me, Keda's own Hermes, for surely if any it cannot be good." She called out over the echo of war that drummed in everyone's ears. "No message for you from the City Ma'am, but a personal one from me, and a word of warning also…" The messenger puffed as he regained breath. The entire soldiers, despite their first fear of Rhea, now trusted her, as in war she had proven her loyalty. "There are only…two sisters in Keda, Ma'am…only two." He claimed between breaths. "Two!" Rhea's eyebrows rose, "What of the others? Dove, and Heather? Surely if the need came they would never leave the Walls?" "They have though, Ma'am. Dove is gone…" "Gone?" "Missing, Ma'am…and Heather has run away, in search of Faith, so it would seem, who…" "I know what happened to Faith, for I was there, but let it be gone. What of Courtney, Dawn, Tessa and all others? Why do they not protect their land? I have not seen them here…" "The ones that lie within are Cerys and Pandora, Sister. Tessa and Dawn are to gone, and it is feared they have betrayed all…as for Courtney, well…" "Well? Well what?" "It is not truthful that she does not lie within…" The Herald spoke slowly, "for she does, but on a bed of stones, Ma'am, for Ellen slew her, and is now also missing within." Rhea did not take long to digest, "Faith; missing, Heather; gone, Hope; lost, Courtney; slew, Dawn; lost, Tessa; lost, Dove; missing, and Ellen, you say, Ellen betraying us? But to who? And when? For she has not passed us this way once, and it would be recorded or sent if she passed further down the line to Flinch!" The herald nodded, unsure… "Then I will leave, I will return home, and pray be that I shall find one lost on the way home…" With these words Rhea ran to Benore, her horse, mounted, and was gone before anyone could say any word of advice. She rode like the wind, through the tree leaves as though they were but pieces of paper, afraid of what she may find when she reached Keda, even more afraid of what may happen every second she was there. She travelled for many days before reaching the area in which she had frightened Faith with her threats so much that Faith had not been seen since. Not since then had she thought of the ordeal, too consumed in the fighting to care less of what happened to her or her sisters. But as time had passed she had regained that care she had had when others cared for her, and only now, when she stood still and listened to the invading silence, did she realise how important the Sister's themselves were to her. Of what little vanity, you see, the sister's accused her of non-had been right. It was and still is a dangerous weapon, rumour, when it drives the innocent to excel. All sister's had been deceived, one by the other, and what little anyone knew of this, Rhea had the best idea, but it were Rhea that no one trusted. The beginner of these rumours was clever, for if Rhea had uttered the guilty name she would have been hung for treason, as non-trusted her any longer. Pulling away the vines at the door of the other sister who had been disfigured due to this wicked women's talk, Hope's tower, Rhea did not hesitate to step forward into a world she had not seen for a long while. As she stepped, she was aware that she should now be in Keda, but some unseen force provoked her and pushed her forwards, through the cobwebs to the main hall, which, like Faith's, lay at the very centre of the tower. This hall had a roof, but on with many windows in, so that when who ever looked up, they could still see the blue sky above. Rhea looked up not and gasped in amazement at what had become of her Sister's sanctuary. Black raven's, as black as the night, sat on either point of the tower (for it was square) high above her head. They watched, with their heads cocked in suspicion, as the sister glared at them, as though challenging them to a silent duel. Each creature as silent as each other, they slowly turned away, although by the flick of the raven's eyes and the crouching of Rhea's shoulders, it was clear to any unseen audience that each were still aware of the others presence. In horror Rhea stood and looked in awe at what had become of Hope's tower. No doubt no one had entered it for many years, as the curtains were drawn, letting in only the dank shadow of decay. Even the pictures on the wall, once bright and colourful, demonstrated Hope's life span, as they were now old and rotting. Blackness seemed to cover everything like a blanket, smothering it to death in the hall. Chairs were left where they had been put since when no one knew. It was as though one day, before everyone had been awake enough to get to any tower; the entire public had decided that Hope was no longer worthy, and so they had not ever returned to the magnificent tower, just outside of the city. Rhea remembered how feared the forest had become since the demise of Hope had ended, and in amazement she remembered even further back to when it had been common knowledge that the children of the city played amongst the trees. She cackled now in delight at the fact she was not the only forgotten sister, frightening the crows away above her so that again she felt alone. The sound of her own voice reminded her of her own tower, one in which she occasionally had laughed out loud in, in the short time when she was celebrated. Despise ran through her blood, for she knew that even though others were hated she had been hated the most throughout the years, she had never really had as much as all the other sisters had had. She screamed to herself in impatience now, at how foolish she had been to return to such a place, at her own hand for opening the door and reminding her of such things, but it was no use, she had done what she had done and now she stood, heavy headed, in a abandoned tower just outside the city. Her eyes cut into the glass roof at the thought of the welcome she would receive; silence, it could be guaranteed. Silence for the people of Keda would not know how to act towards her, as a friend or foe? Neither would her own sisters. To disappear after social banishment only to reappear when disaster struck? The Council would either banish her in fear of conspiracy from the other side or be sickly kind to her, smothering her in apologies for their indecent behaviour towards her. Her eyes glinted at this though, for she longed to be forgiven for what ever minor act it was she had done to be so hated, and now Ellen, Ellen, the Queen whom all the people loved, adored even, was uncovered to be the evil inside the city, and not Rhea, Rhea the betrayer, whom everyone hated. She marvelled at what she would be called now, Rhea the dignified? Rhea the protector? Or Rhea the coward, for not returning sooner? Would her sisters, what was left of them, instantly look up to her, or would they look down for her leaving at all, for surely if she had stayed this could of all been prevented? Surely she could have stopped Ellen before it was too late? But if she had left, they would still see her as a flea which was only there to be flicked away, no one would of believed her is she had claimed beautiful Queen Ellen was no good, would they? No, they wouldn't of, they would of laughed in spite and turned there backs. As she thought, a wind from behind caught her back and made her shiver the bumps on her arms standing out as though she was in water. She turned to find a door, leading to the staircase, open. In sudden desperation to see all that was around her, she skipped lightly to the top of the staircase to great the birds that had watched her. They perched on the trees around the turret, watching her still, and Rhea became aware that they could have been sent by Hope to guard her tower. But what of it? What of her being there, she had a right! And did not Hope or any other sister have a right to go to her tower to look at the view? But still she felt uneasy, so she turned her back to pretend they were not there. Her eyes widened to the view of Keda, sitting proudly by the sea, the horizon setting as dusk drew near. The mountains to the right of her glowed as though they were on fire, where as in actual fact half of them were due to camp fires and the burning of dead bodies. Charcoal invaded the sky of Keda above, creating a threatening affect, as though the city it's self was being covered by the same dreariness that had invaded Hope's tower. As Rhea stared, she became less and less aware of the ravens behind her, so much so that one of them crept silently to her right and perched its self on her hand. At the feel of the bird Rhea let out a startled yelp and backed away, but the bird didn't fly away, it sat on her hand and cocked its head as though to ask her her name. The sister stared dumb-founded-ly at the inquisitive bird, taking its relentless stare back at her own pace. Eye apon eye neither moved, as though frozen with fear of what lay within the others brains, for remember, Rhea did not know that Hope was still on Keda's side, and so this worried her. After minutes, as though to give a signal of recognition the bird crowed, and with the crow all birds took flight and flew to the West.</p><p>Chapter 8 The child aged, her hair grew, as did her fingernails. Where once she had been immortal, the genuine pressure and lack of the other sister's presence tore at her, as though they were claws from a hungry vulture. Her hair, once short cropped and tangled in a child like manor, hung now straight down her back, and although it still possessed the same copper, wavy characteristic Heather had had as a child, it was different in appearance, as it now was long and held up by a clasp at the back. Her eyes were the only things that any one could recognise in her, as her posture and face were now that of a young women of about 20. Heather herself noted the changes, knowing that when her time came to return to Keda none would recognise her. She, like Rhea, had come to hear of Courtney's death, and of so little of the coven being in the City at one time. But this was not new news to her, as when she had left, not so long ago, to seek Faith in what ever mission she kept, she had been aware of this, although not of Courtney's death. The departure saddened her, although the shell, which she now wore around her body, prevented her from morning any more than that. She had walked for what seemed like years, although in actual fact it was only months, towards the edge of the forest, not knowing in which direction she was heading, but knowing that the trees must end soon. She had no final destination as she had no idea where Faith was. When, finally, she reached the edge of the woodland, she had seen before her land she had not seen chartered on any map. Below her a hill had stretched out to a small town, consisting of two or three farmhouses and a cluster of homes. In the centre of these houses stood a great Church, which shocked her, as she had not seen a church since her last travels to Flinch, as Cam was not a Catholic county. With a shock, she had realised that this must mean she had left the county all together, and so, if she were not in Mera, the county of Flinch, then the people would not know who she was by site, and she not them. This daunted and relieved Heather at the same time. For one she would not have to snoop about looking for Faith, but for two neither would Faith. For a third, if she ever needed help in any way, she would be treated as an equal, and so not put in first priority, unless she stated who she was and so called out for help from Keda. Here she faced a dilemma. Throughout her journey through the forest she had considered doing such a thing, calling out for help and turning to see 10 thousand Keda citizens ready to wait hand on foot. Certainly, the other sisters would be angry, but then she could be angry back for not waiting for her return to make any decisions, which, undoubtedly, had been done. These childish thoughts plagued her mind as she had walked, teasing her, constantly nagging on her shoulders and compensating if any problems arose. Didn't they want to find Faith? Surely they would be pleased she had shown initiative and gone on a- head of them? Who were they to question a Sister's motives? She sighed, in her heart she knew that what ever she thought of in her head, the Keda people and Sister's would do something completely the opposite to such a thing, leaving her with nothing but hopes and dreams. Obviously, she had chosen to remain anonymous, leaving behind her a trail of anxiety and scepticism. She sat now, alone, in the dark, by an old mill, far, far away from Keda or Flinch, and their Great War. When she had first visited the pub by the Mill, where she now glanced at with an unnerving paranoia, she had looked, in the bathroom mirror, at an old teenager, or indeed, the young women she was now, and let out a frightened gasp at what she had become. No one told her why this had happened because no one knew of who she was and what state she had left the City in. Out of sheer curiosity she had researched through out the night that Rhea had travelled through to find things out about her that not even she knew. She now knew that being away from and Sister and or Keda itself for more than 48 hours alone meant that she would begin to age, and quickly, unless a herb was found and eaten. That herb had been found and eaten as soon as the Sister had heard of it, but too late, for she had aged and would never again be the Heather everyone remembered. So, her story followed with the others, closely, like this; as Courtney and Pandora debated with the City council, she walked, ageing, through the forest. As Rhea heard of Courtney's death, she had also heard the cry, far, far away, but crystal clear in the stillness of the forest, of the death, from the City itself. As Rhea had arrived at the City, Heather had looked at herself in the pub mirror and gaped in awe at what was before her. And as Rhea now stood at the top of Hope's tower, with the bird on her hand, Heather sat and guarded all those around her, without them even knowing it. "The curse of all mortals," Heather smirked to herself, "None know that they or their neighbour is in danger, and yet when their neighbour dies, they simply look at the next to save them." She talked, or mumbled, to herself about the character that had entered the pub, to the left of her now, seconds before. The city was that of Munea, and despite it's independence from the counties of Cam and Mera, it was in close tie with the higher nobles in Mera, which meant that it was even less convenient for Heather, as they did not know who she was, but if they were too, their would be little who would help her, and many who would be interested in her blood. A noble, one that Heather recognised as Sir Jack Dawle, a immortal who deserved the 'Sir' no more than did the pub owner, now sat inside as Heather watched from a distance. Sir Jack, she was sure, would recognise her at the slightest glimpse, but still she did not back away, for the connection between him being so far away from Flinch and so close to the Keda border was too closely compatible with the war that still carried on in the East. She sat, unguarded, in everyone's view, with a rigid certainty, that which could be found in any whit warrior who was closest to their darkness they as they had ever been. Sir Jack had arrived at 2, just as the rusted doors of Hope's tower had been fearlessly pushed open and the great hall had been occupied by a sister for the first time for a long time. It was now 6, and the lowering sun kissed every innocent's face as the moon rose to great its secret society members. Heather was now more of a friend to the night and moon than she was to the sun and day. As darkness fell, her eyes became focused, her body taught, but not with fear, with the anxiety to move, to become one with the world and glide above the unsuspected head's that loomed before her. Most would she this as a sign that her unsociability, her own out- casting, had led for her to become another, someone that belonged neither here nor there, someone that was not good, someone that was evil. This was not so with Heather, for she was not evil, in fact, with every day that passed, she became more loyal to Keda, and more and more against Flinch. She saw, with her own eyes, for the first time, the destruction Flinch brought with it, and not only to good, to evil. Heather herself, for the first time, understood fully the lectures she had been issued with when she was not a sister but a child. "Keda is not good, Keda is not evil, Keda is neither. Keda is a city in which some people live, some of whom are good, some of whom are bad. You may be good, you may be bad, the important thing is that you are loyal." She thought this over now, in her head, and could not decide who was good and who was evil. How could you yourself class evil away from good, were they really apart? For surely, if there was a good, there would be and evil that perceived that good as evil. Keda itself was lucky to have the stereotype of good, and Flinch was unlucky to have the stereotype of evil, for if someone unknowing were to choose a side, they would choose Keda, as had Hope. But was Keda good? Was Keda's people good? They killed; they slaughtered, as much as Flinch, if not more, for it was sure that more Flinch hands were slew than Keda's. She was not bad, although she was a creature of the night. When she had been a creature of the day, she was not good. That man, Sir Jack, sitting in there, could or could not of been more evil or better than her, but it did not matter to Heather, for he was an opposite side, and that meant he wasn't trustworthy, and if someone isn't trust worthy, they are capable of doing an action that would provoke another, and if they provoke Keda they must die. That was Keda's philosophy. As Heather though she moved forward without realising it. The cool glass on her forehead and cheeks brought her slowly back to reality only just in time as a large bread roll hit the window pain hard, throwing her backwards with shock to the floor. "Clear off, you'll frighten away the customers!" Called the Innkeeper from inside, "If you want warmth you'll have to buy it!" With bitter resilience Heather backed away from the scene, she had been to foolishly young to think of money when she left, as she had thought truly that she would be caught before even getting to Hope's tower. The only thing she had brought with her that was significant enough to earn enough money to be able to sit and stay in the bar for several days was a bracelet around her ankle that held no importance to her, but one of which that anyone she sold it to could know instantly who she was. She had been looking, now, for many days to find someone suitable to buy the merchandise without facing danger, with no luck. However, now she was desperate, she picked the least likely character, an alternative apothecary on the high street, one that two, like Heather, hated the place, the people, and the laws. She walked cautiously to this place, her eyes on the floor, for the locals had recognised that she had stayed in the same place for two nights running, and so were becoming weary of her. She reached the shop she looked for and carefully, so as, again, not to draw any attention to herself, opened the door. She was immediately greeted by a hushed silence, other than the shop's bell that hung over the doorway, which jangled a warning to its owner. The apothecary stood alone in the shop, eyeing the new comer carefully, for it was clear that he did not have many customers, and when he did they came for tiny treasures such as lockets or quills, all of which could be sold else where, but out of convenience the customer had come to this shop. To his eyes, this girl was immediately different, in the way she dressed, looked, and when she opened her mouth, spoke. "I was wondering if you would be interested in buying a jewel, sir…" She mumbled to him, eyes on the counter, which was covered in trinkets. "Let's see it," He commanded, holding out his grubby hands to the girl, as though to take it. Cautiously Heather rose her hand, which in it had the chain, and toyed with it in her fingers. "It holds no value to me, it's just that I need the money sir, and it’s the best thing I have." The apothecary eyed the chain greedily, "It holds no value to you, Ma'am, but it would fetch a pretty sum in here…" His eyes drew around the room at all his worthless possessions. "But I am afraid, even if I gave you all the money and possessions in this building, I could not pay you nearly enough…" "Oh!" Heather blushed, ashamed to think that she had not thought of this problem, "Well…perhaps, as well as money, I could take an item. I only really need enough to stay in the inn…" To this the man raised his eyebrows…"A Traveller? What traveller comes to Munea so unprepared, I wonder?" "W-well, Sir," Stuttered Heather, melting underneath the old man's gaze, "You see, I-I, um, I left in a hurry, err, the bailiffs, Sir, they chucked me out, you see, a-and, um, this was the only possession I took…Sir," Heather murmured, holding up the jewel, as though to indicate. "Then why, pray, did you not give the bailiffs this item, instead of fleeing only to sell it here?" "A-at the time, sir, it was very precious to me, and I did not want to part with it," Heather became stronger, unaffected by the suspicious eyes before her, "But now I see myself on the streets sir, I am near desperation…now will you except my deal or not? For I am sure someone else will…" "No one else will, for everyone else knows who you are…" A women, no older than Heather herself, came through the door as the old man said this, eye brows raised. The women made no movement or sound other than to look Heather up and down and smile shyly. "Ignore her," Rasped the old man, "She's dumb." To this the women immediately went red and turned away. Heather, fully aware of the danger she was in, backed quickly away from the counter, only to trip over a barrel, and sprawl on the floor. The man tutted, "You get up and pick that barrel up with you, it's no use being afraid of us, that lot wouldn't believe us if we told them, and besides, what would make us tell them?" Heather, still on the floor, looked suspiciously at the man as he continued talking. "We've been here, what is it now, 50 odd year. I myself used to live in that forest over there, amongst folk like myself, superstitious like, but then…well…Keda began to change like, and we being close to them, felt it were time to move. 'Course, we all went this way and that, I was only a young 'un at that point, so I made my way to the closest City that weren't Keda, here, in Munea. Don't like there politics much mind, always been a Keda fellow myself, even though I never lived there…seen you plenty of times, mind, all dressed up, not like now…" Heather looked down at her torn clothes, "Here! Our Seph! Don't just leave her lying there, forgotten my manners ma'am, excuse me, but it's been a long time since snobby royalty tried to sell me something that I hadn't the money for and then tripped over my property…" Heather, still on the floor, was aware of the silent girl approaching, but all the while she kept her eyes on the peculiar man. In his rambled life story he had talked of affection towards herself and Keda, but occasionally he would become sour, as though he was weary of Heather and her City. Now he muttered to himself incoherently as he turned the corner of his counter and came over to Heather, only to inspect his property and sigh loudly whenever he found a fault which was bound to of been there before it's fall. As the man did this, Heather became increasingly light headed, so much so that she did not realise she was standing, after being helped by the silent girl to her feet. As the blood rushed to her head she stumbled, feeling out for something to grab, and finding a shoulder leaned heavily. The silent girl looked at the old man expectedly, asking for advice, but at the same time holding up the unconscious Sister. The old man glared back, rounded his counter and pulled out a large wooden bucket filled with ice water, only to throw the entire contents over Heather and the silent girl. The silent girl shrieked but made no sound, only compressed air escaping her lips because of the coldness and harshness of the man. Heather herself only shook her head, as though coming out of a long coma. The old man grunted something that the Sister could not hear, but instead the sister felt the silent girl drag her, carefully, towards a rickety chair which was in a corner of the shop. As she was placed lightly down on the chair, feeling returned to her legs and a sharp pain came from her stomach. Hurrying, again without a sound, the silent girl came forth from a doorway she had disappeared down with a bowl of a steaming liquid. The quietness of all activities going on around Heather, as she was spoon fed the soup the silent girl held to her exploded in her ears, sharpened her breath and cut at her skin. The girl in front smiled, her eyes studying Heather, intrigued. "Don't mind her," The old man grumbled from afar, "She's stupid, broken, doesn't work…" The man said it as though he meant it, with a cruel harshness. Feeling sorry for the girl, Heather smiled back, aware that the girl was mildly pleased with the attention she was getting, but also that the girl had no idea what the man was saying about her. As Heather ate and the girl smiled, the man disappeared into the same doorway the silent girl, Seph, had disappeared down to get the soup. Content with the girl's affection and generosity, Heather ignored what ever the man did in the background to make such a racket as he was, and carried on eating until she was full. </p><p>* * *</p><p>A few days before Heather herself had left the great city of Keda, where she and her Sister's lived, Tessa, Dawn, Fuchsia and the new immortal from Flinch had taken the same rout that the child Heather would take in her great escape. Unknown to Heather, this team mentioned before, had lade head of them the exact same path almost to the footstep that Heather took herself. Tessa and Dawn, also, were in Munea, along with the two with whom they had escaped. This was apparent to the towns people, as unlike Heather, Tessa and Dawn, however intelligent, did not posses the same moral and immoral, correct and non correct skills that a child, or indeed Heather, did. Where Heather had been careful and kept a small profile as a street beggar, Tessa and Dawn had immediately gone to the inn that Heather had been turned away from and booked two on-sweet rooms. As Heather talked with the old man and ate, smiling, at the deaf/dumb girl, Tessa and Dawn sat in a far corner, away from the eyes of Sir Jack Dawle and his companions, who, fortunately, had not yet noticed the Sisters. The inn keeper's eyes never once left the pair, even when he was serving, which made the two cautious, but undoubtedly the keeper would not tell Sir Dawle of their where abouts. For one he wished no fighting in his bar, and for the two, the longer he occupied his two richer guests, the more money he would earn himself. This was a dangerous gambling game, for if Dawle were to find the two Sisters, after commanding loyalty from all Munea civilians, he would surely kill the keeper for his distrust, and ''greediness'' publicly, although his bitterness would drive him to it. And so Tessa and Dawn coward, not that they would not fight, but that others would fall, unequivocally, if their names were shown and faces revealed. Like Heather, neither Sister had been to Munea before, indeed, they hardly knew it existed, apart from folk tales about a strange, un- adventured land, away from both Cam and Mura, with one wide spread religion that dominated the people and their ways to the point of extinction. When the 4 had arrived in Munea, they had been shocked to find no one at all on the streets, not a soul. Even the birds were quiet, and the City seemed as though it were a dead-town, one where no one any longer lived, until a large gong struck and a variety of birds fluttered, squawking, from a extensive tower that stood at the foot of a larger hall than the hall in Ellen's castle. Shortly after this colossal sound that echoed still in the visitors ears, a flock of people followed the birds, weaving in and out of the buildings as though they had never been away. The Flinch man moved them on, for although he admitted to have never visiting the town, he knew it better than the others, for many Flinch men and women had connections of a sort with the City, and so it could and would be dangerous for the Sisters to be seen in full view, for there was bound to be those who disagreed strongly with the Sisters rule. Shortly after the man had left them at the inn (for he claimed that the innkeeper was too greedy to put any payer under risk) he left the two Sisters, and with the girl swore to be back within the week. Where the man and Fuchsia had gone, neither sister knew, and Tessa deeply regretted it, for Fuchsia was with a man that they did not even know the name of. "And what of Kay?" Dawn whispered to her harshly, "Is he still inside Keda, terrorising the citizens as we speak? The Keda people are used to safety, you know that more than any other, if their world does not stay conservative then they panic. We should be there, in the City, helping them and what little of the coven still remain…And not just to stabilise the people, to stabilise ourselves, how long do you think it will be before the people give up on saving us, and create a new form of government?" To this Tessa replied; "Keda has been a republic since I can remember, and the time before that it was the blue blood that ruled, and that blue blood runs in the coven. The Keda people will not over through us to Ellen's rule, you see her now, she is unstable, Flinch is in her eyes…" "And Keda also…Not all our people are as intelligent as others, look at Hope, and how they did not trust her…" "To their own ends…" "…Exactly, it will be, they are easily lead, but deadly loyal at the same time, this being a fatal combination that can easily get us all in a hot spot…" "They are our people!" Tessa rose her voice, "And until my end will I protect them, whether they deceive us or not, for let us not forget ourselves sister, we are those people also. You separate us as though we are not kin, but we are, we are more than kin, we are one, the same, and so is Ellen, and so is any other who defies us as a whole. These people's consciences, the ones who betray, will eat away at their own, until it is only the loyal, the people who are left." "And what if, Sister, at that point in time, when the last of the people who defies die, what if we are not part of the people any longer?" "The people would not let us get into the position where we should defy…" "They have already, it has started with Ellen, and Courtney, now, as we here, being dead…" "That is just rumour," Tessa spat. "Occasionally rumour holds truth, Tessa, and if Courtney is dead, it is more than like that we are the people's next victims…" "Well," Sighed Tessa, "I shall believe it when I see it, but so certain am I that I shall not I would put a wager on my life had I the chance." "Then let us be happy that you do not, for I am as certain as you that you would not be with us within the next month. Evil is twisted into our lives, as it is the people, we cannot choose our own fate, although we can steer towards them, but occasionally a foot will slip, if we mean it to or not, and that person will head unto a direction they mean not to go…" "You do not see the people grow, maiden head, you only see their true faces at birth, and like and like a horror can be made from an innocent, an innocent can also be made from a horror…" "And I see more innocent than horror, but let us not argue with this idea, for the longer we stand loyal to ourselves, the longer we shan't be alone…" "Yes sister, let us…" And so the sisters sat silent, not willing to mention one thing to the other in case they again broke the pact they had just seconds ago set themselves.</p><p>* * *</p><p>All this passed by as Rhea stood at the top of Hope's tower, waiting for what would eventually decide her fate. When she stood still and just listened, she heard nothing, not even the distant echoes of war, for something deep inside of her prevented her from doing so. Her hair, unleashed from its clip, swung ruthlessly around her face, threatening any thing in its way. Since the raven had left, she had not taken her eyes away from Keda, too afraid of what might happen to it if she did. "Of all the things I've learnt in my life, it's that nothing is what it seems, everything changes, and no matter how hard you try, no one, short of the hand who put us here, no matter who she or he may be, can change it. You can make decisions that will decide one action in your life, but the end result will always be the same, people will die and you will die and the world around you will die." She thought to herself. "And as I look at the City now I realise it has changed, changed beyond recognition for me. The people do not remember me, for bitter rumours and the disappearance of I have willed it so. Where is that land that I once knew? Where, oh where did it go? Will it great me when my own life eventually ends, or is it lost forever, and it will only be for the people that died with it? How long will it be now until my death? A matter of days? Or will the gods not be merciful, and shall I live to see all die? Curse this day! For it brings ill thoughts' apon me! Who am I to decide the fate of my people? My people, this word seems strange on my tongue, for they are that, but I have not spoken it for centuries. They are no longer Ellen's people, no longer Courtney's people. What with Faith gone, now the people have no maiden to look to for support. Cerys, dear Cerys, full of woe over the loss of her closest Sister, will not be fit. And what of Pandora? The innocent of this, the child at heart, but the death of us all. She sees our future, no matter how good she is, the people will not trust her…so I must enter, be it to death or otherwise, I must go, to hasten the process of death, for it has slowed, and only I am in the position to release it from its binding." And so she flew, light on foot as the raven, to the City gates, caring but not as to what might greet her, be they hungry savages or desperate lost.</p><p>* * *</p><p>So the sisters were all 11 entwined in a fate that non could predict, not even Pandora or Dove. All in there separate ways, some so close yet so far apart that they were blind to where their trust should lie. True, some kept faith together, but not as the original 11 girls had that day when they were joined. Banners had waved, drums had rolled, and when they had returned from the Battlefields, the people had cheered so loudly that the shouts could be heard in Munea. Thos drums were now untouched, and the people far from cheerful. Their faces became drawn out, and the seldom that stayed within the Walls of Keda, the children and the cowards, not once smiled. The far away battles made a stench in the air, and it was all Cerys and Pandora could do to keep them looking for Ellen and the Flinch man that they knew so little about. Because of Tessa and Dawns short departure, and the fact that they had told not a soul about the passageway, I was still a mystery to them how Tessa and Dawn had first got away. They had also not considered that the Queen and Flinch man could of quiet easily returned to Flinch via the passage way, which indeed, Ellen had done so. She had slaved and cursed at herself for being so messy when killing Courtney, but eventually she had reached the bloody lands, where only fire could be seen. In amongst this mess, this turmoil, Flinch was portrayed as a high winged demon, settling in the very centre of destruction, where Keda men and women fell and Flinch men lived. But, unbeknown to Ellen as she walked the steps that took her to the entrance of this hell, more than one Sister already lay within, and these two sisters were far from on Flinches side… </p><p>Part 2</p><p>Chapter 9 Neither Sister trusted each other any longer. They began the best of friends, they split, they made contact, and yet, after all the bustling and toeing and froing, they could not make pieces match. The only thing that held the two characters together was the knowledge that each of the other Sisters that remained alive were in the care of their own hands. This bustling, toeing and froing now took place in Flinches City square, a grotesque place where the bravest soldiers, even Flinches own, did not dare step. One Sister looked on with more tolerance than the other, a feature that often irritated Faith. This sister, Hope, had now become used to the underground people, those who the law said should not exist. This is where our (as the reader's) opinions may be split, because there are people in the world now that are still homophobic, racist, and in-tolerant of other occupation that they may now feel are fit for their eyes. Hope was not like this. She sat at ease next to a prostitute, and would smile back at any gay man or women if they simply said 'Good morning.' These people, however, in Faith's opinion, should not feel that they have the free walk about of Flinch, or any other city for that matter. These people did not exist in Keda, but rather in the outside forest around it. When Hope had still rode high in the blue line of Keda, any one who fell out of line with the majority of the citizens did not feel threatened, and so could easily be found. But since Hope's departure, God knows how long ago, the penalties of being found on the doll, or with a member of the same sex, had become painfully high. Where as shortly after Hope left the penalty's were set at a simple fine, they now amounted to death, this being one of Keda's many faults. Not all agreed with this of course, as the people of Keda had their own free minds, but just as free minds are free, they are also imprisoned in the cell's of politics and leaders, and so they rarely had their say, and once the law was made, there was, in effect, no turning back. All this, however, was not the reason that the place was grotesque. It was more the stink of blood money, the filth of that slimy character that always can be found in the back of the pub, hair greased with a girl half his age at his side, which made the place unbearable. People were used in Flinch, and where some outspoken had either been killed because of Flinches intolerance for them, or run away to Keda, there were also those who dared not defy anyone higher that themselves. These people sat here, in full use of the political party that at this moment ruled Flinch. To understand Flinch and Keda, and any other capital of a county, you must realise that every where was decay. Nothing was what it was, and those who called themselves the good where conservative to what had once existed, and never will again. The only hope for these people who sat in the 'grotesque' square, in which Faith and Hope viewed from the station next to a newspaper seller, was death. And so Faith sneered at what she saw, and Hope pitied these people who saw no freedom. In her travels away from Keda, she had only once come to Flinch, and that being in the off-chance. She had been young when she left Keda, and so, it being on a split decision, she had taken the first craft that stopped for her on the road, not asking where it was going, she simply leapt on and sat in the back until the skies became grey and her eyes became tired. Unfortunately for the young Hope, the cart was heading directly towards Flinch, and not to another of the million cities on the ground on which Keda stood. Her eyes now scanned the ground she had screamed silently at so long ago, while Faith glared. "When do we leave?" Faith interrupted her thoughts, turning to her. "We don't, or I don't." "Your not going to leave this place? Your going to win the war by staying in the place where our evil lives?" "I'm going to win the battle, the war hasn't even begun yet." Faith just laughed to herself, her high pitched cackle becoming incredibly distinguishable, and royalty flying high. "Hush! They will hear you for sure…" Hope whispered harshly. "And so we hide? Is that your idea of winning? Hiding? Then you are a fool, as all folk that follow you are." Hope, hurt, looked directly at her sister, "And you think that your tactic of charging will work equally as well? But hush, again I say, hear me out. What if we were to take Flinch in a way the merchants of this town never thought possible? To get inside the government…" "And how do you propose that? We take on secret identities and hope that we don't meet anyone who might recognise us?" Faith smiled. "We don't need to hide, they cannot harm us for trying to enter the publics thoughts. They can't say we cannot ask the public if they want us to rule. It has been a long while since these people had a choice before them where they liked anyone participating, they pick the best out of a bad lot." Faith had stood up while Hope said this, "They can't harm us, but I assure you, they can kill us so quick that we will not feel pain." And so she walked away. "You are more of a fool than I if you walk away…" Hope shouted after her. "Let me be a fool and walk away that a hero and die!" Faith shouted back before disappearing into the thickest of crowds. Behind Faith, Fuchsia stood next to the man and grinned at the unseeing Hope. </p><p>* * *</p><p>The City stood, as it had for many years, without anything holding it up. True, the walls around it stood well, and true, although many had betrayed it, the sisters still belonged, and true, two of those sisters stood within, but true, as Rhea approached the city gates, she was in awe at how much the City had changed since she had last visited. Unaware that the raven that had met her on Hope's tower now rejoined her, looking from afar, after it could not find it's master to tell of Rhea's safe arrival. What the time was lost on Rhea, as she had not slept for a night and so had not woken up to the stars glinting above her and telling her the time. She looked at the sun now, however, and realised it was dinner time, if not for the position of the great flame then the obsessive rumbling in her stomach. Hurriedly, with the bird following, she entered the clearing just before the gates, from which you could clearly make out Foolsworth, and Foolsworth could clearly make out you. Knowing that there was no turning back now, Rhea nodded quietly to Foolsworth, who handed her the book silently. Not knowing whether to talk directly to the gates keeper whom she had not seen in such a long while, or whether Foolsworth did not recognise her/ did not want to recognise her, she quickly signed her name, and without another glance, headed into the city's outer-wall boundary. Now the sister was actually inside the City, she had mixed feelings. A lot of sensations lost over time to her returned, and the smell of the city, a smell that the people and other sisters themselves did not notice, returned to her. Finding her memories of the city were still intact, she walked up the northern road that lead to the Castle directly, but somewhat tempted, she turned off to explore and remember what she could of the city before someone, if anyone, recognised her. He walked for some way along the poverty stricken parts of Keda, amazed at how the divide between rich and poor had increased. "The sisters have become too arrogant to notice or care!" She was bemused, because she knew for a fact that both Dawn and Tessa cared enough to sacrifice their lives both together for one child. "They must have been too consumed in their own jobs to notice the other problems that arrived…" She muttered to herself, passing a bakery window that she was very much familiar with, she stopped, took in the smell, and carried on. A women and small child, each selling red rose's, approached her at a steady pace, offering but never selling others the flowers. Eventually, after Rhea had watched them for some time, they came to Rhea. "Flowers Ma'am?" the girl, who had a particularly grubby face, asked the sister. Rhea nodded her head and smiled at the girl, "All right then, I have a friend I must visit before I get to the castle any way…" She added meaning Courtney's grave. To this the girl looked up at the lady, who in turn looked at Rhea more closely… "And what business do you have at the Castle, Ma'am?" The women asked. Rhea, taken aback by the women's suspicion, blinked, and looked at the women again. Until now she had not noticed the women especially, but more the little girl. She now realised that the women had very non- descriptive features, and that her hair was worn behind her head in a scarf, in such a way that it was impossible to see its colour or length. "Well…" Rhea began to answer, "There are some people I know within that I have not seen in a while, and…" "Are you a sister?" The little girl answered excitedly, looking at Rhea's sword, which Rhea had thought was hidden beneath her cloak, as Foolsworth had not noticed it. "Your Rhea, aren't you? I knew you'd come to help, I said didn't I Mother?" As the child said this, the last of the people other than Rhea and the two flower sellers turned off the street into an alley, but, unaware of any danger being present in these two unlikely creatures, Rhea did not notice. However she was no fool, and as the women continued to stare without a word, she hastily made a move away. "I must go now really, if I don't want to interrupt their lunch…" And so she moved away. "But!" Cried the little girl, running ahead of Rhea, "Aren't you going to buy any flowers?" Rhea's brain snapped, not literally of course, but mentally. She was the quickest of all the sisters with the sword, and her hand was on it in a second, and it was in the air just in time to catch the dagger, which was attempting to plunge into her side. To this the child did not scream, but rather smiled demonically, but Rhea, turning to look at her enemy, did not pay any heed. "Hold your tongue, or rather dagger, miss, or be considered a public enemy of Keda." She demanded. "But that I already am," sniggered the women, "for I have killed a sister already, just as I will kill you, Rhea, for no one knows you are here, do they?" The women's dignity did not hit a cord in Rhea, for she had been a public post for abuse in Cam for a long while until she was finally excepted as a warrior, and so she did not flinch, but rather spat at the women's feet. "How dare you!" Protested the women. "No how dare you, Ellen, for that’s who you are isn't it?" And indeed, the woman was, her feature's melted, and unseen to Rhea, so did the child's. "You took the life of a sister I held nothing against…" "What, even after she bad mouthed you along with the others?" Kay interrupted, coming forward to face Rhea also. "Even after that, coward. I, unlike you, Ellen, can forgive…" "…But forget, Sister?" "Such scars cannot be forgotten." "Hah!" Cried Kay in dignity. "But I'd rather be their lap dog than another of your cronies, Ellen, for as said before, you killed a sister, and unsaid that penalty is death…" "Shame, such a shame," Tutted Ellen, "For I thought you would be able to join us, Rhea, for surely a stab alone would not kill you, not as it did the miserably childish Courtney…" "Be I here in spirit or not, it would not matter, for I would be here in soul…" "But would that matter equally sister? For surely my ears do not deceive me further when I here the townspeople bad mouth you, associate you with the devil?" Kay spitefully spat. "And you I see are the legendary Kay, that whom disowned his own city only to disown the city he came to next, do you belong nowhere boy? Or is your brain simply overpowered by Ellen's stench?" "Neither Sister, I am my own man, you see. I choose who I fight for and when, even if they are enemies." "And who will you fight for in the end, Kay? And will either of these two cities take you in? You fight a loosing game, for either will kill you…" "I think not, Sister, for you see, if I fight for that side by myself, not attached to it directly, they will spare me for being such a 'good sport'." Kay criticised. By this time a large group had re-gathered, startled by the sudden commotion that came from the road at such a populated hour. Several people, aware that Ellen was one of the hooded cloaks, had run to fetch either Cerys or Pandora, who ever they met first. "And do you fight for yourself now, Kay, or do you run like a coward before my companions reach here?" "You say it as though they like you," chuckled Ellen, "But no more talk! I will fight you, Rhea, [She said the name clear so as to make it clear that the women before her was in deed Rhea to the towns people.] And you, like Courtney, shall fall." "Be warned, friend," Rhea spat, "For I shall not be merciful!" And so sword fought not one but two swords, for Ellen and Kay were not prepared to loose, and so Kay fought also. It seemed, however, that the sun favoured Rhea, as did the moon, this day, for Ellen had obviously forgotten Rhea's skill. Her sword flashed as did Ellen's, which the children around her cowering, but fearing that either would be left, for both sisters were now portrayed as a bogey man type character. Kay fell, and Ellen's face wrung in worry, for this she had not intended. She had expected Rhea to fall easily, without fuss, distraught already by their talk, but this was not the case. Rhea fought on, hardly out of breathe, when Ellen gave up hope in her sword and from under her gown and cloak produced a rock that hung from her neck on a chain, dropping her sword at the same time. "Well played, Sister, I never intended to loose my Flinch companion…But I'm afraid I myself am not expendable to Flinch." "And so you intend to play some disappearing act?" "Oh no, Sister, you will die now, just as I said…" As she threatened this, the rock shone, and, as Courtney was, Rhea was stunned. But not for long, for Rhea's will and soul were strong, and she broke free from the spell, unaware that at the same time Ellen had lunged, preparing to kill her. As the Sister tore down on the other, Rhea felt inside her coat and produced a dagger that was unseen to Ellen.</p><p>* * *</p><p>All this while as the Sisters fought, Cerys, having been warned by Dogit that the two were fighting, had been running towards the scene, fully armed, ready to expect anything. As far as she was aware, both sisters were against Keda, and so you can imagine her surprise as she came towards the street to hear Rhea cursing in the name of Keda and Ellen in the name of Flinch. Before she was able to see who was winning over the other, both fell silent, and the children's sobbing became suddenly horribly clear. At this silence Cerys feared the worse, and blinked away the tears of relief as she pushed past masses of people who had gathered to watch. "What happened, who won, who's dead?" She cried from afar as the people withdrew for her to see. In front of her three sprawling bodies lay, one, Ellen, was face upwards, eyes staring to the sky, and a sticky red mess came from her undergarments. "Pray this is the sister that shouted for Flinch…" Cerys sobbed, and when there was no answer from the astonished crowds, "Was this the sister, someone must speak! Tell me, was this the sister who called for Flinch? And which of these called for Keda if not?" "She did, Ma'am," Called a stranger to the sister from the people, "Ellen was all for Flinch, cursing and swearing Ma'am, thank god she's dead." As this was said, a bird, a raven, swooped in from above and landed just next to another body, one that lay face down, her feet curled over Ellen's own. "And who pray is this?" Cerys asked as she bent over Ellen, "Rhea?" And so the sister who owed nothing to the city and yet fought with her life in tow, came two, coughing blood, but alive. Cerys, taken aback by this movement from a body that had been thought dead seconds ago, froze in fear for what Rhea might do. "She's good! She helped us, shouting for Keda! Killed them both!" There was a murmur of support for the sister from the crowd. Rhea looked gratefully at the crowed that were so blissfully unaware that they had just accomplished the women's dreams. Cerys, still unsure of what the people said, looked doubtfully at the beaming sister. "Good people!" She called, "If this women was put to a death sentence for betrayal against the coven, would you support it?" Immediately there was uproar, "You can't do that! She's part of the coven! She didn't betray us, she saved us!" And so on and so forth. Cerys was a gentle soul, and in many ways she even favoured Hope, but Rhea she never favoured, as she truly believed, even after Ellen's escapade, that Rhea was the heart of, the cause of, all evil in Keda. But, after hearing the people's cries, there was nothing she could do but order help to be sent from the castle by means of a medic, and to call council for tomorrow, in which, she made it clear, only those of choice would be allowed in. And so Rhea returned, for how long none could predict, to Keda, and instead of two there were three sisters in Keda, and Ellen being dead, the heaviness that had invaded every shoulder was lifted. Now there were only 5 for certain outside the city, and only one missing, Dove, who had still not been seen since Courtney's death. </p><p>* * *</p><p>The three sisters that were in Munea had still not met each other. Heather, being alone with the old man and his deaf companion, still had no idea where or what she was going to do next. She had contemplated this, and talked to Tori, the deaf girl, (who was quiet capable of conversing as long as she could see and read your lips) for some while, asking her option of this and that. Tori had advised that Heather should stay where she was for a while, where, although she was not safe, she was being looked after. She had also been convinced that where and when ever Heather should go, Tori was to go also, with or without the old man. During this time together, Heather and Tori had become incredibly attached, Heather talking to Tori about her own and Keda's worries, and Tori showing Heather the city, and means of safe transport should she [and Tori] ever have to leave quickly. Heather, however, had also thought to herself, as Tori often had favours to give or jobs to attend, and the old man barely ever spoke, and if so, only to demand something, be it information or the salt. Anyhow, Heather had had time to think by herself, and in this time, she had decided on a date in which it was almost vital for her to leave Munea to re-enter her own home city, Keda, with or without Faith, whom she had originally left to find. After all, without her there, the city was even more down on its allies. So, on this day, October the 21st, Heather had come to the conclusion that she must leave Munea and continue to the red wall [a nickname given to the space between Cam and Mura where at this moment battle was in full blow] to find Faith in time to get back to Keda by November the 1st. She had already packed her bags, and, unknown to Tori, was literally about to leave when two Flinch men came through the doors as customers, although they looked incredibly menacing. Luckily enough for Heather, her hood was already up, and so she did not need to risk her identity being discovered, and so walked bravely on towards the doors. As she approached the doors, the older of the two men stepped in front of her, and spoke: "Hang on a minute, love, we want to speak to you all." Harmless enough as the sentence said was, an icy chill fell on Heather's spine, but she did not speak a word, and stepped backwards so as to show no agitation towards the requirement. The old man, however, was not so inclined to agree with the men. "What do you mean by this, you irritating narcissistic Flinch folk! All you ever think of is yourself, what if this young woman here has to be somewhere? Why can't she pass?" "Because, old man, we have orders to take everyone in this shop to the king of Flinch!" Bellowed the younger that until now had not spoken. "Humph! Well, what if we wont?" Queried the old man. "Then we can kill you, besides, why wouldn't you? Anything to fear?" Leered the man. As he said this, Tori, who had been walking blindly towards the door from outside, consumed in her own thoughts, look up and straight at the Flinch men, and then at Heather. She gave Heather a look and turned on her heels in another direction, towards the pub in which Heather had first caught her glimpse of the people of Munea. The old man, seeing Tori disappear, did the meanest thing he had done in his entire lifetime, although possibly also the cleverest. "What? You're looking for that Keda kid? You fools, she saw you and your finery and headed in the opposite direction, down there," And he pointed in the direction that Tori had just sped, saving Heather's life for sure, but also jeopardising Tori's. To this the younger man instantly swirled around to look out of the window, and sure enough see Tori walking calmly away. The older man, who was perhaps more used to this type of job, did not turn, in case one of the two in the room bolted away. "Hurry!" Shrieked the younger in alarm, "after her," "But the king demanded all…" Protested the older. "Fool! He only really wants the girl, these two are useless, leave them!" And so both men left and Heather was saved. "How dare you!" Cried Heather in emotional pain at the old man, "She will die for sure now!" "It was either you or Tori, Heather, and unfortunately enough for you, an entire city depends on your survival…" "BUT WHAT ABOUT TORI!" She screamed, unaware of the danger she was in. "Now calm down; Tori may still get away, but you must!" The old man wisely commented, "You must leave now, and go straight back to Keda, do not look for other Sisters, you must go straight back, now!" And he pushed Heather towards the back door rather than the front. Heather, crying, but still coming to her senses, moved forward quickly, but blindly. As she reached the crowded alley to which the shop was a part of, she hurried quickly towards the direction both Tori and the men had gone, in a finally hope to get to Tori before the men did.</p><p>* * *</p><p>At this very moment, Tessa and Dawn sat, talking amongst themselves, in the small apartment they had rented for the entire time they had been in the city. Since the death of Courtney, each sister had become self reliant, and council others in the coven less and less, as for many there was no one else there, but for those who had another, their loyalty faltered, and they began to doubt everyone other than themselves. Tessa and Dawn had been hardly effected by this unsaid rule, and each stuck to each other like glue. They talked about what was going on around them, and the more recent re-appearance of Fuchsia and the Flinch man. "But what of Keda it's self, Dawn?" Asked Tessa, "When will we return to our haven? For surely it needs us now more than ever…" "We mustn't return, not yet." Claimed Dawn, "At least until we know that Faith had re-entered, will it be safe for ourselves to re-enter." "I think that you forget that Faith isn't the leader of this group, she is not the soul protector, we all are. If we…no, what if we wait and Faith doesn't return, ever? What then? We simply carry on waiting? What if Faith is dead?" "There's been nothing to suggest that…" "But what if she is? There has been nothing to suggest the people are looking for us, but I feel in my heart that they are…" "Are you suggesting you feel in your heart that Faith is dead?" "Or lost hope, yes." "Loose hope, Faith would never do such a thing! She has spent far too long with us and our people to loose hope over such a trifle thing as there only…oh no, wait…" "Exactly, Sister. Wait, why did she leave at all? We left because we found something that, given time, would end us all, and we needed to put a stop to it. Fair enough, we did more harm than good, but if we had left it as it was, then Pandora only knows what would have happened. And Cerys left shortly after us to go to Courtney and Pandora as their were so little sisters within, and although it has not been proven, I am sure Heather left with the intention of finding Faith…" "And Rhea and Hope, they were driven away long ago! And Dove is simply missing…" "That leaves," Sighed Tessa, "Only Faith left! Why did she leave? We have no answer at all, not a single thing." "Surely if she left for the war, she would of told someone…" "She possibly did, I suppose, and then that Sister left too early for her to say anything. Perhaps Heather knew why…" "Yes of course! The people around here have been saying that 'the wise one' talked to 'the young one' and then disappeared, and I wondered what the hell they were on about, now I understand! They were talking of Faith…Faith told Heather where she was going when we were in the castle…" "…And then when we disappeared, Heather must of realised how many sisters were left in the city and begun to worry…Ellen was said to be loosing her mind, and so Heather then left in search for Faith…" "Meanwhile we arrived at Flinch, and Courtney returned to the city with Pandora and Cerys…But somehow they must have been split up…" Tessa shrugged, "That's easy enough in such a large city as Keda," "…And so then," Carried on Dawn, "Ellen killed Courtney, and either after of before that, Dove disappeared…" "Just as Cerys and Pandora reached the Castle, to leave them and Ellen as the only live sisters in the city! And our return and departure in- between left a rouge Flinch man in the area, what fools we are!" "So where is Heather? Surely she must have heard of what has been happening, unless she is in the forest still…" Tessa shook her head, "She would of left it by now no matter what direction she went in." She claimed. "She must of gone to the war…but to of avoided Cerys, Pandora and Courtney she would have had to circle completely around in the forest, where she could of quiet easily got lost…Sister! What if she's here! It would be quiet easy for her to get into a situation where there seemed no escape, like we are in, for example, waiting for the return of our orphan friend!" "True sister, it would, and it is also true that it would be easy enough for neither of us to have encountered each other, as we would both be in hiding, but don't forget, this would only happen if so many things led up to it. For example, we are assuming that Faith went to the war, and Heather followed her. What if Faith went somewhere else? She could have been travelling past this town easily, and what if Heather did not follow Faith? What if she also found the tunnel, she could of followed it and at this moment be in Flinch itself! There are too many alternative situations to be considering to…" But at this point Tessa was cut off from her talking by a large roaring from outside the window, which looked down to the main road. Outside, it seemed, two Flinch men were pursuing a young women who ran stumbling towards the canal down the road and the wind mill that stood next to it, in pursuit of both the men and the women, another, ginger haired, young women ran quickly behind in the shadows. It seemed that neither the first young women or the men were aware of this 4th presence, and so the women was running as close as she could to the men, so close that they were almost touching shoulder to shoulder. The sisters above gave each other a worried glance, for the women in front did not look poor, and so they could rule out thievery, and so the next charge in line was that of Keda blood. Grabbing her sword from her chair, Tessa hurried through the masses that had gathered for a midday drink in the bar towards the attraction outside, while Dawn looked on from above. When the sister finally got outside, the chase had turned the corner, and so Dawn had to shout from above which direction to turn, which Tessa did. No sooner had she turned the corner than a hand emerged from the dark and clasped itself on her back. With a shriek, Tessa turned to stare older looking Heather right in the face. "Sister! I am glad to see you, but hurry, if you are too follow we must fasten up, Tori's in danger, I've got to save her, she helped me, no time to explain, this way!" She explained breathlessly to her companion, and they both set off again, Tessa dazed at the sudden appearance of Heather, and Heather wrought up in concern for Tori. </p><p>* * *</p><p>The little girl whom we know as Fuchsia, or the orphan child, sat watching Hope as the Flinch man approached her. "I'm Timothy Smith." The man who's name indeed was Timothy Smith, the same Timothy Smith that the Chambermaid had so long ago found in replace of another Timothy Smith whom Ellen wished to meet at the beginning of this all, said politely to Hope as he stood in front of her. "Hello Timothy Smith, I'm sorry to be blunt but what do you want?" Hope, in all her ironic calmness, asked. To this Timothy Smith bent down and whispered in her ear, "I am from Keda." Hope, alarmed at the man's indignant view to the laws, took Timothy Smith by the arm. "Steady on!" She whispered back harshly, "You could be hanged for saying that, and so could I and that child you are with! So be careful…" Timothy Smith straightened up laughing, "I see you are quicker with your eyes than anyone else in the coven," He acknowledged loudly, "Unlike my other encounters, this I should enjoy!" "Hush!" Hope stood up, "Don't mention the coven," She looked around her whilst speaking carefully, "the people here are still from Flinch no matter how much they hate their government, and they will kill me on the spot if they realise…that." She gestured with her eyes at the sky as thought to say 'I am part of the coven' in code. To this the young man named ''Timothy Smith'' simply shrugged smiling at Hope in a dopey way. Hope, ever being the feminist, sighed heavily and walked over to the girl. "Hello, and who are you?" She asked, if a little patronising to Fuchsia age. "I'm 7, and I'm not stupid!" Hope, realising her mistake, smiled knowingly, "I thought that at least, you look older than you are," to Fuchsia's joy. Hope, judging the girls character instantly, carried on to say, "And who's sent you to find me or Faith then, or was it by chance that you came apon me?" "By no chance," Fuchsia answered as Timothy Smith stared goggle eyed at Hope; "We've been looking for you for ages because we know that you are a true sister of Keda!" "But we're all true sisters of Keda, both Faith and I are simply recruiting to gather those who wish to be gathered, but until then we do not disown anyone…" To this Timothy Smith answered instead of Fuchsia, "You know what we mean, the others are not loyal, not even Faith…you are the only sister we have spoken to that has no selfish qualities, your aim is simply to serve." "And pray who else have you spoken to? In light of my first question." "Sorry!" Fuchsia jumped in, eager to please; "I didn't answer you properly. We've come from Tessa and Dawn, but Timothy's looked into Faith and Dove's soul, and he says they aren't true to themselves even… and, well, Ellen has…" "I can read minds you see, quickly, it's a family trait…" Timothy Smith interrupted, trying to show off. "Well then that is a gift you share with I," Hope said to Timothy Smith in reply, "for I too was born with inside knowledge, and I too know that Faith is not true, but as long as she thinks she is, she will help me…us more over. Unfortunately I have not had the pleasure to talk to the others in a long time, but I can tell you that the last I saw of Rhea she was fair…" As the characters held this discussion, they huddled in together so as not to let anyone eves drop, but now Hope looked around cautiously. As she did so she caught the eye of an innocent, one of whom sat quietly without word. This women, or child, as she was in the age when one cannot tell, had been studying all the characters for a while, without them realising it. Now she got up and approached the sister, her hands in pockets. "Look light," Hope warned, "someone approaches…" "Good morrow, gentle sir," she addressed Timothy Smith, "women." Then to Hope, in a tongue neither Fuchsia nor Timothy Smith (with all his knowledge) could understand in great length. To this unheard news, Hope took the girls hand and looked about her quickly, as though looking for some hidden eye. "We must leave, and now. My plans to reach the people here are frail and indeed, shall not work. No time to look for Faith, she will leave soon anyhow, we must go now, and quickly, without neither word nor sound. Do you have your possessions?" to Fuchsia. "Yes, we're ready to go…" She answered, "but what is wrong?" "I'll tell you outside, hurry," and with the new women in tow, being held by Hope, they all left the city without hesitation, Timothy Smith and Fuchsia following blindly.</p><p>Chapter 10 As all this happened to her sisters, Pandora was sat down. She trusted Rhea more than any other sister trusted her, but still she was finding it hard to come to turns with her friends sudden reappearance. Whether the sister truly came to help or not was a puzzle, but to Cerys, who sat next to her, it was not. "It's obvious that she has been sent from Flinch to destroy us from within!" The sister claimed. Pandora said nothing to this, and simply stared at the silver plate before her, laid with a feast for the death of Ellen and the Flinch man. "And as for her killing Ellen, who was to say that Ellen was working for Flinch anyhow? She could have simply lost her mind, as we thought all along, just because Rhea says she was doesn't mean she was." Cerys carried on regardless. Rhea sat opposite the sisters, in her traditional seat that had not been filled for a long while. Despite her fatigue, and the width of the table, she could still hear her sister, and Cerys knew it. "I mean," Cerys said, almost looking Rhea directly in the eye, "Who's to say she won't stab us all tonight when we sleep? We should try and reach Faith quickly, before this happens, let her know that Rhea is back. We all feel the same after all, I am sure!" And indeed they did, even Pandora's mind was set on this subject, of whether or not Rhea was against them. "As for the people," Cerys sighed, "They are celebrating Ellen's death, not Rhea's return, and I'm sure in the council held tomorrow this will be expressed." To the news of a council, Rhea raised her head quickly. She had been expecting this foul mouth from them all, but even that did not prevent it from hurting. "Oh no, you can't come," Cerys told Rhea, "Confidentiality you see, how can the people express their true feelings with you in their faces?" These were the only words spoken to Rhea, the hero of the hour, all night. "And what of Heather, and Tessa, and Dawn? We should find them also, surely…" Cerys continued, oblivious to Rhea's pain. "Yes they should be found, but not by us, we should sent people…" Pandora finally said. "Yes, we can't leave the people alone with Rhea…" "And Hope should be looked for…" "Hope!" Spluttered Cerys, "Why would we want to find Hope? She's not been here for the past decade, and we have worked well, why should we need to find her now?" "Because she is part of the coven, and an important part, without her we would not be immortal!" For once Pandora was stern. Cerys frowned in annoyance that the sister did not agree with her, but she shrugged it off, for she knew that when the others returned they would agree with her that Hope was a traitor, as she truly believed, and so exclude her from council's, as would be Rhea. Meanwhile Rhea sat and thought. It was clear to her that neither Sister would support her if shot came to blow, and so she must rest all hope in, well, Hope. The only sister she had spoken to properly in many a year, and the only sister who tolerated her to the point of talk, which in any human being is not much to ask for. The sisters, all of them, including the most virtuously liberal of them, supported Rhea in no way shape or from since she was in-listed as a Sister by the then king. They all, apart from Hope, expressed openly how they detested the King's opinion of Rhea, and felt that in times to come, Rhea being a Sister would be seen as a mockery, even Pandora. And so she simply sat and watched, she did not even attempt to converse with the people, let alone the sisters before her. She planned in her head to sleep in her own tower, for safeties sake, as she, too, feared that a sister would stab her in the night, but she also feared and knew out right that the people would think nothing of it. As Dinner came to a halt, Pandora and Cerys talked openly to each other about Tessa and Dawn's disappearance, as both were keen for them to return. Rhea also knew about this, but still did not speak, and instead listened quietly to what she truly felt in-titled to hear. After this brief coalition of the two, of which Rhea learnt nothing that she did not already know, as it seemed that the two sisters repeated themselves, and, in Rhea's opinion never did anything towards their plans, she left the Castle without a word. She found it hard to concentrate on anything but the looks the people gave her on the streets. True, it was late, and so the vampiric characters paroled, but some of the vampiric characters were the nicest, most benevolent people Keda was homed to, and so the aggressive motions made to Rhea were somewhat daunting. Each person Rhea passed obviously despised her, whether it for her not being there ever to protect him or her, as she should, or some other untrue story they had heard of her, she did not know. She found herself walking in a steady line towards Keda's graveyard, that homed only blue blood at the present moment, as all other burials were performed outside of Keda in a small church's graveyard, which, with the war and far away deaths, did not grow very much each year. In fact, in some cases, this particular graveyard actually shrank, for some unknown reasoning. However, this particular graveyard was for blue blood only, and so here lay the King that had collected together the sisters, and his grave stood high, as all sisters, whether they knew him personally or not, had worshipped the king to his death bed, some said. Rhea, who had been the King's Captain in the war, which earned her her place in the coven, had known him personally. She knelt to the grave, touched it as was accustomed, and prayed silently to herself. "Sir," She began, "I know in your heart that this day you could foresee, the day in which I would find I was truly not welcome. And I know in your heart that you truly did not want this to happen, but it has. I shall stay, if not for my own satisfaction then yours, I shall stay. But if the Sisters take me away from the city, a word bound which you yourself created, there is nothing I can do but fight the fight that many others fight on the red wall, and hope that it is enough." As she said this the world around and in Keda continued. Men and Women made their ways toward their homes or the pubs, children slept, and, at the North entrance, Keda's army retreated to it's home.</p><p>* * *</p><p>Far, far away from this scene of peace, Hope listened to the sirens of Flinch ring as she, Timothy Smith, Fuchsia and the women made their way towards the tunnel that led to the Castle. So near and yet so far away from home, Hope turned to survey the scene they had left behind. Whether the sirens went of on their account or Faith's, non-knew, but certainly, they were away and Faith was not. "I regret to be the one who points out there is no where near enough time to go back in and rescue Faith, if, indeed, she is caught." Hope hung her head, "And I also regret to say that I cannot say it was my fault. She left of her own accord, where as if we had stayed together she too would be standing here." The women said something comforting in the same language as before, and turned to the little girl below her. "The tunnel," She asked in their own language, "where is it?" Her accent was tinged, as though she was not used to speaking the language, but her eyes told what her lips did not. She knew it was urgent to leave immediately and make for Keda. Answering the lady, Fuchsia explained that she didn't know directly, but that there was certainly a tree next to it and some bushes. And so they searched for this tunnel, all at hand other than Hope, who kept look out for Faith, may she escape further still. Eventually the tunnel was discovered; the leaves around it crumpled into a straight layer that hid it from first sight. Hope, reluctant to leave for the city without Faith, scoured to land around her one last time. "If we return to say that we knew where Faith was but then lost her to the hand of Flinch, the people of Keda will not forgive us, we will be dead before we can explain." She explained. "Let them do what they will, I would prefer to be put before Keda officials than Flinch army men, we must hurry!" Called Timothy Smith from the entrance as Fuchsia and the lady disappeared inside. Timothy Smith waited for Hope to pass, holding back the vines that hung down, and followed her into darkness. Unlike Tessa and Dawn, no sooner did they step into the hole than a white light appeared above Hope, guiding them forward as they went. "Hope's light!" Fuchsia gasped, "My Mother used to sing to me about it before she-" "It's a rare gift, one that my people recognise as the revolution of Munea to come." The Lady cut in, anticipating the silence that would have followed if the younger girl had finished her sentence. Hope, almost blind to the women's compliment, sighed heavily, "What a sad sight we are. A young girl without mother, a sister who long ago lost her coven, a man who uses as popular misguiding name as Jon Doe, and a renegade Witch from away and about." To this Timothy Smith glanced cautiously at the lady, who, for the most part of this soliloquy, stayed quiet save the steady beat of her footsteps ahead. "A renegade Witch, Ma'am?" He asked with mock interest. "Yes sir, that I am. Cast away from my island, that which bore Hope and Hope's mother, for search of purgatory." She answered. "And what sin was committed?" Timothy Smith asked, if a little two quickly. He blushed, "Forgive me but I am interested in the colonies, I hope one day to live there." Hope laughed, "Then you are a fool! Only those born on the island are welcome." "Hope is right, I am afraid, it is so. And as for the crime I committed sir, it was being who I am, a Witch, that alone would of killed me if not for…" "For what?" Timothy Smith asked impatiently. The women crept closer to Hope, the sister she adored, and afraid that Timothy Smith's inquisitiveness was prospect to a future evil. Hope, seeing this fear, let the lady ahead, and she herself stood in front of the man as Fuchsia ran ahead. "So what's your real name then?" She asked outright in her own way. "Huh?" Timothy Smith frowned uneasily. "Your real name. I mean, Timothy Smith, that’s obviously a dud, there are so many 'Timothy Smith's' in Keda, if I had a copper coin for…" "Every time you heard it you wouldn't have to care anymore, I've heard the saying before thanks." His head twisted into what some may call a smile, but others would find repulsive. "Yeah well…" Hope felt an immense reaction to run away, but contained herself for Fuchsia and the lady's sake. "What is your real name any way, huh? I don’t see why you should know all this stuff about us all and we not know a thing about you!" "You know things about me," Timothy Smith protested, "And besides, you know the most important thing. I hate Flinch, and I would die for Keda, isn't that enough?" "No." Hope simply said, and walked on.</p><p>* * * The sky lit up that night the kind of turquoise blue that only novels can contain. So intense was the feeling around the 3 sisters and the deaf girl as they walked home that no one said anything. Tessa and Dawn, to preoccupied in themselves to understand thing around them properly, stared at each others feet as the surreal reality hit in. The crunch, crunch, crunch, of their sandals hitting the floor became as steady as a drum. No one said a word; there was no need. Three sisters were enough to bring what seemed like an army to Keda after the near quarter year they had now been without hope of any returning. Dawn, in her head, recited what would be said. She thought of every question and an answer to all these. Unknown to Tessa, she feared what the sisters would do to them when they realised they had left without calling council at all with any other sister. Heather walked head low, aware that she had saved her friend but also aware that in doing so she had jeopardised any hope that lay within the city of finding Faith. Now she would have to return home sister-less, and so she also worried about what they might say, as she had obviously been intending to return home with what she left for, and so the city would be happy. Now that she was returning home without, the people would see no reason in her leaving, as did she, and so they would be angry that she had weakened Keda's foundations for nothing. Tessa walked between the two, ever eyeing the lowering sun as it set and the moon appeared. She was the only 4 to do this, as she did not worry about what would become of her when she entered the doors, and felt it was right for them to return, and that would be favour enough to Keda. For, of course, if non-wanted to return, then why would they be? And what of Tori, the girl whom had recently made firm friends with the now older Heather, and been rescued by her when she was mistakenly identified as Heather herself? This book will not tell, but from the way she walked, occasionally looking at the others querying faces when ever they might say a word or two and then fall back into silence, one could tell she was anxious, but not what about. The next of these short outbursts came from Heather, who briefly mentioned "What of Faith, has she returned of her own accord" this being the only thing on her mind. Of course, we know the answer was that they did not know, and so they said so. "We do not know." Dawn said with a bow of the head and a quick relapse into silence. But Tessa, being aware of the others toil, and bored with non for herself, continued, "We only entered briefly, and when we did we…I… was met briefly and quickly by a Flinch man who said that…" "…I was with another Flinch man, Kay…" Dawn added. "…He said that Kay was evil, you see, and so might be Dawn," Tessa eyed Dawn carefully, still not sure whether the sister could trick her, as she had begun to worry about more recently, "But Dawn wasn't…" She added slowly. "…I wasn't, and so, Kay in the next room, Tessa, I, Fuchsia and the Flinch Man…" "Fuchsia?" Asked Heather, aware of a new name. "A friend of mine, a child…" Tessa explained quickly. "Yes Fuchsia, any way, where was I?" Dawn got confused. "We all left the city within another hour of our entering, and from there the Flinch man took us straight to Munea…" "Where we have been since." Dawn ended, "The Flinch man left with Fuchsia a little while after in search of Faith, as when we had entered we learned from Fuchsia that she had not returned, but that was long ago. Whether Fuchsia and the Flinch man found her we do know." "Or whether she returned without their guidance…" "Or whether they and she died where ever they were…" Dawn suggested dreamily, thinking to herself. Tessa fell silent as the same defeating silence invaded again. They walked quietly for a while, each returning to their own worries, and Tessa struck down by the prospect of Faith or Fuchsia being dead. "I wonder if he was true to…" Began Dawn, but she was interrupted by a small voice from the other side of Tessa. "What use would he have with an orphan child?" The voice came from Tori, whom, until now, was presumed dumb. Heather, the most shocked of all, stared aghast at Tori, wondering why on earth the girl had not spoke before. But Tessa regained herself quickly, and started. "How do you know Fuchsia is an orphan?" She questioned menacingly, smelling foul play. "I come from Hope's country, where there are witches…" Tori tried and failed to explain. "You’re a witch?" Tessa frowned. "No, not exactly…" "What do you mean, not exactly? Surely you are or you aren't?" "I suppose so but…" "Never mind!" Dawn suddenly, unexpectedly, interrupted. She preferred the silence to the noise. This silence fell on them again as they walked slowly but surely into the thickest part of the forest.</p><p>* * * Rhea secretly confided to the many cats in her possession as the two other Sisters, Cerys and Pandora prepared for the armies return. The Sister sat on her wooden throne, and in a comical way, look as downtrodden as those outside. The tower had not been looked after since she last came, and the last of her servants had finally left. So now the tower was more of a cat kennel than a home, where her cats had bred into a species of their own, dominating all other cats in the area. Since the news of the armies return, several days had passed, in which, prier to Rhea's reappearance and Ellen's death, many council's had been held without Rhea, as she had expected. So now she sat and discussed this with her cats, acting like a senile old bag, but actually as morally and mentally aware as any other, if not more. She knew that somehow word had reached the Sisters that both Keda's army and Tessa, Dawn and Heather returned with a new 'Sister' in tow, that had been learned from a Munea connection, one, however, that was not named. She also knew that she and the town would soon be holding a fate, 'something to welcome home the victorious' she had been told by a women who had taken pity on her and recently made daily visits to the tower. She had not the heart to mention to the women that the boom of war in the back ground of their lives was still there, and that she herself had fought only 2 weeks or so ago on the fields, and then there had been no hope in sight. Rhea knew that the armies return was bad rather than good, but she also looked forward to it as her friends were amongst those in the army, and so have some that truly wanted to talk to her was good enough, no matter what news they brought. She had no idea, how ever, and neither did the others, that Hope to was on her way home, with none other than the two who had disappeared with Tessa and Dawn. In fact, at this very moment, Hope was passing underneath the Eastern cliff, where, above, Courtney had ridden past on her horse so long before. And so she sat and murmured to herself, not the incoherent babble's of an insane women, but rather the pondering of a genius, someone, who, for all their might and glory, for all their courageousness, could not gain the support of the people she risked death for. Outside the street carts that lugged the celebratory objects up and down the street paused for a moment, thick in heat, surrounded by the towns people who worked or watched others work as the place was prepared for a 'hero's' return. If a young child was to have entered the swarming mass alone, it would of quickly found itself lost amongst strangers, as all were souly concerned on their own job, with no concern for the others. It was not that the party was planned here, all streets were like this, and if one could fly they could see below them only people, for it seemed that on that day Keda's walls themselves were made out of the plague. Through the crowds the young women pushed her way to Rhea's door, ignoring the devious looks given from the most conservative of the public at her traitorous behaviour for helping the sister at all. Despite the unbearable heat and her suffering, like all, from claustrophobia, she beamed at the lion heads that beckoned her into the great hall that stood in the tower. Her smile was unbent as she entered her thoughts set souly on the gleeful times that approached steadily. You see, the people, unknown to Rhea, had not been told that the side were most likely to be returning because of defeat, in fact, they had been told that victory was succoured. She walked steadily through the blackened hall. The walls around her seemed to cave in, although the fact that the tower stood still denied this to be a trick of the ever undying light that blessed the ball room floor still. Cobwebs hung here and there, as they did in Hope's tower, but these to the extreme. It got to the point that, when the women wanted to get to the stars, she had to use her arms to fend away the sticky strings, hoping to god at the same time that what ever monstrosity that had made the chain was no longer in the building. She herself now blackened, like the hall, the women walked up the spiralling stairs to the right of the tower, as the left side stairs had since collapsed, unfortunately, as her journey would now be delayed. Rhea, from afar, was aware of the women's presence, as not only did the girls footsteps echo as though they were in a giant subway, but the cats around her, sensing a presence far from the norm, scattered here and there, out of the window even, some, as they were quick on the feet and could quiet easily reach the nearest roof top. "Hello?" Rhea called anxiously, aware that it might not be the women, but rather a 'messenger' sent to be rid of her once and for all from the Sisters. But sure enough, the same answer came back to Rhea's ears, and she walked slowly but purposefully towards the door, which she suspected the women would soon enter through. "You need this place to be cleaned, Ma'am, if you don't mind me saying," curtsied the lady in front of the women she still admired. Rhea, aware of this awe, looked at the girl in an intrigued gesture. "I would," she answered simply, "if it weren't for everyone other than you hating me." The women, aware of the truth behind the statement, blushed, "That's not true Ma'am," she denied modestly, "some, I mean, most still like you…It's just the occasional…" But Rhea cut in; "You don't need to protect them, you know, you show kindness, and they do not, so let me like you and hate them." The girl looked the Sister adoringly looked at the Sister come Princess. "Yes Ma'am, Thankyou Ma'am," She muttered, all too aware of the Sisters compliment. "And there are people who support you to the end Miss, it's just most are away, off out there…" She indicated out the window with her head towards the North gate. "I'm sure there are somewhere," Rhea agreed, "just not here…" She trailed of, looking at the others shoe's. "Anyhow," she shook herself, "maybe, after the celebrations, I could employ you, I would pay more than your current employer of course…" The other, obviously ecstatic about the offer, flashed all teeth and looked at the Sister straight, "Yes Ma'am!" She sighed in a daydream like fashion, "I always wanted to work in a tower!" Rhea, still awkward with the women's loyalty, added, "I would help you, of course, and I would try to employ more…there are some in the army who I consider friends, and shall hopefully support me…" At the mention of the army both peasant and Sister brightened their horizons. The women uttered her thanks again and left before the Sister could ask the women her name, but never mind. Rhea thought let her go, I can ask later. At this she stood hands behind her back, looking out of the brown window at the blue, blue sky, and straight in the face of the Castle and her successors. </p><p>* * *</p><p>Night fell, and with it came the loud cheers and congratulations from the crowds of Keda to the baffled soldiers who entered through the North gate. To a stranger it would seem that they had entered a realm never seen before, one of ghouls and goblins, and most of all monarchy, for although Keda was a democracy, at this very moment Cerys and Pandora sat high as Queens on seats of gold. However, this was not the sight the army looked for, and there eyes, all of them, strayed away from the roar of welcome, and towards the peasants, those who they missed so much, and also to Rhea, the Sister whom they missed so much. She was away from the crowds, as she had been driven back by flocks of family members at the call of close encounter. She stood, back to the other Sisters, near the alley, which held the route to the Black Horse in, some way up the road. Immediately after seeing the Sister had indeed ventured into the city, the head of department of war, Sergeant Fayle, hastily made his way towards Cerys and Pandora, who bent down, expecting word of war. Instead, judging by Cerys distorted face; they were greeted with news of Rhea's heroism in war. But to no avail, the Sergeant was simply dismissed to 'see his family'. Before leaving to do just that, the sergeant turned to Rhea as though to say 'I'm sorry', which he truly was, but Rhea simply dismissed him, saying she would take a walk outside and enjoy the fresh air. She did just this. Taking her steps carefully, so as not to irritate someone whom she had already irritated, she weaved in and out the screaming cheers and happy face's to the sullen, sunken face of Foolsworth. Over time the guard's face had grown a grey colour, and it seemed, for a reason unknown, that even after Ellen's death (which he had fought so hard to secure) he had deteriorated even more. As Rhea approached this sorrowful sight, he raised his eyes in a begrudgingly tolerant fashion. "Tell me," Rhea dared to speak to him once she had gotten to him and stopped fully, "What it is that makes a man so sad when others are so happy." Foolsworth did not answer her, but instead looked at the people in a pitiful way. Finally, he said, "War has not ended." More than words, this was a mumble. And to Rhea's regretful eyes she realised what stood in front of her was not a fool, as those had always thought. True, he was not academic, but something lay in him that was knowledgeable…the potential to be knowledgeable, Rhea underlined it as. And whatever potential was there, it was clever enough to realise, unlike all others, the truth that lay behind the city. Both the people within and the people out had beaten Keda to the ground. </p><p>Chapter 11 Ravens flew around the uninvited character as though she was a raven queen, held high in the caste system. No person saw her and her followers as she emerged, dignified, from the blackened hole that homed so many secrets, as every person that would of usually been found at such a time on such a day were in Keda preparing for the shortly expected army to return. The visitors, not realising what was happening just seconds away, stared in awe at the deserted farms that were around them. Hope, fearing the worst, rushed ahead of Timothy Smith, Fuchsia and the hooded women, towards the city gates in desperation. Many miles, though, were between the two, and so before they reached the stone objects that obstructed their view to the Castle, all in the party became aware of the steady crunching coming towards them from the pitch black. For seconds only Hope hesitated, aware of the hatred some would show her, forgetting that she was returning to the City that should embrace her as a friendly figure since the disappearance of the others. And so the hooded women came from behind, whispering words into the sister's ear that Fuchsia and Timothy Smith could not determine. "We will hide," Hope turned to explain, "Until we see who it is that approaches us at least." "Why give a bad impression, sister? If a local sees you hide they will suspect you of betrayal." "If it is someone whom I trust or do not know, friend, then we shall reveal ourselves before they see we are hiding. Trust, I will see them before they see us." And so, Timothy Smith unable to protest, they swerved to the side, away from the path which they intended to follow. But, Hope, on a rare occasion, was wrong. The other saw the first before the first saw the other. "Who goes there?" Called a cautious voice. "Why aren't you in the City with the celebrations?" The sister and her companions stared at each other with the aghast view of those who had been caught in a place they were no longer allowed by the person who had banned them themselves. Fuchsia, being brightly aware of a act she could easily pull of, moved forward with a timid deliberant step, "Forgive me," She called bravely, despite her vulnerability, "I was punished by my Mother and made to finish my chores before entering the City. I was afraid that you might be…" Rhea, seeing that the figure before her was only a child, stepped forward also. "Don't worry child, I understand you fright. But tell me, what kind of a Mother keeps a child away from such an afar?" The travellers who lay still in the bushes clung to each other in amazement at who the intrusive walker really was. Hope's mouth opened in order for her to call a warning of appearance to her friend, but found the shock of Rhea's loyalty too powerful for her to comprehend, and instead the squeak of acknowledgement left her lips, only just reaching Rhea's ears. Rhea, still wrapped within Fuchsia's make do story, drew her sword at the rustling and humane noises immediately, feeling that the girls fears had been made true. Fuchsia, aware of the danger Hope, Timothy Smith and the hooded girl were in, stood forward with the brave-ness of a heroic warrior, holding Rhea's sword at bay, whilst Hope and the others emerged from behind. Within the far away light of the Cities glamour, Rhea stared face to face with the sister who competed with her to claim the title of Keda's disappointment. Although distant, the lights flickered, the magically enhanced colours changing and casting shadows across all three adults' faces. In comparison, Rhea herself, to Hope, was a silhouette, light and yet dark at the same time, halo-ed by the defiant glows radiating from what seemed to be Rhea's neck. Temporarily blinded by such a scene, Hope covered her eyes, squinting at her co-leader with the curiosity of a new-born. The light quickly became dimmer to her eyes, and all that was left was the 2 Sisters, staring in awe at each other, while the 3 others stood awkward around them.</p><p>* * *</p><p>The clatter of metal apon ground ended the stillness. Rhea looked down to her hand to find it was she who had made the noise, unaware that her hand had become loose and the sword which she had once intended to defend herself with was now on the floor below her. Looking back at her Sister, feeling an air of gratitude to her arrival, almost excruciating joy, she was also struck with the feeling of guidance, she being in the City before the other. Amusingly, the first words to leave Hope's lips, however, were complaints: "You thought I'd gone over to Flinch, to betray you and our province! And don't pretend you didn’t, my Ravens told me…" Rhea, taken aback by the sister's abruptness, opened her mouth in protest, but Hope found herself before the other spoke, remembering that this sister was truly on their side. "They also told me that you were going to, have now, I expect, killed Ellen." She compromised, "and I am also glad to see you as a friend, Sister, as we truly have in common something that no other Sister has." Rhea nodded slowly, the guidance now gone from her sister, and only idolisation left. "I've wanted you to come back for so…" "…Long, yes, well. I am now. So…" "The city! Yes! The armies have retreated," Rhea babbled, glad to have something helpful to tell this hero, "The people seem to have been deceived into saying we've won, obviously we haven't, so…" The other stared with curiosity at Rhea, "my own eyes have shown me that you fight well in battle, Rhea, and for that alone, you are equal to me…" The smirk that usually issued Hope's face when address another Sister was not there now, instead a radiant grin twisted her face into something that it was born to be. For a while the Sisters looked at each other, but after, friendship rebuilt, they became grave again. "We need to get up there," Hope indicated to the City, "I am not happy with their rule, they're doing it…wrong. And whether the people and they like it or not, we were given equal rule to them, and we will claim it. Hurry, before they plan to kill us…" With only a nod to her companions, still un-introduced to Rhea, she and the other walked side by side at a quick and steady pace towards the northern gate. </p><p>* * * At this same moment in time, Tessa, Dawn, Heather and an outcast Tori strode towards the North gates in the other directions, coming from the west not the east. Unaware of the others gaining also, their soul target was to get home. Each craved for it now with a separate meaning, as though they were starved cannibals. Heather still worried of not returning to the city without Faith, and Dawn and Tessa still worried about returning at all, but still, they had reached a silent compromise that what ever the sister could do, they would not and could not kill them. It was absurd even to think that! Thought a determined Tessa to herself, as the others sped up even more. They were so close now that they could hear the cheers of the people. Unaware of the army's return, they looked at each other in mock horror. "They really are glad we aren't there!" Heather joked for the first time in what seemed like years. The others grinned arrogantly, for all were confident that they had heard of their return, and that was why they were cheering. There past arguments pushed to the back of their heads for the moment, each carried on, carefully picking their way through the pitch black night towards Foolsworth and the outside gates.</p><p>* * *</p><p>As Rhea, Hope, Timothy Smith, Fuchsia and the hooded girl approached the city, the noise became louder and louder, to the point where neither could hear what the others were saying. Rhea, worried of what the mobs reaction would be to yet another unwelcome visitor, slowed slightly, and Hope, reading the message in Rhea's eyes, stopped altogether. In the distance the figure of Foolsworth could been seen, giving the entry book to 4 women who had just reached the gates. His false enthusiasm was apparent because of the 'Whoop!' he gave in response to the ladies arrival, which apparently was suppose to be joyful. A minute or two after the ladies had entered, a load roaring of welcome came again from inside the gates, this time louder than the short blast given for the army. "The other Sisters," Rhea almost screamed over the din, "Tessa, Dawn and Heather have been expected for a while now, from Munea." She added knowledgeably. "Who was the other?" Timothy Smith came from behind, eyebrows raised. "I knew that Tessa and Dawn were within, as said before, but I didn't know of Heather and another…" "We'll have to go in and find out," Hope shouted back. The hooded lady and Fuchsia said nothing, not knowing entirely what was going on, and so blindly following the 3 with all their trust. Rhea looked back at them and then to Hope and Timothy Smith again, "Foolsworth is trustworthy, I think. He's tired of waiting, they've not deceived him, we could sneak in…" "You think or you know?"</p><p>* * *</p><p>And so, unexpectedly, all except those dead and lost re-entered Keda. Tessa, Dawn, Heather, Cerys, Pandora and the outcasts, Rhea and Hope, were now inside the walls, but safely? Democracy was falling all about them, and to some it seemed at that time it was safer for the Sisters to be outside than in. </p><p>Chapter 12 "Dove is missing." The claim came from Cerys, who seemed to have redeemed all confidence lost over the past few years. She sat on another oaken throne, but that was where the similarities between her own and Ellen's ended. Where as Ellen's was magnificent, worthy of a Queen, Cery's still showed an air of a farmer's daughter. It's plain wooden arms and back held all but no design, save a small wheat grain carved on the back to represent it's owner. Despite her clothing and furniture, Cerys still sat high, her back straight. She had a grim but determined face, as she told the others this information, but whether it was the news or the hangover that shone so dimly, non-could tell. Hope, rather than being surprised at the disappearance of her past friend, was more surprised at the way Cerys acted. When she had last been in the city, and had been on friendly enough terms to make contact with any sister, Cerys had seemed someone who would obediently follow others without question. Now, however, it seemed that Cerys herself was in charge of the city, and Pandora was simply someone who had once stood for something but was now just an advisor to Cerys. The absence of Dove had hung on the air for several days before either Hope or Rhea had been invited to join one of the many council's held within the Castle. This council, however, was being held within Cery's basement, because, apparently, the Castle was experiencing problems with its drainage system after the storms of the past few nights. Hope knew that this was really an excuse to cover the fact that really neither they nor the people wanted the Sisters to enter an area that could, taken by the wrong hands, be potentially fatal to the city. And so they sat, in the dank, darkened cellar, only accompanied by the candles each sister brought with them and the glint of silver at every figures buckle. "She has been for several months now. We as a council do not expect to see her again." Cerys continued. Hope's mouth opened in protest at the words of 'We as a council' for she was eager to point out that Rhea and her own opinions had not been asked, and they were part of the council too. She faltered though, at the eyes of Rhea, peering through her black hood to her friend that warned her they could easily be dismissed if she did such a thing. "Sister," Cerys asked with the curious-ness of an austere judge, "Were you going to comment?" Hope gave direct eye to Cerys, to which Rhea rolled her eyes, and gave her reply. "No." The answer was simple, but the words she had wanted to say were entwined carefully amongst the single syllable. Cerys, glowering at Hope as though a peasant lady had just insulted the Queen, gave her companions a sharp look of doubt. The others said nothing. They consisted souly of the Sisters who had recently arrived in Keda, as well as Pandora. Finally, Pandora spoke, "Hope, perhaps we could all try and get along, for the sake of the people…" She asked in a pleading voice. "What you mean is obey your every command," Hope murmured under her breath. Tessa, who sat closest to Hope, blushed slightly, for unlike everyone else, she did not feel that Rhea and Hope were any threat, rather the people they always were, and friends of Keda. Cerys, snapping out of the room of confusion Hope had spun her into, spat angrily "If you are going to treat any other sister with such rudeness, Hope, we will not bother inviting you to any other council's." With all the fury the words Cerys spoke in delivering her message to Hope, Hope simply brushed saliva off of her black dress and again looked Cerys in the face to answer, calmly, "I don't really see the point in this anyway. All you've said is a summery of what has happened in the past few weeks and bar Tessa, Dawn and Heather's account, both Rhea and I knew it all!" Cerys face went the colour of Heather's hair. "That's it! We won't invite you to anymore…in my own home! In fact, we'll ban you from all public meetings as well. We've banned you from all public meetings!" To this Tessa had to intercept, "But Sister!" "No but sisters! It's my house, I called the meeting, I have my say!" "But you're not the head Sister! None of us are!" Rhea burst out, unable to contain herself any longer. "We're all equal, no one should be able to rule the other without a democratic vote put forward, and you can't, we're not all here!" Cerys nostrils flared. "The others are not accounted for in any province, we can hold a vote without them." She snarled through gritted teeth. "Actually," Hope said in a matter of fact way, getting up, "One is. And we, or rather I, know where she is, don't I Rhea?" She looked to her friend for conformation, Rhea bowed her head and got up also, trusting her friend enough to judge the situation correctly. Cerys, seeing the so dearly information slip away before her very eyes, got up too. "You cannot leave without telling us!" "Yes I can." Answered Hope. "We're a democracy, like Rhea says, everyone has a right to know!" "We don't, we're not allowed in any council's, even if they're public!" "Then you can enter," Cerys sighed compassionately, as though she was doing the two abolished Sisters a great courtesy, "If you tell us of what you know." "No Thankyou," Rhea turned and spoke. "What do you mean, no Thankyou?" Cerys's eyes widened, aghast. "No Thankyou," Hope laughed, turning from the top step as she and Rhea disappeared. Pandora, Dawn and Heather looked to Cerys in shock. "What if they know where Faith is!" Heather demanded, "Look what you've done now!" "Calm down, Heather," Dawn soothed, "They were probably only fooling around, if it were that important they would rejoin." Pandora nodded, "And if they do know where Faith is, they'll come back to tell us soon any way, they'll want back in." Silence fell as each Sister's eyes looked to the door. All except Tessa, who looked thoughtfully at the floor, the beginnings of a glum frown forming on her head.</p><p>* * *</p><p>"What are we going to do now?" The two figures picked themselves up off the floor, one getting up first to help the other. Behind them the heavy metal door slammed, echoing off the walls of the many closed inns and shops. The first to stand began to walk along the road that circled the inside of all the towers within Keda. "I said," the figure behind repeated, "I said, Hope, what are we going to do now?" Hope turned in the street to face Rhea as she stumbled into the light of the street. "I don't know," She answered simply. Rhea went white, "You mean you did that without thinking of what we were going to do next?" "Yes." "…Oh my…" Rhea muttered to herself breathlessly. "I can tell you what they will do though," Hope replied as she walked at a steady pace down the centre of the road. "What?" "They'll wait a few days, possibly together, call an assembly, declare us enemies of the city, as Ellen was, and then find us, capture us and torture us (before killing us) to find out what it is we know." "THEN WHY DID YOU SAY THAT?" "My original plan," Hope continued relentless to Rhea's question, "was to accumulate outside of the city, and then take it by storm. The thing is, there's only two of us, and I had countered on there being at least 4…" "What?" Rhea stood still again. "4 Sisters, on our side. Me, Faith (but she's in Flinch), Tessa and…" Hope's pail cheeks presented a little colour, "and Courtney. I seriously didn't think you'd be on my side," She frowned in wonder, "but anyway. Courtney's dead now, so she can't be here. I don't know why Tessa isn't here, I suppose we should wait a while before we leave, and that only leaves me…and you…" Rhea waved her hands as though to clear something that was in front of her, "Wait a minute, wait, just…leave?" "Yes leave, we can’t stay, we may be depressed, but we're not suicidal." With these words Hope continued to walk with Rhea trailing behind her until they both reached Rhea's tower, which was the next in line. From there on the road continued to Tessa's and then Ellen's, which stood now as a grey figure, it being completely derelict. As the two entered the cats, who had been gathering by the front door to be let out for some time now flew fast them with the speed of a thousand wings. It gave the appearance that both Rhea and Hope entered on a mat of multicoloured fur to Fuchsia, who sat waiting in the middle of the hall. The child promptly jumped up and ran to the two, in concern that neither had got themselves killed. "What happened? What did they say? What did you do? What going to happen? Are we leaving again?" The kid threw out in one sentence before having to stop because of her breath shortage. "We're leaving, your not…" Rhea answered the last question. Fuchsia sighed impatiently, "Why can't I go too?" "And why are we leaving?" Timothy Smith came up behind the child, apparently coming from the kitchen. "Where did you go, then? When we re-entered you just left us!" Hope frowned in annoyance at the memory of time lost looking for the man. "Had business to do…" He muttered in reply, "Ellen…" But the rest was unrecognisable. "Ellen? What about Ellen, she's dead!" Rhea raised her eyebrows. "Had something I needed back." Timothy Smith shrugged, "Besides! You still haven't said what you've done, what happened at the council?" "We got kicked out." Hope bluntly told him, before walking past, leaving Rhea to explain to the two. As Hope approached her destination within the tower the cobwebs that hung there could be seen to have been torn. Pile's lay on the floor, and near the door leading outward fire glowed. Hope stepped through the arch and into the night once more, but this night was protected. When, once, Rhea had been welcome in the city, a garden had grown just outside of the grand hall, caved in and away from the busy city street, for Rhea's purpose alone. Now it lay in ruins, but in a strange way it echoed to both Rhea and Hope the past which they so longed to live in still. Carvings on the wall stood tall, not worn by the cruel wind that wore away the city walls. When they first re-entered the garden there had been old banners, chucked over the side from the street, that held ancient dates from long ago. Since the day of her arrival, the hooded women and she had been working on cleaning up the garden, as the others had to the inside. By themselves, and occasionally accompanied by the lady that came to help Rhea from the city (who had since introduced herself as Cimorene) they had rebuilt the garden, and it now stood in its former glory. In the dark, amongst the red roses, the hooded lady looked almost like a ghost, expect one that did not specifically suit the place which she stood in. As Hope approached her at a causal yet quick pace, the lady looked up. "We're leaving, not too soon, but not too far away." Hope answered the unsaid question immediately. The hooded lady closed her eyes and concentrated, "They know you know where Faith is…" Hope nodded and began to speak, only to be interrupted by the lady. "It is best not to leave again, the people cannot handle it. Besides, what happens with the war? It is clear to me as any that it is not over, far from it. Who keeps the Flinch army at bay?" Hope, with some surprise that she had not thought of this herself, answered simply "I don't know!" "Then the time will be soon," nodded the lady, "when we must all either flee or fight until the end of many. Flinch is closing in, certainly if a sister does not know who is keeping them away, right now. I suspect they are a few tens of miles away now." "…On foot…" "It will take a few days," agreed the hooded lady, "but they are still coming, and the people are unaware of it." Hope frowned in annoyance, "The council did not even mention it. Do you think Cerys, Dawn, Heather, Tessa and Pandora are so stupid they have not even given the war a thought?" The hooded lady puckered her lips, "I know for a fact that over the last year not even Ellen gave the army orders, their captains have controlled it." "And the captains have had no meetings, and so they shouldn't" Hope sighed, "It is the Sisters that they wait for. They wait for us to give them the orders." As though something had landed on her head, she looked up to the sky. "I think it is gone to far," and then, after a puzzled look from the hooded lady, "Rhea, you, Fuchsia, I and god forbid, Timothy Smith, must gain control. No one in the coven had warrior blood. They can fight, but they can't think strategically…" "I've been thinking that for a while." Timothy Smith said as he approached them from the back. "How long have you been there?" Hope demanded. "Don't worry, only long enough to hear you express your worry towards my loyalty," Timothy Smith sneered, and then added, "and I really did." Hope, ignoring the hurt look that plagued her companion's face, turned back to the hooded lady. "We'll do it tomorrow morning…" Then after a thought or two, "We'll use magic, a sleeping spell on the public, so they aren't hurt." "What about the sisters?" The hooded lady queried. "Someone needs to be awake to know what we are doing." Hope said nothing more. </p><p>* * *</p><p>Darkness passed and night became day. As the auburn sun made the steady, un-failing climb towards the highest point in the sky to crown all those who walked beneath it, Keda once more became populated, stuffed to the gills with people. "There's leaving even so," Rhea advised the other in the room wisely. "It will not be long until Keda has not a soul in it." Cimorene, who had been busy cleaning what she could where she could, came over to the window that dominated half of the wall of the room where all sat during the day. She, too, could see what Rhea meant. Once the streets would be crowed with people who were on the streets, there would also be people within the houses either working or wanting also to go out onto the street. Keda had always been over populated for the amount of land it lay on, despite it's largeness, but because of the sturdy walls around it, it had no place to grow, and hence the suffocating closeness of all buildings. But now all the people were on the streets. Although to someone who did not know the city well it would seem full, to all that had lived there all their lives and did not hold the stupidity that plagued some into blindness, it was obvious that many had left. "Some people left just before Courtney came back but…" Cimorene began. "More have left. Recently. Even when I came back there were more than this." Rhea nodded knowingly. "People are leaving?" The hooded lady, the only other in the room, came over to join the two at the window. "Quickly," answered Rhea, "if the city calls for help from its people the coven will find itself in shortage. Let us hope that war does not come here." She added carefully. Cimorene went white, "You don't think that will happen do you? I mean surely the army…" "Touch wood," Rhea smiled. "I'm sure the army will be enough to fight away, and I doubt very much Flinch will risk coming here, after all, they do not have sisters." But there was an icy glow in Rhea's weak smile, one that, although not obvious to Cimorene, told of the truth. Cimorene smiled an appreciating smile at Rhea and went back to her work, but the hooded lady stayed for a moment, and with Rhea looked out of the window at the people who worked below. "There are many good fighters on your side, Rhea." She whispered quietly to the sister, "including me. My people are prepared to fight with you." Bemused at the offer, Rhea raised her eyebrows and looked at the girl. "Does Hope know?" "I was told not to tell her, in case she declined…" The hooded lady stumbled, but Rhea nodded. "Hope would think it a trap. If there is any way of contact then tell your people I welcome the offer with open arms should the situation arise." Rhea waited for a reply, but none came. "Rhea!" Came the shout from downstairs. "Rhea we are going!" "Going where?" Surprised, Rhea shouted back. "To the castle!" Was the reply from Hope, "We're going to the Castle to talk to the others!" "About Faith?" Rhea talked whilst running. "No not about Faith, well…yes, but no! Just hurry, we need to get there before the end of the day!" Sarcasm hinted in the voice. Rhea, emerging from the staircase, battled her way once more through the spider webs. "Do you think they come back at night?" She panted as she reached Hope. Hope frowned in confusion, "Come back? At night? Tessa hasn't been here yet! And why would she be here at night?" "No," Rhea sighed with the air of impatience a teacher gives to a student when they've said something incredibly stupid. "No silly, the spiders!" "Oh," Hope frowned again, "I don't know," she mused, looking doubtfully at the webs. "I suppose they must do. Eugh!" She shrieked, "Eugh!" "What?" Shocked, Rhea spun to face Hope. "Eugh!" Hope shuddered again, "I slept on the couch last night with the - eugh!" Rhea's lips curled, "perhaps we should get cleaning…" "Perhaps!" Came the reply from Hope as she moved quickly out of the door. </p><p>* * *</p><p>The tapping of the guard's steel capped toes on the stone floor pulsed on Cerys brain as though they were being made by an elephant. Last bights escapades had proved their worth and Cerys had woken up only to be greeted with a roaring headache and many, many questions put forward by the town council. The council had since tried, and failing, to see Cerys face to face. Cerys had commanded that 'they go and see someone else, as she was not the only sister, and did not want to become the next Queen like figure, despite her living in the castle.' Apparently, after this message, the council, who had 'every right to know what was going on within the coven', had departed. "Undoubtedly they are now at Dawn's tower, banging on the door and waking every one up." She muttered to herself as she got out of bed, ready to address the man who came closer and closer to her door. "Guard!" She cried louder than she had just spoken to herself, "Guard!" Louder still. The footsteps became more rapid, and just before Cerys had drawing breath to issue another bellow, the door pulsated, causing a picture next to it to fall of its hook. Cerys sighed, rolling her eyes to the sky at the man's incompetence, and went to the door herself to let the news get to her ears. "What is it?" She swore as the door swung away from her to reveal a cowering man, dressed entirely in royal blue. Boldly, the guard got straight to the point, seeing that the longer he stood there the more likely it was he would annoy the Sister further, no matter what the news. "Hope, Ma'am, and Rhea, at the door." "Why?" Cerys spat, annoyed that a - the news from the sisters would not likely be of Faith's where - abouts but rather of their departure and b - that she had been woken up only to be told of this inconvenience. "Um," gulped the guard, "Well, Ma'am, they - they said it were important, I though it best to…" He trailed off. Cerys, still not quiet the ogre, relaxed her frown into a half- demented smile. "Okay, okay. You can go, I'll do it. Just…just get me a drink of water. I'll be at the door…" And so she walked past the man, barely dressed, but prepared to meet and greet in a tolerant way the sisters outside. </p><p>* * *</p><p>"WE DEMAND TO SEE SOMEONE!" Hope bellowed outside to Rhea's embarrassment. Cringing, the later of the sisters looked about her with caution. Thankfully the people seemed to be rolling their eyes at Hope, and not her companion, and so Rhea simply turned back to the door which stood firmly closed. "HAVE YOU NOT TAKEN OUR MESSAGE TO A SISTER? GUARD!" Rhea's face became increasingly closer to the door without her realising. There was interesting patterns a-fixed on the carvings that were impossible to explain, yet very intricate. "YOUR OWN INCOMPITANCE IS THE ONLY THING PEOPLE ARE LAUGHING AT!" "Gettaway you pilock!" Came the reply from behind rather than in front. Hope spun around to see her opponent, but he or she had disappeared into the crowds. "BOLLUCKS TO YOU!" Screamed Hope in defiant glory, Rhea got closer still to the woodwork. "Stupid tossers," exclaimed Hope, "just because THEY'RE TOO AFRAID TO LET US IN!" "Isn't the whole point to gain control of the Castle though?" "THAT'S NOT THE POINT!" "Alright, alright, I'm only here…" "JERKS!" Something hit Hope from behind. "FASCIST MONARCHY LOVERS!" Hope spun around. "TWATS!" "Hope!" "IDIOTIC PUERILE SKINHEADS!" "Hope would you just…" "WANKERS!" "HOPE!" Hope turned around, expecting to see Rhea and the closed door, only to the public's amusement the door was no longer closed, and Hope found herself staring at Cerys angry eyes. "That," frowned Cerys, "is a great way to gain respect, Hope. Shout a the people, go on, it's doing no harm to me." Rhea stood beside Cerys, looking in despise at her back. "Cerys," She cleared her throat, "Cerys, do you mind if I use the toilet while Hope tells you of Faith?" "But!" Came the spontaneous protest from Faith, but she was cut off by a sharp look from Rhea. Cerys turned doubtfully to the calmer sister. "Well…" "Come on, this isn't even your Castle!" Hope pointed out, in support of her Sister. Cerys looked Hope in the eye, "What are you planning?" "Nothing!" Hope laughed in mock surprise. Cerys, still frowning, looked Rhea in the eye also."…You can use the toilet, but" she turned to Hope, "If I find you've done something, then neither of you will leave here, do you understand?" Each sister nodded their head and they were allowed passed.</p><p>* * *</p><p>"There, over there, that'll do!" To any passer by it would seem that the child before them was crazy, for she was talking to herself and playing amongst the dirtiest of the dirt in Keda. However, to a Sister it would not. "What are you doing?" The voice made Fuchsia jump out of her shoes. She had been concentrating so hard she had not heard the hooded figure gain behind her. "Um…Uh, just playing Ma'am…" She quickly decided to lie. Judging by the look of this person's posture, Fuchsia thought to herself, I don't want to be caught breaking a major rule in front of them! The women's eyes narrowed beneath her cloak. "Are you sure that’s it?" "Yes Ma'am, that's it." "Because I thought you were putting something down there…" "No! No Ma'am, why would I be doing that?" Fuchsia gulped. Underneath the hood, Tessa's lips pursed. "Where have you been the past week since your return, Fuchsia?" The child so surprised that the women before her knew her name, stood up, but hastily played with her hands. "Is that," she swallowed, "is that Tessa?" The child winced at the answer. "Well, erm, I've been a-at Hope and Rhea's-" "-Tower." The Sister nodded with understanding. "I myself was just about to move in there. I don't suppose you would like to accompany me?"</p><p>* * *</p><p>From inside the tower 3 bellowing knocks could be heard from the front door, making the walls tremble at their ferociousness. From inside the hooded lady looked up sharply, not knowing whether to open the door or not. Seconds before she had been in the town square planting the marker, and she had been paranoid since that someone had followed her back. This knock seemed to confirm so. Timidly, so that the people or person knocking the door would not notice, she lifted the corner of the door curtain, only to fall backwards with the shock that someone else was also staring back. "Misses, are you in there? Misses?" Not knowing the face, the hooded lady looked frantically from the door and the staircase, not sure whether to run away or to open the door. "Misses, it's very important! Is Rhea in there, 's very important Misses!" Shaking, the hooded lady walked steadily towards the door, breathing unevenly at the same time. The latch clicked a man's head popped through the crack before it was even open properly. "War, Misses, it's very important. The cities being evacuated. I've been sent to get Hope and Rhea, see. Are they here?" * * *</p><p>Thunder hit the rooftops as though they were metal. Inside, Cerys sat patiently waiting for Rhea to re-enter from the toilets. Beside her, on seats that had not been specially made for a meeting, but simply gathered seconds before, sat Dawn, Pandora, Hope and Heather. Hope sat slightly away from the others, with a brow that told any who entered that she did not know what was happening immediately. The others sat silently, curiously gathered around Pandora, as though they expected her to know what to do. The secret knowing of what Rhea was taking so long about burned away with worry inside Hope's brain, but even more so why this surprise visit had turned into an "emergency council" or so Cerys had called it, as they "must discus something immediately." What was to be discussed Hope could not tell, but she could see that each sister sat on the edge of their seats, as though expecting a maniac to enter and kill them all within the minute. "What's…" She began. "Hush!" Was the reply, quickly given by Dawn, who's eyes flicked momentarily from the clock to Hope, "We'll tell you when everyone arrives," "But why am I the only one who doesn't know?" Hope demanded. "Rhea doesn't know either." Cerys sneered, and gave no further answer. "Neither does Tessa, don't worry, we just don't have enough time to tell it to everyone separately." Heather broke the unsaid pack of rudeness towards Hope and gave a weak smile, but instantly stopped when Cerys kicked her from afar. The prod was neither small nor quick, so easy for Hope to see it was obvious Cerys was not ashamed of it. Heather blushed and focused on her feet, Pandora swallowed hard. Before Hope, who was undoubtedly about to disapprove in a creative manner, could say anything more, a guard entered, who was quickly followed by a brazen looking Rhea. As she entered she gave Hope a thumb up as a show of success, but no more of her apparent mood was portrayed. "Where's Tessa?" Cerys folded her arms with impatience at the poor guard, who looked blank and began to stutter a reply. Before any more harsh words were delivered to the man, Pandora spoke up, "I sent a man to Rhea's tower before I knew she was here, I told him also to find Hope and if possible Tessa." "If possible? Well, that's a load of good, Pandora, I'm sure he'll make time to look for her while he's fleeing for his life!" Silence, as it did so many times now, regained its status. Several irritated glances were given to the oblivious Cerys from Pandora and Heather as well as Rhea and Hope while the time passed because of the role of monarch she had adapted to, but nothing was said about it. The footsteps of Tessa could be heard from a long while away because of this silence. Her footsteps tapped the tap of a conspirator, but not of a traitor. The guard who had first entered to tell Cerys of Hope and Rhea outside re-entered for the first time and began to introduce the women, but Cerys, impatient to begin the meeting and indignant to the man's efforts, interrupted. "Yes, yes, alright, we know its her, yes Thankyou." The wrinkles reformed on her brow. "Yes, alright! Thankyou!" Tessa, who had entered only to hear "Thankyou!" looked at Cerys with some peculiarity. "Sister, why the manner? Surely you can see he is only trying to help…" She began to lecture, only to be cut off by an explosive answer. "KEDA IS UNDER ATTACK!" The room shook with Cery's voice, the walls rumbled. The Sister, instead of explaining her self or asking Tessa where she had been, carried on immediately to give out orders of war. Orders, that it seemed to both Rhea and Hope, were no more useful than if they were fleeing. "Men." Cerys began to babble stubbornly, "Call about the men, the army, rather. Call them about, and any trained women. They can fight if they try. Call about the men and women who can fight, position them at the North and East Gates…And then, what? What did you say?" The interruption had been issued by Rhea, someone who not only had no idea what was going on, but also knew better of Cerys strategies. "First of all, what's going on? And secondly, you need to defend the east and the west, possibly the south, but not the north. No armies will attack from chartered grounds, and the forest is most definitely chartered by our people… but firstly, what's going on?" She repeated herself. "A lot of things, Rhea, and had you been listening more, you would know…We do not need people on the west Gate, that is a waste of time and resources, Flinch cannot and will not attack from there." "Yes they will! And I've been here as long as any other, no one knows what's going on!" "Keda's under attack! That's all that needs to be known!" "No, I need to know more as well," put in a prudent Tessa, "I don't have a clue." "Keda's under attack!" "You don't need people on the West Gate, why would Flinch come from there? They're in the east…" "Under attack by who?" "Flinch can attack from West, they have strong connections in Munea, me and Tori saw them when we were in the shop…" In all this ciaos, one sister, Hope, sat still, watching her companions as they rose, one after another, from their seat to confront another who had said something they did not agree with. Pandora, a less involved Sister, watched Hope from the corner of her eye while she shouted Tessa down, telling her that this was a waste of time. It seemed for a long while that no Sister would stop, even if Keda was torn down around them. The people outside were screaming, echoes bouncing off all walls, creating a colossal sound. In one swift moment, as though the noise were too high and her face had just broken like glass, Hope reached within her cloak to remove a piece of metal so bright it caught all's attention immediately. Cerys, Pandora and Dawn simultaneously began to scream and rave at Hope to put down the weapon she carried, but instead Hope used the sword as a shield, forcing the group towards the door. "You stay within the coven and except our orders of war, or you leave this instant." Hope put it simply. "You gave us no choice, Cerys," Heather began to plead apologetically, "You were taking over, a few more months and Keda wouldn't of been a democracy any more!" And then a "You! Your in with this!" from Cerys towards Heather and Tessa. Tessa nodded boldly, unafraid for her feelings to be made clear for the first time in a long time. "Letting Ellen become Queen was a bad move, Cerys, worse that any other, we opened the door for a High Priestess amongst souls who are supposed to be equal." Cerys fumed, "They are no longer part of the coven, Tessa! We do not owe them anything and they have no right to do this…" "In case you hadn't noticed," Hope sneered gleefully, "We appear to be in control." As though in slow motion, with the air of triumph amongst protestors, Cerys, turned to look at Dawn, and then Pandora. She gave a false smile of a looser, sunk in depression, and took two steps forwards, hands in the air to indicate peace. Rhea, assuming Cerys had given in, stepped sideways, away and behind Hope so that Cerys could pass back into the room. But instead of doing so, Cerys dived forwards, taking in her arms with her stunned Heather. Hope fell also, after what ever devilry Cerys possessed in her, but too late, red velvet matted the floor as though it were carpet. Steel was seen again, and again, and eventually, after many struggles, a lifeless Cerys rolled off of the limp body beneath while Dawn and Pandora stared on in horror at what had fallen two of their friends. The red velvet spread, creating a roll out carpet through the door, passed both Pandora, Rhea and Dawn, who goggled at Hope, who slumped over another. For three, unbearable seconds, none were sure who's blood mixed with another's on the stone floor, each Sister hoping a different outcome. After these seconds ended, each sister swore solemnly for the rest of her lives that they had wanted and prayed for Hope to be okay, but within those 3 seconds, faces told the lie that would escape their lips. Hope rose, without tears or anger, her face as expressionless as a carving, while Heather and Cerys lay still. Outside, the screaming continued. </p><p>* * *</p><p>At the West Gate, fires burned bright. Flinches army, waiting for its commands, stood still as the foundations of Flinch, which, so far away, waited for the news of victory over Keda. The silence here was consuming, as though a man with a remote had leaned forwards and pressed carefully the 'mute' button, only to find it actually worked. The faces the lights homed were grave, each looking for its own personal revenge, whether it be for a lost life or lost dignity. In each mans heart lay hatred, neither thinking nor caring for those who suffered inside. Unbeknown to the mortals, mortals from Keda crossed into a boat, arranged in the docks in a manner so that is could leave quickly and quietly without anyone, especially Flinch, knowing. The people leaving did not know where they were going; neither did they know whether the place they got to would be for the realm of dead or not, for it was still popular myth that the world was flat. And so they stepped, blind to the future, onto the almost make-do ship that would carry them away as soon as it could. The Sisters sat high, looking blankly ahead while guards took away their dead Sisters, not thinking of Dove, who they needed at this moment simply to make numbers up. "We need to fight." Pandora spoke dumbly several times over. Hope and Rhea glowered at an invisible Cerys, aware that without her 'pig ignorance' as Hope would later whisper to Rhea, they would not be in such a position. In fact, if she had sent out search parties for Faith immediately, she would be here also, but Rhea stated, anyone would have made that mistake. "We need to go and fight." Hope's nose twitched, Rhea rolled her eyes. A guard entered to tell the broken coven of the arrival of Sergeant General, Serdipintine (Cerys' old chambermaid), Timothy Smith, the hooded lady and Fuchsia. Rhea was the only one to move, asking also for Foolsworth if possible. After a questioning look, she explained he was true to Keda and had been a loyal citizen for many years, one who could represent, sensibly, the community. "I definitely think we need to go and fight." "Yes, well, if things hadn't got out of hand, if someone had stopped Cerys from feeling she was in charge, there would be more of us to go and fight!" Hope finally exploded. "I didn't think that the statement 'We should go and fight was in any way supportive of Cerys, but obviously I was mistaken!" Dawn erupted right back in Pandora's defence, "and who says she was talking to you?" "That’s a pathetic answer-me-back-" "Hush! It's no one's fault that Cerys did that, in fact, if anyone is to blame the only person it should be is Cerys herself! And if we must fight, which we must, Dawn, you need me and-" "Shut up! You're not even in the coven anymore…" "What is this?" Squeaked Tessa in a voice that could well have not been used within years. "Why are you talking about the coven as though it's a child's club? Of course Rhea and Hope is in it!" "Shh! Or you won't be in the coven either. And Hope can come back into the coven, she tried to save Heather's life, Rhea didn't do a thing, and after her little show in the square when she killed Ellen, you'd think she would be quick enough!" "That’s a terrible thing to say!" Hope gapped in reply; "you can't say that about one of my friends! One of our friends!" To this the only answer was an indecisive huff from Dawn, aware that if it came to vote it would be she who was voted out, not Rhea, even if Pandora was on her side. Rhea stood, enraged beyond words at the mention of her unwillingness (if that was what it would be called) towards helping Heather. Watching Rhea depart, Hope too stood and made to go, but thought better of it. If someone does not stay and think logically, then Keda is doomed, was her reasoning. Tessa looked cautiously at Hope, aware at how stupid she had been to ever doubt the Sister. She, not as parallel to logical thinking, stood and did leave after the Sister she wished to befriend. Unwillingly, Hope made her excuses also, aware that her allies had left the room, and made for the door. At the door she stopped and turned. "You can come too if you like." She compromised. Pandora looked at Dawn, but seeing the lattes face, declined politely. Hope shrugged; at least she had asked them. Satisfied, she left the two to their thoughts. </p><p>* * * Rhea stormed through her main hall as though she herself were a gigantic wave. The hooded lady, Timothy Smith and Fuchsia trailer behind her helplessly, aware of their friend's distress. Sergeant General and Serdipintine had remained within the Castle, following a guard eagerly where, supposedly, the others remained. Anyhow, Rhea was not amongst them, and the others saw this and followed their friend, vaguely aware that Hope would follow them somehow and time. When Rhea reached her armoury, she turned almost without stopping, mysteriously clasping a dozen swords. She turned and jumped within the very second, unaware that the others had followed her since the castle. Taking no more time than needed to regain herself, she walked to the side of them, indicating for them to follow her across the hall. "We are going to have to fight, as Pandora says, and I will be damned if I'm the one who stops it." Here, however, she did stop, and looked down at the small orphan child that looked admiringly up at her. Sighing, she knelt. "You're going to have to go with the other people," and to the child's silent reply, "It's safer." She looked to the hooded lady, "Take her to the ship, and come back to the Castle. I trust you can all fight?" The hooded lady and Timothy Smith nodded in union. The sense of a gaining sister suddenly over loaded in Rhea's brain, making her look sharply towards Tessa, who gained from behind. Fuchsia explained quickly, "Tessa's on our side. She doesn't think it's fair, and…whatever…she's on our side." Tessa nodded agreement and looked at Rhea pleadingly, who returned the pleading gaze with that of pleasure at recognition. The silent contract signed, all looked at each other as though savouring the seconds, before turning and going their separate ways, Rhea holding the invisible paper, ready for the trustworthy Hope to except it with open arms. </p><p>Chapter 13 Dawn's toe tapped impatiently as night invaded the world. Hope stood outside. She had not been able to get further than this in her quest towards Rhea's destination because of Foolsworth, a distraught Tori, Sergeant General and Serdipintine all waiting outside to be addressed. From them she was learning and teaching. There, apparently, was a lot that the people had not been told. As well as having to reveal the devastating news of Heather's death, she had to explain in detail where and how others had died, or in Dove's case, disappeared. Inside the small room where Dawn and Pandora sat, however, this was all muffled from ear sight. Dawn's icy glow pierced Pandora's heart, temporarily muting her. Silence, however, was not complete…the steady tapping of Dawn's toe insured this. After several moments of the Pandora swore her heart, too, tapped out the same beat, so much so that the blood pumped loudly in her ears. When the door opened, and Rhea, Timothy Smith and Tessa re- entered, the tapping did not stop, if anything, it enhanced. Tessa, seeing that Pandora was too absorbed in thought and Dawn too absorbed in anger, took it apon herself to induce them all with hope. "We'll figure out to do when Hope gets back in." The comment was given in the wooden static of a non-believer, but it seemed to do its job. "Yes," Pandora didn't make eye contact, despite her forced enthusiasm, "and then we can work out what we can do…" Approaching the statement with more ardour, Rhea began herself, "we need to get the army together, and brief them on the situation, even if they already know." "Calms them down," Tessa muttered. Timothy Smith agreed: "They'll start acting like an army again if someone shows control." "Err," Dawn looked up for the first time since the death of Heather and Cerys, "What exactly is the brief? What's happening? No one's attacked, they're just…just, waiting there." The room was empty of ideas, no one knew. Where the Flinch men had come from was obvious to everyone now, the army had come back to Keda without victory, in fact, they had been retreating. Although this was not news to some, the sudden reality was like a wave of cold water to others, numbing their faces and choking them. Dawn stood up with determination. "The others are dead. I don't know where Dove is, Cerys may have, and Heather may have. I don't know. I don't know if either worked for Flinch, but I don't. I'm from Keda, and I'm going to fight for the people here, whether it means co- operation from you or not. What ever differences we have, we need to stop them, now, we need to join together again." This was smart, coming from the one person who had opposed the others seconds ago, but each sister agreed strongly with the words she spoke, and so, out of dignity for the other, they nodded vigorously. "We should send for a message, send a messenger, I mean." Pandora stumbled with the new language of war as it melted on her tongue. The comment called for another round of nodding, from Hope also as she entered with the Sergeant General, Tori, Serdipintine and Foolsworth. Pandora blushed with please. "I'll send one of my men." The Sergeant General suggested loyally. "Me and Rhea can brief them, we know the most, I mean…we'll know what to say." Hope corrected herself. "Tessa and I can go to the weapon house, get swords and willing towns members." Dawn did not complain about Hope's over-confidence in herself. As all made to go, Tori, Serdipintine, Foolsworth and Timothy Smith all rose. Logic told them that they would be needed to fight, and so without fuss or bother over what would become of them, they followed Sergeant General to his men.</p><p>* * *</p><p>The night was deep now. All the animals that were so seldom seen within the boundaries of day emerged as though from some slumber, only to instantly withdraw from their daily rounds at the sight they saw. What they saw was people, millions and millions of people. Never so many people had been seen at such a late time of night. Dogit could be seen, calling for all that could fight to follow him to the town centre. After seconds only a troop of unsettled beggars had ambled behind, aware of their landlords and ladies, who simply kept their heads down and headed towards their private boats that waited in the dock. Dogit saw these too, and aware of the occasional tuting from behind, bellowed "For the sake of your city, that has been your home for generations, and for the sake of your sisters, who have homed you for generations, do not leave now!" This, however, made the rich walk faster and the beggars and peasants, those with little money, join with haste. Even children began to tag along, calling out just as Dogit did, but the bartender turned around and pointed them in the direction of the port. This didn't stop the vast majority. The streets roared as they had so few nights ago, but this was a roar of self-defiance, one that reached the lead covered heart of each Flinch man waiting and made them shudder with genuine fear towards their enemies. Not even the captains in charge were aware of what strength lay in the heart of some of these people, and so they too shook within their boots. The roar followed Dogit through the crowds, who quickly latched onto the trail that made its way straight towards the square. By the time the miss-shaped party came to a halt, 9/10th's consisted of the workers of Keda, those who truly gave the city its life, but a 10th, almost unbearably, consisted of nobles. No not nobles, that would make them sound higherarchy, which other than the sisters no one was. The ''nobles'' simply earned more money than the others, or did not earn at all. They ate caviar for dinner every day and occasionally would polish their grandfather's armour, which he had worn many years ago to defeat, in every case, ''the worst dragon of the south''. This tin foil was now clod on the ''nobles'' as though it were an ancient jewel, that obviously, due to the men and women's awkward, self aware postures, had not been worn or in practice for quiet some time. This 10th came merely for show, for ''the dignity of the family'', and it showed in their faces. Pure fear was in everyone, whether they were brave or not, but in these faces was also boredom. Boredom because they thought they were too rich to die, too in control. Flinch would not kill them because Flinch needed them. They were nobles. And so these strangers from almost separate lands came to meet, on that day, on that hour, under those stars. Whispers circulated that they sisters had ordered a messenger to be sent, but even more worryingly, that Heather and Cerys were dead. Dogit closed his eyes, for this news was surely true. Yet hope sprang to his pupils once more, for truly the hope of Keda had returned. If Cerys were dead, that would mean the welcomed return of both Hope and Rhea to the coalition. Secretly Dogit had been praying for this both day and night, aware of their innocence to the allegations and of their loyalty to all. "Do you brave men and women come here to support your city and Sisters?" A noble turned on his horse to reveal his angel-blessed face. Groans could be heard from the back, but for the most part the audience before the unwanted entertainer simply nodded, afraid to loose their jobs if they did not obey. "And are you prepared to fight to death should it come to it?" Again, the grudging nods were issued, but this time a groaning person spoke up. "The question is, are you?" The noble spluttered, taking the insult as though it was a physical wound. "How dare you! Give me your…" The noble hesitated, aware of the audiences eyebrows meeting on their foreheads with anger, "…I mean, I am hurt, yes hurt that you think of me as such a coward! I too will fight to my death [more sniggers than last time] and battle any evil that comes my way!" "The worst evil you will get will be your allies, you ponce!" Came the same cheeky voice, "all the opponents will look at you and simply laugh while headed for the Sisters! Stand down…we don't need someone like you telling us what to do…" Cheers erupted this time, and even the servants of this noble grinned in amusement. The noble blushed and began to stand down, but though better of it and reared his shining white horse back again, "How dare you! How dare you! I have blue blood in me! My great-great grandma was once blessed by Ellen's 2nd cousin with a wonderful baby boy, my great-grandfather, and I'll be damned if I let a peasant take away that dignity!" "Stand down, you young fool, you hardly know what your talking about!" This comment came from another person, a women, who was dressed in what looked like a regularly used warriors outfit. Her black cloak swung about her shoulders defiantly, her black boots were scuffed along the edges as though she had kicked something many times over. The noble, not seeing this woman's appearance amongst the crowds, drew his sword at the sound of a female voice. "What?" He cried, "I say what? Do I hear a woman's voice? A women dares to defy me?" He spluttered arrogantly, "Come forth and see if you can even lift finger to my sword, idiot, and we shall see who deserves to stand down!" "Sexist pig! That I shall!" And she came, cloak flicking in the on- looker's faces (who now became incredibly quiet) as she walked. The people, including Dogit, became awash with fear. Whispers hurtled around the square at a rate faster than the Titanic, whispers that unfortunately did not reach the noble. Dogit tried as hard as he could to listen, but the sentences always became cut off. "I that girl…. The one…fighter, a witch…. She came with…" Who? Who did she come with? "Hope…she came with Hope…" Dogit leapt to his feet, aware of the danger the ignorant noble had put himself in, and for surely anyone travelling with Hope would fight better than any other. "Hooded lady!" He called out the name that Fuchsia had told him as loudly as possible beneath the man made waves. The hooded lady heard him on his first call, and turned to face him through the masses. "I am going to the Castle!" He screeched, "Will you not come to? I am going to the Castle to tell the sisters of our…" he looked about, "our, well, army! I am going to tell of our army!" </p><p>* * *</p><p>Fuchsia looked suspiciously at the Southern City walls as the boat she was in hurried in the opposite direction. The oak doors that stretched from the bottom of the water to the top of the stone were strangely still, despite the constant flow of people still trying to leave. To the child it seemed amazing that such empty streets could home so many people, despite many leaving. Her heart ached to return, although she knew that Rhea had sent her away to be safe. She wished she were still jumping distance in the boat from the docks, so that she could fling herself out and the hooded lady could run back and catch her, and then they could both go back to the Castle and protect their friends. Snivelling, she lay her head on the wooden surface below. They were far away from Keda now, so much so that both the forests either side were now also on the horizon, and if you squinted you could just make out the mountains that separated Flinch and Keda. The boat shook from side to side, as though a giant were using it as a toy aeroplane, and yet with every shake the boat moved further away, where as a toy plain would of made its way back to its starting point. Wiping away her eyes, Fuchsia told herself not to be silly. I'm thinking negatively. She told herself, I need to think positively, and look to the future. They'll be fine, now I need to be. She turned and trotted to the other-side of the boat, the one that faced the direction they were heading in. "Where are we going?" She demanded to know from the nobles who had, under order of the Sisters, taken her onboard. "As far away from the hell hole as we can." Came the indecent reply, making Fuchsia's heart lower slightly again. She shrugged her shoulders off as though to say 'They're only nobles, what do they know?'' and leaned over the side so as to see the water frothing beneath the boat. The nobles took no notice of her, so she leaned more so as to see through the bottom window. Inside were a map, a table and an elaborate sofa. "Cool," she whispered to herself quietly, and then again, "cool!" louder this time, and she straightened up, so that the nobles noticed. Before they could stop her she had leapt down the giant stares and disappeared into the room. "Does this map show where we are going?" She inquired. "Oh you little…!" The lady noble began, but the chambermaid quickly cut in. "I'll get rid of her miss! Just you let me explain and she'll be as good as gold, wont she?" The chambermaid warned. Fuchsia shook her head apologetically but immediately went back to the map. "Where are we then?" She asked the chambermaid as she closed the door. The women trotted over hurriedly, aware of the fuming nobles outside. "You don't need to worry, they can't do a thing on there own, and besides, where could they make us go? There's no other room than this!" Fuchsia rightly pointed out. The chambermaid chose to ignore this comment and instead focused on the map. "No ones ever really gone as far as this even." She explain, "Course we use the water to ship stuff around, but only around the coast. No one knows what's out there." An ice-cold shudder ran down Fuchsia back as the maid told her this, "So, we don’t know…where we're going?" The words shocked and thrilled her at the same time. "Like an adventure!" The chambermaid looked pityingly at the girl, "Adventures don't always turn out for the best miss, some times its best to stay put…" "Yes…" Fuchsia pondered for moments, "Do you think there will be sharks?"</p><p>* * *</p><p>The city slept despite itself. One by one the people who stayed to fight gathered in the Centre Square and settled down on the marble floor for the sleep they could get. It had been a long while since Dogit and the hooded lady had left to go to the Castle and since then nothing had happened. It seemed to some that all this panic was for nothing, and Flinch was not really there. But it seemed to others that Flinch was waiting for something, or else starving them out. The Castle did not sleep. Sergeant General arrived with Dogit and the hooded lady to announce the departure of one of his men to Flinches army, which immediately caused panic although there was no need for it. "What if they kill him and another man replaces him and breaks into Keda?" Shrieked Serdipintine. "What about the log book? And who's going to open the gate?" Gasped Foolsworth. "Who did you send? Was he a good fighter? What if Flinch don't say anything?" And so on. Of course, even the idea of sending someone to the Flinch men was news to the hooded lady and Dogit, and so this explanation alone took several minutes, by which time Tessa and Dawn had returned with the weapons. "We let several more fighters on the square, it seems that’s where they're gathering." Dawn acknowledged. "I took them there." Dogit proclaimed proudly despite himself. "Fuchsia is on the boat. A boat, any how." The hooded lady confirmed with Tessa as she looked expectantly for news. "I hope she'll be alright." Pandora mumbled unexpectedly. Someone would have said something about it if it had not been for Dogit's alarmed bellow of Fuchsia being sent away with people she did not know. "It's for the best…" Tessa began to explain, but Dogit apologised and agreed that the child had to leave, he just wished that he had been told. "You know Fuchsia?" The hooded lady asked Dogit as she and he walked behind the others to the library where everyone had agreed to meet. Tessa stayed behind, ordering that as soon as Rhea and Hope returned the people outside should be let in and to make them sleep on the floors. "Yes," answered Dogit, "for many years now, she and I have been friends. Since she became an orphan, in fact." "What happened to her parents?" Dogit just shrugged and told the hooded lady he did not know. A loud roaring came from behind the two as Rhea and Hope approached the Castle, but unlike the roar that had accomplished Tessa and Dawn, this roar was that of anger, anger at the deaths of Heather and Cerys. Pandora looked at her feet, her shame for out casting them both and letting the people feel so strongly against them finally being shown clearly. Dawn said nothing but looked stubbornly at the clock, which ever ticked, as though to wish the time away. Tessa turned, but was stopped by the hooded lady, who said: "Hope and Rhea are strong, but I think, if the people hated you to, you would not be as so." The words were meant to be a warning, rather than an insult, and that they sounded. Tessa stood back and gave a gratified smile to the hooded lady for stopping her before she lost the trust of the people also. They walked on, each hoping that Rhea and Hope would catch up before they got to the library so they could talk to one or the other before all could hear, but this did not happen. The group entered the musty room just as Rhea and Hope rounded the corner that led to the place where the others stood. The library consisted of 15 corners, 8 windows, 19 chairs and 3 (moderately) decent sized tabled. All and all, it was a very miss-match room, which to any non-regular visitor (such as the hooded lady or Timothy Smith) would automatically appear as though the architect who had designed the shape and style was completely insane. The books themselves were for the most intelligent of Keda. In fact, Dawn, who had studied the Keda library for several hundred years could still not make head nor tail of the easiest book on the shelf, where as Hope, who had not been in the library for around about the same time, could pick up a book and understand it within seconds. As you can see, the library was only understandable to those who possessed something about them that could not be learnt. As the group rounded to the centre of the room, the Sisters automatically sat around one of the rounded tabled, where as the others were left to find a space in a random chair while the Sisters talked amongst themselves about the current issues. Because of time, however, guards always hovered, reminding the Sisters every so often of how day got closer and they did not have much time. When first confronted with this, Hope replied that they could do nothing until the messenger returned, which the Sergeant General nodded to behind the guard in vigorous agreement. "We mustn't do anything until we know why they are here. There is no point in fighting if they simply demand to discuss." He explained, careful to ask the Sisters of their opinion to his "suggestion" so that it did not appear that he was in power of the situation. "Sergeant General is right," Rhea agreed, to Sergeant Generals relief, "We must wait. And besides, we should not go into battle until we have discussed the ware abouts of both Dove and Faith…" "You mean you don't know where Faith is?" Pandora choked with genuine shock. "But I thought you said…" "Calm yourself, Dawn. We have an idea of where Faith is, however we cannot be certain…" Hope began. "Well don't babble, tell us!" Dawn sighed impatiently, "Rhea! Cut through the talk, where is Faith?" "Rhea does not know, not exactly." Hope interrupted, "The hooded lady, Timothy Smith, Fuchsia and myself were all forced to leave Flinch in such a hurry that…" "Flinch!" Dawn's mouth almost reached the floor, "What were you doing in Flinch?" "Of all the places…" Tessa gasped. "Faith and I met in the woods. To begin with, Rhea, Faith thought I was you, but she was mistaken, and found out that she was just a little away from the border of Flinch." Hope recalled the now distant time. "Yes, I say Faith just before, and accused her of forgetting about me, about us." Rhea admitted. "And then I found her, collapsed in a heap, and we exchanged news…I thought you had gone to Flinch, not to betray us, to try and save Keda from within…" "And so you must of gone there, but I was on the battle fields." Hope nodded, "I thought I could try to take Flinch from within when I realised you were not there, but Faith disagreed. An alarm was set, someone must of seen me. Faith had left just seconds before, and so there was no time to look for her. I left the city without her with my friends in tow." Pandora looked down miserably, "I saw that, I knew it was going to happen, but I didn’t think…" unable to finish, Pandora just shrugged, "I don't know what I thought, I just kept telling myself it would be ages yet…" "What, so you saw Faith in Flinch in a vision? What was she doing? Had I already left the city? Was she in trouble?" Hope, eager to undo the fault she had made when she left Faith alone, spurted out. "I-I don't know." Pandora shook her head; "It's hard to explain." She sighed and looked around for help, "I'm sure Dove would be able to explain it much better than me, but…It's not really that I see it, I just feel it. I felt in my heart all this time that Faith was more than likely in Flinch. I suppose I was waiting for Heather to return and tell us all what it was that Faith said to her before I told anyone, I didn't want to worry anyone about the future that we could not stop…" "We'll never know that now, but from the conversation I had with Faith before she got distracted from her original path with me and you," Rhea nodded knowingly at Hope, "I would say she was heading towards the borders, to go and fight." Tessa agreed, "I remember looking up at the tower to see Faith looking in that direction from the top, and she was really reclined before hand." "Maybe she just went onto there," Dawn spoke up with hope, "Maybe because she fell out, or disagreed with Hope about what she should do, she just went onto the front…" "But there's no one there now! Where did she go if she went there?" Pandora spoke up. "Maybe she…" Hope fell silent, unable to think of an explanation other than the one no one wanted to here. "Go on, what were you going to say?" Dawn frowned, unable to comprehend the thoughts that travailed through Hope's brain on a daily occurrence since that day long ago when she met Faith in the woods. "Are you," Hope frowned in concentration as she tried to make the idea as light as possible, "Ellen was evil, or, well…not evil, but she had different ideas for Flinch, ideas that no one in Flinch liked. She had ideas that Flinch supported…and, maybe…maybe Faith was like that. Maybe Faith is like that!" "Or maybe Faith's dead." Dawn opposed. "One or the other, we have to admit, there's no other possibilities. If she were fighting with the army, she would have returned with them or at least given word. And if she were caught by Flinch, she wouldn't have been held captive that's for sure. If she's stuck behind the Flinch armies, she would have been found by now and…well…what have they come here for? Either way, we need to carry on without her, because she's no use any more. We are all as strong as her, just in different ways, in fact, I think some are stronger." This speech, surprisingly, came from Tessa. Pandora could do nothing but agree, "Tessa's right, and so are you Hope. Faith could be on Flinches side. Ellen was, and we didn't see that, did we? And 5 months ago we would of called Rhea and Hope the scum of the earth, true Flinch fighters, but look at them! They've been loyal all their lives, they've risked their lives!" Dawn nodded apologetically, "I'm sorry if I seemed begrudging to begin with, I was wrong." Rhea smiled in acknowledgement; Hope stopped frowning at Dawn. "So," Tessa rounded the conversation, "Faith's either dead or on Flinches side, either way she's gone for good, it's us now. What about Dove? Do we wait for her? Would she be any use if we did wait?" The last question everyone shied away from, although Tessa was right - would Dove be any use if found? "Dove was in the city last time anyone saw her. When we found Courtney, all that time ago, Dove was missing then. That's the first time anyone realised she was gone." "Is that the time Ellen went missing as well?" Rhea asked. "No! Dove was on our side, she came to the city when she wasn't called to, and she looked after it when we were gone. If Cerys was here she would back me up, and so would Courtney herself!" Pandora strongly denied the allegation that all knew was coming. "Then where is she?" Dawn pointed out. "She's not left the city, Foolsworth come over here and back me up." Foolsworth, instead of entering the conversation as asked, simply nodded agreement from afar, politely declining the invitation to sit down, aware of the deep political decisions going on. "Well she hasn't," sighed Dawn, "I don't see where else she could of gone. We locked up all the openings and exits, including the tunnel, so that Ellen couldn't escape, but it stopped Dove too! Where could she be?" Everyone, including those who were not included in the conversation looked at each other, for no one had any idea where Dove could be. From now to the time she had gone missing hundreds had promised the sisters they would find their missing friend, and none had succeed, in fact, few had returned. Unable to answer, Rhea simply sighed and shrugged again, "I have no idea where she could be…" she admitted, "not even a hunch." Tessa agreed, "I don't know either, I can see us finding her before what ever is going to happen happens any way, where will we find the time? Unless she returns of her own accord, there's no chance…" "No one could be holding her," Sergeant General chipped in when asked by Hope, "There's no one who would capture her without killing her, if that’s what's happened." But Dawn was unconvinced, "I think we should at least try, she is a Sister." "Try where though, Dawn?" Tessa argued, "We can't leave the city, if that's what you're suggesting, there's Flinch armies out there, remember?" "Well, we're not going to be able to do anything about it for the night, so we may as well forget about it for the time being," Rhea quickly came to Dawn's rescue, aware of the tension in the air. "Rhea's right, we won't be able to do anything about it until Flinch have gone at least, and even then we'll have to rebuild Keda, I suspect…" "We don't know that Flinch are here to fight yet," Pandora pointed out. "Yes, but in all honesty it's likely isn't it, with the ''King'' in the picture and everything, and what about all the people? We'll have to get them back here as well, there's no point in a city if there's no one to live in it!" Tessa reminded them. "What the, hang on, back up, King?" Hope gasped, sitting up in her chair suddenly, unaware that there was one. "Yes the King," Dawn repeated Tessa's words casually. "What King?" Pandora shook with amazement; "You've never mentioned any King!" "Never mentioned any King?" Tessa echoed in horror. "How could we have forgotten?" Dawn slapped her head. "The King," Tessa babbled, "The King, there's a King. When we went to Flinch, through the tunnel, we were told about a King, by Kay and…" "Kay! What use is he?" Rhea almost laughed in overwhelming relief, "He was on Flinches side, remember? He probably just said it to make us all worry!" "No, no he was serious. Dawn and I heard things said in Munea when we were there, about a King of Flinch and a journey of some kind…" "Yes that’s right," agreed Dawn, "When Heather and Tori were being chased, they were shouting that it was by order of the King…" Tori came up timidly behind them all, hand raised as though asking permission to speak. Pandora, seeing the girl first, pulled up a chair and indicated the girl to sit on it, which, unlike Foolsworth, she did. "The, um, the King," Tori began uncertainly, "The King of Flinch is quiet new, actually, even though they call him ancient," she laughed as though it were funny, "They all call him 'The ancient King.' Although the idea alone that he is a he is completely independent, no one has seen him and those who have haven't told anyone who he or she is-" "Could they have meant Ellen?" Hope interrupted impatiently. Rhea hushed her and she settled down again. "No, I don't think so," Tori answered slowly, as though considering the possibility, "No." She said finally in a resolved way, "No they said he, The ancient King, that he was travelling, in and around, they said. And that while he was doing this he had ordered for all Sisters that were not in Keda to be rounded up and brought to him, no matter how many were slain in the process." "Your damn right how many were slain in the process, you'd have to have a thousand on me before I gave up…" Hope cut in again only to be hushed once more. All sisters kept their eye's apon Tori. The girl became increasingly conscious of the everlasting gaze that was set on her. "So does no one have an idea how they got there? I mean, Flinch wouldn't just let them be King…" Rhea prompted, seeing the girl's embarrassment. "Err, no, not really. They would probably either have been so powerful that everyone respected them; maybe it was a merchant or one of Flinches wizards…they would have had to have been respectable, they could have a tie to the original throne, or maybe a great enemy to Keda…" "But who's an enemy greater than Flinch?" Hope interrupted again, only to be hushed yet again. "No! No, it's okay, I had finished anyway, thanks anyway…" Tori let Hope carry on. "Only if you'd finished," Hope added. "No I had." "Err," Hope looked to the sky, "well actually I was only commenting on what you had said so…" "Nice on Hope," Rhea muttered under her breath, teasing her friend. "Right, well, so!" Hope suddenly burst out, "The messenger! When is the messenger returning?" She was met by yet more shrugging, "We don't know much do we? No, no I didn't think so…"</p><p>* * *</p><p>The horse was first seen in amongst the mist that surrounded the walls at such a late, almost early time. The rider who sat above could not be recognised to the hundreds of men who watched from the North gates towers until he was directly below them, so the drew their swords, ready for anything. As the horse approached, however, it became increasingly clear that the man that sat on it was either not a man but a rag dole, or what was once a man. The call came from afar, somewhere down the easterly side of the wall, the call of peace. Every man heeded the call bar two men that stood almost directly above the gate, as these two would be the only two that could stop the man from entering if it was that the call had been mistaken. The gates opened as cautiously as they oak gates can, creaking and churning here and there, while in the back ground a trumpet sounded warning the sisters of the mans return. Around the gate every man and woman soldier could hear their own heart beating, and so terrified they would give themselves away to what ever enemy approached, many covered their hearts with their sleeve and ducked down lower to the floor, pressing their cheeks against the stone. "Who goes there?" One man managed to call out, only to be answered with the silence only death can carry. The mist did not clear, but many began to show their faces from behind the brick, squinting to see what approached them. Still only the horse could be seen, the man above a silhouette against the distant fire light of Flinches armies that lay just meters behind the first wall. "Thank the sisters for the double walls," One of the armed soldier whispered to the other as the horse approached even more. "Why have the first wall soldiers not sent up a warning?" The other replied fearfully. "Maybe this is the warning," another chipped in. "Maybe the first wall soldiers are dead," a slightly more pessimistic answer came out from the darkened west tower. The first in command, a man named Giller, leaned back to look at the men who stood ready all along the wall. He leaned further still to see one of the armed men on his right, and then turned his head to the one of the left to make sure both were ready. "Everyone ready?" He added unnecessarily. "Ready as I'll every be." The right hand armed man replied. The left simply shook his head. "Open the gate!" Giller commanded to those on the ground by Foolsworth's post. "Get ready lads!" He added hastily to everyone as the horseman came into view. To some it had been clear for a long while that the man on the horse was either dead or a fake, but still many gasped when his face finally came into view. Those far away called out for an explanation but those who could see simply covered their eyes and called out for arms. "Get your weapons ready, weapons ready!" But nothing came. For an age, it seemed the soldiers waited for the Flinch army to tornado out of the mist, for them to take the opportunity seemed the only logical thing, but no. "GILLER! HEY GILLER!" Someone called from bellow. "GILLER!" "Yes soldier?" Giller answered weakly, aware of the corpse below. "He's got a note attached to him sir, should we send him in?" "NO! NO! Just…just send the note in soldier, if you can…" "It's stuck in him sir!" The soldier below obviously had more of a surreal impression of the scene he was witness to, for seconds later all could here another question. "Should I rip the paper or the flesh sir?" "THE FLESH!" A fool shouted from the West Side, to be congratulated with by several worried laughs and many groans of disgust. "The paper, soldier." Giller grimaced at the thought of ripped flesh. The note, freshly bloodied by the messenger, it seemed, was handed up to Giller and immediately sent back down again with orders to find the sisters and deliver it to them. </p><p>* * *</p><p>As soon as the bell had rung, every sister had woken from the dazed sleep each had succumbed to only seconds before. Without opening her eyes, Tessa knew what had happened. She had been in the city many a time when the bell had been rung for either practice or a false alarm, but for some odd reason she found it near impossible to remember what to do when it was an actual emergency. "It’s the alarm, we need to go down into the Town Square and collect a message from the man on duty at the North Gate." Amazingly, this came from Hope, Hope the one who was, supposedly, rarely in the city. The frown issued by Tessa was noted by Hope, who muttered that she was in the city "a hell of a lot more than they all thought she was" before walking at a quickened pace towards the door that led to the passage that led to the Town Square. "So what is it that’s happened?" She asked the Sergeant General breathlessly. The Sergeant General, who had been patrolling with his First in command's since the Sisters had ended their conversation, answered quickly, "The messengers returned Ma'am, well…what's left of him anyway." The thought alone made all sisters grimace, but when they came to the centre of the road that led to the Town Square from the North Gate, both Dawn, Pandora and Tessa were forced to look away. Hope, however, looked at the bloodied sheet of paper with a curiosity that would of made any humans organs contract. "When was this returned?" Hope asked in a demanding yet empathetic voice towards the corpse, although she was actually directing it towards Sergeant General. At this point Giller, who had followed the Sergeant General in and out of the Castle, stood forward. "Ma'am, I'm Giller Ma'am, first in command at the tower," Hope nodded in recognition, so Giller carried on, "It was seen on its -erm- messenger several hours after he left. It…it was hard to see who it was at all for a while Ma'am, but as soon as it was obvious that the messenger was both dead and the messenger, we sent for you Ma'am, with the bell." Rhea nodded, "Well done Giller, that was the right thing to do." The two shared a quick glance, as they had fought side by side in the battles Rhea undertook so long ago. "You can go back to your post now," Rhea commanded, in what she thought would be the last time. "Sisters, this is war." Tessa voiced Rhea's worries with even more open concern than Pandora would of given. "Flinch would not of sent the messenger in such a way if they wanted to do nothing other than fight." "What does the note say, Hope?" Dawn jumped to no conclusions, but instead tried to take the note from Hope. Hope grabbed it back and read out: "Keda, Flinch has long been an enemy of yours, but we are prepared to let you die with dignity at what must be such a belittling time for you." At this Hope let out a snort, "Belittling! What is more belittling that letting Faith and myself enter their city without them even realising it!" "Sister, carry on, what does it say? How are they holding us to ransom?" Tessa anxiously spoke. "We call apon you all Sisters left so as to separately try to defeat the King. Our King shall succeed, but if rarity is committed and the people of Keda call a truce before the Sisters are all dead, we shall slaughter the Sisters but savour the people. If it should be that our courageous King should be overcome with some strange power of lust and chose to fail in Flinches task, the Sisters shall have a chance at defeating our vast army, but then and only then." "It ends," commented Hope, "they are holding us to ransom to our lives, Tessa, that is what they are doing." "How do they expect us to defeat both their King and their army?" Dawn laughed nervously, "it's monstrous! We just can't! Only Rhea, Hope and Pandora are now even worthy of picking up a sword, and I doubt very much that Pandora will be first hand at it, as we have not had to hold sword for an age!" "To me, Sisters, forgive me but…" Foolsworth began, "forgive me but it seems to me, that is what Flinch intends. And anyhow, once you all fought and won the grand battle at the beginning of our era, what says you cannot do it now?" Dawn looked at Tessa and Tessa at Dawn, for both knew that the task they faced would not see their survival, even if the others were permitted to help them by some strange manner of fate. "I vote we decline." Spoke Dawn. "As I." Agreed Pandora, "That is a challenge that none could win, I say we storm them when we can, when they all sleep." "They will not sleep Sister, and with all that have fled, Keda has little to no men left. This is seemingly the only way out," Sergeant General suggested. "What do you mean the 'only way out'! This is no way out at all, if we do this we will die!" Dawn exploded. "Dawn, calm yourself, if we truly cannot win this then we must do the courageous thing and truce-" Hope put forward. "But if we do that then we will die!" Tessa interrupted. "Yes Sister, but our people will not, that is why I say courageous, you see?" "I see Hope, and as we are going to die there is no point in us all surrendering, only the last should do that…" Rhea agreed. "And if we let the strongest sister go first [everyone looked at Rhea and Hope] then you may all have a chance of actually defeating the King, who ever they may be." Sergeant General added. "I see no other option, Sisters, if I did I would suggest it to you," commented the hooded lady. And so the decision was made, the Sister that stood in the deserted street as though they were abandoned statues were to fight to King, and if any survived, go on to fight the entire army by themselves. "This is when we really could do with Dove and Faith especially returning." Dogit muttered under his breath the Foolsworth as the procession made it's was down towards the North Gate. </p><p>* * *</p><p>"It’s strange to think," commented Rhea to Pandora as they walked down the desolate road towards their impending doom, "It's strange to think that within this year Courtney has walked up this road towards the Castle with only the worry of a shortage of Sisters. Where as now we worry that there is going to be no Keda at all." Pandora shook her head, "How ignorant we have been to think that the army returned without worry, without bad news. In fact, how naive we were to think they would return at all! Either they will always be fighting; generation through generation, or one city will no longer exist! This hatred runs too deep to be stopped." To this Rhea said nothing, as she knew that if she spoke now she would sound pompous because of the fact that she had realised this before any other had returned to Keda, and non-had taken any notice of her. Instead she mentioned someone who she had not thought of, wrongly, in a while. "A girl named Cimorene you say?" Pandora raised her eyes. "I have neither seen or heard of such a name… "I saw her in the Town Square, I waved, but she did not see me." The hooded lady came up behind the too, but then, aware that she had interrupted, added hastily, "Sorry for barging in…" "No, that's alright, I would prefer it if there were more people who felt that they could speak openly with me, hooded lady, it is good that you do; do not let the others shyness rub off on you." Rhea smiled in admiration to the ladies immanent brazenness. The hooded lady, aware that Rhea had seen through her childish taunt towards the local people, blushed and grinned harder before stepping back into tow. "I suspect you are glad to hear your friend is safe?" Pandora pointed out. "Yes, now I only have Fuchsia to worry about." </p><p>* * *</p><p>As the boat hit the side of the rock, an almighty gushing sound came from the bottom of the earth, as though hell itself had opened up right beneath them. Fuchsia screamed loudly, awoken from a long, deep, care free sleep when the shock of ice cold water first touched her, as she had been unaware of the glint that cast itself on either side of the walls as though crystals had been imbedded. There were no sounds from the others, not a peep, and so Fuchsia came to the conclusion that this was a nightmare, not the real thing. "The motion has got to me, I must wake up…" she told herself sternly, but no matter how many times she closed and opened her eyes, the only difference made was that the water gained an extra foot up the wall, soaking her through. Before she had time to think, it became increasingly clear that within second's time there would be no air left in the cabin. Panic-stricken, Fuchsia took a large gulp and swum furiously towards the open door. The boat began to creak with the pressure put on it from above, but the sheer fact that in the corridor all light were off and many object found themselves in the way of the child diverted her attention from such a groan. "Hello!" She called out once and then again, as the groans became so loud that nothing could be heard above it. She tried in vane to stretch her ears to sounds from above, but found that the water had reached her ears. Gulping for air, her head vertical with the ceiling, she took one last breath and dived under. Where once the door to the upper floor had stood, there was now a gigantic gap in the side of the boat, its mouth was so black that the almost fearless little girl screamed despite herself and rose once more, only to knock her head on the ceiling. Coughing and spitting, without taking another breath, the child dived straight under again, and pulling herself together, made her way straight towards the gap. The shock of the pressure that hit her was enough to throw her, head over heels, back into the ship, had she not grabbed hold of on the sides blindly. Forcing herself out, she ripped her clothes on the side of the boat, but eventually managed to get the other side of the boat side. Struggling for oxygen, the girl let herself bob straight to the top as though she were a rocket, with many pieces of furniture hitting her as she went up. The surface was a lot further than she had anticipated, and when darkness was still around her, the familiar blackness emerged around her eyes as though she were walking down a dark tunnel. Fighting away the sensation to collapse, Fuchsia head became heavy with the burden of moving. The cold cut into her and the pressure of being dragged about by the ship velocity and the currents of the sea alone made her energy-less. Only the hereditary feeling of a change of substance made her awake from the dosed sleep she had fallen into. Instead of the heaviness all around her, she now felt a sharp pain in her back, and the familiar sound of a washing board reached her healed ears. What had happened? Had they reached the end of the world? The questions soared through her head as the feeling came creeping up towards her stomach, her arms, her legs, and her head. The numbness that had invaded her body since the water had first touched her was replaced by shier pain. The child cried out in astonishment, but the only answer that came was the echo of her own. Curious as to where she was, Fuchsia ignored the pain and turned over on her stomach to see what lay behind her. The clear view of early morning stars replaced her view of nothingness, and realising finally what position she was in, Fuchsia rolled over again to look up. The child lay; it seemed, with her legs bent under a large plank, one that seemingly had half of her dresses petty coat on it. The rest of her body lay flat and without reason on a strange substance that we would call sand. Kicking away the plank so that she could stand up, Fuchsia found it weightless. The pain increased as she got up, and so, wincing with pain, she fell into a sitting position and was reduced to calling into the darkness that was in front of her. "Hello?" Fuchsia shrieked into the darkness. Again, no answer came to her pleas. "HELLO IS ANYONE THERE?" She bellowed. "Seemingly not," she said to herself, "I suppose no one thought of going to the end of the world before." Before dropping into the same unconsciousness that ails the sick.</p><p>Chapter 14 "SISTERS OF KEDA!" The voice that screamed over the outer wall was very different to that of Fuchsia. "SISTERS OF KEDA!" Of all innocence that was carried in that child's voice, it seemed that this man had wandered around behind her collecting up all the bad. The voice continued to call over the wall until, for one single moment, a trumpet was blown, and the gate was opened to reveal to all the Flinch citizens outside the gate many a hundred soldiers, prepared for what ever great them. "The Sisters are coming, Flinch, do not be so impatient." Came Hope's voice from the centre of the crowd. It had been decided by both Rhea, Tessa and Pandora that they should not be introduced by any other than themselves, as the people of Keda had to get used to the Sisters being equal again, especially after Ellen's rule. "It is not for you, I think, to be telling us what to do." Came the same ear piercing voice. Hope and Rhea could now be seen through the fog, their clothes carrying the unexplainable dew with them. "Oh but it is, Keda is not yours yet, dear Flinch patriot, not yet." Tessa called from (a safe distance) behind Rhea and Hope. Hope frowned harder; Rhea raised her eyebrows in surprise at Flinches confidence. "Pray," she asked with a withdrawn delight, "you do you feel can defeat us, soldier? Who is your 'King'?" Rhea and Hope came to a halt several meters away from the first Flinch soldier, aware that if they entered the centre they could be surrounded within the first second. "Our Kings identity shall only be revealed at death." The shrill voice now had a body, although it could hardly be called that. The women's head was twice as small as her hand, which stretched as though it were a single talon on a branch out in front of her. Her shoulders were hunched as though she had been constantly beaten as a child. "And who, pray, are you to tell a Sister that their own enemy is too afraid to reveal to us all who he or she is? Besides, is Flinch not a fearless place, why do you feel the need for a monarch, friend?" Hope answered with an equal amount of spite. "I am not afraid to show you who I am!" A person stepped forward boldly. All around them the Flinch soldiers bowed, so much so that it seemed to be that the people were all pebbled, with only one standing on them in front of Hope and Rhea. This person was dressed entirely in black and by her side lay a staff that at the very end held a precious jewel, the very jewel that Ellen had used to hypnotise Courtney. Hope stepped back cautiously, pulling Rhea with her. The King laughed a very feminine laugh, "What's the matter, Hope, lost your tongue, your dignity, your courage? Where is that person that everyone so hates?" "No, have you? What are you doing with them? Do you have no dignity, or have you none to loose F-" "Hush, hush now, wouldn't want to ruin the grand final, would we? After all, I've been planning this all for such a long while…" And finally the King of Flinch did what they had threatened to do. Their hood was thrown back, everyone on Keda's side apart from Hope gasped, some covered their eyes, and Rhea's face was never forgotten. It was obvious, however, that even some in Flinches army did not know whom they were following for some of those also gasped, but were quickly given stern looks by those around them. In front of the crowd of Flinch, in front of the gaggle of Keda, stood someone whom Keda had thought to be on their side, someone whom Flinch had thought to be a deadly enemy. Faith stood tall and proud, aware that every eye that was to be had was on her. "Surprised? Why? You treat all sisters like dirt and then don't expect pay back?" Faith fumed. "But Faith they don't…We're suppose to be equal, we have no right to be treated like we are special…" Dawn mumbled, stumbling over the words that would not escape her mouth. Pandora walked silently to Hope and an aghast Rhea's side, "I'm sorry I didn't try to stop you before, I could of…I know, but, it…it didn't seem right to change things, or prolong them…it…" she trailed off. "Why would you feel sorry Pandora?" Faith gave her sister a pitying look, "Your people have shown me the path I was always suppose to take, the path that is right for us all! I have tried to change you all, you've all had your chances, some longer than others," She looked at Dawn who gave a stern look straight back. Hope turned to raise her eyebrows at her friend, but quickly smile in acknowledgement that she had actually stayed faithful. Dawn blushed with pride to be recognised by a person who she had once felt deserved to be hated. Behind them Faith yawned, "Please, like you didn't realise they had had the choice Hope! Remember what you said to me? 'There are only 3 until we talk to the others?' Remember?" A strange sneer hit Faith face, "You were wrong, there were only 2, and she was wrong about you too, Rhea!" Rhea looked up; "You weren't going to Flinch were you!" "Actually Hope was right, I was, but for a reason that was not your own, Faith." Faith looked taken aback, "And besides," continued Rhea, "I've forgiven Hope for judging me wrongly, but I shall never forgive you!" Faith's eyes became a-light, "For that," She spat, "You can die first, Rhea Segeal!" "No! You gave no order!" Hope stepped forwards in light of the current situation; "I'm going first!" "No you're not!" Rhea whispered harshly behind her, "Hope if she cheats us, which she will more than likely do, the people need someone here near the end to control them, please." "But they trust you no more than they trust me!" Hope turned her eyes full of pain and concern for her friend, "I'll do it, I'm going first The people liked you as they liked Ellen once, make it happen again…" "Children, children…" Faith laughed, "I've come to the conclusion that today I feel like doing nothing, so I'm going to do nothing while killing…[she waved her finger around randomly] Dawn! Come on up Dawn, it's your lucky, lucky, lucky day!" "Jesus she's mad…" could be heard from either Sergeant General or Giller, non-could tell, for they and they alone stood at the top of the North Gate. "NO!" Cried Rhea and Hope at the same time. Dawn, while looking slightly taken back, reached for a sword that was being handed her. As she passed Hope, she leaned in and whispered, "Without the hope that Faith was still on our side I would have joined the other any how, God's speed if I do not succeed." Hope could see in Dawn's eyes that she knew she would not. </p><p>* * *</p><p>The first clash sliced into each Sisters heart as they watched helplessly from the place of hold that the Flinch soldiers had taken them too soon after. They had held several captured Keda men at sword point if they did not remain calm and had also threatened to use a cannon on the wall. The second shattered any hope that was left within Dawn at such a short time. Faiths blade was strong, stronger than Dawn could ever be. Dawn was at her best and yet still Faith had her own sword and Dawns by the 3rd blow; closing her eyes slowly, Dawn gave one last longing glance at the sky and was gone. The Flinch crowd screamed with approval, the Keda people screamed in dismay. Faith cackled at what she had done and turned to face the remaining 4 Sisters. "Dare I even ask who is next?" She inquired. "What would be the point," Rhea spoke bitterly, "You chose someone different any how…" "But what would be the joy in this all if I chose someone who could defeat me? Why would I want to do that when there are still 2 equally useless sisters left?" Faith peered around Rhea and Hope to Tessa and Pandora. Tessa shied away, but Pandora stepped boldly up. "I'll do it." She spoke openly, but she turned to Rhea and Hope and spoke separately, "You will need to be well when we fight the army." Before Rhea or Hope could grab a departing arm to stop Pandora, she was directly in front of the ''ancient King'', who still stood sneering. "What makes you think they will win over me, Sister?" "I trust them." Pandora, although stood strong, was obviously scared stiff, however, when the first blow came, and the second, and the third, and the forth, and the fifth, it came that the worried look in the prophets face transferred to the King, so much so that at one point she backed away so as to get a breather. "What is this?" She breathed unsteadily, but quickly gave a sickly grin, "been training, Sister?" "No, Sister, I have seen this before remember, you will find it harder to beat me." Pandora replied, but not as loudly as Faith, so the others couldn't hear her. They fought more, and more, and more, so much so that people behind the city walls in the square heard of Pandora's efforts and fearlessly came to support the Sister who they had expected to be dead by now. Pandora was cut badly by now, but Faith made mistakes too, and within the minute she also had several bruises, although not as bad as Pandora's. Without warning or cause, Faith fell over her, and it was not until they had both cleared the area that the audience realised a tent strap had caused the stronger sister to slip. Pandora had obviously been waiting for this, for she began to fight stronger, and eventually began to kick away Faith's sword. The old hag made her way to help her King, but so close was she too the Keda crowd that the hooded lady was able to put an arm around the women and stop her, but no so for another duke of Flinch who stood nearby. "Look out!" Timothy Smith shouted from a point higher, just in time, Pandora turned to see the impending knife and quickly swerved out of the way. The blade made a sickening crunch and as Pandora moved further still out of the way a deafening roar was issued from the first section of the Keda crowd, and then the second, for all could see that the soldier had accidentally stabbed Faith. But she was not gone; with one hand she broke the fool's neck and lunged at Pandora, who turned so that her back was to the weapon-less Sister and threw Faith over her shoulder, winding her, before using her sword to end it. * * *</p><p>Fuchsia gazed at the wall in front of her. Where she was she had no idea, only the slight sense of movement, but not of her body. With a start she sat up, she was in a ship, but where? "Hush child, we are returning, our city needs us." Over the child an old women sat, but just so that with a glance the girl had not noticed her in the dark. "Dove?" She croaked, "Dove is that you? They're looking for you in…" Dove nodded slowly, "I know child, we are there now…rest…" "But, but where was I? Before I mean…" "The end of the world, girl, but only just," Dove smiled, "It’s my home, I went there a while ago, when I saw Ellen…I would be no use there, simply a burden, I am too old to look after myself even." "That’s not true! You could have helped loads of people, you're still useful!" Fuchsia began. "Hush, what has been done has been done; we must be quiet now, lest the Flinch men hear us." "Flinch men? What, how?" "In Keda, Fuchsia, they have invaded Keda…" "BUT!" "Shhh! The others are fighting them - listen," And sure enough, a loud roaring, the roaring of approval at the fight that was going on between Pandora and Faith at this moment. "We must wait here until a friend of mine reached us, she knows you too, don't you worry about that…" At this point a thump could be heard, and Cimorene arrived at the door just behind Dove. "Is everyone okay?" She whispered. "Yes but…" "Hush now Fuchsia, they are fighting, but many Flinch men have entered unnoticed, we must be quiet." And the to Dove, "Cerys and Heather killed each other a while back, but for the good of Keda, Cerys betrayed us [Dove's head fell.]. I have worse news, Sister, news that I am sure you already know…" "Faith is on Flinches side," Dove ended the sentence. Fuchsia sat up suddenly. "Is Tess okay?" She asked, and then repeated herself as no one said anything, "Is Tess okay?" "Tessa has not fought yet, Fuchsia, so she is fine yes. They are making all remaining sisters fight Faith." Cimorene explained. "Then why has Rhea not gone first? Surely she's the best…" "Faith made Dawn go first, and Dawn fell, but Pandora is surprisingly fit; she is predicting what Faith will do next." At that point a deep bellowing came from the crowds at the North Gate, and all looked up, shortly after the bellows came the ringing bell. "Someone has beaten Faith!" Cimorene smiled for the first time that day. </p><p>* * *</p><p>Around the Keda people charged as though they were water particles on ice. Pandora lay sprawled on the floor, Rhea over her protecting her victorious Sister. "She needs help!" Screamed Rhea at nothingness as all the people passed, but true to Keda, a woman and man emerged from the crowd, carrying a blanket and a carry-me bed. Rhea handed Pandora willingly over to the couple, gave the paramedics a respecting yet urgent look, whispered something in Pandora's ear and ran to her fellow Sisters aid as they fought. They fought long and hard, harder than they had when they first fought for their beginning. For the first time in a long time each sister looked out for the other, while Faiths body was passed time and time again without notice. Within each sisters heart were the departed, the ones who had died for Keda: Courtney, Heather and Dawn. Some wept for Dawn as they fought, but still they fought, and on the rare occasion of a short interval, every Keda person could be seen gazing up at the Castle where Pandora would be, alive or dead. Many fell, more than the first, but more came from places where they had run. After a while even the proud Lords and Lady's came forth from where they had run, and many of them died just as courageously as those who survived on their pay alone did. Dove sat in the tallest tower with Pandora at her side as these people fought while Cimorene and Fuchsia made their way to the North Gate tower, from where Fuchsia did her best to use the catapult and other long distance weapons. For three days and three nights the people fought furiously, so much so that by the third day only warriors remained, those who had been trained to fight from an early age, those who no longer exist. The Sisters stood strong, even though most of the time one did not see the other, and so constantly feared them dead. By the 4th night it seemed that none were left, and for a large amount of the time many Keda people could be seen roaming the forest in search of someone to fight. Finally, on the 4th day, a trumpet was blown, and those who had stayed in hiding, mostly children, emerged with a modest curiosity to great those who had survived. For several seconds no fighter could be seen, and everyone held his or her breaths with a saddened feeling of loss. But then, one by one, small groups of badly injured Keda soldiers could be seen. The soldiers looked, however, just as ashen as the people. Where were the Sisters? There, waiting for them, was a deathly white Pandora and Dove by her side, which brightened the people, faces enough to crack a smile, but where was Hope? Where was Rhea? Where was Tessa? </p><p>* * *</p><p>"Behold children! For on this day," Began the old women, "so many, many years ago, a story ended. On this day the sun was created by a single smile from a single individual that could hold the heart of the world in her hand. Tessa, the child carer; without her survival most of us here would be dead. And Hallelujah!" The old women jumped out of her seat, cluttering the plates and dishes around her and causes cats to run in all directions, all minds were focused on the woman's tale, "There was Rhea! Her hair wild, but her heart steady, as steady as my hand once was!" She laughed, but suddenly became deadly serious. For those in the front row, they could see tears trickle down the old woman's papery cheeks, "But woe, woe apon woe. There was Hope, in the arms of the hooded warrior, the one that saved my own life by sending me away from the city while there was still time. The one true sister of Keda, the one who had always been so, the one we had all trusted so little, there she was, in the arms of a race we had cast aside." The women shook her head and wiped away the tears, "We must never forget her, children, or Heather, or Courtney, brave, brave Courtney, who would of surely been as honest as Hope had she been there, or Dawn, or Dawn. But we mustn't forget the others, children, must we?" A choir of heads shook instantaneously, "No, because Ellen and Cerys, even Faith, they were all true enough to govern this land well at one point in time, they governed it well." The women looked to the sky, "and they're up there now, all of them, governing the skies no doubt," her lips curled into a weak smile over an untold joke. The old women eyes began to shut slowly, but a boy who stood up at the front prodded her. "Gamma! GAMMA! What happened to the others Gamma?" He asked sullenly. "The others, child? Well bless my soul, they are still here, Boy! Tessa, Dove, Pandora and Rhea, they all sit up high in the Castle, looking over us always, and that is why we all must respect them, because of what they did for us, so we must always smile and say 'Morning!' when we see them, yes?" "Auntie Tessa and Rhea fought with Hope?" A young girl scowled in the front. "Of course! What parents are yours not to tell you such a thing?" The old woman snorted, "I suppose we forget about it all now, but no, no, not me…I don't forget." Her audience began to fidget, confused to how such nice people could have done such a heroic thing. "Gamma." Said the little boy at the front again, "Gamma Fuchsia!" "Yes boy, what is it?" The old woman opened one eye. "Did they sleep between fighting?" </p>