AUTHORS NOTE:
This story takes place in the Hegothian Empire, approximately fifty years after the events in
Avatars of the Goddess.
In the interim, new laws were passed allowing for the creation of
sacrificial sites
,
which were little more than exclusive brothels where wealthy customers could wield whips, paddles and leather straps and punish naked playthings to their heart's content. Allegedly this is done to please the gods, however, the proprietors that run these sacrificial sites are not priests or clerics. They're mostly just merchants who have recognized an exploitable business opportunity.
__________
SASCHA'S STORY:
My name is Sascha and my story begins in the town of Douville.
My father is literate and is employed by the local magistrate, copying out documents for him and keeping his written records safe and organized. He had hoped that my sister and I would follow his example and become scribes for the magistrate or for one of the other local government officials. He had taught us how to read, write and copy documents with admirable accuracy, however, we had no passion for the work.
Like many other young men and women in my town I wanted to be accepted into service under Mistress Charmant. There was a certain degree of prestige in laboring as a naked plaything in her manor house in Gran Sacree.
It is said that all the naked playthings under her authority (both male and female) have a spark of divinity (from the goddess Opathia) residing inside of them. There are thousands of humans that are born with a spark of Opathia's divinity in them, however the Opathic Church only accepts eighteen of them per year to be official avatars of the goddess.
Mistress Charmant decided years ago that the blessings of Opathia were going to waste as thousands of humans with divinity in their blood were living mundane and unremarkable lives. She resolved to gather some of Opathia's chosen ones and take them into her service.
Those who were accepted into her service immediately saw their reputation improve. They gained a certain notoriety that everyone in town desired. In addition to the notoriety, there was also the gold. Upon leaving her service each naked plaything received a sack of gold coins, sufficient to purchase a large plot of land or buy a title of nobility.
Having decided that I wished to better myself by serving as one of Mistress Charmant's naked playthings, I disclosed my wishes to my mother and father. I had assumed that they would be enthusiastic and supportive, however, they were utterly opposed to my plans and attempted to discourage me.
"Serving as a slave in her manor house isn't for you, Sascha," my mother argued, "It would be a life of inescapable servitude, enforced nakedness, utter submission and cruel punishments."
"You're a fragile, sensitive soul," my father added, "You're too much like a poet, or a bard. To survive as one of her naked slaves, you need to be solid and resilient."
"Slaves in her house are whipped for the entertainment of her customers," my mother interjected, "You wouldn't be able to withstand it."
"I'm more resilient than either of you suspect," I told them, "I swear to you, I can withstand it. I think I would thrive as a slave in her household."
"No, Sascha," my mother insisted, "You're too fragile. She would destroy you."
I argued with my parents for days, and eventually they agreed to support me in my decision, but only if I went to Lady Caroline and told her of my plans first.
Before Lady Caroline had come to Douville, she had worked in Mistress Charmant's manor house. She had tormented and whipped dozens of slaves for Mistress Charmant. She knew precisely the sort of maltreatment slaves suffered there. If Lady Caroline vouched that I could endure life as one of Mistress Charmant's slaves, they would take her word, and they would give their blessings to my plans.
"Very well," I agreed, "I shall see her first thing tomorrow."
Now, Lady Caroline's social status was superior to the status of my family, therefore I had never introduced myself to her. I knew her on sight yet had never spoken to her. Our social differences made social contact with her awkward, however, I needed her to vouch for me in order to gain my parent's approval.
My mother insisted on accompanying me. She insisted that her reasons had to do with looking after my well-being, however, I suspect that her true reasons had to do with making certain that Lady Caroline truly vouched for me. If she heard it from the lips of her own son, she might not have believed it. She insisted to hear it from Lady Caroline herself.
My mother and Lady Caroline were both female and very nearly the same age. As such, she felt she would be more readily received by Lady Caroline and insisted on doing most of the talking when we arrived at Lady Caroline's residence.
"If you insist, Mother," I replied, and I allowed my mother to feel as if she were in control. However, I was confident there was nothing she could do to upset my plans.
Unbeknownst to my parents, I had experienced a number of dreams where the goddess Opathia spoke to me directly. She told me that she wanted me to suffer for her. She said that if I sacrificed myself for her voluntarily, it would prove my devotion to her and I would become one of her chosen people on this earth.
As the months went by, these dreams came to me more frequently, and her invitations to me became more impassioned. She said that I was the perfect example of male beauty, and that she would adore me above all other men in Douville if I were to suffer for her.
In my most recent dreams, she shed her clothing and appeared to me naked. Her body was the stuff of men's fantasies, perfect in every way. I was utterly bewitched by her. The mere sight of her made me feverish with desire. And the mere sound of her enticing voice could make me achingly hard and erect.
She was a divine temptress and she made entreaties and promises if I would only agree to suffer on her behalf. At the conclusion of these dreams my throbbing cock would erupt with such exquisite bliss, that echoes of sensual pleasure reverberated in my body for hours.
___
When we arrived at Lady Caroline's home, we were met by one of Lady Caroline's servant's. My mother explained the purpose of our visit and requested an audience with Lady Caroline. When my mother was finally granted an audience, Lady Caroline was not receptive to our proposal.
"I have not had anything to do with the treatment of slaves since Lord Almund and I were wed," Lady Caroline stated flatly, "It was his wish that I leave that life behind."
"I wouldn't have asked if it wasn't of great importance," my mother insisted, "My son is at risk of making a horrible mistake and my husband and I would be uncommonly grateful if you could convince him that there is no future for him in being one of Mistress Charmant's slaves."
"I apologize, but I cannot do that," Lady Caroline said, "You and your son shall have to find another way to resolve your differences on this matter. I quite simply refuse to get involved."
It seemed that we had reached an impasse. But just as Lady Caroline was preparing to close the doors, another woman rushed forward and exclaimed, "Caroline! Surely you aren't sending these people away!"
"It has to do with the slaves of Gran Sacree," Lady Caroline retorted, "My husband would not approve of my involvement in this."
"Your husband has gone to Garnison and will not be back for weeks! He needn't know anything about this!"
The two women vigorously traded words, each attempting to sway the other. Both women believed strongly that their position was the correct one, and both were very heated in their arguments, however, the newcomer finally was victorious in swaying Lady Caroline.
Resolved at last to test my suitability, Lady Caroline turned to my mother and said, "It will take some time to prepare. Return in two hours and bring your son with you. I should be ready for him at that time."
"I'm in that lady's debt," I said after we had been sent away, "Who was that woman that spoke out in favor of me being tested by Lady Caroline?"
"Her name is Nolwenn," my mother explained, "She's lady Caroline's amoureux."
I gave my mother a puzzled look and stopped in my tracks.
"Among the wealthy classes," my mother elaborated, "it is not unheard of for some women to have both a husband and an amoureux, and Lady Caroline is a very wealthy woman."
"I don't understand," I said, "What is an amoureux?"
"An amoureux is a female lover who lives in the household of a very wealthy woman. Sometimes a woman takes an amoureux because she cannot find sexual satisfaction with her husband, or sometimes she takes one, simply as a status symbol."
"It is a sign of status to have an amoureux?" I asked.
"Indeed," my mother replied, "They are always educated, well-bred women and they are always very physically appealing. They are trained to be excellent hosts as well as excellent lovers. They are respected members of the upper-classes and having one in your household lends your home a certain degree of prestige."
Having gained Lady Caroline's agreement to help, my mother and I returned home. I related the news to my father and sister, and enthusiastically prattled on about Lady Caroline with boyish certitude that I would prevail in any sort of test that she might devise.
"Mother and father agreed to let you go to Gran Sacree?" My sister asked.
"If Lady Caroline agrees that I would be suited to life as one of Mistress Charmant's naked playthings," I replied.
"They value Lady Caroline's opinion that much?" Jeanne inquired.
