. 04

Chapter 17 : Roger Returns

Part 4 : High Priestess Sreela's Plan

Sreela brought the Priestesses to attention. There were no soldiers in the dormitory. All were on duty or on route to the new 'push' on the front. Many soldiers had left Dalos in the previous two days. It was obvious to the residents that a big effort was being made by the Generals in the prosecution of the war. She expected no 'customers' this morning although you could never be sure when some officer or soldier might have some extraordinary leave for some reason or other and decide to spend it in the pursuit of pleasure, quite possibly the last he would ever enjoy.

It was unusual in these days for the High Priestess to insist on a meeting. These last months her authority had been benign and unforceful given the circumstances of the occupation. There had been little point in training or discipline, or in administering the tasks allotted to them, when the guards and Gerald took on some of the administration of customers. Lila sympathised with the patient way in which Sreela had accepted her reduced role in the face of the demands placed upon them. She had come to know her High Priestess more closely than before. There were some benefits in certain aspects of their new predicament.

"I am sure you all know that Roger returned to us two days ago. He was captured by our Pirionite troops in the hills towards the south, and was well looked after by our people as you would all expect. We are a decent and helpful people and we would not normally wish to harm to the foreigners. Our Priestesses looked after the prisoners in the ways to which we are all trained and naturally changed quite a few of their minds about the way they perceive us to be. Roger tells me that quite a few of them determined to return to their army to persuade the soldiers to end the fighting. But of course their military discipline and the ruthlessness of a command who issue orders and expect them to be followed, does not allow soldiers a choice in whether to fight or not, and the punishment for betrayal of Prancir could be severe.

"Nonetheless his story set me to thinking. I know that many of us talk to the soldiers as our knowledge of their language improves. Some of us probably already tell them stories of the Empire of Pirion as it was, and still is beyond the occupied territories. By our example they are learning to love more tenderly and in more varied ways. Many of them must surely wonder why they fight us when we are so much more generous than they. Many do not question the authority above them but take what pleasure we can give gratefully. We are still in the midst of a war which by justice should be won by Pirion, for it is our land they invade. But unless we use intelligent tactics we may not win, for they are stronger than us and more devoted to the practice of war."

"I propose that we, captives that we are, should become more active in this war. When Dalos was conquered we feared for our lives and we could not resist to the death. We have, I think learned to live contentedly enough in captivity, and I think that despite our early fear we have all learned and experienced much in the recent months. I can certainly say for myself that I knew little of the continent across the seas or its people, except the vaguest rumours. Now I can say that I have met another culture, more barbaric, more disciplined, and more chaotic than our own. To meet their culture has been a shock to me, but also an education, which has made me value my own all the more."

"However, I have found good qualities amongst their soldiers. Roger has been a great joy to me, and I have leaned to like many of them. I have personally felt that I have been given a role to help and educate these men in the ways of the Goddess and bring them to a more realistic existence with nature. Roger's return and the story he tells has set me to thinking. I can see a way forward out of this foolish and deadly war. And we, captives though we are, are a part of the way forward. We are in a good position to be able to help Pirion in its battle against the Vanmarians. As I consider it, our work to help against the war has already begun. We have already laid the groundwork by building relationships with the men who come to us, by teaching them some of our ways, and by encouraging them to like us, and respect us as equals."

"In the hills Pirion has already embarked upon the policy of persuasion. It captures foreign soldiers, but tries not to kill unnecessarily. It tends to their wounds, not only physical but spiritual, with the love of the Goddess. Roger was visited by our Priestesses on numerous occasions until he was able to recognise the good in Pirion's cause, and the evil cause for which he has been hired to fight. He sought to change this. He and other prisoners returned to Prancir's army with the blessing of the Empire of Pirion, hoping to persuade his army to stop fighting or to encourage the soldiers to desert. Neither has happened yet, but we are in a position with the soldiers who pass through this and other dormitories of Dalos to seek to convert the soldiers to peace."

Sreela paused to find her next words, and in that pause one Priestess, Ariela, found the chance to question. "High Priestess, do you really think we can stop the war by persuading a few ordinary soldiers that Pirion is right. You said yourself that Roger and his friends have been forced to follow orders, and he's an officer. What good is a few ordinary soldiers against the whole Prancirian army?"

Sreela listened. In the past it had not been permitted for Priestess's to interrupt their High Priestess in formal address, but the occupation had changed many things, made them more casual. The High Priestess had less authority and she knew it. Although many of them had lived in Dalos all their lives, it felt already less like Pirion and more like Prancir. Many of them enjoyed their new Prancirian clothes when they went out and found pleasure and friendship amongst the soldiers who had become a part of the city. An accommodation with the enemy had been made, and the old traditions of Pirion became diluted by the new. While their city had changed they still all wanted to see the rule of Prancir go, but some would have been happy to allow some of the soldiers to stay.

Sreela was not annoyed, even if she had felt it she would not have shown it. High Priestesses were selected for their dignity and calm intelligence. They were not to bully or to become angry. Nonetheless before the occupation Ariela would have received a reprimand for her interruption. But Sreela needed the Priestesses acquiescence in this plan and it must be voluntary. She did not wish to anger any of the Priestesses. An aggrieved Priestess might just possibly betray the plan to the Generals which would be counterproductive. She wanted their questions and opinions, even though she had intended to finish her speech before she asked them for their ideas. They had all grown used to speaking informally when she called meetings.

"In the hills Pirion is already using this policy," continued Sreela, "winning the hearts and minds of captured men, and returning them to spread the word. The policy has not worked yet, but the spreading of dissent amongst the Prancirians is bound to take time. They cannot yet act against orders but when the time comes the number of men who wish to end the war will be revealed."

"When will the time come for this expression?" asked Ariela.

"We will not know until it comes," replied Sreela. "I should imagine it could be a coup in the Army amongst officers who wish to end the war. If they have enough support they may elect Generals who will negotiate with Prancir for the end of the war and the return of occupied territory. Or it may be that army units will mutiny and join Pirion, helping to defend them from Prancir. They may not quickly end the war but it will surely help Pirion to resist, and make it possible for her to survive. Or perhaps men will return to Prancir itself, spreading the news of the real Pirion. Maybe opinions in Prancir can be changed and they will pressure their government to end the war. I believe it to be an imaginative and sensible policy. We may defeat our enemies not by the sword, but by the love of the Goddess and peaceful persuasion.

"What then of the danger to us?" asked Ariela. "Surely if we become too persuasive soldiers will notice and some will realise what we are attempting. They will tell their commanders. What will Gerald do to us when he realises. He frightens me sometimes. They can stop us going out, they could make us work harder, which would make life more unpleasant. They could take some of us to their prisons which are not pleasant places."

"A very good point Ariela! As you say we have been fortunate that our captors have treated us as well as they have. We all know that other Priestesses and Pirionite women in other dormitories and dwellings around the city suffered far worse brutality than us at the conquest. Some were tortured and tormented, even killed at that time. I do not expect that they would do that here to us. Having been occupied for so long this has become 'safe territory' for us and the soldiers are rigidly controlled. I expect if any soldiers were to mistreat us now they would find their comrades fighting to protect us. But I don't doubt that if the Generals became aware of our plans they would punish us in some way. I think they might close down our brothels," Sreela said, using the Prancirian word which did not belong in Pirionite speech. "That would mean, I think, that we would be forced to turn to other work, but there is little for us in a captured city, except cleaning or labouring, not enough to employ us all surely. I think none of us would relish the prospect of what Prancirians call ordinary work. They might try to prevent us from fulfilling our needs and the needs of the Goddess. That kind of punishment would be hard for us to bear I know. But that is the enemy we try to defeat, the barbarism of Vanmar. At the conquest we were in fear for our lives, but we were put to 'work' in a way which suited us well enough. What we risk now is not as fearful as that which we risked when the city was overrun. And if our cause is served we will one day be free to return completely to the practices of free Pirion, even if we suffer in the meantime."

"And if this policy doesn't succeed we may spend the rest of our days in the slavery which Prancir demands of its own citizens," said Ariela, well assured now that Sreela was content for her to contribute to the debate.

"There is that risk," agreed Sreela, "but I am sure we will never be short of sexual partners, whatever they do to us. I would like to give you my proposal of how we can become a part of Pirion's policy towards the foreigners. The first point is that although we wish to encourage soldiers against the war we do not wish to endanger our own position here unnecessarily. Therefore I propose that we be cautious and subtle in our approach to the soldiers. We do not want any soldier to think that we are attempting to make them disloyal to their government or that every Priestess will tell them the same stories. We do not wish them to see, in our comments or our actions, any obvious policy or tactic. When we talk to soldiers we must make them believe that it is ourself, the woman who speaks her own mind, no one else's. They must not believe that we are engaged in a conspiracy of propaganda. We must treat every soldier individually. Each has a mind of his own even if he may appear to be no more than a typical soldier, unthinking and obedient to the orders of his superiors. If he expresses opinions we must try to agree to the extent that we may, and, even if we very much disagree, we will try to sympathise with his ideas even if we suggest an alternative view."

"We will educate them in the love of the Goddess as we have been doing, but we will attempt to show her love not just by example, but by speech and empathy. When our day is busy and we have a number of callers we may find it tempting to block out the soul of the man while we enjoy the touch of his body and physical togetherness. But we need to try to reach a dialogue with our guests more often. We need to invite discussion, but not with every man we meet for that would be too sudden a change. Gerald or other guards and regulars would notice the change of our behaviour. But any man who wishes to talk we should encourage it and if few wish to talk we should try to lead some of them into conversation. If we see potential in our man for appreciating the words we speak we should fill it."

"What should we say?" asked one Priestess as Sreela paused.

"A good question." The High Priestess was obviously pleased that this questioner had provided a question which enabled her to focus more readily on exactly what she needed to say next. She started again slowly, "Give them an impression of Pirion. Talk about what our lives were like before the conquest. If they are interested talk about the role of the Priestess, the way we nurse the sick and the healthy, caring for the body and the spirit. Talk about families in Pirion, and freedom to be with many partners and not just one. Tell them our children grow up strong, healthy and happy, and protected. Tell them of our work and how we produce only what we need, not what we hope we can sell. Tell them we are secure in our work and do not have to work all of the time just to keep our jobs. We only work as much as our communities require. Tell them, but only if it seems appropriate, that we don't have to leave our homes to risk our lives in foreign wars, that only now has that sad fate arrived upon our fields. Tell them that none go lonely for the lack of sexual experience. I am sure you can think of other more personal things to say. Talk about your families, parents, uncles and aunts, bothers and sisters. If you have complaints about the way we lived, and no life is perfect, mention it. It will serve to give your story credence."

"But remember. Don't just start to talk and continue regardless of them. If we seem to give them speeches they will not like it. Either that will bore them or they will begin to suspect our propaganda as some kind of plan. We must be natural. Tell them a few things if they seem interested. Make occasional comments. Be good to them as you always are. Serve them willingly, gain their trust. Ask them questions and if they wish to speak of their own lives, hear them patiently. In listening to their woes and hardships you may be able to gain their support. If they criticise the world of Vanmar you may be able to comment by comparison with the Empire of the Goddess. And if they seem to complain about the war and its purpose, try to encourage their war weariness. Express your dislike of it, that our lives too have been upset. That while we have enjoyed meeting soldiers and enjoy our 'work', our lives are not as good as they were before. Say that you would prefer to meet Prancirian men in more peaceful circumstances. If they suggest that they wish the war to end, suggest to them that if enough soldiers felt that way, or enough Prancirians, the war would end. Tell them they should write home and tell their families and friends how this pointless war should be ended. If they speak warmly of Pirion and its ways, suggest that it should be preserved, that the Vanmarian 'culture' of sexual restriction and business competition could end Pirion's benevolent culture if they conquer all."

The High Priestess asked the Priestesses what they thought of her plan after she had finished unfolding it. She wanted their acceptance of her proposal. Although she had insisted upon addressing them and presenting the plan, she did not wish to insist that they pursue it. The plan required the natural support of the Priestesses who would put it into operation. Any Priestess who did not wish to further the cause of her country could not be a convincing persuader of Prancirians. She did however, require of them for the benefit of all their sisters who were prepared to risk for the future of their country and their culture, that they would keep the policy to themselves and not reveal it to Prancirians. She knew that she could ask this of them.

Some of the Priestesses were not happy with it. Some like Ariela probably thought the plan pointless or dangerous, although Ariela herself seemed to have been persuaded by what Sreela said. What could the soldiers do against orders even if their minds were changed? But changing minds raised to believe in the justice of Prancir and the inevitability of its way of life would be too difficult.

"We speak of fantasy if we believe we can change the grain of these people," said one, Jellaspy, a tall usually quiet lady, dignified and thinking. "We can only change some of them, the ones who wish to be liberated from the conventions of their culture. But war and economics are bred deeply and schooled within them. We cannot change that in one short period of persuasion." She was one for whom the pleasure of orgasm was particularly important. She could often be heard shrieking loudly as she shook with pleasure. She took her pleasures very seriously. She was one in whom Sreela had recognised the qualities of a potential High Priestess in the past. She was one whom Sneela might have expected to be most loyal to the preservation of Pirion's culture. Her disheartened words depressed and disappointed Sreela. Jellaspy could recognise the obstinacy of Vanmarian ways within the soldiers. Perhaps she was correct. Her views were always worth considering. She had always been relied on to hold her own views and no one else's and she had often been right in the past.

"No Jellaspy," said beautiful Agnella, "surely you cannot have been here for so long, meeting with soldiers day after day and feel that there is no chance for them. They are human beings. They love the gifts of the Goddess as much as we do and most of them ache to throw off the chains of war and of sexual limitation. There is hope. Have you not talked to these men as you prepare them for orgasm."

"I have, and they are selfish and limited in outlook, simple people controlled by the people who own them," retorted Jellaspy.

"Then all the more reason for you to wish to change them," entered Sreela.

"I would wish to change them. What I say is that we cannot change enough of them. It is a hopeless task," said the tall lady.

"Does that mean we should not attempt it?" said Agnella. "Even if we make a few 'converts', will it not be worthwhile. Perhaps one or two of them may be able to affect the outcome of a battle or a skirmish or affect the policies of the foreigners in some way. Small pieces may together add up to something substantial. Jellaspy if you cannot believe our efforts will be effective can you not still speak highly of Pirion to the soldiers, even if you believe our cause is doomed. At least some of them may be enlightened by it."

"I have spoken to soldiers about Pirion sometimes. They laugh at us, or they sympathise and say it is doomed. The modern world is approaching Pirion they say. We can't turn back the wheels of progress, the inevitability of history," said Jellaspy.

Sreela could still see the potential High Priestess within Jellaspy. Her words and analogies were sometimes poetic, and yet she was not a one to read books. Jellaspy always appeared such a keen adherent of the Goddess. She was always to be found engaged in the rituals of the Goddess, submerged in the sensual rigours of the flesh preferably with more than one person at a time. She loved males in particular, so much that Sreela would have imagined she would have had more respect for the soldiers of Prancir. In the last year Jellaspy had frequently persuaded soldiers to combine their lovemaking upon her. When shafted at both ends and sometimes at front and back passages she was never happier. She would exhort couplings to combine on one bed where she directed them to explore each other randomly, male and female flesh mixed inextricably and it became difficult to determine whose hand was upon another's penis or quim. She would glory in her orgasms as men and Priestesses pressed their fingers all over her and into all her crevices. They became like a beast with four or five heads and multiple arms, legs and thighs, and tongues, as they licked and melted in sex. But soldiers usually moved on quickly as they were sent to different parts of the front and the newcomers were usually too shy to be persuaded to behave in this way. For one so committed to the ways of the Goddess, Sneela was shaken by her attitude. It was so sad to learn of her lack of hope for the survival of their way of life. Jellaspy knew the Prancirian men as well as anyone and Sreela would have predicted that she should have supported the plan with enthusiasm. Thankfully it seemed that most of the priestesses did not share Jellaspy's pessimism and were prepared to follow the plan.