Chapter 63: Coming to the Altar

Ann had calmed down. A mug of ale and some food in her stomach soothed her confusion and frustration down to a simmer. She’d badger the mysterious smith another day.

They’d received word from one of the guards escorting them that the Temple was ready to meet.

“So, Bren, you’re familiar with all this,” Ann started. “What am I getting into here?”

“Hard to say, really,” Bren admitted, sipping a drink of his own. “You are a representative of their Goddess, ordained and directly given a mission. In most cases, this is likely to make you a leader and one of, if not the most important person in the religious order. Not to mention we seem to be receiving visitations.”

“Ugh, that’s going to be tough to deal with,” Ann grumbled. “I don’t think I’m really, well, old enough to lead, to be frank. I’m in my twenties, and have a month’s worth of experience in this time. Hells, I’m lucky the culture isn’t drastically different, like this Bortislav Empire.”

“I mean, you might not have to do any of that?” Rosalyn offered, squeezing Ann’s hand in support. “They’ve got leaders and established people who can deal with all that. From what you told me, Orenous said to be her representative, or something like that, and to do what you’re doing. You’ve gotta wear the colours, but it doesn’t mean you have to fully commit to the Temple itself. Maybe they’ll be ok with some little chores here and there?”

“Well, we’re not gonna find out if we sit around gettin’ our knickers in a twist,” Kat said, standing as she clapped the table with her palms. “C’mon. This is politickin’ an’ is all you, pup.”

“Gee, thanks.” Ann laughed wryly.

It was a decently long walk to the Temple District. Like the one in Graven Keep, it was arranged around a central courtyard, or lawn. It reminded her of the National Mall, when she’d visited the United States. This version was a lot prettier, though. Rock gardens dotted the open space, water features spraying glittering rainbows over passersby. Grass, despite the lack of natural light, grew abundantly, cut through by stone paths that arced and crisscrossed between the various temples.

In addition to the nine that Annita had been introduced to prior, were several other temples. They were smaller and clustered around the larger temples.

Noticing her glancing around, Bren nudged her. “Minor deities associated with the major,” he explained. “Several can be considered aligned with one or the other. In a city as big as this, and considering Korvas is the capital, we try to be inclusive. Not to mention, some structures are for housing and other utilitarian purposes. A large population requires a larger body of priests and priestesses, and they all need somewhere to sleep.”

“Ah, that makes sense. Weren’t the minor gods all grouped up into the ninth temple at the Keep?” Ann asked.

“Yes, but that is more because of the population and the utility of the city. With restricting walls, and being primarily a defensive position, the grounds were planned to conserve space. Like Korvas, Indelholm has an enormous district dedicated to the gods. Thalten, with its more rural population, is more subdued.”

“And I’m guessing that’s for us,” Ann mumbled, noticing a gaggle of priests and priestesses outside a temple, chattering excitedly. They were just outside her hearing, but their clothing made things obvious.

The robes of the Temple of Orenous were bright purple, the colour of their Goddess. The men wore garments similar to togas, with loose flowing fabric wrapped over one shoulder and fastened with a belt to preserve some modesty. Women, similarly, were done up in fabric that hugged their forms much like the ones Britt wore back in the Keep. One thing she noticed was that everyone there was fit. Even the elderly among the gaggle of priests had toned bodies, well kept by regular exercise.

They were noticed before long, an excitable priest running up to them. “Your highness,” the Bultrong man bowed, his long chestnut hair draping around his face. “We were told of your visit today. Apologies for the crowd, but it’s not every day we have royalty visit.”

“Nae, nae, it’s fine,” Kat sighed. “Probably shoulda expected this. We’re seein’ the High Priestess, right? What was her actual title…” Kat trailed off, trying to come up with the word.

“Mother Superior,” the priest filled in her thought. “Mother Superior is waiting for you, yes. Through the gardens and in the temple. We have a private audience chamber past the Copulation Halls, which she has reserved.”

Ann stumbled in place. Kat turned beet red, and Rosalyn just looked confused.

“Sorry, copulation halls?” Ann stammered, trying to make sure she heard that right.

“Oh, yeah, not something people outside the religion really know of. We’re all priests and priestesses of the Goddess. She’s very keen on certain tenets which encourage, um, attractiveness. We are all only mortal, and desires are bound to bloom. According to the histories I’ve read, there were issues with the clergy getting too familiar in the boarding halls, and too many surprises walking into a room. Thus, the Copulation Halls were introduced to offer specific privacy.”

“That’s… what the fuck?” Ann asked. She knew Orenous was a bit of a pervert, judging by her teasing Kat, but wasn’t aware this was shared by her followers. Who the hell was she about to meet?

“It’s really not so big a deal. Really. Anyway, let’s get you all inside and to your meeting, yes?”

They followed the man as he led the party proudly, chest puffed out as he walked. The gathered clergy made way, but Ann picked up their whispers. Speculation on Kat’s relation to her and Rosalyn, whispers from the women and a few of the men about Bren. It was all flattering, but supremely embarrassing, being paraded around like a marvel.

They were led through the main cathedral, skirting the pews full of worshippers. It was magnitudes more busy than Graven Keep’s. Ann guessed being a military town made the Goddess of Love less popular than others like Illdall.

While this could be seen as a High Temple or something like it, Ann did see people from all walks of life here. She spotted a couple that looked like they were farmers or labourers sitting in a pew besides a pair of finely dressed men as they listened to the priest’s sermon. The contrast made her feel a bit better about things, and the Church’s views in general. She even spotted a few children running around the heels of several priests and priestesses, giggling and playing as they went.

“Love in all forms,” Ann chuckled as she watched a priest scoop up a passing kid, swinging her through the air before setting her down to continue her play.

“Aye. Never been ‘ere meself,” Kat admitted, “but it’s a lot livelier than I expected it tae be.”

“We try to keep things as pleasant as possible,” their guide informed them. “Like other temples I’ve visited, we teach about all forms of Orenous’ domain.”

Ann recalled Britt saying they essentially had become therapists as well as a church, so that made sense. Empathy had to be pretty fundamental for someone of this calling.

Taking a couple passages to their left, they passed closed doors, but a few were left open. They were mostly occupied by tables, books, chairs, and other things you’d expect in an office. Some had altars for more private worship. As they passed a row with clear markings on the door that indicated occupation, they passed an open one that held nothing but a bed.

Moving on, and decidedly pushing thoughts of using said rooms from her mind, Ann focused on the doors that their guide had led them to. They weren’t anything fancy, but how deep into the Temple they were provided some level of security.

“One moment,” their guide said, knocking before entering.

They waited only a few seconds before he opened the door and ushered them through.

The meeting room was comfortable. A large desk stood at the opposite side of the room, backed by a stained glass window depicting a nude woman in repose. Sconces evenly spaced around the stone walls held soft illumination crystals that gave the room a clear, but not overly bright, lighting. Before the desk were a pair of couches, eschewing chairs, to sit on for guests.

“Thank you, Matthias,” the woman sitting on the desk said calmly. “That will be all. You may return to your duties. Do tell Margaret to make sure she is on time for her sermon today.”

“Oh, I will, Mother Superior,” Matthias, which appeared to be the name of their guide, said as he bowed and left.

“Annita. Welcome to the Temple. I hope the crowd didn’t put you off.”

The woman addressed her first, not something Ann was used to. Normally, they all started with Kat, but this wasn’t just anyone. She was a Thrundol, and a fine example of her race at that. Her arms and legs were long, with flawless olive green skin. Her body was curvy, but fit like the rest of her denomination, and she proudly showed off her arms in her sleeveless robes. She had an angular face with a pointed chin and hawkish features. Two long, polished tusks split her lips as they jutted from her mouth, accentuating the intensity of her face. She looked like a bird of prey in somewhat human form. Then she smiled, and that intimidation melted away in one of the warmest gazes Ann had met.

“Oh, did Matthias not give my name? My apologies. I am Rowena, Mother Superior of the Temple of Orenous. I hear we have a lot to discuss,” she said, keeping that warm smile. “But first, let us dispense this tension. Come here, child.” She stood, spreading her arms welcomingly to Ann.

Looking around nervously, Ann accepted the embrace. It was kept chaste, and when she was released, the tension in her was noticeably reduced.

“A simple spell that helps calm the mind,” Rowena explained. “Apologies for not warning you, but I find it works best that way. Come, sit, sit. I expected to speak with you, Annita, but not Princess Katlyn and Bren Hedera as well. Apologies, however, I do not know your name?” she asked Rosalyn.

“Rosalyn. Rosalyn Losenska,” Rosalyn introduced herself, bowing deeply before the Mother Superior. “I’ve never been anywhere like this. It’s so big and beautiful! You really have a lot of people here. How many? How much is all of this?”

“I am sorry to say that is something I leave to the priests in charge of our books. I do not know the full details of cost,” Rowena answered smoothly, re-taking her seat on the desk rather than behind it. “We have well over one hundred priests and priestesses residing with us at any one time. And thank you, we do try to live up to our Lady’s image.”

Ann relaxed further as Rowena smoothly engaged in Rosalyn’s myriad questions. Her excitable girlfriend rattled off a few more before she realised she’d sidetracked the conversation.

“So, um,” Ann spoke up as Rosalyn finished her hasty apologies. “I’m not really sure where to start here.”

“Well, first I suggest you sit,” Rowena chuckled, gesturing to the couches. Ann, Kat and Rosalyn took the one couch while Bren sat on his own. The Mother Superior raised an eyebrow at this, but didn’t comment further. “I must confess, the King and Queen were rather tight lipped about the reason we should be meeting. Their insistence piqued my curiosity, but that is all I have. Curiosity. Who are you, Annita Kronforst?”

“Well, time to go over this again,” Ann sighed. She took her time, pacing herself as she walked Rowena through her meeting and conversations with Orenous. She shared her Path, her Title, but no more than that, and she kept her real age to herself. It wasn’t relevant to the woman.

Rowena listened intently, her focus solidifying the moment Ann mentioned meeting Orenous directly. Her bright yellow eyes held a myriad of questions she thankfully kept until the end.

Ann slumped as she finished her story, Kat and Rosalyn doing their parts in comforting her.

“We do have much to discuss,” Rowena murmured. “They were right. Goddess, this is momentous. Not only have we received a declared Champion of our Lady, but one with a divine mission to solve the curse which plagues our world.”

“Yeah, figured this’d be a shock to you. It’s been a shock to literally everyone I’ve told,” Ann laughed, slowly recovering in her girlfriends’ embrace.

“An understatement, for sure. Well, I believe the first course of action is to inform you that the Temple of Orenous offers you its full support, should you need it. We are not a martial denomination. However, we have connections throughout this kingdom and beyond. I must ask, being from the far north, how familiar are you with our order’s customs?”

“Completely unfamiliar,” Ann said flatly. This is what she was nervous about. What was she going to be asked to do here?

Rowena raised her eyes to the ceiling, taking a moment to think. “Very well. There is much and more you should know. We will start with the basics of the Temple and our tenets. Orenous was right, we are first and foremost a congregation focused on spreading and encouraging the love between people at all stages of life. While most have the misconception that we focus on the romantic, we include familial, self, and various other types.”

“Our Lady, as you know, also claims the domain of the mind. As such, we work closely with the Qu’Sella Temple, aiming to assist our followers in creating a healthy mind to accompany a healthy heart. Oftentimes we will be asked to provide counsel on difficulties in relationships, kinships, etcetera. We are called to listen openly, to be the safe place for our followers to bare their hearts. We take all comers, from the poorest farmer to the royal family.”

“So, I have to ask,” Ann said, raising her hand. “I get the emotional stuff, and that’s all really forward facing, but Orenous was really keen on the sex thing too.”

“Ah, yes,” Rowena said, blushing slightly. “Forgive me, I fell into the routine explanation. We also aid with other more lascivious matters. Yes, we encourage carnal relations between all who are willing. It is, well, a controversial portion of our tenets. There are some of the more conservative viewpoint that relations should be between loving partners, and while valid, is not the limit to the broad spectrum of our faith. You seem to be exemplifying one such point,” Rowena smirked at the three women on the couch. “A trio such as yours will draw attention, but not overmuch. My compliments in, from my brief observance, a harmonious union.”

“Thanks,” all three responded, blushing in their own ways.

“It just kind of happened,” Ann confessed. “Orenous may be pushing for it, in fact. She gave me a skill that gets stronger the more partners I have.”

“Oh, really?” the Mother Superior almost purred. “Then I am shocked you are only at two partners so far. To be blunt, are you seeking more?”

Ann sputtered, blushing furiously as she tried to get her brain to work. Was the woman coming on to her? Was she implying something else? Unbidden, she felt her cock stirring beneath her kilt, rising out of embarrassment and the cocktail of other emotions.

“Please, be at ease,” Rowena said smoothly. “It is a matter we must consider. I have a mind to announce your presence for what it is to our following, and I do mean our following. Given your direct contact with the Goddess, you rank alongside myself. If you are open to taking on more lovers, I would appreciate the knowledge to better shape the message and image we wish to present to the people.”

“I… not for now? I kind of like how we are, but, well, we’ve got an agreement. Any additions only happen with everyone’s consent,” Ann explained, squeezing Kat and Rosalyn’s hands. “So, yes, but also no.”

“Complicated, and personal, but it works well. I approve. The rarity of a trio like yours will already open the question of further partners, so I do not believe it will be too much of a problem.”

“Hey,” Ann interrupted Rowena’s train of thought. “what are you getting out of all of this? So far it seems like you’ve been listing things that just benefit me, and work on setting me up. What about you and your church?”

“Ah, yes. I will be honest, as that is the core of all fruitful relationships. Firstly, the status of the Temple will be elevated. Having an active champion ordained by our Goddess will increase our standing with the people and kingdom. Second, increased influence leads to a larger following, further tithes, and greater ability to spread the word of the Goddess. Third, such a force within our Temple will provide sway within the political sphere of the kingdom. As it is now, Korvas remains a kingdom of might, due largely to the high amount of Seeds populating our borders, and the higher risk caused by swarms. We aim to bolster the softer side of the kingdom. The intellectual and the romantic.”

“I… see,” Ann drawled, taking her time to process the information. It didn’t seem bad. The elevation of the Temple was just going to be a natural state of things. She held worries that the position could be abused, but with other deities and Temples being in such close correspondence, she doubted that would happen. If it did, it’d be corrected quickly. Hells, she’d help.

The increase in wealth to spread their word made sense, too. Running a Temple cost money, and the more people they served, the more priests they needed to train, house, feed, transport, and provide a living wage for activities outside the temple. People needed outlets.

The last point was the part she was least clear on. She guessed that was largely due to her complete obliviousness regarding the political state of Korvas. It didn’t help that Kremdol was about the most politically minded person she’d met so far, and she’d just had breakfast with the man. Kat and Polaris were both reluctant to engage with that sphere. Bren, while probably more aware, was less interested. Rosalyn, well, she was about as outside as Ann was. Rowena’s description didn’t sound like a bad thing, though.

“Alright. I guess that sounds fine. Now, big question, what do you need from me?”