I stand; waiting, shivering despite the heat, my stomach in knots. It is the Day of Choosing in the village. All women of age, not committed to a man are presented. All women, regardless of age, are presented. Those of us that are pure have no idea what to expect. No one is allowed at the presentation unless you are of age. And no one speaks of it. I look at the five girls behind me, with the same anxious eyes that I have. From inside the tent, we hear murmers, whispers, and small whimpers from the girl who went in first. This year, there are 7 of us who came of age. There is also 1 woman who had been already chosen 3 summers ago, but her man had been killed hunting. She could be re-presented because of this. There was also 1 who had her purity taken by a hunter from another village. He had been killed for this - the king doesn't stand for the innocence to be taken. She can also be presented. There are 9 of us for tonight's presentation. Only the 7 of us that are new have to wait in line to be examined for purity. And we have no idea what to expect....
"NEXT!"
I step inside the tent of the high priestess. My eyes adjust to the dim lights. I see her, standing by a large stone table, filling a bowl. Next to the table is the king and one of his attendants. She is completely nude. I quickly look at the floor.
"Pure?" The king questions. I nod meekly. I glance up, and notice his coverings are moved to the side, revealing a large, thick shaft. I again stare at the floor.
His attendant comes to me. "Sheath please." She holds out a hand. I nervously let the fabric fall from my body. My face burns, I squeeze my eyes closed. She takes my sheath and places it by the door. "Please sit on the table."
I walk over and sit on the edge. The priestess looks at me and smiles. "I'm going to explain to you the duties of the day. Please listen closely; you need to fulfill them correctly if you are chosen by a man."
I nod slowly, squeezing my legs together and my arms in front of me, hoping to hide my private areas.
She continues, "You will first be checked for purity. This is your only chance to tell the king if it has already been taken. If I find it is gone, you will be taken to the king's brothel. That is your punishment for allowing your purity to be taken. If you are pure, you will receive a pink anklet to wear to the presentation. This symbolizes your purity. Are you ready to begin?" I nod meekly, my stomach turning as I realize the king and attendant will be watching my test.
"Very well. Please lay back, head here." She motions to the other edge. As I move into place, my most private area is directly in the king's view. My cheeks burn in shame. The priestess stands next to my drawn up knees. "First, I will show you your position for the presentation. This will also be how I check your purity." She takes my arms and gently moves them directly over my head, and tells me to clasp them together. The view of my breasts makes me swallow hard. They are pushed up and together, and in plain view. She then takes my knees and separates them. Widely. I feel the breeze on my most private area, knowing its right in front of the king. I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping the tears are hidden. She dips her finger into the bowl, stirring and coating it in oil. She places her other hand on my knee. The oiled finger is at my passage, moving slowly. The tears are falling, but I don't make a sound. She slowly slides her finger inside, gently, twirling it.
"She is pure" she tells the king, and takes her finger out of me. "The king will confirm." My heart leaps out of my throat. What? He's going to do that to me? I hear movement, the sound of the oil splashing. I open my eyes to see him standing between my legs. The priestess places a hand on each of my knees, opening them wide. He takes his finger and slides it into me. I inhale sharply; his finger is much larger. He nods at the priestess, his finger still inside me.
She attaches the pink anklet. My purity is confirmed. I look back at the king, his finger still inside me. He is staring at his hand, his other fingers lightly moving through my pubic hair. He looks at his attendant. "You will remove this hair in preparation." He slowly slides his finger out of me, and she comes in to view. She begins shaving my hair, and I'm horrified. I try not to breathe, fearing she would cut me. The king moves to my side, inspecting my body. He dips his hands in the bowl, covering them in oil.
He begins with my breasts. He kneads them, squeezes them, rolls my nipples. I close my eyes, tears falling. He moves to my stomach, my thighs, down my legs. All the while, I hear the sound of my pubic hair being removed. He moves back to my breasts, continuing massage.
