True Fall peerless in record. Perhaps they should not have been surprised when the maiden made straight for the bath, dropping her gown almost upon the threshold. The youngest of the priests had only time enough to empty but four of the heated pots into the icy waters before she stepped into the pool. The remaining were slowly poured around the Lady as she sank into the sank into the sacred bath, breathing in the fragrant steam as the heat released the Oils.
“She is ready,” Master Heron said solemnly. She had settled into the water and was resting peacefully.
The maidens about the room danced to music unheard and offered wine to guard and priest alike. The guards accepted and allowed themselves to be led about by the maidens while the priests heroically ignored the seductive attentions.
“Come,” the Master ordered. “It is time.”
The priests positioned themselves about the bath with the Master at her head, and at his direction laid hands upon her in turn, stroking gently or applying pressure. As she responded to the sensations, the Master began to chant, slowly, rhythmically, continuing to direct the others. Some continued as before while others he led to produce a steady pulsing in the water in time with the chant. As her excitement rose, so did the volume and speed of the chant, now recited by all. Twice the Master paused the ritual, allowing the Lady to rest, once ordering snow from one of the surrounding pots to be added slowly at certain points above her skin, until at last ecstasy overcame her and the ritual came to a close.
“Come,” the Master said once more, “it is time we joined the feast.” He turned to the guards and the remaining maidens, “see that her every desire is met.”
Before he could reach the exit, the Lady began to move once more, as though the ritual continued. It was quite common that the Lady should desire flesh within the same evening, but never had her excitement rebuilt while remaining in the sacred waters. The Master rushed back to her side and ordered the priests to resume the ritual. As her blood rose once more, one of the maidens collapsed in ecstasy where she stood, then another urgently pressed herself against a guard with a fervor unprecedented in the Awakened. The maidens turned to each other, to the guards, to the priests with undeniable appetite and the Master released those
“She is ready,” Master Heron said solemnly. She had settled into the water and was resting peacefully.
The maidens about the room danced to music unheard and offered wine to guard and priest alike. The guards accepted and allowed themselves to be led about by the maidens while the priests heroically ignored the seductive attentions.
“Come,” the Master ordered. “It is time.”
The priests positioned themselves about the bath with the Master at her head, and at his direction laid hands upon her in turn, stroking gently or applying pressure. As she responded to the sensations, the Master began to chant, slowly, rhythmically, continuing to direct the others. Some continued as before while others he led to produce a steady pulsing in the water in time with the chant. As her excitement rose, so did the volume and speed of the chant, now recited by all. Twice the Master paused the ritual, allowing the Lady to rest, once ordering snow from one of the surrounding pots to be added slowly at certain points above her skin, until at last ecstasy overcame her and the ritual came to a close.
“Come,” the Master said once more, “it is time we joined the feast.” He turned to the guards and the remaining maidens, “see that her every desire is met.”
Before he could reach the exit, the Lady began to move once more, as though the ritual continued. It was quite common that the Lady should desire flesh within the same evening, but never had her excitement rebuilt while remaining in the sacred waters. The Master rushed back to her side and ordered the priests to resume the ritual. As her blood rose once more, one of the maidens collapsed in ecstasy where she stood, then another urgently pressed herself against a guard with a fervor unprecedented in the Awakened. The maidens turned to each other, to the guards, to the priests with undeniable appetite and the Master released those
