Chapter 4: An Unorthodox Penance
They saw it... They all saw my sex, and watched as I disgraced myself. My sanctity as a holy being, as a virgin, gone...
She lifted her shirt to examine her belly, and immediately the purple light flooded the room. The intricate markings glowed as it had last night. Though the intensity died down, she could still feel its warmth around her erogenous zones.
All of it was real, the girl, everything! I really have been cursed!
Oh Goddess, what a mess...
she recoiled, peeling away her soiled panties and sliding them down to her thighs, the lustful juices forming silvery strands. Grabbing a cleaning rag from her nightstand, she reached between her legs to mop her sticky loins. "Aaahhg!" she winced, almost making a pained face at just the slightest touch to her sensitive flower. Attempting to cleanse proved to be a fool's errand, as every touch just sent more fluid out her canal.
She laid on her bed and wept to herself, feeling the open air around her groin. There was no denying any longer, the sins of the flesh gave her undeniable pleasure unlike anything she has ever experienced.
What has happened to me? I can't even cleanse myself without getting aroused? I've become a slave to my own body! What will the academy think when they hear of this?
She collapsed onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling, tears falling down her cheeks. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed the four-point cross above her bed. She locked her fingers together, careful not to stimulate her nethers any further, and wiped the tears out of her eyes.
Oh Goddess...
Oh Goddess, please forgive me of my sins and my transgressions, and save me from my temptations,
the paladin prayed, albeit from an unorthodox position with her legs spread eagle.
She rose from her bed slowly and took a deep breath.
I cannot let my values falter. I cannot let this curse tempt me. I am a holy paladin, the voice of the Goddess herself.
Standing up, she slipped out of her soiled undergarments and carefully shimmied into a fresh pair.
I must repent for my transgressions, by going out and confessing my sins. Goddess, please guide me through the darkness.
...
The overcast clouds turned the sky gray. Artessia stepped out of her tent wearing her silvery steel armor and took another deep breath. The open air helped to soothe her urges, at least for the moment. She tried to look natural, hoping that her presence would go unnoticed, but her golden locks were unmistakable. Immediately upon walking through the crowd she received suspicious stares and whispers around her from the camp followers and the other soldiers as she stepped through the crowd.
"Is it true? She really fell to the floor and started frigging herself?" mumbled a soldier to one of his mates, grinning.
"She was a deviant all along! It's no wonder the Goddess no longer listens! How can we expect someone like her to protect us?" whined a woman, staring suspiciously.
The muttering continued wherever she walked. Somehow, these comments were magnitudes worse than cat calls straight to her face, causing the paladin to blush. But she stood strong.
I must endure this. This is my penance, my path to forgiveness.
Artessia sighed and hung her head as she marched her way towards the center of the camp, doing her best to ignore the negative remarks.
She slipped into her commander's tent. The room had several books lined across the shelves of the walls, mostly military manuals or treatises. Commander Briggs, along with several other officers in uniform, were standing in front of the desk, smoking cigars and discussing battle plans while staring intently at a pile of maps and notes containing orders given to them from high command.
"Hello, commander," droned Vera, saluting weakly.
"Vera! Where the hell have you been? You look terrible!" exclaimed the commander, tall as ever. Looking over to the other officers he ordered, "Men, let's have this discussion some other time."
The men stared suspiciously at Vera and murmured as they left the room. Meanwhile the commander stepped forward to speak to Vera face-to-face. Vera was blushing. She fidgeted and avoided eye contact, afraid to speak the truth. She knew what she had to say, but the words struggled to come out of her mouth.
But before she could say a word, the commander placed a firm hand on her shoulder, startling her. Intensely, he told her, "Listen very carefully, Artessia. There's been a nasty rumor going on about you, and I have my serious doubts about whether any of it is true or not. Can you tell me what's going on?"
She paused for a moment, looking nervous. I must tell him, my shame is my penance.
At last, she confessed, "T-they are true, sir. I... I did engage in an act of indecent exposure. After I finished my rounds of prayers this morning, I... I masturbated in front of the soldiers, near the infirmary," she answered, face turning red.
He paused for a moment contemplating her response, looking confused. "Now, why the hell would you do that?"
"The truth is," she said, hesitating. "Sir, this is going to sound outlandish, but... I believe I've been cursed."
"Cursed, eh?" he exclaimed. His eyes grew wide, and he took another big puff from his cigar. "That's a new one. What does it look like? Has it injured you in any way? When did this happen?"
"Last night, I saw a young girl in the camp; she kissed me, right here on the side of the face," she explained, sheepishly indicating where. "Since then, strange symbols have been appearing on my womb. It hasn't injured me per se, but I believe it has had an effect on my lust."
"I see," he said, rubbing his chin while holding out his cigar. "Well, considering it doesn't present any mortal danger, I won't be dismissing you right this second. Besides, this front could collapse at any second without you, cursed or not.
She looked shocked. "Sir, I've been having severe urges, unlike anything I've ever felt before. Against my will, I cannot resist the desire to touch myself. I... I don't know if I can continue my duties as holy paladin."
He sighed, then stared her directly in the eyes. "Vera, know this. You are an important asset to this encampment, something those poor bastards fail to realize. I've seen you lay your life on the line. Without you, this entire camp falls apart, both defensively, and mentally."
She blushed harder, feeling conflicted.
"Hmmm," he grunted, thinking. "A curse, huh. High command told us to keep an eye out for stuff like that, I thought it was just a load of crap. Guess I was wrong. I'll call some backup, someone who can help us out with this sort of thing, and maybe cover for you. For now, just lay low. Don't tell anyone about your curse, it'll only cause a panic. If there are any issues I'll keep in touch. Dismissed."
"S-sir... Shouldn't something be done about my transgressions?" she spoke, voice wavering as she stirred in her armor. As she spoke, she felt the energy within her surging, threatening to bring her to her knees again.
"I'm sorry?" he asked, for the first time looking confused.
"Sins of the flesh are forbidden for an ordained person like me," she explained. She looked up at her commander with an embarrassed, yet pleading expression. "Sir, it is my opinion that I should be punished for my mistakes."
"Heh, I mean..." he replied, chuckling nervously.
"Please sir, my guilt will not subside until I receive punishment," she murmured as she leaned in a little closer, sounding strangely desperate.
He placed a hand on her shoulder, preventing her from getting any closer. "Listen, Artessia. You're a good girl. I know you wouldn't do something like this. That curse is the one deserving of punishment, not you.
