Outside the temple, the afternoon sun shone radiantly, illuminating ornate hewn marble columns. Fragrant garlands were draped from every crossbeam, the heady scent of summer blossoms filling the air. Inside the sanctuary, a group of priestesses waited, clad in modest gowns the color of new cream, their voices raised in sweet harmony with the breeze.
Slowly, the crowds before the altar parted and the lilting chant came to an end. The young woman stopped before the altar and knelt, her dark unbound hair spilling over her shoulders beneath a coronet of roses.
"Daughter," Solara the High Priestess intoned in a husky voice, "you come before the altar of Eros. What blessings do you seek?"
Nilani the general's daughter raised her head and smiled serenely. "Oh beloved Priestess, I seek not Eros' blessing, but entrance to his Divine Order. I seek to praise the beauty of Aphrodite, 'ere the end of my days." The ritual words rang out in the surrounding silence.
"General Oeticles, do you permit the dedication of your daughter to Eros? Do you relinquish her freely and vouch for her maidenhood?"
A few steps away, the General nodded once, his stern countenance softened by gentle affection. "Aye, I swear it so Priestess."
Solara's smile broadened and she offered Nilani her hand. "Come, daughter of Aphrodite, come and see the wonders of the god."
************
The inner sanctuary smelled of roses and exotic oils, its gold-veined marble walls softened by rich weavings depicting the life of Eros. Nilani fidgeted with her sash, at once apprehensive and even more determined.
"This way, daughter," Solara led her down another small corridor. "Are you ready to dedicate yourself to the god?"
"Aye."
"Don't be frightened. The god wishes you no harm, daughter," her voice was kind in the shadows of the corridor. "Ahh, here we are." They stopped in the portico of a room lit from above, sunlight streaming in the latticework ceiling. An oddly-shaped altar lay within, the smooth marble edges softened with pure white linen cloths and feather pillows. Solara gently closed the door behind them, locking it with an iron key from her girdle.