Getting Ready

Winlay dressed and then ate the food on the tray, still trying to make sense of the night before. It was still a mystery why she had acted they way she had to Beldan's advances. She was only halfway through the food when a woman just a little older than her came in. Hurried over to Winlay shaking her head.

"Lady Winlay, I'm Anna. I'm to help you learn your duties as the High Priest Beldan's Voice."

Winlay got off the bed and onto her feet, pulling her robes tighter, hoping to hide the evidence of what she and Beldan had done the night before. It was then that the woman's face softened and Winlay saw the pity in her eyes. She knew. Probably many others did by now as well. Winlay was thankful that she didn't come out and say it and instead went on like nothing was wrong.

"I've got some cloths being brought up for you, so lets go prepare your bath. After you're cleaned up, we'll go find the High Priest. As his Voice your duties are mostly to be the lead singer in worship during sermons that the High Priest presides over. Also you will be traveling with him when he goes on missionary work. He doesn't do that often, so most of the time you are just expected to be somewhere nearby looking pretty."

Anna eyed her for a moment and Winlay saw her smile for the first time. It was a beautiful smile, but it didn't quite take away the pity she saw in Anna's eyes. Winlay looked down, too ashamed to make eye contact.

"I hope I perform my duties well."

"Based on what I heard last night, you'll have no problem with that."

Winlay's head jerked up and looked at Anna, but the woman was ushering her into a bathroom connected to the bedroom. Anna went over and turned the foset and water began pouring into the tub. She wouldn't look back at Winlay for a while but finally spoke again.

"I'm sorry. I know that was wrong of me. Beldan can be quite convincing when he wants to be. But lets get back on topic shall we? You don't have much time to dally so into the tub with you."

"But your still in here."

"Yes and I'm supposed to make sure you wash good so come on. Drop the the robes. Its not like I don't know what a naked woman looks like. I do bathe as well you know."

Winlay turned red for a moment but then pulled the string on her robes and let it fall to the floor. Anna looked over at her and then sighed and shook her head.

"So you were a virgin. That is a lot of blood and you've swollen a lot too. He was rough with you I take it."

Again Anna shook her head and motioned for Winlay to come over. The woman helped her into the tub and washed her hair and back for her and then helped her dry off when she was finished the rest of the cleaning. A knock was heard at the door and Anna went back to the bedroom and returned with a fresh white robe.

"But that isn't an initiate robe!"

"Silly girl, remember you are the Voice now. You will be wearing the best for a while to come. Beldan will want your clothing to be soft and beautiful."

Winlay didn't like the sound of what Beldan would like, but tried to hide it. Anna helped her dress and then made sure the golden net was woven into her hair again. Winlay had almost forgotten about the net while she bathed, but as soon as it was on again she felt a little calmer. When she was fully dressed, Anna stepped back and looked her over again.

"You're ready. Lets go meet with the High Priest. He should be finishing his meeting now anyway."

"So he met with the other initiates this morning?"

"No actually he had it put off so he could speed up the process of having you made as his Voice. The others will get their meeting tomorrow or they day after. Now come, we've wasted too much time."

Anna turned and began leading the way out of the room.