What would soon be called The Great War, raged in Europe and around the world. It was late 1915 and Victoria, Catherine and Marie worked in a field hospital, tending to the wounded and bringing calm to the men among the horrors of war.
"I don't understand, Mistress, I'm not questioning you but aren't these men killers? Why do they not fit the code?" asked Catherine as they sat together.
"Whose side would we be on? They are soldiers doing as they're ordered, if we were to suddenly wipe out one side it would draw attention and wouldn't be good for our safety. I do not condone this, war is abhorrent but we have gifts that can be used for good. The men we calm so we can tend to their wounds or let them pass in tranquility do appreciate us. When they step outside their orders and start killing civilians, then we intervene," replied Victoria.
"They are bringing in more wounded from the last attack, Nurse, you should be ready," said a soldier.
They brought in 4 men, the only survivors from an attack of 50 soldiers. Victoria and Catherine, calmed their minds and helped dress their wounds or get them ready for surgery. It was a frequent thing for them, not all would survive but a brief look into their eyes and 'be calm' and the screaming would lessen or stop and help with getting them cared for.
One evening, the women sat eating their meals when the Padre came to sit with them.
"Are there more wounded men coming in Padre?" said Victoria.
"No, No, I just wanted to sit with you. I uh, I must thank you for what you are doing here. I have a fairly good idea of who you are but I am among those who understand what you do. That whole business with the Paladins got out of hand and I'm glad they're gone," he said with a smile.
"Gone?"
"They murdered a man who was said to have been harboring certain creatures, his body washed ashore after being missing for months. They claimed to be doing good but they were all brutish men looking for any excuse to kill. After that, they vanished. A Cardinal who was helping them was sent away and the Church had been trying to mend the relationship with the redeemers until this horrible war came about."
"They knew it was a small faction, Padre."
"Still, it would be good for them to know they are wanted and appreciated for the good they do."
Victoria just smiled.
"Padre, Corporal Green isn't going to make it, he's asking for you," interrupted a soldier.
"Excuse me ladies," he said then left.
"So, am I to assume your little excursions at night have been hunting ones, Miss Marie?" said Victoria.
"Yes, Mistress but not of Paladins. I heard of a group of soldiers on the German side that was raping and killing women. They met their end," replied Marie.
"How did you dispose of them?"
"These big guns, their artillery, doesn't care if the shells are landing on dead or alive soldiers. Mistress Louise taught me to leave no trace."
"Please be careful, Marie, you know I love you both and just want us to be safe."
"I will, Mistress. Do you think we'll see the paladins again?"
"Without support, they may go underground but we have our allies too."
"Ladies, we need your help, we have more wounded coming in," said one of the Doctors.
The field hospital was kept far from the front lines but a push by the Germans had them dangerously close to the fighting. One morning, Catherine woke to Marie and Victoria arguing, trying to be quiet but failing.
"Marie, it's not your place to fight, we can't expose ourselves or our powers that way!" said Victoria.
"I know you think it is your job to protect me, Victoria, but I am free. My maker was killed in front of me, you gave me vengeance and for that I am thankful but you don't own me," replied Marie.
"Louise was one of my closest friends, Marie, I know how much she loved you. I'm not trying to own you; I just care too much to see you get hurt."
"These humans and their guns are not fast enough to harm me. I am sticking to the code, there are monsters out there, Victoria, I cannot let them be."
"Then at least promise me you'll be careful. The men here cannot be allowed to see you either. I love you as Louise did, I would hate to lose you is all."
Marie saw the pain in Victoria's eyes and just held Victoria close to her.
"I promise to be careful. When this horrible war is over, we have to spend some time alone, just making love and relaxing," she said in a softer tone.
"That would be wonderful," replied Victoria.
"The way the soldiers look at us sometimes I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to take a man or 5 in the meantime," said Catherine.
"I'm sorry, we didn't mean to wake you," said Victoria.
"It's okay, Marie never was good at staying quiet, it's why we can't have fun in this muddy tent."
The women laughed.
As the weeks passed, the war raged on and the women helped a steady stream of wounded men. One evening, a German soldier was brought in, he was badly wounded and had lost most of his left arm from grenade shrapnel. He was flanked by 2 British soldiers.
"The field medic couldn't save his arm, Doc, think you can save the rest of 'im? Captain Wetherby at HQ wanted to 'ave some words wiv 'im" said the bigger of the 2 soldiers with his thick London accent.
"I'll do what I can, Nurse, please help me remove his clothing so I can get to his wounds. Did he get all the shrapnel out at least?" the surgeon replied to the soldier.
"Don't know, Doc, we got attacked once he'd strapped his arm up so I doubt it."
Marie helped cut the man's tunic off and when he opened his eyes, she looked into them. When he didn't respond to her hypnosis, she noticed a scar by his temple. Marie looked at Victoria who got close enough for her to whisper.
"This one has been fighting a long time, Sergeant, this scar is old, a head wound," Victoria then said to the soldier.
"We're not looking for battle plans, Miss, just where they are. Let the doctor do the diagnosis if you will," he said, curtly.
The German soldier had been staring at Marie the whole time. He was mumbling in German but started to speak in broken English.
"The creature, the killer, sie ist... Hilfe, Sie wird uns alle töten!" he said.
"What did he say, Fredricks?" said the Sergeant.
"He said she will kill us all, Sarg. Does 'e mean the little Nurse?" replied the other man.
The Sergeant looked at Marie, looked at the German then laughed.
"Scared of a dainty little Nurse, Kraut, oh, the boys at HQ are gonna have fun wiv you," he said, still laughing.
Victoria took Marie out of earshot while Catherine took over helping the Doctor.
"Did you let one live?" she said, quietly.
"I didn't see him. I don't know how he'd recognize me even if he did. I wear black, head to toe, Mistress," replied Marie.
Their concerns were short-lived, the German had grabbed a scalpel and somehow managed to grab Catherine with his one good arm, holding the blade at her neck. He was yelling in German but wasn't making sense. The Sergeant didn't say anything, he took his revolver and shot the German in the head, Fredricks grabbed the blade before it could cut Catherine.
