This is the end of the Sacrifical Lamb series. If you haven't read the other parts of this series I recommend going back and starting from the beginning. I decided to release the last two parts of this story together instead of keeping you waiting, I hope you like it!
*** This story contains themes of noncon and rape. These are fictional scenarios that are never ok in real life! If those themes are not something you want to read, please stop here.***
Thank you all for reading!
...
The Temple of Vidar was surrounded by rolling hills of grass as far as the eye could see. The grass stood well over six feet tall, and when the wind blew, the stalks would bend just enough for Hemma to see where she was headed. At the top of the tallest hill stood a simple temple, a structure still larger than most buildings on the surrounding islands, but not nearly as obscenely extravagant as the temples within the Village of the Gods.
Hemma walked. She enjoyed the feel of earth under her feet after flying for so long. She had lost her boots along the way, as well as her clothes (not very conducive to flying) but when she finally landed she was able to borrow a simple dress from a cottage not far away. She would make sure she returned it to the rock it had been drying on when she was done here.
The soft dirt sunk between her toes and Hemma felt the interconnected roots that filled these fields for miles and miles, all talking to each other and sharing resources, keeping this land alive and thriving. Over the past few days, she had felt her power, growing into something bigger and stronger than anything she had ever experienced. She felt the magic become part of her, flowing through her veins and as natural as breathing. It felt good. She felt good. She felt in control, and strong enough to do anything she wanted.
As she approached the temple, however, she was feeling more and more human, detached from the magic that was transforming her into the goddess it wanted her to be. It was subtle, and almost unnoticeable, but it left a discomfort in Hemma's stomach that she was having a hard time shaking.
She reached the steps of the temple and walked in. Priests and priestesses mingled around, tending to fires and plinths and altars, carrying books from one room to another. Hemma entered unnoticed and kneeled at the central altar.
"Lord Vidar? Are you here?" Hemma asked, feeling a little ridiculous talking to a piece of stone. She didn't sense any other god here. Unsurprisingly, there was no response. She closed her eyes and reached out with her mind, trying to sense a god's magic. There was power here but it was unlike the magic she had felt with Fosta and Ospree and not nearly strong enough to be a god.
She sighed and stood, not exactly sure how to proceed. She hadn't really thought this far, hoping Fosta would sense her as a goddess and come to her. As she turned to leave and reassess her approach, a priestess walked up, stepping into her path.
"Are you the apprentice from Birka?"
Seeing an opportunity, Hemma nodded affirmatively.
"Oh good!" The priestess clapped her hands and took Hemma's elbow leading her into a library off the main hall. "We were worried you wouldn't make it, the weather being like it has. More than one ship has been found in pieces on the shores. Some god must be angry..."
They approached another, smaller room with a long table filled with chairs. Hemma was guided to the chair on one end and motioned to take a seat.
"I will gather the council and we will begin in just a moment. Sit tight!"
The priestess sped off, leaving Hemma alone. Maybe this is a bad idea, Hemma thought. But if she didn't like what she saw she could always leave. This might help her get in contact with the god Vidar. Without any real experience being a goddess, Hemma had no idea how these things were supposed to work, or how to find other gods. All she knew was that she was confident she could take care of herself in a room full of humans.
Hemma didn't have to wait long as a stream of priests filled the room, sitting at assigned seats at the long table. As they sat, they each turned their chair so that it faced in Hemma's direction. Finally, an old man slowly made his way to the head of the table, directly opposite of Hemma.
"So," He spoke after clearing his throat for a full minute, "You must be the girl whose family was killed by raiders and home burned to ash, yes?"
Wow, thought Hemma, this man is blunt. She nodded.
"You are aware that coming to serve the god of vengeance does not mean you will spend time seeking vengeance on your own enemies, yes? We serve our god, we do not enact his purpose, is that understood?"
Hemma nodded again, feeling bad for the girl who probably died at sea after losing everything she cared about. Maybe once she got the hang of this goddess thing she could reep vengeance on her behalf. But that was for another time...
"You understand that by joining this temple you are giving up the outside world and committing your life to the service of our god Vidar? That your life outside will cease to exist?"
Hemma nodded one last time.
"Very good. Your first year here will be served in silence, but it appears that will be no problem for you. Show her to the seer and assign her role here as an apprentice." When he stood, everyone else remained seated and he walked out slowly.
The woman from before directed Hemma to another room that was down a long flight of stairs. The enclosed stone stairwell made her feel nervous and the idea of being trapped under rock again didn't make her feel any better, but she followed. The stairway opened up into a massive cavern, with a ceiling so tall she couldn't see the top. Glowing algae growing down from the ceiling gave the illusion of a night sky filled with stars. In the center, surrounded by small fires and candles, a woman with no hair and tattoos covering every inch of her body sat with her head down. The room then filled with the congregation of priests that had been in the meeting room upstairs.
Hemma was uncertain if this was a good idea, letting a seerer look into her soul and announce her future to the room, but her curiosity won out and she approached without resistance. When she entered the circle of flames, the seer's head shot up, and milk coated eyes stared through her. She was directed to sit across from her and then the two were alone in the circle, with an audience of two dozen temple staff and hierarchy.
The seer looked through Hemma, seeming to consider something. She held out her hands, palms up. Two elaborately tattooed eyes stared up at her. "Give me your hands," she rasped, and Hemma hesitantly moved her hands toward the seer's. As soon as the tips of her fingers touched the eyes on her hands, Hemma was thrown out of her body, falling.
