Page 7 of Temple

“Fingertips today, even if it’s soup. Figure it out.” Sage smiled.

The matron smiled and said, “Walk with me. We have had a query about your services.”

“Oh. Interesting.”

They turned and walked into the gardens. Walking out here indicated that you didn’t want to be disturbed.

“Matron, you have piqued my curiosity.”

“Ah. Well, every five decades, the home of Ancient Zell seeks to wake him.”

“Drums? Annoying neighbours?”

“Funny. No. They have a tower, and they staff four sides with companions, and those companions try to wake him for seven days. At the end of the seven days, those who are not successful get their bond paid and are free to find a husband or return to the Temple. Women of the tower have no shortage of offers.”

“And if they are successful?”

“They are offered to Zell. Their fate is up to him.”

“Oh. Right. So, be good but not too good.”

“The entire world will be watching.”

Sage laughed. “I can’t see that possibly going wrong.”

The matron chuckled. “They have gone through our files and selected you.”

“And three others?”

“They have purchased others from bond auctions. You are the only trained companion.”

“Hm. Is there a reason for that?”

“Yes. Your species has begun to be associated with Hmrain consorts. You seem unusually adapted for them.”

“Ah. I have been reading those notices as well. Yeah, we are rather uninhibited out of our basic societies.”

Matron smiled. “You don’t say.”

Sage chuckled. “Aw, I passed my sex class with flying colours.”

“You did. Impressive ratings and astonishing long answers.”

Sage grinned. “Thank you. I did my best.”

“So, are you willing to go to try and wake Zell?”

“Sure. Can I come back here when I fail?”

“Of course... for a fee.”

They laughed together, and Sage went to pack a bag. Her shuttle would be waiting at the front of the temple, and the matron would take over her novices until a suitable mistress could be found.

She put her bag on a levitator so that her precious self didn’t have to sweat, and she picked up the follow beacon.

Sage looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing four layers of gowns, two layers of outer robes, and half a dozen sashes that held the works together. Each piece meant something. Her hair was pinned up in a dozen braids with long pins holding them in place. The first thing that the Temple had done was to take her hair from three inches to three feet.

She laughed and shook her head, checked her glossy nails, and looked up at the heavy makeup.

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