seymoure

Sacrifices

Grath knew that these men had nothing near his good in their minds, but they were bringing him into the temple, which was where he wanted to be in the first place.

A circle of Priests stood appraising the big man and whispered to each other as he was flung on the floor before them. The Giant began to stand, since he was proud and lying on the ground before these faithless dissemblers, but the swords of the soldiers made him think again.

The tallest of the pale men in silk robes bedecked with gold at every seam took his hand from his mouth and looked at the Chief of the Security Detail and nodded. That man, the largest of the uniformed thugs took Grath’s arm and pulled him up. Then they escorted him away and down a bejewel hallway.

He had never seen wealth put to so much profligate purpose. On these walls and floors were the wonton, lewd, profane and sacrilegious use of the wishes, dreams and prayers of the helpless.

Grath might have fought these men and easily escaped them. He had no doubt that since there were only 6 of them he could make quick work of them. But then they led him to an unbelievably lush parlor.

Tapestries covered every wall and in the center of the room was a massive bath, with tendrils of steam wafting up from it. It had been a long time since he had be able to take a hot bath. It was a luxury that could make a few unthreatening belittlements more than acceptable.

Before he could take another step one of the guards rang a large golden bell near the wall. They left him at that point and pulled the door closed behind him.

He turned toward the pool and then noticed a woman’s face peering out from behind one of the hangings.

He expected that she was waiting for the armed men to leave before she came out, but she disappeared back behind the drapery and there was a moment of silence.

Had she seen him and decided he was just to foul to spend the time with?

A that point he heard the sound of female giggling. Many females giggling!

Then, from all sides more lovely, naked young women appeared carrying silver urns and pitchers and running to him. He had never been dumfounded, but these maidens run laughingly out to take off his robes and lead him into the bath were enough to do it.

While a red-headed vixen anointed him with expensive oils black haired vision washed and brushed his hair. Yet another vestal scrubbed his bath as she sang a bewitching song in a language he had never encountered before. None of these lasses seemed to understand his words.

He found little reason to turn down their attentions, though he would like to find a way to offer them their freedom when all of this was over. He wondered, however, if they would accept. They seemed happy and well taken care of here, while the world without not only wouldn’t understand them, but might have nothing like they were used to too offer them.

Then an older woman came forward. By older it would four or five years. She was still statuesque and exquisite, and there was an air of learning and understanding that he rarely saw beyond his friend without words.

She also was naked. She entered the pool on the far side and walked to him. When she neared the other girls moved back. She moved slowly and elegantly.

She made a gesture and someone brought out a cage with a magnificent white goose in it.

As he had been looking at the goose, she had drawn up on him. She stood before him and reached out both arms to him. Grath held his breath.

The woman put her hands on the top of his head and then pushed him under the water. As he came up the other girls took soapy wash cloths to his face and shoulders.

By the time he had recovered from his surprise the woman repeated the move and rinsed the soap from him. This time he rose with soap in his eyes, and a bit of anger in his mind.

As he opened his mouth to sputteringly say something the older woman shove a piece of something so delectable that his grump was destroyed and he could think of nothing but this savory slice of whatever it was.

He then saw that another of the young ones held a large platter with a circle of bread upon it. The bread was bedecked with a red sauce he did not know, and with crumbled meats and tiny slivers of melted cheese. Someone had invented a food of the Gods and was feeding it to him in the middle of a magnificent bath surrounded by beautiful naked girls.

Well, he decided, he was willing to make sacrifices for this caper. His friends should understand.