Chapter 19 | The Queen Who Ruled by Herself

Preparations and Hesitations

When Temmin arrived at the Temple, Senik took him to the Supplicants' Chamber. No one was there, but Temmin noticed two of the alcoves had been opened and their wide beds were made up. The braziers had the room as warm as ever, and he tugged at his collar.

"All this baggage," said Senik. "Did you think you were moving in? And yes, I got your man's note as to what you are to wear tonight and tomorrow," he finished, clacking his tongue in annoyance. "Does he really think anyone's going to be paying attention to what you have on, let alone how long you're likely to have it on?"

"I did try to tell him," said Temmin apologetically. "Where is everyone?"

"Anda and Bessa are around here somewhere, probably helping the staff set up in the garden," said Senik distractedly. "They know they have to be back here soon to help Allis get ready. You will be helping me with Issak."

"Me? Well, I s'pose I can tie another man's cravat. I might have to put it over my own head first, mind."

"Don't be a dolt," snapped Senik, poking at a brazier with a kettle over it. "Do you honestly think Issak will be wearing a cravat? Or anything else, for that matter?"

"I'm sure I don't know," said Temmin, hurt. "I've never been to a Spectacle and no one will tell me what happens."

Senik sighed. "I'm sorry, Temmin Supplicant. Spectacle days are always hectic around here and I get myself worked up. Would you care for tea?"

"Yes, please," said Temmin. He didn't really care for tea, but it was something to do, and perhaps he could finally find out more about what was to happen from Senik; the vagueness was beginning to get to him. He watched the overly-handsome Postulant carefully prepare the tea and pour it into cups. "So," he began, "if Issak won't be wearing much--ehm, or anything--what kind of preparing do we have to help him with?"

Senik sipped the hot tea and grinned. "For me, it's very nearly the best part, helping the Embodiment get ready. There hasn't been a male Supplicant in a few years, so Postulants usually help with the Embodiment of Nerr. I began fetching and carrying for it in the last two years Hendas and Idia served as Embodiments, the pair before the Obbys. Last year I was able to work directly with Issak, and this year I will be the lead."

"I still don't understand the appeal. Is it just that it's an honor?"

"Oh, no," laughed Senik. "It's the one chance I have all year to get Issak exactly where I want him. You'll see."

Temmin rotated his cup in his hands. "And after we, ehm, prepare Issak, what happens then?"

"Then we take him to the Garden. I'll stay with him and you'll sit with Bessa and the Most Highs. Anda will stay with Allis. Once the Chase begins, Anda and I will join you."

"All right. And then?"

Senik shrugged. "Issak chases Allis until he catches her. She gets a head start, never worry. It'd be a pretty short Chase otherwise, he's quite a bit taller."

"So he catches Allis. Then what?"

"If Neya and Nerr haven't possessed them completely, they'll end the Chase up on the stage, but that rarely happens. Usually they just End the Chase--make love--wherever they happen to be, and the people find them and watch. There have to be witnesses, and those who see it are considered specially blessed. People rotate, so that everyone in the crowd has a chance to see if they wish. The Holy Ones can keep going a long time."

"Wait--possessed? Like in ghost stories?" said Temmin.

"That's what it means to be an Embodiment, ultimately," said Senik patiently. "All of the Embodiments are possessed by the Gods in their Spectacles. Sometimes they're possessed at other times, too; it depends on the Embodiment and his God. There was the time about a hundred years ago when the Embodiment of Farr was possessed. He went on a rampage and didn't remember a bit of it. Came to, they say, in a pile of bodies, raping a dead woman."

"Well!" said Temmin. "That's cheerful! What happened to him?"

"The Sisters tried to help him once he was himself again, but he was so distraught that he stole a knife and killed himself the next day. But never worry. Any time the Lovers take over an Embodiment, it just leads to a great deal of incredibly good sex with anyone who happens to come within arm's reach."

"How is that different from the usual around here?" said Temmin.

"Trust me, it's different," said Senik, pouring them a second cup of tea. "Now. What you're really wondering is what's going to happen to you. Am I right?"

"It had crossed my mind," admitted Temmin.

"When the End of the Chase is through, and the Lovers have left the Holy Ones enough for them to think straight, they'll return to the stage and call you up. You had better be there, too," said Senik sternly. "Anda, Bessa and I will be in charge of making sure you receive the blessing of viewing the End of the Chase and then getting you back to the stage in time."

"And?" said Temmin encouragingly.

Senik sat back among the pillows and hesitated. "And then," he said, "the Holy Ones will ask you if you have a gift for the Gods and you'll say yes."

"All right," said Temmin, screwing up his face in concentration, though it wouldn't be that hard to remember to say "yes," he thought. "Then what?"

"They'll ask you what is the gift, and you will answer, yourself. Well, you'll say 'myself,' but you understand what I mean." He watched Temmin committing it to memory, and then added gently, "Then you must allow them to undress you before the assembly."

Temmin stood bolt upright. "I beg your pardon?! I don't think so!"

Senik took his hand and urged him back down. "I know, it sounds horrid right now, being naked in front of everyone when you're not used to it, but in the heat of the moment, you won't mind, believe me."

"No. No, no, no, no," said Temmin, shaking his head vigorously. "I thought I wouldn't have to do anything out in public!"

"You won't!" soothed Senik. "Nothing but the undressing. Once you're undressed, they'll lead you back into the Temple. Anda, Bessa and I will be waiting to serve you, but it'll be just you and the Holy Ones for the taking of your virginity."

Temmin gave his head one last shake. How strange to hear that listed as an agenda item, he thought. "No one would tell me what was to happen for fear I mightn't agree to it," he said aloud.

"It's not too late to back out if you wish," said Senik gently. "I can call a Beloved in here right now and you can have it all over with in ten minutes or less."

"Have what all over with?"

"Your virginity. A Beloved could take your virginity and it would break your obligations to the Temple. You wouldn't have to go through the ceremony tonight."

Temmin thought on it. It was a tempting idea, much more tempting than the thought of standing stark naked in front of every top citizen of the capital, not to mention his own parents. "What happens if I do?"

"Your relationship with the Temple would be severed. That means you would no longer be a Supplicant. Your relationship with Allis and Issak would be severed and couldn't be resumed. You would break a vow, and rather than bringing good fortune to the kingdom you would bring sorrow."

"No pressure there," mutttered Temmin.

"No," agreed Senik placidly.

Temmin sighed. "I s'pose there's nothing to do, then, but go through with it. I wish I could talk with Alllis and Issak about it. I'd feel much better about the whole thing."

Senik shook his head firmly. "They're in seclusion for the time being. This is not easy on them, either, Temmin Supplicant. Just remember that."

"Our second Spectacle," sighed Allis as she soaked in the hot baths with her brother. Her feet were in his lap, and Issak worked the soles gently with his thumbs. "Nerr, that's nice, Issak, thank you. I wonder how many Spectacles we'll have to do before we're done."

"Twenty, at most thirty before we get too old," he shrugged.

"Have you thought about what we're going to do when we're done?" she said, cocking her towel-wrapped head.

"Too soon to think about," he yawned.

"Hmm. S'pose it is," she said, closing her eyes. "I've thought about it a little, though. I could see us in a little house on the shore in Belleth, maybe on Sharktooth Bay. Just you and me, a few servants to keep us fed and clothed, a couple of cats and a little lap dog, hollyhocks in the garden--?"

She trailed off at the silence from her brother and opened her eyes. He was staring at her, one brow and one corner of his mouth raised. "Really? Seriously? You seriously see yourself sitting drinking lemonade among the hollyhocks at the shore with a cat on your lap, gracefully moldering away."

"You can't picture it?"

"Oh, please!" he said, flicking water at her with his fingers. "We will never leave the capital. Quiet doesn't suit us, Allis. We're unused to it. We were born in the alleys of Belleth Town and raised here. And let's face it, we love attention. You love attention. As former Embodiments we could stay here at the Temple, serve the Lovers and live in sacred, modest comfort, or we could strike out on our own, open a secular house and live in disgustingly opulent comfort. It wouldn't be the first time Embodiments have turned their talents to trade."

"So you have thought about it."

"Hm! S'pose I have at that." The two dozed in the water, quiet.

"Are you ready for after the Spectacle?" Allis finally said.

"For Temmin? Not much to be ready for, really. Fairly standard, don't you think?"

"Now who's being serious."

Issak stretched, putting his feet to either side of her on the bench where she sat. "Virginities get taken here every day. What makes him any different?"

"Virginities get taken here every day, but not by us--not by me. I'll be responsible for him."

"We're responsible for Anda and Bessa," he reminded her.

"No, technically you're responsible for Bessa. You took her virginity. We assumed responsibility for Anda. And this is different," mused Allis. "He's the Heir. There's more going on here than simply taking someone's virginity."

"You're starting to sound like Teacher."

Allis opened her eyes fully. "I wish he'd tell us what's going on, what's really going on, why it was so important that Temmin become a Supplicant. Don't you?"

Issak shrugged. "He never will tell us, so I don't bother thinking about it." He got out of the baths, water dripping from his long black hair down his back to his strong legs.

"Liar," she said, following him out.

He turned and wrapped her in a towel, then pulled her close. "Time to get ready." He kissed her forehead. "I love you."

Allis smiled and kissed him on the lips. "I love you too. I'll see you at the Spectacle."