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Post by Diocles on Dec 20, 2020 6:24:36 GMT
Curtains cover the portholes, too, doubtless to keep anyone from spying in. Iri is protected and pampered, and as content a sacrifice as you have ever seen. "What city?" the beautiful ebony youth asks with an easy smile as he lazes back against his deep, white pillows. Truly, he doesn't know where he is. "So we have reached our destination in safety?"
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 20, 2020 6:26:23 GMT
"Reached it and are returning to Arinport," I say. "But I expect there will be riots in Arinport, too." Then I say, "Did you volunteer to be a Sacrifice?" I cannot imagine anything else, given his serenity.
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Post by Diocles on Dec 20, 2020 6:28:17 GMT
Iri shakes his head and sighs. "Alas, I was chosen from a group of nine. The priests of Galadrin in Arinport chose me. So we're going back home? What is a pale-skinned girl like you traveling there for? Our sun will wither away all your beauty in a fortnight."
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 20, 2020 6:30:32 GMT
"They chose you for your beauty," I say, marveling afresh. "What was your life like before that?" Then I answer his question, "I am traveling to Arinport because my cousins and I need the protection of the Prince."
I know I ought to speak more about the sun, about its being missing, but I cannot bring myself to do it, not when he has said I am beautiful!
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Post by Diocles on Dec 20, 2020 6:34:29 GMT
"Well you are welcome here, and I'm sure you will be welcome in Arinport. The Zenji male seems to have a thing for redheads." He winks at you. "As for me? I was a sailor. I still am, but..." He spreads his hands before him. "Obviously I can't go above decks and practice my trade." He then tells you about his orphaned childhood and how he took his father's boat and sailed it by himself, fishing and living on the sea alone, jumping from tiny island to tiny island, and living free. "But one day last year a warship passed by and snatched me away from my refuge, and I was sold to the Temple of Galadrin in Arinport. They assigned slaves to oil me, feed me, pamper me, and keep me sequestered away from everyone. They said I was being prepared. Now I know for what."
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 20, 2020 6:36:00 GMT
"You are brave," I say. Then I add, "You are a Zenji male. Do you have a thing for redheads?"
I nibble my lip. I have never been so nervous in the presence of a boy before!
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Post by Diocles on Dec 20, 2020 6:38:24 GMT
Iri stares at you in silence until you open your mouth to say something, just to break the uncomfortable silence. But he speaks. "I'd never seen one before now. I don't think so. But I've got a thing for you."
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 20, 2020 6:39:47 GMT
"You do?" I feel the blood burning in my cheeks. "I--I have never seen anyone so beautiful as you are. I am glad you have a thing for me. Because I feel something for you, too..."
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Post by Diocles on Dec 20, 2020 7:05:50 GMT
The door closes on you and Iri getting to know each other better.
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 21, 2020 5:21:54 GMT
I lean on his breast, tracing shapes on his lovely flesh.
"I do not know, Iri my love, what the Zenji ways of dealing with a Sacrifice are. In Elunia, Sacrifices are devoted to Galadrin, of course, and some boys even volunteer for the office. They sail no more than five times. If they have sailed five times and not been sacrificed, they are free to go where they will on Elunia. They are often quite sought after as mates," I add. "But Elunia has no slavery, so there is no question of their belonging to the Temple. But you do?" I nibble my lip. "When we get back to Arinport, I will speak to the Temple. If you belong to them, then surely we can purchase your freedom? I know that what I have, they will want." I place a little kiss on his lips. "And it is not my own self, of course. But with the sun gone..."
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Post by Diocles on Dec 21, 2020 5:52:55 GMT
"I do belong to the Temple. I am being 'rented', as it were, by the captain of the Skylark. When I return, I will go back to the temple. Could you buy my freedom?" He looks at you in wonder. "Are you some kind of heiress?"
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 21, 2020 5:56:51 GMT
"I am a mage," I answer. "I have magic, and magic that the Temple will want, I know. I am sure that we can buy your freedom that way."
I say "we", for I already consider what is mine to be his as well.
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Post by Diocles on Dec 21, 2020 5:58:22 GMT
"The priests are already spellcasters, though."
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Post by Storyteller on Dec 21, 2020 6:07:10 GMT
"Yes, of course they are," I say. "But the world is in darkness, and I can create light, light that will last." Then I add, "And the Prince is a friend of mine. I will enlist his aid, too, if necessary."
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Post by Diocles on Dec 21, 2020 6:09:59 GMT
Iri holds you close and inhales the fragrance of your hair. "Why has the sun disappeared? And will the world freeze? It's getting colder all the time."
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