A gentle ocean breeze blew softly through the arched terrace window and filled the small temple chamber with blessed cool air. The palm trees outside the window swayed carelessly against the wind and made a thin fluttering noise. Akrem closed his eyes as he stood and, for a moment, he allowed the gust to caress his naked body. His bronze skin was damp with scented oils and perspiration, and the placid wind was serene and much welcomed.
He held the ornate goblet of wine to his lips and drained it in one large gulp. The wine tingled upon his lips and he licked them, savoring the sweetness of the fruit. The drink's refreshing warmth spread steadily through his lithe, muscular body as he set the goblet down on a modest wooden table next to the girl's untouched dinner. He took his long, dark hair in powerful, dexterous fingers and reset it in a loose top knot, which he tied with a small silk band.
A small, ornate porcelain bowl sat nearby upon a narrow pedestal. Akrem reached for it, and swept his fingers through the cool, fragrant balm it contained. Members of the Faith called this concoction the Ambrosia of the Goddess, and at this point in his life as an Anointed Healer, Akrem had made use of it more times than he could count.
After he had applied a sufficient amount of the ambrosia to his fingers, he turned to where his Holy Charge lay unmoving upon a plush feather bed. Beautifully worked bouquets of flowers surrounded the bed. They were meant to symbolize the Goddess's presence in this place.
A young woman lay at the center of the bed upon sweet-smelling silken sheets. She was fully nude as well, save for lavishly worked golden bracelets that clasped to her wrists and ankles, and a golden lace choker. Her skin was pale, youthful and supple, and shone softly in the day's dying sunlight. Curly locks of chestnut hair spilled across her back to pool on the silken sheets below. She would not gaze upon Akrem, and instead laid on her side with knees drawn tightly to her chest.
Akrem eyed the girl warily. He did not doubt the Goddess's transformative power, only himself. He had been at his task for some time now and, in truth, felt as though he had made little progress. A particularly niggling notion entered his mind, a notion that often christened him unfit to carry out such holy work.
With brow furrowed, he applied the ambrosia slowly to his rigid manhood and ensured a generous coating. The oily salve felt cool upon his skin, and the tender stroking motion spread a familiar pleasurable warmth throughout his body. He gazed upon the girl's slim, soft figure where she lay so plainly rebellious to his intentions. Or perhaps she was only scared. He could not say for sure.
His fingers lingered for a time as he prayed silently. He thanked the Goddess for her role in his own redemption. As he did so, he toyed absentmindedly with the wrought iron ring that tightly encircled the base of his rigid member and left it red and swollen with blood flow. His muscles were tense and taut as well, and his body nagged him for release. But Akrem had a job to do; a holy purpose to fulfill.
"You must allow the Goddess to prick your heart, child," he said softly, his Islander's accent only slightly perceptible. "She wants only your love; your delight. To show you the way of truth and pleasure." There was sincerity in his voice, but the girl remained silent and unmoving. She may have been weeping softly, he could not tell for sure. Gently he approached her and laid a hand lightly on her waist. She whimpered at his touch.
Arkem said another silent prayer before gently pulling the girl from her side to her back. She resisted him at first, though only meekly, before giving way. Tears had streaked her cheeks and her eyes were pink and puffy. She was a pretty girl, and young; no doubt a new Conscript to the Order, a girl of noble birth from some far corner of the empire. Her youthful cherubic face was sullen, but she would be truly beautiful at another time, in another place. Akrem wondered about her, about the path that had led her to him. But now was not the time for such meanderings.
