This is all set-up; no sex. Some of the characters are children, but they do not engage in any sexual activity.
*****
"IN THE TIME of our grandfather's grandfather's grandfather," the High Priest began, "came the time of the Great Drought."
He gazed down at the twelve young women hanging on his every word, and behind his white mask he smiled.
"Famine held our fair city in its cruel grip. Disease and pestilence ravaged the people. Our enemies gathered round like vultures, eager to pounce on the corpse of our beloved Mulvadora."
Orchid was spellbound, her blue eyes wide and staring, her hands clasped tightly at her waist. She knew this story by heart-it was the basis of her society and her culture-but to hear it from the High Priest, on this, the eve of her Sacrifice, was a transcendent experience.
"It seemed our city and our people were doomed. Fear and hopelessness ruled the land. The future could hold only suffering, conquest, enslavement, and cold death."
The girls barely breathed, held spellbound by the melodic, dramatic voice of the Priest.
"And then we were saved."
Orchid could feel herself smiling, her eyes misty with rapture.
"Out of the darkness and despair came the First God, Ardell."
"Chulda," she responded automatically upon hearing the Great God's name, as did the other eleven girls. So did their two Teachers and the lesser Priests gathered round them, creating a soft, beautiful chorus.
"The Great God promised Mulvadora prosperity and peace if we would only love him, worship him, pay tribute to him, and have faith in him."
The Priest's masked gaze raked over his listeners.
"Do you?" he asked simply.
"YES!" came the eager, unhesitant reply.
The Priest nodded, satisfied.
"The God kept his word. He brought us his Companions-first, gentle Puldell and bright Startra, the gods of Rain and Sun, to end the drought and nurture our crops. Hard-working Rozelia and wise Newlan, the gods of Farming and Knowledge, came to show us the best ways to ensure bountiful harvests. And vigorous Harstell, the god of Health, gave our doctors and healers the tools they needed to end the plagues."
The High Priest paused for drama, and when he began to speak again his voice was low and ominous.
"When our enemies saw we were no longer on the verge of catastrophe, they howled their rage and frustration at being denied easy spoils-and their armies converged on our city from three sides."
"And we were saved again!" he cried. "Ardell (Chulda came the reply) called on fierce Blazell. With his mighty sword, the god of War threw our enemies back whence they came."
Orchid felt on the verge of sobs. Had any people ever been so blessed?
"It seems that once every generation, some Princedom sees our city, living in peace and prosperity with no standing army, and thinks to conquer and subdue us. Each time, might Blazell answers the challenge!"
"Secure inside our city, we welcomed the rest of the Great God's companions. Tender Darella and caring Tottle, the gods of Love and Children, helped our families thrive and our city to grow. Playful Spira brought joy and laughter to our land, and golden Forbell the gifts of wealth and prosperity."
The Priest paused and bowed his head. It seemed even he was nearly overcome with emotion.
"And finally, when we had proven our devotion, Ardell (Chulda) gave us the greatest gift of all. Welcoming, forgiving Sayennit, the god of Heaven, blessed each of us with an afterlife in paradise."
He looked at the twelve Tributes. Beneath his mask, his eyes were kind, and his voice was tender and paternal.
"You brave, darling girls. You are the key to our city's happiness. You have been chosen by the gods to take as their own. Tomorrow," he half-turned and waved a hand at the massive stone door behind him, "you will go through the Gateway and be welcomed into the bosom of Heaven."
Now salty tears did slide from Orchid's eyes, and her heart swelled with pride at her role, and love for her people and her gods.
"You go with our love, our blessings, and our gratitude. Your names will never be forgotten."
The High Priest dropped to one knee, and after a moment so did everyone else, ending the ceremony with the traditional, silent prayer.
Orchid prayed for bravery. More than anything in the world, she wanted to go through the Gate with her head held high and a smile on her face.
XXXXXXXXXX
That night, after ten years of living at the Tribute's School, the girls stayed in a communal room that was part of the Great Temple.
It was a bittersweet night, filled with hugs and tears. The day before, they had said goodbye to eight of their Sisters. This night, they said their last goodbyes to their beloved Teachers, Lord Sullivan and Lady Clara, who had cared for them, supervised them, nurtured them, and occasionally chastised them since they were first Chosen.
Once a year, after the weather turned cool and the harvest feasts were finished, all the girls of the city that had passed ten harvests were gathered in the temple of Darella. Twenty were chosen to be taken to the School, where they would be loved and protected for ten years.
Then twelve of the twenty would be offered to the gods. The other eight would join the Council of Love, advising the Priests and the city government alike, aided by revelations from the gods themselves.
Girls who had been Chosen but not sacrificed held very high status in Mulvadora, and were prized as wives.
Finally, far later than they were usually allowed to stay up, a very young junior Priest poked his head into the room.
"Five minutes to lights out," he said quietly and respectfully.
Orchid went around the room one last time, hugging each of her beloved Sisters-fiery Magenta, her sharp tongue stilled by the magnitude of the upcoming day; gentle Wisteria, who never got in trouble; beautiful Gem; shy, petite Ornament; dark-haired Midnight, who could make anyone laugh, even Priests and Teachers; Flower, who's smile lit up any room; Lily, by far the smartest of the group; adorable Thistle, who could tease you without hurting your feelings; Heather, always so cool and controlled; Heart, who could always think of something fun to do; and finally her first and best friend Breath.
There were no words big enough on such a night. The girls squeezed each other with warmth and affection, their tears wetting each other's hair and shoulders. They had grown up together, laughed and learned and even fought sometimes.
And tomorrow it would be all over.
Surprisingly, it was little Ornament, usually the quietest of the group, that had the last word as they slipped into their beds.
"I prayed today that we would all be together in Heaven," she said in her soft voice.
Orchid was sure she wasn't the only one who went to sleep with tears drying on her face.
XXXXXXXXXX
She dreamed of her first days at the School.
She hadn't expected to be Chosen. There were dozens of girls prettier, smarter, anything-er than she was. But the gods didn't just pick the smartest or the prettiest. They picked the Right girls.
She could barely remember the rest of that day. She went back home with her family, back to the small farm that had been her home her entire life, and amidst tears of both joy and sorrow, they had packed a few of her things to take with her.
It was after dark, about the time she would normally have been saying her prayers and going to bed, that the carriage came for her. The driver gave her just enough time to hug her parents and older brothers one last time, then helped her aboard.
She stuck her little head out the window and watched her old life vanish in the distance, each thud of the horse's hooves taking her into the unknown, and her tears flowed freely.
There was no one there to comfort her. Alone in the small coach, she wrapped her arms around her knees and silently prayed.
And the next thing she knew, the driver was gently shaking her awake.
"We're here, sweetheart," he said, and his voice was soft with awe. They were at the gates of the School.
She had only seen the School from the outside. No one ever went in except the Chosen girls, their Teachers, and Priests of Tottle.
