As was customary the prepositors came for her early on the day that she came of age; for it was ordained that one who had not been sired by a man was holy and consecrated to the service of the gods - if male to become a priest, if female to serve as a vestal - and that they should remain celibate all their years.
Peaceably Cali bade farewell to her mother and allowed them to escort her to the Temple stronghold, for even had she so wished there was no way she could escape her fate. She had long known that it was her destiny to become a vestal, as it had been her brother's to become a priest.
Shut in a small cell the hours passed slowly, boringly, as she waited to be given the red robe of a novice and instructed in her duties. At last there came a clatter in the corridor and the sound of a key in the lock. Awkwardly, bearing a tray of food, a tall, young priest entered.
'Jon!' She exclaimed in surprise.
'Hush, not so loud little sister,' he admonished. 'I had to bribe the kitchen vestal to allow me to deliver this in her place.'
'But how are you, brother? Two years and I've not heard from you. Why have you not written?'
'As you will discover it is not permitted for those commanded to the service of The Gods to communicate with the ones they leave behind.'
'Not even their sisters?'
'Especially not them, for they might disclose the truth of matters that only The Chosen may know.'
'Oh! But I was chosen to become a vestal anyway.'
'And now you are not. That's why I came as soon as it was possible. To advise you.'
'What do you mean, not to become a vestal? What else can I be?' Cali was confused.
Jon paused to gather his thoughts. 'Let me first set you aright, for much that we are taught is false . . . especially . . . that only those who are married may know and practice sex. Thus it follows that the children of an unmarried woman, like us, must have been conceived without benefit of a man, and are therefore special. Correct?'
'Yes, of course.'
'It's complete nonsense.'
'Then who is our father?'
'I know not, except that he must have been a priest.'
'But the priests are celibate.'
Jon gave a snort. 'That is what we are meant to believe. The truth is that a priest may have sex whenever he pleases. I've enjoyed many women in the last two years.'
'But where did you - do they - find the women?'
'What do you think vestals are for?'
'You mean - no I cannot believe it.' Cali was dismayed.
'Vestals keep house, but that is secondary. Their main duty is to serve us priests. If you had become a vestal you would have been required to entertain any priest who desired you - and with looks like yours it would not have been long before most would have taken and enjoyed you.'
'But what has this to do with being special.'
'Well, how do we replace those that go to join the gods? If it were to be with the offspring of priests and vestals it would expose the myth of our purity, and in any case would eventually lead to serious inbreeding. So, at a certain point in their career, each priest is commanded to select from the Common Folk an unmarried woman he fancies, doctor the Eucharist she receives at prayers, start an illicit affair and get her pregnant. Their issue are the special ones, the replacements, us.'
Cali shuddered and studied the floor. 'But if I'm not to be a vestal, what am I to be?'
'You remember in our lessons they taught us about the war with Dragonia?'
'Yes.'
'And how as part of the peace treaty, and to mark our subservience, we are bound to provide an annual tribute?'
'Sure.'
'What they didn't say was that this tribute is only nominal and takes the form of a maiden. A beautiful young maiden to please and entertain the ruler of Dragonia. . . . The elders have decided that you are to be our tribute for this year.'
'But I'm not beautiful.'
'Men think otherwise, and they make the decisions in the Temple. Anyway just accept what comes for a day or so. It won't be anything serious - at least not until you are given to Dragonia. I don't know what happens after that. But for now I'll keep an eye out and help where I can. Look, I'll have to go or they'll be wondering where I've disappeared to. Eat that food. Keep your strength up.'
Awkwardly Jon leant forward and gave her a brotherly peck on the cheek, then slipped out of the cell door.
Somewhat perturbed Cali toyed with her food until, some thirty minutes later, two vestals appeared, led her to a room lined with old, cracked tiles, briskly undressed her, bathed her, then clothed her in an ancient red robe.
'What happens now,' Cali asked.
'You get to be taken to the High Cardinal.' One of the vestals told her. 'Come on! He's impatient to know you.'
-ooOoo-
Wearing only his dalmatic the High Cardinal watched as Cali was brought to stand before him. The red shift marking her as a novice was threadbare and at least two sizes too big, only just clinging to the points of her shoulders and leaving bare her slim neck and clavicle. The thin cloth draped itself enticingly around her ample breasts and rippled slightly as she walked, plainly revealing the bulge of her nipples with their dark areola. Her gleaming black hair tumbled down her back in disarray until it nearly touched her tight butt.
He said nothing, just looked. He felt his manhood gradually stir and stiffen into readiness. This was one he would relish. Three-and-a-half score years, and more, were behind him but still he had the will and the power to want, ravish and enjoy - although not as often as in his prime. This one would delight him with the softness of those hand filling breasts and the thrusts of his shaft inside her hot, throbbing centre. Of the many vestals he'd selected to pleasure him over the years, few had possessed a body to compare with this girl. It was a pity she must be relinquished to the Tribute, but it had to be. At least he would have a use of her before she was sent south.
For her part Cali waited uncertainly. The supreme head of the Temple, this holy man, was staring at her most peculiarly. It was as if he wanted, intended, to have her. But no, he couldn't - if Jon was right he could take any woman he wished, so why should he want her? Anyway he was so old. That scrawny neck, those hollow cheeks and drooling lips revolted her. The thought of those liver-spot covered hands roaming across her body, fondling her breasts and caressing her thighs, made her feel sick.
'My daughter. It was intended that thou shouldst become a vestal. That our priests, who so devoutly serve the Mighty Gods, might be blessed with some reward for their endevours by enjoying the pleasures of your body. But on occasion the good of our congregation requires another, higher, sacrifice. We wish it were not so, that we could keep you amongst us, but we must bow before The God's command. Thou art to be our Tribute to The Great Dragon - the ruler of Dragonia - that he may leave us in peace for another year.' The High Cardinal paused, 'We do not have to explain, your brother covered it well enough.'
'You were listening?'
'Do you think we are so imprudent as not to take a few precautions. Of course we heard all that he said. . . . There remains just one item to be confirmed. Your beauty is undeniable, but alone it may not suffice to provide the pleasure to which a ruler is entitled. It is our duty to confirm that you will fully answer his desires.'
She was muddled, disjointed, confused. 'I don't understand.'
'We must be sure that when he uses you, as a man uses a woman, you will satisfy him. So we must first test your bounty.'
'I'm to be mated?'
'Yes. It is a chore we will ourself undertake.'
The thought of being taken by him repelled her. His pretence that he was only performing his duty was unconvincing, every word merely echoed his lust for her body.
The High Cardinal drew a silk scarf from the pocket of his dalmatic. 'But first, since your preference will likely run to youth rather than experience, let us blindfold you. Then you can focus your mind on our skill, not our image.' He fastened the scarf around her eyes.
'Now come. Disrobe and let us savour that lovely body with which The Great Gods have blessed you.'
What choice did she have? Trembling, she raised her arms and reached behind to unfasten her shift. Lazily it fell to circle her feet. She felt a slight draught caress her body, and shivered as she imagined his eyes on her naked and vulnerable flesh. He would be studying her boobs, her untouched pussy. Tightly she pressed her legs together to hide her nether lips.
'Trust us,' he said. 'Do all we say and you will have an experience you will never forget.'
She managed a faint, 'I do not doubt it, Your Grace.'